Page 33 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“Sam has inherited the property,” he blurted. Nothing like cutting to the chase.

I thought back to the family tree I’d studied several times since Pete gave it to me, but didn’t recall seeing her name on it. “Pardon my manners, ma’am. I’m Cord Wheaton,” I said, looking between the two people.

She didn’t say anything, but Beau did. “It’s our understanding that you were employed by Mrs. Covert to care for her livestock?”

I shifted on my feet. “Not by Mrs. Covert. I never met her. Hoss hired me.” That wasn’t exactly true, but it was close enough for now.

“Hoss?” he asked.

“Yeah, um, his last name is Schultz. That’s all I know besides that he oversees the vineyards and winery. Things have been chaotic since my uncle passed away. Apparently, he and my grandfather worked for the Coverts all their lives, and no one else knew what all they did.”

“How long have you worked here?” Samantha asked. Interestingly, she didn’t have a similar accent as the man’s.

“Since December 20. A few days after my uncle died.”

“Who handled the livestock in the time in between?” she asked.

“I’m not sure about that either, other than to say there’s a full crew of cowboys on the payroll.” That wasn’t true, either. There was nothing “full” about the cast of characters I’d been slowly getting to know.

“But you’ve been hired, yes?”

“Hoss suggested I stick around until the estate was figured out.”

“You’re from Colorado?” Beau asked.

“Yes, sir,” I responded, wishing the guy would stop asking questions. So far, other than to Pete, I hadn’ttold anyone the circumstances of why I was here. I sure as hell hadn’t told Hoss. My opinion of him hadn’t changed since the first time we met. In fact, as soon as I learned one of “my” crew had any connection to the man, they went on the sack list.

When the woman audibly shivered, Beau suggested we go inside. I’d never been in the main house and wasn’t anxious to tonight.

“We could go into the barn office. It’s warm in there,” I suggested instead.

They followed me, and I turned the lights and the space heater back on, then motioned toward two of the three chairs in the room.

“Let’s see if I can summarize,” the Brit began when I took a seat behind the desk. “Your grandfather and uncle worked for Mrs. Covert for many years.”

I nodded. “That’s right.”

“You said you arrived a few days after your uncle died. Had he been ill?”

“I’m not sure, sir.” I scrubbed my face with my hand. Might as well cut to the chase in the same way he had. “I guess the question, now, is whether you want me to stay on or if you want to hire someone else.”

“We want you to stay on,” the woman responded before the man could.

“You will be working for Ms. Marquez, so the decision is hers,” he interjected.

“Should I check with Mr. Schultz for the details of your employment?” she asked.

While I answered affirmatively, the truth was, I wasn’t sure if Hoss had any inkling as to why I’d turned up at the Lilacs. Once I’d learned JD was my uncle, I figured that was why Schultz thought I’d arrived when I did.

“Understand that this is outside of your job and merely a personal question you do not have to answer.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

She stood, so I did too. “How old are you, Cord?”

“Twenty-eight, ma’am.”

“For the record, I’m twenty-five. Three years younger than you are. You can call me Sam. Him, you still call sir.” She pointed to Beau.

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