Wrangled and Tangled

by Lorelei James

  right after their wedding. Abe and Hank’s other pals—Bran, Kyle, Eli, Ike, Devin, Fletch—were around sporadically. Although she had female college classmates she saw weekly, Janie had felt isolated from everyone living on the ranch. She didn’t think it was wise to tell Harper the closest thing she had to a friend during that time had been Harper’s husband.

  “Since Tierney lives here, same as me, I know Celia pulling away from me can’t be a location thing. Is it because they’re both single? What do they have in common?”

  “I imagine people said the same about you and Celia,” Janie pointed out.

  “True.” Harper smiled. “Now some of my best pals are the retired ladies who hang out at Bernice’s Beauty Barn.”

  “Really? Them throwing you a bachelorette party wasn’t a farewell?”

  “No. I miss the regulars who used to be my nail clients. Maybelle, Garnet, Pearl, Tilda and Bernice have me over for lunch every couple of weeks.” Harper looked at her oddly. “You do still get your hair cut at Bernice’s?”

  “Yes. But I go in at the end of the day when there’s nobody there. It’s faster.”

  “But you miss out on all the good gossip.”

  “That’s exactly why I don’t go. I avoided anything resembling gossip when I lived here before.” Hadn’t that been one of Abe’s complaints? She acted as if she was too good for the locals?

  “It’s weird. I thought since Tierney’s from the big city she’d feel the same way about that small town type of stuff. But according to my sources, Tierney has fit right in.”

  “Tierney? Seriously? Surprises me she doesn’t go to Casper for her beauty fix.”

  Harper’s gaze turned sharp. “Don’t you like her?”

  “Actually, that came out sounding snottier than I meant. I do like her. Quite a bit. But my first loyalty is to Renner and Tierney knows that.”

  Harper became quiet again.

  “That’s not all that’s on your mind, is it?”

  “No. But I don’t know how to say this to you because you’re my boss.”

  It stung a bit that Harper didn’t consider her a friend, even after they’d lived together for a couple of weeks when Harper had signed on to work at the Split Rock.

  But you haven’t gone out of your way to befriend anyone since you’ve been here. You’re holding yourself off, just like you always do.

  Like that was news. Every job she’d had in the last two years had been temporary. Getting close to people knowing she’d never see them again was pointless and that mind-set wasn’t easy to shake.

  Maybe it’s time you actually tried to make a change.

  The reason for Harper’s reluctance hit her. “This is about Abe.”

  Harper nodded. “Everyone is concerned you’ll hurt him again.”

  “Everyone?” she asked with a bitter edge. “Meaning … Bran, Hank, and Lainie?” She fought the urge to lash out and managed to keep her tone even. “Remind them that Abe insisted I move out to the ranch. Yes, Abe and I have a past. Not a volatile past, but there were plenty of things left unfinished between us.” She snorted softly. “Know the irony in all of this? Everyone had an opinion on our marriage back then. Living with other people, we were subjected to input we didn’t want or need, and yes, it affected us. But what ‘everyone’ is forgetting? Abe and I loved each other. But unfortunately, at that point in our lives, love wasn’t enough.” Janie’s eyes blurred with tears. “So you can tell everyone to back off. What goes on between us now is no one’s business.”

  Harper didn’t speak until she parked in the employee lot. “I’m sorry. You’re right. I hope the fact I was coerced into bringing this up won’t affect our friendship.”

  Janie was appeased Harper admitted they were friends. It drove home the point that she wanted to be the warm and affectionate type of friend. Not only with Harper, but also with others. What if she didn’t know how? How did she admit that failing? How long would it take her to become the person she’d always longed to be? To put herself out there? To be the first to offer her trust?

  No time like the present to take a chance and just do it.

  “Keep in mind any time you want to talk, Janie, I am here for you. I know you’ve got a lone wolf attitude, but you really helped me sort things out when everything was so confusing with Bran.”

  “Thanks.” Janie looped her arm through Harper’s. “Now didn’t you say something about inviting me’n Abe over for supper and cards? ’Cause I’m thinking a casserole and canasta sounds like a helluva good time.”

  Chapter Fifteen

  Tierney had successfully avoided Renner all day.

  Or has he avoided you?

  Like a total chickenshit, the morning after the kiss in the parking lot, she’d left instructions not to be disturbed in her office, claiming she had rush projects to finish for PFG. When in truth, she’d caught up with her two best friends in Chicago. When Celia called, she’d offered financial advice, because God knew, relationship advice was out of her realm of expertise. After sending Harlow funny, bizarre Web site links that played on their childhood inside jokes, she’d browsed the Zappos Web site and ordered two new pairs of funky shoes.

