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“Payton!” I hear a deep voice say my name. A blond man walks up, and it’s obvious by their facial features they’re all related. “Glad you made it.” He checks his watch. “Punctual. I like that.”
“Yes, sir.”
“You hungry?” Alex asks but doesn’t even give me a chance to answer before walking toward the food. “Let’s eat and chat, then I’ll show you ’round.”
“Hope you enjoy the ranch. We need all the help we can get,” Jackson says as John busies himself with who I assume is a guest.
As we head to the buffet, my mouth waters as my eyes scan everything they offer.
“You’re holdin’ up the line. I’m cuttin’,” a blond woman who looks a few years younger than me says.
“Go right ahead,” I offer, taking a step back, even though she’d already moseyed her way between Alex and me.
She meets my eyes, then stops to take a look at me from head to toe. “You new here?”
“Somethin’ like that.”
“Who’re you related to?” She throws a biscuit on her plate, then smothers it with gravy.
“No one,” I respond, intrigued by the spitfire.
She chuckles. “Seriously? I was certain everyone in Eldorado was related to each other.”
“I’m from East Texas. Saw the job posting and applied a couple of weeks ago.”
“Take it easy on him, Kaitlyn. It’s his first day. Don’t need you runnin’ him off with your sharp tongue. We need the help,” Alex scolds, then faces me. “Sorry, she’s my niece. Jackson’s daughter. And the loud fruit doesn't fall far from the tree.” He chuckles as Kaitlyn bumps him with her hip and nearly knocks him over.
She sets down a set of tongs and then holds out her hand.
When I take it, she continues. “Kaitlyn Bishop. And before you ask, I’m not married, have no kids, and I’m an oversharer, so get used to it. It’s so nice to meet you.”
I hold back my laughter because I definitely wasn’t going to ask, but I appreciate the intro regardless. “I’m Payton Jamison. Not married or lookin’ to be. Also no kids, but I don’t typically make it a habit of sharing much. Pleasure’s mine.” I smirk, meeting her blue eyes that are zeroed in on me. She’s cocky. I like that as much as I like honey on a biscuit.
“So how long are ya here, cowboy?” She stacks a blueberry muffin on the side of her plate as confidence oozes off her. I glance down when she walks to the other side of the buffet and notice how great those tan riding pants look hugging her perfect ass. Quickly, I push those thoughts away because it’s the last thing I should be thinking about. If she works here on the ranch, she’s already off-limits in my mind.
“It might only be temporary, but we’ll see,” I say, shamelessly staring at her as I become mesmerized by her flirty nature.
“That’s what they all say. And then they taste the food and never leave.” She snickers, lifting her plate. “See ya around, Payton.”
Smiling as she walks to a table, I don’t think I’ve ever quite met a woman like her.
CHAPTER ONE
KAITLYN
PRESENT DAY
My body hits the dirt with a thud, and the wind is knocked out of me. As soon as I catch my breath, I get back up. I’m shocked I haven’t broken a bone in the years I’ve been training, considering how many times I’ve fallen off. Widowmaker stares at me like I’m crazy as I wobble to my feet.
“Such a cunt,” I say in an overly friendly tone so he doesn’t think I’m scolding him. Right now, we’re learning about each other, and I need to build trust when I’m in the saddle. Or these falls when he gets spooked will keep happening.
I’ve had this black Arabian in my possession since yesterday, and his owner did nothing but praise him. So I got cocky and thought this would be a breeze.
Wrong.
The day did not start how I had imagined, and it’s only a quarter past seven. The dew from the early spring morning drips down the windows of the training facility. This place would've been a cloudy mess if I hadn’t watered the dirt in the arena.
I dust off the front of my shirt and riding pants, then adjust my helmet while trying to fight the urge to scream. Once I’m calm and have walked it off, I look down at my smartwatch.
