by Marla Monroe
“How long has she been out of work?” Laramie asked with a frown.
“Um, about three months.”
“Did that company she was with have anything to say about her?” he asked.
Laredo sighed. “They didn’t come out and say anything bad about her, and did mention that she’d won some sort of awards with her cooking, but they, um, insinuated that she had and attitude problem.”
His twin grinned and relaxed back in the chair. “Chefs are known for their attitudes. We can handle that. As long as it doesn’t carry over into the dining area or screw with our staff, no big deal.”
Laredo could have left it at that, but he didn’t like lying to his brother, even if it was only by omission.
“Um, well. It was more along the lines that she tried to seduce the boss’s son and wouldn’t leave him alone.”
Laramie frowned. “Are you saying you hired a woman on the make as our chef? Are you fucking crazy?”
“Calm down. We can handle her if she’s really that bad. I did a lot of checking and there wasn’t really any indication of that all through school or at the part-time jobs she had all during college. It’s a good possibility that, either she was truly in love with the guy, and therefore she won’t be a problem for us, or they overexaggerated.” Laredo sighed and scratched at his head again.
“For your sake, I hope you’re right. If she starts hitting on any of our guests, I’ll fire her myself. We can’t have that,” Laramie said.
“I know that. Give her the benefit of the doubt, Stud. We don’t know what her circumstances are.”
His brother shook his head then chuckled. “You and I both know I didn’t earn that nickname by being one.”
“Exactly, and she might not be the seductress they implied,” Laredo said with a smile.
Laramie nodded and continued reading over the file. His brother’s nickname of Stud had also happened when he was just a kid. He tended to hang around the breeding shed anytime they planned to let a stallion cover a mare. He’d been fascinated by the entire process, so the hands had given him the nick name of Stud. Needless to say that when Laredo got stuck with Commando, he reciprocated by telling their marine buddies the stud story.
“Looks like you have everything covered to me.” Laramie handed the file back to him. “The new chef may want to tweak it some when she gets here, but other than that, looks good.”
“Have you talked to mom this afternoon?” Laredo asked.
“Not since before lunch. Dad was fussing about the food limitations his doctor has him on,” Laramie said. “Hey. Maybe our chef can suggest some recipes that mom can fix that would taste better for him. I’m sure she had to learn all about special diets and stuff.”
Laredo smiled. “That’s a good idea. Help me remember to ask her. Other than that, how did they sound?”
“Pretty good, actually. I think Mom’s more worried about Lacy now than she is about Dad.”
“I sure wish they lived closer than Red Lodge. It’s hard to see about everyone when we’re all spread out like this.”
“You can’t be everything to everyone, brother,” Laramie reminded him. “They’re all grown-ups and can take care of themselves.”
“Yeah, but family looks out for one another. Maybe Richard will get that position in Big Sky. That would sure put them a lot closer. Then we could all help out with the kids,” Laredo said.
“Mom sure would like that. With Dad still recovering, she can’t go and spend time with them like she used to. At least they aren’t having to worry about the ranch now with us home.” Laramie stood up and stretched. “I’m going to go check on the hands. Call me if you need anything.”
Laredo watched his brother walk out of the office and hoped he hadn’t made a mistake hiring Billy Jean Simmons. He couldn’t get the sound of her rich, sultry voice out of his head. She’d had an easy rhythm to her speech that was similar to the Southern dialect of some of his marine buddies from Georgia, yet different as well. He wanted to deny that it had affected him in a sexual way, but there was no ignoring how hard his dick had gotten with each word she spoke. If it continued after she arrived, he’d be in sad shape within a week.
He couldn’t help but wonder what she looked like and had to stop himself several times from Googling her to try and find a picture. More than likely she had a Facebook page like everyone and their pet cat, but he refused to succumb to Internet stalking. She’d be there in a few days, and he could satisfy his curiosity then. In the meantime, he pictured her as a dark redhead with a sprinkle of freckles across her nose and a soft, huggable body.
Where the fuck did I come up with that? Even if she wasn’t off limits as an employee, I don’t have time for a relationship right now.
Laredo rubbed his hands over his head and prayed he wasn’t attracted to her when she arrived. While it wouldn’t be the end of the world if he was, because he could handle it. What he couldn’t handle was the disaster that would be his twin. They always liked the same women and Laramie wasn’t one to follow the rules. He had a feeling things were going to get damn complicated.
* * * *
Billy Jean checked the directions she’d printed out from MapQuest for the umpteenth time in the last thirty minutes. When the person back at Ennis had said she couldn’t miss it, they obviously didn’t know her. She’d been so busy listening to her book on her MP3 player that she must have missed the turn somehow.
Serves me right for not turning the damn thing off. I should have been paying attention.
She was tired, sore, and worn out from the long trip. Instead of sleeping in a cheap motel, she’d ended up sleeping in her car. Her money had pretty much run out halfway there paying the high price of gas along the way.
Just when she was about to turn around, a large sign on the right caught her attention. Sure enough it was the entrance to Bear Mountain Ranch. The large arching wood and stone sign that marked the beginning of the ranch’s property both relieved her and amped up her nervousness. This was it. She was minutes away from starting a new chapter in her life.
