Page 142 of Take My Love
“Not that I’m aware of.”
“Oh, Garrett. Why’re you givin’ her a hard time?”
“’Cause she knew about the employee relations policy and violated it anyway.”
“Oh, that silly thing?” She waves him off. “You can’t help who you fall in love with.”
“Lindsey, it’s to avoid issues like this. He should’ve quit before they…things got serious.”
“He’s been lookin’ for work, Dad. And the only company who offered him a job in the field he wants would send him to Louisiana for at least a year.”
“And he didn’t wanna be away from you, I assume?”
“Or his mom and sisters. Or Warren. He loves it here.”
“Would you two continue livin’ together?”
“Yes,” I say firmly. “Marjorie likes him there, too.”
“Does she?” Mom beams. “Oh, good.”
“Yep, and we watchGolden Girlstogether, so she’d be sad if he left.”
Dad sighs. “You realize we’re talkin’ about a ghost, right?”
“Her spirit,” I counter.
“You know Silas has to put in a bid first, right? I can’t just give him the job ’cause he’s your boyfriend.”
“Okay, I’m sure he knows how to do that,” I say confidently.
“Garrett.” Mom uses her stern wifey tone on him. “Silas is family. He’s been in our kids’ lives since elementary school.”
“What’s that gotta do with anythin’?”
“If you know what’s good for you and what food I put on your dinner plate at night, you’ll stop being a hard-ass and behappy to see your daughter happy. Silas, too. He just went through a bad break-up.”
“Not sure that’s gonna help, Mom.”
“Your father acts like we didn’t date right after he broke up with someone.” She scoffs. “We were crazy about each other within a matter of days.”
“This is different,” Dad argues, stuffing a forkful of food in his mouth. “She’s supposed to set an example for the other employees. Now what am I supposed to do? Reward her and hire him for a different job?”
“Can’t you reword the policy?” I ask softly. “Instead of no employee relations, maybe just employees who work directly together can’t date. Plus, he’d technically be a contractor, not a ranch or resort employee.”
“I like that idea,” Mom says, sipping her coffee. “And it lets others date who work on opposite sides of the ranch and resort.”
Dad grumbles as if he knows he won’t win this argument.
“And maybe our other three children will find someone they’re interested in on the ranch.” Mom beams. “And have babies.”
I snort at how eager she is for grandchildren.
“Which would be great for the childcare center,” I add, trying hard not to laugh as Mom and I gang up on him.
“What does Ian think about this situation? Does he know?”
I tense, quickly shoving more food in my mouth.
