Insatiable

Chapter 18

Rhett

Not waking up with Carina nestled in my arms was rough this morning. Thank God, there’s so much to do, I don’t have too much time to miss her. It’s my second week on the job and everything is still running smoothly. I couldn’t be more grateful. Bonus, I’m only a few steps away from my girl.

It’s already past five in the afternoon when I head back to the ranch with Baize by my side.

I took the mare out on a longer ride today since she’s getting stronger and recovering well from a bad injury.

Although I started at seven this morning, Dirk asked me to stay a little longer because there was so much to do and Baize responds so well to me.

I look up, and Hunter is waving at me. “Hey, Rhett, you wanted to talk to us before we all head out?”

I wave back. “Yeah, I do. Let me get Baize in the barn and I’ll chart my day. Twenty minutes?”

Hunter nods. “Jake and I will be in the office when you’re ready.”

“Sounds good.”

With that, Hunter turns on his heel, and I move my focus back to Baize.

“Let’s go.” I walk the distance to her stall and get her ready for the night. “You did good today, girl,” I say, kissing the white patch on her forehead.

She gives me a happy neigh. She’s a beautiful grulla horse, with smoky tan-gray body hair and a black mane and tail.

“I’ll see you in the morning.”

She responds by caressing my chest with her head.

Baize is nothing like the wild broncos I’m used to riding. She’s a gentle soul. The change of pace is nice.

I walk back to the ranch hand’s office set up with computers and chart out Baize’s progress and then I go over what I’ve charted for the rest of my chores to make sure I haven’t forgotten anything.

Every aspect of my job is documented. I can access the program through my phone when I’m out in the field if something important were to happen.

We even have these super cool handheld radios for when we’re out of range to report on things or to call in for help in case of an emergency.

Nothing falls between the cracks around here.

Since Jake and Hunter are former dot-com kings, it’s no surprise their ranch is high tech.

My first three days on the job were dedicated to training. As a rodeo star, computers and software weren’t a big part of my day to day.

Once I’m done, I head to the change room for a quick shower and jump into clean clothes.

Then, I’m off to Jake and Hunter’s office.

I set foot outside the door, and my new best friend appears out of nowhere.

“Are you going to take a walk with me?”

Dutch barks in response.

I squat to give the large Rough Collie a good rub. He responds by licking my face.

Like most farmers, Jake and Hunter have a lot of dogs on their ranch. Most are too busy just being dogs and herding the Angus to bother with little ol’ me, but Dutch here is my boy.

“Come on, let’s go, Dutch. Don’t want to keep the bosses waiting.”

Things are moving real fast with my girl, but I wouldn’t dream of putting on the brakes.

With the way I feel about her, I already know I’ll need my daily dosage of this woman.

I want to make sure Jake and Hunter know where I’m coming from.

I’d hate for them to think I’m disrespecting her by having my truck parked outside her house.

Jake rounds the corner as I approach. He waves me over.

I wave back. “I was heading your way.”

I amble towards him, Dutch keeping pace.

Jake stares down at his dog. “Go find another friend.”

Dutch waits for his pat, which I gladly give him, and he’s off.

Jake opens the door to his office and invites me in.

I remove my Stetson before stepping inside.

Jake does the same. “How was your day?”

“It was way too hot and way too busy, but I wouldn’t have it any other way,” I say.

“Another great one then?”

“Yeah. Today’s a lot better than Friday.”

“I heard. Zeke’s a hardball.”

“No kidding. He’s the toughest one to break.” I had to wrestle a stubborn colt into a pen at the tail end of my first week at the job. Nearly took my back out. Feisty little beast.

Jake frowns. “How’s Baize doing?”

“Great. I charted everything.”

“I’m sure you did, but I want to hear it from you.”

“A few more weeks and she should be out in the field again.”

Jake nods. “I like the sound of that.”

“So do I,” Hunter says. He stands up when he sees us enter.

“The vet did a great job,” I say.

“It was money well spent,” Jake says.

“Absolutely.” I nod. “Soon, you’ll never know Baize was injured.”

“I was about to make some coffee,” Hunter says, changing the subject. “Rhett, do you want a cup?”

“Maybe this is a bad time to talk…”

“If it was, we’d tell you.” Jake sets me straight. “My best friend is inviting you for coffee. I’d take his offer if I were you. That’s about the only thing he can make in the kitchen without burning the damn thing to the ground.”

I chuckle.

“As if you’re a superstar chef,” Hunter says. “Rhett, ignore him. Coffee?”

“I wouldn’t say no. Thanks.”

Hunter turns his business partner. “Jake?”

“I’m due for another cup,” Jake says. “Thank you.”

“On her way back to the house, Miranda dropped off a box of glazed pecan Danishes left over from the morning pastries,” Hunter says. “I think they’ll go down nicely with the coffee. “What do you think, Rhett?” He flashes me a teasing smile.

