Page 61 of Shared on the Ranch

“Yes, that’s three rooms… well, not sure how long we’ll stay, are we, fellas?” There was a chorus of chuckles. “Guess that just depends on what your boss—Nate, isn’t it?—has to say about it.”

Nate.It was absolutely the worst thing he could’ve said.

It’s over for me here. All over.Chyanne forgot about fighting the tears, even forgot about the horses. All she could think about was getting out of there, and with any luck, before he caught sight of her. She’d have to face him soon enough, she knew, but she couldn’t handle it now.

She whirled on her heel and began to race out as quickly as her feet would take her. Unfortunately, she wasn’t paying much attention, and as soon as she made it past the lobby and into the hallway, she bumped into someone.

“Ouch!” the person snapped. “What’s your hurry?”

Chyanne froze, fists clenched at her sides, nostrils flaring. It was Veronica, because of course it was.

“Hey. Are you… are you okay?” the other woman asked.

“Okay?” she echoed with a sneer. “No, I’m not okay, you wanna know why?” Without waiting for an answer, she plunged ahead, her voice growing increasingly snide with every word. “For the first time since I’ve gotten here I got to have a nice breakfast. The girls and I had a great time. I wonder if that’s becausesomeonewasn’t there?” She gave a mocking little laugh. “But of course, because it’s me, my luck’s ran out andhereyou are.” Without another word, she marched past Veronica and her gaping mouth and into her room. She slammed the door shut so hard she felt sure the other woman could hear it.

* * *

Chandler

Chandler felt a spring in his step as he made his way to the corral. He’d finished work early hoping to catch Chyanne riding. It was her first official day, and he couldn’t wait to see her at work.

When he approached the corral and saw only three men, his excitement gave way to confusion.Where is she? Did she call it early?He shook his head, mentally answering his own question. He couldn’t see how they’d pry her away from the horses—he’d assumed that job would fall to him—much less early. So what then? Where was she?

He let his eyes scan the corral one more time. He didn’t recognize any of the men. One of them was still riding, while the others loudly ribbed one another and laughed.

Maybe she went back to the stables for some reason.Before he’d even finished the thought, his feet were already turning and heading in that direction. It took less than thirty seconds to realize she wasn’t there, and Dandelion and the horse he’d ridden the day before were still in the stables.

A motion out of the corner of his eye caught his attention and he whirled toward it, hopeful. His anticipation morphed into disappointment when he realized it was just Eric, the man who had been hired to take care of the horses.

“Hey, boss,” the young man greeted him cheerfully. “Can I help you with something?”

“Yeah, you seen Chyanne today? I was hoping to catch her, but…” He shrugged.

The other man’s brow crinkled. “Chyanne? Doesn’t ring a bell. Which one is she?”

Chandler chuckled. Eric would definitely remember her, he had no doubt. “Feisty redhead, in love with horses.”

His amber eyes lit up at the description. “Oh, right! You and Master Aaron brought her in the other day. But I haven’t seen her since.”

He did a double-take. “You’re sure? She hasn’t been in today?”

“Nope. ‘Fraid not.”

“Well, were you late or something? Did someone else maybe…” He trailed off, not sure what other explanation there could be.

“No, it’s just been me all day. Sorry, boss.”

Chandler let out a loud sigh and waved the apology away. “It’s not your fault. Thanks, anyway.”

“But hey, when you find her, tell her to come over this way. I’ll make sure her horse is ready to go.” There was no missing the hopeful twinkle in the other man’s eyes.

“She’s taken, which you already know,” he shot back, his voice made harder than he’d intended by his growing concern. “And second, when I find her the last thing I’m going to do is reward her.”

* * *

Aaron

It was one of those rare days where he’d been crossing everything off his to-do list. He had already finished his morning chores, his workout, and had even trapped a skunk that had been polluting the ranch with its stink. Thankfully, it would be another man’s job to take it far, far away and release it.

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