Page 7 of Isabelle & Jason
Jason arched a brow. “Not even you can make me believe we’re staying in that house.”
His friend chuckled. “Nah. We get housing, though. There’s a good-sized cabin around the backside of that barn over there.”He jutted his chin toward a large structure. “It got finished a few months ago. Mateo—the guy who runs this place—is sparing no expense for his employees. A summer gig doesn’t get any better than this.”
Summer gig. That was all this job was worth to Mark. Did Mateo know that Mark didn’t plan on staying longer?
It didn’t matter. Jason had no intention of leaving. Mark had been right about one thing. This job was exactly what he needed. Mateo needed a couple of guys who knew their way around a kitchen to help out the head cook, and when they weren’t helping there, they’d be working with the horses.
Jason knew little to nothing about being a cowboy, but he wasn’t against learning. He’d figure things out before Mateo noticed his lack of skills.
Moving toward the back of the truck, Jason did another sweep of the ranch. It was larger than it had looked when they’d pulled up to the property. There were at least three structures that could be barns. The cabin Mark referred to peeked at them from behind one of them. Then there was the large house and the expanse of land surrounding it.
Trees dotted the landscape and flowers thrived in the beds close to the main house. Something about this place drew him in. It was like his soul was tethered to it.
Jason reached into the bed of the truck and pulled his oversized duffel from the back. He’d put most of his belongings into the attic at the house his brother and sister-in-law purchased in town. The irony that his siblings had chosen to relocate to Copper Creek shortly after he’d announced he was quitting the restaurant wasn’t lost on him.
They were a tight-knit group, and he was glad to have them close.
He fell into step beside Mark and headed for the cabin. “Who are we supposed to be meeting?”
“Daniel something or other,” Mark said, his focus shifting to another building that had been somewhat hidden from view when they’d pulled up. Jason could tell without entering that it was where everyone would be eating. There was a large porch off one side with a set of double doors that would lead inside. Two picnic tables sat on the porch.
“And did you tell Mateo your specialty is burnt toast? Is that why he hired you?”
Mark tossed him a flat look. “Don’t you breathe a word about our credentials. You know me. I’m a fly by the seat of my pants kind of guy. Besides, I figured that you’d know enough for the both of us.”
“I don’t think that’s the way this works.” Jason chuckled. They reached the cabin and Mark pushed open the door.
A tall, intimidating man stood near a table that could seat six. He leaned over, palms resting on the surface. When he heard them enter, he lifted his head and glanced in their direction. His piercing blue eyes warned them not to cross him. And when he folded his arms over his broad chest, he dared them to make one wrong move.
Mark chuckled and held out his hand. “I’m Mark. And this is Jason. We’re new. Are you Daniel?”
Daniel’s eyes flicked from Mark to Jason. “The cooks?”
Mark nodded. “That’d be us.”
He jerked his chin toward a hallway. “I’ll show you your rooms. Then you need to report to the kitchen. Nikki wants to meet you as soon as possible.”
Jason adjusted his duffel on his shoulder and offered Daniel a smile. “Yes, sir.”
They shared a room. It was furnished with two beds, one desk, and two dressers. The bedding was rustic, and it looked like it had been decorated straight from a country living magazine.
Jason dropped his bag on his bed and moved farther into the room to where a vase with yellow daffodils sat. His fingertip grazed the delicate flower and Mark snorted.
“Flowers? Really? Who do they think is staying here?”
“It’s a nice touch,” Jason said.
“Don’t go getting soft on me. Tracy is already planning how we’re going to decorate our place after we’re married.”
Jason gave Mark a knowing smile. He didn’t have to say it. Mark had it bad for his fiancée, and Jason had been right when he’d insisted the two of them would end up together.
“Ready?” Daniel ground out.
They both turned to find him in the doorway. Mark clapped Jason on the shoulder. “As ready as we’ll ever be.”
Jason gruntedand about doubled over when Mark elbowed him in the gut. He wheezed and glowered at his friend before catching sight of what Mark was pointing to.
Or rather, who Mark was pointing to.
