Page 72 of Captured By the Billionaire Cowboy
She managed not to jump on the table and yell,Mine!“Please give your applications to Chelsea when you’re done. Again, thank you for your interest. I’ll see you soon.”
The crowd outside had doubled in size by the time Ciara finished. Even if she couldn’t give everyone a full-time job, hopefully she’d be able to offer part-time work to qualified applicants. Plus, if the rescue was as successful as they predicted, they might soon need more.
Ciara gave Chelsea several quick last-minute instructions and called out the name of her first interviewee. An attractive black woman approached, and they made their way to the all-purpose rooms where the interviews would be held. Naomi Smythe boasted vast experience with horses, competing in shows as an adolescent and teaching riding lessons for years. She had a vibrant personality, a friendly demeanor and extensive knowledge. By the end, it was clear she’d get one of the open positions.
Next, they interviewed an attractive brunette with serious eyes. Unlike most of the applicants, she was dressed professionally, in a navy business suit and black pumps, and her hair was pulled back into a French twist. “I’m Kira Thompson,” she said politely.
“It’s nice to meet you. Please take a seat.” Ciara smiled and gestured to the chair, then looked down at the application. “I see you’re interested in a position with the horses. Can you tell us about your experience?”
“Of course.” Kira quietly described her qualifications, which were expansive. Much of the experience was in volunteer positions on her family’s farm, but that didn’t matter. Workingwith horses was the same whether you were paid or not. Kira didn’t always maintain eye contact, gazing at her Ciara’s lips instead, but she was probably just nervous.
“I’m impressed,” Ciara said genuinely. “That’s quite a resume.”
Two faint spots appeared on the woman’s cheeks, and Ciara hid her smile. The serene woman would make the perfect companion for traumatized horses. She asked a few more common interview questions and finally reached the final question. “You have many strengths. What is one thing that has made you stronger?”
For a second the woman looked taken aback. Then she notched up her chin. “I’m deaf.”
That was why she’d gazed at her lips while she’d spoken. And now Ciara noticed the tiny aids in the woman’s ears.
“I’m not completely unable to hear,” Kira explained, her head still held high. “I can hear a little, and I’m quite adept at reading lips. I understand most of what people say, and people can understand me. It doesn’t change how I relate to horses.”
“Of course not,” Ciara immediately replied. “Your experience and skills are exceptional. We could use someone like you.” She glanced at Rowan, and he nodded. Just like with the first interview, they couldn’t pass up such a qualified candidate. “I’d like to offer you a position.”
The woman broke into a wide smile. “Thank you so much!”
Ciara grinned at the woman’s first show of emotion, and even Rowan smiled. “Chelsea will give you the details. And just so you know, that’s not what I meant when I asked about something that’s made you stronger. To be honest, I had no idea about your hearing until you told me. I was expecting something like working through a penchant for cotton candy.”
The woman laughed softly. “Thank you.”
“No, thank you.”
From there, the interviews progressed smoothly. They found several promising candidates to consider for full- and part-time work, and extended offers to over a dozen. Next came the volunteers, a parade of smart, nice and sassy teens and young adults. These interviews were far easier since they wouldn’t turn anyone away unless there was a problem.
Until… she showed up.
CHAPTER 14
How could this be Ciara’s first time interviewing people? Like a jockey on her hundredth major race, she was confident and poised, kind and patient, as she asked the questions that would identify the best employees. Although they hadn’t finished their decisions, Rowan agreed with her first assessments, including the hiring of the well-qualified Kira and Naomi.
The last volunteer applicant looked familiar, and Ciara must have thought so, too, because she stiffened when she walked into the room. The young woman looked to be about twenty, with a short brown bob and fashionable glasses. It should have been an easy interview, since they were only asking volunteers a few questions about their availability and desire to work with horses.
But something was different about this applicant. Rowan tried to place her, when Ciara said quietly, “I remember you.”
The woman grimaced.
Ciara turned to him, presumably to share her knowledge, when the memory hit him like a kick from a stallion. The woman was with the people who’d mocked Davey at the restaurant. Although she hadn’t made the cruel gestures, she’d laughed along with them.
The woman, who the application named as Louise Miller, sat down across from them and took a deep breath. “I’d like to say something before the interview, if that’s okay.”
Ciara remained still for a moment, then nodded.
“Thank you.” She hesitated, sat up straighter. “I want to… to say I’m sorry.”
Rowan searched the woman’s face, but only sincerity and regret lurked there, as she continued in a low voice, “That’s not me. I mean it was me, obviously, but that’s not who I am. I never make fun of people…” She winced, grimaced. “This isn’t coming out right. I’m trying to say I was wrong. So very, very wrong. I don’t usually hang out with those guys, and I was so excited they invited me, I got caught up in everything. I thought about what you said… a lot.” She inclined her head towards Ciara. “If that’s how they act, then I don’t want to be with them. So I guess all I can say is I’m sorry, and I promise to be different in the future.”
Rowan softened. By the woman’s stricken look, she was truly remorseful. Why would she lie, especially when she applied as a volunteer, not as a paid employee?
Ciara studied the woman. “I appreciate that,” she said after a moment. “Like I said that day, people don’t see how much they hurt others.”
