“Either way, I don’t see how the financial records of a bar could compare to the ranch’s. They’re totally different establishments.” His laugh was cutting, likely meant to be cruel. I’d seen his type many times before, how they loved to put men like me in our place where we belong: in the dirt and beneath their foot.
“Lincoln actually had a lot of great advice,” Josie cut in, eyes narrowing.
Her words were like a balm, soothing the anxious beast refusing to settle in my chest. How could she not see how wrong he was for her? And what drew her to him in the first place?
Ellis’ face showed a faint hint of annoyance, as though hecouldn’t believe Josie dared to go against his lowly opinion of me. “I’m sure he does. Again, I meant no offense.”
I held my hands up. “None taken. I’m sure you see more money in a day than I will in my life.”
Ellis straightened at my words. “Yes, well, I have high-profile clients with net worths in the millions, including the Black Springs Ranch portfolio.”
“I thought your father handled that?” I asked, looking toward Josie.
“Charles did, but he’s retiring at the end of the year. Ellis will be taking over the firm, including his dad’s list of clients,” Josie explained. “I wanted to get more familiar with our finances. It’s one of the reasons I found the discrepancy.”
“I guess it’s a good thing you’re so nosy,” Ellis said with a condescending smile.
If I knew it wouldn’t utterly obliterate the shaky truce Josie and I have come to, I’d gladly lay his ass out. He was rude and disrespectful, contemptuous of everything around him. This prick wouldn’t have a job if it wasn’t for Josie and her family. And I’d bet Josie didn’t even see it.
“Guess it’s a good thing she looked so carefully,” I said, flattening my tone. “Or else your firm would’ve gotten away with making one hell of a mistake. I mean, a quarter of a million dollars is a lot of money. Surely, you can agree.”
I expected Josie to intervene and tell me I was overstepping, but she didn’t. She peered at Ellis, waiting for his answer.
“We would’ve found it eventually,” he said, crossing his arms.
“Oh, I’m sure you would’ve,” I agreed.
Ellis checked his watch. “Josephine, could I get a moment alone with you? I drove all this way to see you.” He spared me a glance before pushing forward. “I know things were tense on Friday. Let me help you find what you need. It’s the least I could do.”
“Sure,” Josie said before turning toward me. “Thanks for everything, Lincoln. I’ll ensure we push your check through as soon as possible.” She was using her business tone, which meant she was done with our conversation.
I was just grateful my dick wasn’t straining against my jeans anymore as I pushed off the desk. “I’m not worried. Like I told you earlier, I have everything I need here on this ranch.”
Without so much as a goodbye to the man stewing in the doorway, I brushed past him and out of the barn.
josie
. . .
“What the hell was that about?”I asked as Ellis quickly shut the door. His face had grown red when Lincoln brushed past him, and I’d known him long enough to know his ticks and tells. I wasn’t sure what had set him off—seeing the two of us so close together or how Lincoln constantly challenged him.
He placed his hands on the desk, glowering down at me. “You’re askingmethat? Are you serious?”
I crossed my arms. “You were rude. There was no need to act like that. Lincoln’s been a huge help around the ranch and to my dad. I can’t risk you pissing him off and forcing him to pack his bags.”
“No need?” he echoed, laughing. The room suddenly felt smaller, like the space was closing on us. “I drove all the way out here to bring you flowers, only to find the two of you cuddling close on the other side of your desk.”
Flowers that were likely on discount because they were preparing to throw them away, I thought. Ellis wasn’t one for gifts. He’d told me once that he valued acts of service, and maybe that’s what he wastrying to do by offering to help me with the audit. I guess it had been nice for him to try to be romantic.
“We were not cuddling, Ellis,” I replied. “He was looking over the statements on the computer. He’s well aware of you.”
It wasn’t a lie. It wasn’t exactly the truth, either. I didn’t even know if I’d have ever mentioned Ellis if he hadn’t called when Lincoln and I were in the barn. Maybe I should feel a little guilty knowing I would’ve done a hell of a lot more than cuddle if Lincoln hadn’t dropped the reminder of Ellis.
But I didn’t.
As Ellis stepped closer, I braced myself for an argument that never came. Instead, his face morphed into one I recognized—the charming, helpful man who had helped me when I didn’t know what I was doing.
Anxiety eased as Ellis sat down in the chair in front of me. “I’m sorry, baby. It’s just been a rough weekend. After you left the office, I felt terrible. I spent the rest of my time chained to my desk, reviewing files and trying to figure this out.” He reached out his hand, intertwining our fingers.
