A black sheep. A runaway. The American dream. And an old friend that reappears from thin air...bringing Billy’s past with him...setting his future with Piper to a grinding halt.
The stain on my secondhand blouse taunts me as I drive to Billy Barnes’s ranch. He hasn’t called me for an interview, despite my numerous messages. I’ve been away at school long enough that I’ve been removed from this small town. Word is that Billy Barnes went away, too, to the military. Came back a different man, not fit for a woman. Doesn’t matter, since my only interest is work. He’s put off by me, but I don’t give up. Next thing I know, he’s following me like some lunatic, until he learns my secret, and then we’re both in a heap of trouble. He’s not the only one with nightmares. He’s not the only one living a nightmare, either. But then he looks at me with something in his eyes that I’ve never seen before. When I learn that it’s love it’s too late.
***
My brother Cassidy points out Piper Charlton’s resume from a stack on my table. But I grumble, as he shares points about her, and the fact that she’s the last thing I need. When she shows up unannounced, I’m not impressed. The second trip is plain ballsy, but I’m too exhausted to fight, and I end up doing two things I’ll later regret. Her brains, her drive, and her heart are what open my eyes to things I would have never cared about before in a million years. She’s more intuitive than what’s good for her, and she finds out a certain something about me that I’ve never told a soul. I never meant for Piper to be a victim. And I’ll be damned if she ends up that way. That’s why I have to stop it before it starts. I just hope that I don’t break her heart in the process...or my own heart, for that matter.
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Billy
“Look at this one, here.” My older brother Cassidy says to me. “This the one you’re interviewing today?”
I take the printed resume from him, as he snoops through the folder on the table. After I scan the document, I nod. “Yeah, that’s the one. I sure hope this one turns out to be better than the last one.”
“What happened with the last one?” He asks, propping his foot up on my table, which would normally rattle me, but today I barely notice, I’m so stressed.
“She was one of them, ‘I don’t do this, I don’t do that’ sorts. Useless to me. I mean, look at this place.” Lifting my hand, I gesture to the table, covered in papers, receipts, booklets, you name it. And that’s only because my office is even more crammed with shit. I’m hiring an assistant, to help me run this ranch, since my last one bailed on me. Trixie made out like she was so devoted to me and my budding ranch, only to walk out when her boyfriend found her a slightly higher paying job on the other side of town.
He smirks sourly. “God, it’s just as bad as that Trixie chick. Can’t say I blame her, though. You ain’t exactly earned a great reputation in this town.”
“Shut up with that shit, man. Not in the mood.”
He chuckles, like he wants to goad me. “What are you talking about? You’re the one pissing everyone off with your attitude. You know kids are afraid of you, man? They think you’re an ogre. That you hate everyone.”
“Well, I do. Ain’t met anyone yet in this town that gave a rat’s ass about anything other than who’s got money and who doesn’t. Shit, I got fucking shot and nearly died, but nobody seems to give a goddamn about that. Never mind that I’m bringing this shit town some money with this ranch. Nooooo.”
“That’s not true.” He lifts a finger, eyes dancing. “They also care who’s fucking who, and right now you’re not fucking anyone, so that’s the only thing they’ve got on you.”
“So, I nearly die in combat, get sent home for good, start building a ranch, living my dream, doing what I’ve always wanted to do, and now this.”
He pulls his foot off the table with a grunt. “You ask me, you just need to smile more.”
My hands rise into the air. “Tell me what the fuck I’ve got to smile for right now. Look at this place. Trixie left me three weeks ago, no notice, nothing, I’ve got a horse about to go into calf, fences that need mending, a house that’s falling apart while the other one’s being built, my leg still fucking hurts, mama and daddy aren’t talking to me, my one brother won’t leave me the fuck alone, while the other ones and my sister aren’t talking to me, either, and now I’ve got to interview some chick.”
His eyes go back to the small pile of resumes on the table. “Now, just wait, hold everything.”
I’m irritated. “What now.” I sneer.
“Did you see this one?”
“What one.” I whine, combing a hand through my hair.
“This one you gotta interview.” He says urgently. “I know this chick.”