  She’d been bored out of her freakin’ mind all day and a little disappointed in herself that she’d reverted to avoidance behavior instead of acting bold. Her night hadn’t been any better; she’d dreamt of one pain in the butt cowboy whose full lips redefined kissable.

  Yawning, slurping coffee, determined to do something productive, she’d just started plugging her monthly expenses into a spreadsheet when the door opened and slammed shut. Before she looked up she knew Renner would be looming over her desk.

  And loom he did. All six feet two inches of him. His black hat cast a shadow over his eyes. She suspected his menacing posture meant his baby blues would be snapping fire.

  Petty, but Tierney let him cool his boots for a minute before she glanced up with a prissy, “Yes?”

  “We need to talk.”

  “I’m busy.”

  “Now.”

  After releasing a long-suffering sigh, she said, “Fine. I’ve run across a couple of items I’m not sure how to categorize—”

  “Tierney.” His hand enveloped hers as she restlessly rolled the mouse over the mouse pad. “Please.”

  The softly spoken please brought her gaze back to his. No anger darkened his face, just unease. “What?”

  “I wanna talk about what happened the other night at Buckeye Joe’s.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it. Ever.”

  “Tough.”

  “Look, I’m sure you’re here to apologize—”

  “That’s the thing. I’m not here to apologize.”

  Tierney went very still. “Excuse me?”

  “I’m not sorry I kissed you.” He paced to the seating area and back. “I’m not sorry you kissed me back. And before you go getting that superior look, can we be honest with each other just one goddamn time and admit this attraction between us ain’t gonna go away?”

  She wanted to act cool and sophisticated but she blushed ten shades of red.

  His eyes roved over every inch of her flaming face. “You are hell on my intention never to get mixed up with another woman like you.”

  She didn’t own the confidence to toss off a brash there is no other woman like me, baby. Heck, she just stared at him because he was looking at her like he wanted to eat her alive and she was seriously tempted to let him.

  “You denying you feel this pull?” he asked softly.

  “No.”

  He closed his eyes and exhaled. “Good. That’s . . . good.”

  “So while I’m obviously not immune to your cowboy charm, I’m also not an idiot. Why else are you here?”

  “Am I that easy to read?”

  No. You confuse me more than any man I’ve ever met. Tierney shifted in her chair. “Yes.”

  “Oh yeah? So what am I thinking about right now?”

  “Bulls?”

&n
bsp; He rolled his eyes. “Wrong. Try again.”

  She gave him a considering look. “Horses?”

  “Nope.”

  “I give up.”

  His smile disappeared. “I need access to the money in the escrow account.”

  Of course this was about money. She masked her disappointment that their banter had led straight back to business, even when she was the one who’d steered it in that direction. “For what?”

  “Material for fences. And for wages to hire a guy to help me build the fences. Before you ask, this doesn’t have anything to do with my stock contracting business. The hunting guides pointed out sections where the fence needs fixed.” He scratched his head. “A lot of fences in the outlying areas need to be ripped out and reinstalled. Not for aesthetic reasons but for guest safety. I wanna do it while the weather is holding and the local building supply has fencing supplies twenty-five percent off this week.”

  She forced a bland expression to keep her worry from showing. Renner had used up the money in the building escrow account last month. She couldn’t transfer funds from the operating costs account because they were barely squeaking by since the resort hadn’t regularly hit full capacity yet. But if she told him no, he might call her father and ask for an extended line of credit. In her opinion, Renner was already overextended and the last thing she wanted was for him to be even more indebted to her father and PFG.

  Doesn’t that make you a traitor to the company? Considering giving the advantage to the lendee and taking it away from the lendor? The lendor that’s allowing you to be in Wyoming?

  No. This situation was different. The more time Tierney spent at the resort and with the people who wholeheartedly believed in it, the more she wanted to see it succeed. Plus, she didn’t feel she was here on PFG’s behalf, since technically, they weren’t paying her. So she had to do whatever it took to keep the Split Rock afloat until the place could survive on its own income. “How much are we talking?”

  “Fifty thousand. That’s cash up front when I place the order.”

  “After the discount?”

  He nodded.

  She whistled. That was a lot of money. Way more than she expected.

  But not more than you have. . . .

  Her personal account could cover the cost, but that’d bleed her cash reserves dry.

  What else were you planning to do with the money anyway? If you really believe in this place, for once, put your money where your mouth is.

  Could she really do this? Go against everything she’d been taught? Purposely put herself at financial risk?

  Yes. Because in some ways, if the Split Rock failed, she’d feel like she failed too.

  Mind made up, she opened a couple of files, hoping he didn’t peer over her shoulder. “That will drain your escrow account completely. You’ll have less than five hundred dollars remaining.”

  Renner’s eyebrows rose. “That’s it?”

