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“All right,” Emily said.
Just then several other men walked up and she remembered their faces, but not their names.
“I’m Joshua Burnett and these are my brothers Jacob and Justin,” the man said.
She remembered them from when she visited before. “Good to see you all again.”
“There are a lot of us living here on the ranch. It’s truly a family operation,” Justin, the younger one, said.
Four more men walked up and she truly felt overwhelmed. “I’m James Burnett and these are my sons, Caleb, Cody, and Cameron. Welcome to the ranch.”
“Thank you,” she said, wondering how many more there were.
Then she saw him, and instantly she froze, her heart pounding in her chest.
Oh shit. Oh shit. Oh shit. What was he doing here?
With a gasp, she watched as Tanner strode up. His head tilted and he stared at her.
“Emily? What are you doing here? Why did you follow me?”
She swallowed and they were all gazing at them. What had she done?
“I didn’t follow you. I work here. I’m the new cook,” she said, wondering how this was going to go. What was he doing here?
Shaking his head, Tanner came right up to her. “You said your name was Emily Wilder.”
“It is. Emily Wilder Young,” she replied. “And you said your name was TannerSmith. I gather that’s not yourreal name?”
Snickers could be heard and she didn’t dare look at anyone but Tanner. Staring into his emerald gaze, she could see the confusion there.
“No, it’s Tanner Burnett. I didn’t give you my real name.”
A simmering anger sizzled through her as she stared at him. He lied. Lied to her about who he truly was. Could he also be married?
“You lied,” she accused.
“You lied as well,” he said.
“No, Emily Wilder is my maiden name.”
There were guffaws as people around them moved nervously.
Staring at him, his eyes were darting emerald dagger at her and his face was red and tight with rage.
Did he think she had done this on purpose? Did he think she would have slept with him if she’d known he was part of the family she was going to work for?
All he had to do was be truthful and he’d failed at being honest with her.
Crap! She’d had sex last night with one of the owners of the ranch. Not good. Not good at all to learn on your first day on the job.
“I think you should leave,” he said.
No, he was not going to bully her into leaving.
“Unless I’m fired, I’m staying,” she said. “I’m the new cook. Why does it bother you that I’m here? Are you afraid I’m going to harass you? Believe me, I’m not.”
He glared at her and she could see he wanted to say more, but what could he say that wouldn’t embarrass them both? What could he say without confessing they had slept together last night?
