I drive through the open black gate at the edge of our property. Overhanging the top is a sign letting us know we’ve arrived at S & S Ranch. I like the simplicity of the wrought iron design. The image of two cowboys on horseback bookends the words perfectly. Since the “S & S” stands for Slidell and Stewart, and we raise some of the most quality cattle in Texas, I’d say it sums us up perfectly.

“Is she still behind us?” Travis squints his eyes as he tries to find her car in the passenger mirror.

“I don’t imagine she got lost.”

Still, it would be hard to tell. Once we turned up our road, her little beater has been impossible to see in the cloud of dust being kicked up by the truck. I keep an eye on the rearview and see a glimpse of her when the dust settles for a second.

“There she is.” I nod.

We both seem more invested in Audrey than we would normally be for any other farm hand or cleaner. That’s the problem with hiring young, beautiful women. They can instantly class the place up, but it can also be a curse. Ever since Lila, we’ve only taken on men for jobs. If it was some guy trying to keep up with us so he could start working at the ranch, I wouldn’t give a rat’s ass if he was lost or not. Travis and I would agree that if he couldn’t figure out how to follow us, maybe he shouldn't be working there.

With Audrey, Travis has been telling me to slow down and wait up for her the whole way out. And the truth is, even if he wasn’t here, I’d still do the same thing. Lord knows, she probably doesn’t need me to be so careful with her. In fact, she’s probably wondering why I keep hitting the brakes. There’s just something about her, though. It’s been a long damned time since I’ve felt whatever this is stirring up inside me. Audrey has an innocence to her that makes me want to keep her close, keep her safe, or maybe just keep her.

I pull up to the front of the house and throw the truck in park, then jump out of my seat so fast, it’s like I’m trying to jump away from the thought I just had. Nope, I’m not going down that road again. Lila already dumped a gallon of gasoline down that path and tossed the lit match over her shoulder. I’m not interested in seeing Audrey as anything more than an employee.

A beautiful employee with eyes the color of chocolate and long hair the color of a wheat field in that golden hour when the sun sets down on it and you know the day’s work is finally done. An employee with equal parts innocence and determination dancing in her wide eyes and her city clothes clinging to her thick curves in a way that practically makes me salivate like a dog in the midday sun.

Swallowing hard, I kick my boot against the compacted dirt and frown. I need to stop that right now. Nothing good has ever come from getting involved with a woman who has worked for us, and it’s not a mistake I’m about to jump into again. I’m gonna keep this professional and keep my distance.

As Travis rushes over to Audrey and helps her carry her suitcases from the trunk of her car, I can see he’s going to be taking an entirely different approach.

“Come on inside. We’ll show you up to your room. I’m sure you’ll want to get settled in.” Travis leads her up the front porch and into the old farmhouse.

I stop kicking at nothing and follow them inside.

“Wow, this place is like something you’d see in a cowboy movie,” Audrey marvels. Her mouth is dropped open as she swirls her head around like an owl. She seems to be interested in even the most uninteresting stuff, like my nana’s old rocker and the baseboards.

“This ain’t no movie, though. We get up early here. Before the dawn cracks, we need to have breakfast on the table. Dinner is at noon and supper is usually around seven,” I start giving her the breakdown.

“Oh, sure. Before dawn? Wow, that’s early.” She gives me an uncertain glance.

“It is. Will that be a problem?” I take off my hat and watch her regain her composure.

“No, just wake me when you get up. It’s no problem at all.” She smiles sweetly.

“Don’t mind him,” Travis nods at me. “He’s like this when he gets hungry. He’s not always so unpleasant. Follow me. I’ll show you to your room.”

He walks up the stairs with a suitcase in each hand and Audrey follows. The two of them don’t seem to care if I follow or not, but I do. The sooner this girl gets settled, the sooner she can get around to making supper. My stomach growls, reminding me that we never did get anything to eat at Marge’s. All the drama spoiled our chance to grab a meal.

“So, this is my room.” Travis jerks his thumb to his open door. As usual, he has dirty clothes scattered all around and his bed is unmade.

“Slob,” I mutter.

“Seriously, man, go eat a Snickers or something, will ya?”

“Whatever.”

“Anyway”—he looks back at Audrey—“that’s the bathroom. Holden’s room is at the end of the hall there. That’s the office and right here”—he pushes the door open to an empty guest room—“will be where you sleep.”

“Oh, this is nice.” She walks in and twirls around. She sits down on the edge of her bed and tilts her head at us in a way that makes me need to scowl down at the floor so I don’t entertain any ideas. “Thank you both so much for giving me a chance. It means a lot to me.”

“Don’t mention it,” Travis beams. It’s clear to see that he’s soft for her. You’d think he’d learn.

The glint of her suitcase handle catches my eye. “That’s some mighty fancy luggage.” I look at the plaid design. I don’t know much about brands, but I’m pretty sure the bolded word “Burberry” means it cost a lot. “Where’d you get it?”

Audrey’s face drops. She twists her hands together and blinks a bit, like I stunned her with a cattle prod or something. “Oh, yeah. It was a real find.” Her voice goes up a bit. “I picked them up at a secondhand store, can you believe it?”

I don’t, no.

“Well, if the luggage inspector here is all done, we’ll let you get unpacked.” Travis gives her a quick smile and then turns his back on her so he’s facing me. His silent, arched eyebrow asks me “What the fuck, man?” without a single word being spoken.

“Yeah, once you’re unpacked, come down to the kitchen. I’ll show you what you need to get supper ready.” I agree and take Travis’s cue to leave the girl be.

I have no reason to suspect her of anything. In fact, there’s a good chance I’m just letting our experience with Lila taint my view, but I can’t shake the feeling that she’s trying to pull the wool over our eyes. Either way, I know I’ll be watching her very closely.