"Kind, was he?" Sarah's lips twitch. "Mason Reid doing something kind. That's new."
"Fuck off, Sarah," I mutter, but there's no heat in it.
"Language." But Sarah's smiling now. She turns back to Lily. "So, you're looking for bartending work? You have experience?"
"Some." Lily lifts her chin. "I've worked in restaurants, fast food, retail. Anywhere that would hire me. I'm a fast learner, and I don't complain about long hours or difficult customers."
"What about the daycare situation? That's probably why you're here instead of somewhere bigger."
"I have a two-year-old daughter." Lily doesn't flinch from the admission. "I heard you offer nighttime daycare for employees. That's perfect for me. I can work nights while she sleeps, and I'm home during the day when she's awake."
Sarah nods slowly. "The daycare's run by my niece Amy. She's got early childhood education training, runs a clean operation. Your daughter would be safe there."
"That's all I need to hear." Lily's shoulders relax slightly.
"What about you?" Sarah looks at me. "You vouching for her?"
This is it. The moment where my word either helps Lily or hurts her. Sarah trusts me, trusts all of us from the ranch, but she's also smart enough to know when someone's being played.
"Yeah," I say firmly. "I'm vouching for her. She's good people, Sarah. Hard worker. Honest. She needs this opportunity, and you need the help. Seems like a perfect match."
"I'll give you a trial run," Sarah says. "Friday and Saturday nights to start. You show up on time, you work hard, you treat my customers right, and the job's yours permanently. Pay is minimum wage plus tips, and tips here are decent on weekends. Daycare is free for employees. You interested?"
"Yes." Lily's response is immediate. "Absolutely yes. Thank you, Sarah. You won't regret this."
"I better not." But Sarah's expression is warm. "Come back Friday at 6 PM. We open at 7, but I like my new people here early to learn the ropes. Bring your daughter around 5:30 so Amy can meet her, get her settled in the daycare before your shift starts."
"I'll be here." Lily's practically vibrating with relief and excitement. "Thank you. Really. Thank you so much."
Sarah waves her off. "Don't thank me yet. Wait until you've survived your first Saturday night rush. That's when the real work starts." She looks at me. "You taking care of her?"
"Yeah." I don't elaborate, don't explain what "taking care of her" means. But Sarah's knowing look suggests she understands anyway.
"Good." Sarah picks up her clipboard again. "She could use someone in her corner. And you could use someone who makes you smile for once instead of brooding in that cottage like you're auditioning for a damn western film."
"I don't brood," I protest.
"You absolutely brood," Lily says, grinning. "It's very dramatic."
Sarah laughs, and I realize Lily's already won her over. Not with desperation or begging, but with humor and honesty. With being herself.
"I like her," Sarah tells me. "Don't fuck this up, Mason."
"Wasn't planning on it."
We leave the saloon, and the second we're in the truck, Lily lets out a sound that's half-laugh, half-sob.
"I got it," she says, her eyes bright with tears. "I actually got the job. A real job with real pay and daycare for Rosie. Mason, I—" She breaks off, unable to finish.
I pull her across the bench seat and into my arms, holding her while she cries. Not sad tears this time. Relief. Joy. The weight of months of struggle finally lifting.
"You did it," I murmur into her hair. "You got yourself that job. Sarah hired you because you impressed her, not because of anything I said."
"But you vouched for me." She pulls back to look at me, her face wet. "Your word helped. Don't downplay that."
"Fine. My word helped." I wipe her tears with my thumbs. "But you still have to show up and do the work. That's all on you."
"I can do that." Her smile is brilliant despite the tears. "I can absolutely do that."
