Jackson leaned in closer. His words were a whispered rumble. “You have a big one?”
A familiar pang of loss tried to push its way into her good mood as Aja thought about the loved ones she’d lost in the Henry clan. “I used to.” She moved her coffee cup in a slow circle, watching the creamy liquid inside swirl about. “My mother was the oldest of eight. She raised her sisters and brothers on this ranch. Aunt Jo and Uncle Ricky are the last living of the eight Henry siblings. Since my mom passed, few of the extended family comes around anymore.” She looked around the kitchen, then leaned in again to whisper to him. “Today reminded me these walls were built to be filled with people.”
He tapped his finger on the table next to her hand, then looked at her, his eyes full of concern as he spoke. “You ready to tell them about the security upgrades?”
His question poured over her like iced water on a wintry New York day. It stung, spreading a chill through her that made her insides quake.
Might as well get it over with now, Aja.
“Everyone…” She waited for the chatter to slowly abate before she continued. “Shortly I plan to take a meeting with a security consultant. After the last attack on the ranch, I’ve concluded we need to protect ourselves a little better around here.”
“You buying more firearms for you and Ms. Jo?”
Aja shook her head at Brooklyn. She was never comfortable around firearms. Growing up in the heart of Brownsville, she saw what happened when the wrong people had access to weapons. She kept a rifle in the house to scare off wandering animals with a warning shot in the air. But other than that, she hoped to never have to aim the weapon at another living, breathing thing.
“No, I’m hiring a security company to add stronger fencing around the perimeter of my property line and security guards to man some of the open access points.”
Brooklyn sat up straighter in her chair, placing her hands flat against the table on either side of her plate. “You bringing in guards to watch your property or to watch us?”
Aja couldn’t say Brooklyn’s response to her announcement shocked her. Like the city she was named for, she was brash, direct with no filter. She said what she meant, no time for games or pleasantries.
“This isn’t about you and Seneca, Brooklyn. It’s about keeping the ranch secure, keeping all of us safe, and keeping our future resort guests safe. If the ranch is unprotected, I’m opening myself up to liability.”
She kept her eyes focused on Seneca and Brooklyn, who were staring at each other. Unspoken messages passed between the two women, and Aja knew they’d talk about this when they went back in their cabin.
Seneca reached across the table and touched her fingertips to Aja’s. That and the usual bright grin she wore were a comforting balm to her raw soul. “It’s your land and your business, Boss. Do what you think is best.”
Brooklyn shoveled another forkful of food into her mouth, looking unbothered by the conversation in the least. “That fire situation could’ve been much worse than it was. Protect yourself.”
It wasn’t Seneca’s sentimental way of expression. Brooklyn didn’t have time for reassuring smiles and small affectionate touches. Her agreement that protective measures needed to be taken was enough for Aja to stop punishing herself a little. And with enough sins in her past to fill a heavy trunk, she welcomed anything that would lighten her guilty load even the slightest bit.
Aja clapped her hands together, then pointed in their direction. “If you ladies could finish up and get started on your morning chores, I’d like to have a brief meeting with our new hires before they settle into their day. Oh, and if you’re taking any to-go plates with you, make sure to leave some for the security crew. They’ll be here shortly.”
With little fanfare, Brooklyn and Seneca picked up their dishes, rinsed them out in the sink, and placed them in the dishwasher. A quick wave goodbye and they were out the back door and walking into the field.
Aja walked to the kitchen island and pulled a file from a drawer. “This is a list-slash-schedule of all the chores we do around here. Jackson, as the foreman, you can change this around however you like.” He didn’t speak, so she continued. “If you have questions about anything, the ladies can help you out. Seneca has the patience of a saint. Brooklyn, not so much. So don’t get on her nerves.”
Storm laughed. “If we can put up with Colt’s grouchiness, Brooklyn should be a sweetheart.”
Colton may be an old cuss at heart, but she doubted he had anything on the chip Brooklyn wore on her shoulder like an additional appendage. Aja tipped her head in his direction. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
Storm and Colton stood from the table, emptied their plates, and walked toward the back door. Colton pulled on his Stetson and tipped it in her direction before addressing Jackson. “Come find us when you need to, Jackson.”
Jackson replied with a two-fingered salute and waited for the door to close behind his men before he covered Aja’s hand with his.
It was a simple gesture, but it was filled with complications she didn’t want to think about right now. In this moment, she wanted to focus on how warm his skin felt when it covered hers, or how it made her nerves zip with electricity.
“You handled that well.”
“I’m glad it went okay. I consider this place their home. I don’t want them to feel violated here.”
He gave her hand another squeeze. “I promise everything will be fine.” His words felt heavy and purposeful, as if he’d considered their weight before using them, placing them on the scale to make certain their impact would pull down her defenses and make her trust him more.
This is a bad idea, girl. You need to get away from this man right now.
As the sound of the doorbell severed their connection, Jackson removed his hand and stood. “Time for you to meet my father and my brother.”
He walked off toward the front door, and she sat there shaking her head and then looked up at the ceiling. “Please, Lord,” she whispered, “don’t let them be anywhere near as fine as he is. If they are, I can’t be held responsible for my actions.”
