Page 7 of Mountain Boss

My stomach sinks. “But why?”

He glances in the direction of the men, then leans down until our faces are only inches apart. “Look, I’m sorry for the mix-up, but on the application, your name was filled out as Court, not Courtney. I thought I was hiring a man. I can’t have a woman working for me.”

My eyes slowly widen as my mind races. “Like… legally? You’re not allowed around women?”

Is he a sex offender? Is that the rule?

I start to take a step back, but Mr. Black darts his hand out, gripping my upper arm.

“I don’t know where the hell your mind is going, but this has nothing to do with legalities.” He looks like he’s trying not to growl at me. “I just can’t have a woman on staff. I can’t have you sleeping in the Bunk House with my fivemaleemployees.”

“But I don’t care.” I try to sound convincing. I do care, but I don’t have a choice. “I’ll sign a…paperstating it’s fine.”

“No. It wouldn’t be right.”

Right?

Who cares about right?

I need a place to sleep until I can get a handful of paychecks.

His grip on my arm gentles as he stands back to his full height.

“Sorry you drove all the way here.” He says it without inflection. “I’ll reimburse you for your time and gas.”

It’s my turn to shake my head.

I need to stay.

I need to change his mind.

Like, right now.

“It’s illegal to fire someone for their gender.” The words are out of my mouth before I have time to think them through.

They also came out much louder than intended.

“Are you threatening me?” Mr. Black’s voice is low.

Chapter 6

Sterling

Her teeth pressinto her lower lip before she straightens her shoulders. “I’m not threatening you. Just pointing out you can’t fire me just because I’m a woman.”

Irritation layers on top of my frustration. Because she’s not wrong. “You can’t?—”

“I can take care of myself.” She talks over me. “I can sleep in the, uh, Bunk House, or whatever you called it. But if you’re that worried about them, you know,doing something, then maybe you should fire them instead of me.”

I grind my teeth. “I’m not worried about themdoing something. I’m worried about the distraction you would cause by being around.” I’m trying to keep my voice down. I saw Cook and Fisher earlier. Saw them veer off to go around behind my house. And since the workday is over and they have no reason to head that way, I’m sure they’re hiding behind some corner, trying to overhear this conversation.

We don’t get many pretty ladies randomly showing up by themselves.

Even if they don’t know who she is, she’s still the most interesting thing to happen all day.

“I won’t be a distraction,” the woman promises.

That’s the most untrue statement I’ve ever heard.

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