Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74968 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 375(@200wpm)___ 300(@250wpm)___ 250(@300wpm)
“Me?” Adler widened his eyes. “I mean, I’ll do my best, but I don’t want to sign off on anything without your approval. Grayson’s the ranch expert, not me.”
“I trust you. Grayson can go to the meetings too, but you’re my right-hand person on this project. You know as much as I do.”
“I’ll do my best.” Adler didn’t look any too sure.
My stomach churned, but not from doubt. He probably did know more hands-on, day-to-day ranch details than Maverick. He was also the hospitality expert, more than capable of making decisions in the best interests of future guests. My sick feeling was more to do with the bitter wind of change Maverick’s news had brought. I’d known Adler’s time as a hand was drawing shorter, but this was likely to accelerate things further. However, nothing for me to do other than nod.
“We both will. You go worry about Colt.”
“I will.” Maverick chewed the corner of his mouth. “Thank you. I need to go finalize travel plans. And dinner.”
“Work on the travel first.” Adler squeezed Maverick’s shoulder. “I’ll finish up here and then come fix dinner. You shouldn’t have to cook tonight.”
“Thanks.” Maverick offered a grateful smile, seeming marginally more at ease than when he’d entered the machine shed. “I doubt Colt will eat, but that’s one less thing on my plate.”
“Consider yourself finished.” I gestured at Adler. “That’s a good idea, making sure they’re fed. You go on and clean up. Door can wait.”
“Thanks.” Adler headed for the other door, turning back to address Maverick. “I’m going to go take the world’s fastest shower, then head to the house to help you.”
“Thank you.” Maverick let out a low groan as Adler left. “Gah. I have a feeling I’m going to be saying thank you a lot over the next few weeks.”
“Understandable. And keep delegating. Let folks help,” I advised. “I’ve got things on the ranch end.”
There had been plenty of times toward the end of Melvin Lovelorn’s life when I’d had to handle things more or less on my own, trusting that I was making decisions that would preserve the ranch’s future for Maverick and the others who counted on it. I wasn’t at all worried, but Maverick scrunched his face like he wasn’t so sure.
“You sure you can work together with Adler?” he asked in a low voice, like Adler might reappear at any moment. “I know he’s not your favorite person.”
Oh, how wrong Maverick was, but now was not the time to illuminate him. “We’ll be fine.”
“If you’re sure.”
I was beyond sure that somehow, against all odds, Adler had become my favorite human, and I was also certain we made a good team, but I kept my voice mild. “We’ve kept the dogs alive together.”
“True.” Maverick offered a tentative smile. “I’m glad you kept the dogs. Adler would be heartbroken if they left.”
“Yep.” At this point, so would I. And not to mention how heartbroken I’d be when Adler moved on from the dude ranch project. Adler working less as a hand was the first of many little losses, all of which I needed to silently bear.
“Maybe you can teach the dogs to herd llamas.”
I made a startled noise. “Llamas?”
“Or baby goats. Adler keeps batting around ideas for a wider variety of animals for potential guests. Chickens, if we can figure out how to keep them warm year-round. He’s got Kat considering mini horses too.”
“Why am I not surprised?” I groaned.
“He’s Adler.” Maverick gave a knowing smile. That was indeed one way of putting it. Adler was a force of nature, able to drive me up a wall even as I appreciated his unique gifts. “Thinking of how to entertain guests is his calling in life.”
“Certainly seems intent on keeping himself busy,” I agreed. All Adler’s grand plans would undoubtedly make for happier guests and more income for the ranch. I remained irritable about essentially turning the place into a city-slicker summer camp though. “And more work for the rest of us.”
“When I’m back, we’ll talk about adding hands for spring and summer,” Maverick promised.
“Sounds like a plan.” I waved him toward the door Adler had exited through. “Worry about Colt right now, not the ranch. I’ve—we’ve—got this handled.”
“Thanks,” Maverick said as he left.
I, of course, had far less certainty than I was letting on. Not about the work or about keeping the ranch going. I had enough confidence in my years of experience there. Nor was I worried about Adler’s ability to pitch in. Rather, my back prickled at the notion of working together, sweat gathering at the base of my spine despite the chilly temperatures. We would indeed handle things for Maverick, but whether the price would be what was left of my sanity and heart remained to be seen.
Chapter Twenty-Six
Adler
“Do you have everything you need for school?” I asked Willow as I entered the house right as both girls were leaving, clad in thick winter coats and gloves and toting backpacks.