Page 6 of Samuel

Evie was gorgeous. Curvy in every mouth watering way. There was something about her that called to Sam. Was it her dark eyes? In the sunlight they had been almost chestnut colored. But in the office, they’d changed, taking on a deeper color, like melted chocolate.

He couldn’t even think about how sweet she smelled. The scent of lemons had slapped him straight in the chest, and he’d forced himself to walk in front of her the entire way to theoffice. Never mind the weird way he’d wanted to linger in her apartment and ask if she wanted any help bringing up her things. Talk about overstepping.

Boy, did he need to get his shit together. Sam shook his head and tried to clear away the last lingering thoughts of Evie as he walked back to the barn from the house.

Oh, the welcome wagon was fast. As Sam walked across the lawn he saw Daisy standing with her daughter Sunny on her hip. There was no doubt in his mind that if Evelyn could get Daisy’s stamp of approval, she’d be welcomed into his friend group with open arms.

Was that what he wanted? Over the last few weeks, he’d been imagining someone more introverted than Evie was after they’d interviewed on the phone. Someone who wanted to spend her time alone in the apartment he was providing. Someone who wouldn’t infiltrate every part of his life.

But the moment he’d seen her smile, fuck, the strangest feeling settled into his chest.

Their conversation slowly drifted towards him. Evie’s voice was filled with happiness and he found himself smiling as he walked towards them.

“…yes, I’m almost five months along. I honestly still have a hard time remembering sometimes that I am pregnant.”

“Oh, I was the same when–”

A cold weight settled in his chest, the smile gone from his face as her words slammed into him. “You’re pregnant?!”

“I…well, yes.” Her eyes went wide.

“Then I’m sorry to say, Ms. Williams, but we will not be employing you here at Red River Ranch.”

“What?!”

Sam watched as Evie wobbled, Daisy’s hand reaching out to steady her.

“I am still perfectly capable of carrying out the daily tasks of my job.”

Christ. There was no way she could handle being on the ranch. There were a million different things that could go wrong. That could put her and the baby in danger. For fucks sake..a baby!

“It’s unsafe for a woman in your condition to be on the ranch. Had I known, I certainly would not have hired you.”

“Sam!” Daisy snapped. “You’re being ridiculous. She was the best candidate by a mile!”

“You, of all people, should know how dangerous this life is. And I’m not running a flower farm here. This is a cattle ranch. She’d be working in a barn with horses, for Pete’s sake. We even sometimes store chemicals and medications in the office. I can’t be responsible if something goes wrong.”

Evelyn’s hands rounded into fits that she promptly set on her hips. “I understand all of those risks. Part of why I am here is to sort out the sad state of your office, and to make things more efficient. I am more than capable of finding you a more appropriate storage option for whatever chemicals or medications you need to have on hand. I truly want to be here, and I am not worried at all about the working conditions. I know to stay away from the cattle, and I’ll do the same with the horses if that will make you feel better. But I need to be here.”

He could hear the desperation in her voice. Part of him was furious at the thought that she would be desperate over anything. Where was the father of her baby? How could he ever think her working on a ranch was a good idea?

“I appreciate all that, Evie,” he admitted, raking his hand through his hair. “But it’s not enough to convince me.”

“I hate to tell you this Mr. Cooper, but we’ve already signed my employment contract. It is illegal for you to fire me based on my pregnancy, and I will not hesitate to sue you if you choose to take that path.”

“She’s right, Sam.” Daisy said, shifting her daughter from one hip to the other. “You cannot dismiss her from her jobbecause she’s pregnant. Why don’t you just take a breath and give her a shot?”

“I’m trying to protect her, Daisy. I’m trying to make sure nothing happens to her,” he glanced at Evie’s stomach, “or her baby.”

“Look, I understand your concern.” Evie straightened her back. It was clear she wouldn’t leave without a fight. “I take full responsibility for myself and my safety. I’d still like to stay and prove to you that I am the best person for this job. Give me a month. Heck, give me a week. If you feel like I’m not working out, I’ll leave on my own, and you won’t need to fire me. But please, let me show you that nothing, not even my pregnancy, will stop me from being an asset to your business.”

He stared at her. The last thing the ranch needed was bad publicity or an employment lawsuit to worry about. He knew he needed to give in.

“Fine. One week. If I feel like there is even one single moment where you aren’t safe being here, you’ll have to leave.”

“I accept.”

Three

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