He cleared his throat. “So, you like working here?”
She glanced up at him, tearing her gaze away from folding a pair of pants. “I do. This charity is one of the better ones out there. They put everything they raise right back into helping people. I don’t think their board even gets a huge paycheck. Most of the people involved just want to help.”
“Except your boss?” he asked with a knowing grin.
Jane rolled her eyes. “There is literally nothing out there on him besides the fact that he runs the charity through a trust. I don’t even know how that’s possible. How can you be so invisible that people only know you for the money you throw at your company?”
He shrugged. “You were working at a different location, right?” It had to be fate. Out of all the charities she could have been drawn to, she’d come to his. And the cherry on top? She’d come to Rocky Ridge.
She nodded, getting back to work.
“How come?” He hadn’t seen any evidence that she’d moved to be closer to anyone. She’d left her family to move out here. There were no boyfriends—no noticeable reasons.
Without looking at him, she said, “They were paying more out here. With this being a new location and the town being pretty small, they were desperate to send out people who knew what they were doing.” Her eyes flicked up to meet his, and her cheeks flushed a pale pink. “I’m helping my folks pay for my grandfather’s care back in Billings. It’s been tough on all of them. The move was the right one to make, even if it means I don’t see them as much.” There was a degree of sadness in her voice—one that had his heart being ripped out.
Jane was struggling financially, and only because she wanted to help her family. He wasn’t sure how much her position paid, but he’d been made aware that there would be some positions opening up at this location due to a few people realizing they didn’t want to relocate after all.
Perhaps he could bring Jane’s name to the top of the list of candidates. That wouldn’t happen right away, so it wasn’t going to help for a while yet.
He inched closer, wondering if he should even be telling her what was on his mind. Would she get offended at it? “I know this place keeps you busy… but have you considered getting another job?” He breathed a silent sigh of relief when she didn’t appear upset in the slightest.
“I’ve thought about it.”
“What would you want to do?” He didn’t dare hope that she had a similar thought process as his own. He’d seen just how much she enjoyed being with Caspian. She loved animals. If she was interested in helping out on a ranch, he didn’t think it would be difficult at all to get Bo on board with hiring her part time.
Then again, she’d have to be assigned to some of the more menial tasks, seeing as she wasn’t experienced in this field.
Jane paused, tilting her head as she considered his question. “I don’t know. I guess I could look into waitressing. Or maybe I could see if the animal shelter needed help.”
Without realizing what he was about to do, Noah blurted, “What about working on a ranch?”
She laughed, sneaking a look in his direction. “Yeah. Right.” It wasn’t a dismissal. If anything, she’d said it with more disbelief—like she didn’t think anyone would be willing to hire her.
“I mean it. I don’t know if you know this—” He winked at her, “but I have some connections.”
She laughed again, and it brought a smile to his lips. Then she seemed to really consider what he’d said. “Wait, you’re serious.”
He nodded. “I’m sure Mack would go to bat for you, too. Sagebrush is growing so much that my cousin had all of us move out to help on the ranch. The pay is decent, and you get to see the animals. It’s smelly and dirty, but totally worth it.”
“Oh, yeah?” she murmured with amusement. “What makes it worth it?”
“Besides getting to see me every day?” He beamed at her. “Well, you’d get to see Caspian every day, too. And maybe you’d meet some other critters that could be your friends.”
“You had me at Caspian,” she grinned. “That horse is a total stud.” The way she teased him with her breathless statement had him laughing right along with her.
“Yeah,” Noah confessed, “he totally is. He might even have a crush on you.”
Her eyes widened. “Really?” Then she tapped her finger on her chin. “I don’t suppose he’d be interested in applying for the vacant role my mother wants me to fill in my life.”
Silence hung in the air as he put two and two together. Then the realization dawned on him, and he laughed out loud. “While the guy is tall, dark, and handsome… no. I don’t think your mother would approve of your choice of men when it comes to Caspian.”
She giggled at the turn of their conversation, and all he could do was smile back. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”
They worked quietly for several more moments before she spoke again. “You really think that your cousin could use the help? I wouldn’t mind the extra pay, and I’m a fast learner.”
He nodded. “I do. It’ll be great.” Between her promotion and working at the ranch, she’d be able to get what she needed. Asmuch as he’d wanted to solve her problems and give her the money outright, he knew enough to stop him from making that mistake.
Jane was independent, and she didn’t take kindly to wealthy people just throwing their money around. He wouldn’t be that guy.
