Chapter 6
Harris
Iwas rushing, which I never did. I was quick and efficient, but I never sacrificed quality.
It was ingrained in my soul and work ethic, learned from watching my father cut corners to save time and money.
I was young when I vowed not to do the same, and learning at Janice and Lucette’s had taught me more.
So the fact that I had to remind myself to slow down, multiple times, rankled.
The horses deserved my time and attention, not just throwing them in their stalls with a cursory glance to make sure their water and hay nets were full.
It was Tyler’s fault.
Anticipation thrummed through my veins. I could say it was because, before last night, it had been a long while since I’d gotten off with another person.
And that was true, but not the whole truth.
There was something about the man himself that made me want to put him on his knees and keep him there.
To see those pretty eyes staring up at me, his mouth full of my cock.
And now I was fucking hard.
I leaned against the stall wall, staring at Rosie, waiting for her to make her move.
She was pissed off, ears back and stomping a hoof.
I knew she hated being cooped up, hated being separated from her herd by these pesky walls and doors.
But there was no other choice. It wasn’t like I could explain to nearly a thousand pounds of quarter horse that it was for her own good.
At least she’d put on some weight. Being on stall rest and only getting minimal exercise would do that.
She still got to run around in the indoor arena at least twice a day, but even in just a couple of weeks, with good feed and lots of hay, she’d filled out some.
If she kept it up at this rate, by the time the snow melted, even if it was still cold, I wouldn’t have a problem turning her out.
Rosie decided not to charge, but she did turn her back on me and backed up a few steps.
I quickly got out of the way, putting the door between us.
I was doing my best to get her used to people and handling since she and her band had been left to founder in a pasture, but I wasn’t stupid.
A kick from those back hooves would put me in the hospital.
And I had plans that did not involve doctors, X-rays, and pain killers.
She settled more once I was out of her space, which wasn’t a surprise. Deciding it was a good place to leave it, I closed her in and waited another minute, just watching her. After giving me a deadly side-eye, she began munching on hay.
“Good girl,” I murmured to her. She snorted but kept eating.
That done, I glanced around to make sure everything was in order, and seeing that it was, hightailed it out of the barn.
Steve was scheduled to do the evening check before he went home.
I had plenty of cameras up around the barns and the rest of the property, so if anything needed attention tonight, I’d know it.
But now that my tasks for the day were completed, I just had to get myself cleaned up and wait for Tyler to arrive.
I’d just about made it back to the house, ready to turn down the part of the drive that separated my place from the rest of the property when movement caught my attention.
I turned to see a dark-haired man jogging toward me, and he raised an arm to make sure I saw him.
It took me a second, but I realized it was one of the guests I’d checked in, along with his husband, this afternoon.
“Harris!” He called as I searched my brain for his name. We were full, all fifteen cabins rented out, since the Market started this weekend. “Sorry to bother you.”
“It’s no bother,” I assured him, picking up my pace to meet him halfway. Suddenly his name dropped into my brain, and I quietly breathed a sigh of relief. “What can I do for you, Mr. Caldwell?”
“Call me Law. Please.” He stopped about a foot away, and it was then that I saw his troubled expression. “I have a problem that needs your attention. As the owner.”
Oh good Christ. What now? I worked to keep that sentiment off my face. “How can I help you?”
Law took a breath, seemed to consider his words, and then just dove in.
“We’re having some heating issues in our cabin, which I understand happens.
But when my husband called the front desk to let your staff know, he was…
” Law shook his head. “I’m just going to say it.
Oak was treated very rudely. The man who answered the phone basically told us there was nothing he could do, nothing would be done, and if we didn’t like it we could, and I quote, ‘go the fuck somewhere else.’”
“Jesus Christ,” I muttered. Fucking Lenny. That was the final goddamn straw.
Law gave me a sympathetic smile. “I can’t imagine that’s how you want your establishment run. And seeing as how both Oak and I work for an Inn over in Fairville, we know that’s not how things are done. So I bring it to your attention so that you can rectify the situation.”
“Of course,” I said instantly. “The employee will be dealt with immediately, I assure you. But first, let’s head to your cabin so I can get your heating sorted out. Once that’s done, I’ll handle the employee and discount today’s rate for you.”
Law’s shook his head. “Oh, a discount isn’t—”
“It is,” I insisted. “For your treatment and for having to spend any time without heat. Let’s go.”
It only took a few minutes to walk over to his cabin, and I followed Law inside.
His pretty husband—Oak, he’d called him—sat close to the gas fireplace with a fluffy blanket wrapped around his shoulders.
He gave Law a sweet grin, then turned wary eyes on me.
I didn’t miss the way Law positioned himself between me and Oak.
“I’m so sorry my employee was rude to you,” I said to the man on the floor. “Rest assured, he will no longer be a problem and you will not have to deal with him for the rest of your stay.”
Oak’s blue eyes went wide in his face. His voice was quiet when he said, “I didn’t want anyone to get fired.”
I waved that away even as I turned to the thermostat next to the door.
I pressed some buttons, resetting the thing.
As I suspected, it cycled, then clicked on.
The damn thing had been giving us trouble, and it wasn’t the only one.
I was going to have to replace them all, which was an expense I’d been trying to put off.
I explained to them both how to reset the thermostat, then tried for a smile. “Try that first if it happens again, but if it doesn’t work, please don’t hesitate to reach out. I’ll get it replaced immediately.”
Law nodded and Oak stood, keeping that blanket wrapped around his shoulders. Law held out a hand. “Thank you for dealing with the issue. Both of them.”
