Chapter 25
When I get up to the main building, luck cake and a basket full of craft packets in hand, there’s a model-pretty light brown minotaur woman with a fancy camera mounted in a handheld stabilizer taking a sweeping shot of the lodge’s exterior.
Two human guys exit the building as I approach, one with a phone in hand recording the other as he walks out the front doors and gestures over to the porch.
Shit, if I’d realized our guests were going to be vloggers and influencers, I would’ve looked them up ahead of time to see what they’d respond to the most. Back when I worked at the concierge desk, I had pinpointing suggestions and amenities to offer to content creators down to a science.
With a sigh, I consider turning around and taking the activity packets back to the house, since they’ll probably be busy filming and talking to their cameras the whole time they’re here.
They won’t want to do a mini cross-stitch or play card games.
I definitely would’ve changed into one of my few normal outfits instead of the hot pink rhinestone cowgirl ensemble I’ve got on, because I stand out like a beacon that says “Hey, come film me!”
As if on cue, the guy filming with the phone notices me and stage-whispers to his companion, “Oh my gosh, Juan, they hired someone to dress up like a rodeo girl!”
All eyes turn to me, and I fight against the flush rising on my cheeks.
I’m good with people. I can handle this.
For a split-second I consider rolling with it, doing my best cowgirl accent and shooting him a wink before sauntering away, but decide against it. They may have come to Taurus Ranch because they think it’s a gimmick, but we want to prove to them it’s much more than that.
“Hey there, welcome!” I say, waving as best I can with a basket of goodie bags in one hand and a cake covered in foil balanced precariously in the other. “I’m Belle, and I…”
Crap, do I say I’m co-owner of the ranch? I know it’s not meant to be a gimmick, but will I immediately ruin the mystique of the place if a human is partially in charge?
“I’ll be around all weekend as a ranch concierge of sorts.
I’m sure you’ve met Marcie at the front desk, and she’ll be able to help with anything like fresh towels and arranging room service, but for any special requests, I’m your girl!
” I gesture at my sparkly outfit. “I’m hard to miss, and don’t worry about bothering me, because my goal is to make your stay a rootin’-tootin’ good time. ”
Oh my god, did I seriously say “rootin’-tootin”? I was doing so well until that. I try to cover the weirdness with a wink and finger guns, but end up almost dropping the cake in the process and let out a weird, awkward laugh.
Luckily, no one is paying attention because Cal emerges from the lodge, looking like a picture-perfect rugged cowboy and devastatingly handsome. He’s trailed by a gaggle of humans who I assume are our remaining guests.
“Alright, anyone here interested in a quick tour?”
Two women behind him eagerly raise their hands, and then erupt into giggles when he shoots them a charming smile I didn’t know he was capable of making.
Everyone gathers around Cal like moths drawn to a flame, the bulk of them with hearts in their eyes as they listen to him explain where they’re going to go, how long the tour will take, and offer accommodations for any guests who can’t do the tour on foot.
We have a nice golf cart Dawn used to get around when her health declined, which I’m glad for seeing as we have a guest using a cane.
I make a mental note to check that Marcie was with it enough to give said guest one of the accessible rooms on the ground floor.
The main group heads off with Cal, and Wylie waves from the golf cart as the human woman with the cane and the two guys who were filming on the porch head over to him.
I can’t help noticing the clear spark of interest in Wylie’s gaze when the woman introduces herself, looking up at him shyly through thick blonde lashes, and have to hold in a laugh when he takes her hand and places a kiss on it.
I already told the staff that under no uncertain terms do they need to flirt with guests, and that if anyone made a pass at them or made them uncomfortable, they should report it immediately.
I didn’t think about setting ground rules for if they’re interested in the guests.
It goes without saying that they shouldn’t hit on guests, right?
The way Wylie’s gaze drops to check out her ass when she turns away for a moment tells me maybe that’s not the case. At least Wylie is too shy to do more than quick glances and smiles, but what about the rest of the staff?
