Page 3 of The Boss

“The router is on the backup system, but it’ll take several minutes to restart or reboot or whatever.”

She sips her coffee, then smiles. “Okay – oh, this coffee is delicious. Thank you.”

"You're welcome." I take a few gulps, then reach out to steady her mug when another ripple of thunder shakes the building.

"Sorry," she whispers sheepishly.

I set our mugs down. "Etta, I'm not going to let anything bad happen to you. Got it?"

Her smile is like a beam of…light? I dunno – something rich and warm that spills through my chest, anyway. Like being dipped in honey. Damn, this girl has my brain all scrambled.

“Okay, how about you tell me everything about this real estate shit…stuff…and I'll try to help you look good for your boss, while getting rid of them."

I hope she realizes that I don't want to get rid of her. The way she purses those beautiful pink lips when she's thinking is already reminding my long-neglected cock that beautiful women make the whole world better.

"Okay." Her hands spread out on the wooden table. “My uncle David owns Decker Realty. He's about to buy the Jensen farm, and he wants to go in with one of his clients to make a nature retreat." Her tone of voice tells me that she thinks it's bullshit.

"A what-now?"

"Oh, you know…hiking trails, a spa, a string of exclusive cabins, plenty of hot tub and cold plunge things."

"So, basically a getaway for rich city folks?" I ask.

"Exactly." She shrugs. "They have some big plan to roll out an expansion every year, with new trails, new adventures."

"The Jensen farm isn't that big. How many trails are they talking?"

She exhales while rolling her eyes. “They're going to buy up the Whitaker, Slade, and Bowerman properties next. Then they can show a map with all the trails that will be built each year, assuming people make this their annual retreat. Uncle David says he has a whole system. Personally, I think he's been brainwashed by one of those online marketing gurus."

I chuckle as Smoky comes into the hall, shaking the water off his jacket and stomping his boots. "Fuckin’ hell, that rain’s pissin’ down," he says with a grunt. His eyes snap wide open when he sees there's a lady present. "Sorry, miss."

"Smoky, this is Etta. Her uncle's company is apparently buying up the Bowerman land."

He snorts. "Like hell it is. Hey, do I smell fresh coffee?"

"Yeah, help yourself."

"Thanks."

He shuffles off to the back kitchen, and I turn to Etta. "That's Smoky Bowerman. I don't think he's selling."

Her eyes grow huge as she shrinks back as far as possible in her chair.

"Whitaker and Slade also work on this ranch. Trust me, nobody is selling."

Her hands fly up. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize. I was just ordered to come here and⁠—"

"It's okay, sweetheart." I pat her knee gently. "I'm not angry with you." I chuckle as she visibly relaxes. "Your uncle is clearly an asshole, but that has nothing to do with you."

Smoky returns with his traveler mug filled, and nods to Etta. "The power is out because a tree knocked out the lines just a mile past the gate. Cutter is grabbing the chainsaws, and Hunter is dealing with the power company, but it might still be well past dark before the road is clear. That little car of yours might not make it, what with the huge ruts and holes in the road."

"Thanks," I tell him. I'll take care of it."

The door bangs behind him, and I smile into Etta's terrified eyes. "Sometimes storms create mini rivers across the hard-packed soil and dig trenches in the road. We'll be running around tomorrow filling them with gravel."

"I'm okay sleeping in my car," she says quickly. "Really. I don't want to be a bother."

"You're not a bother at all. I'm not allowing a lovely young lady to sleep in her car, for goodness’ sake." I take another sip of coffee. "There's a whole bunk room right there." I tip my chin to the north wall. "Sometimes we have volunteers or seasonal workers trucking through. It’s not fancy, but it'll do for one night.”