Page 37 of Roaring Fork Wrangler

“Smallerworld.”

“I was surprised to see ol’ Cord here,” I overheard Decker say to Beau. “He’s a good guy. Don’t know exactly why he’s here, but then, I doubt he does, either.”

Beau turned to me. “We ran into the man we saw at the bar last night when we arrived at the inn a few minutes ago, which is one of the reasons we returned to the estate.”

“Shit,” I muttered, looking from him to Sam, who nodded.

“I don’t think it’s you he hates,” she said under her breath.

“Deck, I’d like you to meet Samantha Marquez,” said Beau.

“It’s a pleasure, miss,” Decker responded.

Sam smirked at me, and I laughed.

“He made the mistake of calling me ‘ma’am,’” she explained.

After Ashford introduced the three men he’d brought with him, Beau suggested we all go inside.

“Here’s where we’ll start,” said Deck, pointing to a schematic of the main residence. “By the time you go to sleep tonight, the house and one of the barns will be complete, as will the entry gate and most of the perimeter.”

Beau had a stunned expression, which Decker caught and chuckled. “We don’t mess around, Barrett.”

“What can I do to help?” he asked.

“Stay out of our way.” Deck looked over at me. “You in?”

“I am, sir,” I responded before turning to Beau. “I helped out at the Roaring Fork when Mr. Ashford and his team put a similar system in place.”

“What about lodging?” Beau asked Decker.

I cleared my throat. “I, uh, took it upon myself to ask about housekeeping yesterday. Mrs. Miller, who worked for Mrs. Covert for many years, said her staff had cleaned the main residence and the guesthouse per the attorney’s request. Not to be morbid or anything, but she mentioned all the bedding was new. I haven’t been in this house other than last night, but the guesthouse has five bedrooms.” I didn’t bother mentioning the bunkhouses.

“This one has eight,” said Decker, motioning to the schematic and looking over at Sam. “Me and my guys will stay in the guest quarters if that’s all right with you.”

She responded that they were welcome to stay wherever they’d be comfortable.

Decker said something to the guy he’d introduced as Cru, then asked me and the other two—Snapper and Kick—to join him outside.

“Here’s how it’s gonna go,” he said, handing each of us a set of schematics. “We’ll break into teams. Each of you will have three guys helping you. I’ll float between you all.” After more review, he told the first crew to get started.

“How long did you say you’d be here?” I asked Decker.

He put his hand on my shoulder. “Not as long as you will be, Cord.”

11

JUNIPER

“Hey, I met the woman who’s inheriting the Lilacs,” said Grayson when he came bounding into the kitchen where my mom and I were making dinner. His cell rang before either of us could respond, and he held up one finger.

“Sure. Of course. Right away, sir,” we heard him say.

My mom raised a brow in my direction, and I shrugged.

“Would you mind if my sister rides along? She can help get everything out and ready once we arrive,” we overheard him say next.

I put my hands on my hips when his call ended. “What did you just volunteer me for?”

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