Toben nodded and climbed into his truck. He drove the short distance between the ranch headquarters and the Boone Refuge administrative offices. Archer stood on the porch, talking to two of his wranglers. From the looks on the other men’s faces, Archer was in a mood.
Toben sighed and climbed the steps of the building.
“Any questions?” Archer asked the two men.
They shook their heads, nodded at Toben and left.
“Morning,” Toben said.
Archer nodded, watching the two men head to the barn. “New guys. I need you to show them the ropes.”
Toben couldn’t have been more surprised. “Okay.”
Archer sighed, leveling him with a hard gaze. “The last few weeks have been...good. You’re working hard, setting a good pace and being an example for the others.”
Toben could only stare at him.
“It’s been pointed out that the refuge could benefit from having a foreman. I’m thinking you’re it,” Archer finished, his hands on his hips.
Toben continued to stare, speechless. Where the hell had this come from?
“You’ll be on the road now and then, but you won’t be away from your family too long. You know the job, this place, like the back of your hand.” Archer nodded. “That’s it.”
Toben nodded. “All right. Thank you.”
With another nod, Archer walked down the steps toward the barn.
Toben chuckled, rubbed his hand along the back of his neck and went to work.
Later, after Rowdy was tucked into bed and he and Poppy were sitting on the porch swing, he laughed. “I know he’s short on people skills, but I’m pretty sure I’ve never been offered a job quite like that before.”
Poppy smiled at him. “Congratulations.”
He gave her feet a light squeeze, shifting them in his lap as he draped an arm along the back of the swing. “Thanks.” He paused, hoping his next line of questioning wouldn’t lead to friction. “Thought any more about getting a dog?”
Her brows rose. “Maybe.”
“I’m not trying to kick a hornet’s nest here,” he said, stroking her ankles. “But Fisher, he’s a veterinarian at the hospital, mentioned there were a few at the hospital needing homes.”
“A few?” she asked.
“You don’t have to take them all. Just see if one might fit.” He chuckled. “When I’m on the road, it’d be nice to know y’all are protected.”
Her eyes narrowed slightly. “Is that why you’ve been staying every night, Toben Boone? To protect us?”
He shook his head. “No, ma’am. I stay so I can take you to bed and make you moan.” He cleared his throat, his words making him wish they were on the way to bed now. His thumb ran along the arch of her foot and she shivered. He smiled. “And I get to wake up my boy, see his smile first thing.”
She shook her head.
“What?” he asked.
“You...you—” She stopped. “You’re really happy?”
He nodded. “Yes, ma’am.”
She studied him for some time before she whispered, “Me, too.”
He tugged her into his lap then. “Good.” He kissed her, soft and sweet.