Erika took a phone call, leaving us in an awkward moment where Penny looked like she’d like to disappear. This was not going well.
“Your drive was stressful? What happened?” Everest clutched the win, getting her shoulders to relax.
She continued to watch her thumb run over the folded pages of her book. “Everything’s fine now.”
“Did you have car trouble? I could look at it.” Everest said.
“You’re not a mechanic.” Phoenix’s grumble matched my irritation that Everest managed an insightful line of questioning.
We’d all spent time under the hood of cars growing up. Dad had insisted we be able to manage our lives without throwing money at problems, despite having more than enough money to throw.
“My car is fine. I forgot to check the weather before I left and didn’t realize it was snowing on the mountain pass. It was so sunny at home… and here.”
The thought of her sliding off the road sent more possessive energy coursing through me.
She continued, “I didn’t have cell phone reception and had to turn around until I found a place to pull off and search for a new route. Then I realized I was going to be late and got even more frazzled.”
“Turning around was the right choice. Better late than ne—” Everest seemed to cut himself off when he realized what he’d implied.
“I suppose so.”
The desire to egg him on to say more stupid shit was cut short when he came up with a redemptive comment.
“Would a massage help? I’m a certified masseuse.” Everest was determined to help her.
“A masseuse and a mechanic?”
“What can I say… I’m good with my hands.”
Shit! Tell me he didn’t just say that. Phoenix leaned toward me and whispered. “This better not work.”
So Phoenix had feelings for her too. Was it possible for all three of us to be attracted to her? That couldn’t possibly end well. At some point, she was going to find out who we were.
I needed that to be after she got to know me and what I wanted to do for her.
Erika hung up and politely asked the three of us to help with chicken-coop duty since one of the other ranch hands wasn’t feeling well. Aside from the possibility we were all three needed elsewhere, I suspected it was a subtle way of giving Penny space. I hated Erika for it but took comfort in her attention to Penny’s needs—something I had to get better at.
Once we were outside of the main building, Phoenix shoved my shoulder and said, “Thought you were leaving.”
“I signed a contract. I’ll do my job.”
“You’re not fooling anyone. It’s not the job you want to do.”
Everest added, “What gave it away? The fact that he smiled for the first time in his life?”
“I smile tons.” Not true. Understanding these new emotions was another thing to get in check. I felt like a complete spaz.
“And you don’t get to call dibs on Penny.” Phoenix rushed ahead.
“I didn’tcall dibs.”
“Yeah, worse. You said she’s yours.” Everest picked up his pace. “Focus on your job.”
My job. Yep. Dad said to make sure Penny was safe while she’s here. I planned to do that and more.
“I’ll catch up with you guys in a minute.” I doubled back to the main lodge.
“Hold on, where are you going?” Everest asked.
