Page 6 of Stirring Up Trouble
I set the clipboard down on the desk and placed my hands on the wood top. The feel of it calmed me as I stared my friend down.
“You want me to take in some complete strangers onto my family property after just having the biggest scandal this county has ever seen? What kind of shit is that going to stir up?”
She leaned back against the wall and crossed her arms.
“It could stir up a number of things, but that's not our problem. You asked me to find people, and I did. Now we can try and put them in a bed and breakfast, but that's just going to eat into costs. You have plenty of room in that big ol’ house of yours. I know for a fact that Ms. Connie would love to cook for those people. She's all about accepting anyone and everyone.” She paused. “The real problem here is your comfort level.”
I opened my mouth to correct her. She raised a hand in my direction to tell me to stop.
“Don't try to placate me and say you're fine. We both know you would much rather be in that house alone until you're cranky and barely able to walk around. I'm not asking you to fall in love with one of the men. I'm simply saying that you could give them somewhere to sleep at night while they break their backs to make sure this thing goes well.”
I took a deep breath as I let her words settle over me. She was right. I did have to get past my discomfort of having others around. If they weren't specifically vetted by me, I always worried they were up to no good.
Considering how many people my stepfather brought around that were exactly that, it wasn't a far-fetched idea. And to behonest, my family name used to hold prestige. People would come around wanting a piece of us in some way. It wasn't unheard of for them to try and run a con.
This wasn't the case for these guys though. They were doing me a favor just like Leslie said. And it would definitely encourage them to work harder if Ms. Connie fed them. Her cooking could turn anyone’s bad mood around.
It would also ensure that they show up on time because they would just ride with me or Leslie to the arena every day. She’d agreed to help me out with the rodeo if she could stay in one of the guest rooms. I’d easily accepted the ultimatum because her family would rope her into working with them if she remained on their land. It benefited me to keep her close, even when she was a fucking pain in my ass.
Decision made, I nodded once in her direction.
“Fine. I'll set it all up. Let me call Ms. Connie so she can make up their rooms. I know she'll be more upset with me if I bring people home unannounced than if I don't.”
Leslie chuckled. “Let me get out of here then and start on that list of yours. I don't want to hear her bite your head off about a last-minute change.”
I placed the clipboard into her extended hand as I waved her out of the office. I heard her whistle a tune as she left. Though I couldn’t place the song, its mournful melody was enough of a tease to know she was poking fun at me again.
Ignoring Leslie’s taunt, I called Ms. Connie.
“You just left here, boy. What do you need?”
I chuckled at the bark in her tone. “I’ve got a favor to ask…”
Three
Robin
The morningof our drive out to Anders Ranch, I guzzled a thermos of coffee as I curled up in the back of the truck. It wasn’t the most comfortable position, but it was better than being behind the wheel.
I knew it would be ridiculously awkward if I drove. Elton and Bobby Allen were joined at the hip most days from what Griffin had said. With me in the driver’s seat, they’d have likely chosen the back to be close to one another.
Not to mention the fact that the horse trailer was attached in case Bobby Allen found any animals worth bringing home. I could manage it, but I sure as shit didn’t want to.
This way, I got to stretch out and they could still be beside one another. It was a win-win.
“Need anything?” Bobby Allen asked us both after we’d been on the road for a while.
Elton shook his head before turning to face me. “Are you good too, Robin?”
“I’m fine, thanks. Curious what we’re walking into.”
Bobby Allen glanced at me in the rearview mirror. “According to Atticus, there’s been some drama with the Anders family. Rumors are what he knows mostly since he and the owner don’t talk much anymore after an argument years ago. Leslie, the woman who called in the favor, said there’s a new family member in charge. She claims it’s all on the up-and-up.”
“Let’s hope so. I’ll admit I’m a bit nervous. Been over a decade since I’ve done anything rodeo related,” I admitted.
Elton giggled. “That’s better than me. This is my first time.”
I often forgot Elton came from a royal family overseas. He was still learning the ins and outs of ranch life. He hadn’t had time to go to the rodeo with all the changes to the Coleman Ranch. So yeah, he would be completely green.
