Chapter 10
Sadie
Rules?
Oh, boy. When they said Zane Lawless was a grump, they weren’t kidding. He is, however, a pretty good listener. His obvious good looks aside, he has no sense of humor, but I did just blurt out my life story.
To be honest, I had no clue my little sister hired you. Normally, we like to make sure we like the person we’re hiring.
Wow, talk about taking a bullet. He kind of did redeem himself with the tissue, but what the hell was I thinking?
My bosses were a bunch of morons who couldn’t be bothered noticing anything I did in their pea-sized brains. Oh, lord, that was a new low point. I even mentioned my ex!
I steel myself. I’m made of tough stuff.
After all, I’m a New Yorker. I survived the subway for years.
Obnoxious, smug, cheating boyfriends. Roommates who steal.
Unappreciative bosses who fired me for no good reason, just to cut costs.
Not to mention it took me several years to find a barista who could make my coffee the way I like it.
What are the chances I’m going to find my feet here?
I swallow hard, hoping to change the subject because I’m not sure I’m ready for Zane’s rules.
“I met your mom out front when I was parking,” I say out of the blue.
“She’s the one who fitted me out with the sweater.
” I pull the cute knit from the hem, looking down at the logo.
I thought it was a really nice gesture. Sylvia was very welcoming and seemed relieved to see me.
I even met Zane’s grandma, Josephine, on the way in, who was just as lovely.
I love everything about Christmas, so being able to wear a cute sweater to work is a nice change from corporate wear.
Despite all this, I still feel freaking awkward.
He palms the back of his neck as I shift in my seat, resting my bag back in my lap. “I guess there’s no point in asking you why you’d like the job then?” He finally speaks.
Right. Because now he knows I was fired, and I think my previous employers were morons.
I laugh nervously and blink too rapidly, all in a bid to try and not blow it. I need this job. The cash is much needed for the holidays so I can get back to New York, and more importantly, back to my life.
Lord, he’s a hulk of a man. He’s even better looking than in that photo on the website. Zane Lawless is all brawn, big shoulders, towering over me, with arms like tree trunks and a face like some kind of mountain man Adonis.
It has equal shares of handsome and brute combined, as well as the not-so-subtle scent of his cologne, which hovers between pine and some kind of spice I can’t place.
Maybe it’s the crinkly look etched into his features; his smile bordering on a half-frown, or his piercing blue eyes that give away nothing.
What I am sure of is that I haven’t answered his question and I’m stuck in limbo while I try to collect myself. Was it a question?
Oh, right… Why I want this job…
Keep it together, Sadie.
“Well, I love the outdoors.” It’s my attempt at a joke, but then I forgot for a second Zane has no sense of humor.
He stares at me over the desk, arms crossed over his broad chest, unmoving lips. No smile. It’s sending me into a nervous tailspin. I’m starting to feel that this was a very big mistake.
“I mean, if someone had asked me what my dream job was two weeks ago, I would’ve definitely not said working for a Christmas tree farm in the middle of Wyoming.”
Oh my God, I am going to hell.
That gets me an eyebrow raise. “Cute.”
I do not add that I don’t plan on staying here. I think I’ve shocked Zane enough with my antics this morning. “I also love Christmas.”
“You sound like my sister,” he mutters before we both hear a shriek coming from outside.
“Mabel!” A female voice scolds. “Do not jump on Hunter’s head, bad dog!”
Zane swipes a hand over his face. “That’s my sister and the Yorkies.”
She comes barreling into the office. “Oh, my god! I’m sorry I’m so late! Mabel was being a pill, and Hunter wouldn’t stop trying to hump all the equipment in the playground, he has a thing for the see-saw. You must be Sadie!”
I smile, liking her instantly. “Hello, yes, Isabelle?”
“You can call me Izzy, or Iz, or whatever you’d like.” She shakes my hand while trying to juggle the two little yappers at our feet.
One little brown-and-gray-colored dog has a pink ribbon tying her bangs out of her eyes, and the other has a blue bow. “Meet Mabel and Hunter.”
They both look up at me, turning their heads to the side, then the one named Hunter barks at Zane in rapid succession. I smile at that. Sucker.
“Yap all you want, little guy,” Zane says. “You’re half a foot tall, I’m not afraid of you.”
“Sorry, Z,” Isabelle says, flinging her beanie off as snow flies off onto the desk. “They’re missing their owner, and I’m trying my best, but even the bark box they were given each wasn’t enough to stop the little devils from terrorizing Alpine Falls.”
Hunter is wary, but Mable sniffs my boots, then strolls over to Zane. Astonishingly, she jumps up and sits on his knee.
“Hey!” Isabelle scolds. “What am I, chopped liver?”
Zane pets her head, clearly an animal lover. “I have a way with dogs.”
“You mean you have a way with wild animals,” Isabelle snorts. She turns her attention to me. “I’m so sorry if Zane… wait, are you okay? Your nose is a little red, and your eyes are glassy... and you’re holding balled up tissues… Zane!”
“I’m fine,” I say quickly, avoiding Zane’s gaze. “I thought I had a little cold coming on, but it’s probably just the altitude.”
Isabelle narrows her eyes like she doesn’t believe me.
“These two are gorgeous,” I say for distraction. “I have a cat at home, but dogs are just as awesome.”
That perks Isabelle up. “Yorkies are known to be confident, bold and intelligent. They’re courageous little warriors. I’m studying to be a vet. Somehow I’ve been roped back into the family fold until my internship starts next year.”
“How fantastic.” I beam.
Hunter continues to sniff around as Isabelle lets go of his leash.
“Aw, would you look at that? Mabel likes my brother, that makes one person, the world makes sense again,” Isabelle laughs.
