Page 40 of Orphan Girl's Mountain Men

Finally, back at the ranch as we get out of the truck, Grace asks, "Can you read me a bedtime story later, Princess Ice Cream?"

"Um..." I peek at Lennon, and though he doesn't protest, his expression makes it clear he's not thrilled about the idea.

"Maybe another time, sweetheart," I tell her. "I have a lot of work to catch up on today."

"Okay!" Thankfully, she seems unconcerned, and as soon as she's unbuckled from her car seat, she runs inside to say hello to Reed and Dean.

Despite being kicked by a horse, all in all, I consider it a very good day.

CHAPTER 14

Dean

Irub the back of my neck and stare at the figures on the screen. Given the circumstances, Lennon's done a reasonable job organizing things, but there's still information missing—stuff I have to either infer or flat-out guess at. I hate guessing, but it's not Lennon's fault. Bookkeeping isn't supposed to be his job. It used to be their asshole bookkeeper's job—the one who'd been skimming a little off the top for years.

He kept the amounts small on purpose, just enough to slip under the radar. If Lennon hadn't gone back to check an old receipt, we probably still wouldn't have a clue.

After kicking the bastard's ass to the curb, we've spent the last six months untangling the mess he left behind. Mostly, it's been Lennon's job, but I chip in here and there. I don't like leaving it all to him.

Honestly, I'm not sure how much I'm helping. Half the time I can't make heads or tails of the numbers or even figure out what the hell we're calculating. I'm no fool, but I've never been great at math—which of course is why I went out and found a trained bookkeeper in the first place.

Now here I am, doing it anyway.

I sigh and push my chair back, rubbing my temples and trying to clear my vision. It's almost time for the hands to come in, and I'll need to introduce Hailey and explain her role.

She's been working all day in the horse stables, and I'm a little surprised not to have heard a peep out of her. I meant to check in once or twice, but the day has shot past. Now it's eight-thirty and I haven't seen her once. Still... no complaints usually means no problems. Probably.

I've half-expected her to storm into my office at some stage during the day, call me an asshole and a slave driver and a dozen other colorful things, and stomp back to her log cabin. But no.

Heck, even Reed complained the first time I gave him that task. Whined every damn minute he was doing it. Seems she hasn't whined once.

I'll hear about it tomorrow.

I make a note to warn her about staying away from Buggy in the blue stable at breakfast tomorrow. Probably should've said something earlier, but it escaped me in the mess of a million other things today. Besides, why would she go in there? I told her to clean the main stable, not the one Buggy's in.

Even though I told her to finish all ten stalls today, I figure it'll take her another half or even a full day, seeing as it's her first time.

Today's more a test of her endurance—and her willingness to work hard, even with the boring stuff. Once I know how she handles it, I'll know how to steer the rest of her training.

But before I check in on Hailey, I need Lennon to help me validate these numbers.

I find him sitting out on the veranda with a beer in hand, staring morosely at the evening sky—orange and pink splashed across the darkening blue.

"'Sup?" I ask. He spares me a single look and nods like everything's fine.

Obviously, that's a lie. He's drinking—and Lennon never drinks unless something serious is rattling his cage. He likes to stay sharp in case Grace needs him.

The only times I've ever seen him drunk were right after Georgia's death, and on the day of her funeral.

Whatever's on his mind right now is probably about Georgia too. Poor bastard. I wish I knew how to help—but honestly, I don't have a clue.

"Where's Grace?" I ask.

"Sleeping," he says. Silence for a moment, then "You didn't warn the new hire about Buggy."

That's a surprise. How come he knows that? "I'll tell her tomorrow morning."

His lips press tight, and he oozes disapproval. "You can't forget shit like that. You know how violent Buggy can get. She could've gotten hurt."

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