AllFreeNovel
Share Us
CHAPTER21
Tanner went up to his Aunt Rose’s office in the administration building. Years ago, she had an elevator installed and moved her office upstairs where she could look out over the ranch.
It was one minute after eight and she stood waiting for him by the door.
“You’re late,” she said.
“Not really,” he told her. “My watch shows I’m right on time.”
“Take a seat,” she said, going behind her desk. She sank onto her chair and her eyes narrowed at him. “How did that bull get out yesterday afternoon?”
With a sigh, Tanner knew she would be upset about the accident, but he had never seen anything like that before. It was almost like the boards just broke apart as the bull approached.
“People could have been hurt. As it is, I’m going to have to write up a report on the damage he caused. I want to know what happened.”
This was not what he expected her to talk to him about today, but at least it wasn’t about Emily.
“As a family member and a person in charge of the rodeo arena, I expect our guests to be safe watching the bull riders, even the calf roping and barrel racers. Never do I want to see a guest have to run for their life.”
None of them did. Yesterday had been an anomaly. The oddest thing he’d ever seen happen with a bull. Never had he seen a bull escape from an arena that way.
“Neither do I,” Tanner said. “We always check the fencing to make certain it’s secure before every rodeo. The only way for an animal to get through the fencing is to do what that bull did yesterday. And that’s the first time I’ve ever seen that happen. The boys said he ran all the way back to the pasture before they caught him.”
His aunt Rose leaned back in her office chair and glared at him like what happened yesterday was all his fault.
“Don’t let it happen again,” she said.
“Like I could stop it,” he said. “Our men acted swiftly to keep the people safe. They immediately went in search of the bull. They kept everyone from leaving, except you, and they warned anyone on the grounds to take cover. What else could we have done?” he said, growing agitated.
Their safety plans for just such an event had worked perfectly. What more did she want?
Forming a steeple with her fingers, she glared over her hands at him like she really wanted to take him down.
“Then there is this issue of you and our chef. I thought I warned you to stay away from her.”
Oh hell, she was not going to let yesterday go. He’d saved Emily from the bull and yet she wanted to focus on their relationship.
“You did,” he said. “Emily and I have come to an understanding.”
Her eyes widened and he knew she didn’t like his comments at all.
“Well, you may have, but I have not. I don’t want this hot romance to end and my chef deciding to leave,” she said, getting up and limping over to the window. Years ago, she had been injured in a horseback riding accident, and since then, she walked with a limp or used a cane.
“So I can’t see Emily. I can’t date her.”
“My sources say you’re doing a little more than dating,” she said. “And no. I don’t need this happening. It’s a distraction. Our cook should be focused on creating excellent cuisine for our guests, not dillydallying with you.”
“Your sources,” he said, wondering what she’d been told.
“A kitchen floor is not private,” she said.
How the hell had she learned what they’d done that day in the kitchen? There must be a camera somewhere in there. Who all had seen him and Emily at their most vulnerable? During a private moment. Thank God, they had remained mostly clothed.
“Did you enjoy watching us?” he asked.
Turning from the window, she frowned.
“You must have cameras in there because that’s the only way you would have learned what went on.”
