The Cowboys Fire

Chapter 10

Connor POV

I saw absolutely no sign of our new employee today. I guess she decided to take a day resting after her adventure. Either that or she doesn’t intend to do as my mom agreed and help around the range house. Who knows.

I spent most of my day in the house spitting out fire after fire. I really don’t understand half these issues that I somehow need to deal with. I’m taking a day on the ranch tomorrow. I need out of this room. These issues will still be waiting for me the day after and by then it might have occurred to me what they mean. Hanging up the phone, I rub my eyes and decide I am done for the day. I need to find my brothers and order take out, again. Step into the hallway the delightful smell of Chinese food hits my nostrils and I’m grateful one of my brothers chose to order food already. Stepping into the kitchen, however, I find all my brothers huddled around the slow cookers making happy murmurings. I step up behind them and notice all the slow cookers filled to the brim with a variety of Chinese dishes. How?

“I don’t understand?” My brothers jump having not heard me approach.

“Since it’s not one of your three dishes, I’m guessing Lilly decided to get a jump on her duties even though we told her to rest” Logan answers me.

“I’m so glad she ignored us, it smells so good” Aiden adds. Looking all giddy. Just then the oven timer pings, eyebrows raised, we step back and open the door. Spring rolls and ribs in sauce. My mouth salivates, ok maybe this won’t be all bad.

We quickly dash for plates, piling them high I go to sit at the island when I see the table is set for us. We sit down as a family and dig in.

Alright, I’ll admit she did good for her first day. I have no idea how she managed all of this with what was in the kitchen.

Jackson’s the first to finish and go up for what’s left. I ate so much I’m not sure moving would be a good idea right now. Something on the side catches his eye. A note perhaps.

“There’s a post-it from Lilly, she’s asking for a vehicle to get supplies in town tomorrow. Logan you got anything she can use?” Jackson asks.

“Yeah, actually, I have been locking a mom’s old Honda most of the day, trying to get it sorted as a permanent car for Lillys disposal. I figured mom wouldn’t mind and given her ribs, Lilly won’t be able to get in and out of any of the trucks on her own anytime soon” Logan makes a valid point but I don’t like that he has spent a day doing this when we have ranch trucks on blocks and Lilly will probably high tail it back to Florida in a week or two.

“You should be fixing the ranch trucks Logan, not trying to impress a beaten down chick in the hopes of getting your d**k wet!” I call him out, not finished yet.

“She’ll be here a fortnight then run back to civilisation in Florida. Don’t waste your time on her” the table plunges into silence. All my brothers staring at me, forks held in mid air.

“What the hell Connor?!” William bellows.

“What? How is any of what I just said wrong?” I retort.

“It’s all wrong, Jesus, our mom sent her to us so she could be safe and protected! I’m looking at her like a sister and feeling guilty as hell that you landed her in the bunk house when we have rooms in here and that you forgot her! I’m ashamed of you Connor!”

“Get off your high horse! She’s an employee not your sister! She’s trouble and I’m not having any of it. She’s been here one day and shes already the topic of an argument”

“No Connor, you being a d**k is the reason for this argument. I’ll pull the Honda round to the front when I get up and I’ll let her know and thank her for an amazing dinner. Night” he puts his plate in the sink and storms off to his workshop.

Shit.

The rest of the meal is fairly silent and I find myself questioning whether I am in the wrong. All my brothers seem to think so. I throw my plate in the sink, conscious I’ll need to get up early and do the dishes. And head to shower and bed. Thinking about Lilly and my brothers.