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“Yeah, it’s not a big deal, Rhett,” one of the guy’s calls from a nearby bunk.
Undaunted, Rhett points at the space on the other side of his bunk like I need to move there. Still confused, I step out of his way, giving him a large berth. Like he’s building a lop-sided fort, he ties off one edge of the sheet to a bunk, and then the other to an eye hook in the wall. Pulling the drape back, he motions for me to move inside.
He made me a changing area. If wonders never cease, there are chivalrous men left in the world. As I pass through to the other side, Rhett hands me the clothes he gave me from his drawers.
“I’ll get a dresser up here tomorrow. You can keep it on that side away from the guys.” Dropping his eyes to the stack of clothes, he says, “You may be fine with changing in front of a bunch of cowboys, and it’s fine that you’re not ashamed, but you’re a lady and you deserve privacy.” The sheet slides shut, and Rhett moves away to give me that privacy he promised.
Outside my little corner, I hear a few whispers, a snicker and then Rhett’s sharp reprimand, but I don’t understand a word. What they all must think of me, willing to change in front of a bunch of guys without a thought. Add it to my list of supposed sins, I guess. Tomorrow, tomorrow I will try to explain what I can, but tonight I need sleep.
I change quickly, Rhett’s t-shirt is about four sizes too big, and his pajama pants just as bad, but thankfully, those have a drawstring. When I emerge, the reading lights have switched off, with only a small lamp by our bunk illuminating Rhett where he sits on the edge of his bunk. The second he sees me, he rises to his feet like any good ol’ boy would do.
“They’re comfy,” I say, motioning to my borrowed clothes. “Thank you.”
“You look good,” Rhett says, but he cuts himself off looking regretful. “I mean you look better.”
“Such a flatterer,” I tease. “You must be beating the girls off with a stick.”
“I told ya, boot in my mouth, it’s basically a disease.”
I look at the top bunk, planning my climb, but Rhett steps closer. “I can boost you up there, don’t worry. A lady like you shouldn’t have to climb.”
I pull a face, trying to show him that his need to save me doesn’t have to extend to bunkbeds. “See that’s the thing, Rhett.” I grip the top bar, set my foot to a rail and pull myself up with ease until I roll onto the bunk. Facing him again, I say, “I was always more of a tomboy than a lady.”
Warmth glows in his smile. “Glad to hear it. You’ll fit in just fine.” Tipping an imaginary hat, Rhett whispers, “Goodnight, Sunny.”
A second later, the lamp clicks off and Rhett’s body weight shakes the bunk as he gets comfortable. My eyes grow heavier by the second. I haven’t had a meal in days, but sleep, I feel like I haven’t slept well in a month at least.
“Sunny,” I whisper to myself, trying my new name out again. This won’t last forever. No matter how much Rhett says he’ll protect me, there will come a point where I have to move on. But right now, having a little security and the basic necessities of life, I don’t want to think of the future. I want to ride this out until it’s not an option anymore. But it leaves me wondering how long I’ll be Sunny from California.
Chapter 4
Rhett
I
I don’t need an don’t need an alarm. Years of getting up at the same time have trained me to wake at six every day. I’m up and dressed for the day before the rest of the alarms start chirping. I wish I could say I slept well, but all these years in the main house have made me soft. I might drag my mattress out of the house later, but then I’d have to see Dad’s smug look that he’s right about me needing comfort.
Silas turns on the overhead light, making me squint until my eyes adjust. They’re not real talkative in the morning, I’m grateful for that. But grumbles and groans fill the morning air, not to mention the faint smell of pancakes from the first floor. Evidence that Cookie is hard at work.
Glancing over my shoulder, I watch Sunny sleep for a second. Not even the growing noise of six ranch hands dressing and fighting over the bathroom have cracked her cocoon. Deep sleeper or completely exhausted, I guess time will tell. I wish I could let her rest, but Dad is watching my every move with her, and I can’t act like a kid who made a reckless choice because of a pretty smile. I need to show him I’m fit to be the ranch manager.
Setting a hand to her shoulder, I give her a gentle shake. “Sunny? Sunny, it’s morning. Time to get up.”
Her face wrinkles and her eyelids flutter, but she doesn’t wake up. “Tucker, give me five minutes before you start harping, okay?”
Tucker? Who the heck is Tucker? A boyfriend? A husband?
“Sunny,” I shake her a little harder, “wake up. It’s time to work.”
Her eyes squint at first, then pop all the way open with shock. I take a step back, allowing her space to take in her surroundings. She clutches the blanket against her, staring wide-eyed around the bunkhouse. I hope this isn’t the moment she says she doesn’t remember any of this, like she’s some walking amnesia case, but with a sharp breath, it all seems to rush back.
Looking at me, she whispers, “Rhett.” As though she’s placing the memory from last night. “Sorry, I forgot for a second.”
The nosey part of me wants to ask who Tucker is, but manners ask me to keep it to myself. The guys have started to filter downstairs. I should join them and get my day started, but I wait with Sunny, hoping she’s adjusting to her new reality.
“The bathroom is over there,” I point at the door on the far side of the room. “There’s one downstairs too if that one is ever full.” I find myself nervous, watching this fawn take in her new life again. “Cookie has breakfast ready. Do you have work clothes? If not, I could see if you’ll fit in some of Sila—"
“I have a pair of jeans in my bag, and more clothes in my trunk on the beach.” She frowns. “Provided it didn’t wash out to sea last night.”
