“Caleb?” Mark’s voice said. “Why are you here? Why are you hiding behind the hay?”
“I stayed behind to fix the roof and got soaked in return. I couldn’t go home in this weather, so I stayed back,” she said, trying to make her voice calm.
“I see, why are you hiding? Just come out and we can go back to the farm house to get you some clothes.”
“I’m fine boss,” Cat said. “I’m almost dry; I’ll be off, as soon as, the storm is finished.”
“Don’t be stupid, it’s just us males here.”
And then she heard the crunching of hay under feet. Before she could react, he was already rounding the corner and he was standing in front of her.
“Its fine to— “
But then he actually saw her, in all her entirety and his eyes, usually calm, filled with surprise. For the first time, she saw Mark Simmons completely shocked and taken aback.
“Caleb, you’re a woman.”
“Yes sir,” she said.
“Jesus, you’re a woman,” he repeated.
Cat almost wanted to say surprise, but held her tongue, afraid that she was going to make the situation worse than it already was. She didn’t want to say anything about it but she was already panicking on the inside. He had found out about it, this meant that she was going to be fired now. He was going to kick her out and she deserved it, for her deceit.
“You better have an explanation for this,” he said.
“I…well…it’s a long explanation,” she said chattering.
“I have time,” he said in a hard voice.
Chapter Eight
Cat was in the corner, a good distance between her and Mark Simmons, although not far enough for her to be immune from the rigid look in his dark green eyes. How fascinating that he should look at her like that and make her feel completely feminine.
The two had reconvened on the hay where he was watching her warily as she hugged herself. She had taken off her wig so that her hair, miraculously dry, rested at her back.
“So, your name is Catherine Hamilton?” Mark said.
She nodded.
“You’re the only daughter of Jeremy Hamilton?”
She nodded again.
“And you came here, dressed as a man, so that you can work here; get experience to convince your dad to let you take over his ranch?”
“That pretty much sums it up.”
“How in hell…” he started to say. “Why in hell are you dressed as a man then?”
“Because I thought you wouldn’t give me the job if you saw that I was a woman and if word got out that I was one, my dad would figure it out.”
“This is just…” Mark shook his head. “I don’t have anything to say about this.”
“I don’t want to put you in an awkward situation,” she said. “So, I won’t come back and I’ll leave the job.”
“No, wait, stop,” he said rubbing his forehead. “I can’t let you go.”
“What?”
“You’re one of the best workers I’ve had in too long,” he said. “If I let you go I’ll be shorthanded again and that’s another headache I don’t want hanging over me. And you would have gotten the job if you came as a woman too, in case that wasn’t clear enough.”
“Oh,” she said surprised. “Are you sure boss?”
“Yes, Caleb…Catherine…that’s going to take me a while,” he said.
“You can continue calling me Caleb,” she said.
“But you’re not Caleb, you’re Catherine. And if I may so say, the name fits you much better,” he said obviously.
“I actually prefer Cat,” she said.
“That does suit you,” he said staring at her face. “But I like, Catherine.”
She swallowed nervously. She didn’t know why but the sound of her name coming from him made her feel weird. She didn’t linger on it however and said,
“Are you sure boss?”
“It’s not a big deal. You lasted three weeks, didn’t you? So, you can continue to work as long as no one figures out who you are.”
“Yes sir,” she said. “I won’t disappoint you.”
“You haven’t disappointed me yet,” he said. “Good job on the roof, it’s holding up well.”
“Thank you, sir.”
“You look cold though,” he said.
She was cold, her clothes were completely soaked and the wrapping around her chest were really making it hard for her to breathe now that it was wetted through. She wasn’t going to say that out loud, however, so she just said,
“I’m fine.”
“I think there is an old shirt here somewhere,” Mark said standing up. He had taken off the raincoat and she could really see the shirt clinging to him, making her feel warmer. He really was a handsome man.
He walked over to the broken wardrobe in the corner and took out a blue shirt.
“Put this on, I’ll turn around.”
He tossed it to her and turned around. She kept one eye on him as she took off the shirt and the wrapping, making it into a bundle before putting on the shirt. She was warmer now thanks to the dry shirt, and it was a dress on her, making her wonder whose it was.
“I’m done,” she said.
He turned around and smiled.
“That shirt is swallowing you,” he said. “Jaime really is a giant.”
“Your oldest brother?” she said.
He nodded. “You haven’t seen him, have you? He’s been pretty busy with the council.”
“Dad talks about him often,” she said.
“Good things I hope.”
She nodded and shifted, feeling his eyes on her as she did so. She was suddenly self-conscious. She was alone with Mark for the first time as a woman and she was wholly aware of the tension in the air. She didn’t know if she liked or not.
She hugged herself tighter and said,
“How long do you think the rain will last?”
“Probably a while,” he said.
“You can go back,” she said. “I’ll leave when it stops.”
“I’m not leaving you here,” he said. “I don’t want anyone to see a woman running through the ranch. I’ll make sure you can head home safely, before I leave.”
