Bad Boy Brother

by Chance Carter

  “Do you have experience working on a ranch? Are you familiar with horses?” she questioned.

  Billy shrugged and offered her a charming smile.

  “To be honest, most of my experience is working in the vineyards. I don’t have a whole lot of experience with the ponies. But I’m a damn hard worker, Alice, and a fast learner. I’ll do whatever needs doing. I’m also pretty handy with tools and with my hands, so if anything needs mending or building, I’m your man. I have experience working construction too.”

  Alice appreciated his honesty. It would be a pain in the ass training him in the stables, but he looked like he would catch on quickly, and he had a strong back. Plus, there were a lot of things around the ranch that needed repairing. The truth was, she didn’t have a whole lot of options right now.

  “Where was the last place you worked?” she asked curiously.

  He cocked his head and looked at her warmly. She felt her body stir in response to his stare. Embarrassed, she broke his gaze and stood up a little straighter.

  “I worked for a few months on an organic farm just outside of Sacramento. I was helping to get the fields ready. We planted thousands of seedlings working from March until about a week ago. They asked me to come back at the end of August, to help with the harvest, so I’ll need something in the interim,” he explained.

  Alice had a good feeling about Billy. Not only because he stepped in and stopped Matt from assaulting her, but also because she was desperate. He was in the right place at exactly the right time. She couldn’t help wondering if her parents were watching out for her and had sent Billy her way.

  “The truth is, Billy, I can’t pay very much. I have a lot of transitions happening at the moment and while there’s a ton of work, I don’t have a lot of extra resources,” she explained, honestly.

  Billy shrugged.

  “I’m happy working for food and lodging, maybe a small stipend at the end of each month. I think you will find me to be quite helpful. I promise I won’t cause any trouble. You won’t regret it. I can provide you with references if you need them,” Billy said, offering his hand again for her to shake. “Do we have a deal?”

  Alice smiled and shook his hand again, enjoying the way her hand fit perfectly into in his.

  “Ok, let’s give it a try. Can you start tomorrow?” she asked hopefully.

  Billy nodded his head and smiled.

  “I can start today if you want. I’m ready to work, if you have time to show me where I’ll be sleeping and give me a quick tour?” Billy suggested.

  Alice was impressed by his confidence.

  “Sure, I can do that. I’ll also take you to meet Joe and he can give you a list of duties. One thing I forgot to mention, Billy. I ask that if you want to drink booze or smoke pot, do so on your own time. You will get two days off a week, so you can party on your off days. We have early mornings around here, and no time to deal with debilitating hang overs. The horses can’t wait for their care. Do you have an issue with that?” she asked cautiously.

  Billy gave her a reassuring smile.

  “Actually, Alice, I’m not much of a drinker and I don’t smoke,” he admitted.

  Alice let out a sigh of relief.

  “You’re perfect,” she blurted mindlessly.

  Billy raised his eyebrows and smirked. Suddenly, Alice became aware of her mistake and chuckled.

  “I mean, that’s perfect,” she corrected. “Come on, I’ll show you to the lodge,” she said, gesturing for him to follow.

  “This is your room,” she said, opening the door to the largest room in the lodge.

  The room had modest furnishings, but it was bright and clean and had a comfortable double bed.

  “Actually, for now you’ll have the lodge to yourself. We’ve recently gone through some staff changes, so until I find the right people, it is just me, you and Joe,” she explained.

  “Where does Joe stay?” Billy asked curiously.

  “He stays in the small shanty behind the barn. He likes his privacy,” she said, walking into the bedroom.

  She opened the closet and pulled out clean sheets and a blanket. Billy sat down on the unmade bed and gently bounced up and down, as if testing the mattress. He looked at her with a sexy grin on his face. Alice felt a blush rise up her neck, pinking her cheeks. She looked away, avoiding his eyes.

  Alice cleared her throat and stood up straight, tossing the sheets on the bed beside him.

  “I trust you can make your own bed?”