“Who is it?”
“Piper Charlton.”
A ‘v’ forms between my brows as my voice rises an octave. “Who?”
“Her folks, they both died in that car wreck, the one that happened a few months ago. Left her with nothing, not even the house. She’d been away at college, I think. Shit, mama’d heard that she left Copper Cove, but she didn’t know for sure.”
“Well, if she was away at school, then she left town, stupid. And what’s she doing here...and, tell me...why do I care? And how do you know about this girl, anyway?”
“Her mama was friends with our mama, idiot. How else do I know everyone in this godforsaken place.”
“Good for you. Frankly, I don’t give a shit, so long as she doesn’t tell me more of what she won’t do than what she will do.”
“You just make sure you ain’t doing that other thing that the town’s looking out for, man.” He makes a lewd gesture with his pelvis.
I shove his shoulder. “Fuck off. If she’s in school, then she’s just a damn kid, and never mind that, I’m not interested. That’s the last thing I need. Some woman coming in here showing me what’s what, and then showing me what’s what, too.”
“She’s a kid to me, but not to you, Billy. Just watch your ass.” Cassidy is five years my senior. He’s my oldest brother.
My chuckle is mirthless. “Did you not hear me, man? I said I’m not interested in that kind of shit. I need someone who’s going to clean this shithole up, keep my bills paid, keep my accountant happy, and hire me ranch hands, that’s all. Nothing else.”
“Good.” He nods, pleased.
“What’s she doing looking for work in a shithole like this for, if she was in school, anyway?” I ask, only half interested, simply because I’m not into wasting my time. I need someone serious about helping me. My bills come overdue in this town, and nobody’s going to extend me any credit. Cassidy’s got one thing right, and that is that everyone looks over their shoulder when I walk down the streets here. Half of me wanted to leave Copper Cove when I came back from the military, but this old ranch came and the beautiful parcel of land came available seemingly at the right time, and for the right price, so I went for it. I’ve been kicking myself in the ass ever since, but it’s too late now. Ground broke for the new house six months ago, and while the crew is taking their sweet time, it’s worth it.
He shrugs. “Beats me. Maybe she couldn’t cut it in school. If she’s stupid enough to come back here, I guess that’s a possibility.”
“Greeeeat. Just what I need.”
Another shrug. “Let her off easy.”
“Just like I’m letting this other chick off easy, huh.” I comment, pulling the resume out of his hand again. “She’s probably got ten kids and can’t work Saturdays.”
He waves. “Don’t sweat that. I told you I’d cover for you on weekends.”
I look at him and bark. “And why the hell are you being so nice to me, huh!”
He lifts a warning finger. “Billy, don’t do this, okay? Am I bringing up anything from the past here? No! I’m leaving it the hell alone. Don’t clump me in with mama and daddy and the others, okay? I stay neutral and you know it.”
Rising, I mutter. “Yeah, you’re like goddamn Switzerland. Just what I need.” I stomp into the living room to grab my hat, which is sitting on the tattered sofa.
“Hey, would you rather me berate you like mama does every time she sees you?”
I shout back. “Well, it’s better than daddy, who ignores me like I don’t fucking exist!”
“So, ignore him back! That’s what I do!” He bellows, following me to the front door.
He steps right behind me as I attempt to turn back, to grab my cell phone, and we just about chest bump. “Don’t you have a fucking life, man! Why the hell are you always here!”
“You know why I’m always here, Billy, so stop fighting me on it.” He says with that warning tone again.
The truth is, I don’t know what I would have done without Cassidy since I got home. He’s the reason I’m still alive and haven’t killed everyone else in the process. The problem is that he’s always here. He doesn’t live with me, but he might as well. He goes home only to sleep, evidently, and even then, most of the time he camps out on my couch. He was the one that made sure I didn’t die when I got shot and came home half dead, and he’s the only one that supports me as I build this ranch up. If I needed money for it, which I don’t, he’d be the first one to write me a cheque, too.
“Yeah, well, today, you’re being a particular pain in my ass. Don’t you have to go to work or something, man?” I comment, as I check to make sure that my keys and wallet are in my pockets.
