Page 142 of Johnathan

“Fine. You have another list you want to give me?”

Daisy smiled, reaching into her bag as she pulled out a folder. “Of course I do. I think this batch of candidates is the best we’ve had so far. I ranked them in the order I think you should interview them in. The top candidate is, as you would expect, on top.”

She slid the folder over to Sam.

“Evelyn Williams? Your top candidate is awoman?”

“Sam Cooper. I am going to pretend I did not just hear that sexist comment come out of your mouth!”

“I didn’t mean it to come out like that. It’s just, we haven’t had any women apply to the position before.”

“Yeah, and maybe that’s the problem.”

“I don’t think so.”

“Would you just look at her resume?”

“She’s from Wisconsin…”

“Yes.”

“That’s a big move, to come all the way down to Texas.”

Daisy shrugged. “Maybe she wants to escape the super cold winters.”

“She’s got an employment gap right now.”

“And?”

“And… why would someone leave over ten years at their job for… nothing?”

“You’re focusing on the wrong things. Evelyn worked for over ten years as anoffice managerfor alivestock veterinarian.”

“That’s not the same as ranching.”

Daisy grabbed the folder from his hands.

“I’m setting up a phone interview with her for next week. I’ll let you know the time and I’ll come to the ranch to sit through it with you. Youwillgive her a fair chance.”

“Fine.”

“Fine?”

“You’re scary when you’re like this.”

Daisy laughed. “Yeah, I am. Pick someone so I can stop being such a pushy bitch and get back to being your sweet neighbor.”

Evie wrapped her sweater tightly around her body as she thought over the question her potential new boss had just asked. While she would have preferred to meet Sam Cooper face to face,or even over video, she had a feeling the rancher wanted to keep things old school.

“Mr. Cooper, I’m very well versed in the simple day to day tasks required of office managers, including data entry, file maintenance, business account balancing, and payroll needs. I was in charge of all those areas and more at my previous job.”

Jeepers. Why was her voice quivering? She needed to sound more confident, but it was hard after everything she went through. Evie had planned on spending her whole career working for Dr. Bowman. Instead, he’d been personally responsible for the end of her career and the false criminal charges brought against her. Asshole.

“Yes.” The gruff cowboy’s voice came across the line, cutting through her thoughts. “I understand all that from your resume. It is quite impressive, if I’m being honest. I’m just wondering, Ms. Williams, why the desire to move from Wisconsin all the way down here to Texas?”

She should have prepared for that question better. Evie had lived in Wisconsin all her life. She’d grown up loving the crisp springs, cool summers, and snowy winters. It would be a loss to her to move somewhere where the heat scorched her skin three seasons of the year.

Her stomach tumbled as she thought about everything she’d endured over the last few months. The job opportunity at the Red River Ranch had come at a time when she was spending each evening in bed, crying her eyes out over the false accusations that had ripped her life apart.

“To be honest, Mr. Cooper, it’s more about the job opportunity than the location. I think that I am the exact candidate you are looking for. I’m hard working, dedicated, loyal, and the minute I am a part of the Red River Ranch family, I will do everything in my power to make sure it’s a success. Iwant to lighten the administrative burden for you, Mr. Cooper, so that you can focus on the part of ranching that you love.”

Over the next ten minutes, Evie answered the typical questions about her competencies and previous work history and asked a few of her own about the history of the ranch and what Mr. Cooper was ultimately looking to get out of her as an office administrator. They exchanged pleasantries and a promise from him that she’d be hearing back soon about the position. And then, she ended the call.

Tears of hope sprang into her eyes. Stupid hormones. Normally, she’d push them down and try to be strong, but something about the job in Bell Ridge set her heart at ease, and it’d been so long since she’d felt hope that her fresh start was within reach.

She sighed as her body flopped down onto her sofa. Evie moved her hand to the gentle swell of her pregnant belly. Nothing was more important than getting somewhere safe and putting down roots for her baby.

Evie opened her laptop, clicking on the tab where the official website of Bell Ridge waited for her to explore. Yes, she could absolutely see finding sanctuary in the sleepy town. If she was offered the job, there was no way she could turn it down. This would be her new start.