  Billy smirked, knowing exactly the effect he was having on her.

  “I can manage.”

  “Good, come with me, I’ll show you the kitchen,” she said, anxious to move along.

  She led him to a small, but functional kitchen. It had a fridge and stove and even a stackable washer and dryer.

  “I shop once every two weeks. If you need anything in between, you can pick up groceries and supplies in Mendocino.

  My cousin Lisa normally takes care of the dinner, but she is away for a few months. I’m not much of a cook, but you’re welcome to share supper with me. Joe sometimes joins in, but most of the time he is happy to eat on his own. He is quite the introvert.”

  “I’ll take you up on that. Thanks Alice. The kitchen is not exactly the room I’m the most skilled in,” he teased, trying to catch her eye.

  Alice smirked weakly but didn’t dare look at him for fear of blushing again. She wondered which room he was the most skilled in, and how skilled he was. She sighed and backed out of the kitchen, putting some distance between them, silently chiding herself.

  “Let’s go meet Joe,” she said, gesturing toward the door.

  He followed her but stopped in front of the pool table. He picked up a ball and rolled it toward the far pocket, where it dropped in with a clank. Alice turned back.

  “Do you play?” he asked her hopefully.

  She looked up at him and smiled.

  “I used to when I had more time. I was actually quite good at it. I used to hustle my daddy’s ranch hands when I was a teenager. Made quite a bit of money too, until my dad caught on to what I was doing. I caught some hell for that.”

  She laughed, her eyes softening with her memories.

  Billy leaned back against the pool table.

  “Maybe we could play sometime?” he asked.

  Alice shrugged softly, offering him a warm smile.

  “Maybe,” she agreed. “Now let’s go. I’m on a tight schedule. I want to hand you off to Joe.”

  She turned and walked out the door, Billy following close behind.

  Chapter 4

  Billy

  It had been many years since anyone referred to him as Billy, not since high school. William thought it would sound foreign to him, but hearing his childhood name on Alice’s lips was actually quite comforting.

  He wasn’t sure how their first meeting would go. He anticipated that it would be challenging getting her to hire him, but things had unfolded perfectly. It was dumb luck that he arrived just in time to stop the conflict between Alice and that young punk. It certainly didn’t do him any harm!

  Women liked heroes, and he easily handled the kid. Alice sure seemed grateful.

  It was clear that she was holding on by a thread. Joe was now the only worker she had left, and after meeting him it was obvious he would never betray her. He was solid and steadfast and treated the ranch as if it were his own.

  He could be a problem, Billy observed.

  Alice had taken him to the barn to introduce him to Joe right after the lodge tour. The man seemed quite indifferent to meeting him, but Billy did his best to be charming. Even after Alice left them to attend to her own chores, Joe didn’t seem to warm up.

  However, he did show him the ropes and was quite thorough. He walked Billy through a list of tasks that would be his responsibility every day. Although the list was long, Billy was confident he would be able to handle it. He had been shoveling shit his whole life, metaphorically speaking, so he wasn’t inti
midated.

  “You might want to wear boots in the barn. It can get pretty mucky in here. There are rubber boots over by the tack. And since it seems you don’t have much experience with horses, don’t stand behind ‘em. It makes ‘em nervous and you’re likely to get a shoe to the face,” Joe grumbled.

  “Got it,” Billy said with a smirk.

  Although Joe was probably close to the same age as him, he came across as much older, and Billy couldn’t help but respect him. You could tell the man was just a loyal, corn fed, all-American cowboy, with a work ethic that was second to none.

  “We’re up pretty early in the morning. The animals will need cleaning, feeding and watering between five and seven. That only gives you about ten minutes a stall so you can’t dally. Keep an eye out for Misty, the gray mare at the end. She is about to foal,” Joe said quietly.

  It didn’t take long for Billy to figure out he had to listen attentively. Joe was a man of very few words, and he didn’t like repeating them.

