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“Well, brother,” I said, my mood lifting and the irritation from earlier all but gone. “Welcome to Stone Ranch.”

“I do have one request,” Cooper added, his voice tentative.

My smile faltered slightly. “What is it?”

“I want to bring someone with me, just one person. They’re a hard worker and would make a great addition to the team.”

I frowned, considering his words. The crew in Lucky Lake was solid, and I wasn’t willing to disrupt the balance. But one person? Maybe that was a reasonable compromise.

“Adding one? Do you think they’ll fit in with the existing crew? I’m not sacrificing the happiness of my team for one person.”

“I’d guarantee it,” Cooper said, his tone confident.

I hesitated but eventually nodded to myself. “Fine. You have a deal. Let me know when you’re ready to start and send me their information. I’ll get the paperwork drawn up.”

We exchanged goodbyes, and as I hung up, I set my phone down and rubbed my face, a smile breaking through despite myself.

After years of bribing, I’d finally convinced my brother to join the business. There was a twinge of nervousness—hiring someone based on a recommendation doesn’t always work out. However, this was Cooper. If I couldn’t trust him, who could I trust?

Chapter 27

Eleanor

PREP DAY FOR the bake sale had finally arrived, which meant one thing: I had to coax Colton Stone into the kitchen at Stone Ranch with the promise of leaving him alone for the rest of the day afterward.

Most of the donations were already covered by a local bakery, but I thought it would add a special touch if the CEO himself rolled up his sleeves and contributed. Plus, we’d be in town selling baked goods to raise money for the women’s shelter, and nothing sold better than a little personal touch, especially from a man like Colton.

I made sure to get to the kitchen first. Partly because I wanted a head start, but mostly to ensure Axel wasn’t lurking around. The idea of Colton putting Axel in his place was appealing—especially after I’d told him what happened between Axel and me—but my sanity couldn’t handle the fallout. Jealous Colton was…intense. The mere thought of him like that made my skin hum with need.

Since the gala, I’d been doing my best to avoid too much one-on-one time with Colton. Casual sex with him had turned into this fiery, all-consuming obsession, and I needed to keep a lid on it. Today, though, there was no escaping him. Tawnie was busy elsewhere, and the kitchen was free only at this specific time. It was just the two of us, with no one around to interrupt.

Leaning on the cool stainless steel counter, I skimmed through the recipe in front of me. I mentally ticked off the ingredients I’d already found and noted what was still missing. Colton assured me everything we needed was stocked in the kitchen, but if he had been wrong, I’d have to figure out how to get it myself.

The sound of the heavy kitchen door slamming jolted me from my thoughts. I looked up just in time to see Colton stride in like he owned the room—which, technically, he did.

And damn, did he look good doing it.

He wore a pair of well-worn jeans that hugged his frame in all the right ways, boots that added an extra swagger to his step, and a simple T-shirt that clung to his chest like it had been custom-made to showcase every inch of muscle. The tight fabric outlined the hard lines of his pecs, and I had to resist the urge to gape.

Clearing my throat, I forced myself to stand taller and gave him a tight, professional smile, even though there was nothing professional about the way my heart was racing.

He approached, his long, easy strides filled with an infuriating confidence that made my knees feel like jelly.

Bow. Freaking. Wow.

His hair was brushed back and still managed to curl slightly at the nape of his neck, a detail that had no business being so attractive. Just before he reached me, he ran his fingers through it, sending a fresh wave of weakness through my already fragile defenses.

A quiet whimper slipped out of me, barely audible, but enough to make me spin away from him before he could notice. Bringing my finger to my mouth, I bit down lightly, silently praying for strength.

Lord knew I was going to need it.

Colton Stone. In a kitchen. Baking. In an apron.

I was going to make damn sure Colton tied that bow around his waist.

It wasn’t even about the bake sale anymore—I needed that image burned into my brain for future…use.

“Good afternoon, Eleanor,” Colton drawled as he approached, his boots heavy on the tile. He stopped right beside me, his presence larger than life.