Dr. Stud

The sound of the cement mixers rumbling on the edge of the property are more soothing and less of a nuisance than Simone jabbering in my ear.

“Now, can you tell me about the reasoning behind the new farm?” she asks with her tape recorder jammed in my face.

I take a deep breath and try to smile. “Well, as I’ve mentioned, we aren’t a farm. We’re a ranch. We breed horses, and enter competitions. We’re one of the foremost horse ranches in the country, and place third nationally when it comes to cumulative medals and prize winnings.” I try to ignore her when she waves a dismissive hand at me.

“Okay, fine. So, why the new… whatever it is you’re building?”

I can feel my jaw clenching. “Stables. It’s a new, state-of-the-art stable. My father is merging our ranch with another, smaller ranch in the hopes of breeding some real champions. The goal was to create an updated environment where they could thrive, while still keeping a bit of that down-home charm.”

“You’re quite the idea man, Hawk,” she says, batting her eyelashes at me.

“Actually, that was Parrish’s idea. Initially, I had drawn up something far more grand. But she reminded me of my roots, and that what would best suit this place was something comforting, with a real homey feel. She’s the one with the ideas.”

Simone doesn’t even seem to hear me. It’s like she shuts off when I mention Parrish. I’m just about to make sure she registered it wasn’t my idea when dad comes walking across the property, his old poker buddy Russell by his side.

“Son! You remember Russell Edwards, right?” he asks as he gives Russell a pat on the back. “Russell, this is my boy, Hawk.”

I shake his hand, and for some reason, I get a real uneasy vibe off of him, one I don’t remember feeling when I was a kid. But I nod at him. “Sure. Good to see you, Mr. Edwards.”

He chuckles heartily. “We’re grown men now, Hawk. You can call me Russell. And who, may I ask, is this lovely specimen standing next to you?”

Simone isn’t paying attention. She’s tugging uncomfortably at Anna’s sweatshirt and watching the workmen as they double-check the markings for the foundation.

“This is Simone Leoni. She’s a reporter for Modern Architecture and she’s covering the build,” I answer as I instinctively step in front of Simone so he can’t continue to eyeball her.

“Well, I sure hope I get to know her better,” Russell says with a leering grin that makes my skin crawl. My father is equally distracted by the comings and goings of the builders, so I feel like I’m the lone witness to a car wreck and it’s making me feel sick. I turn to Simone.

“Simone, I was just about to go to the shop that is supplying the brick to finalize the order? Why don’t we head over together and you can get some shots of the vintage materials we’re using?”

She nods absent-mindedly and starts walking toward the truck. Once she’s entirely out of Russell’s line-of-sight, I take my father’s arm.

“Dad, can I speak to you for a moment? Just over by the house? Alone?” Dad looks at me like I’m nuts, but nods “yes” just the same. When we get to the porch, I turn so I can keep an eye on the truck, and ensure that Russell leaves Simone alone.

“What’s the matter, boy? I need to head over to the office and chat with Parrish about the price es

timates from the guy who is going to sand out all the wood.”

“Dad, why did you hire Russell for this job?”

Dad furrows his brow in confusion. “Huh? Why wouldn’t I? He’s one of my oldest friends, and he gave us a good deal.”

“Dad, he’s a creep.”

My father bursts out laughing. “What are you talking about, son?”

“Did you not see the way he was looking at Simone just now? It was weird. And gross.”

Dad tilts his hat up with a chuckle. “She’s a good-looking woman son, you have to admit that.”

“That isn’t the point. He wasn’t just giving her an admiring glance. It was skeezy.”

Dad turns around and looks at Russell, who has wandered over to the work men and is jovially chatting with them. Then dad turns back to me with a shrug. “I didn’t see it, but if you say so, Hawk. I’ll have a talk with him. But just remember, he’s an old dog. It’s hard to teach fellas like him to behave.”

I cross my arms over my chest with a scowl. “That’s not an excuse. Just makes sure he knows that I won’t put up with any bullshit on my worksite.”

Dad raises an eyebrow at me. “Correct me if I’m wrong, but aren’t you quite the ladies’ man back in Los Angeles?”

“You are wrong, dad. I do my share of dating. I’ve slept with my share of women. But I never do anything without their consent and I don’t treat them like pieces of meat. Your buddy would do well to learn the same lesson.”