Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“Take me to him,” Ray says, looking around and suddenly seeming self-conscious.
He doesn’t like having a small crowd gathering around us. I can’t say I blame him. This doesn’t really involve me, and I don’t like it either. I don’t know what my old life consisted of, but I have a knack for smelling danger in the air. I definitely get that feeling right now. The hairs on the back of my neck are standing at attention. That’s never a good sign.
It doesn’t take long to see Cooper show up in one of the UTVs that the ranch uses. What does surprise me, however, is to see that along with Cooper, Carson and Colt have both arrived. The whole ranch knows the brothers are busy preparing for the security summit. I steal a glance at Ray, and his face has lost all color. Can’t say as I blame him. I’d feel the same. Ray’s a bit spineless. He talks a big game, but I’ve seen him backtrack quickly if another man challenges him. It wouldn’t surprise me if he doesn’t piss himself soon. One thing is clear. Whatever he did, he’s in some deep shit right now.
The Wells brothers get out slowly, their gazes all trained on Ray. I’m standing beside him, and I fight the urge to step back from him. There’s no reason I can’t. At the same time, I’ve worked beside Ray. Seems a bit like leaving a man on the battlefield if I do that. I need to see exactly what he’s done before I leave him to face it without at least some moral support.
“Ray,” Carson says.
“What’s going on, boss?” Ray answers. I know he’s trying not to show fear, but anyone can hear the quiver in his voice.
“When you hired on, do you remember reading the employee booklet we gave you? The one we went over line by line.”
“Y-Y-Yes, sir,” he answers.
“Ray, do you remember what section three addressed?” Carson asks.
“Not right off, sir.”
“Colt, read the first two lines of section three,” Carson orders.
Colt opens up the handbook and turns right to it. “No employee is allowed to harass, belittle, assault, or make others feel unsafe, uncomfortable, or worried about their position within the ranch. Any personal grievances between employees shall immediately be brought to the attention of the ranch’s leadership and dealt with internally, or—if circumstances warrant—mediation.”
“Does that seem unclear to you, Ray?”
“N-No sir.”
“Wait!”
My head whips to the side to see a woman jogging over. She’s wearing worn jeans and a bright pink T-shirt that’s been tucked into her pants, revealing a belt that has spots of turquoise stones and intricate weaving that reminds me of the belts I’ve seen in the Cherokee gift shops along Townsend and Pigeon Forge. I’ve checked them out because I’m pretty sure I have Native American ancestry. I was actually drawn to some of those pieces in the gift shops. I continue to look at the woman. This must be the woman Ray was so excited about. He said she was pretty, but that’s an understatement. I’ve not sure I’ve ever seen a more beautiful woman. She’s got long honey-brown hair that falls to her mid-back. Her skin is flawless and looks as if it’s been kissed by the sun. Thick, well-defined eyebrows that offset the prettiest eyes I’ve ever seen. Eyes that right now look worried, but still shine with an intensity that could probably scorch a man. I can’t tell their color, I’m just not close enough, but I want to be—and that’s worrisome. I drink in the rest of her body, full breasts, sweet curves. Yeah, she’s pretty, just like Ray said. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to figure out she’s also the center of the problem here. Apparently, she ran straight to one of the Wells brothers to complain about Ray. It’s clear she means enough to one or all of them to gather their attention and sympathy too. Just like Ray said, she’s a bitch. A pretty little bitch. My attraction to her immediately turns off. It’s not like I truly fool with women anyway. Since the day I got out of the hospital, I steer clear of them—despite the offers I receive if I go out with the guys. The men kid me about it, but I ignore them. I’m not sure what it is. As I let my gaze return to the woman now standing with the Wells brothers, I’m starting to think it’s just plain old self-preservation.
“Livy, it’s okay,” Carson says so gently that you’d think he was talking to his wife. Something hits me. It’s not jealousy. I don’t even know the girl, but I still don’t like the way he’s holding her and trying to calm her down. It’s probably bothering me because Carson is married, and I like his wife.