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I threw my hair in a ponytail and checked myself in the mirror. This would have to do. This is how I would have dressed at home, but I couldn’t help but wonder what the guys would think of me in such casual clothes. I was short on options.
When I left my room, Thomas and Declan’s doors were open, but I didn’t hear or see anyone inside. I made my way to the kitchen and noticed Mrs. Roberts at the counter.
“Good morning, Alex,” she greeted me cheerfully. Apparently, she had slept better than I had.
“Good morning, Mrs. Roberts… Helen,” I corrected when the older woman raised her eyebrow.
She produced a cup of steaming coffee. A kind smile graced her face as she looked me over. “Cream and sugar?”
“Yes please. It’ll be the closest to a latte or macchiato that I’ll get for a few days.” I tried to smile, but I didn’t have the energy.
“Did you sleep okay, dear?” Her head tilted.
“Not really, to be honest. You know, strange place, strange bed, the storm.” She didn’t need to know my mind had been running wild with thoughts of her bosses.
“If you want, I can give you something to help you sleep tonight.” She placed her hand gently on my wrist. “Unfortunately, the weather hasn’t let up, so it looks like you will be here at least one more night.”
“Thank you. I will let you know later. Do you know where Thomas and Declan are? I didn’t hear them upstairs before I came down.”
“Oh dear, those two are up at the crack of dawn. Never a day off, even when there’s a snowstorm.” She shook her head.
They were working in the storm? People who owned farms knew weather didn’t deter them from taking care of the animals, but this storm was bad. I knew it was ridiculous to wish their ranch hands were the ones out in the storm instead of Thomas and Declan. It was just as dangerous for them, but my heart lurched as I thought of all the things that could go wrong. All the things that could happen during the storm. Panic gripped my throat.
“It’s dangerous to be out there,” I said, forcing the words past my tight throat. My breaths came in short pants.
“Alex.” Helen rubbed my shoulder. “Of course, they didn’t go out in that. They’re in their offices, on the radio with the men.”
I took a deep breath in, my head fuzzy from my mini panic attack.
“It’s nice to know you care, Alex.” The deep timbre of Thomas’ voice came from behind me.
I whirled and saw him standing in the doorway to the kitchen, empty coffee mug in his hand.
Relief swept through me at seeing him safely inside. “I just don’t want you getting hurt. No one should be out in this weather.” Nervous that he saw my reaction, I adjusted my glasses.
His eyes followed my movement.“You don’t have to worry about us. We have lofts in the barns a few men volunteered to stay in, so they could take care of the horses until the storm blows over.”
“But what about food and water and supplies for them?”
Thomas gave me a patient smile. “Alex, we have this covered. We’ve had this all planned out for days now. Everything is taken care of.”
Of course. This was what he did. He took care of things. Just like he had helped make sure my father and the dogs were safe and cared for yesterday.
He must think I’m such a weirdo, getting all worked up over nothing. I grew up around farms and ranches. I knew the inherent risk the owners faced, and it wasn’t my business whether Thomas and Declan handled it themselves or had their ranch hands do it. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be rude or imply you didn’t have everything arranged. This is your ranch, after all.”
Thomas shrugged. “No need to apologize. It’s a real concern. I’m touched you were thinking of us.”
I averted my gaze as heat crept up my cheeks, and sipped my coffee. If only he really knew what I was thinking about them. Helen’s eyes followed us, and before I could stop it, my blush was full on fire now. Lifting my coffee mug again, I tried to hide behind it, taking a few more sips.
Thomas placed his coffee cup on the counter, and Helen refilled it and fixed it up the way he liked, ignoring his protest that he could do it himself.
“We figured you might want a spot to do some work while you are here. Declan and I just finished getting one of the offices set up for you to use.” Thomas took a sip, watching me over the rim of his mug.
“Thank you. That would be amazing.” My coffee mug hit the counter a little harder than desired. “Oops. Sorry.”
“Come on. I’ll show you where it is. Mrs. Roberts will bring you some breakfast if you don’t come back.” Thomas held his arm out, indicating for me to exit the kitchen ahead of him.
I took my mug, and the moment I passed him and entered the foyer, I felt a hand on my lower back. The gentle pressure was something I was quickly becoming used to, and part of me loved the possessiveness of it. Thomas steered me down the hall and passed an open door. I glanced in briefly and saw Declan behind a desk.
