******
“What do you think? Can we handle all of it?” Amber asked Dana as they reviewed the new structure of the marketing department presented to them at a management meeting earlier that morning.
“It’s what you’ve wanted since you started.” Dana continued to read through and highlight the increased responsibilities impacting her. “We’ll be handling social media, website design, advertising, public relations, and be part of the acquisition team.” She glanced up at Amber. “It’s a lot for two people.”
“Heath did give us a choice. Hire a third person or leave it a two person department, take on the additional work and divide the proposed salary between us. If we take on the work, and do it well, there’s no telling when we’d have the chance to hire a new person. At least we’d get paid well for our efforts.”
“Did he give you a number?”
Amber slid his memo across the desk, watching Dana almost choke on the water she’d just swallowed.
“That much?” Dana took the paper in her hand and studied it.
“Split sixty to me and forty to you. If that’s agreeable.”
“Are you kidding?” She calculated her total pay with the increase. “It would take me a long time to get to this level. I say we take it on and bring in a new person when we are too exhausted to continue the load.”
“Great. I’ll let Heath know. Why don’t each of us jot down ideas and meet about five o’clock today. I know you’re heading out to visit Cam and Cassie, then up to Montana next week. Our strategy should be in place prior to you leaving.”
“I’ll meet you here at five.”
“Dana?”
“Yeah?”
“Is everything all right with you and Kell?”
Dana hadn’t mentioned a word about him since their date on Saturday, and it didn’t take a genius to see something bothered her.
“Kell’s divorced and has a daughter. He told me Saturday night at dinner.”
“That’s surprising. I would’ve thought he’d find that detail important enough to bring up before now. What are you going to do?”
“I understand why he waited, and I’m not angry about it. Her name’s Emma and she’s four.” She smiled, remembering the look on Kell’s face when he mentioned his daughter. “He’s crazy about her. Anyway, we agreed to continue our friendship, but nothing more—at least for now.”
“And you’re okay with that?”
“Relieved, actually. I like Kell a lot and was prepared to heat things up. The news made me step back and take a look at my life. With the new job and added responsibilities, it would’ve been hard to find time for a relationship with him. Now there’s no pressure. I’d like to meet Emma, spend time with them, but I don’t want there to be issues if it never goes beyond a friendship.”
“I understand. Having a county prosecutor on your bad side wouldn’t be wise—for any of us,” Amber joked, knowing Dana would understand her warped sense of humor.
“How true that is. After what happened to us a few months ago…well…I guess you never know how life will go. See you later this afternoon.” Dana felt better having told someone about her and Kell. The changes at work meant all her concentration had to be focused somewhere else, and not on Kell or any other man.
Chapter Five
Crooked Tree
“The stock’s loaded and ready to go, Mitch. Do you want to come out and check on it?” Sean stood halfway inside the door leading to a deck with stairs down to the stock pens.
“Don’t see why I need to.”
“You know how Pop was before he left for Arizona. Nothing ever happened without his oversight.”
“Control. Yeah, I remember.”
“It’s a new driver and I thought you might want to meet her.” Sean pushed his hat up on his head and smiled.
“Her? When did we start hiring women as drivers?” Mitch stood, grabbing his hat as he followed Sean outside, spotting the bright red cab right away. A compact female stood by the door, her eyes trained on them.
“Jeanie Naylor, this is my brother, Mitch, our president.”
She stuck out her hand, a smile breaking the deep creases in her face from years in the sun. Her brown ponytail held streaks of gray, but her eyes sparkled as if she were a young girl.
“Mr. MacLaren. It’s a pleasure.”
“Nice to meet you, and call me Mitch.” He didn’t return her smile, glancing around her to check out the truck and the name on the door—Naylor Trucking. “When did you start driving for us?”
“This will be our first run for RTC. Is there a problem?”
“No problem, Jeanie. Mitch is always a little cautious about using a new crew, right?” He looked at Mitch, his eyes narrowing.
