Page 23 of Secret Baby for the Triplets

I smile weakly.

Toby laughs.

My initial doubts about Emerson begin to slip away while we walk, and Brock points out the bunkhouse and supply shed, explaining the staff and their housing. Eventually, the conversation turns to Emerson’s potential job.

“Your job as administrator will be to ensure that operations run smoothly,” he tells her. “That includes scheduling, inventory, staffing sometimes. There will be fundraisers and parties, not only to attend but to organize. We’re very active in the community. But we are all here to help, too.”

We turn down one of the smaller trails leading toward the ravine, and I hear her exhale slightly. When I look back, I realize she’s awe-struck.

“That’s our house,” I say, following her gaze toward the glass and wood structure on the slight hill.

“Is that…” she swallows. “Is that where I’d—I mean, if I got the job?—”

It takes me a minute to understand what she’s asking, but Toby gets it right away, amusement flooding his face.

“No,” Toby laughs, slapping his leg. “Can you imagine the liability if you lived in the same house as us? Although if you want to come and visit sometimes?—”

He winks suggestively.

Brock gives him a scathing look.

I grimace. “What Toby is so eloquently trying to say, is that you would have your own accommodations in the coach house. And our office door is always open to you.”

My brow furrows when a hint of disappointment flutters over her face.

Okay, that’s weird, right? She shouldn’t want to stay in the house with us.

I can’t help but be charmed by her. I was drawn to her from the moment she entered the office, and she’s growing on me more by the minute. But at the same time, something is off.

We should send her on her way, but if we do, I feel like I’d never stop thinking about her. But then again, I already feel like I’ve known her from before.

We finish our tour on foot, and Emerson’s enthusiasm for the position shines all the way through.

“We have a few more interviews to conduct, but we’ll get back to you by the end of the week,” Brock tells her as we see her to her car.

She proffers her hand again and smiles. Each one of us takes it, and I find myself relishing the softness of her skin, holding it for familiarity.

“Thank you so much for the interview and for sharing your beautiful ranch with me. Honestly, the photos don’t capture the essence of this place, and regardless of your decision, I’m very glad I got to experience it.”

Her heartfelt departure lingers with me as we watch her drive down the paved driveway.

“You’re not really doing any more interviews, are you?” Toby asks Brock as she leaves in a circle of dust.

“Oh, fuck no,” he laughs, glancing at us. “She’s the one, right?”

“She’s definitely the one,” Toby and I agree.

CHAPTER6

Brock

My hand drifts across the entrance table as I wait for Emerson to come down from the loft. I’m pretending to check for dust, though the coach house was thoroughly cleaned before she moved in. I just want her first day to be perfect.

Really, I’m just keeping my hands busy while I wait.

Have I ever personally escorted anyone else to their living quarters on their first day?

If I have, I can’t remember it now. I’m already going above and beyond for this woman.

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