I shuffle papers. “I ran into Devyn earlier. She said she talked to you. Seemed a bit upset. Any idea why?”
She shrugs. “Didn’t get any good tips this week?”
“That’s not it. Are you and her getting along?”
“I get along with everyone.”
“She has some great ideas about expanding the business.”
Lora covers a laugh. “The housekeeper?”
“You don’t need a college degree to be a productive member of society.”
She sits down, turning up her nose. “I suppose she wants to be the host or something.”
“She doesn’t want your job. We’re talking bigger than that. Maybe offering helicopter tours and VIP flights directly to the ranch and building a smaller stable out here so we don’t have to get horses from the main stables. These are all long-term plans, but they’re good ideas, don’t you think?”
“It must be fun for her, spending all your money.”
“What’s up with you? Do you have something against Devyn?”
“I’ve known girls like her my whole life. They swoop in and take what isn’t theirs. Watch out for her, Aaron. She’s an opportunist. She appears out of nowhere. Says the right things. Acts all innocent and perfect. She gets you to do what she wants, and before you know it, she’s running things.”
“That is not what’s going on here.”
She stands, walks around the desk, and perches on it right next to me. “Are you sure? How well could you possibly know her?”
“Well enough.”
“Just remember, there are others who are willing to help you achieve everything you want—the safe way. A way that won’t bankrupt you or put the ranch in the red.”
“Namely you?”
“Of course me. I love this place. I’ve invested a lot of time and energy in it over the past year. Wouldn’t you agree?”
“You’ve been a great asset. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
She smiles. “We’re a good team.” Before I comprehend what’s happening, she plops into my lap and puts an arm around me. “We could be so much more.” Her thumb runs across my lip.
Lora is attractive. I even hit on her once, because, well, I hit on everyone. But she said she had a boyfriend. Then again, that was almost a year ago.
When her lips brush mine, I realize what the fuck is happening and stand with her in my arms, put her on her feet, and move away. “This isn’t going to happen.”
“Why not?”
“Because we work together.”
She huffs. “The same rule doesn’t apply to everyone, though, does it?”
I pinch the bridge of my nose. Devyn and I are a couple, but we don’t advertise it. I’m not going to hide it either. “I think we’re done here.”
She doesn’t move. “Are the two of you together? Like seriously together?”
“I’m not sure what we are, but if you have to have an answer, then yes.”
She laughs. “That sounds promising.”
“Lora, I have work to do.” I look at the time. “And you’re going to be late for your other job.”
She picks up her things and goes to the door. “Just don’t forget you have options, Aaron.”
What the fuck just happened?
I stay in the office and finish up some paperwork, wanting her to be long gone before I leave.
I hear someone come through the back door. If it’s Devyn, I’m lucky she didn’t show up two minutes ago when Lora was in my lap, or I’d have some major explaining to do.
Quinn pops his head in. “You busy?”
“I’m always busy, but come on in.”
He sits down and smacks his lips. “Think I did something stupid.”
My eyebrows go up.
“Or maybe I should say someone.” He glances out the door.
My jaw drops. “You and Lora?”
He rubs his brow.
“But she was literally just in here trying to fuck me.”
“That’s why it was so stupid. She obviously was with me to try and get to you. We were drunk. She was asking all kinds of questions.” He looks guilty as shit. “I may have let it slip that Devyn was homeless.”
I get up and pace. “Fuck, Quinn. Are you serious?”
“I know. I screwed up. You asked me not to say anything, and I blew it.”
“That explains why Lora has been acting strange. Devyn asked me this morning if I’d said anything to Lora about her.” I run my hands through my hair. “What the hell am I going to do?”
“Fire her?”
I shoot him an angry glance. “Devyn?”
“Lora.”
“Fire her for what? Sleeping with my best friend? Hitting on me? She’s good at her job, man.”
“And that’s not even the worst thing to happen to me today.”
“There’s more?”
He puts his feet up on the desk, crossing his ankles. “My uncle is up for parole.”
“Oh, shit. Does Andie know?”
“Just came from there. I told her I’d do everything I could to keep him there.”
I sit. “I get you want to protect Andie and all, but if you go against Jon, and he gets out anyway, he’ll never let you forget it. What will you do then?”
“Avoid him.”
“Your uncle isn’t someone you simply avoid. He’ll go right back to running your grandfather’s empire.”
“What’s left of it.”
“What does Karen say about all this?”
“My mom couldn’t care less if Jon stays in prison or not. She’s happily living off family money.”
“She’s been living under the radar while he’s been locked up. What do you think she’ll do if he gets out?”
“She’ll do what she’s always done—play the devoted sister or daughter. The woman can’t think for herself unless she’s fucking over some poor bastard like your Uncle Gavin.”
“You think she and Jon will go after the ranch again?”
“Who the hell knows. But you can be sure where I stand, brother.”
“They’ll have a fucking conniption. You know that, right?”
“Their problem, not mine.”
“Might be a problem for all of us.”
“Let’s not worry about something that hasn’t happened yet. What are you going to do about Devyn and Lora?”
“I’m going to tell Lora to mind her own fucking business and stay away from Devyn if she wants to keep working at the lodge.”
“How do you think that will go over?”
“I don’t have a clue.”
“Why not just tell Devyn I screwed up? Hell, I’ll tell her myself.”
“She’s already on the edge. Whatever happened to her has her hanging by a thread. If she knew that I told you and you told Lora, the thread might snap.”
“And you’re sure that’s the kind of person you want a relationship with?”
“Remember what I was like after Cam died? Remember how you and Maddox and Andie rallied around me and kept me from slitting my damn wrists? Devyn needs that now. She needs me.”