Chapter 2
BOSS
Well, fuck me sideways. Twice.
My deep distrust of real estate scum has been kicked to the curb by this woman.
She’s stunning. Gorgeous. Not in a model way. That’s never interested me. No, Etta is the girl next door. The woman of my dreams. Those dewy fresh cheeks when she came in from the rain…those wide, blue-green eyes…her natural, dirty blonde hair…
Her breasts are breathtaking, too. With her slightly damp, pale green dress clinging to her, every curve is amplified.
It was actually good that she clearly needed to be comforted from the storm.
Otherwise, I don’t know how much longer I could have resisted touching her.
Holding her. She feels…right…in my arms. Like she's always belonged there.
I have no idea what this real estate bullshit is about, but I need to get to the bottom of it and deal with it so I can figure out how to spend some quality time with Etta.
Then I can… I don't even know. Bond with her?
Talk her into dating me? I've been surrounded by men and animals for so long that I think I’ve forgotten how to treat a lady. Crap.
I pour us each a cup of coffee, then bring the mugs to the table at the front of the dining hall, where Etta is checking her phone.
“No Wi-Fi if the power is out, I guess?” she asks glumly.
“The router is on the backup system, but it’ll take several minutes to restart or reboot or whatever.”
She sips her coffee, then smiles. “Okay – oh, this coffee is delicious. Thank you.”
"You're welcome." I take a few gulps, then reach out to steady her mug when another ripple of thunder shakes the building.
"Sorry," she whispers sheepishly.
I set our mugs down. "Etta, I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you. Got it?"
Her smile is like a beam of…light? I dunno – something rich and warm that spills through my chest, anyway. Like being dipped in honey. Damn, this girl has my brain all scrambled.
“Okay, how about you tell me everything about this real estate shit…stuff…and I'll try to help you look good for your boss, while getting rid of them."
I hope she realizes that I don't want to get rid of her. The way she purses those beautiful pink lips when she's thinking is already reminding my long-neglected cock that beautiful women make the whole world better.
"Okay." Her hands spread out on the wooden table. “My uncle David owns Decker Realty. He's about to buy the Jensen farm, and he wants to go in with one of his clients to make a nature retreat." Her tone of voice tells me that she thinks it's bullshit.
"A what-now?"
"Oh, you know…hiking trails, a spa, a string of exclusive cabins, plenty of hot tub and cold plunge things."
"So, basically a getaway for rich city folks?" I ask.
"Exactly." She shrugs. "They have some big plan to roll out an expansion every year, with new trails, new adventures."
"The Jensen farm isn't that big. How many trails are they talking?"
She exhales while rolling her eyes. “They're going to buy up the Whitaker, Slade, and Bowerman properties next.
Then they can show a map with all the trails that will be built each year, assuming people make this their annual retreat.
Uncle David says he has a whole system. Personally, I think he's been brainwashed by one of those online marketing gurus. "
I chuckle as Smoky comes into the hall, shaking the water off his jacket and stomping his boots. "Fuckin’ hell, that rain’s pissin’ down," he says with a grunt. His eyes snap wide open when he sees there's a lady present. "Sorry, miss."
"Smoky, this is Etta. Her uncle's company is apparently buying up the Bowerman land."
He snorts. "Like hell it is. Hey, do I smell fresh coffee?"
"Yeah, help yourself."
"Thanks."
He shuffles off to the back kitchen, and I turn to Etta. "That's Smoky Bowerman. I don't think he's selling."
Her eyes grow huge as she shrinks back as far as possible in her chair.
"Whitaker and Slade also work on this ranch. Trust me, nobody is selling."
Her hands fly up. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I was just ordered to come here and—"
"It's okay, sweetheart." I pat her knee gently. "I'm not angry with you." I chuckle as she visibly relaxes. "Your uncle is clearly an asshole, but that has nothing to do with you."
Smoky returns with his traveler mug filled, and nods to Etta.
"The power is out because a tree knocked out the lines just a mile past the gate.
Cutter is grabbing the chainsaws, and Hunter is dealing with the power company, but it might still be well past dark before the road is clear.
