Page 41 of Caleb's Cause
“Yes, but it would only be for the clients at Broken. You would be in charge of them, and by that I also mean that you will have to make sure the bunktels are clean and ready for any new arrivals. Make sure the basics are stocked.” Erin shook her head and held up her stump. “This will be only until what you’re going through blows over, you’ll make lists of supplies needed and give them to Laurie. She will be our runner into town.”
“I understand.”
Erin waited for a few minutes, then smiled. “So, are you interested?”
“I am, and I don’t have to leave the ranch?”
“Nope, you can do it all here.” Erin grabbed a small piece of paper, wrote on it, and handed it over.
“What’s this?” Katherine asked as she took it and opened it. She frowned at what she read.
“Your weekly pay.”
“No way.”
“Yes, if you accept the job, then you’ll go on the payroll today. Until your situation is under control, you will be paid cash, under the table. I don’t want to put you on the books just yet because we don’t know how long of a reach Grayson might have when it comes to your personal information. We don’t need the FBI come knocking on our door because you’re being paid.. However, you will have a paystub with the taxes and things taken out. The actual check will be blank.”
“Why?” Caleb asked in confusion and turned to Katherine when she answered.
“Because if I don’t have a bank account, then no one can trace me back here to Fool’s Gold. I’m assuming that’s where the nearest bank is, and without a paper trail leading to me,Babcock, or Grayson, or whomever he is, won’t be able to find me. I already left all my bank cards, credit cards, and any other forms of ID with my car that Lyle Anderson, Mom’s boss, parked on his property. Along with my cell phone. Correction, the only forms of ID I have on me are my license and social security card, everything else I left back in California.”
“Ah, and being paid in cash, that again is no paper trail.”
“Exactly,” Erin said, then chuckled. “Duane was the one that came up with that idea.”
“Okay, I’ll go see him when I’m done here.”
“Let me give him a call so you can get a golf cart or ATV out of the barn.” Erin reached for the phone and dialed. From listening to her, there wasn’t much of a conversation, and when she hung up, she looked directly at Katherine. “He’s in his office here at Erin’s Way. Go find him, get your vehicle, and then head on over to Broken to see Naomi.”
“I can’t wait. Please, don’t think I’m ungrateful for not wanting to work with the horses.”
“I’m not, however, Iamgrateful that you know enough about yourself to be honest with me, and that I was also able to utilize your talents in different ways. Now go, get your vehicle, and then go see Naomi.”
Katherine and Caleb left, and because he still wanted to spend time with Katherine, he went with her to the barn, and after meeting up with Duane, they went to where the vehicles were stored. After about thirty minutes, Katherine picked out a golf cart that had a windshield, as well as a roof, a two-seater with a space in the back for carrying things. She parted ways with the men, and laughed as she took off toward Broken.
CHAPTER 15
Several days later,Katherine opened the door to her cabin when someone pounded on it. She was shocked to see all the women standing there.
“What’s up?”
Marcia was the one to speak for the group. “We were wondering if we could crash here for a few hours.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah, instead of taking Pru out for a bachelorette party, we thought we’d see if we couldn’t have it here.”
“I don’t have a problem with it.” Katherine turned to Caleb with a raised brow. Since the two of them stayed in the same cabin, it was only fitting to see if he didn’t mind having the others invade their space. Before Caleb could respond, everyone turned at the sound of a piercing whistle.
“Caleb’s coming with me,” Ryan said from his spot out in the driveway. “The guys are throwing me a bachelor party over at Erin’s Way.”
Caleb looked at Katherine with a grin. “Nope, I have no problem with these ladies staying here.” They all laughed as he made his way through them and went out to meet his uncle. When they drove away, Katherine invited them in.
“I don’t have anything to serve.”
“We’ve got you covered,” Adele said as everyone started putting bottles of wine, and trays of food on the kitchen counters. It wasn’t long until they all had a glass of wine, or in Erin’s case, her nightly two fingers of whiskey. They filled a plate and settled in the living room. At one point, Katherine looked at Marcia and sighed heavily. She knew it was none of her business, but since being in the barn all the time lately, she’d noticed something and cleared her throat.
“Marcia?”
