Total pages in book: 46
Estimated words: 43024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 43024 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 215(@200wpm)___ 172(@250wpm)___ 143(@300wpm)
I can't help scoffing at his statement. “She’s not just going to walk back into my life. It doesn't work that way.”
Chapter 8
Ronnie
The butterflies in my stomach this morning only have to do with starting my new job. They have nothing to do with some wild hope in my heart that I'll get to see Flint on my first day. That would be crazy. Especially since I'm carrying his baby, and I still haven't decided how I'm going to tell him.
I’m planning on telling him. I would never keep a man from his baby. But I'm also not sure that I'm ready to have that conversation yet.
I put my hand on my stomach. Soon, I promise myself as a bout of nausea surges Fortunately, I don't start dry heaving. With the twins, I experienced morning sickness very early in the pregnancy and throughout my first trimester. After that, it was non-stop heartburn. I’m really not looking forward to that again.
I pull Reba into a stop in front of an old rusty looking barn. It’s the one I got an email from the ranch about. I almost deleted the acceptance email when I first got it because there’s no first name on the messages. It just reads Valor Ranch.
I try to remember if Mira ever told me who’s in charge here. I know it’s not Cord, but maybe he knows. I should have called her before I came all of this way. I’ve managed to talk with her a couple of times but both times one of us was rushing off the phone before we could have a deep discussion.
“You’re going to find a way,” I repeat my grandmother’s words to myself.
A better life for my babies is waiting on the other side of this day. The cabin that comes with room and board will give me more space to raise the boys and their new sibling. Plus, Courage County has an excellent public education system, which is important since the boys will be starting school in the fall. My eyes tear up at the thought, and I have to blink.
There are certain things I can't think about right now when all of these hormones are surging through my body.
With a deep breath, I walk up the tiny, covered porch and twist the door handle. I’m surprised to find that what looks like an old barn from the outside has actually been converted into an office.
My sneakers scuff the hardwood floors as I take my first steps inside. Overhead, two large ceiling fans rotate and six metal filing cabinets are against one wall. There’s a pair of legs sticking out from under an antique desk.
“Excuse me,” I call.
There's a loud thump from the underside of the desk, swear words, and then there’s Flint. My traitorous heart skips a beat, and my mouth goes dry.
His eyes light up the moment he sees me. Excitement flickers on his face, like a kid seeing gifts under the tree and I am Christmas morning. “Veronica, how did you…I kept looking…and now you’re here.”
“I’m here to start my new job,” I tell him, my heart pounding. He just said he was looking for me. He was looking for me! Wait, engage professional mode first. Giddy, happy feelings can be indulged later.
“Bronco didn’t mention hiring anyone.”
“I’m the new ranch manager.”
“There’s been a misunderstanding. I already hired a guy.”
I put my hands on my hips, prepared to fight for this job. My boys need the stability this is going to bring. My baby needs it. “Well, you call him up and tell him the position has already been filled.”
“I’m not going to—wait, Ronnie isn’t short for Veronica, is it?”
I realize it at the same time he does. I’m used to people being surprised when I show up for an interview or for the first day on a new job. But seeing Flint again has scrambled my brain. I explain, “My father didn't have a son, so he gave me his name, Ronald Davis Hunter.”
I'm not sure what I was expecting, but definitely not the grin that spreads across his face. He gets to his feet, charging across the room to hold out his hand. “Welcome to your new job at Valor Ranch.”
I take his hand, feeling his strong fingers wrap around mine. It sends tingles down my arm, and I’m instantly thinking about the motel and how I’m pregnant. I need to tell him before I lose my nerve. “About last month—“
“Those were the best nights of my life,” Flint interrupts.
I pull my hand from his, swallowing hard. I'm not about to admit that it was the same for me. Nothing good will come from focusing on the things we can't be. “Well, now we're co-workers.”
He does his best to hide the disappointment in his expression but not before I see it. He jams his hands into his pockets and says, “Officially, you're my boss. And you know how I like taking orders from you.”