“Not until later. Daddy’s got some software developer working on the books today.”
“Sorry I asked.” I mutter again, unimpressed. Cassidy is an accountant. Both mine and my folks’ accountant. But since we all practically grew up on our uncle’s ranch, it’s something close to our hearts. “He give you another lecture about working with me instead of with him today?” I prod.
“I just told you that he doesn’t need me until later, stupid.” He chides. “Now, where are you off to? What time is this interview?”
“I’ve got a list.” I explain, since there are so many things that I need to get, errands that I need to run, there’s no point in naming them all.
“Well, then, I’ll come with you. You going to be back in time to meet with this chick?”
“She’s not coming until after lunch. Gives me plenty of time. And hopefully, if things go well, she’ll stay and start working today.”
Cassidy pushes his Stetson down on his head a little tighter as we walk out the door. “Bad idea, brother. You know how it ends up when y’all don’t check out references.”
“Fine. But I’m desperate.”
“There’s a fine line, Billy, and you know it.”
I’m annoyed. “Could you be any more like mama?”
He’s about to smirk, unimpressed by my comment, when we see a car pull up. It’s nobody that I recognize. The builders always show up packed into a pickup truck, followed by whatever heavy machinery they’ll need for the day on a flatbed truck behind them. But inside this car is a woman. A beautiful one, as much as I hate to admit it. I can tell before she even removes her sunglasses that she’s a looker. Long, natural blonde hair, milky white skin, full lips, the works. My cock twitches as she speaks aloud, through said full lips. “Are you Billy Barnes?”
She says this to Cassidy, who shakes his head, but points to me. “Nu uh. He is.”
“Thanks asshole.” I say under my breath. Then I address her as she gets out of her beat up old car. The sedan has rust all over it. Inside the wheel wells, on the door frames, under the wiper blades, you name it. It’s a bucket of rust, fit for the wrecking yard, not fit for trucking this beauty around. She’s a goddamn masterpiece in a simple pair of black jeans and a white linen blouse. I swallow down my hormones, remembering that I’m not interested, as I address her. “That’s me. What can I do for you, ma’am?”
She takes a few steps towards me and holds out her hand for me to shake, as she pulls her sunglasses up onto her crown. “I’m Piper Charlton. I sent my resume to you?”
Her soft voice and long eyelashes make my dick wake up. I clear my throat. “That’s right. I was just reviewing it a few minutes ago, actually. I’m interviewing someone this afternoon and then I was going to call you in for one.”
The smile is apologetic. “Oh. Well, I hope I'm not being too presumptuous, but I wanted to pay you a visit, to introduce myself. I was hoping that that might make a difference.” She swallows. “I need a job. I need a job very badly.”
I recall what Cassidy said about Piper, and suddenly I chide myself for the primal reaction. With a quick nod, I say. “I appreciate that, Piper, but as I said, I’ve got an interview and then you’re welcome to come in.” I don’t know why I’m suddenly giving her the cold shoulder. A moment ago, I wanted to bang her against my shabby kitchen wall. But then it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that I don’t need any more troubles. And it looks like she’s got trouble written all over her. Don’t matter how gorgeous she is. I don’t need more drama.
“Oh, I understand.” Piper says kindly. “Can I...can I make an appointment to come back? Say tomorrow morning?”
“Sure, that sounds fair.” I nod.
Suddenly, Cassidy interrupts. “Why don’t you tell us a thing or two about yourself?”
I give him a look through the corner of my eye, but he doesn’t take the hint, as usual.
Her face lights up, and my heart sinks. “Absolutely.” A short sigh. “I’m a straight A student, I’ve been working part-time with an accountant, and I have a lot of energy, so I don’t mind cleaning and cooking, or doing anything else if you need it. Plus, I love horses, so I’d love to work on a ranch.”
God. Damn. Give me a reason not to hire you. I find myself looking. “Cassidy here says that you quit school.”
He glares at me.
She’s visibly stung. Her neck cranes back some. “Um, well, I did quit full-time school, but I’m finishing my program online and at night.”
