Taming Clay

by Raeann Blake

  Taming Clay

  By: Raeann Blake

  TAMING CLAY Copyright ©2008 by P.O. Milligan writing as Raeann Blake.

  All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in any part in any form is forbidden without the written consent of the publisher, P.O. Milligan.

  Edited by Sharon Gunn Jones

  Cover design by P.O. Milligan

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.

  To Misty, my number one fan, for your consistent encouragement to ‘take the leap’.

  And especially to John for your never-ending support in whatever I do. Your love, your strength, and your belief in me are the things that light my way.

  Table of Contents

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  Chapter Eighteen

  Chapter Nineteen

  Chapter Twenty

  Chapter Twenty-one

  Chapter Twenty-two

  Chapter Twenty-three

  Chapter Twenty-four

  Chapter Twenty-five

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Chapter Twenty-seven

  Chapter Twenty-eight

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  Chapter Thirty

  Chapter Thirty-one

  About the Author

  Chapter One

  “Ha. ‘Business Manager needed for local ranch. Housing and meals included. Experience in purchasing, accounting, contract negotiations, supply management. Managing household as well as ranch supplies and accounts. Decent benefits. Cooking not required. Riding not required but helpful. Must be honest, dependable, loyal and able to work extended hours.’

  “That man doesn’t need a Business Manager. He needs a Labrador Retriever. At least he re-wrote the ad this time. Do you think they have to try to find something to fill the hole when his ad’s not in here?”

  “He can’t seem to keep anybody, that’s for sure. I can’t imagine why.”

  Hailey finally turned her head to glance at the two women who were discussing the ad in the local newspaper. The last statement had been made with more than a little sarcasm and both women laughed.

  “Well, it has been a few weeks. The last girl must have lasted longer than most. Four or five weeks at least.”

  As they laughed again Hailey turned back to the counter and nodded when the waitress stopped in front of her with a pot of coffee.

  “You’re new in town, aren’t you?” the waitress asked as she poured.

  “Yes. Just a couple of days.”

  “I thought so. My name’s Roselyn.”

  “Hailey,” she said as she picked up her cup.

  “Are you passing through or moving?”

  “That depends. If I find a job, I’ll stay. Otherwise, I’m just passing through.”

  “Jobs are scarce, that’s a fact. Excuse me,” she said as she moved down to the cash register to take the money from the two women who had been talking earlier. Hailey drank her coffee in silence and mentally ran back over the ad the women had read out loud.

  “What type of work?” Roselyn asked when she came back.

  “Oh, something along the lines of that ad they were reading earlier,” she said quietly then waited for Roselyn’s reaction.

  Roselyn snorted and shook her head. “How thick is your hide? That job’s out at Clay Cardell’s place.”

  “Not easy to work for?”

  “He’s not easy to anything for. Scrumptious to look at, but a real ass. I could sit and look at him all day if he just wouldn’t open his mouth.”

  “What’s his problem?”

  Roselyn shrugged her shoulders and said, “I couldn’t tell you. I’ve been here about four years and he was that way when I got here. Not that I met him right away and I sure don’t go out of my way to put myself in his path. My ego can’t take getting stepped on but ever so often.”

  “Not a ladies’ man, huh?”

  “Not a smooth one, that’s for sure. You let me know if you need anything else,” Roselyn said as she started around the little cafe to check on other customers.

  Hailey blew out a long breath and swore silently. She had really gotten her hopes up when she’d seen the ad earlier. And she had not wasted one second in calling for the interview that was scheduled in just about an hour now. It sounded perfect. She had experience in every area listed and if housing was included she wouldn’t have to find a place to rent. But after listening to all three women, she didn’t have any lingering illusions about it being a good place to work. Still, they did say that the last woman lasted a few weeks. Surely she could do that and replenish the money in her pocket that was reaching a level that could only be described as meager. If she didn’t find a job soon, she was going to have to go back home. And that was the last thing she wanted to do.

  She let her thoughts drift back to New Mexico. She’d grown up on a working cattle ranch under the thumb of a father who thought her place was in the ranch office, not on the back of a horse. So she’d done both. It wasn’t a large ranch, but enough to get by. She managed the business side of the ranch after she got old enough to shoulder that responsibility. That she did it well enough to afford her some time in the saddle was something that didn’t set too well with the old man.