Please, God. Let this one be better than the last few in my life.
Her SUV bumped down the sometimes-dirt and sometimes-gravel road for what seemed like ages before she finally emerged on a smoother surface that led her to the ranch proper. She pulled up outside a large building with a sign that called it the Bear Mountain Ranch Lodge. Unlike many of the houses she’d seen on her way that appeared almost too Lincoln Log-like, this one boasted roughhewn lots that looked much more natural and pleasing to the eye.
Billy Jean unfastened her seatbelt then just leaned back against the seat for a second to try and relax before she went in search of her new employer. She’d only meant to close her eyes for a second, but the next thing she knew, someone was knocking on her window asking if she was okay or not. Startled, she opened her door to find the sexiest looking man she’d ever seen staring at her with more than a little concern.
“Hey, are you okay?” he asked, crouching down next to the open door.
“Um, yes. Guess I was more tired than I thought,” she said. “Can you point me to Laredo Marshall?” She moved to step down from the Pathfinder and nearly fell when her legs gave out.
“Whoa, there. I don’t think you’re doing so well. Let’s get you up to the lodge first.” The wickedly handsome cowboy swung her up into his arms without warning.
“Hey!” she yelped. “Put me down. I can walk.”
“Couldn’t prove it by me.”
“I’m just a little tired. I’ve been on the road for a long time. I’m okay now,” she argued.
The ornery cowpoke ignored her, carrying her effortlessly up the steps to the lodge. Betty Jean fumed inside at being hauled around like a damn sack of groceries, albeit a comfortable one. Not to mention that the one doing the hauling might be ornery, but he was still delicious to look at. She’d never been one to turn down a free ogle when it was staring her in the face. Come to think of it. He sounded an awful lo
t like Laredo had over the phone.
Please, Lord, don’t let this be my new boss.
“Here we go. Sit tight, sweet thing and I’ll get you a glass of water.” He deposited her carefully in an oversized club chair then disappeared.
She looked around the nice-sized room to find that it held groupings of chairs and couches on one end where a massive fireplace took up the center of one wall. The other end had several tables and chairs and a gorgeous copper-topped bar with barstools along it. With the various bottles lining the shelves behind it, she determined it was an actual bar.
Before she had time to look around more, the sexy cowboy returned with a glass of water and a plate holding a sandwich of some type. He handed her the water then set the plate on the table next to her.
“Go ahead and take a drink. I made you a ham sandwich, too. You look plumb worn out. I figure having something in your belly would help,” he said.
To her embarrassment, her stomach picked that moment to announce to the world that she hadn’t eaten more than a pack of cheese and crackers in over ten hours.
“Thank you. I guess I am a little hungry.” She quickly took a drink of the water to hide her awkwardness.
“Sorry, I should have introduced myself. I’m Laramie Marshall, Laredo’s brother. Were you applying for a position on the ranch?” he asked as she took a tentative bite of the sandwich.
She covered her mouth as she chewed and swallowed the obviously store-bought lunch meat that he loosely called ham.
“Actually, I’m the new chef. He offered me the position Friday night and I’ve been driving ever since to get here. He said he was in desperate need of someone to cook,” she said, silently agreeing with the man.
First, the tall drink of water standing in front of her roared with laughter, and then he stopped and scowled down at her as if she’d just broken their best china.
“You weren’t supposed to get here till Tuesday. It’s a thirty-hour drive from where you lived. How in the hell did you get here today?” he asked.
“If you don’t have anywhere for me to stay yet, I can sleep in my car. That’s what I did on the way here,” she began.
“You what?” The sound of a second sexy voice bellowing behind her had her cringing in her chair.
“I think you heard her right, Laredo. She not only drove too fast to get here, but she risked her life sleeping in her car instead of getting a hotel room. I thought you said she was smart and even had her degree,” her supposed rescuer mocked.
“Don’t you dare treat me like that! I have my…”
“Lady. It doesn’t matter how many degrees or certificates you have if you don’t have enough common sense not to sleep in your car, especially somewhere you know nothing about. You could have been robbed or worse,” Laredo said.
“Well when you don’t have money for a hotel room, you do the best you can. I picked state parks, and since I had locks on my doors that you don’t have on tents, I think I was pretty damn safe,” she snarled back.
Billy Jean stood up, jamming her hands on her hips completely riled up now. How dare they chastise her? They didn’t know her much less have any say over what she did. Then the reality of the fact that she was arguing and yelling at her new boss set in, and all her sass deflated like a cheap balloon.
Both men drew in deep breaths and relaxed slightly in the process. She prayed that she still had a job after that little blowup.
Little? Face it Billy Jean. I acted like a bitch.
The fact of the matter was that she’d been so uncomfortable sleeping in the SUV that she’d ended up forgoing a full night’s rest and only staying for five hours before heading back on the road again. She was exhausted and reacting instead of thinking.
“Why didn’t you ask me to wire your expense money to you ahead of time?” Laredo shook his head. “Dammit, I should have thought about that myself and offered. I’m sorry.”