Cassidy’s nostrils flare at me.
“You mentioned that you work part-time with an accountant. How’s this job going to fit in there?” I add, unscathed, like I’m digging for reasons to get this chick off my property.
“Well, I work there at night, on the nights when I’m not doing schoolwork.” She volleys back.
“Don’t you think you’ll be awful tired with two jobs and school?” I ask, almost telling her that she can’t handle it.
“Not at all. I...I don’t have any family, and no other responsibilities. Working is how I keep myself company and stay busy. My mama always said that time on your hands means yourself on your mind.”
I can see Cassidy regarding me like he’s going to beat the shit out of me the second that she turns her back, and I don’t doubt it. He’s done it before. So have all my siblings. Inside my head echoes Cassidy’s earlier words, when he told me that the kids in town are afraid of me. That I’m some kind of ogre to them. Mean, nasty, biting, and he’s right. It’s in my blood. I’m a highly defensive person, and when I feel threatened, I don’t hold back. The last thing I need is some woman with dinner plate eyes, as gorgeous as they are, looking at me like that. Hell, I ain’t been with a woman in so long, I’ve forgotten how to behave around them.
The last time I was near a female was on the military base. Fucked her brains out one night when my buddies got me so hammered I couldn’t see straight. I barely remember screwing her it was so un-noteworthy. Then she goes and tells everyone that I took advantage of her. That woman was so the opposite of this one, though. She was rugged and tough, a military chick. Not dainty and feminine like this one. Like anyone would believe that I’d take advantage of that savage. They’d sooner believe I did something with Piper. Which is why I don’t want her on my doorstep. No ma’am. No siree.
“Well, like I said, I’ve got an interview this afternoon, but I’ll be in touch.” I tell her, voice icy cold.
“But I thought you said that I could make an appointment to come back tomorrow.” She says, and I distinctly hear her voice crack.
My gaze goes to her quickly, but then I look away, at my brother, who is giving me a look that could kill.
“I’ll call you if I change my mind. Your number’s on your resume?” I ask snidely.
“Yes.” She says, her voice quivering.
My skin crawls, even though I’ve got a strange, nauseous feeling at the pit of my stomach.
“Thank you for your time.” She manages on exhale, as she walks away quickly. Her car chugs to life as I walk to my truck, which is parked right behind her car, on the street, since I made room in the driveway for the crew.
“What the fuck’s gotten into you, Billy?” Cassidy hisses, as if Piper might be able to hear from inside her car.
“What do you mean what’s gotten into me?” I ask, going for un-sheepish, but failing miserably, so I try for cocky. “It’s the truth. I’ve got an interview this afternoon.”
“Yeah, but you could have hired her on the fucking spot, and you know it. Aside from a reference, she’s exactly what you’re looking for, Billy.”
“And what makes you say that, hm? She’s already working part-time, and she’s in school, she said so herself. I’m not up for someone with split focus.”
“That’s bullshit, Billy. That girl’s got what nobody else will have.”
I give him a look, like he’s fucking around with me, even though I know that he’s dead fucking serious, and it pisses me off, because I don’t know where he’s going with this. “Like what? A nice rack?”
The warning look gets my attention. “Billy, that girl is hungry. She didn’t have to come all the way over here just to introduce herself. She could have waited for you to call, or she could have called you herself.”
“So what? And what makes you think she’s so goddamn hungry, man? How do I know that she’s not going to ditch me for her part-time gig, just like goddamn Trixie did?”
Her car hasn’t pulled away yet. It’s chugging, struggling to stay alive, and it looks like she’s making a phone call, oblivious to the fact that we’re just a car length behind her. “Open your eyes, Billy.” He says, pointing to her car. “She’s driving a pale of shit, she was just about to cry, her folks are dead, and if you look real closely, what do you see in the back seat, brother?”
I sigh, growing tired, wanting him to get to the point, so we can take off, before it looks like we’re stalking her. “What, what am I looking at, man, fuck!”
Cassidy points at the clothes, sleeping bag, and pillow in the back, not set up like she’s going camping, no. I swallow. My heart starts to pound. My voice is a whisper when I say. “Fuck...she’s living in her fucking car.”