  Her father had been in his early fifties when she was born and had been thrust into raising two young children alone when cancer had taken his young wife soon after. It didn’t take a lot of imagination to explain why he had always pushed her into spending time with the son of the man who owned the neighboring ranch. She knew he wanted her to be taken care of if he should die before she was able to make her own way in the world. And he had died, though not as early as he had feared. Still, he’d left a mountain of debt that she hadn’t known about. One that was large enough that only the sale of that ranch would satisfy. It broke her heart to sell it. It elated her brother...until he figured out that he wouldn’t be getting much money from the sale. She had tried desperately to get him to come north with her, but he wouldn’t even consider it. So she had come without him. But it was looking very much like she was going to be forced to go back to New Mexico and find something, anything to make enough money to at least keep a roof over her head.

  She didn’t even like to think about going back. She had never known such freedom. She’d never known such loneliness either. She’d stopped in a lot of places along the way. And she was just about as far north now as she could go without leaving the country. She’d already come across Wyoming and into Montana. If she didn’t find something here, she’d have to try Idaho next. After that…she wasn’t sure there would be an ‘after that’ if she didn’t earn some money soon. If she was careful, she might have just enough to make it another week or so and still have enough left for a bus ticket back to New Mexico. Splurging on the rental car for one day that was parked outside hadn’t helped any, but the ranch was forty miles north of Bozeman. She couldn’t very well walk. Now it was sounding like it was a wasted expense. She blew out a long breath and rose to start for the register. If she could just work there for a little while it would help. She waited a
t the register and handed the waitress her ticket and money when she appeared.

  “So are you going to apply for that job?”

  Hailey nodded slightly and said, “Yes. I might as well give it a shot. Cattle or horses?”

  “Cattle. Big operation. And he runs it with an iron fist. Now the ranch foreman is the sweetest guy you’ll ever meet. How he puts up with Clay is beyond me but maybe they balance each other out or something. His name is Laine Watson. He’s another looker, too. I’m not sure whether to wish you luck on getting it or wish you luck if you do. Either way, good luck,” she said then smiled at her broadly.

  Hailey couldn’t help but smile back and thanked her before she went through the door. She glanced at her watch as she slid behind the wheel and picked up the sheet that she had written the directions on to make sure she had it straight in her mind. She should be right on time as long as she didn’t get lost, but there were only three turns. As she started the car then backed out, she sent up one quick prayer , one that asked only to give her a shot.

  * * *

  Clay glanced up in irritation when Isobell knocked on the office door then opened it just slightly.

  “What?” he barked.

  “Ms. Lambert is here, Clay.”

  “Send her in,” he said lowly then looked back at the papers on the desk before he rose and finally lifted his head. He stopped and studied her critically for a few seconds before he spoke.

  “Exactly how old are you? Are you even old enough to have a job?” he asked harshly.

  Hailey’s chin came up a notch but she bit her tongue. “I’m twenty-four, Mr. Cardell. Would you like to see my driver’s license?”

  “Yes,” Clay shot right back and waited as she watched him in apparent disbelief before she dug through her bag and pulled out her wallet. She handed him the license and he studied it as he looked at the picture then up to her then back at the date of birth.

  “New Mexico. What are you doin’ in Montana?” he asked gruffly as he handed it back to her.

  “Looking for a job,” Hailey said evenly.

  “Sit. Do you have any experience?”

  “Yes. I grew up on a cattle ranch. I handled all of the same things you mentioned in your ad. When time permitted I worked with the hands. I’d still be there but my father died and we had to sell the ranch.”

  “Are you married and do you have kids?”

  “How is that relevant to whether or not I can do the job?” Hailey asked then bit her tongue again. She really needed this job. She didn’t need to let her mouth lose it for her.

  Clay lifted a cool gaze to her and spoke evenly. “It’s relevant because if I hire you, you’ll work long hours, odd hours. The position requires that you live here in the house. I have no intention of letting another man live in my house. And I won’t tolerate children. I have a couple of nephews that I can stand upon occasion, but I find other people’s children rude, irritating, spoiled, and as a general rule just an all-around pain in the ass.”

  The words were out before they were even a conscious thought. “Much like yourself? Maybe that’s why you don’t get along with them.”

  Her eyes drifted shut and she dropped her head slightly. That was it. She’d just lost the job. It was several long seconds before she let out the resigned sigh and lifted her gaze back to his to find him watching her steadily.

  “That’s a possibility. I don’t demand that my employees like me. I don’t even demand that they respect me. But I do demand loyalty and honesty.”

  She figured there wasn’t much sense in mincing words now so she said what was in her head. “I have no problem with that. No. I’m not married. I have never been married. I have no children. I have no boyfriend. I do like the occasional round of sex when the opportunity arises. Men, not women. And I studiously practice safe sex in conjunction with birth control. Is that enough information?”

