Okay, now he felt even worse. Was that the problem? Was she concerned about messing up? “We just want her to be safe.”
“She isn’t used to this way of life. I thought you’d be keeping a closer eye on her.” The reprimand in his brother’s voice was clear.
“I’ve had people watching over her. They all say she’s fine,” he said defensively. “Ellie adores her.” She’d talked his ear off about how wonderful Charlotte was.
“We’re her guardians, Clint.” Kent was saying nothing that he didn’t know. “It isn’t like you to shirk your duties. What’s going on?”
“I kissed her. All right? That first night when I took her back to her cabin, I kissed her.” He still felt guilty.
Silence. Kent stared at him. Then a slow smile crossed his face. “I knew you liked her.”
“It was a mistake.” How could his brother not see that? “She works for us.”
“So?” Kent asked.
“So. I can’t get involved with her. I’m her boss. I have authority over her.”
“You would never forc
e her,” Kent’s voice was filled with certainty.
“Of course not. But I just don’t think it would be right.”
Kent let out a deep breath. “Clint, man, when was the last time you kissed a woman? Really kissed one?”
“What? As opposed to not really kissing one?” he asked sarcastically. But he gave it some thought. When was the last time? He couldn’t remember.
“You’re not the type to just jump on someone because they’re available. You like this girl. And we both know part of the reason why.”
He nodded. “I don’t think she knows what she is.”
Kent ran his hand over his face, his exhaustion evident. “Then explain it. Give her time to think, to adjust, to come to you. But for God’s sake, go and make certain she’s doing all right.”
He nodded and ended the call. Kent was right. He’d been keeping his distance because of that kiss. Because he had feelings for her that he didn’t believe he should act on. But that wasn’t fair to her. He’d assigned himself as her guardian and he’d been failing her, sending other people to take care of her, like Bear and Ellie. It was time he did his job.
* * *
She chopped some potatoes into cubes, playing the conversation with Clint from last night over in her head. She’d wanted to confess everything to him. Her problems with Allan. The fact that she couldn’t stop thinking about their kiss the other night. Her secret.
If he knew the truth, he’d fire you.
“You gonna cut that potato or stare it to death?” Allan snapped at her.
She turned to glare at him. “Oh, I thought I’d wait until you actually picked up a knife and did something.” She regretted the words as soon as she said them. But before she could say anything, the older man turned and walked away.
Good riddance. She turned back and grabbed a glass, filling it with water. Her head was thumping and she felt lightheaded. She set the glass on the counter.
“I knew it! I just knew it! You been stealing from us!”
What? Her hand flung out, catching the glass and sending it crashing to the floor where it smashed. Her heart raced; vomit soured her mouth before she swallowed it back. She didn’t even have time to think about how gross that was as Allan strode towards her, holding her backpack in one hand, a can of peaches in the other.
“Give me my bag!” she demanded, stepping forward. The glass crunched under her feet. Allan shoved her away from him and she fell on her ass, the palm of her right hand landing in the glass. But the sharp sting of glass lacerating her skin didn’t even penetrate as she stared up in horror at the man looming over her.
“I knew it! You little thief! I found this in your bag!” He waved the can around. “Just wait until I tell the boss man, you’re gonna be out on your ass.”
The world around her faded. All she could see was the angry man yelling at her. His face morphed into Brian’s face. Her mind insisted it was Brian yelling at her. About to hurt her. She slid back, her hand scraping painfully across the glass.
“Uh-uh, you ain’t going nowhere, girlie!” He reached for her. “I’m taking you to the boss man! See if he doesn’t kick you out on your ass. He don’t appreciate people stealing from him.”