Tossing aside a few cushions to make some space, Colette snuggled into the couch, then cast her gaze to Simone. She wondered what her friend could possibly have to share.
“I’ve found a job for you,” she began. “It’s a bookkeeping or accounting job, whatever.”
“Sounds promising. Where do I apply? Is this one of your parents’ business connections? In this job market, I could use the help.”
Simone worried her bottom lip as though reconsidering her proposition.
“Roger told me about the opening, actually. It’s with his family’s company. Well, something like that.”
Colette made a humming sound and took a sip of her wine.
Intriguing.
She was determined to make sure whatever job she took next was the right fit.
Cameron’s eyes darted between both women as he swallowed a grin. What did he know that she didn’t?
“What’s the catch? I feel like there’s a catch,” Colette said, her eyes narrowing.
“You’d be helping with the day-to-day operations of one of the divisions in the King family assets. They just had a bookkeeper retire suddenly, and there’s a prime position up for the taking. Roger suggested it, and I thought it would be perfect. Except…”
Of course, she had been waiting for the but. Or the except. “Yes?”
“You’d have to move to Rosebud Ranch.”
“Roger’s family owns a ranch?” Colette asked, curious. She pursed her lips as she considered. Ranch sounded very…rural.
“It’s about an hour out of town, not far. You’d have to live on site for a while, until you got the situation under control.” Simone clenched her teeth and waited, zeroed in on Colette’s face for a reaction.
Colette’s shoulders slumped in disappointment. “I’ll think about it, but I’m not really farm girl material. I would stick out like a sore thumb out there.”
Besides, there would be animals on a ranch. Big scary ones. Ever since a horse had stepped on her as a kid at some agricultural fair because she hadn’t gotten out of the way fast enough, she was terrified. Instead of moving out of the way, she had just…stayed frozen. Animals were so unpredictable. Or, she had terrible survival skills.
It was hard to say who was at fault. No matter. Large animals equaled terror in her heart. It made going to the Calgary Stampede quite challenging. Her heart raced anytime she got close to the agricultural exhibitions building. So she avoided them by getting drunk in the Cowboys tent.
Somehow, it worked.
“You’re probably right. I mean, who would want to wake up every morning on a beautiful piece of land, watch the sunrise, and see all these sexy cowboys working? Sounds awful,” Simone deadpanned.
Colette’s ears perked up at the image. Okay, so maybe it wouldn’t be all bad.
“Um, do they need a contract lawyer?” Cam offered. “I’m applying.”
“Shut up, you horny goat,” Simone snarked. “You’ve got plenty of relationship prospects around here. Remember velvet robe guy?”
Cam adjusted his collar. “That guy was so hot. But way too serious. I half expected him to pull out a pipe and smoke it at any moment.”
“Don’t make me say it, Cam,” Simone warned.
“I don’t want to hear it, Simmie,” he retorted, rolling his eyes.
“If I can be in a relationship, so can you,” Simone said in a sweet singsong voice.
“Can you two focus for a fucking minute? We’re talking about my future here. You’ve been to the ranch. Do you really think I could live there?” Colette asked, slipping her hand in the bag of chips. Snacking helped her with thinking and making life-altering decisions.
“I mean, it could be fun, right? A change of scenery. You could help clean up the mess in their finances. The last accountant kind of left in a hurry, and I think there’s a disaster there now. If you hate it, you could do it for a few months whileyou apply for jobs in Calgary. You’ll still be close enough to go for interviews. Roger’s grandfather would understand, I’m sure. Once your dream position comes up, they could hire someone else. It’s a win-win. You get to work while you figure out your next move—and the King family gets the help they need in the meantime.” Simone tilted her head, waiting for Colette to respond.
It was a win-win.
