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Silas is saved from answering as Cookie brings in the food. Feet thunder down the stairs. Like ants to a picnic, the rest of the hands must sense the food because the table fills quickly in the next thirty seconds. Hands grab at the food, forks stab everything within reach. The times I’ve joined the ranch hands for breakfast, I’ve found this to be standard practice. If your arm is in the wrong place at the wrong time, you might get hurt. I’m normally just as guilty as the rest of them. I have a thousand things to do today, not to mention everything I need to supervise, and I don’t have time for manners at this point, but we have a lady at the table, and she deserves a little respect. I’m about to call them into check when I hear Silas yelp.
“Sunny!”
“Hey, your hand got in the way of the pancake. It’s not my fault.”
For a second, the table pauses, everyone frozen mid-motion. Sunny looks at us, sheepish, half a bacon strip hanging out of her mouth. “What?”
Cookie, as usual is the first one brave enough to say anything. “I was gonna tell you all to slow down because we have a lady with us, but clearly she’s just like the rest of you hillbillies.”
With pride in her eyes, Sunny elbows Silas and grabs another pancake before the commotion of breakfast resumes. The mystery that is Sunny continues to deepen. She carries herself like she comes from sophistication, but it’s almost like if no one is looking, she’s quick to abandon that trait. I snag a pancake for myself, grinning on the inside. I can’t say that I don’t find it attractive. She catches me looking at her and a slight pink rose gathers in her cheeks. I like that she seems to start each day new. Like she wasn’t out on the dunes half-frozen and hiding for most of the night. As close as I can tell, she’s boxed that up and hidden it away to deal with it another day. Today looks full of opportunity for her.
“Rhett,” Cookie moves to set another plate of biscuits on the table, “I took care of that thing we talked about.”
For a moment, I feel lost, but then I remember his offer to help draw attention away from the ranch. “Yeah? We’re good?”
“Santi has a couple friends in Los Angeles. They’re making a stir with a similar car.” He shoots a wink at Sunny, but she’s in the dark on this one. I never told her our plans. “We’ll be off the radar.”
I know he was trying to be covert, but Cookie has pretty much drawn all the attention to us. All the hands look ten seconds away from asking a thousand questions I can’t resolve and Sunny will refuse to answer.
“Today,” I launch into things, “Weston, you meet up with Getty and finish repairs on the fence. Buck and Silas, you’re moving grain and the hay truck is set to come in today.” I rattle off the rest of the chores, trying to be sure I don’t leave any room for them to speak. It’s the last thing Sunny needs after last night. She asked to have a place to lay low, and that’s what I intend to give her.
I’m about to start for my day when the bunkhouse door pulls back. To my surprise, Carl steps inside. His eyebrows come up as all the working hands rise to leave for work. I’d like to think for once the little snot is intimidated, but I doubt that’s possible.
“Hey, sorry, I was uh—” He stumbles along for a few syllables until his gaze rest on Sunny. “You. I was looking for you.”
I’m about to put my younger brother in his place when Sunny smiles with recognition. When did they meet each other?
“Me?” She shrugs. My blood pressure continues rising. “Why would you need me?”
Carl tilts his head, almost sizing her up. “Anyone in their right mind would find a way to need you.” The rest of the room erupts in laughter and whoops. Meanwhile, I ball both hands into fists while I try to keep from shoving him out of the room.
“She’s got a job, Carl. If you’ve got something pertinent—”
He shoots me one of his withering glares. “I know she has a job. Mom sent me.” He looks back at Sunny. “She’s worried about you not having the right clothes. Dad mentioned you looked like you might not be outfitted. She wants to take you shopping.” He pauses, grins, and runs his teeth over his bottom lip. “Actually, she wants me to take you shopping.”
My blood boils at the thought. Sunny alone with Carl all day? This can’t possibly be fair.
“Well, like Rhett said,” Sunny turns back to look at me, “I have a job to do.”
I smother my frustrations. “It’s fine. You should have what you need to work.”
“We’re mostly ready anyway,” Silas offers.
I consider chucking a biscuit at his head. Always so helpful.
Her brow folds inward with silent pleading. “I do have things I need from the store, if you can spare me.”
I clear my throat, square my shoulders and remind myself that she’s nothing more than an employee. “Help us get everyone out for the day, and that should be fine. Silas and Buck can pick up the slack.”
Buck groans but I turn back, moving to exit out the rear door of the bunkhouse, eager not to cross paths with my younger brother.
I know I don’t have a right to be upset. It’s not like we’re even friends. I helped Sunny out. I got her a job and a place to stay. Friendly acquaintances at best. But Carl irks me.
He gets everything else around here.
Why not Sunny too?
Sunny