I shook his hand. “Let me pay for your dinner this evening.”
“Really. That’s not necessary,” Law said.
“I insist.”
Law glanced over his shoulder at Oak who, after a second, gave a short single nod. The younger man gave me a smile. “That’s very kind of you.”
“Go to The Emerald Lantern. Best food in town. Ask for Arlo and let him know who you are. Your meal and drinks will be taken care of.”
“Thanks, Harris.” Law said.
I left them then and strode away. Only when I was hidden by trees did a stop and let out a frustrated growl.
Fucking Lenny. I took several deep breaths before I called Arlo and let him know I was sending guests his way.
Arlo was quick to agree and I assured him I’d be in tomorrow to settle their bill.
That taken care of, I shot a text to Steve, Ben, and Cade, hoping to catch them all before they left for the day. It was just about quitting time.
Emergency meeting. Cabins office. Ten minutes.
My phone vibrated with what assumed were confirmations as I all but jogged to the small building that housed the office. It was on the edge of the lot where guests parked and where we also sold tickets for the sleigh rides.
Lenny didn’t even look up as I stormed through the door, gaze focused solely on his phone. I gave him a second to acknowledge me but he did nothing. My blood boiled.
“You’re done.”
Lenny’s gaze shot up and he hopped off the stool. “I can leave early?”
What had Tyler called him? A fuckhead? I was pretty sure that was it and it certainly fit. He couldn’t even tell I was steaming mad. I nodded. “Yep. And lucky for you, you don’t ever have to come back.”
He had the audacity to look shocked. “What the fuck?”
“That should be my line. I’ve given you far too many chances. And now you’re treating guests like trash? How many times has it happened and I just never knew about it.” I had to stop and take a breath so I didn’t yell. That wouldn’t solve anything. “Get your shit and get gone. You’re fired.”
“Fuck you, Harris! You’re just gonna take the word of some uppity pansy without even given me a chance to give my side?” His face was red and his eyes were murderous. “He was the one who copped an attitude—”
“Shut up!” I roared, at my wit’s end. I clenched my fists so I didn’t punch his face. “Derogatory terms have no place here and neither do you.”
“Derogatory? What the hell? I didn’t use any bad words.”
Well at least he knew what that word meant, even if he had no clue that his choice of phrasing was rude. I stared him down, not budging, because I wasn’t going to give the asshole any more of my time or attention. As long as he left without incident.
Lenny seemed to realize I wasn’t going to engage any longer and he angrily shoved his phone in his pocket. He stormed around the desk and got in my face.
“Fuck you!” He repeated, voice loud. “You can’t fire me. I quit! I should have left this hellhole a long time ago!”
I tensed, ready for him to take a swing, but at the last second he seemed to realize that was a bad idea.
I would have laid him out. Instead he grabbed his coat from the hook and slammed the door open, stomping as he left like the petulant child he was.
I watched him hop into his truck and tear out of the parking lot before I breathed a sigh of relief.
I’d deal with the paperwork tomorrow. And if he wanted to say he quit, all the better for me.
At least I wouldn’t have to pay unemployment.
But that was for future me to deal with.
Right now, the immediate issue was letting the other guys know and making sure the guests were taken care of for the evening.
A quick glance at our software showed that everyone was checked in and no one was scheduled to check out until Monday. That worked in our favor, and the rest of the weekend was already scheduled, the guys already having their shifts. It was only tonight that was going to be a problem.
Goddammit all to hell. I was going to have to cancel with Tyler.
Steve walked in, took one look at me behind the desk, and instantly knew what was going on. He gave me a nod of approval. Ben and Cade entered a minute later. I let out a sigh.
No point beating around the bush. “Lenny’s done.”
Ben’s eyebrows climbed his forehead. “You finally fired him?”
“Well, he claims he quit, but yeah.” I shrugged. “I’m sorry. Both for letting it go on so long and for now putting us in a situation where we’re short staffed.”
Steve cleared his throat. “We understood.”
Ben nodded and then piped up, “My sister’s looking for a job.”
A ball of tension release in my gut. “She is?”
He nodded. “Yeah. Sam can do everything we can. But, you know, if you just want her to do this, handle the office side of things, we can handle the rest. I know she wouldn’t mind.”
I chewed on that for a minute, looking at the other three men. I knew no one, including me, loved doing the office shit. But it was necessary. Still. “We’d still have to be somewhat in the rotation. Your sister can’t work seven days a week.”
“But it’d be less,” Cade murmured.
I nodded. “Have her call me tomorrow, will you, Ben?”
He agreed easily then said, “What about tonight?”
I held back the whine that wanted to escape. I’d really been looking forward to seeing Tyler this evening. “I gotta cancel my plans but then I’ll cover. I’m going to need you guys to make sure everything is locked down tonight, okay?”
Cade nudged Ben, who looked at him for a long few seconds, then he nodded. “I’ll cover here, and Cade’ll cover me out there.”
“No.” I shook my head. “It’s on me, as the boss, to handle this kind of thing. You guys have already put in a long day.”
Ben shrugged. “It’s only a little bit longer. And we’re happy to help now that the asshole is gone. It’ll only be for a little bit. Besides, you never have plans.”
Cade pointed to Ben and Steve nodded, adding, “What he said.”
I knew I should decline. I should be the one to pick up the slack. It was my business and my decision that had put us in this position. But as I studied the men who worked for me, I saw nothing but earnest expressions. They meant it and dammit, I was going to take them up on it.
“Thanks, guys. I appreciate it.”