“You two know how to treat your ranch hands.”

“That’s why we have the best ones and we keep them for a long time,” Hunter says.

“What he said.” Jake points to his business partner.

I nod.

“Don’t be a stranger. Take a seat,” Hunter says.

I do.

A few minutes later, Hunter walks back with coffee and Danishes.

It doesn’t take long for us to polish off three Danishes each and a big cup of piping hot coffee.

“That hit the spot,” I say. “Thank you so much.”

“Anytime,” Hunter says. “So, you want to talk?”

I nod. “I do.”

“We’re all ears,” Jake says.

I clear my throat. “It’s about Carina Callahan.”

“Riley’s new addition?”

“Yes, Jake.”

“What about her?”

I can’t make out Hunter’s tone, so I proceed with caution. “I don’t want to break any employee conduct rules, so I thought I’d be upfront about it.”

Jake frowns. “About what?”

“Carina and I… are seeing each other.”

Jake and Hunter exchange a look and a silent conversation.

Think fast, Sullivan. “I know she lives on your property and all, but we don’t work together.”

Jake shifts his attention to me. “When did you two meet?”

This isn’t going as I expected.

“Does it make a difference?”

“It could,” Hunter says.

“I met Carina officially last Saturday night, but I saw her for the first time a couple weeks ago when I dropped by to see April at Happy Belly. We talked for a bit in the parking lot, but I was interrupted by Mr. Devon and his plea to marry his grandbaby—”

“As far as I’m concerned, that old goat is a pervert.” Jake shakes his head. “The way he talks about intimate details related to his granddaughter is plain wrong.”

“So wrong.” I nod.

“Too many shades of latent incest for my liking,” Hunter says.

“You wouldn’t believe the number of times I had to turn him down before he finally, finally got the goddamn message.

” He rolls his eyes. “The ring on Miranda’s finger wasn’t a strong enough deterrent to get it through his head.

I’m. Off. The. Market.” He shakes his head. “Fool.”

“He didn’t get the message until I walked down the aisle,” Jake says.

“I feel sorry for the poor guy who’s going to end up marrying Mr. Devon’s grandbaby,” I say. “Those people are twisted in a disturbing way.”

Jake nods.

“I agree,” Hunter says.

“Back to Carina.” I set the conversation back on course. “While Mr. Devon was pitching the virtues of his virgin granddaughter, Carina got away. I never got her name. Then, we bump into each other at the cookout.”

Jake arches a brow. “You’re a hundred percent sure you didn’t meet her for the first time last Saturday?”

I nod. “Yes, sir.”

I tell them the whole story about trying to track down the beautiful girl with the big blue eyes.

They exchange another strange look.

“I didn’t think it would be a problem. I don’t want to get Carina in any kind of trouble with Riley. It’s just… we get along really well, and I didn’t want to sneak around. She deserves better. She’s not a side thing. I’m damn proud to be seen with her.”

A long silence stretches between the three of us.

I shift in my seat.

Maybe I should’ve kept my mouth shut.

“You’re on the up and up, Rhett,” Hunter says. “You have balls. I like that about you.”

“He’s right, and I respect that,” Jake says.

I’m not sure where this is going, but I’ll follow their lead.

“She’s an amazing girl,” I say.

“You aren’t breaking any employee conduct since you two don’t work together,” Hunter says.

I blow out a breath. “For a minute there, I thought we had done something wrong.”

“Had you met Carina for the first time last Saturday, we’d never hear the end of it,” Hunter says.

I frown my confusion. “I don’t understand.”

Jake lets out a long sigh. “My eccentric baby sister has it in her head she has exceptional matchmaking abilities. The last thing we need is for her to prance around thinking she connected the two of you—”

“In a way, Riley did—”

Hunter lifts a hand up. “Let’s not go there.”

“Copy that,” I say.

“Yeah, what Hunter said.” Jake nods. “It’s enough Riley takes full credit for my relationship with Allison and for Hunter’s with Miranda.

If we add you to the mix––that’s a trifecta.

The woman is likely to give up her day job and switch profession based on that alone.

” The way he rolls his eyes is priceless.

I roar in laughter.

Both Hunter and Jake join in.

“Riley is something else,” I say when I regain my composure.

“Don’t I know it,” Jake says. “She gets worse with each passing birthday.”

“So, it’s not a problem if Carina and I keep seeing each other?”

“Go for it,” Jake says.

Good stuff.

“Like you said, she’s an amazing girl.” I’m fully aware my grin is a little too wide.

“As long as what’s going on between you two doesn’t interfere with your work, I don’t have a problem with it.” Jake shifts his eyes towards his business partner. “Hunter?”

“It’s all good with me,” he says with a grin that matches mine.

It’s official. My little darling is all mine.