Total pages in book: 55
Estimated words: 51624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 51624 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 258(@200wpm)___ 206(@250wpm)___ 172(@300wpm)
“Sounds good. We can talk about it more when I see you Saturday.”
“Deal,” I answer right before his phone clicks off. I do the same and look out across the ranch. My gaze takes it all in, breathes in the peace that the land gives me as my eyes focus on the Smoky Mountains. I don’t know where I’m from originally. I didn’t have any ID on me when I was found. Hell, I barely had clothes covering me. Still, this is definitely my home now. The mountains have a way of getting into your soul. Maybe once I get the debt paid back, I’ll find my own place, a small ranch, some cattle to make it self-sufficient. A quiet life.
I file the thought somewhere in the mess I call a brain and turn back to the campground office. Time to take in Ray’s dream woman, Olivia. The thought makes me scoff, shaking my head.
Ray really is an idiot.
She’ll probably use him. We may only be ranch hands here, but the Wells family pays us damn good. Olivia—as an employee here—would know that. I’d try to warn him, but Ray’s an asshole.
He deserves whatever he gets.
3
GOING TOO FAR
OLIVIA
“Who was that?” I ask when I see Ray standing by the door.
“That’s just Lake. He stepped out to take a call. You look beautiful today, Olivia.”
God. How do I attract these men? Ray is such a jerk. He’s actually kind of slimy. I’m constantly trying to avoid him. Usually, Lisa or Deb helps me get away. No such luck today. What’s that saying? If it wasn’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck at all. Ugh.
“Thanks, Ray. What are you up to?”
I barely control a wince as he takes his hat off and holds me against his chest with one hand. “I was wondering if you heard about the dinner the ranch is hosting tomorrow night?”
“I work here and have to help get ready for it, so yeah, I know,” I respond. Okay, that sounded kind of bitchy, but maybe that’s what it takes for him to get the message. I mean, I’ve only been trying to tell him since the day after he hired in.
“Oh, uh, yeah,” he responds uncomfortably. “Well, I was wondering if maybe we could go together?”
“I’m sorry, Ray. I’m working that night.”
“Crap. They have you working the party? That’s not fair. You work every day. We all need a day off, Olivia.”
“I volunteered. I like working here.”
“You sound like Lake. He works every hour he can,” he scoffs. “Life is short. You need to enjoy it, darlin’.”
“I enjoy work,” I counter, annoyed.
“Well, maybe we can meet up after the dinner or something and have a little one-on-one time,” he croons. The look in his eyes gives me the creeps.
“Ray, you’re a great guy,” I lie.
“Thanks, babe. I really like you, too.” I blink. He’s clearly insane. I rub my forehead, wishing I’d just stayed in the back and pretended not to be here. “I mean, damn, you’re hot as hell. The two of us could be really good together.”
“Ray, I’m just not interested. I lost the love of my life. I’m not interested in moving on. You’d do better to find someone else.”
“I’m sorry for your loss, but you know what they say. If you lose your horse, it’s best you climb back up and ride a new one.”
I stare at him, trying to make myself function.
“You didn’t …” I stop talking because I don’t even know what to say to him.
“You can ride me, Olivia, any time, any day,” he promises. He drops his voice down, and he probably thinks it makes him seem sexy. Bile rises in my throat.
“Get out,” I order, and I know my face has gone ashen.
“Olivia—”
“You’re a disgusting pig. Get out, and if you see me, make sure you take another direction.”
“Olivia,” he tries again, but stops when I shake my head.
“You should run if you do see me, because after your disgusting behavior today, the first thing I’ll do is have Carson fire you,” I snap.
“You really think he’ll listen to you? You’re a clerk and work as a maid and kitchen staff. This is a ranch. My position is needed more than yours. I have Colt Wells’s ear. You’re lucky I even look at you. Still, I like you. I think the two of us would be good together. Apologize, and we’ll work past this.”
I look at him like he’s lost his mind. He’s delusional. I instinctively know that no matter what I say, he’s not going to stop. The man thinks women should fall at his feet. He’s good-looking enough that maybe they do. I don’t have any idea. I just know I don’t want to deal with him any longer. The office is hooked up to the security cameras. Carson and the other brothers said to tell them right away if I felt unsafe or uncomfortable, and they would deal with it. I’m not sure this guy would hurt me, but I have a feeling if I angered him enough, he would. I definitely feel uncomfortable.