The stain on my secondhand blouse taunts me as I drive to Billy Barnes’s ranch. He hasn’t called me for an interview, despite my numerous messages. I’ve been away at school long enough that I’ve been removed from this small town. Word is that Billy Barnes went away, too, to the military. Came back a different man, not fit for a woman. Doesn’t matter, since my only interest is work. He’s put off by me, but I don’t give up. Next thing I know, he’s following me like some lunatic, until he learns my secret, and then we’re both in a heap of trouble. He’s not the only one with nightmares. He’s not the only one living a nightmare, either. But then he looks at me with something in his eyes that I’ve never seen before. When I learn that it’s love it’s too late.
***
My brother Cassidy points out Piper Charlton’s resume from a stack on my table. But I grumble, as he shares points about her, and the fact that she’s the last thing I need. When she shows up unannounced, I’m not impressed. The second trip is plain ballsy, but I’m too exhausted to fight, and I end up doing two things I’ll later regret. Her brains, her drive, and her heart are what open my eyes to things I would have never cared about before in a million years. She’s more intuitive than what’s good for her, and she finds out a certain something about me that I’ve never told a soul. I never meant for Piper to be a victim. And I’ll be damned if she ends up that way. That’s why I have to stop it before it starts. I just hope that I don’t break her heart in the process...or my own heart, for that matter.
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Billy
“Look at this one, here.” My older brother Cassidy says to me. “This the one you’re interviewing today?”
I take the printed resume from him, as he snoops through the folder on the table. After I scan the document, I nod. “Yeah, that’s the one. I sure hope this one turns out to be better than the last one.”
“What happened with the last one?” He asks, propping his foot up on my table, which would normally rattle me, but today I barely notice, I’m so stressed.
“She was one of them, ‘I don’t do this, I don’t do that’ sorts. Useless to me. I mean, look at this place.” Lifting my hand, I gesture to the table, covered in papers, receipts, booklets, you name it. And that’s only because my office is even more crammed with shit. I’m hiring an assistant, to help me run this ranch, since my last one bailed on me. Trixie made out like she was so devoted to me and my budding ranch, only to walk out when her boyfriend found her a slightly higher paying job on the other side of town.
He smirks sourly. “God, it’s just as bad as that Trixie chick. Can’t say I blame her, though. You ain’t exactly earned a great reputation in this town.”
“Shut up with that shit, man. Not in the mood.”
He chuckles, like he wants to goad me. “What are you talking about? You’re the one pissing everyone off with your attitude. You know kids are afraid of you, man? They think you’re an ogre. That you hate everyone.”
“Well, I do. Ain’t met anyone yet in this town that gave a rat’s ass about anything other than who’s got money and who doesn’t. Shit, I got fucking shot and nearly died, but nobody seems to give a goddamn about that. Never mind that I’m bringing this shit town some money with this ranch. Nooooo.”
“That’s not true.” He lifts a finger, eyes dancing. “They also care who’s fucking who, and right now you’re not fucking anyone, so that’s the only thing they’ve got on you.”
“So, I nearly die in combat, get sent home for good, start building a ranch, living my dream, doing what I’ve always wanted to do, and now this.”
He pulls his foot off the table with a grunt. “You ask me, you just need to smile more.”
My hands rise into the air. “Tell me what the fuck I’ve got to smile for right now. Look at this place. Trixie left me three weeks ago, no notice, nothing, I’ve got a horse about to go into calf, fences that need mending, a house that’s falling apart while the other one’s being built, my leg still fucking hurts, mama and daddy aren’t talking to me, my one brother won’t leave me the fuck alone, while the other ones and my sister aren’t talking to me, either, and now I’ve got to interview some chick.”
His eyes go back to the small pile of resumes on the table. “Now, just wait, hold everything.”
I’m irritated. “What now.” I sneer.
“Did you see this one?”
“What one.” I whine, combing a hand through my hair.
“This one you gotta interview.” He says urgently. “I know this chick.”
“Who is it?”
“Piper Charlton.”
