by Kennedy Fox
“What?” She takes a bite of her omelet. “You were thinking it too. I just care enough to ask,” she states with pride.
I gag, and we all start laughing. Considering the breakfast rush is nearly over, I grab the ingredients to make the homemade rolls for lunch.
“Don’t be a love hater. Someday, Maze…you’re gonna find the one.”
Just the thought of it has me rolling my eyes while I mix, then beat the dough.
“Speaking of which, Diesel and Riley are coming to the bar tonight with the new guy who just got hired. You should come. Kenzie and I are working,” Rowan insists.
“Hells yes, you should!” Kenzie’s face lights up, and she’s way too excited about it. “Stay until after my shift so I can use my newfound drinking freedom to do it legally.” She just turned twenty-one a month ago and takes every opportunity to remind us.
I glance at her. “I’m busy tonight.”
“Doing what?” Rowan asks, doubtful. “Bingeing Love is Blind and shoving dark chocolate into your mouth doesn’t qualify as busy.”
I give her my best death glare, unamused by how right she is.
“But you gotta admit, it’s a train wreck you can’t look away from…” Kenzie says, referring to the show. “Cameron’s my favorite. I’d marry him in a heartbeat.”
“See?” I hold my hand out toward Kenzie. “I need to catch up.”
Rowan doesn’t buy my excuse, though. “You can do it tomorrow. Tonight, you’re coming to the bar! No arguing!”
I plop the dough on the counter, then break it into pieces and roll it into balls. “Damn, I thought getting laid would make you nicer,” I mutter with a smirk.
“Maybe you’re the one who needs to get laid, meanie,” she retorts.
“I definitely need to get laid,” Kenzie adds, and the three of us burst into laughter. I know we’re being loud as hell, but I can’t help it. These two bring out the best in me.
“What’s all this noise I’m hearing?” Dad enters, and I hope to all things holy he didn’t overhear what we were talking about. I’d be absolutely mortified.
“None of your business,” I quickly say. “Girl talk. No boys allowed.”
“Pretty sassy for someone who still lives under my roof,” Dad teases, not that I needed the reminder.
“Kenzie and I are gonna get an apartment in the city,” I say casually, wanting to change the subject quickly.
“Not a chance in hell,” he snaps. “Nice try, though.” He reaches over and steals one of the apple turnovers that Kat delivered this morning. Kat’s a family friend who provides the B&B with gluten-free pastries. While I could prepare everything, Grandma Bishop loves to support Kat’s bakery, and it’s something we’ve done for a long time.
“Dad…” I suck in a breath. “I’m almost twenty-five and live at home. Do you know how pathetic I sound? I need my own place.”
He lifts his eyebrow. “You can move out when you get married.”
This response causes me to snort, considering my very single relationship status. “And did you and Mom wait till marriage to move in with each other?”
I cross my arms and wait for his answer.
“Do as I say…”
“Not as I do,” Kenzie pipes in and finishes his sentence.
“That’s right.” Dad kisses Kenzie on the head. “Your mom isn’t ready to be an empty nester yet, and frankly, I think she’ll go crazy without you two there, so until you’re in a serious relationship, no talk of moving out.”
Rowan looks at us with a tilted head. “My parents are halfway there. I wonder if they’ll get all sappy on me when I move out?” she asks.
“Knowing your mom and dad, they’re ready to relive their youth days and have their privacy back,” Dad says with a chuckle. “They didn’t exactly take the slow and steady route.”
“Thanks for the visual…” Rowan groans. “Now I need to go throw up my breakfast.”
Dad chuckles, then pats her on the shoulder. “Alright, well I’m gonna leave y’all to your girl talk.”
Kenzie and Rowan continue chatting, and when the clock changes to ten, crumbs are all that remain. I add fruits and pastries to different baskets we keep out for the guests, as Sandra and Jane continue prepping for lunch.
“So, you never answered the question,” Kenzie reminds Rowan. “How’s the sex?”
