“Es tan acogedor,” I murmur, more or less to myself.It’s so cozy.
Wick grins. “Glad you like it, jefe.”
I grin at his cowboy pronunciation as I open the first box. Popping a few things onto my shelves, I relax at the small personal touches.
“I figure you have more things in your truck. Want some help?” Wick asks.
“I do have a few more boxes, but I can handle it if you have other things to do.”
“Not a chance,” he says, gripping my neck, the familiarity of the gesture causing desire to pool south. “We’ll get the rest of that, and then a couple of folks will be here for dinner to welcome you. Don’t worry—we'll make it an early night so you can have a good start tomorrow.”
I pull away from his touch, though it costs me, and copy one of his sarcastic facial expressions. “What, the Goodnights don't want me to start my first day as foreman hungover?”
Wick’s aggravating grin is like some kind of industrial resolve eraser. If he ever figures out how to bottle and sell it, he’ll make a killing.
“Sadly, you wouldn't be the first foreman to do that.”
I laugh, bumping his shoulder, wishing I could just pull him to me and… “Uh, that sounds wonderful. The dinner, not the hungover foreman.”
Cálmate, viejo. And get your dick under control.
We make a few more trips out to the truck. I put away most of my things, and then I take a much-needed shower. My hair is a little longer than usual, but I like how it looks, the black slowly losing ground to the silver. I put on my favorite turquoise rings and necklace, a loose linen shirt over fitted jeans, and my good boots.
The shirt shows off a little bit of the chest hair at my collarbones, and while I enjoy the aesthetic, I’m not sure if I’m wearing the shirt only for my enjoyment. Whatever the answer, the hungry look in Warwick’s eyes as he scans my outfit is a little too gratifying for our new dynamic.
Thankfully we’re joined by Colt and Abel, who just finished taking care of their duties for the day.
Colt is my son-in-law's best friend and a real cutie. He's in his late twenties, I think, and taller with a classic bear cub physique. I wonder if the freckles that adorn his nose make their way down his entire body.
Dios mio, stop sexualizing the employees, pendejo.
Abel is the other new guy, and I’m told that’s the perfect name for him. According to Sparrow, he has been capable and drama-free since joining the ranch, and having him on board has taken things up a notch. There’s a young guy just out of high school that comes in a few days a week, and we still may need another hand at some point, but I think we’ve got a full complement for now.
Colt looks like sunshine incarnate, laughing and joking with Abel as he slides the barn door shut. I smile when they join us, but Colt loses a little of his light as he nears us. His eyes dart back and forth between Warwick and me, and my son’s warning rings in my ear.
“Look,Pá,I know you’re most comfortable when things are a little messy, but the thing between Colt and Warwick has the potential to be destructive, especially given your history with Wick.”
I know my son has faith in me, and he's seen me work through interesting and sticky employment issues before, but…oy. This one's going to definitely need a delicate hand.
I carefully add a few more ounces of resolve.
I'm sure it’ll work out just fine.
Colt gives me a reserved smile and shakes my hand. I’ve seen him get incredibly protective of Luke, yet he strikes me as the sort of man who, even when confronting a potentially fraught situation, can't help but be kind.
There's a bit of a squishiness about him that goes beyond the physical, making me want to bury myself in one of his hugs.
Mierda, I bet he gives the best hugs.
Just as I’m shaking off that visual, Abel’s face lights up with a smile, and he gives me a hearty handshake. “It's good to have you here. I like it when everything is settled,” he says, looking happier than the last time I saw him.
“I like it when things are settled too. I'm hoping to catch up quickly, and I’m looking forward to the things we can all do together.”
Just then, the barn door slides open and Luke and Sebastián walk in, loaded down with dinner.
“Hope you don't mind that we’re doing a little housewarming for you,” my son says, dropping his things at the bar before giving me a hug, then a kiss on both cheeks.
I am most proud of my relationship with him. While the divorce between his mom and I was amicable, it was still hard, especially after she fell in love with an American. I could never begrudge Ofelia for following her heart to the States, but there was no way in hell I was going to miss Sebastián’s teen years.
