Page 36 of Don't Trust the Cowboy

Cassidy shrugs. “Business is business, darlin’.”

“And you know that your brother hates you, yet you want to come and work for him?” I ask, wondering why this guy is such a glutton for punishment.

“I was raised around horses, darlin’. Just like all of us. I don’t belong working on no machine, at least not a textile machine, anyway.”

“You actually worked in the factory? Not in the office?”

He nods. “Yeah. What’s wrong with that?”

I don’t know what to say.

“Don’t misunderstand, Piper.” Cassidy says kindly. “The machines that he worked he wasn’t actually moving the textiles, he was calibrating them and working behind the scenes. He’s a smart man, but he’s had enough of the political bullshit that goes on there. Thankfully, I’m not exposed to that, being as I’m in the office all the time.”

“And you think that working with your brother Billy will be better?”

Blair looks off in the distance. “Anything’s better than that bullshit.”

Cassidy and I exchange glances. I decide the lesser of two evils is to change the subject. “That was a thank you kiss, by the way. He had a really bad night and I was there to help, and he just wanted to say thank you. Nothing is going on between us.”

“If you say so.” Cassidy says with a smile. It’s not cocky and it doesn’t make my skin crawl, so I’m taking it as a step in the right direction.

“I am saying so.” I nod, confirming. “Both Billy and I won’t do anything to jeopardize this ranch.”

“Honey, nobody’s judging.” Blair says, using a ‘level-with-me' tone.

“Well, there’s nothing to judge, and I don’t need Billy thinking that I cleared things up with you, either. So, if you don’t mind, we never had this conversation.” I ask politely but directly.

“Yes, ma’am.” Both men say, tipping their hats gallantly, speaking in a respectful tone, not condescending. Billy returns to the door, looking at his brothers impatiently.

“Maybe this is a bad time, Billy.” Cassidy offers.

“It is. What do you want, Cassidy.” He says as more of a statement, and I’m catching on that he’s not stupid. He knows that this isn’t the social call that his brothers first told him it was.

“I’d like to work for you.” Blair blurts. “Mama and daddy fired me from the plant, and I don’t want to talk about it, I just want the hell away from there in short order.”

Billy swallows, nostrils flared. “Start by leading the Paxton kids in building me a stable. Like the one Uncle Hawk had.”

Blair nods once. “Got it.”

Cassidy stands there, arms crossed over his chest, frowning, impressed.

Billy lifts a finger. “One word out of you and you’re going to have my foot up your ass.”

Cassidy smiles. “I’ll see you later.” He winks at me, and I catch the glare out of him at his brother, for giving me the look.

He turns to me and softens. “Sorry about that.”

I grin warmly. “So, you’ve got yourself another ranch hand, hm?”

“Looks like.”

“And you’re okay with that?”

He smiles and chuckles. “I could not think of a better way to get revenge on my brother than by having him on my payroll, darlin’.”

“Now, you be nice.” I warn, good-naturedly.

Surprising me, he rests his hands on my waist, looking at me in a way that makes my heart pound. “I’m only nice to those that are nice to me, darlin’.” He grins warmly, and it’s contagious. “Now, you go on and have yourself a good day.”

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