“Mind-blowing,” Rowan says, then snorts.
“I gotta clean up and get ready for lunch,” I tell them, wanting no part of this conversation.
“Go for it,” Kenzie shoos.
After the dining room is cleaned, Jane and I peel the boiled potatoes and then mash them. While I’m adding tons of butter to the pounds of russets, Rowan turns to me.
“So about tonight. I need you to commit.”
I bite the inside of my cheek, then add salt and pepper. “You’re not gonna let me get out of this, are you?”
Kenzie laughs at how demanding Rowan is being.
“Nope! You’re joining us. The whole gang will be there, and you deserve to have a little fun.”
“Fun?” I question with a smirk. She elbows me, and I grunt.
Soon the kitchen smells of fried chicken and cornbread. I realize how hungry I am, but I don’t typically have time to eat until after serving lunch. When we place the hot food in the dining room, Kenzie and Rowan are the first to grab a plate.
“Ahh, now I see why you really came.”
Rowan snickers. “Nah, this is just a bonus.”
Kenzie takes a seat, then stuffs her mouth full and lets out a moan. “Mmm. So good.”
Soon, guests trickle in and pile their plates, and chatter fills the room. Once Kenzie and Rowan finish eating, we exchange hugs, and I start on my cleanup list as I go over the dinner menu with Donna and Becky, the ladies who work the dinner shift.
I typically do the morning and lunch rush because it’s so time-consuming, but I’ll help in the evening too if I’m bored. We have a short meeting, then I post the menu for the rest of the week so we’re all on the same page.
Jane and Sandra finish prepping as Donna and Becky start cooking. I go through the fridge and pantry and then write down what I’ll need to order next week. Just as I’m wrapping up my list, Grandma Bishop walks in wearing her million-dollar smile. Immediately, she opens her arms and pulls me into a hug. I’m pretty sure I’m her favorite grandkid.
“Maize, sweetie, I’ve missed you,” she tells me with a tight squeeze.
“I saw you Friday!” I remind her.
“Doesn’t mean I can’t miss you,” she retorts, then pulls away and greets my employees. They’re old friends who chat about the weather and their grandbabies as they work.
Dad walks in, sees Grandma, and laughs. “Mama. Whatcha doin’ here?”
“I leave the house, and y’all act like it’s a Christmas miracle. I’m not that old yet. But since you’re so concerned, I was gettin’ ready for my quilt club meeting and wanted to stop by and see you two on my way out,” she explains, but her smile doesn’t falter.
“Checkin’ up on me, Grandma?” I ask.
She grabs my cheek like I’m five. “Always, dear.”
This causes Dad to let out a howl. “Maize walks a straight line, just like her father. Now, Kenzie, she’s a different story.”
“Okay, well, if I’m being truthful, I heard you were making double chocolate cake for dinner. I told Scott that sugar wasn’t allowed in the house anymore because it’s not good for our waistline. So, I thought I’d just grab a slice and be on my way.”
Dad snorts. “That’s cheatin, Mama.”
“No, no, it’s not. I said no more sugar was allowed in the house. The B&B isn’t home, is it? Technically, I’m still following the rules I set.”
I cover my mouth to hold back my laughter, then point over to the fridge where the five cakes are waiting.
“That’s why you’re my favorite,” Grandma says, and it causes me to beam.
Dad just shakes his head. �
��Wait till I tell Dad about your little scheme.”
“You will do no such thing, John Joseph Bishop,” she warns.
“Oooh, Grandma just pulled out the middle name,” I quip.
Grandma lifts an eyebrow at me as she walks over and grabs a to-go box. After cutting the biggest slice of cake I’ve ever seen, she places a plastic fork in the container with it and then gives me a wink.
“You never saw me. I wasn’t here.” She waves her hand as though she’s trying to pull a Jedi mind trick on us, and somehow, it works because neither of us will tattle.
I crack up, and Dad rolls his eyes. Grandma pats me on the shoulder, then waltzes out as quickly as she walked in.