A ‘v’ forms between my brows as my voice rises an octave. “Who?”
“Her folks, they both died in that car wreck, the one that happened a few months ago. Left her with nothing, not even the house. She’d been away at college, I think. Shit, mama’d heard that she left Copper Cove, but she didn’t know for sure.”
“Well, if she was away at school, then she left town, stupid. And what’s she doing here...and, tell me...why do I care? And how do you know about this girl, anyway?”
“Her mama was friends with our mama, idiot. How else do I know everyone in this godforsaken place.”
“Good for you. Frankly, I don’t give a shit, so long as she doesn’t tell me more of what she won’t do than what she will do.”
“You just make sure you ain’t doing that other thing that the town’s looking out for, man.” He makes a lewd gesture with his pelvis.
I shove his shoulder. “Fuck off. If she’s in school, then she’s just a damn kid, and never mind that, I’m not interested. That’s the last thing I need. Some woman coming in here showing me what’s what, and then showing me what’s what, too.”
“She’s a kid to me, but not to you, Billy. Just watch your ass.” Cassidy is five years my senior. He’s my oldest brother.
My chuckle is mirthless. “Did you not hear me, man? I said I’m not interested in that kind of shit. I need someone who’s going to clean this shithole up, keep my bills paid, keep my accountant happy, and hire me ranch hands, that’s all. Nothing else.”
“Good.” He nods, pleased.
“What’s she doing looking for work in a shithole like this for, if she was in school, anyway?” I ask, only half interested, simply because I’m not into wasting my time. I need someone serious about helping me. My bills come overdue in this town, and nobody’s going to extend me any credit. Cassidy’s got one thing right, and that is that everyone looks over their shoulder when I walk down the streets here. Half of me wanted to leave Copper Cove when I came back from the military, but this old ranch came and the beautiful parcel of land came available seemingly at the right time, and for the right price, so I went for it. I’ve been kicking myself in the ass ever since, but it’s too late now. Ground broke for the new house six months ago, and while the crew is taking their sweet time, it’s worth it.
He shrugs. “Beats me. Maybe she couldn’t cut it in school. If she’s stupid enough to come back here, I guess that’s a possibility.”
“Greeeeat. Just what I need.”
Another shrug. “Let her off easy.”
“Just like I’m letting this other chick off easy, huh.” I comment, pulling the resume out of his hand again. “She’s probably got ten kids and can’t work Saturdays.”
He waves. “Don’t sweat that. I told you I’d cover for you on weekends.”
I look at him and bark. “And why the hell are you being so nice to me, huh!”
He lifts a warning finger. “Billy, don’t do this, okay? Am I bringing up anything from the past here? No! I’m leaving it the hell alone. Don’t clump me in with mama and daddy and the others, okay? I stay neutral and you know it.”
Rising, I mutter. “Yeah, you’re like goddamn Switzerland. Just what I need.” I stomp into the living room to grab my hat, which is sitting on the tattered sofa.
“Hey, would you rather me berate you like mama does every time she sees you?”
I shout back. “Well, it’s better than daddy, who ignores me like I don’t fucking exist!”
“So, ignore him back! That’s what I do!” He bellows, following me to the front door.
He steps right behind me as I attempt to turn back, to grab my cell phone, and we just about chest bump. “Don’t you have a fucking life, man! Why the hell are you always here!”
“You know why I’m always here, Billy, so stop fighting me on it.” He says with that warning tone again.
The truth is, I don’t know what I would have done without Cassidy since I got home. He’s the reason I’m still alive and haven’t killed everyone else in the process. The problem is that he’s always here. He doesn’t live with me, but he might as well. He goes home only to sleep, evidently, and even then, most of the time he camps out on my couch. He was the one that made sure I didn’t die when I got shot and came home half dead, and he’s the only one that supports me as I build this ranch up. If I needed money for it, which I don’t, he’d be the first one to write me a cheque, too.
“Yeah, well, today, you’re being a particular pain in my ass. Don’t you have to go to work or something, man?” I comment, as I check to make sure that my keys and wallet are in my pockets.