Zane gives her a withering look, and I want to burst out laughing. Somehow I get the impression he’s better with animals than people. “I told you, I’ve always had a way with animals,” Zane says. “Sue me.”
She scoffs. “Right, but Mabel is the boss around here, right, sweetie pie?”
“Is that right?” Zane challenges just as Mable flops onto her back in his arms, demanding more tickles. It really is cute. “You were sayin’?”
Isabelle rolls her eyes. “She doesn’t know any better, clearly.”
“Dogs are good judges of character, or so you’re always telling me.”
“Getting back to Sadie,” Isabelle says, giving her brother daggers. “Since she hasn’t run away already, I’m assuming you two got acquainted?”
I don’t know where to look because Zane Lawless is intense. Why I keep having visions of him shirtless while he’s giving me a lecture on all his rules is clearly a defense mechanism.
“Yep,” I say, not meaning to pop the ‘p.’ “Your Mom, too. She’s the one who gave me the sweater. And I met your grandma.”
“Perfect!” Isabelle says. “Well, I’m going to go and pop these two next door for a few while I take you around the property.”
Somehow, I’m relieved it’s Isabelle showing me around and not Zane.
“Oh, what about the rules?” I call at the same time Zane stands, placing Mable on the ground as he pats Hunter’s head.
“Rules?” Isabelle squeaks.
“We have rules, Iz,” Zane all but barks. “That everyone has to follow. Sadie, I’ll see you later once my sister has talked your ears off and made them bleed. I’ve got jobs to do.” With that, he strides out of the office.
As soon as the door closes, Isabelle wafts her hand at the door. “Sorry about him. He was born that way.”
“Oh, it’s fine, he wasn’t all that bad.”
She balks. “Really?” Then she frowns. “Maybe he’s not feeling well.”
Okay, so not Zane’s usual behavior. Interesting.
“Now, what do you say we go for a spin on the ATV and I show you all over the farm? Then we can get you started in the office?”
“Sounds perfect.”
“Oh, we have a family dog called Maisie,” she says. “Don’t be alarmed if she jumps on you out of nowhere. That dog is so stealthy, I swear she’d be better suited in the armed forces looking for bombs or sniffing out contraband.”
“She already sounds adorable.”
Isabelle laughs and gestures with a nod of her head toward the door as she grabs hold of the two stray leashes. “Shall we?”
“Let’s do it.”
“Shoot,” Isabelle, who insists I shorten her name, says. “I don’t know why this isn’t starting. I only know how to drive this thing, not fix it.” She tries the starter again, but nothing happens.
“Maybe it didn’t recharge?” I don’t know much about ATVs, but it’s a possibility.
“Holy firecrackers. I hope I didn’t—”
“The battery’s dead.” Zane makes us both jump, appearing from nowhere. “You have to recharge it when you’re done.”
“I know that,” Izzy says, with a little grit to her tone. “But I didn’t have it last.”
He grabs the clipboard off the hook. “Really? Because it says right here, you were last on it last night. You signed back in, see.” He waves the clipboard at her. Sure enough, there’s her name with a love heart.
I roll my lips, trying not to laugh. Oh, brother and sisterly love is so sweet. Not that I have any siblings, so I wouldn’t know the trials and tribulations they go through. I can only imagine.
“I know I plugged it in and charged it,” she goes on, her head held high. “Maybe the charger is faulty.”
Zane sighs. “I’m gonna have to go jump start it.”
Izzy checks her watch as a message alerts her.
“Fiddlesticks. Z, Mom needs me, there’s been several mix ups with the new booking system, her and Raquel can’t work it out,” Izzy says, wincing.
“I’ll have to take Mabel and Hunter, can you cover things here?
” She gives me a I’m so sorry to have to do this, look.
My eyes grow wide as she winces, looking sheepish, but when I feel Zane’s gaze on me, I pretend I’ve got something in my eye.
“I suppose—” he starts.
“Fantastic!” Izzy claps her hands together, bouncing back to her chipper self in an instant. “Thanks, Z. I owe you.” She glances at me and adds, “I’ll see you bright and early tomorrow. I’ll come in and show you the ropes first thing. You seem smart, you’ll pick it up in no time.”
I nod. “Okay, thanks, Izzy, sounds good.” I try to keep the brightness in my tone. Eep, now I’m going to be alone with Mr. Scrooge himself? God help me.
Izzy takes off, and Zane thumbs behind him. “I’ve gotta grab the cables.”
“Okay. I guess I’ll just… uh, stay put?”
Then he pulls something out of his pocket. To my utter mortification, it looks like one of my mittens. “Lose something?”
I swallow hard, feeling both of my jacket pockets. Yep, the one that I shoved in there earlier is gone. I don’t know where I lost it. “Oh, thanks. Where did you find it?”
Our fingers brush as he hands it to me and it’s like a bolt of lightning strikes. His eyes snap to mine, and I know he feels it too.
“Uh, outside The Dusty Spur.”
“Oh, shoot.” Am I already talking like a local? God help me. “I guess I must’ve dropped it without realizing. Thanks.” Duh. Why am I such a rookie when it comes to this man?
He doesn’t intimidate me. I’d like to think I’m a good judge of character, but I just can’t put my finger on him.
I have decided, however, that I’m not going to let his royal grumpiness get to me.
He can go along in life having no sense of humor.
It won’t affect me. I know he’s probably regretting the decision to hire me after what I said, but now it’s up to me to prove him wrong.
Money is money, and I need it.
“Don’t mention it.”
He takes off to get the jumper leads, and I try really hard not to notice how good his ass looks in those jeans.
Falling for my bad boy boss isn’t gonna cut it. Not now. Not ever.
Now I’m stuck with him on an ATV, the proximity as close as we can get.
This is gonna be the ride from Hell, I just know it.