“That’s not what I call giving her space,” Blake said from behind Ken.
Relieved to see him, Gillian breathed easier.
“Get away from her. Now.” Blake didn’t hide the steel in his words.
“Don’t get all hot, Blake. I was just saying hi and getting a better look at her battered face. Looks like you were in some kind of fight.”
Gillian flinched, despite her best effort to not show Ken he’d gotten things right.
Ken remained between Blake and Gillian, setting Blake’s blood to boiling. Backed up to the stall door, Gillian remained wide-eyed and watchful, her whole body tensed for fight or flight.
Didn’t she know she was safe now? Blake would never let anything happen to her.
“Back off, Ken,” Blake warned again.
“What happened to you? Car accident or something?”
“Yeah. I hit a car,” she said sarcastically. “If you’ll excuse me, I need to find Justin.”
Her vague answer amused Blake. She had hit the car, literally. Still, Ken barely gave Gillian enough room to brush past him. She never took her eyes off Ken, who clearly took Gillian’s sharp gaze to mean she was interested. He gave her an appreciative grin as his eyes swept down her body without even the hint of subtlety.
Ken made his point. No way he gave up chasing after Gillian, especially when beautiful women like her were few and far between in these parts. Ken and some of the other guys drove up to some of the bars near the college campus in Bozeman to hit on coeds. Too old to be doing that, Blake always declined. He hoped Ken had another trip planned soon so he’d find someone else.
Gillian was off limits.
“I’ll meet you outside, Gillian. Justin’s there with your grandparents. He’s having a blast. We’re going into town soon.”
She made a point to take a wide arc around Blake and Ken as she moved toward the stable doors. She kept her body slightly turned toward them to keep them in her peripheral vision while she made her way down the long aisle, her hands clasped, her fingers linked tight together. Nervous or scared? Blake wasn’t sure which, or if it was both.
Ken rattled her. Damn.
“Gillian. Pretty name for a pretty girl.”
“Don’t forget Bud’s warning from this morning. She’s off limits. I told you to give her space. What do you do? You back her into a door.”
“I just wanted to get a good look at her. The car accident banged her up, but damn, she’s beautiful. The bruises just make her look more innocent.” Ken didn’t take his eyes off Gillian until she disappeared out the door. He put a hand to his chest over his heart, like it pained him to see Gillian go.
Blake didn’t like it one bit. Rage boiled in his gut.
“No harm in saying hello and trying to get to know her.”
“She’s not here looking for a date. She’s here to get better and raise her kid brother. She’s had a rough time and needs a little breathing room. Give it to her. It’s the last time I’m asking.”
“Doesn’t sound like you’re asking at all, boss.”
Back to the “boss” crap, which meant Ken wasn’t going to do a damn thing Blake asked. “Let me put it to you this way. Bud has made it clear that your job and every other man’s job on this ranch depends upon them leaving Gillian alone.”
Ken closed the distance and stood toe-to-toe with him. Blake glared down at the shorter man. The height difference didn’t bother the cocky asshole. Well, bring it on. Blake wasn’t in the mood. If Ken wanted a fight, Blake was happy to oblige. He’d been in a few bar fights and his share of scuffles with his brothers. He could hold his own against the likes of Ken. Then he thought of Gillian and how it would make her feel if he decked Ken right in his smug mouth. She’d be afraid of him for sure, so Blake unclenched his hands and settled into a look of relaxed boredom.
“Then I guess that means you, too, boss.”
Yes, it did, but it wouldn’t stop Blake from doing what he’d promised—protect Gillian. He liked his job. It was the job he wanted for the rest of his life. He didn’t want to lose it, but he’d never wanted a woman as much as he wanted Gillian. It went deeper than his desire to get his hands on her. He wanted to know everything about her.
“Don’t look so down, boss. I guess if you stay away from the granddaughter, you’ll get to keep your job, too.”
“I’ll be with her all the time.”
That put a frown on Ken’s smug face.
“I’ll be sitting at the table taking my meals with her and the family. I’ll be the one watching out for her.” Blake took a step closer, backing Ken up a step, making sure he got the message: Blake was the boss, and taking him on wasn’t in Ken’s best interest.
“Go after Gillian, and you’ll find me in your path.” Blake let those words settle in Ken’s mind. “Now, you’re supposed to be up at the training ring until two, and then you have two owners coming to ride today. Make sure their horses are ready when they get here. Slacking off on your job to make time to chase after Miss Tucker is only going to get you fired faster.”
Blake walked away hoping that didn’t go for him, too, because he was having a damn hard time remembering his job was to protect her, not chase after her.
Chapter 14
Blake found Gillian outside standing next to Bud with her good foot on the fence and her arms hanging over the top. Justin rode in circles, with Dee holding the lead rope on his mount. Justin called out for Gillian to watch every few seconds.
“I’m watching. You’re doing great.”
Blake stepped up beside her, closer than Bud on her other side. She didn’t spook, so he didn’t back away. To assure himself she was okay after her encounter with Ken, he ran his hand softly down her hair. He barely touched her. Just enough to feel the silky strands and unknot his gut. “You all right?”
