Demming shrugged. “I guess I’m doing something with you. What’s up?”
“That Reese? The one from outside Dallas? She’s coming in for a second interview.” The woman knew her livestock, and was looking for a long-term position, someplace special.
“Is she? I thought maybe you’d run her off. Good deal.”
“Nope. That Ian kid? He told her the job was his. Can you believe that shit?” He sure couldn’t.
Demming shook his head. “Why would he want to do that? I thought you ran him off. He sure wasn’t getting work here, especially cowboy work.”
“I got nothing, man. It doesn’t make a lick of sense. I mean, he shit in his own bed with Connor, answering my phone and all. Who answers another man’s phone?”
“Unless it’s an emergency, no one. You did the right thing sending him on his way. Connor doesn’t seem like he’d have much patience for that kind of thing.”
He couldn’t have stopped his laugh for anything in the world. “Yeah, Connor isn’t the most forgiving on that front. Thank god I don’t go out there and flirt with folks. He’d be all butthurt.”
“So, how is he…adjusting?”
“He’s going to take over the business parts of the operation with me. He’ll be way more successful on that front, and he can talk to the BLM folks, that sort of thing. I’m tickled shitless.” Connor deserved to feel like he had a place, and there was too much to do as it was, and Early was busy using the expansion permit he’d just secured to separate the mustangs into two herds.
Demming nodded approval. “You’ll be a team. That’s how it should be.”
“Yeah. I think he’ll be perfect about it, and it’ll leave me to work the land like I want to, and we’ll both be able to be full-time dads. It’s what I wanted for him.” Connor would miss so much otherwise, especially if they adopted another little one.
“Rick would approve.” Demming hid behind his coffee mug, about to take a sip. “You know how much he wanted family in this house.”
“I didn’t. I do now.” He met Demming’s eyes. “You’re sure you want to go to California, man? You want to leave all this?”
“I have grandbabies and a daughter with a beach house. I’m terrified.” Demming held his gaze, sure and steady. “Seriously, though, they’ve been asking me to come for a couple of years. It’s been my retirement plan for a long time. But I couldn’t leave Rick.”
“I appreciate it. Seriously. And for staying on with me. I was in over my head.”
Demming gave him a deep nod. “It’s been my pleasure. I wanted to make sure you were settled. It’ll always be a little over your head, that’s how these places are. You’ll learn not to put things off until tomorrow, and you’ll keep up all right.”
“Yeah. I hear you. So, you’ll have to come after I convince this cowgirl to join on and show her the basics, and I’ll help you load your Pod.”
“I will be happy to show her around. Teach her all the tricks of this place. And I’ll leave her with my cell number, just in case. You’re going to be lucky to have her, she’s got just the right…” Demming looked like he was searching for a word.
“She’s a cowboy.”
That was what the job was, after all. Cattle, horses, critters, land management—and knowing about kids.
“That’s it. She’s a hand. I’m looking forward to talking with her again.” Demming finished his coffee and stood. “Well. The boss needs me at nine thirty, so I’d best go do my chores.”
“Good deal. I’ll see you. Holler if you need me out at the barns.” He had to wonder why Uncle Rick hadn’t made some sort of an office.
“You know I will.” Demming patted his shoulder and left out the kitchen door.
He poured another cup of coffee and started bacon in the oven. Bacon and eggs would hold the boys until the doughnuts came.
His timing was good because Jaxson appeared just after he closed the oven, looking sleepy in his PJ top, underwear and pony slippers. “Hi.”
“Mornin’, you. You want a cup of cocoa?” He knew the answer was yes, so he grabbed Jaxson’s favorite mug from the dish drainer.
“Uh-huh. Are you having coffee?” Jaxson sat in one of the kitchen chairs.
“I am. My veins are flowing with coffee.” He winked over and started the milk on the stove. “What’s on your plan today, son?”
“Gonna swim. Gonna feed the chickens and get eggs, ’cause it’s my day. Maybe, if you want, we could ride for a little ways? And then I want to see if Dad will make steaks and potatoes for supper.”