That little car of yours might not make it, what with the huge ruts and holes in the road. "
"Thanks," I tell him. I'll take care of it."
The door bangs behind him, and I smile into Etta's terrified eyes. "Sometimes storms create mini rivers across the hard-packed soil and dig trenches in the road. We'll be running around tomorrow filling them with gravel."
"I'm okay sleeping in my car," she says quickly. "Really. I don't want to be a bother."
"You're not a bother at all. I'm not allowing a lovely young lady to sleep in her car, for goodness’ sake.
" I take another sip of coffee. "There's a whole bunk room right there.
" I tip my chin to the north wall. "Sometimes we have volunteers or seasonal workers trucking through. It’s not fancy, but it'll do for one night.”
"Thank you."
Fuck. The way she keeps biting that plush bottom lip is driving me insane.
Then I remember. "Did you say you needed to test something out on this property?"
Her delicate skin pales. "Um, I'm supposed to be asking if there's anything toxic out here. Chemicals, pesticides, things like that."
I release a long sigh. "Pretty sure there's more to it than that. It'll be easier if you just tell me everything. I swear I won't get mad at you. "
She blinks quickly. If this beautiful girl begins to cry, I think my heart might shatter.
“It’s just… Nobody in town knows what goes on here at your ranch. Uncle David doesn't want to invest a pile of money if it's anything illegal or environmentally unsound. Basically, he can't spend millions and then have someone discover the next-door neighbor is…you know. Your basic PR nightmare."
My deep chuckle lowers her shoulders at least half an inch.
"Nothing toxic, for sure. Not with the animals and gardens and small crops.
" I scratch the back of my head. "Wait – last year there was a pretty bad ant problem in the garage.
I think Smoky used some bug spray on it.
Is that the kind of thing to scare off your uncle? "
She laughs lightly. Such a sweet sound that makes me want to wrap my arms around her and never let go. "I don't think bug spray will contaminate the neighboring land."
"Wait. You said the Jensen farm." My eyebrow lifts. "Why would he be selling?"
She shrugs. Her lips press together.
I tap my elbow into hers. "Come on, now. We're old friends by now. You can tell me."
Etta rolls her eyes, smirking. "Okay, but if anyone asks, you dragged it out of me."
I nod. "Of course. I'm a terrible, terrible man."
"Well… Apparently Jensen's wife has been ill, his sons are still in school, and he's behind on his mortgage payments. My uncle figures if Jensen defaults on the loan entirely, they can swoop in and scoop it up."
She must catch the brief flash of rage that flares in my eye. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry," she sputters. "I have nothing to do with this."
"I know." I take a deep, slow breath. "I'm not going to shoot the messenger. I just hate it when rich assholes take advantage of honest folk when they're behind the eight ball."
I check my phone and see that the signal has returned.
Holding up a finger to Etta, I make a call. In the quiet, I'm sure she can hear both sides of the conversation.
"Hey, Boss. Some storm, hey?"
"Sure was, Shane. Sorry, I'm in a hurry. I need a favor."
"For my favorite client? Of course."
"I may have just caught word that the Jensens are behind on their mortgage."
There are a few seconds of silence. "You know I can't comment on another client’s situation."
"I realize that. Listen, however much it is, I'm paying off their mortgage. Right now. Just take it from my main account.”
Etta’s eyes are huge as I hold out the phone so she can hear Shane sputter. "Boss, you've always been beyond generous with the people of this town. Everybody appreciates it. But this could be a lot. Are you sure?"
"Very sure. And listen." I raise an eyebrow to Etta. "If there are any other farmers or landowners in a radius of, say, fifty miles who are behind on their mortgage payments, come to me before your bank forecloses on them. Got it?"
"Got it. Thank you. I'll send over the paperwork tomorrow."
"Thanks, Shane. Take care." I end the call, then force myself not to laugh at Etta's wide-eyed, open-mouthed expression.
"You just…just like that?" she whispers.
"Yes. Because we don't like outsiders near our property."
"But why are you so secretive?" she asks. "What do you guys do out here?" The lights come back on, and she smiles.
"For a start, we help damsels in distress when the roads wash out." I stand up, holding out my hand. “And whenever else they need us.”