Lucinda was one of the biggest sweethearts I knew. She loved the kids and she loved her ranch, but she was also fiercely protective, which is something I knew firsthand.
“Yes?”
“Katie.”
I ran my hand over my face, knowing she was going to go there, even if I was silently wishing she didn’t.
“What about her?”
“I like her.”
“Of course you do, Lucinda. She’s like you.”
“Huh, didn’t think about that. But that’s beside the point. She’s had a hard last few years and this is her fresh start with her daughter. I want it to be good for her.”
“Did you hear about how they moved here?”
“I did,” the woman chuckled. “It’s brilliant. I never would have thought about that.”
“It’s reckless and immature.”
She laid her hand on my arm, and I glanced down at it before looking at her, seeing the shift in her face.
“You feel that way because your upbringing wasn’t the greatest, Zeb. But Katie is smart, with a well-paying job. Her ex is a douche of epic measures, and she really needs some good waves out here. I plan on doing that for her. I know you like Tiffany, but I’d really like it if you gave Katie half a chance. And if you won’t do it for me, then I’m going to make you do it when I cut your hours.”
She grinned at me before she walked away and I sighed because I had no doubt that she would do just that too. Not thatI wanted that. She didn’t say I had to befriend Katie; I just had to give her a chance.
Well, I guess I could do that. I know it wouldn’t do a lick of good on my end, but it would get my boss off my back for the time being.
With a groan, I climbed in my truck and headed to my little house, figuring star gazing wouldn’t soothe me tonight.
Two days later, I sat outside the main building while the few kids here today were having lunch.
“You look tired.”
I paused in my scanning of the area and looked at the woman who was right beside me, her head tilted slightly as she regarded me. I could see the tension in her face, and honestly, I couldn’t say I blamed her.
“Just thinkin’,” I muttered, making her nod. Mentally, I kicked myself because that wasn’t really giving her a chance, was it? “Just lots of work going on. Summer is really busy around here.”
“I can bet. Trying to keep kids busy and active is certainly a full-time job.”
“It is. Can I help you with somethin’, Katie?”
“Yes. I’m sorry.”
My eyes snapped to hers. That was the last thing I was expecting. In fact, it should probably be me saying that, but the words weren’t going to come out.
“For what?”
“Being rude. I understood the other day where you were coming from, even with the permission I had, I shouldn’t have poked you, no matter how fun it was. That’s very much outside my professionalism, and I’m sorry.”
“Does this mean you’ll listen to me?”
She twisted her lip, her brows coming together, and I almost laughed at the war she was showing.
“No, probably not. But I will be far better at giving you space in the future. How’s that?”
Something twisted inside of me over the thought of that, and I wasn’t sure why.
