Page 45 of Taming the Wild Cowboy

“Who’s asking?” the man replied.

“I am.” Maclyn held out a hand. “Maclyn Kane.”

“Zach Marvell.” He released her hand from his callused grip. “What are your credentials?”

Getting right to the meat of the matter. She liked that. “Equine Studies degree from Western. Lifelong horse experience. Five years wrangling on a guest ranch.”

Zach gave a slow nod as he studied the table near where she now had her hands clasped around her empty glass. When he met her eyes, his gaze held a serious intensity. This guy was the personification of a boss.

“We don’t need a wrangler, but I have a friend who runs a facility outside of Boze. He might be looking. Let me have your number.”

Maclyn almost said, Really? but managed to swallow the incredulous reply. “Thank you.”

Zach pulled a notebook out of his shirt pocket and jotted down the number she recited. “Which guest ranch did you work on?”

“The Sweet Grass.”

Zach nodded thoughtfully, then tucked the notebook back into his pocket. “I’ll have him give you a call if he’s still looking. His name is Mike Hersey. Dawson Meadow Arena in case you want to look it up.”

Chapter Nine

“I’m not going back to work until Jordan shows up.”

Wade leveled a serious look at Trev from the opposite side of the kitchen table. “I believe I heard the man say I need you as soon as possible. He also mentioned not fucking up.”

Trev’s boss, Paul Hugo, had indeed said that when he’d called in the late afternoon to tell Trev that there’d been an unexpected company restructuring. When Trev returned to work, he’d have a different job title, more money, and more responsibilities. It was a win, but Trev’s first thought had been, Shit. I’m not ready to go back. He had ranch business to take care of.

Thinking he was alone, he’d put the phone on the speaker to jot down notes. The reason Paul mentioned not fucking up was because Trev would work under one of the more difficult senior managers—a manager who was due to retire at year’s end, thus opening up more possibilities for Trev if he managed to survive working with the guy.

As soon as the call ended, Wade appeared from the living room to offer gruff congratulations, adding that he hadn’t meant to eavesdrop. So much for being alone. Trev thanked his uncle instead of saying that he wasn’t fully on board with this unexpected company move and then escaped to the barn to work on equipment while he debated next moves.

Did he bow to company wishes, put his head down and work until Snarly Ass retired? Did he use this as an excuse to jump ship and find another job?

When Trev resurfaced at dinner the matter was left untouched until after they’d eaten, at which time Wade announced that he could handle the ranch without him.

Maybe he could, but odds were against it.

“I’m staying here until Jordan breaks free.”

“I’m sure that with Maclyn’s help—”

“Mac is actively looking for another job.”

“The Staton—”

Trev cut his uncle off with a look. “No. I’ll give up my job before I let those guys back on the ranch.” He was thinking of giving up the job anyway, but in no way was that a responsible move. Not right now.

“You didn’t put all this time into a degree just to quit because of me.”

“This is my legacy, too. And my brothers’,” Trev pointed out. “We kind of need to keep it afloat.”

“Are you saying that I can’t hack it?”

“I’m saying that your leg is bad. There’s more work than one or even two people can handle, and you’re going to need help.”

“Don’t underestimate me.”

“Never, but you gotta be realistic.”