Page 12 of Captivated

Salvation was Zeeb’s safe place, and he didn’t see that changing anytime soon.

They reached the bunkhouse, and after discovering the supply of coffee had been exhausted and Matt was nowhere in sight, Zeeb set up another pot.

“How are the latest guests working out?” Robert asked, pulling out a chair and sitting at the large table.

“Okay, I think.” Zeeb sat facing him, leaning back in his chair. “They’re a mixed bunch. Payton and Taylor have done alot of riding, and so far they’re loving riding the range. Michael and Carlos are getting more confident around the horses. Teague took ’em on a trail for the first time.” Zeeb chuckled. “Toby started something, y’know.”

Robert snickered. “Toby isalwaysstarting something. What is it this time?”

“You remember back before Deliverance really got going? And Toby had Sol take some pictures for the website?” Robert nodded. “Well, Teague asked a lot of questions that night. And he hasn’t stopped since.”

“Oh really?”

“Now, there could be a couple reasons for that. Either he wants to know all of that because as ranch manager, that’s his job. Or….” Zeeb grinned.

Orwas infinitely more intriguing, but it wasn’t his place to speculate.

The coffeepot gurgled, signaling it had finished, and Zeeb got up to pour two cups. He placed them on the table, folded his arms, and leaned back.

“Okay, it’s just us. What’s really on your mind?”

Robert chuckled. “Not a lot gets past you, does it?” He dropped a spoonful of sugar into his cup, then paused. “You didn’t see that, okay? Toby’s trying to wean me off sugar.”

“My lips are sealed.”

Robert stirred his coffee. “Nate is twenty-six, and he’s been in therapy. How long for? No idea. That’s all I know, except for one important detail—he doesn’t cope well with people. So much so, that I suggested he stays in the cabin instead of the bunkhouse.”

Zeeb blinked. “Want me to tell the guys not to bring guests back here?”

Robert waved his hand. “I’ll tell them. And I’llalsotell them I’ll pay for a room at that hotel they’re so fond of. But one night,okay? Derek said he wants Nate to stay for two weeks, initially. Which is whereyoucome in.”

“What’s my job gonna be, herd everyone away from him?”

Robert smiled. “Paul was telling me how good you are with horses. Not that I didn’t already know that. So I want you to be Nate’s point person. You’ll be the only person around here that he deals with. Who knows? If this works, he might get more confident around other people.”

“Me?”

Robert nodded. “I want someone who’ll be gentle with him. I have no clue why he ended up in therapy—and it isn’t any of our business—but I do know he needs taking care of. So you’d be with him during his waking hours. You’d see he gets fed, has whatever he needs…. He’s an artist, so you’d go with him if he wants to ride off and paint somewhere.”

“So that’s all I’d do while he’s here? Be there for him?”

“That’s it, yeah.”

Zeeb frowned. “So who does my work while I’m with Nate?”

“If we need to, we can rope in one of the other hands.” Robert shrugged. “We can make it work.”

So now I’m a babysitter?It was a mean thought, and he pushed it from his mind.Sounds as if this Nate needs a little TLC.

Zeeb could provide that. Hell, everyone needed it at some point.

Zeeb bit his lip. “You know how I am with guests. Want me to tone it down a little?”

“At first, maybe?” Robert smiled. “Think of him as a skittish colt. But don’t turn it down too much. Let him see the real Zeeb too.” He cocked his head. “Think you can do that?”

Zeeb chuckled. “It’ll be the most unusual job you’ve ever given me, but hey.”

“And it’s a job that comes with some studying.”

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