  Clay kept his gaze level and waited at least ten seconds before he spoke. “You won’t find a lot of action around these parts. Little bar about halfway between here and town is probably your best bet. My preference would be that you don’t sleep with any of the hands, but you’re a grown woman. That’s your choice as long as it’s on your time, doesn’t interfere with the job, and not in my house.”

  Hailey hesitated for a few seconds then asked, “Does that mean I have the job?”

  “I didn’t say that. You met Isobell. She does the cooking and the cleaning. She doesn’t live in the house. You’d have a private bedroom and bath, your own office. Like the ad said, meals and the housing are included. Liquor…do you drink?”

  “Occasionally.”

  “Full bar out there. You’d buy the supplies. Buy what you want. While I have no intention of playing host and entertaining you, I’m not going to walk around on eggshells either. Are you uncomfortable about living in the house alone with a man?” he asked lowly as he leveled a direct gaze at her.

  Hailey didn’t even blink before she answered. “No. It doesn’t make me uncomfortable.”

  “There’s an insurance policy. A good policy. That comes out of your check for the first year. If you can last a year, the ranch pays it. Six months for the 401K. The ranch matches you dollar for dollar on the first four percent. Trips you have to make on ranch business you can use one of the ranch vehicles or we’ll pay for your gas.”

  “I don’t own a car. I rented a car to come out here,” she admitted.

  Clay shrugged his shoulders and looked back down at the papers on his desk before he spoke again.

  “If you’ve got a lease on a place, we’ll pay half the rent until it’s up since you’ll be required to be here.”

  “I’m in a hotel. I just got into town,” Hailey said quietly. She didn’t know if it was just his way of speaking or if he was considering that she already had the job. He kept putting everything in the future tense.

  “Something tells me you’re not lookin’ for a place to stick.”

  “That’s not true, Mr. Cardell. I am looking for a place to stay. But I did hear some talk in town. What happened to the last person who had this job?” she challenged.

  Clay lifted his eyes back to hers and waited several seconds before he spoke. “I’m not easy to work for. We’re not formal here. Mr. Cardell was the bastard that sired me. You’ll call me Clay and I’ll call you Hailey.”

  Hailey pursed her lips for a few seconds as she held his gaze then gave him just the slightest nod without saying anything.

  He leaned back in the chair and told her how much the job paid then asked, “Heard anything that’s gonna be a problem?”

  “I’ll let you know if I have a problem, Clay. Loud and clear.”

  He flexed his jaw several times then stood up. “Take the car back to town and get your stuff. I’ll have one of the hands follow you and bring you back.”

  “Alright. Are there any supplies I can pick up while I’m there?”

  “No,” he said as he went out the office door in front of her then pointed across the wide expanse of the living room to a door at the front of the house on the opposite wall.

  “That’ll be your bedroom. Office is right next to it. You’ll find your way around when you get back. Wait by your car and I’ll get one of the hands,” he said flatly as he kept walking and went through the front door.

  Hailey followed him through the door and off the front porch, watching him walk across the ranch yard to the stables. Her thoughts were being pulled in several different directions at the same time. She wanted to be excited about getting the job, but that was tempered with the man’s rough, surly attitude that was sure to make it difficult. Roselyn had not exaggerated. Still, she wasn’t overly worried about that. He’d have to go some distance to prove himself to be a match for her father’s temperament. The woman had not overstated his obvious good looks, either. If anything, she had understated them. So much so that she had been momentarily speechless when she stepped into the doorway. And the rough voice had not done anything to detrac
t from that. Just the opposite. It gave him something of a ‘bad boy’ aura. And bad boys were here biggest weakness.

  The close-cropped dark blonde hair fit him somehow. She’d never been particularly fond of short hair on men, but on Clay Cardell it was perfect. He was perfect. All six-foot, solidly muscled square inch of him. The baby-blue eyes went perfectly with the hair and handsome face, making the hard-edged voice all the more surprising. The overall package was one that she had no doubt would make her stop in her tracks on a busy street and turn to watch him walk…much like she was doing now. He even moved sexy. A stride that said he knew where he was going and you’d better damn well get out of the way. She couldn’t help a smile spreading across her face. She had dual sound tracks going in her head as she watched his steady strides eat up the ground in front of him. One track was the old George Thorogood and Destroyers’ song, ‘Bad to the Bone’. The other was the theme to the movie “The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly.” Right then they both seemed to fit. The white western shirt he was wearing did nothing to hide the muscles underneath. And neither did the jeans that fit him snugly. And the whole image would fit either song.