Her head snapped to him at his light touch. Pain flashed in her eyes. She scrunched up her shoulders and cocked her head sideways to ease the ache from her abrupt movements.
“Oh God, sweetheart. I’m sorry. Take a breath.”
“It’s all right. I’m fine.” But she did take a calming breath and gave him an annoyed glare.
Bud eyed him behind Gillian’s back. Yep, Bud watched him, ready to step in and protect her.
“Did Ken introduce himself, or was it something else?” Blake wanted her take on Ken and whether she was interested in the guy. He sure as hell wanted to know if Ken acted out of line.
“He might have gotten closer than I’d like, but that’s probably more me than him. The other guys on the ranch stare at me. He’s the first to ask about my injuries, that’s all.”
No, that wasn’t all. If Gillian knew Ken’s interest went deeper than her injuries, she didn’t let on.
Bud closed the gap between them. “Was he bothering you?”
This time, Gillian read their intense interest and stepped off the rail, backing away a few steps. “Both of you stop. You’re putting too much into something that’s nothing. He’s just interested because I’m new around here. Trust me, the shine will wear off. Everyone will get used to my presence.”
Blake frowned, not buying her casual dismissal. No way Ken backed off. Not when he’d made it clear, at least to Blake, that he wanted Gillian. Still, she didn’t show any interest in getting to know Ken. Blake tried to tamp down his worry. If she wouldn’t let him and Bud close to her, not likely she’d let Ken anywhere near her either. Right? He hoped so.
Gillian changed the subject. “So, what job do you want me to do around here?”
“Nothing. You need to concentrate on getting better,” Bud answered.
“I need to earn my keep. It’s important that I contribute.”
“Look around you, Gillian. It isn’t as if you and Justin are a hardship on me. Take the time you need to heal.”
Gillian had already fig
ured out that her grandfather had the finances to let her and Justin stay without any sort of blip on his checkbook. Still, she liked keeping busy, and it would soothe her conscience if she earned her way. A matter of pride. She’d eaten enough of it yesterday. She didn’t want to eat any more of it.
She looked her grandfather in the eye. “I need you to give me a job. I realize that shoveling out stalls won’t be my strong suit at the moment.” She held up her purple cast. “But I can do other things. I’m a hard worker. If you show me what you want me to do, I’ll do it.”
“You grew up in the city,” Blake stated the obvious. “I imagine you have no idea what working on a ranch is like.”
Irritated, she frowned and narrowed her eyes. Blake had no idea how she lived or anything about her capabilities. “I’ve held a number of varied types of jobs. If you give me a chance, I’ll prove myself.”
“It’s not about proving yourself,” Blake assured her. “I wonder if you wouldn’t rather have a job in town. You might find that you hate ranch life. It’s dirty, messy, hard work. You might find you prefer city life.” He said the words like they left a bad taste in his mouth.
“There’s a lot of charm and advantages to living in a city like San Francisco. Everything and anything you want is at your fingertips. I miss the ocean,” she went on. Hard to explain how the water became a part of your soul. “Right before I arrived at the ranch, I stopped out on the road. We’d been driving for a long time, and I wanted to collect myself before I got here. I can’t tell you exactly what it was, but there’s something here that I needed and never knew I wanted.”
Blake’s gaze narrowed on her. He sighed, like her wanting to be here came as a relief.
“I need to find my place here. Without that, I’ll only feel like I don’t belong. You’ve given me and Justin so much,” she said to her grandfather. “I’m not one to take without giving something back. I’ve had to work for everything in my life, and I can’t turn that off now.”
Few people had given her a break. Accepting one without paying back the favor went against the grain. Didn’t they get how hard this was for her, to put herself out there like this to show them both she wanted to be a real part of this place?
Her grandfather’s eyes softened with what she could only guess was admiration. He reached out and bushed a strand of hair behind her ear. She didn’t back away but accepted the kind gesture without tensing for the expected blow. He’d never hit her. Over time, her learned responses would shift and change. She’d learn to relax. She’d settle into a new normal. God, how she wished that day would come soon.
“You’re nothing like your mother and father. I don’t know how you turned out so well, but you’re an amazing woman. Stronger than anyone I know.”
She cocked her head and studied him, acknowledging what they had in common. Not just blood but the qualities that made them who they were. “They would get the angriest when I’d harp on them about responsibility and doing the right thing. She always said I sounded just like her old man. I guess I take after you.”
Stunned speechless, his mouth dropped open for a second before he recovered. “Can I hug you?” His words came out gruff and filled with emotion.
Gillian usually got hugs from close friends she’d been around long enough to trust. She should call the restaurant and garage and let them know she’d made it to Montana, and all was well.
Gillian mustered her courage. She gave in to the overwhelming need in her heart to connect with her grandfather, her family, and walked right into his open arms. It took her a few seconds to settle in against his chest, but then she wrapped her arms around his middle. He felt nice. Strong. No vibe that he might turn on her at any second. His steady heartbeat against her cheek and his scent, something earthy tinged with spice, settled into her. For the first time, she thought, This is my grandpa. He loves me.