“That’s nice of you,” she said.
“You should spread your clothes and wig,” he said. “It’ll dry easier.”
She nodded and did as he said; thinking that it was getting easier to talk to him now that she was over her initial awkwardness. She wasn’t going to continue the conversation, though, because she was still afraid of what he was going to say or do.
“Is that why you’re so good at your work?” he asked. “Because you grew up on a ranch?”
“Partly that and my own curiosity. I always wanted to take care of the animals, but my dad never agreed.”
“I know your dad,” he said. “He did seem reluctant but I’m sure you can convince him.”
“Thanks,” she said. “That’s the plan so far.”
“So, your brothers with you in this?”
She nodded and let herself be swept up into the conversation, talking about how her brother had his own dreams. As she talked, she felt relaxed and calm. Mark didn’t speak much but he listened and it made her realize how long it had been since she had talked to someone without any inhibitions.
Finally, at some point she stopped and he talked about his own family. She listened with concentration and then sometime in the conversation was aware that it had stopped raining.
“I think the rain has stopped,” she said.
“Oh,” he replied. “I suppose it’s time for you to go now.”
She nodded and got up. Her clothes were dry and she was contemplating changing when he said,
“Just go on, I’ll make sure there’s no one around.”
She doubted there would be anyone, but heeded his advice, running out so that she could hurry home. She was unaware that Mark followed her with his eyes, until she had disappeared.
***
The next day, Cat was nervous.
She didn’t know how she was going to handle being back at work now that her secret had been exposed to Mark Simmons. She hoped he wouldn’t make an issue out of it. She’d just have to trust that he wouldn’t say anything, after all he had been the one who had told her that she didn’t need to quit her job. Still, it didn’t stop her from worrying all the way to work. She hadn’t told Mathew that Mark had found out, thinking rightfully that Mathew was going to tell her not to go back to work.
But nothing happened.
She went back to work, met Alex and continued to help around the stables. Most importantly she didn’t see Mark at all during the time she was in the stables. It was as if he had disappeared or didn’t care to come around which was odd, because he was almost always around before he knew that she was a woman.
But she didn’t care. She didn’t care about it one bit, because she was only here to work and not worry about Mark Simmons knowing her secret.
That continued on for two days and she was finally settling into not worrying except it seemed that it wasn’t in her favor.
On the third day after her secret had been exposed, she was rotated over to check on the cattle because the workers hadn’t shown. She wasn’t against it, because she was sufficiently adjusted enough to take care of them.
As lunch approached, she thought to go check on the horses before heading for lunch. When she reached the stables, no one was around and she heard Malice neighing softly. She knew what that meant; he wanted to go out on a ride. She looked around and seeing no one, went in to take him out and have a ride around with him. Malice was happy about that and let her on easily enough. Soon she was riding around the stables, a wide smile on her face as Malice went the extra mile to let off steam.
Laughing, she made Malice stop, suddenly aware that she was being watched. She looked to see Mark; his eyes boring into her and making her feel nervous.
“Hello boss,” she said.
“Hello,” he responded. “Letting the horse stretch his legs?”
“In a manner of speaking,” she said. “He was impatient.”
“No doubt,” Mark said. “How is he now?”
“Happy it seems,” she replied, patting Malice’s mane. “Anything you need boss?”
“Nothing, just here to check on the horses. You seem to be back to normal.”
“Nothing to worry about,” she said. “Nothing happened.”
“Of course.”
She was about to get down when she felt a little tug on her boots. Looking down she saw that they had gotten hinged to the saddle. She was about to slip them off to get down when suddenly Mark was there, his hands on the boot.
“Stay still,” he said, when she tried to move away.
She nodded as he tugged it off and then surprisingly, he reached for her, helping her get down.
“Thanks, boss, but I can take care of it,” she said, when her feet were on the ground.
“I know,” he said. “Your boot is torn, that’s why I helped.”
He was right, she could feel the grass tickling her foot, but she wasn’t about to let him know that his hands on her had made a rush of heat go through her. Instead she said,
“I’ll buy a new pair from town.”
“Are you going for lunch now?” he asked.
She nodded.
“I’ll go with you,” he said. “Lana isn’t home and I’m supposed to pick up some food from the diner.”
“Whatever you wish, boss,” she murmured, nervous, because he wanted to go together.
You are Caleb, she reminded herself. Cat doesn’t exist right now.
And it was then she realized that Mark always managed to make her aware of the fact that she was Cat and not Caleb, even when he didn’t know otherwise. It made her even more nervous, but she didn’t say anything as he led the way to the truck. She was about to say something, but thought better of it, sitting down on the front seat as he got in beside her.
“I gather you don’t like holding things in,” he said.
“It’s not in me,” she admitted. “I was always outspoken, especially as a child.”
“I noticed beforehand, but I didn’t think it was going to be an issue,” he said. “You seemed to be sober enough and you still are.”