Mitch ignored Sean, choosing to walk the length of the truck.
“Can I answer any questions for you, Mitch?” Jeanie asked. She’d grown up in a man’s world as the oldest of three daughters to an ex rodeo rider turned stock transporter. The sisters had ridden with him since they were old enough to walk, then during school breaks, learning to drive and expanding the business. He retired a few years before, leaving the business to his daughters.
“Who hired you?”
“Rafe met with me and my two sisters a few months ago. He said there’d been some problems with your former company, and he’d like to give us a shot. I got a call a few weeks ago to show up today.”
Mitch blinked several times at the news his father had hired a group of women to take care of their valuable stock. He placed his hands on his hips and stared down at her.
“You certain it was Rafe MacLaren?”
“Of course I’m certain. It took me years of convincing to get a shot at this. You think I’d waste my gas, busting my balls to get here if it weren’t a done deal?”
His eyes softened at her selection of words, a grin turning up the corners of his mouth. “Balls, huh?”
“Both men and women gotta have them in this business, young man. Now, do I drive out of here or unload the stock?”
He ignored her question as he walked toward Sean, talking in low tones before turning toward the office.
“What’s it going to be, Sean?”
“You’re good to take off.”
“Fine. I don’t want to end up unloading these bulls at midnight.”
“Don’t take it personally, Jeanie. Like I said, he’s cautious. Keep me posted on your progress.”
“No problem. And don’t worry about the bulls. They will make it to Kansas City.” Jeanie climbed into her already running rig and settled into her seat.
Sean didn’t leave until she’d pulled onto the street and turned toward the interstate. He’d been as surprised as Mitch at their father’s selection of Naylor Trucking. Rafe had always been a good ’ole boy, favoring men over women, except when it came to his daughters, Skye and Samantha. He took the steps two at a time, entering Mitch’s office without knocking.
“What the hell was that about?”
Mitch hung up from his call and studied his brother. They got along well, even though two men couldn’t be more different in temperament. Trusting and friendly, Sean accepted people for what they were or until they lost his trust in some way. His ability to turn an acquaintance into a friend eluded Mitch, who could count his close friends on a couple digits. And one sat across from him right now.
“You came in to ask me if I wanted to check out the new company. That’s what I did, nothing more. Did you know Pop hired her?”
“He mentioned it. I figured you already knew.” He snatched a cookie from the plate near the coffee. “You make these?” he smirked, already knowing Mitch hadn’t.
“Lizzie dropped them off.”
Sean almost missed the mumbled response, then burst out in laughter. “You’re back with her? Thought that ended long ago.”
“It’s none of your damn business, but nothing ever started. We hook up when it’s right for both of us. That’s it. Period.” He grabbed a folder and flippe
d it open. “Where’s Skye? I thought she’d be in by now.”
Sean checked his phone, reading a recent text message. “She’s on her way in now. You may want to give her a break. Between the truck breaking down and losing the contract in Arkansas, she’s not in the best of moods.”
“Excuses don’t help us win business,” Mitch groused as the door burst open.
“Hi, big brothers. Seems like forever since I’ve seen you.” She gave each a hug then took a seat next to Sean.
“Coffee?” Sean asked.
“Love some. Did Naylor Trucking pick up the stock this morning?”
Sean glanced at Mitch before answering. “Jeanie left not thirty minutes ago. It was the first time she and Mitch met.”
“Ah…” Skye said before pursing her lips in a thin line.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Mitch glared at Skye then Sean, irritated at the silent language flowing between them.
“Just that you probably didn’t know Naylor is now run by the sisters, not their dad. It’s no secret you can still be a chauvinist when it comes to women in what some consider a man’s job. Although I don’t know how you can be with me and Sam as your sisters.”
“You and Samantha grew up around stock animals and the rodeo. Besides you are dealing with rodeo committees. Lots of women and men in that job.”