My stomach churns unpleasantly as I watch the two giggling girls from earlier take a spot on either side of Cal as they walk off toward the fire pit. He tips his hat, and they practically swoon.
Cal can do whatever he wants. Not that he’s going to do anything to make guests uncomfortable, but if those girls flirt and fawn over him and he encourages it, then that’s his prerogative.
If they proposition him and he goes for it, I’ll be frustrated with his lack of professionalism, but I have no claim over him.
He can sleep with the entire group of guests if he wants.
Realizing I’m spiraling, I yank my gaze away and wave at Wylie as his smaller group drives off to join the tour. The guy with the phone is still filming his companion, but he waves at me. “See you later, Belle! I’ll let you know if we have a rootin’ tootin’ time on the tour.”
Oh great, he’s going to be a handful, isn’t he?
To my immense relief, he does not, in fact, end up being a handful.
If anything, by the time dinner is done, I think Seth and his husband, Juan, might be my new best friends.
When I got to the dining hall after a busy day of helping wherever I was needed, they both waved me over and insisted that I eat with them.
Apparently, the married duo are travel influencers who seek out hidden gems and novel experiences, and when the video of Wylie on horseback popped up in Seth’s feed, they knew they had to come check Taurus Ranch out.
When Juan casually shows me their Instagram profile and I see the M next to their follower count, I almost have a heart attack, but they both laugh it off like it’s no big deal.
We talk about everything under the sun, from their travel horror stories and mishaps to my morning snuggle sessions with Doodle—who they beg me to introduce them to tomorrow.
A few times, when we’re all laughing, I catch Cal looking my way. To be fair, I keep glancing over at his table, where he’s entertaining his doting new fan club. Juan waggles his brows and asks me if there’s something going on between us, and I have to wave him off with an unconvincing laugh.
Even with that brief reminder of the awkwardness between us, it’s an amazing night. My heart is full of hope and excitement for the rest of the weekend as guests head outside to enjoy the s’mores station we set up at the fire pit, the night sky clear and air the perfect temperature.
When I slip away to the kitchen, I find Remy halfway through eating a slice of the cake I baked for him. “Belle! This is amazing.”
I laugh at his food-muffled words. “Good enough for a luck cake?”
He swallows and nods enthusiastically, a shower of crumbs falling to the floor. “More than good enough. You’re the best, thank you!”
“Anytime.” I cut myself a small slice. “Wasn’t sure if we all needed to eat it together or if there was something we should say before eating it…”
“Oh! No, baking it intending to bring good luck is enough. August and Marcie had already cut into it before I got in here, so I figured I’d grab a slice before it’s all gone.”
I take a bite. “Hey, you’re right, this isn’t bad!
” It’s a plain box cake with icing I made using a recipe in one of Dawn’s ancient cookbooks, but there’s something oddly magical about the simplicity.
Maybe that’s the luck, or maybe I’m riding the high of a successful start to the weekend, but either way, I’m filled with a sense of rightness.
“You know, I think this might work.” I don’t mean to say it out loud, but Remy chuckles.
“Told you it was good luck,” he says with a sage nod.
I’m not usually one for superstition or traditions, but I can’t help agreeing with him. Taurus Ranch’s luck might finally be turning around. I don’t want to linger on that thought for too long, lest I jinx things, so I take another bite and turn to another topic.
“So…did you notice how Wylie was looking at the curvy blonde?”
Remy’s brow furrows. “How was he looking at her?”
“He was totally checking her out! He even kissed her hand in greeting.”
I laugh as Remy almost chokes on his cake.
“He kissed her hand? Seriously?” He rolls his eyes. “And he’s the one who makes fun of me for having no game.”
I place a hand on my hip. “I don’t know, I think she was into it.”
“No way!”
“She was! Your brother is handsome and sweet. Why wouldn’t she be?”
Remy scoffs at my assessment, and I laugh because the two of them are so similar in appearance that complimenting his brother is also a compliment to him.
“Speaking of flirting, I realized I didn’t explicitly say not to hit on the guests.”
“Oh, I’d never hit on someone!” Remy says immediately, taken aback.
