Regan
R egan tore the kitchen completely apart, reorganized it, and put everything away before seven-thirty in the morning. She knew that she was working with pent-up nervous energy, but she’d used it to her advantage. What she needed was a nap. She was bone-tired from traveling and the guys didn’t let her sleep much during the night. But she was too worried about Jamison not forgiving her to even sit down for two minutes. not only had to convince him that she was mature enough to handle the job but also him and Ash in bed together.
When Jamison left the farmhouse earlier she was sure that it would be the last time she would ever see him. Ash had come back in to tell her that Jamison wouldn’t be coming back for lunch and her stomach dropped. She knew that lying on her application would catch up to her, she just didn’t know that she would have so much to lose. If they had just turned her away yesterday when she showed up on their doorstep, this would have been a whole lot easier. But then they showed her just how good it could be living in this big, old house with the two of them and sleeping tangled up with them in her bed. Walking away now was going to hurt like hell, but she was afraid that was just what Jamison was going to ask her to do.
rummaged through the pantry and came up with a list of groceries. If they were going to give her the boot, the least she could do was stock their fridge. She took Jamison’s truck and ran into town because he was right; she wouldn’t be able to stack grocery bags on the back of her bike. She decided to stop at a little boutique that she spied on her way into town yesterday. They had some cute clothes, although using the guy’s money to add to her bare-bones wardrobe felt wrong, she also knew that she needed a few things; especially if she was going to be job hunting again.
“Can I help you find your size?” A young salesclerk found her in the clearance section, looking through jeans.
“I’m not sure what my size even is, it’s been so long since I’ve been shopping. I’m looking for a pair of jeans and a couple of nice shirts but I’m on a budget.” The salesgirl smiled and nodded.
“We all are honey. It’s hard to stay up with the latest trends and not spend a small fortune.” smiled at her, not wanting to tell her that she couldn’t care less about the latest fashion trends.
“I haven’t seen you around here before. You new in town?” nodded again, not sure how much to say.
“I work out at Travers Black Farm; I’m the new cook.” didn’t miss how the salesgirl’s smile fell flat at the mention of the farm.
“So, you're staying out there, at the farm then?” nodded busying herself by looking through another stack of jeans.
“I am, the guys were nice enough to give me a room to stay in as part of my pay.” looked at the front door and debated whether she should just leave, rather than deal with a game of twenty questions.
“Well, I’m Katie.” She held out her hand and reluctantly shook it.
“,” she all but whispered. Growing up the way that she did with no money and living in a trailer park, she learned who the mean girls were quickly. Katie struck her as a mean girl and didn’t have time for games.
“I will take these jeans and those two shirts.” handed the ever-helpful Katie her choices and hoped to be able to pay and make a hasty retreat.
“So, you have big plans for the weekend?” Katie asked. shook her head and even shrugged a little. What else could she do? She had no idea what she was going to be doing over the weekend. Her big plan was not to get fired and sent packing. Hell, the huge plan would also involve Jamison forgiving her and spending the weekend in bed with her sexy new bosses.
“Well, you made some good choices here, I know for a fact that the guys will approve.” Katie gave her an exaggerated wink.
“Listen, Katie is it? I’m on a tight schedule here, so if you don’t mind just ringing me up and letting me get on with my day, I’d appreciate it.” Katie gasped as if horrified by ’s behavior.
“Northerners have no manners! You think you can come down here and steal our jobs and our men, well you have another thing coming missy.” Katie threw ’s new clothes into a shopping bag and handed her back her change. “You just watch yourself, . Those new bosses of yours like to share their women and people around here don’t take kindly to that type of unconventional lifestyle. I’d hate for messy rumors to start spreading about you, what with you being so new to town and all.” Katie handed her bag.
“Well, thanks so much for the advice, Katie. But I don’t give a flying fuck what you or anyone else in town thinks about me. Hell, tell everyone you know that I’m a giant slut for all I care.” laughed at Katie’s exaggerated shock and turned to leave.
“You won’t last long, sweetie. They will use you for a few days and then shove you out the door, just like the last cook they hired. That’s what they do—hire attractive women, have their way with them, and then give them the boot. I’d say it was a pleasure to meet you, but I’ve been raised better than to lie.” Katie’s fake smile seemed a little too forced.
“Jilted lover doesn’t look pretty on you, Katie. It makes you look downright ugly.” turned on her heel and left, not wanting to go back and forth with good old Katie for one minute longer.
She threw her bags into the cab of the truck and buckled herself in. Was Katie telling the truth? Was this what Ash and Jamison did? Had they hired her just to have sex with her and then send her on her way? wasn’t sure what her next step was going to be but what she did know was that she couldn’t go home, nothing was waiting for her at that trailer park. Trusting Ash and Jamison was her only option unless she wanted to end up sleeping in her truck again. She’d rather take her chances sleeping between the two men who could cause her more grief and heartache than she had signed up for.