“Not until later. Daddy’s got some software developer working on the books today.”
“Sorry I asked.” I mutter again, unimpressed. Cassidy is an accountant. Both mine and my folks’ accountant. But since we all practically grew up on our uncle’s ranch, it’s something close to our hearts. “He give you another lecture about working with me instead of with him today?” I prod.
“I just told you that he doesn’t need me until later, stupid.” He chides. “Now, where are you off to? What time is this interview?”
“I’ve got a list.” I explain, since there are so many things that I need to get, errands that I need to run, there’s no point in naming them all.
“Well, then, I’ll come with you. You going to be back in time to meet with this chick?”
“She’s not coming until after lunch. Gives me plenty of time. And hopefully, if things go well, she’ll stay and start working today.”
Cassidy pushes his Stetson down on his head a little tighter as we walk out the door. “Bad idea, brother. You know how it ends up when y’all don’t check out references.”
“Fine. But I’m desperate.”
“There’s a fine line, Billy, and you know it.”
I’m annoyed. “Could you be any more like mama?”
He’s about to smirk, unimpressed by my comment, when we see a car pull up. It’s nobody that I recognize. The builders always show up packed into a pickup truck, followed by whatever heavy machinery they’ll need for the day on a flatbed truck behind them. But inside this car is a woman. A beautiful one, as much as I hate to admit it. I can tell before she even removes her sunglasses that she’s a looker. Long, natural blonde hair, milky white skin, full lips, the works. My cock twitches as she speaks aloud, through said full lips. “Are you Billy Barnes?”
She says this to Cassidy, who shakes his head, but points to me. “Nu uh. He is.”
“Thanks asshole.” I say under my breath. Then I address her as she gets out of her beat up old car. The sedan has rust all over it. Inside the wheel wells, on the door frames, under the wiper blades, you name it. It’s a bucket of rust, fit for the wrecking yard, not fit for trucking this beauty around. She’s a goddamn masterpiece in a simple pair of black jeans and a white linen blouse. I swallow down my hormones, remembering that I’m not interested, as I address her. “That’s me. What can I do for you, ma’am?”
She takes a few steps towards me and holds out her hand for me to shake, as she pulls her sunglasses up onto her crown. “I’m Piper Charlton. I sent my resume to you?”
Her soft voice and long eyelashes make my dick wake up. I clear my throat. “That’s right. I was just reviewing it a few minutes ago, actually. I’m interviewing someone this afternoon and then I was going to call you in for one.”
The smile is apologetic. “Oh. Well, I hope I'm not being too presumptuous, but I wanted to pay you a visit, to introduce myself. I was hoping that that might make a difference.” She swallows. “I need a job. I need a job very badly.”
I recall what Cassidy said about Piper, and suddenly I chide myself for the primal reaction. With a quick nod, I say. “I appreciate that, Piper, but as I said, I’ve got an interview and then you’re welcome to come in.” I don’t know why I’m suddenly giving her the cold shoulder. A moment ago, I wanted to bang her against my shabby kitchen wall. But then it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out that I don’t need any more troubles. And it looks like she’s got trouble written all over her. Don’t matter how gorgeous she is. I don’t need more drama.
“Oh, I understand.” Piper says kindly. “Can I...can I make an appointment to come back? Say tomorrow morning?”
“Sure, that sounds fair.” I nod.
Suddenly, Cassidy interrupts. “Why don’t you tell us a thing or two about yourself?”
I give him a look through the corner of my eye, but he doesn’t take the hint, as usual.
Her face lights up, and my heart sinks. “Absolutely.” A short sigh. “I’m a straight A student, I’ve been working part-time with an accountant, and I have a lot of energy, so I don’t mind cleaning and cooking, or doing anything else if you need it. Plus, I love horses, so I’d love to work on a ranch.”
God. Damn. Give me a reason not to hire you. I find myself looking. “Cassidy here says that you quit school.”
He glares at me.
She’s visibly stung. Her neck cranes back some. “Um, well, I did quit full-time school, but I’m finishing my program online and at night.”
Cassidy’s nostrils flare at me.
