Page 16 of Her Cowboy Baby Daddy
Elena at Whiskers and Paw Pals had told her that the Hunt Ranch said she quit, but there was something about the girl’s demeanor that made Hayley wonder which scenario was true.
“Yeah. They didn’t like my attitude. I made the mistake of telling Mr. Hunt that he was using the wrong bit on his horse. Or at least I think that’s why they fired me.”
“You know bits?”
“I know horses,” she said simply. “I thought I was hiring on as a day hand for the summer, handling horses and cattle, but I ended up doing housework in the lodge.” Her tone bordered on disgust.
“Really.”
“It was supposed to be a temporary thing, until they replaced their former housekeeper, and Mrs. Hunt was so nice about it, I agreed. But... I messed up.” Her eyebrows went up. “Mr. Hunt did not appreciate getting horse advice from a housekeeper.”
“Or any advice, I’m guessing,” Bella said darkly. “My brother used to work for them.” She lifted her cup, elbows planted on the table. “That said, Mrs. Hunt is nice, and Mr. Hunt contributes to many local causes, so”—she lifted her shoulders in a c’est la vie shrug—“his megalomania is, for the most part, overlooked.”
“Not on my part.” Andie spoke in a stony voice before turning to Hayley. “My grandparents live in Great Falls, and they’ll take Greta until I get on my feet again.”
Hayley studied the young woman, noted her short fingernails and work-roughened hands. “You’re looking for a job.” It was a statement, not a question.
Andie nodded. “I have a few leads.” From the tone of her voice, they didn’t sound like strong ones. “The important thing is that Greta will be taken care of until I land something. My grandparents have a fenced yard, and Greta loves their cat, so she’ll be in good hands.”
“I’ll tell you what,” Hayley said. “Can you meet me at Whiskers and Paw Pals to discuss Greta with Elena? She has to have the final say in what happens.”
“When?”
“Say in an hour?” If she could get the Greta matter settled, she’d feel better. And if Andie needed a job, well, maybe they could help one another out in that regard.
Andie gave a solemn nod. “I’ll be there.”
*
Two hours later,Hayley glanced in the rearview mirror at the big truck following her smaller one as she turned onto the Lone Tree Ranch Road. Interesting how a person could go to town to meet a friend for coffee and end up returning home with a temporary ranch hand, but that was how things worked out.
After an intense discussion with Elena at Whiskers and Paw Pals, who was all about the welfare of her charges, Greta was going back to Andie, and Andie was going to work on the Lone Tree. Hayley needed immediate help now that Vince was gone, and Andie needed a job until she could land something permanent. Permanent meaning “permanent with horses.” Hayley, knowing how rare jobs in the equine field could be, silently wished her luck.
Andie parked next to her under the big elm tree that shaded the house. Greta jumped on the side yard gate, and Andie made a beeline for the little dog who started yipping and leaping at the sight of her mom. Any doubts Hayley had about Andie evaporated as the gate opened and Greta launched herself into Andie’s arms. Uncontrolled wiggling and face kissing ensued, then a nudge on the back of her leg made Hayley start. Remy nudged her again, and Hayley reached down to rub the pig’s bristly head.
“Thank you so much for finding her,” Andie said, as she put the little dog on the ground. Almost immediately, she picked her back up again as the pig approached. “Aren’t you a beauty?” she said to Remy, who grunted as she sniffed at Andie’s shoes. Andie hugged Greta close. “And thanks for hiring me.”
“I’ll show you where you’ll stay.”
All Andie had with her were two duffel bags, her riding gear, and a plastic bag of pet supplies. She lifted one duffel out of the back of her truck and Hayley the other.
The duplex-style cottage that served as housing for seasonal employees had been built in the 1960s by Hayley’s grandfather. Hayley had painted the building last summer as she buried herself in ranch repairs while dealing with the loss of her dad that spring. A small porch fronted the building, with two doors separated by a couple of feet of shiplap siding.
“Take your pick,” Hayley said.
Andie gave a shrug. “The one on the left.”
Hayley opened the door, and they went inside to drop the duffels on the floor near the small Formica table. They’d already established that Greta would stay in Hayley’s yard while Andie was at work, and hashed out the details of pay and notice required before she moved on, but Andie seemed oddly distracted. Worried almost.
“Is everything all right?” Hayley finally asked before leaving her new hand to settle in.
Andie started to nod, then shifted her weight. “The thing that got me fired?”
“Telling Carter Hunt about his horse’s bit?”
Andie nodded. “That happens to me a lot. Not the losing the job part, but pissing people off by blurting out the truth. I sometimes have a filter issue.”
Hayley considered the woman’s words. “Okay. You’re saying I shouldn’t ask you if these jeans make my butt look big?”