“Grandpa showed up earlier. Trust me when I say he ate a stack of pancakes with extra, extra syrup,” he tells me with a shit-eating grin.
“Oh God,” I let out. “They’re cheaters! Both of them.”
“Not technically, just found loopholes. And they wonder where Jackson gets this shit from!” he exclaims. A bell dings at the front desk, so he hurries to fill his cup full of coffee, then leaves.
As I’m washing my hands, my phone vibrates. Once I dry them off, I pull my cell from my back pocket.
Rowan: See you tonight!
I laugh.
Maize: I said maybe!
Rowan: You will be there, or I’ll kick your ass.
This makes me laugh.
Maize: Aww. How sweet. I’d like to see you try, though ;)
Rowan: I’m serious! Plus, who knows, you might meet a new man at the bar tonight. You just never know.
Maize: Oh pleaseeeee. We all know the only guys I’ll see there are the regulars and ranch hands.
Rowan: Don’t be a Debbie Downer. They’re coming around nine. Be there or be scared. You deserve to let loose and have a little fun!
Maize: You know I’m an old lady and get up early.
Rowan: So it’s time to change that. See ya there!
I send her a thumbs-up, something she hates, then I grab all the dirty rags and place them in the wash before telling everyone bye. Rowan doesn’t like to take no for an answer, but I don’t want to commit just yet. I’m so tired I might fall asleep before the sun sets.
Once I’m home, I kick off my shoes and relax on the couch. I close my eyes, knowing I need to shower because I smell like a mix of food and sweat.
“Are you sleepin’?” Kenzie asks.
I open my eyes and glance at her because I didn’t even hear her come in. ”Not yet, but if you would’ve left me a little longer, I might’ve been. Mondays are always so exhausting.”
She gives me a half-smile. “Okay, just wanted to let you know I’m leaving. Get your ass rested so you can hang out with me until close.”
I groan because she’s just as relentless as Rowan.
She nods, then checks the time. “See you later, sis.”
I give her a wave, then finally get up and head for the shower. Staying up late during the week isn’t something I like to do because of how early I have to get up in the mornings, but I want to spend as much time with Kenzie before she returns to school. I really can’t wait until she graduates in the spring and is home permanently. It’s just not the same here without her.
After I clean up, I take an hour nap and reset my brain before I begrudgingly go to the bar. Though I may not stay until close like Kenzie wants, I hope it makes them happy to know their peer pressure still works after all these years.
Chapter Two
GAVIN
Over the weekend, I moved all my shit into one of the spare ranch hand cabins. Though the new place is furnished, I still had a lot to pack and bring with me. I also couldn’t leave Houston without my favorite saddle and rope. I thought I could pack up and move in with little effort, but it took an entire day just to load my truck. Then it rained during the whole damn drive to Eldorado.
This morning, I woke up extra early for my first official day on the job. I’ve already taken a shower and drunk a cup of coffee, and I still have forty-five minutes before I have to meet with Alex Bishop, the ranch manager. Instead of waiting around and watching the clock, I decide to head out.
The directions Jackson, my new boss, gave me are comical. The map he emailed me does not have any named roads—just barns, curbs, and cactus patches—and it looks like a five-year-old drew it. It’s Southern directions at their finest. After I drive over nine cattle guards, I should see a metal building on the right.
Even though I live on the ranch, it’s so massive it takes me nearly fifteen minutes to arrive where I need to be. The sun hasn’t risen yet, but I’m grateful to see lights on in the shop and an old pickup outside. I park and enter, not sure what to expect.
Alex, who I met previously, is drinking a cup of coffee at a desk. He’s Jackson’s younger brother and about ten years older than me. Two guys in their mid-twenties give each other shit, and he watches them with a grin. After a moment, Alex notices me.
“Alright, if you ladies are done, Gavin’s here,” Alex interrupts them.
They both turn and size me up. By their expressions, I don’t think they knew a new employee was starting today.
