Page 29 of The Science of Attraction

Bolo, Tennyson’s dog, and Hopper rushed to circle my legs, whining in an excited greeting.

“Yes, yes, I love you too,” I reassured the huntaways, patting each one in turn.

“Well, look who the wind blew in.” Tennyson grinned from behind a mountain of towels waiting to be folded on the classing table. “Hey, Jules. Why don’t you and Brent take Liam with you this afternoon?” He turned back to me. “You do like fishing, right?” He eyed me speculatively like my answer would determine my relative worth.

Since it was clear that any answer other than yes was unthinkable, I sidestepped the question. “Fishing on a Monday? Nice for some,” I teased.

Tennyson chuckled. “Hey, none of that. There’s little enough downtime around this place as it is, especially with lambing starting. And the weather is perfect. I’d be tagging along, but I have a ewe with an injured foot that Spencer wants to take another look at.”

“The vet?” I checked.

“Yessiree.” Tennyson winked. “And he’s going to be super pissed that he missed an opportunity to meetyou.”

Jules looked up from his own pile of towels, those cool grey eyes sparkling in the light spilling through the clear plastic roof. He huffed resignedly, explaining, “Spencer is very... shall we say... socially active. With menandwomen.”

I snorted. “Oh, I see.”

Tennyson’s cheeks brightened as he looked my way. “Shit, did I fuck up telling him about you?”

I chuckled. “No, it’s fine. It would be nice to finally meet him.” I avoided looking at Jules who was watching me intently, and okay, I might be enjoying fucking with him just a little too much.

Tennyson shrugged. “Well, I’m sure you’ll get your chance. Spencer will make sure of that. To be honest, I’m impressed you’re still here, considering Paddy’s attitude to all things LGBTQ. You must’ve earned his respect, which is no easy thing.”

I shrugged. “I suspect it’s more because he knows I’m good at what I do and that I’m his best chance for getting moving quickly.”

Tennyson nodded sagely. “This is also true. I love working this station, and Jules’ dad is one of the best there is in the business, but he’s not one of the most enlightened men on the planet.”

Jules laughed. “Putting it mildly.”

Tennyson’s expression grew serious. “We were all angry about what happened with Zach. Brent almost handed in his notice. He was accepted for two other positions.”

Jules’ eyebrows hit his hairline. “I knew about Stuart, but you never said anything about Brent.”

Tennyson shrugged. “You were busy with your dad at the time.”

“Shit.” A frown cut deep across Jules’ brow. “If Brent had left, we’d have been screwed. Experienced shepherds are like hen’s teeth. What changed his mind?”

“Your dad went into hospital andyoutook over. Brent loves working for you, Julian. We all do. Well, all except for Marty who thinks anyone other than your father is a babe in the woods.” His eyes danced. “You’re a good boss. A natural. You were born to do this. Dare I say, more than your father. Knowing a lot doesn’t make a person a good leader.”

Jules stared at Ten, clearly taken aback, and I figured Ten wasn’t given to offering pats on the back lightly. Jules’ eyes crinkled at the corners. “Thanks, man.”

Ten nodded. “My pleasure. Now how about you do as I suggested and show our resident occupational therapist the delights of a Mackenzie Country fishing excursion?”

“What about your leg?” I checked with Jules. The last thing I needed was to spend an afternoon with the guy currently filling my head with a whole lot of fantasies. “It’s not even a week. I wouldn’t advise exposing it to river water just yet.”

“Nah, it’s fine. Take a look.” He pulled up his jeans leg and I had to agree. The redness was gone and the edges were healing nicely. “I’ll stick on a waterproof dressing under my waders, just to be sure.”

I nodded. “Okay, but don’t overdo it or you’ll open it up again.”

He rolled his eyes. “Yes, Mum.”

“Come and see me when you get back if there’s a problem.”

Jules simply smiled.

“You mean you’re not going?” Ten looked aghast. “You know you really should tag along.” The man was one determined son of a bitch. “We have plenty of spare equipment and though it pains me to admit it, Jules is pretty good on the end of a rod.”

Oh, I just bet he is. I glanced at Jules and swallowed a laugh at his look of abject horror. “Really, Ten?”

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