Page 119 of Opposites (Never) Attract
I took pride in the quality of my work, but I also knew about corporate politics. The truth was, Jared saw me as a threat. It was only his seniority as a partner that gave him any control over me. And that I was bucking that control had him panicked.
He said he’d been covering for me in my absence, but we both knew the truth. I made him look good because he knew I was better at the job then he was. As long as he kept me dancing on the edge of his partnership pin, he had control. But if the lure of that partnership waned, then so did his power.
“I don’t have to tell you, I could have handled that situation myself back there,” I said to Tag as he opened up thepassenger door to his truck and gave me a hand up into the seat.
“Of course you could, darlin,” he said, as hopped up into the driver’s seat. “He was clearly a butt weasel. I’d put my money on your right eyebrow over that guy any day.”
I laughed, then lowered my voice to mock him. “What we have is justice. And I am that justice, son.”
Tag let his head fall back and howled with laughter. “Yeah, I got that line from the western show everyone likes. Never thought I’d have a chance to use it. Did I sound scary? I thought I sounded properly badass.”
“Ridiculous cowboy nonsense,” I said.
“Hey, it could have been worse. He could have actually called the only deputy we have living in Last Hope. Gary is guaranteed to make any situation worse.”
My phone buzzed again with an alert and I checked my investment app. “Shit,” I said, again.
“Uh oh. Bad news?”
“We need to get back to the ranch,” I told him, trying not to sound too panicked. “I need to get to work.”
“On it, darlin.”
TWENTY-FOUR
TAG
“Any word yet?”
We all looked up to see Mac walking into the living room where I was waiting with Ethan and Carter. Sunshine had locked us all out of the study hours ago. Said she couldn’t concentrate with three men looming over her while she worked.
I don’t know why.
“No,” Carter said. “And I can’t stay any longer. I’ve been sticking Mrs. Walker with the kids too often. I think she might be getting sick of them.”
“Nooooo,” Ethan said, immediately.
“Not possible,” I added, because that’s how we rolled when it came to the kids.
We loved Carter. We’d all loved Lilly. We loved those kids.
But to put it in simple terms, those kids were not easy and Mrs. Walker wasn’t getting any younger.
The word monsters was thrown around often enough, but I refused to use it. I’m sure people said the same about me after my mom left and Dad was working so many hours.Those kids just needed some structure in their lives, which given Carter’s workload, wasn’t easy.
“I’ll text as soon as she gives me any update,” I told him.
A few minutes after Carter left, Harmony came into the house, followed by Jenny and Bruce. She made a beeline for Ethan and kissed him in greeting before asking, “Any word yet?”
Jenny barked towards the empty couch and Bruce lifted her one wing and let out a magnificent honk as if to say,we’re over here.These animals were ridiculous pets, but I had to hand it to the goose, she took good care of the blind dog.
“They’re clearly as nervous as I am,” Harmony explained.
“Clearly,” I laughed.
“I heard some good news,” Harmony said. “Seth is confirmed for the rodeo in Big Horn tomorrow night.”
“You’re kidding?” Ethan said. “Why does he tell you that and not me?”
