Page 75 of Lavender Lake
“Whatever you need,” Declan said.
Muddy nodded. “Good. But we’re still going to need more help.”
My eyes swept over to Bowman who was leaning over, his arms resting on his thighs. His gaze was trained on Muddy.
“I know you’re only here for a short while,” Muddy said, addressing Bowman. “But until we can hire more men, would you be willing to?—”
“Yes,” Bowman said immediately, his eyes flitting to mine quickly before returning to Muddy.
Muddy smiled. “I knew I could count on you.”
“You’ve been working the ranch with me anyway the last few days,” Declan pointed out with a laugh. “Might as well get paid for it.”
“Absolutely,” Muddy said with a nod.
“How many men are you looking to hire?” Bowman asked.
“Two,” Muddy remarked. “To replace you when you go back to the circuit, and to replace Declan who will be acting foreman. But the job isn’t for everyone.”
“I know some guys,” Bowman said. “Brothers. One’s a farrier and blacksmith. The other is a horse groomer. They might be interested.”
Muddy nodded. “If you have contact information, I’d love to speak to them.”
“They’re from the circuit?” Hadley asked.
“Yeah,” Bowman said.
“Why would they want to leave?” she inquired. “I mean, they’d make far less working for us than on the circuit.”
“It’s not always about money.” His tone was clipped and he clamped his mouth shut.
Tension filled the room.
“Get me their contact information and I’ll give them a call,” Muddy reiterated.
“Do I know them?” Declan asked Bowman.
“Archer and Brooks Keel,” Bowman said.
“They sound familiar,” Declan said. “But I’ve never met them.”
“They’re from Spearfish, South Dakota,” Bowman said. “They used to belong to a motorcycle club before they joined the circuit.”
“No kidding,” Declan murmured.
Bowman nodded. “Speaking of which, my Harley is on a hot shot truck as we speak.”
“You ride a motorcycle?” I asked in shock.
Bowman looked at me and grinned. “I like to live dangerously. I’ll give you a riding lesson, if you want.”
“Just what we need. Salem, the adrenaline junkie, finding a new hobby that takes ten years off my life.” Hadley stood. “I’m making lunch.”
“I’ll help,” Muddy said as her gaze bounced between me and Bowman.
“Do not get Salem on the back of your bike,” Declan commanded as he pointed to his best friend before following Hadley to the kitchen.
Bowman stood up and came toward me and lowered his voice, “I won’t tell if you won’t.”