  “Yes. So this has to be the last expense. No exceptions.”

  He paced in front of the door. Stopped and said tersely, “Do it. I don’t have a choice. It’ll cost me less now than if I wait a few months.”

  Relief allowed her constricted lungs to fill with air again. If she played this right, no one would know she was bucking company policy and personally investing in a business under contract to PFG. Renner would have a shit fit if he ever found out she was personally lending him the money—even temporarily, so she’d have to keep it on the down low. “I’ll make the transfer today, but the money won’t appear in the operating account until tomorrow morning. In fact, why don’t I close the escrow account completely?”

  “That’ll work. I’ll get the order set up and swing by tomorrow to pay for it.” He rubbed the stubble on his jaw. “Thanks for takin’ care of this, Tierney.”

  “You’re welcome. But it’s my job.”

  “True. And I appreciate you bein’ up front and on top of everything with the finances. I’d be lying if I said I understood half that money jargon.”

  And isn’t it lucky for you that Renner had that attitude?

  He leaned forward, completely invading her space. “Now that business is out of the way, can we please talk about what happened the other night and what happens next?”

  The phone rang. Tierney picked up the receiver midring. “Split Rock Ranch and Resort.” She met Renner’s eyes. “Hey, Dad. No. That’s okay. Strangely enough, we were just talking about you.”

  Renner’s lips flattened into a grim line.

  She said, “Can you hang on for just a second?” and hit the HOLD button.

  But Renner already had the door open. “I won’t keep you.” Then he was gone.

  Tierney sighed and took the caller off hold. “Sorry for the confusion, I thought you were someone else. What can I help you with today?”

  After she ended the call, she removed her glasses and rubbed her temples to stave off another headache. No wonder she always told the truth. One little white lie on top of another and everything snowballed.

  She called the bank and made the transfer. That left her less than two hundred dollars in her bank account. Not a lot to live on for the next few months without moving investments. But she could take on some of the freelance jobs the PFG accounting department had offered when she left.

  Do it. Swallow your pride. It is honest work.

  Before Tierney lost her nerve she made the call. Three rings. Four. Then, “This is Jennifer.”

  “Hey, Jen, it’s Tierney.”

  “Please tell me you called because you’re coming back to work at PFG.”

  “In a manner of speaking. Remember when you told me about being backlogged on small projects? Anything I can help with?”

  “I have four refinances staring me in the face that you could do in your sleep.” Jennifer paused. “Does this mean . . . ?”

  “Yes, I’ll do them. Send them to me FedEx. Three a week is my max, and I’ll need you to give me access to our usual financial data Web sites and to rush my billing statement through accounts payable, listing me as an outside consultant.”

  “Will do,” Jen said. “I still can’t believe you gave up your salary for six months for a training position. Doesn’t make economic sense.”

  Tierney laughed that Jen had tossed her favorite phrase back at her. If Jen only knew what she’d just done. “It’s been a learning experience, that’s for sure. Oh, and since I’m already in the system I won’t have to wait the standard sixty days for payment, will I?”

  “No. You’ll be back on the regular payroll schedule. And can I just say thank you? You are totally saving our bacon, T.”

  “You’re welcome. One other thing? My father is not to know anything about this, okay?” Wishful thinking, but at least it was worth a try.

  “Okay. But it’d be remiss of me not to point out I’m glad you’re back on the team—even in a freelance capacity. It hasn’t been the same without you.”

  Surprisingly touched, Tierney smiled. “It’s good to be missed.”

  Abe opted to pick Janie up at the Split Rock, rather than waiting for her to catch a ride home with Harper.

  He poked his head inside her tiny office but she wasn’t around. He wandered to Wild West Clothiers and found it closed for the day. He bypassed the main guest lounge area and discovered it and the bar were empty.

  Where was everyone?

  Then he heard voices drifting from the dining room. When he reached the doorway he saw Janie, Renner, and Tierney standing in front of the group. Some sort of staff meeting. He leaned against the wall and waited. Listening to Janie do her thing.

  “While everything has been running at top efficiency, and we have all of you to thank for that,” Janie said, “we need to stay on top of the little things.”

  “Like what?” Harper asked.

  Abe heard a rustle of paper and envisioned Janie whipping out a list. “I’ve broken it down by department.”

  When murmured discussions broke out, Abe peeked around th
e corner, noticing Tierney and Renner were off to the side in an intense discussion.

  He walked in and set his hands on Janie’s shoulders. “Hey, do you have a minute?”

  “I’m in a meeting.”

  “Sorry. It looked like it was over.”

  “It is now,” Renner drawled.

  Awkward laughter followed. But Janie wasn’t amused. She dismissed the staff. Then she wheeled around.

  Abe followed her. When she attempted to slam the door in his face, he