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“You can hang your hat by the door. Would you like something to drink? Coffee? Something else?”
“Coffee would be great.” Levi hung his hat on the peg.
“Okay. Let me get that for you and then we can sit in the living room and talk.”
“Yes, sir. Sounds good.”
“Please, call me Cody.”
“All right. Cody. I appreciate that.”
Cody liked him already. He hoped he worked out.
After the coffee was made, Cody led him to the living room, and nodded for him to take a seat. Levi sat on the sofa while Cody sat in a recliner.
“How long did you work at the last ranch you were at?” Cody asked and sipped his coffee.
“I started working there when I was sixteen. I’d work after school, weekends, and all summer, then I started full time when I turned eighteen and worked there until recently when they sold it. So, twenty-four years, full time.”
“I’m sure it was a shock when they sold it.”
“It was. But I understood. The owner, Mr. Brown, lost his wife to cancer, and didn’t want to stay there.”
“Did the new owner let you go?”
“No. I quit after I met him. I didn’t care for the man.” He shook his head. “I can’t work for someone I have no respect for.”
“I get that. It would make a job difficult if you didn’t like your employer. I hope that won’t be the case here. Sam Garrett recommended you and I trust him.”
“Sam’s a good man. I’ll have to thank him.” Levi picked up his cup and sipped the coffee.
“What type of ranch was it?”
“Horse ranch.”
“This is different than working with horses. I do have a few horses, but I raise bucking bulls for competitions. They can be cantankerous and tough to handle, so I need someone who can manage them, and not have a problem handing out chores to the men. They’re young, but good workers.”
“Mr. Haines—”
“Cody.”
“Cody, I’m sure if you speak to my last employer, he’ll tell you I don’t take the job lightly. I’m a stickler for things done the right way. I’ve been called a tough task maker, but on a ranch, you need to be. I’ve been called a lot of other things too.” He smirked.
Cody chuckled. “I’m sure I have too. I just don’t have time to do it. I’m always on the phone making arrangements to get the bulls to the competitions. And that’s another thing. I usually go with them, so while I’m gone, I want to make sure the ranch is not going to fall apart.”
“I’ve been doing this a long time. I know what I’m doing.”
“I believe you do. How about we take a walk to the barn, and I’ll introduce you to the men.”
“I have the job?”
“It’s yours if you want it.”
“I do. Thank you.”
“Sure. Follow me.”
They left the house, walked across the yard, and entered the barn. Both men let their eyes adjust before strolling along the barn’s aisle. Cody saw Axel at the indoor corral but no one else.
