Flashes of the night before came to Shea’s mind. Praise the Lord he didn’t do anything more than kiss the man.
“No. I started dating him because he gave me a shoulder to cry on when Daddy was diagnosed. I ain’t proud to admit I used him during a time I was sinking. And for that reason, I just can’t find it in me to cut him off. He was there when I needed him, but it was never more than friends-with-benefits for me. I told him so, but he don’t really believe me.”
“Tell him that to his face when you’re sober. And stop getting drunk around him and givin’ him hope.”
“You’re right. I promise I will. Now we better get to work. After the shearing, I wanna ride the trails to make sure they’re clear for the guests to ride on, check that the rowboats are watertight and we have all the life jackets ready, and that the gates leading to the creek are securely locked. All the rain we had the last few weeks has it runnin’ high, and them posts we fixed need lookin’ at. Then we can head over to the auction and see about getting some more horses. We need to have enough for the clients to take out if they want to ride, especially now that Sunny and Freckles are too old.”
“Okay.” Johnny draped his arm over Shea’s shoulders, and the three of them left the paddock. “You know we love you, Shea. But we also know you ain’t gonna stay around here forever, so please, when you’re getting ready to sell, just give us a heads-up so we can make a plan.”
“Daddy left you two the house y’all live in at the far end. You don’t have to worry none.”
“Yeah, which was right nice of him. But we’re still gonna need jobs.”
“I won’t string you along, don’t worry. Besides”—Shea chewed on a piece of sweetgrass as he squinted in the bright sunlight—“I don’t see myself leaving anytime soon. Not like anyone’s made me an offer I can’t refuse.”
Chapter Two
“I’m sorry, Mr. Axelrod. I promise to try harder to get to work on time. With the way the trains are, it’s almost impossible not to be late living in a two-fare zone.”
Jake Axelrod tapped his loafer on the floor. He hated Friday afternoons for several reasons. First, they were notorious for being the time companies called employees in and fired them. So people showing up at his door were already fearful and on edge. And if there was one thing Jake Axelrod disliked, it was emotionally needy people. He had no time for that in his highly structured life.
Second, it meant two long days and longer nights at home, where, after taking care of Stacey by himself, he would ruminate over everything he’d done wrong in his marriage. The list was a long one.
“Yes, Ms. White, I’m aware of that. But you were also aware of that fact when you took this job. You haven’t moved in the past year, and neither has Precision Financial.”
Her upper lip began to quiver, and Jake shifted in his seat, damning himself for switching his major in college.I knew I should’ve gone to medical school and become a damn dermatologist. I could be making a fortune doing Botox instead of this shit.
“Please don’t fire me.” She hiccupped and sniffled.
“I’m sorry, Ms. White, but it’s company policy. My hands are tied. Seventeen absences in your first year is beyond unacceptable. As a receptionist, you are the first face our clients see when they enter our offices, and if no one is there to greet them…” He shrugged.
“So that’s it? I’m fired? You don’t give a shit how hard it is for me to get here or how long it takes me to get home to see my kids? Of course not. What do you care?” She pushed back her chair, sending it teetering. “I tried my best. Doesn’t that count for anything?”
“I’m sorry.” God, he hated this.
“No, you’re not. I’ve heard about you. You love firing people. ‘The Axe Man.’” Her lip curled with contempt. “One day I hope you want something so bad, no matter how hard you try, you can’t get it. Then you’ll know how it feels.” Her long black hair whipped around her face as she stormed out of his office, and the door slammed behind her. Jake sighed and rubbed his eyes.
Been there, done that. She didn’t need to wish for it to happen to him. It already had.
The door opened, and his deputy, Maria, stepped inside and closed it behind her.
“Didn’t go too well, I gather.” Her brown eyes brimmed with sympathy, and she folded her arms.
He quirked a brow. “Does it ever, considering?” He huffed. “Tell me again why I do this? I should leave and go sit on a rock somewhere. Let you handle it. Everyone loves you.”
Maria smiled and lowered her long-limbed body into the chair in front of his desk. “Well, first of all, I don’t growl at people. I say hello and ask how they’re doing. You kind of come across a little…gruff.”
“I’m not warm and fuzzy. They know that. It’s part of my charm.” His attempt at humor, like everything else in his life lately, failed miserably.
“What time does the plane leave for the retreat?”
“Oh God, must you remind me?” He flopped back in his chair, arms dangling to the sides. “I can’t think of anything worse than being trapped in some small town in the middle of nowhere with the heads of every department. It’s going to be a nightmare.”
A sleek dark brow arched high. “Come on. It’ll be fun. You can horseback ride and feed the donkeys.” She snickered. “Maybe milk Bessie the cow.” She slapped her thigh and howled with laughter.
Jake waited until she subsided. “Did anyone ever tell you how funny youaren’t? And it’s not really that.” Not by a mile. His shoulders drooped. “I don’t like leaving Stacey for even a couple of days.”
“Ah, I’m sorry. I didn’t even think about that.” The laughter faded, replaced by a pucker of concern across her smooth brow. “Terry’s going to stay with her, right?”