“Despite being a woman?” she said jokingly.
He laughed. “Despite being a woman.”
“Is that a big issue?” she asked again. “Being female?”
“Not for me. It was a shock and I’m going to have a hard time calling you, Catherine instead, but other than that,” he said. “It’s not an issue. And I meant what I said; you can always forget the disguise and come here to work. The men won’t mind and if they do, they’ll answer to me.”
“I would rather avoid that,” she said. “Don’t want word getting out.”
He nodded, his eyes on the road. The rest of the ride was quiet and then he stopped in front of the diner. The two got out and she ordered her sandwich while he placed an order for takeout. She was fully expecting him to leave as she ate but he didn’t, following her to the table so that he could sit and watch as she ate.
She expected it to be disconcerting, but it wasn’t. Instead, it felt kind of normal to have him sitting with her and watching her as she ate. Maybe she was used to his silent ways. Finally, she was done and they were able to leave. But it was when they went outside that she remembered the torn boot.
“We should go to the store,” he said.
“I have to get back to work.”
“Is your boss a slave driver?” he asked, teasingly.
“A bit,” she returned. “He’s extremely silent and makes me work the whole time.”
“I’m sure he won’t mind if you take a few minutes to get new boots.”
“I hope not,” she said laughing.
They walked to the shoe store nearby and stepped inside. The sales girl came over to them.
“How can I help you gentlemen?” she asked.
“I want to see some boots,” she said.
The salesgirl gave her a weird look and led the way. As she walked, Cat wondered what was wrong when she felt Mark’s presence near her ear.
“Your voice,” he whispered, his breath tickling her neck.
She cursed herself and adjusted her voice so that it didn’t seem weird to the sales girl anymore.
“I have these on display,” the girl said. “Pick whichever you like.”
“Thanks,” she said.
The girl moved away from them and she perused the shelves, settling on a black pair that seemed sturdy enough.
“I like them,” Mark said.
She picked them out and was happy to see that Mark didn’t offer to pay for her boots. She put on the boots and placed the torn ones in the box before they walked out to go back to the world where they were both separated by the titles of Boss and Employee once again.
Chapter Nine
“What did you say?” Drew said over dinner.
Mark looked up from his plate of mashed potatoes and chicken to look at Jaime, who looked tired.
“I said that we have to go to an afternoon barbeque tomorrow,” he repeated. “It’s at the Hamilton’s place. We have been invited to go as part of the ranches nearby.”
“Can’t we skip? Do we really need to go there?” Drew said.
“Well, Mr. Hamilton really wants our votes and now that there are barely two weeks left until the election, he seems pretty desperate to make sure that we give them. Besides, you’ll get free food.”
“That’s not the point. I just don’t like socializing,” Drew said.
Pete burst out laughing and Drew threw him a dark look.
“I think it’ll be fine,” Lana said.
“At least someone is enthusiastic about it,” Jaime said.
“You don’t look like you want to go either,” Mark noted.
“I see enough of him,” Jaime said. “But I have to go. You might like to go,
Drew because you get to meet the elder daughter. Apparently, she’s a beauty.”
Mark gripped his fork tightly as Drew looked up, clearly interested.
“Really? Maybe it won’t be a bust,” Drew said.
“Don’t get any funny ideas,” Mark said, which was unlike him. “We’re going there to show our faces, that’s all.”
“Relax,” Drew said and Jaime threw him a sharp look.
Mark knew that he was acting out of character but he couldn’t seem to stop the words from flying out of his mouth. Still, the thought of Drew going after Catherine was enough to make him angry. He had been feeling the shift in the last couple of days as he spent more and more time with her. It had been easy to think of her as a worker while she had been working as Caleb, but now that he knew she was Catherine and a beautiful woman at that, something had changed.
No, he was lying to himself. He had felt it before he knew. He had been intrigued by her and it had only intensified after the revelation. The more he tried not to, the more she seemed to occupy his mind. It was getting on his nerves. He couldn’t go after her, she was here to fulfill her dreams and he didn’t want to do anything to mess that up.
He finished eating and remained by the table as everyone left to go up. But Jaime came back to sit beside him and say
“Are you okay?”
“Not really,” he said.
“What’s going on with you? You seem really distracted and angry today.”
Mark contemplated confiding in him and made a decision.
“I can’t stop thinking about Caleb.”
“Caleb?” Jaime said. “Oh well, I mean that’s perfectly fine. I didn’t know that you leaned that way.”
Mark had to laugh, because he hadn’t provided Jaime with any context on what the deal was. So, he began from the beginning and told Jaime the truth about everything and Cat. Jaime’s face cleared after a while and he said,
“That’s quite a story.”
“And all of its true.”
“I didn’t realize that Mr. Hamilton was like that,” Jaime said. “But then again, maybe he is looking out for his daughter.”
“That’s what I think as well,” he said. “I just can’t stop thinking about her.”
Simmons Brothers Series: Boxed Set Page 13
