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 inandcharged 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 aI’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?”
