Turn and Burn (Blacktop Cowboys 5)

“To not barfing in our sheets tonight.”

“Or on our shoes.”

They toasted and drank. The shot wasn’t any better the second time.

“That’s enough of that,” Harlow said with a shudder.

“I can’t even offer you a beer since I haven’t been to the store yet.”

“Too bad we can’t sneak into the lodge for a drink, but I’m sure my big sis would frown on that. Since we’re employees and all.”

“So, tell me how you ended up working at the Split Rock,” Tanna said.

“I’ve been on a walkabout all over the world the last three years. Working with some humanitarian groups in third world countries and generally f**king off on my dad’s dime. He got tired of it and cut me off. Then he said I should learn to be more like Tierney, which is ridiculous because, hello? She’s a genius. She’s got like four advanced college degrees and she makes type A personality people look like slackers.” Harlow propped her hiking boots on the coffee table. “My big sis is the greatest person in the world and I’ll never come close to being like her, even if I . . . I don’t know . . . tried.

“It’s really funny because my dad was so furious when Tierney quit working for him and took over property management for this place. Then she went and did the unthinkable—she married a cowboy. For love.” She gasped dramatically. “Tierney cut Dad out of her life completely. Somehow that caused him to wake up and realize he was an ass**le—and would be a lonely ass**le if he kept it up. They’ve been trying to get along ever since. Which is great for them, but shitty for me because now, Dad wants her to help me ‘make something’ of myself. You’re almost twenty-six, Harlow. It’s time to become a responsible member of society. When I was your age . . . blah, blah, blah. So here I am. What about you?”

Tanna gave Harlow the condensed version of the past two years, finishing with, “We’ll see what happens after Labor Day.”

“I’ll be sticking around at least until Tierney’s baby is born. I cannot wait to be an aunt. I’m gonna spoil that baby rotten.”

“If Renner will let you,” she said dryly. “He is awful protective of Tierney.”

“I know. She’s so lucky.” Harlow sighed. “Not only is Renner unbelievably hot, he gets my quirky sister. And the way he looks at her . . . Maybe someday I’ll get a guy to look at me like that, huh?”

“Maybe.”

“I’ve resigned myself to kissing a lot of frogs before I find a prince.” She winked. “How fortunate we’ve got a pond full of ’em so close by.”

Who would Harlow try to sink her hooks into first? Fletch’s gorgeous face came to mind. Would Tanna have an issue if Harlow set her sights on the hot vet?

Hell, yes.

But you’re just friends, remember?

Harlow stood and stowed the bottle of absinthe in her purse. “Great meeting you, Tanna. I promised I’d get rid of the punk hair, so I’m off to see what color my hair will turn out when I bleach out the pink.”

“Good luck with that.”

“See you at the ungodly hour of nine a.m.”

Tanna followed her to the door. “Which trailer are you staying in?”

“None. I’m crashing at Tierney’s old cabin. I’ll admit I wasn’t too proud to beg for it. Probably the only time I can play the I’m-your-baby-sister-card and get away with it.” She grinned. “Night.”

It’d be interesting to see what kind of worker Harlow would be. Her attitude and Tierney’s warning suggested Miss Harlow would try to rule the roost.

Huh-uh. Not happening. There was only one c**k of the walk in this place and Tanna had better make sure Harlow understood that it wasn’t her.

Chapter Seven

Sunday morning Tanna showed up in the dining room on time.

She and Renner were on their second cup of coffee when Harlow strolled in, yawning.

“Sorry. I overslept.”

Renner frowned. Tanna figured he’d let her tardiness slide, but he waited until she had her coffee to speak, so he had her full attention.

“There ain’t any special privileges for you here, Harlow, so get that outta your head right now. You’re here to work. Which means bein’ on time according to the lodge schedule, not your personal whims. Got it?”

Harlow saluted. “Yes, sir.”

He scrutinized her face and her clothing choices. “Let’s talk about uniforms.”

“What? We have to wear some stupid uniform?” Harlow demanded.

“If you’re serving in the lounge, yes. You’ll wear black pants and a long-sleeved white shirt. The dress code for Wild West Clothiers is casual. What you’ve got on”—he pointed to Harlow’s clothing: a tie-dyed tank top, cutoff jeans and flip-flops—“is not appropriate.”

Tanna was relieved Renner would keep an eye on his sister-in-law for dress code violations so she wouldn’t have to.

“The clothing store is open from ten to five, Monday through Saturday, but inventory and restocking need to be done every morning, which means you’ll need to be here at eight. The lounge is staffed from four to ten every night. Slowest night is Sunday. So it’ll depend on the reservation situation, whether we’ll staff it. No guests check in until tomorrow, so you’re both clear tonight. Any questions?”

Harlow raised her hand. “Are we paid hourly or are we on salary?”