  “I come by around seven thirty and lead them out to the pasture. You can help me with that. Once the animals are taken care of, we can do whatever else needs doing. There is always something. The fence down by the pond needs reinforcing so maybe you can set to that over the next few weeks. Supplies are in the equipment shed, and what’s missing you can let me know and I’ll be sure to have it for you the next day.”

  “You bet,” Billy agreed.

  Joe looked him up and down, as if assessing not just the strength of his back, but also the strength of his character. Billy held his chin up and met his stare.

  “All right then. Why don’t you go get yourself unpacked and take a few hours to look around the ranch. Get comfortable with the place. You can saddle up a horse if you like. Donald is in stall two. He is a pretty gentle beast, not known to cut dirt.”

  Joe gestured towards the stall with his thumb and spat.

  “Cut dirt?” Billy asked, raising his brows.

  Joe looked at him with a half-smile, and shook his head.

  “Go fast. He is more of a walker than a runner. Probably a good horse for ya.”

  Billy knew that Joe was taking a piss on him, but the truth was, he probably did need a horse like Donald, so he didn’t disagree. He nodded back and returned Joe’s smile.

  “Do you think you could teach me how to saddle him up?” Billy asked cautiously.

  Joe shook his head in disbelief, the way people do when they are certain they’re in the presence of an idiot. It didn’t bother Billy too much. He would take his licks and keep his head down if he had to. Pissing off Joe was probably a one-way ticket home.

  “I promise you’ll only have to teach me once. I’m a fast learner,” Billy assured him.

  Joe cocked his head, raising one scruffy eyebrow.

  “Ya, I can do that,” he said finally, leading Billy to the stall.

  “Be back at the barn by six thirty. I’ll show you the night routine. Occasionally, if the weather is good, we will leave the team out to pasture,” Joe ordered, after Donald was tacked up. “When they stay out you will need to bring fresh hay out to the lean-to and fill the water buckets. You can use your pick up and load the back with a bundle or two or you can use the tractor if you know how.”

  Billy nodded and offered his hand out to shake. Joe looked down at his hand for a moment as if deciding what to do with it. Finally, he shook it, but without enthusiasm.

  “Thanks for your help,” Billy offered kindly.

  Joe grumbled and gestured a dismissal.

  “See you at six thirty,” Billy assured Joe, watching him walk away.

  Billy lead Donald out of the barn and the submissive horse followed, happy for the change in scenery. He had been riding a few times before, but wasn’t confident on horseback. Each time he had ridden it was to appease a woman who wanted to go riding on a date. And then it was on freshly groomed trails with the horses following slowly behind a lead horse and guide. All safe and secure. Why women thought that was romantic was beyond him.

  Billy looked at the animal and wondered what to do next. Donald met his stare for a moment, and then put his head down, as if to reassure him. Billy gave him a gentle pat on his muzzle.

  “How about I just walk with you for a bit,” Billy said, gently pulling on his reigns.

  The horse lifted his head and nickered and then happily followed his new friend down the horse path toward the open field.

  When Billy was sure he was out of sight he stopped and looked at the animal.

  “Ok Buddy. What do you say we give this a try. How do I do this?” he asked, feeling a little foolish for expecting an answer.

  Donald shook his head gently, as if to say ‘Get on, dumb ass.’ Billy chuckled softly to himself and lifted the reigns over the horse’s head.

  “Ok, ok. I’ll figure it out. Just hold still,” he said, walking around to Donald’s left side.

  “I’m getting on now. Don’t move,” he instructed cautiously.

  The horse stood perfectly still, obviously well trained, as Billy slipped his foot into the stirrup and hoisted himself high up onto its back. The horse shifted as Billy adjusted himself onto the saddle.

  “Easy there, Buddy. Give me a second.”

  The horse pawed the ground, not sure what his rider wanted from him. Billy sat for a moment, adjusting to the height, allowing his confidence to catch up. His mount waited patiently for a command. After a second or two, Billy finally spoke.

