Page 16 of Mister Cowboy
Timothy ran the back of his hand over his mouth and swallowed before speaking. “No word yet.”
It was obvious from the way they waited for him to continue that they wanted more information, but Timothy didn’t speak. Casting his eyes back down on his plate, he shoveled in another bite. When it was clear he wasn’t going to say more, the man frowned and muttered under his breath before standing and heading back outside. Slowly, the rest of the crew finished and went back to work, which left her and Timothy in the dining room alone.
“He hasn’t told them when he’s selling?” she asked, setting her fork down.
Timothy shook his head but didn’t meet her eyes.
“Why not?”
He looked up, anger reading on his friendly features. “You’d have to ask him. He’s made it clear he’s selling, but no one knows when. We’re all a little on edge because of it. Your being here seems like a pretty good indication that it won’t be long.”
The day was spent lugging empty cardboard boxes in from the trunk of Tina’s car and locating all the other supplies that might be needed: trash bags, markers, and a few cleaning supplies for any items that needed to be wiped down before being packed away.
“How long have you worked for Brecken?”
Tina paused, tape in hand. “Almost five years. I started as an engineer and worked my way up.”
“And you’ve only been to the ranch once before?”
She’d already answered this question, but January risked sounding like an idiot in hopes of Tina divulging more information.
“Yes.”
Ok, she isn’t going to make this easy.
“I thought from the exchange between you and Timothy yesterday, you’d been here a lot.”
Pursing her lips, Tina looked as if she might shut down and refuse to answer, not that January could blame her. She was getting annoyed at herself for asking so many leading questions.
“I met Mr. Drado when I led the project I told you about—setting up the ranch with Blackstone Software. Before yesterday, that was the only other time I’d been here.”
“Must have made quite an impression.”
“Excuse me?”
“Timothy seems quite taken with you.”
Tina looked as if she were considering that possibility for a moment before she laughed. “I think that’s his response to all females.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure. He’s been nothing but friendly toward me. No playful jabs or flirting like he does with you.”
“I think he views you as off limits. Count yourself lucky.”
Her words had bite, which gave January pause. Off limits? If Timothy viewed her as off limits because they worked together, then it didn’t make sense. Tina worked for Brecken, which made her a coworker as well. Sure, it was a roundabout way since the ranch had nothing to do with the software company, but Brecken still signed all their checks.
Her stomach dropped as heat crept up her neck and cheeks and she realized that she was off limits because of a whole different reason. Did Tina know that Brecken had asked her out? January cleared her throat and asked, “Why hasn’t Brecken told everyone he’s selling the ranch?”
A softhmmwas the only response as Tina flipped through a file folder of papers.
“And why would he sell the ranch anyway? Especially after going to all that trouble of adding his software. Why hire me to pack it up when he has a full staff here?” She stopped, fully aware that she’d asked, out loud, every burning question that had been floating through her mind since he’d offered her the job.
Raising her head and shutting the file folder, Tina clasped her hands on top. She narrowed her eyes ever so slightly, and January braced for the ear full about minding her own business she was sure was coming. She’d overstepped, which was unlike her.
“Brecken has no ties to this place anymore. The ranch will be better off with an owner who is committed to making this place everything that it can be. Everything it once was.” Tina stood, keeping her eyes drilled into hers. “As for bringing you on and this whole charade of a project, I thought it was obvious. He likes you.”
8
Brecken
