“Maybe, if the money is the reason she can’t take the job. Demming’s not really supporting a family or anything, right? You’re a new owner, so this is a kind of new business. I think it’s more about what the ranch can afford, and what the right person is worth to you than what Demming was making.”
“Yeah, I guess. I liked her ideas, I liked that they want to stay, raise a family.” He was tickled about it, in fact, and Demming had been too.
“I think if hiring her is more than just someone that can get the job done, then make her a sweet offer. Text me a salary you think she’s worth.”
“Okay. But, I mean, if she decided she didn’t like the place, she didn’t.” And that hurt his feelings, weirdly enough. This place was—well, he’d uprooted his whole family for it, hadn’t he?
Connor snorted. “The ranch? There’s no way she didn’t like it. It’s gorgeous and well-run. It’s something else. Maybe her dog died. Maybe her marriage is on the rocks. Maybe she got a really good offer somewhere else. But it’s not the ranch.”
“Right, because this is an amazing place to be.” Connor was right. “So, we have lunch, an interview. What else is on our list?”
Besides answering the phone twenty-seven times an hour.
“I have to take the boys school shopping. I got the list—but they also need sneakers. They’re fine with clothes until the weather gets colder, Jayden’s pants are too short. And you said you’d show me how to deal with the pool chemicals so you don’t have to, and—hang on.” Connor pulled his phone out and squinted at it. “And…okay. And I’m apparently going to a PTO meeting this afternoon. Kids can come; it’s at the school. Text from Mike, who says he doesn’t want to be the only dad there.”
Mike and Connor were building a solid little friendship, and Early loved it. Mike knew everyone in town, and was more than willing to fold Connor in.
“Excellent. If you want me to come shopping this evening and have supper out, we can.” He needed some shampoo and a couple of heavy flannel shirts.
“That sounds great. We can each take a boy and a list and get it done faster. And dinner out means no dishes.” Connor kissed him again. “You’re brilliant.”
“I’ve been told that before.” Early winked at his husband, before cracking up. “You want Mexican? Burgers? Italian?”
“Mexican. Tacos. Definitely tacos. And a huge margarita.”
“Ooh… I’m in. So, interview. I’ll come to town with you post-meeting, we’ll shop, have tacos and tequila, then put the boys to bed so we can have a late-night swim?”
“Perfect and text me that name and number, I’m going to call her. This morning.”
Early topped them both off and set the carafe back down. “Go do. I’m going to check on the kids. And hey. I love you.”
Connor’s smile was warm, tickling the shit out of him. “I love you too, darlin’.”
Early’s phone rang again, and he pulled it out of his pocket.
“Good luck!” Connor chuckled and headed out onto the porch.
“Yeah, yeah. Hey, Demming, what’s up?”
“Well, boss, I got to tell you—”
And he was off and running.
Again.
17
Early was right. Their kids were part fish. Not five minutes after their reading break and the two of them were back in the pool. Connor loved that they got so much time outdoors and so much exercise, it wore them out and they slept as hard as they played.
He had his laptop set up on the poolside table and was sitting in the shade under the goofy tropical umbrella that Early had found. It was so hideous it was just perfect. He’d been working with his former firm, wrapping up the cases he’d had pending when he moved, so he wasn’t completely without something to do, but there was no rush on it, so he figured now was as good a time as any for that phone call.
He looked at the text from Early that said her name was Reeseand had a cell number and a salary that was a little bit higher than he’d expected. That was a last resort, but it was good to have it in his back pocket if that was the only reason she’d stopped taking Early’s calls.
The boys were laughing, but the sound was swallowed up by the vastness of the open air out here so it was only background level. He dialed the number, wondering if Reese was the type that screened or picked up calls from numbers she didn’t know. He was a screener, so he’d understand.
It rang for a few, then he got a breathless, “’lo? Watch that heifer, y’all! Don’t you let him slip by you!”
“Hello, is this is Connor Westin calling, am I speaking with Reese Morrow?” It sounded like maybe this was a bad time.