  “Ok, I’m ready. Go slow.”

  Donald didn’t move. Billy sighed and wondered where the gas pedal was on the beast.

  “Giddy up,” he said, remembering some of the old westerns he watched as a kid.

  The horse raised his head and flickered his ears but didn’t move.

  “Come on boy, let’s go!” he said, giving the reigns a little jolt.

  As if on cue, the horse started walking forward, causing Billy to slip in the saddle. He cursed quietly and adjusted himself. As promised, Donald was very patient and carried his rider tenderly across the field.

  After a while Billy was relaxed enough to take in the view around him. The horse walked at a comfortable pace, as he and his rider got to know one another.

  Billy was amazed at how intuitive the gentle animal was. He seemed to know exactly where Billy wanted to go, in spite of the awkward commands. He urged the horse west, toward the ocean. He wanted to see the shore for himself, and the piece of land that was so highly prized.

  The horse walked to the edge cautiously, as if expecting Billy to pull back on the reigns and signal him to stop. When the ocean came into view, Billy pulled in his breath and held it in.

  It was spectacular. The mid-afternoon sun glistened on the pristine water like millions of diamonds, boasting the value of the land. If Billy had any doubts about the property, they were gone now.

  People would pay through the nose to live here. It was a magical place.

  Billy dismounted and walked to the edge, the horse’s reigns in his hands. The tide was in so the beach was mostly hidden under the surf, but it was still approachable. He wanted to walk down the slope but he wasn’t sure what to do with Donald. He looked back at his horse. The animal pulled his head back as if to say I ain’t going down there.

  “Okay, okay. No worries, Buddy. We will just stay here and look,” he offered reassuringly.

  He gave the horse a hearty pat on his neck and could feel Donald relax under his touch. He turned around and took in the view for a few more minutes.

  Billy was a huge believer in the law of attraction. In fact, he attributed his success to it. You had to see what you wanted in the minds eye, and truly believe that the universe would move mountains, or in this case a stubborn woman, to make it happen.

  He could visualize the whole area, condos stacked in such a way to capitalize on the view for the home owners. He could see a common area with a pool and a stone stairway curving all the way down to the beach. The homes were going to be in high demand, he was
certain of it.

  Billy’s stomach growled. He hadn’t eaten anything since early that morning and it was probably close to dinner. He wondered if there was any food at the lodge.

  “Come on Donald. Let’s go rustle up some grub,” he said playfully, imitating his new boss Joe.

  This time he was able to mount the horse easily, his confidence growing. The horse seemed to sense it too, and turned toward home as his rider directed the reigns.

  Alice was leaning against the fence, one boot up on the bottom rail, looking sexy as hell. Her hair was pulled back in a haphazard pony tail, as if she didn’t have time to fuss with it. She smiled at him as he pulled up alongside her. Billy felt himself unwillingly drawn to her, and smiled back warmly.

  “How was your ride?” she asked him, reaching up to steady the horse so he could dismount.

  He slipped his right leg easily behind him and let it fall to the ground, but his left foot got stuck in the stirrup and he stumbled ungracefully. Alice reached a hand out to support him.

  “You alright?” she asked as he steadied himself, freeing his foot from the hold.

  He hated looking like a novice in front of her, but when he met her eyes, he saw a playful gleam in them. He grinned back at her.

  “I’m good. No worries,” he said, assuring her. “Been a while since I have been on a horse.”

  Alice chuckled. He knew he wasn’t fooling her. She had been around horses all her life and could easily spot a green rider.

  “I thought you were going to chew gravel for a minute there,” she teased.

  He threw her a wink.

  “Well I am pretty hungry,” he offered playfully. “I was just going to see if I could find something to eat.”

  “I’m not sure the lodge has much to eat. Get cleaned up and come on up to the house. I’ll make us grilled cheese. I’ll go into town tomorrow and shop,” she offered kindly.

  Billy nodded.