“But thirty years ago there weren’t. A lot fewer women drove big rigs or were big animal vets like Gayle Wheaton. Or rode bikes like your Harley. Now a ton of women own bikes and handle them as well or better than men.” She took the cup Sean handed her, then looked across the desk at Mitch. “All I’m saying is women are working in a lot of jobs that only men held when you were born. Times change.”
The mere mention of a woman on a Harley hijacked Mitch’s thoughts, allowing an image of Dana, with hair flying from under her helmet, to capture his mind. His body responded the same as it had each time he saw her on her bike. Shifting in his chair, he tried to get comfortable before his unease became apparent to Sean and Skye. He’d heard from Kade she’d purchased a bigger bike and had been riding with them. Not for the first time he thought about all he missed in Fire Mountain by returning to Crooked Tree, but he’d long ago accepted his responsibility to the family business. Besides, the work seemed to be the one stable part of his life.
“Well, let them change. I can be as flexible as the next man as long as there’s a reason for it.”
“Yeah, right,” Skye snorted, drinking the steaming liquid and rolling her eyes.
“Enough of this. Did you learn any more about Double Ace’s rodeo man, Matt Garner?” Mitch glanced at his notes from their call the week before.
“Not much. He rode in the PBR a few seasons before getting injured. Made good money and improved each year. Bets were he would’ve finished in the top group at the National Finals the year he took his last fall. From what I learned, he’s considered one of the good guys. Oh, and he grew up somewhere in Arizona.”
That got Mitch’s attention. “You hear where?”
“Nope. It’s a big state and they have contenders from all parts. I’ll keep digging, maybe call Pop and have him run the name by Heath and Jace.” She grabbed a cookie from the plate and took a bite. “Wow, this is great. You make these?”
Mitch groaned, rubbing his eyes with the palms of his hands as Sean burst into laughter.
******
Fire Mountain
“Thanks for calling me about the ride. I hoped to get out one more time before the trip.” Dana strapped on her helmet and swung her leg over the seat, then watched as the others did the same. She, Cassie, Brooke, and Amber rode their horses at least twice a week after work and on Sundays, reserving Saturdays for motorcycle rides.
“Everyone ready?” Kade called, then powered his Harley toward the main highway with Brooke holding on from the back seat. Dana rode hers behind Kade, and Eric and Amber followed her on their bikes.
Today they’d ride to one of the lakes an hour east of Fire Mountain. Dana fell into a rhythm of watching the traffic, then glancing at the passing scenery. Before he left, she rode behind Mitch, following his moves and admiring the way he handled his bike. The machine fit him as if he’d been born to ride, displaying the same ease as when he rode a horse. Fluid, as if he and the horse were one.
As much as Dana hated to admit it, she looked forward to seeing him again. His gruff, brooding manner had never been a turnoff. She saw him as a challenge, pushing his buttons until he smiled, or on one occasion, turned away in frustration. For whatever reason, she couldn’t stop herself from believing he enjoyed their sparring as much as she did.
She followed Kade until he turned onto a dirt road, then parked beside a pristine lake surrounded by low shrubs and tall juniper trees. No tables, fire pits, or facilities. From experience, she knew they’d eat lunch, pack their trash, then turn back toward home within an hour. Most times she’d eat then take a short hike, which is what she planned today.
“Where are you going?” Amber wadded up her wrapper and started to stand when Dana answered.
“Taking a walk. I’ll be back in a bit.” She took a narrow deer trail through a thick patch of scrub oak, pushing the brush aside until she emerged into a clearing with a sweeping view of the lake. The sun danced off the water as the wind created ripples, pushing the tiny waves toward the shore.
Sitting on a large rock, she picked up smaller, flat stones, trying to skip them across the water with little success. She’d watched her brothers do it when they were young. Although they tried to teach her, she could never get the hang of it. They’d skip once, twice, then sink. Mitch, Kade, and Eric could all skip stones with ease. She guessed it was some rite of passage like shaving for the first time or burping on cue. If you could skip stones then you’d checked off one more qualification for crossing over from being a boy to becoming a young man.