“This is your place, Gillian. You belong here. Never doubt that.” He laid his cheek on top of her head. Dee stared at both of them, tears shimmering in her eyes.
The tension Blake carried with him since she arrived washed away. She wanted to stay. She felt like she belonged here.
Still, living on the ranch could be hard on some people. Forty-five miles from town, nothing to do out here but work and live a quiet life, care for the horses, and do an endless amount of chores. Mostly men worked the ranch. Women could feel isolated and lonely for company they could relate to. He didn’t want to see that happen to Gillian. He wanted her to be happy here. He’d do anything and everything in his power to make that happen.
Bud set Gillian away and held her shoulders in his hands. “So, tell me what interests you about the ranch.”
“I don’t really know. I’ve never been around horses, so I don’t know what jobs there are to do.”
Blake tried to help her out. “What kind of work did you do in the city? Maybe we can apply something you did there to working here.”
“Well, I was a waitress at a restaurant near the wharf. That was four nights a week. I washed dishes in Chinatown for cash and takeout. I unloaded fish from the boats at the dock for cash. Two days a week, I worked as a bookkeeper at a garage. I did oil changes and basic repairs on occasion. I did a lot of one-off jobs whenever I could get the work. Things like handing out flyers, selling tickets, filling in for vendors at the pier, babysitting, and pretty much anything that came my way. I took auto shop, woodshop, typing, and basic accounting in school. I can balance a checkbook, make small repairs, fix basic problems on engines . . .” She trailed off with a shrug. “None of which will help around here, I guess.”
“How many hours a week did you work?” Blake couldn’t believe she’d been going to school, working, and raising Justin pretty much on her own.
“As many as I could fit in. The waitressing and bookkeeping were on the books. You can only work so many hours when you’re under eighteen. I had to supplement that with work off the books. Unloading fish at the docks is dirty and smelly, but it pays well and in cash. The same was true for many of the other odd jobs. I needed the cash for Justin. Sometimes my dad would shake me down or just steal what he could find. Mrs. Wicks watched Justin in exchange for my doing odd jobs for her like grocery shopping and cleaning house. Preschool was expensive, but I managed.”
“You paid for Justin to go to preschool.” Both Blake and Bud exchanged a look.
“It was important he learned to socialize with other kids before kindergarten. Spending the day with Mrs. Wicks, who’s seventy-nine, isn’t socializing. He needed more, and I made sure he got it.”
“Of course you did,” was all Blake could say. That she would think of Justin’s needs like that at the age of seventeen or eighteen said a lot about the kind of mother she was. She didn’t just make sure he had food in his belly and clothes on his back. No, she made sure his education and social skills were taken care of as well. She’d lived her whole life with next to nothing, and here she’d gone and made sure Justin got the best she could provide.
“Basically, nothing that I did before will help with the horses or the ranch.”
“Not true,” Blake put in. “You’ve got a lot going for you. The only thing against you at the moment is the fact that your hand is in a cast. You seem to have limited use of your other hand.”
“It’s getting better.”
“Still, that’s going to limit you for a while. Why don’t we start with Boots? You’re in charge of him. He loves you, and I’d like your help nursing him back to health. After that, we’ll find you something to do. It will also get you involved with the ranch, and you might find something you like, or that likes you.”
“Likes me?”
“You never know what you’ll find you’re good at. You didn’t know you had a knack with wild, wounded horses. You do. We’ll start with that and build on it. You said you know some basic accounting and kept the books for a garage. I have the h
orrible job of taking care of all the paperwork and accounting for the ranch. Maybe you could help me out there once you have your hands back.”
“Okay, so Boots is my responsibility. He needs a bath. I can’t do that.” She bit her lip, defeat clouding her eyes. She failed before she started, or so she thought.
Not true. He’d prove it to her. “You can’t get your cast wet, but you can hold him and keep him calm while I wash him down. We’ll take care of it when we get back from town. We’ll work together.” He liked that.
“Which reminds me,” Bud cut in. “I made an appointment for you at the school to get Justin registered. He’ll start on Monday, like you wanted. I also made an appointment with the doctor at the clinic. Dr. Bell is an orthopedic surgeon who fills in at the clinic sometimes. She wants to check out your stitches and knee. According to your medical records, you should have had them checked by now.”
“I didn’t have time before I left.”
“Then we’ll do it today and get your meds. Dee wants to take Justin shopping for some school clothes and a few toys. He’ll need some things to play with, and we don’t have anything for him here.”
“Books. He needs some books. There are a couple of boxes of things in the back of my truck, but I don’t have much. I appreciate anything you do for him.”
“She’d also like to get you some things. You’ll need a new coat.” He swept his gaze over Blake’s jacket engulfing her tiny frame. “If you’re going to work with the horses, you’ll need some boots, warm sweaters, and jeans. It’s dirty work, and you’ll need the clothes for it.”
She frowned, but accepted her grandfather and Dee’s help and support. “Okay, but if that doctor comes at me with a needle, I won’t be held responsible for what happens.” She pointed a menacing finger at both of them, death in her eyes.
Blake laughed. “Don’t worry, sweetheart, I’ll protect you from the big, bad doctor.”
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