“Yep. Do I know you? Oops. Just a sec.” There was a terrible clang and then a soft chuckle. “Sorry. Back.”
He forged ahead. “I’m Early Jericho’s husband from the Rocking Bar M. I’m so sorry to bother you when you’re obviously busy, do you think you might have some time to talk later? Or maybe meet for coffee?”
“I was just penning calves. What’s up?” There was the tiniest hint of anger that he didn’t understand in her voice.
“Well, Early was telling me about you—how impressed he was with your interview and how much he liked you as a person…he was surprised when he didn’t hear back from you, so I thought I’d follow up to see if you have any questions, or maybe just ask you why you decided you weren’t interested?” He couldn’t imagine what Early might have done to upset her, everything Early said was so positive.
There was a pause, then, “Are you serious? Dude, you’re being played. His lover is getting the job. The bastard told me—your husband didn’t even have the class to call me himself. Ass.”
“His—” What the hell? He couldn’t imagine how she’d heard a story so completely off. His lover? “I don’t know who fed you that bullshit, but trust me when I tell you I am the only lover he needs. And we’re nowhere near hiring anyone yet, the only person he’s even considered so far is you.” Okay, he was pissed off now. All the little hairs were standing up on the back of his neck. This was his husband’s name someone was fucking with. “Early is the most honest man you’ll ever meet, so if anyone’s an ass it’s the fucker that lied to you.”
“Wait… You’re sure? I mean, you’re sure he’s not cheating?”
Just the word “cheating” got his hackles up. “I am a hundred percent sure. Period. He loves his family. He loves me. I’d like to know who thinks they’re getting the job though, because Early wants to offer it to you.”
“Oh… Oh, dammit. Okay. Okay, we need to meet, I think. You and me and Mr. Early, because that Ian guy said the job was his and to back off.”
“I apologize for that.” What the fuck? He wouldn’t trust Ian to foreman his morning dump. His heart pounded and heat crept up his neck as he felt his blood pressure rise.Ian. That scheming little bastard. He made himself breathe. He needed to keep it together until they hung up. “Why don’t you come out to the ranch in the morning?”
“Sure. Sure, no problem. I thought Mr. Early was a good guy. I was disappointed as all get out.”
“So was he when he didn’t hear from you. I look forward to meeting you and hopefully clearing up this misunderstanding.”
“What time should I be there? I’ll bring doughnuts.”
“Around nine? Early likes the jelly ones and we have two boys who will be looking for glazed. As long as you’re asking,” he joked. She had definitely not asked.
“I’m assuming the Ian guy isn’t hanging around the ranch, then? Because I’m grumpy that he almost lost me my dream job.”
Early was going to be happy to hear that. “He better not be, or I’ll have his goddamn balls. Excuse my French.” Oh, he was so pissed.
“Oh, I like you. I like you already. I’ll be there tomorrow at nine with doughnuts. You provide the coffee.”
“I’ll put the good stuff on. Thank you for taking my call. See you tomorrow.” He hung up, caught between excited to tell Early that Reese was coming by, and royally ticked that he had to tell Early about that slimeball, Ian.
Also, he needed to know whether Ian was still…here, somehow. Not here on the ranch because clearly he wasn’t, but here causing trouble.
“Dad? You okay?” Jaxson was at the edge of the pool, looking at him curiously.
He schooled his expression, finding a great big smile. “I’m great. I think we found a foreman to help Daddy run the ranch. Are you a big ol’ prune yet?”
“Nope. I can’t believe this is our house. Is it cool for you too?”
“It’s very cool, buddy. I can’t really believe it either. Are you ready to do some school shopping tonight? I got the list from your teacher.”
He heard Jayden’s groan from across the pool. “How is summer almost over already?”
“I get it.” He’d lost his summer to packing and moving and missing his family. But he was really looking forward to fall. “Daddy’s taking us out for tacos after.”
“Yeah? I like tacos. Cool. Papaw says that maybe we can go to the movies with him this weekend if it’s okay.”
“I can’t see why not. Maybe Mamaw will want you to stay the night.”
“Yeah, she likes hanging out. I like seeing them whenever we want. Do you like it too?”
He walked over and sat on the concrete by the edge of the pool. It seemed like there was something going on with his boys, something maybe they’d talked about. “Are you guys really that worried I’m not going to like it here?”
“Yeah, because—” Jaxson started, and Jayden splashed him, stopping the flow of words.