“And it’s hard not to get jealous when you weren’t even in the running to take over the resort or the ranch.”
Ah, hell. “Sorry.”
I didn’t mean to make Cash feel like a lesser contributor. I was tired of fighting with Dad and Granddad and I clearly forgot to keep my brother’s feelings in check, especially with how much I valued his opinions.
“It’s okay.” Cash shrugged. “Things are better this way. I love my job and what I’m doing here. As long as I have my horses, I’m a happy man.”
Soon he’d have more than just horses.
I hadn’t told him or anyone yet, but I’d put in an offer to buy a patch of land bordering us on the west. If it came together, I was going to build another stable and ask Cash to take over as manager for a top-of-the-line equine breeding and training facility.
Cash had a gift when it came to horses and assessing their nature. It was time to put it to use. His talents were wasted catering to guests.
I prayed the purchase didn’t fall through.
Or that my family found out and put a stop to something before I’d even gotten it started.
“Let’s get this fixed.” I jerked my chin to the fence.
Thirty minutes later, the section was fixed and we were moving down the line. As the hours passed, the tension in my shoulders eased. There was something comforting about physical labor that soothed my soul. Something relaxing about being on a horse.
It was in my blood. Working here called to my soul.
Cash was right about Dad and Granddad. They loved this work too. They didn’t challenge me to be malicious, but they acted out of habit and because they were stubborn.
So was I.
It was a trait famously passed through the Greer bloodline. And while I could rationalize it in my head, it still annoyed me on the day-to-day.
By lunch, we’d finished checking the pasture’s fence and my stomach was growling. I gave Cash a nod to head on back to the barn while Jigsaw and I made the return trip at an easier pace.
Most of my frustration from my family had worked its way out. Now it was mostly Gemma plaguing my mind.
Why was she here? How long was she staying? No matter the duration, I’d make sure to keep myself busy. There was no reason to see her except . . .
Shit. My family had loved Gemma, especially Grandma.
When she’d worked here, they’d been some of our first employees. Grandma had hired them after a phone interview with Katherine because she’d liked the girl’s spirit.
Grandma didn’t hire much anymore, but she’d always been a good judge of character.
And when three young women had arrived at the lodge, fresh faced and excited, Grandma had taken them under her wing. To this day, Grandma believed that was the best hiring decision she’d ever made.
Those three had cleaned, washed laundry, gardened and waitressed. Any job they were given, they did without question while wearing real smiles.
The first time I’d seen Gemma, she’d been polishing silverware in the kitchen. I’d walked in, expecting it to be empty, but there she was, sitting on the stainless-steel table, rubbing a rag over a knife until she could see her reflection in the metal.
She’d flashed me a smile, hopped down and stuck out her hand.
I’d almost fallen over at that smile.
Then I’d done what all arrogant and stupid twenty-two-year-old guys did when faced with a gorgeous woman. I’d played it cool and ignored her. I’d pretended like I hadn’t had the biggest crush of my life.
That had backfired spectacularly.
Because Gemma hadn’t craved my attention. She’d been a force of her own, so tied up in her own life that others were forgotten.
What she’d done to Katherine was the perfect example.
And what she’d done to me.
Things were different now. I wasn’t a young man driven by hormones and lust who wanted a young woman. Ignoring Gemma wouldn’t be some tactic to woo her into my bed. I’d ignore her because sooner than later, she’d be gone anyway. I just had to bide my time for a week, maybe two.
Then Gemma Lane would disappear.
And I’d go back to forgetting the breathtaking woman with the sparkling hazel eyes who, turns out, I hadn’t forgotten about, after all.
Chapter Four
Gemma
“So basically, you quit your life?”
“Well, when you say it like that it makes me sound crazy.”
“Wow.” Katherine grabbed the bottle of wine from the middle of the table and topped off my glass. “How many days ago was this?”
“I left Londyn’s a week ago. I left Boston a couple days before that.”
“And here you are.”
“Here I am.”
I was sitting across from Katherine in the dining room at the lodge. We were sharing a piece of chocolate cheesecake, polishing off a bottle of wine, after we’d eaten a delicious dinner of roasted chicken and mashed potatoes. Their website had not exaggerated the quality of the food. Or the wine selection.
“How is Londyn?” Katherine asked.
“She’s wonderful.” I smiled. “She’s married and has a baby girl. She’s happy.”
“I’m glad. I think about her, about everyone, from time to time.”
“Even me?”
“Yes. But I was hurt when you left.”
“I’m sorry.” I’d keep apologizing until she forgave me. Or maybe until I forgave myself.
“Don’t be.” She gave me a sad smile. “It was about a year after you left, I was out riding with Carol one day, and I realized that this was where I’m supposed to be. I’m happy here. I love my job and the ranch and the Greers. They’ve kind of made me an honorary member of the family, and I couldn’t have asked for better.”
“I’m glad. And I’m still sorry.”
“You’re forgiven.”
“Really? You’re not going to make me work harder for it?”
She shrugged. “It’s not my style.”
No, it wasn’t. Katherine was too honest and real to punish me for something she’d already let go. Even after all the shit she’d been dragged through, she had never turned bitter.
“It worked out how it should have,” she said. “I would have gone with you to Boston and resented every second. At the time, the promise of all that money sounded so good. But the city isn’t me. Real estate isn’t me. I helped with one of the deals when the Greers were buying some acreage a few years ago and I hated every second. Talk about stress. And paperwork.”
I laughed. “It’s not without challenges.”
“Did you enjoy it?”
“I did for a time. Mostly, it was the springboard.” I’d used the money I’d made to invest in other venues.
Four months after we’d come to work at the Greer Ranch, Londyn had decided to try something new. She’d enjoyed Montana but it hadn’t been her landing spot. She’d asked me to come with her, to head east, but I’d stayed behind with Katherine.
I’d liked working here and being one of those honorary Greer family members.
Then about four months later, Katherine and I had been working in this very dining room. She waitressed while I’d tended bar, filling in for one of the seasonal workers who’d quit to return home. A couple had come in for a nightcap and like all other guests here, they’d oozed money.