Dana tried once more then decided to head back to the others. She hadn’t taken more than a few steps when the sound of motorcycles caught her attention. Knowing the group would never leave her, the noise could mean only one thing. Retracing her steps, she came to an abrupt halt behind some bushes when she spotted a group of riders stopped and still sitting on their bikes. Edging around the tree, she listened to the voices but couldn’t make out what was said.
Although they didn’t appear menacing, or wear colors as a warning of any affiliation, the longer the other group stayed, the more her stomach drew into a tight knot. Wiping sweaty palms down her jeans, she took a deep breath and a step forward, deciding she needed to move closer. At the same moment, the engines revved, then the sounds of the motorcycles receded into the distance. She dashed toward the others, relieved to see them all standing together, talking.
“What was that about?” Dana’s hands trembled before she crossed her arms to still them.
“A group of bikers, like us, out for a ride.” Eric saw the concern on her face, the same as he saw on Amber’s and Brooke’s faces when the group rode up. “Nothing to worry about, Dana. We’re all fine.”
Her lips drew into a thin line as she nodded. She thought the effects of the ordeal she, Amber, and Brooke experienced a few months ago had ended. Her reaction to the unknown group of riders told her she still had a ways to go to put it all in the past.
“Are you all right?” Brooke put an arm around Dana’s shoulders as Amber stopped nearby, her hands clasped in a tight ball in front of her.
“Fine. I was more worried about all of you, knowing I couldn’t do much if anything happened.”
“As you can see, we’re all fine.” Kade didn’t feel as calm as he let on. He, too, had tensed with the arrival of the riders. Even though he’d spent years working undercover for the DEA in an outlaw motorcycle gang, he could still feel the adrenaline pump through his body, warning signals triggering whenever he saw riders in leathers. More so if they wore colors.
They no longer had anything to worry about. The danger faced months ago had been resolved, even if t
he emotions still ran high.
“If everyone is ready, we should head back.” Eric slipped his hands into leather gloves, his initial state of high alert disappearing as the minutes ticked by. “Dana, you ready?”
She turned the key, sending the others a bright smile. “All set.”
By the time they reached the turnoff toward home, she felt relaxed, the initial fear forgotten. It seemed much like when she’d fallen off a horse for the first time. Once she got back on, rode a few minutes, she regained control and her confidence. The appearance of the casual riding group was the same as getting back on a horse. From now on, facing a group of unknown riders would be no big deal—just another day on her bike.
******
Crooked Tree
“My God, Mitch. Are you all right?” Skye jumped off her horse and ran to her brother, crouching as he lay sprawled on the ground.
“Damn that horse,” Mitch growled as he pushed into a sitting position, resting his arms across his knees and shaking his head to clear the ringing in his ears.
“Didn’t Sean tell you he’s green broke and needs a lot more work around cattle? Besides, where’s Devil Dancer?” she asked, mentioning his horse.
“Dev’s at Reacher Farms. The mare they want to breed is in heat. I took him over yesterday.” He dusted off his pants, then stood, stretching his arms over his head. “Damn that hurts. Guess I’m getting a little old to be bucked off.”
“I thought you decided not to put him out to stud yet.”
“I changed my mind. Jace has been looking for a suitable Grullo for their breeding program. Kade saw Dev when he came to visit last year. We spoke of Dev covering one of their mares while I was at headquarters. I told them I’d see how it goes at Reacher, then decide if I’ll trailer him down to Fire Mountain.” Mitch watched as one of their men caught the young stallion and walked him over, handing the reins to him.
“I hope you got a good fee for him. Reacher is known to be a tough negotiator.” Skye watched as the horse calmed.
“Six hundred.”
Hearts Don't Lie Page 5
