This time, he shifted, leaning against his doorframe as he stared down at me with judgmental eyes. “Did you stop taking your herbs?”
“What?”
“Your herbs. Usually, you’re all peppy and nice, but right now, you look like you could take on a lion.”
“That’s just because my brother returned with a cougar,” I muttered, “but that’s beside the point. No changing the subject.”
But it was too late. His eyes flicked to the house in curiosity. “A cougar, huh?”
“Yes, and she’s vile and money-grubbing, and I’ll probably be broke by the time he realizes she’s using him.”
“She might just want his body,” he shrugged.
“And how does that make it better?”
“I’m just saying, she’s after his body. That’s a good thing for a man who’s depressed.”
“The point is…” I said, trying to get back on topic. “You’ve been avoiding me.”
“It’s called a job,” he said, shoving his door open.
“You already have a job.” I followed him into the house, refusing to give on this point. I needed to win an argument right now.
“Yes, I do, but sometimes, people work two jobs. It has been known to happen.”
“But why would you?”
Sighing, he set down his keys and turned to face me. “Because Liam is building more cabins at Murky Falls Ranch, and he asked if I had any experience in construction.”
My mouth gaped for a second at the thought of him all sweaty in a hard hat, his muscles rippling as he carried lumber over his shoulder. Sweat glistened across his sun-kissed skin and?—
“Well…”
“Yes?” he smirked.
“Well, you should let your neighbors know. What if you had a home invasion? Who would I call?”
“Ghostbusters,” he deadpanned.
“You’re so insufferable,” I muttered, spinning for the door, then down the steps. I already had to deal with Scarlet-the tempting Cuddlebug—but now I also had to deal with JR and his antics. It was too much.
I marched across the lawn, determined to get this whole thing over with. It would be fine. I would be fine. The whole damn thing would be fine.
I flung the door open and immediately scowled. Scarlet was sitting on the couch, filing her nails as she talked on the phone. It was probably a long-distance phone call, and she had probably been on for hours.
Not that we were charged for long-distance anymore. If this was the 80s or the 90s, I could bitch and complain that she was running up the phone bill. Was no one on my side anymore?
“I’m home!” I said cheerily, walking past her to set down my purse.
She didn’t even pay attention to me. She just kept talking to whoever was on the other line—probably her lawyer giving her advice on how to take us for everything we were worth—and pretended I wasn’t even here.
Rolling my eyes, I got to work on dinner—the one thing I could control right now and ensure went my way. I was usually too tired after a long day at the shop to whip up anything fancy, but I always did the best I could.
Tonight, I was making rice and beans. Of course, there were other things besides rice and beans in the dish, but that’s what I called it. I secretly smirked to myself as I imagined the look on Scarlet’s face when she saw the kidney beans, black beans, diced tomatoes, and ground beef all coated in a red sauce that looked like something peasants from a hundred years ago would be ecstatic to get.
Sawyer walked in just minutes before dinner was ready, looking just as exhausted as he did every day he came back from the mountain rescue.
“Good day?” I asked, setting the bowls on the table.
