Page 4 of Feel Me

The ringing of my phone brings my thoughts back to the here and now. I nod to Ray and step outside to take the call. As I’m walking out the door, I hear footsteps behind me. I guess the woman is finally manning her desk. The urge to turn around and see what has Ray so caught up in her is strong, but in the end I don’t bother. His kind of woman is not mine.

“This is Lake,” I answer as I step onto the porch.

“Hey, buddy. I know you have tonight off, but I have a big favor to ask,” Colt—the youngest of the Wells brothers—says at once.

“What do you need?”

“Carson and Coop are going to be busy this Saturday with the security dinner to kick off the week of training. I will be there for a bit, but I’m going to watch over Livy and Claire. I don’t expect any trouble, but I’d like to have some backup—just in case. If you can’t, it’s okay. The new guy, Jeff, is going to help me, but I just feel better having someone I’ve worked with before at my back.”

“Sure. I had nothing planned anyway. Do you want me to head straight to Carson’s house, or would you rather I meet you under the tent they’re having the dinner at?”

“Just head on up to Carson’s house that night. Jeff should be there early. He’s setting up the perimeter and I’ll join you two once I get there.”

“Sounds good. I’ll be there,” I answer.

“Thanks, Lake. If you’re interested, we could use a couple more men to help us in combat training. You’re one of our best and you’ve been here almost as long as our first string. The pay is good. I know it’s short notice⁠—”

“I’m in,” I answer at once. Working extra means making more money toward my bill. I don’t need much to survive. The ranch provides our breakfast and dinners. I live in the bunkhouse with the rest of the ranch hands. So, really, I can get by with next to nothing. I have a truck payment, auto insurance, and health insurance bills. I pay whatever medical bills I get and then put a few hundred back each check. Once that’s done, I give the rest back to the bookkeeper here at the ranch as payment on my account. My bosses didn’t like it but accepted it just the same. I should have it completely paid off within another six months. Then, maybe I’ll breathe a little easier. I don’t know the person I was before, but the man I am now doesn’t want to owe shit to anyone. I stand on my own.

“Sounds good. We can talk about it more when I see you Saturday.”

“Deal,” I answer right before his phone clicks off. I do the same and look out across the ranch. My gaze takes it all in, breathes in the peace that the land gives me as my eyes focus on the Smoky Mountains. I don’t know where I’m from originally. I didn’t have any ID on me when I was found. Hell, I barely had clothes covering me. Still, this is definitely my home now. The mountains have a way of getting into your soul. Maybe once I get the debt paid back, I’ll find my own place, a small ranch, some cattle to make it self-sufficient. A quiet life.

I file the thought somewhere in the mess I call a brain and turn back to the campground office. Time to take in Ray’s dream woman, Olivia. The thought makes me scoff, shaking my head.

Ray really is an idiot.

She’ll probably use him. We may only be ranch hands here, but the Wells family pays us damn good. Olivia—as an employee here—would know that. I’d try to warn him, but Ray’s an asshole.

He deserves whatever he gets.

3

GOING TOO FAR

OLIVIA

“Who was that?” I ask when I see Ray standing by the door.

“That’s just Lake. He stepped out to take a call. You look beautiful today, Olivia.”

God. How do I attract these men? Ray is such a jerk. He’s actually kind of slimy. I’m constantly trying to avoid him. Usually, Lisa or Deb helps me get away. No such luck today. What’s that saying? If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all. Ugh.

“Thanks, Ray. What are you up to?”

I barely control a wince as he takes his hat off and holds me against his chest with one hand. “I was wondering if you heard about the dinner the ranch is hosting tomorrow night?”

“I work here and have to help get ready for it, so yeah, I know,” I respond. Okay, that sounded kind of bitchy, but maybe that’s what it takes for him to get the message. I mean, I’ve only been trying to tell him since the day after he hired in.

“Oh, uh, yeah,” he responds uncomfortably. “Well, I was wondering if maybe we could go together?”

“I’m sorry, Ray. I’m working that night.”

“Crap. They have you working the party? That’s not fair. You work every day. We all need a day off, Olivia.”

“I volunteered. I like working here.”

“You sound like Lake. He works every hour he can,” he scoffs. “Life is short. You need to enjoy it, darlin’.”