Turn and Burn (Blacktop Cowboys 5)

“Hourly. I’ll show you where the time clock is.”

“Is there commission on clothing sales?” Harlow asked.

“No.”

“Are meals included the days we work?” Harlow asked again.

“No. But you can use the fitness center after ten at night. The pool is off-limits if there are guests here.”

Tanna bit back a laugh at the sour look on Harlow’s face.

“Let’s go over the lodge rules.” Twenty minutes later, Renner said, “Any questions?”

They both looked at Harlow. She shook her head.

“I’d like to have you both workin’ at Wild West Clothiers tomorrow. It’ll give you time to look over the merchandise. Harper is a helluva saleswoman, so you’ve got big boots to fill for the next couple months. Then I’ll have you both workin’ in the lounge too. There’s a meeting here tomorrow night but it won’t go past ten.”

“Is that a regular occurrence? A group renting out the lounge for a private meeting?” Tanna asked.

Renner shook his head. “Usually it’s something I’ve set up, like a Split Rock shareholders meeting. I will say that Harper has two or three groups of women that come here to shop from Casper, Cheyenne and Rock Springs. Since we know ahead of time, we set up a private luncheon for them.”

“Bet that’s good for sales.”

“Yep. There’s nothin’ like handselling.” He stood. “Let’s take the grand tour.”

It took three hours to see everything, including the barns, the riding stables and two of the shorter walking paths. They backtracked by way of the barn and Tanna was relieved they didn’t approach the horses. It’d be embarrassing if she freaked out in front of her new boss.

Tobin, the cute ranch hand with twinkling eyes and deep-set dimples, leaned over the fence. The ranch foreman, Hugh, a stoic guy with a scruffy beard and his face hidden beneath his hat, stood alongside Tobin.

“Pretty ladies,” he said with a grin. “And Renner.”

“Hey, Tobin,” Harlow cooed. “You’re looking too good to spend the day torturing cattle. What do you say we pack a picnic and go frolic by a stream or something?”

Tobin laughed. “I appreciate the offer, but I’m already spoken for today.”

Harlow sauntered forward, parking herself in front of Hugh. “What about you, Grumpy? You ready to drop your pickax and hi-ho away from here for a little R and R?”

“No.” He spun on his heel and stalked off.

“You’d be wise not to taunt him, Harlow,” Renner warned. “You might need his help with something and he’ll leave you high and dry because you’re such a tease.”

Tanna and Tobin exchanged a look.

“I just won’t talk to him at all. If the tour is done, I’m going back to bed.” She flounced off down the hill, slipping and sliding in her flip-flops until she disappeared behind a cluster of trees.

Renner sighed. “Tanna, you’ll need to tell me if she’s not pulling her weight.”

“I will. But I do have to ask. She has held a job before?”

“She worked in restaurants and bars and clothing stores through college. No idea how long she lasted at any of those, but she ain’t a total greenhorn.” He looked at Tobin. “You’re all right with hanging out in the lodge today?”

“Yes, sir. I’ll change before I head up there.”

Renner looked at Tanna. “What are your plans?”

“Grocery shopping.”

“If you get bored, you could always hang out with Tobin in the lodge. I’m sure he’d appreciate the company.” He grinned. “Later.”

When Tanna glanced over at Tobin, his face was bright red.

“I hope you don’t think I put him up to that. Because I’d never—”

“I know. Don’t sweat it, Tobin.”

He relaxed.

“I’m heading to Rawlins for food. Which is the best grocery store?”

“Super-Valu. They have a decent deli.” He grinned. “Hey. I’m a bachelor. I eat a lot of sandwiches.”

“Me too. My fridge in my horse trailer is pretty small.”

“I saw you talkin’ to Eli yesterday. Are you gonna work with him while you’re here?”

Did everybody know about her situation? “Do you know something about him that I should?”

“Not at all. He’s just really good with horses and riders. The best I’ve seen, actually. And I saw a lot of guys pretending they were horse whisperers and all that crap and none of them come close to what he can do.”

“Good to know.”

During the forty-minute drive into town, Tanna wondered if she’d be spending a lot of time alone this summer, after her shift ended. That was a depressing thought.

You could spend as much time as you want with the oh-so-sexy animal doc.

That was tempting. They’d been in perfect synch that night. She’d had more than her fair share of great sex, but that encounter ranked in the top five. Maybe even the top three. So why had she said no to him yesterday at the branding when he asked to see her again?

Her conversation with Lainie swam front and center. Everything she’d said had been true. But it’d been bold talk when she was surrounded by people. She’d change her tune right fast when she returned to an empty trailer every night. She had spent years on the road, driving from event to event by herself, so she should be used to miles of blacktop and no one to talk to—except her mom and didn’t that just make her a pathetic mama’s girl?