“Finish your sandwich and I’ll unload your Pathfinder for you,” Laramie told her with a concerned look again.
“I can do it. I don’t have that much anyway. What time do you expect the cowboys to come in for dinner? I need to see the kitchen and figure out what to cook.” She stood up, but Laramie gently pushed her back down with one hand on her shoulder.
“First of all, they’re called wranglers, not cowboys. Second of all, you’re not cooking tonight. Tomorrow is soon enough for you to start checking out the kitchen. You need to rest and get your feet under you first.”
“My brother’s right,” Laredo added. “We weren’t expecting you until tomorrow anyway. Just relax and catch your breath tonight.”
In that instance, it hit her. They were twins. Freaking identical twins at that. How had she missed it earlier?
“Billy Jean? Are you okay?” Laramie asked, crouching down by the chair again.
“You’re twins,” she said in an almost accusing voice.
He looked up at his brother then turned back to her and grinned. “Guess we couldn’t pull one over on you with that fancy degree and all.”
She growled at him but smiled back. “I’ll admit it. I’m tired. Could you show me where my room is? I think I’ll take a nap.”
Laredo stepped up and held out his hand to her. “I’ll take you up while Laramie gets a head start on your things.”
She could have sworn she heard the other man curse under his breath. The smile on his face belied that, but Billy Jean wasn’t so sure he hadn’t pasted it on for her benefit alone. She accepted Laredo’s help to stand then pulled her hand from his grip and followed him across the room. Being around these two finger-licking specimens was going to test her resolve to remain distant from them. It had been iffy when there had only been the one. Now that she had twins to contend with, Billy Jean wasn’t so sure she had a honeycomb’s chance in a bear sanctuary of keeping her hands to herself.
Let the drooling begin.
Chapter Three
Laramie handed a box to his brother then picked up the last one himself before closing the back of the dusty SUV. It had obviously seen better days, but it had managed to get their new chef there safely.
I can’t believe she fucking slept in her car like that. Why didn’t she have enough money to get here?
He could tell the same thoughts were running through his brother’s mind as they carried the boxes up to her apartment. Laredo had said that she’d obviously been surprised by the size of the apartment. She must not have expected to have much more than a room.
“I bet she’s already sound asleep when we get back to her room,” Laredo said.
“Not touching that one with a ten foot pole. She was ready to drop before we made it back with the first load. That’s one exhausted woman,” he said.
Sure enough, when they returned to the apartment, Billy Jean was sound asleep stretched out on the couch. She’d removed her shoes and lost the battle to stay awake. He and Laredo quietly set their boxes on the floor out of the way then he gently picked her up and carried her to the bedroom. His brother pulled back the covers so all he had to do was settle her on the mattress and cover her back up.
He couldn’t help but watch her snuggle into the pillow before turning away and closing the bedroom door behind him. She’d smelled good to him, like vanilla and brown sugar.
He nearly ran into his brother when he walked back into the living room. The other man was staring at the coffee table.
“What?” he asked looking around him.
She’d unpacked one of the boxes and set a stack of books there. When he walked closer, he realized they were cookbooks, a few of which looked to be quite old. More than likely, they were from her mother. He couldn’t help but wonder where she was and why Billy Jean had been so low on money that she’d been forced to sleep in her car.
“The first thing she unpacked was her cookbooks. I guess she’s serious about cooking if she unpacked them first and not her clothes,” Laredo said in a hushed voice.
Laramie watched his brother’s fac
e. He’d never seen his twin confused about something like that before. Why did that puzzle him? Then he shook his head and the look was gone.
“I’m going to move her car around back. I’ve got to finish up some paperwork in the office. I’ll see you at dinner,” Laredo said and strode toward the door.
Laramie followed behind him out and closed the door behind him. When he turned around, Laredo was already down the hall at the staircase. What was up with him? Shaking his head, he followed but once he reached the first floor, instead of heading back outside, he grabbed the plate with the half eaten sandwich and shuffled into the kitchen. He had dinner to get ready and not a lot of time left to do it.
They’d completely updated and enlarged the original kitchen when they’d decided to turn the original ranch house into the lodge for the guest ranch. It had an industrial-sized, walk-in subzero fridge and freezer as well as an industrial gas stove and grill. They’d researched what would be needed and then improved on it based on what they knew about feeding large numbers of people.
The front part of the house had been enlarged as well. They’d taken in the original wraparound porch to make the living area and built the bar on one end. Then they’d turned the original living spaces into a large dining area that could seat up to seventy people with an additional twenty on the covered deck when the weather was suitable. Right now, they had large heaters on the deck for cooler mornings and evenings when their guests arrived. September was the in-between month before winter set in, so they still had warm days, but the mornings and evenings tended to get chilly.
The upstairs had been turned into three apartments. Each apartment had a private bathroom with a generous sized bedroom and a small living area and kitchenette. Right now, their office manager, Shelby Flint, who’d arrived the week before would be Billy Jean’s only neighbor. It had seemed perfectly safe for Shelby to stay there alone at night, but now that Billy Jean was moving in, he was beginning to question just how safe they really were.