“You mentioned that you work part-time with an accountant. How’s this job going to fit in there?” I add, unscathed, like I’m digging for reasons to get this chick off my property.
“Well, I work there at night, on the nights when I’m not doing schoolwork.” She volleys back.
“Don’t you think you’ll be awful tired with two jobs and school?” I ask, almost telling her that she can’t handle it.
“Not at all. I...I don’t have any family, and no other responsibilities. Working is how I keep myself company and stay busy. My mama always said that time on your hands means yourself on your mind.”
I can see Cassidy regarding me like he’s going to beat the shit out of me the second that she turns her back, and I don’t doubt it. He’s done it before. So have all my siblings. Inside my head echoes Cassidy’s earlier words, when he told me that the kids in town are afraid of me. That I’m some kind of ogre to them. Mean, nasty, biting, and he’s right. It’s in my blood. I’m a highly defensive person, and when I feel threatened, I don’t hold back. The last thing I need is some woman with dinner plate eyes, as gorgeous as they are, looking at me like that. Hell, I ain’t been with a woman in so long, I’ve forgotten how to behave around them.
The last time I was near a female was on the military base. Fucked her brains out one night when my buddies got me so hammered I couldn’t see straight. I barely remember screwing her it was so un-noteworthy. Then she goes and tells everyone that I took advantage of her. That woman was so the opposite of this one, though. She was rugged and tough, a military chick. Not dainty and feminine like this one. Like anyone would believe that I’d take advantage of that savage. They’d sooner believe I did something with Piper. Which is why I don’t want her on my doorstep. No ma’am. No siree.
“Well, like I said, I’ve got an interview this afternoon, but I’ll be in touch.” I tell her, voice icy cold.
“But I thought you said that I could make an appointment to come back tomorrow.” She says, and I distinctly hear her voice crack.
My gaze goes to her quickly, but then I look away, at my brother, who is giving me a look that could kill.
“I’ll call you if I change my mind. Your number’s on your resume?” I ask snidely.
“Yes.” She says, her voice quivering.
My skin crawls, even though I’ve got a strange, nauseous feeling at the pit of my stomach.
“Thank you for your time.” She manages on exhale, as she walks away quickly. Her car chugs to life as I walk to my truck, which is parked right behind her car, on the street, since I made room in the driveway for the crew.
“What the fuck’s gotten into you, Billy?” Cassidy hisses, as if Piper might be able to hear from inside her car.
“What do you mean what’s gotten into me?” I ask, going for un-sheepish, but failing miserably, so I try for cocky. “It’s the truth. I’ve got an interview this afternoon.”
“Yeah, but you could have hired her on the fucking spot, and you know it. Aside from a reference, she’s exactly what you’re looking for, Billy.”
“And what makes you say that, hm? She’s already working part-time, and she’s in school, she said so herself. I’m not up for someone with split focus.”
“That’s bullshit, Billy. That girl’s got what nobody else will have.”
I give him a look, like he’s fucking around with me, even though I know that he’s dead fucking serious, and it pisses me off, because I don’t know where he’s going with this. “Like what? A nice rack?”
The warning look gets my attention. “Billy, that girl is hungry. She didn’t have to come all the way over here just to introduce herself. She could have waited for you to call, or she could have called you herself.”
“So what? And what makes you think she’s so goddamn hungry, man? How do I know that she’s not going to ditch me for her part-time gig, just like goddamn Trixie did?”
Her car hasn’t pulled away yet. It’s chugging, struggling to stay alive, and it looks like she’s making a phone call, oblivious to the fact that we’re just a car length behind her. “Open your eyes, Billy.” He says, pointing to her car. “She’s driving a pale of shit, she was just about to cry, her folks are dead, and if you look real closely, what do you see in the back seat, brother?”
I sigh, growing tired, wanting him to get to the point, so we can take off, before it looks like we’re stalking her. “What, what am I looking at, man, fuck!”
Cassidy points at the clothes, sleeping bag, and pillow in the back, not set up like she’s going camping, no. I swallow. My heart starts to pound. My voice is a whisper when I say. “Fuck...she’s living in her fucking car.”
