AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Where are the guys now?” he asked Maggie.
“They went out to inspect the cattle.”
“I’ll find them.” Better to get it over with.
“Okay, good luck.”
He started to back out of the office.
“Piers?”
He poked his head back in.
“You and Ash really smashed all the rules when you just took your client directly from the plane to your bungalow. You didn’t even fight over her and make it look fair.”
“I never said I fight fair. I get what I want.” Without another word, he left the office and strode directly to the top pasture where he’d likely find the bosses.
His fists clenched. He refused to be accused of fucking around with an employee other than a fellow Boot Knocker. Even if he had taken Avril to bed, he would have damn well used a condom. It was one rule he never broke, not even with Ash.
Mornings on the ranch were always a peaceful time that he appreciated to the fullest. Most of the Boot Knockers and their ladies were still tucked in their beds after the fun they got into the previous night. Only those guys responsible for the animals were out and about.
The crisp air filled his lungs, and the lone call of a loon near the water’s edge carried on the breeze. Having Sylvee with them put a bounce in his step. But when he spotted Hugh and Riggs side by side, elbows on the top rail of the fence, his steps faltered.
Piers naturally avoided conflict. It was why he’d never fought Charlie for Sylvee. That didn’t mean he wouldn’t fight when necessary, and he was willing to go down swinging if these guys got in his face.
Dew sparkled on the grass, making the pasture glitter like gems. It also muffled the sound of his steps. As he neared, he called out to alert the guys he was there.
At the same time, they swung away from the fence to look at him.
“Piers. We were just talking about you.” Hugh gave him a nod of greeting.
From what Piers could tell, Riggs was the quieter of the two. He simply thumbed the brim of his black Stetson.
Piers didn’t stand around holding his dick and got right to the point. “Maggie said you wanted to talk to me.”
Instead of answering, Hugh waved a hand at the pasture. All three of them stared out at the beef cows grazing in the far corner.
“Herd appears to be healthy.”
Piers glanced at Hugh. The other functions of the ranch weren’t something he expected to discuss, but it made sense. The bosses had to look out for their investment, which included every operation of the ranch.
Piers let out a breath. “Did you really bring me here to discuss the herd?”
Hugh had the grace to dip his head. “Yes and no.”
“If you’re going to ask me about Avril, you’re wasting your breath. I never touched her. I don’t know who did, but it isn’t any of my business. Besides, she’s a good worker. Are you going to burn her at the stake for decisions she made in her personal life?”
Both men fell silent. After a second, Hugh waved a hand at the herd.
“We have healthy stock. You’ll find that the horses are too, besides the ones we rescued from the kill pen, but we’re fattening them up.”
“How often do you move the cattle to other pastures?” The bond between Riggs and Hugh wasn’t lost on Piers. The men stood close to each other, elbows almost touching. Neither seemed to be bothered by him knowing that they shared an intimacy. While they signed on as a package deal, it was never stated that they were in an emotional relationship. He had to wonder if they knew he and Ash had a similar dynamic.
“Typically we move the herd by the end of next month.”
“Not sooner?”
He studied the pasture. It still had plenty of nutritious grass after the snow melted off. “You think they need to be moved sooner?”
