Page 4 of Loving Carter

“Hi, Janie.” Carter smiles at the young woman.

I groan. This nonsense wears thin after a while. Carter knows what he’s doing, and Janie is somewhat age appropriate. Well, legal at least, having turned eighteen last October, but still, she’s young.

I nail him with a direct look. “So, Carter, why were you late this morning? Did you also encounter traffic problems?”

I know he didn’t. He drives into town from his ranch. Chances are, he didn’t see any other vehicles on the drive, or if he did, he encountered very few.

He shakes his head. “No. I was late because I’ve been scrambling to get the ranch ready for the first group of summer guests. I think tending cattle was easier than dealing with a few of these people. The kids are great, but some of the parents are real pieces of work.”

Deciding to move things forward, I push a cup of black coffee toward Carter. He looks tired. I know he’s busy. Sure, his youngest brother, Kellan, helps out, but Carter does most of the work.

“So are you now set for the summer sessions?” Janie asks.

“We’re as ready as we’ll ever be, but it’s like preparing for a flood,” he says. “You think you’ve got everything covered, but then something will happen to throw you into chaos.”

“Makes you want to hide in a closet and hope for the best,” I tease him.

“I wish,” he says. “All I can do is try to anticipate problems. Both summer sessions are swamped with families. Everyone wants to ride a horse and catch a fish.”

“Parents want to give their children all the opportunities in the world.” Janie’s tone makes it sound like we’re discussing curing cancer rather than handling guests at a dude ranch.

“Maybe, but I think some parents just want to get rid of their kiddos for a few hours so they can have some peace and quiet,” Carter counters.

Janie shakes her head. “Your camps are great. Everyone loves them.” She sighs, then adds, “I wish I worked there.”

What? I look at Janie. “Hey! You already have a job.”

Janie immediately turns bright red. Not a subtle light pink. Not a gentle, flattering blush. Nope, this is a full-fledged zero to tomato red in seconds.

“I’m sorry. I’m sorry,” she says. “I love my job. I really do.”

“But you think working for Carter would be more fun?” Then I realize Janie’s taking me seriously and looks like she’s about to cry. I feel like I kicked a puppy. “It’s okay,” I assure her. “I was just teasing. Of course working at the camp would be fun. I’m not upset.”

“Are you sure?” she asks with a sniff.

Good grief. I will never tease Janie again. “Yes. I really was just kidding.”

With a small smile and a nod, Janie says, “That’s good.” She draws in a shaky breath, then with a quick goodbye to Carter, heads into the back room.

As soon as she’s out of earshot, Carter whispers to me, “You’re mean.”

I glance at the door to the back room, then look at Carter. “I wasn’t trying to be mean. I was being honest. She does have a job already.”

He gives me a pointed look. “You know what’s happening. You’re not dense.”

Yes, he’s right. I’m not dense. Janie likes Carter, but she’s too shy to tell him.

“Do you want to ask her out?” I ask, already suspecting the answer.

Carter firmly shakes his head. “No, ma’am. She’s too young.”

That makes me smile. “You’re a regular Goldilocks, aren’t you? Miriam is too old. Janie is too young. Some people are difficult to please.”

Carter raises one eyebrow. “I’ve got enough problems. I don’t need more.”

“Can’t argue with that,” I say, then head into the kitchen to grab a cinnamon roll.

Janie comes out of the storage room just as I’m setting the cinnamon roll on a plate. The younger woman still looks upset. Her short multicolored hair looks mussed, and her eyes look slightly reddish. At least the tomato blush has faded.

---