“I know you’d never intentionally make people uncomfortable, and being friendly is totally fine, but we’re in a strange position with how our guests found out about the ranch.
I want to keep our staff protected from harassment, and I want to make sure that all the guests feel comfortable and safe too. ”
Remy nods solemnly. “Yes, ma’am. I promise I’ll be respectful. I won’t flirt too much. Hell, I don’t even know how to flirt.” His ears twitch. “Please don’t tell Wylie I admitted that.”
There’s a deep snort from behind me, and I startle at the sound of Cal’s laugh. Suddenly the air in the room feels thicker, my heart beating faster as I turn to look at him.
Act casual. Don’t make things weird. We kissed, but that doesn’t matter. We’re coworkers and friends. Don’t let him see how good I think he looks right now.
“Cal!” I squeak.
Way to go. That wasn’t weird at all.
“Belle.” His blue eyes bore into my soul for a second before his focus shifts. “Remy.”
“Evening, Cal. I promise I won’t flirt with the guests. You don’t have to worry.”
Cal frowns. “I missed something.”
“I was, uh, checking in and letting Remy know people may be here to see the hot cow men, but to be cautious with any flirting.”
Cal huffs, crossing his arms over his chest. “You planning on following that rule too?” His words are pointed. Accusatory.
My hackles rise. “What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Looked like you were getting awfully cozy with those men at dinner.”
“We were having a friendly conversation. They’re married!”
“That doesn’t always stop people,” he replies drolly.
“They’re married to each other!” I say, exasperated. God, he’s seriously clueless.
Remy watches us argue, wide eyes ping-ponging back and forth between us.
“Oh. Well, okay then. Good.”
Cal doesn’t sound contrite at all, and I want to smack him. He shouldn’t care if I’m flirting with anyone. I’m not calling him out for encouraging the bevy of beautiful women fawning all over him.
“Such a hypocrite,” I mutter under my breath.
He frowns. “What was that?”
“Nothing,” I huff, shoving the last bite of cake into my mouth and setting the plate down in the sink with a loud clatter. “If you’ll excuse me, I have things to get ready for tomorrow. Goodnight, Remy.”
I storm out of the kitchen, pissed that Cal took my good mood and squashed it with his nonsense. I hear the heavy clomp of his hooves as he follows me, but I ignore them and keep going.
“Belle.”
“I don’t want to talk right now,” I grit out between my teeth, smiling as we pass a cluster of guests in the lobby. I speed up my steps, but he keeps pace, following me toward the walking path back to Dawn’s house.
“Belle, stop,” Cal huffs.
I whip around and glare at him. “What? What do you want? You’ve already embarrassed me, accused me of being inappropriate yet again when I did nothing wrong. What more do you want from me?”
His eyes gleam in the darkness, and he takes a few steps closer until I have to crane my neck up to meet his gaze. My heart slams against my ribcage, traitorously wondering if he’s going to kiss me.
“I’m sorry, okay?”
The words are so obligatory and insincere that I laugh. “Great apology. Thanks.”
I turn and take a step away, but he snags my wrist and tugs me back.
“I’m sorry,” he says again, letting out a deep sigh. “I shouldn’t have…I’m having a hard time…” He shakes his head and sighs again. “I don’t know how to do this.”
“Do what?” I bite back, wrenching my hand from his grip and wrapping my arms around my waist protectively.
“Pretend nothing happened,” he rasps, ripping off his hat and rubbing at the base of his horn.
“It’s simple.” I snap, glaring at him, ignoring the softness in his voice because if I let that in, I won’t be able to keep myself from kissing him again and making this even worse.
“You focus on doing your damn job and everything that’s at stake instead of acting like I’m the ranch harlot for talking to our guests and staff. ”
“I didn’t…”
“Yes, you did.” Frustrated tears prick my eyes, but I refuse to let him see me cry. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to go home and get some rest for tomorrow.”
“I’m sorry,” Cal says for the third time, and I turn away as a tear spills down my cheek.
This time, he doesn’t follow as I walk away.