Page 15 of Ava
“No,” Dolly laughed. “Before the J’s and A’s arrived, it was only Wyatt, Morgan, Dillon, April, DJ, and Lucas. But, since they arrived three months ago, I cook for them also. Don’t worry, I love doing it. At least I only have to cook for them, they live out in the campers, and clean up after themselves.” She giggled again. “Or, at least I hope they do. They even run into town to the local laundromat to do their own laundry.”
“They’ve only been here for three months?”
“Yes,” Morgan said as she joined them. “See, I had problems with the first set of blueprints the man I’d hired had drawn up, and when I went to find the guy, he’d disappeared. I was frustrated, so I made a trip back home and talked with Uncle Chip about you. The J’s were there and I didn’t know what they did for a living. Turned out Justin, the oldest of all of us is an architect, while the two other J’s run a construction business. The A’s tagged along to help.”
“Will they be staying here after the building is done?”
“Don’t know, but we’ll talk more in my office tomorrow.” She pointed over her shoulder, and Ava felt her mouth fall open when a man wearing a black cowboy hat came in the kitchen, followed by another one, then six of the biggest, most muscular men she’d ever seen, another man, two teenage boys, and an older gentleman brought up the rear. She didn’t see or feel Morgan reach over and close her mouth.
“What are you doing here?” One of the tall, broad-shouldered men glared at her.
Ava studied his face and frowned. “You! What are you doing here?”
“Whoa!” Morgan stood between the two of them when they found themselves glaring at each other. “Take a step back, Justin.” When he refused, she reached up and used her knuckle to drill it into his sternum, causing him to quickly jump away from her.
“Christ, Morg. That fucking hurt.”
“Then, pay attention. I don’t know what happened between the two of you, but Ava is our guest.”
Ava looked at Morgan and saw her glaring at the man. “This is the man who almost ran me off the road.”
“Shit, I apologized for that already,” the man said as he ran his hands through his hair, pulled it, and turned in a circle.
“Did you get that mess cleaned up?” Morgan demanded.
“I did,” another man who had come in last said.
“Thank you, Chuck. Now, if everyone would take your seats, I’ll introduce everyone.” Morgan’s tone brooked no arguments. Ava waited until everyone had taken their seats before she was offered one, which happened to be directly across from the man she’d gotten in a fight with earlier that day.
Once everyone settled, they all turned to Morgan, before picking up a dish to pass. “Ava will be working with me. She’s my first recruit for Boswell.”
“But, she’s a woman,” the man across from Ava said.
It took everything Ava had not to roll her eyes, but she must not have been successful when one of the teenage boys smirked at her.
“So help me god, Justin Stuart, if you don’t drop your attitude you have toward women, I’m going to take you up to the summer pasture and shoot you myself,” the man sitting at the head of the table said. “You know what your sister is doing, and you’ve asked numerous questions, so why are you acting like some Neanderthal now?”
Ava had to cover her mouth to hide her smirk when the big man ducked his head.
“Sorry.”
“Don’t apologize to me, apologize to your sister and Ava.”
Justin looked up, and sighed heavily. “I’m sorry.”
Morgan only glared at him, while Ava gave him a slight nod. When he looked away, Morgan continued. “As I said, Ava will be working for Boswell. Until the barracks are ready, she’ll be staying here in the house. Let me make the introductions. Please, as I say your name, either nod, or raise your hand.”
When she got grunts and agreements, Morgan rolled her eyes, and began, “This is Wyatt Erwin, owner of this house, and part owner of the Rocking E. He is also my fiancé.” She smiled at him, and he grinned when he leaned over and kissed the side of her head.
“Starting at his right, are Alan, Alex, and Alfie Stuart. They are my younger brothers. Next to Alfie is you, then on the other side of you is DJ Erwin, and his stepmother, April. Sitting at the other end of the table is Dillon Erwin, the other owner of the Flying E, as well as Wyatt’s brother, DJ, and Lucas’ father, and April’s soon-to-be husband. Lucas Erwin is the next one in line, then you have Josh, Justin, and John Stuart, my older brothers. Chuck is the construction foreman, and has been best friends with the J’s since kindergarten. Then you have Dolly, and her husband Wilson. Wilson is the man in charge of the ranch if Wyatt and Dillon aren’t available. If you need anything, and can’t find us, go to either of them.”
Ava had studied everyone as Morgan introduced them, and when she frowned, it was the man named Justin that nodded. “Yes, we’re triplets. I’m sure Morg’s already told you, but we are the J’s, and they are the A’s. Hence our first names starting with that letter. I am the oldest of the J’s.”
“Where do you fit in the lineup?” Ava looked at Morgan.
“Middle.”
“Ah, you did tell me that. Sorry.”
