Page 2 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

“Good.” He nods, pleased.

“What’s she doing looking for work in a shithole like this for, if she was in school, anyway?” I ask, only half interested, simply because I’m not into wasting my time. I need someone serious about helping me. My bills come overdue in this town, and nobody’s going to extend me any credit. Cassidy’s got one thing right, and that is that everyone looks over their shoulder when I walk down the streets here. Half of me wanted to leave Copper Cove when I came back from the military, but this old ranch came and the beautiful parcel of land came available seemingly at the right time, and for the right price, so I went for it. I’ve been kicking myself in the ass ever since, but it’s too late now. Ground broke for the new house six months ago, and while the crew is taking their sweet time, it’s worth it.

He shrugs. “Beats me. Maybe she couldn’t cut it in school. If she’s stupid enough to come back here, I guess that’s a possibility.”

“Greeeeat. Just what I need.”

Another shrug. “Let her off easy.”

“Just like I’m letting this other chick off easy, huh.” I comment, pulling the resume out of his hand again. “She’s probably got ten kids and can’t work Saturdays.”

He waves. “Don’t sweat that. I told you I’d cover for you on weekends.”

I look at him and bark. “And why the hell are you being so nice to me, huh!”

He lifts a warning finger. “Billy, don’t do this, okay? Am I bringing up anything from the past here? No! I’m leaving it the hell alone. Don’t clump me in with mama and daddy and the others, okay? I stay neutral and you know it.”

Rising, I mutter. “Yeah, you’re like goddamn Switzerland. Just what I need.” I stomp into the living room to grab my hat, which is sitting on the tattered sofa.

“Hey, would you rather me berate you like mama does every time she sees you?”

I shout back. “Well, it’s better than daddy, who ignores me like I don’t fucking exist!”

“So, ignore him back! That’s what I do!” He bellows, following me to the front door.

He steps right behind me as I attempt to turn back, to grab my cell phone, and we just about chest bump. “Don’t you have a fucking life, man! Why the hell are you always here!”

“You know why I’m always here, Billy, so stop fighting me on it.” He says with that warning tone again.

The truth is, I don’t know what I would have done without Cassidy since I got home. He’s the reason I’m still alive and haven’t killed everyone else in the process. The problem is that he’s always here. He doesn’t live with me, but he might as well. He goes home only to sleep, evidently, and even then, most of the time he camps out on my couch. He was the one that made sure I didn’t die when I got shot and came home half dead, and he’s the only one that supports me as I build this ranch up. If I needed money for it, which I don’t, he’d be the first one to write me a cheque, too.

“Yeah, well, today, you’re being a particular pain in my ass. Don’t you have to go to work or something, man?” I comment, as I check to make sure that my keys and wallet are in my pockets.

“Not until later. Daddy’s got some software developer working on the books today.”

“Sorry I asked.” I mutter again, unimpressed. Cassidy is an accountant. Both mine and my folks’ accountant. But since we all practically grew up on our uncle’s ranch, it’s something close to our hearts. “He give you another lecture about working with me instead of with him today?” I prod.

“I just told you that he doesn’t need me until later, stupid.” He chides. “Now, where are you off to? What time is this interview?”

“I’ve got a list.” I explain, since there are so many things that I need to get, errands that I need to run, there’s no point in naming them all.

“Well, then, I’ll come with you. You going to be back in time to meet with this chick?”

“She’s not coming until after lunch. Gives me plenty of time. And hopefully, if things go well, she’ll stay and start working today.”

Cassidy pushes his Stetson down on his head a little tighter as we walk out the door. “Bad idea, brother. You know how it ends up when y’all don’t check out references.”

“Fine. But I’m desperate.”

“There’s a fine line, Billy, and you know it.”

I’m annoyed. “Could you be any more like mama?”

He’s about to smirk, unimpressed by my comment, when we see a car pull up. It’s nobody that I recognize. The builders always show up packed into a pickup truck, followed by whatever heavy machinery they’ll need for the day on a flatbed truck behind them. But inside this car is a woman. A beautiful one, as much as I hate to admit it. I can tell before she even removes her sunglasses that she’s a looker. Long, natural blonde hair, milky white skin, full lips, the works. My cock twitches as she speaks aloud, through said full lips. “Are you Billy Barnes?”

She says this to Cassidy, who shakes his head, but points to me. “Nu uh. He is.”

“Thanks asshole.” I say under my breath. Then I address her as she gets out of her beat up old car. The sedan has rust all over it. Inside the wheel wells, on the door frames, under the wiper blades, you name it. It’s a bucket of rust, fit for the wrecking yard, not fit for trucking this beauty around. She’s a goddamn masterpiece in a simple pair of black jeans and a white linen blouse. I swallow down my hormones, remembering that I’m not interested, as I address her. “That’s me. What can I do for you, ma’am?”

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