"I'll try."
He shoots me a hard look. "Do more than try. She's a damn good cook. We need her around here as much as she needs the job here. Put the fear of God into the men. If anyone doesn't get the message, do what you've got to do to drive the point home."
I shove my hat back down on my head. "Just remember you said that when you're helping me dig graves, motherfucker."
He chuckles, smirking at me. "This is going to be so much fun for me."
I flip him the bird and then stride toward the west field to fill everyone in on the new rules.
Rule One? Don't even fucking think about looking at her, or that's your ass.
Chapter Three
Letty
Work is in fullswing when I get back to the ranch the following morning with my truck loaded with my stuff. It's amazing how motivating a little fury can be. By the time I collapsed into bed last night, my apartment was mostly in boxes, and I'd almost forgotten how gorgeous Walker Jessup is. Almost.
Unfortunately, my subconscious decided to play dirty. I dreamed about the jerk last night. I'm not looking forward to seeing him today, not after the dream version of him spent the night putting that mouth to use in far more delightful ways than insulting me.
The nerve of the man!
I mean, honestly.
I hope he stubs his toe and falls face-first into cow shit. It'll serve him right.
Tanner and a cowboy who looks suspiciously similar to Walker materialize beside the truck before I even manage to lift the first box out.
"Morning," Tanner says, grinning at me. "Letty, this is Wade Jessup. Wade, this is Letty Alvarez."
"Jessup?" I shield my eyes, scrutinizing him. He could be Walker's twin, except he's a few years younger. His eyes are more hazel than coffee-colored, and there's a softness in them that's sorely lacking in Walker's. "You related to Walker?"
"Brother," he drawls.
"Are you as rude as he is?" I ask, sighing.
Tanner snorts with laughter.
"Ah, no? That's just Walker," Wade says, a smile tugging at his lips.
"Good to know. I can't deal with two of you."
He grins wider, reaching into the truck to grab a stack of boxes. "I'll help you with these. You can rant about him. I'll tell you all the embarrassing shit he's done so you have fuel next time he pisses you off. Deal?"
"I like you already, Wade Jessup."
He chuckles, dipping his head, and then strides away with my stuff.
"He'll help get you moved in," Tanner mutters.
"What time is dinner?"
"You don't have to cook tonight, Letty. Get settled in first."
"I'm already here. Might as well start," I say, shrugging. "It's not like I'm chomping at the bit to unpack or anything, Tanner. No one enjoys that."
"Fine." He shakes his head. "They usually start trickling in from the fields around seven."
"Seven," I repeat. "Got it."