“Gavin, this is my son, Riley.”
He didn’t have to tell me because they look nearly identical other than their age. I take Riley’s hand and shake it firmly.
“This is Diesel, he runs the cattle operation,” Alex continues.
“Nice to meet you,” Diesel says with a handshake and a grin.
“He’s new to Eldorado and will be staying in one of the ranch hand cabins. He’ll be working with Jackson on breaking in the wild horses. He has bull riding experience and trains riders too.”
Diesel looks at me with a sly grin. “Bull riding?” His brows raise, a reaction I’m used to from people when they learn what I used to do. “Impressive.”
“Thanks. It was dangerous work, won some competitions, got some trophies, but I’m retired now.” People are always shocked by what I’ve accomplished. I’ve made enough money to do whatever I want, and I stopped riding bulls before I broke my back. However, I keep those details to myself.
“I bet you have some insane stories about traveling to rodeos and competing, huh?” Riley gives me a smirk.
“Or how much ass you got?” Diesel taunts.
The corner of my lips tilts up as I think about the past. It was a wild and crazy time. “You could say that. On both accounts.”
“Maybe over a round of beers,” Diesel suggests. “My girlfriend works at the Circle B Saloon in town and will hook us up. We could meet up after work.”
Riley groans, and I’m not entirely sure why. Might be because Diesel mentioned his girlfriend, but I have a feeling there’s more to this story than they’re saying.
“Uh, sure. I’ve been there a couple of times.” I pinch the back of my neck, thinking about the last time I was in town. Maize comes to the forefront, and I half-wonder if she’ll be there. Wouldn’t that be some crazy shit? I look at him. “How about nine?”
“Sounds good,” he tells me.
One thing I love about this part of Texas is everyone’s friendly, and I know Diesel’s genuinely inviting me to make me feel welcome. It’s just how people are around these parts, and the last thing I want to do is reject the offer and come off like a dick. First impressions are important.
“Alright, now that our team meeting is over…” Alex’s lips tilt up. “I’m gonna give Gavin a tour of the property and get him settled in with Jackson and Kiera.”
Moments later, Alex and I head out the door. Alex unlocks the truck that looks like it’s seen better days, and we get inside. The bumper is bent with large scratches on the side. I buckle in, and as the sun rises, we begin the grand tour of the Circle B Ranch.
“Riley and Diesel like to rag on each other all the time. They’ve been best friends since they were kids,” Alex explains. “And Diesel is now dating my daughter Rowan, something Riley has been against since he was five.”
I laug
h. “That actually explains a lot. Dating your brother's best friend…they better get married—or things might get really awkward between them.”
“If he knows what’s good for him, he won’t break her heart,” Alex clarifies. “He’ll be roadkill otherwise. Rowan would murder him herself.”
This makes me chuckle. I’m not a man of many words and usually listen and watch everyone else. Alex doesn’t seem to mind and fills the silence with information about the ranch. I’m amazed they have thousands of acres of land. It’s much different than the Houston area where I grew up.
Alex points out a large two-story home with a wraparound porch that sits off the road, telling me that’s where his parents live. As we continue driving, we pass different barns, and he explains each one’s purpose. Some hold extra feed for the animals while others house the equipment. An hour passes before we arrive at the training facility run by Jackson and Kiera.
When Alex parks, he turns and looks at me. “Jackson’s a known prankster. Consider yourself warned.”
I grin. “Thanks for the heads-up. It’ll keep the days interesting at least.”
“You say that now,” Alex says as we head inside toward the office, where Kiera’s sitting behind a big oak desk with a schedule book open. As soon as her eyes meet mine, she grins.
“God, I’m so happy you’re finally here.”
A minute passes, and Jackson walks in wearing a shit-eating grin followed by two young men. Twins. “Not gonna listen to any complainin’ today,” he warns them both. “Maybe your mom will.”
Kiera groans with an eye roll. “It’s too early for that. Don’t start with me, or you’ll be doing double,” she warns.”