“Yeah?” He popped the top of Connor’s beer and handed it over. “What about? They worried about school?”
“No, they were worried aboutme. It’s very important to them that I like it here. They wanted to make sure I was happy. Seems they overheard a conversation between you and your dad.”
Early frowned. “A what? What did they hear?”
What had he said? He’d worried about Connor, sure, but he hadn’t said anything bad about that. He knew it.
“Jayden said you told your dad you were worried you were making me unhappy.” Connor was watching him closely.
“Well, sure. I was. I am. But I told him, straight out, if you weren’t happy here, we’d go back to Denver. You’re my heart.”
“They told me that too.” Connor grinned at him. “They don’t want to go back to Denver. Jaxson had a whole speech for me about why the ranch is so cool, and Jayden added some more practical reasons too. It was so sweet.”
“Oh. Oh, lord. You scared me. I thought they’d totally misunderstood something I’d said.” He took a deep swig of his beer. “I mean, I’m sorry that they were worried, and they shouldn’t eavesdrop, but at least I did say it.”
“I’m sure it was tougher than it seemed on them to have us split up all summer. Kids worry. But I didn’t know I’d worried you so much.”
He shrugged, because what was he going to say? “You gave up a lot to come here, and I know it. This is my dream, my fantasy, not yours.”
“Hm. Denver was never a dream or a fantasy for me, honey. But you are. I’m ready for this adventure, I promise.”
Early reached out and squeezed his husband’s fingers. “Thank god for that, darlin’. Seriously.”
He couldn’t believe this was his life. Not at all.
Connor squeezed back. “I love you; you know that. We’re going to figure all of this out.” Connor sipped his beer. “Even the foreman situation.”
“You said she’s coming back in the morning? Did she say why she’d changed her mind?” He couldn’t imagine what had happened that she’d ghost him and then agree to come back in.
“Yeah.” Connor nodded slowly, sipped his beer, taking his time getting it out. “Ian.”
“Who?” He tilted his head, trying to suss that out. Ian. Did he even know an Ian? Wait. “You mean chocolate cake Ian?”
“Yes. The one that told me he was the nanny? He told Reese…” Connor shook his head. “Early. He told Reese the job was his.”
Early actually dropped his beer in utter shock, and it took him a second to figure out what that bang and whoosh noise was. “Dammit!”
Connor hopped up and slid the little table between them out of the way. “Did it break?”
“No. No, shit. Fuck. I just. Fuck!” Ian wasn’t a cowboy. Not even a little bit. Why would the son of a bitch want the foreman job?
“Reese was pissed, understandably, that you hadn’t told her yourself. He’s after you, Early. I told you. And now he’s fucking with your reputation? I’m ready to cut his balls off.” Connor kept his cool, saying that like it was just a fact.
“Okay. You have my support.” And his confusion. What the hell was the little shit’s deal?
Connor nodded and “I think when we talk to Reese we need to hire her, and then make a plan. I don’t trust him not to show up again. He’s fucking with your business now, you know? It’s not just a prank.”
“I just don’t understand, Connor. I mean, this is ridiculous.”
“What don’t you understand, honey?” Connor looked at him like he had two heads. “He’s got the hots for you, and you’re taken. Somewhere in his head he’s decided you deserve to be fucked with. I just can’t believe that nutjob was anywhere near my children. And your parents. It’s terrifying.”
“But…” He rolled his eyes. He was a middle-aged dad, who was taken and busy. He didn’t need this shit. “I might just beat him myself.”
“Good. I like that we’re on the same page. Reese is too. Trust me. I think she really wants this.” Connor fixed the table and slid his beer over to him to sip. “She’s even bringing doughnuts.”
“I like doughnuts…” His mind was still working on the fact that someone was screwing with him, his ranch, his husband. “He seemed so damn decent.”
“Where did he come from? Where did you meet him? I mean…how did you end up hiring him in the first place?” Connor watched him. “Did someone you know recommend him?”