Page 43 of White Collar Rancher

Justin and Caleb piled inside, a cold draft preceding them.

“Did I miss all the fun?” Brigit called, but she eyed Priya to make sure she was okay. Priya’s pretend smile grew more confident as her gaze landed on Justin. He always took her mind off the worst.

Brigit stage-whispered across the living room, “I saved all the work for him. I’m afraid if he doesn’t get his hands dirty, I’ll come over and he’ll be wearing suits and straightening his tie.”

An image of Justin in a fitted suit and narrow tie sent flutters through Priya’s belly. He was potent enough in the worn jeans and soft plaid flannel he wore now. Pajama pants, no pants, Justin looked good in everything. “I wouldn’t mind seeing the suit.”

Justin smirked, but quickly looked away as Caleb started speaking. As they walked in and discussed the morning chores with an inquisitive Brigit, Priya ruminated over the news she’d learned.

Bezos was purposely scaring patients off? She had to figure out how to turn him in. It was the only way to deal with the problem, build back trust, and obtain job security.

She could do this.

But how?

As Caleb described the giant huddle of woolly sheep by the barn, Justin laughed. He rubbed his hands together, shot her a look full of I remember what we did last night, then turned into a doting dad. Dropping to his knees and crawling across the floor, he played with Isaiah.

She’d have to talk to her dad. She’d have to face looking like less than the competent professional she hoped he saw. But it was the responsible thing to do. And wasn’t being a responsible, capable adult the person she strove to be for her parents?

Meeting with Mom and Dad about Dr. Bezos would unlock the next hurdle she’d been preparing to leap. There’d be accusations tossed around. Perhaps an in-house investigation. And at the end either she or Dr. Bezos would be gone.

She was prepared to face reality. Ready for the fight. Willing to look vulnerable and weak and like she didn’t have her shit together. Because in the end, she would be ready to move on from this mess.

And she’d be able to face the most difficult confession of all. No more hiding. She’d be ready to tell Justin that she’d fallen in love with him.

Chapter 13

The wind had picked up. Gray clouds covered the sky from horizon to horizon. A storm was on its way.

Justin glanced at the clock. Would Priya get here in time? Or would she cancel and not risk being snowed in with him? She had the weekend off.

He hoped she didn’t cancel.

Travis and Brigit had just left. Both had stopped by before the bad weather to prepare the sheep as much as possible. They’d checked the shelters, the waterers, and the food supply while he was housebound with a teething baby.

By now, he was used to the help. He bounced Isaiah on his hip. Isaiah was secured with the baby sling and loved everything about walking around with him. Justin was getting used to these contraptions. Even better, Isaiah loved them. The slings would work well in the spring and summer. Justin wouldn’t have to rely so much on his family.

But for now, he was housebound and waiting for Priya. A load of laundry waited for him by the recliner and he’d already vacuumed and dusted. He’d rather be outside, but even the inside work was better than sitting in a boardroom all day.

His phone buzzed against the end table. Dammit. Priya was calling to cancel.

He snagged the phone and answered without paying attention to the screen. “Hey,” he drawled, infusing as much suggestiveness into his voice as possible. If the roads were bad, he’d tell her not to chance it. But not a flake had fallen yet, and he wanted her to himself.

“Justin Walker. It’s been a minute.” The feminine giggle on the other end was all too familiar.

His lungs seized until he choked for air. That voice. She was on the other end. He’d always had to prepare for her on a good day. Steel himself against her charm and the way she had him dancing before he ever heard a tune.

“Gabrielle.” He wrestled Isaiah out of the wrap and laid him on the play mat. Then he walked to the cove of his bedroom as if he didn’t want his kid to witness this conversation. “I wasn’t expecting you on the other end.”

“It sounded like you were.” Her breathy tone was there, like it always was. She used it on women and men alike. No matter the gender, they all seemed to succumb to a pretty face saying exactly what they wanted to hear. The meaning behind her words was the kicker.

“I was expecting someone else. What do you need?”

“Can’t I just call an old friend? We used to be so close, I can’t possibly just cut you out of my life.” She could, and she would if it suited her.

“Would your fiancé agree?”

“Percy doesn’t babysit me. I can be friends with whomever I please.”

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