Tri-Tip (Grade-A Beefcakes 3)

“He said I didn’t fit in his practice any longer.”

I frowned down at the hardwood floor. “Did he say why?”

“Actually, he told me to ask you. But that makes no sense. At least he didn’t fire me.”

She sounded dejected and I didn’t blame her. She’d worked there for over a decade, being the office manager not only for Beirstad but for the old dentist who’d sold him the practice. While she couldn’t clean teeth, she knew more about that office than anyone.

But what did I have to do with anything related to her job? I hadn’t been in town long enough to need a cleaning. She’d started working at the practice right after I left for college. I?

??d been back to visit on breaks or long weekends, but nothing that might affect that.

“He can’t just fire you,” I countered. Well, he could. Montana was an at will state, meaning an employer didn’t really need a reason to fire someone, but Raines was a small town. Word spread.

“Well, I’m glad at least I was given a small severance.”

She told me the amount and I was pissed. For a decade of employment, she should have received at least twice that. But I didn’t tell that to her. What good would it have done except upset her more?

“Momma, are you all right for now? I’m at the Duke ranch, but I can come over if you need me.”

“The Duke ranch? Are you seeing Gus Duke again?”

“Something like that,” I replied neutrally. Now wasn’t the time to get into the complexities of that one, and there was no way I would tell her about last night. Or this morning in the shower.

“Oh, how nice. No, I’m fine. Really.” Except she didn’t have a job and she needed to pay for insulin and other diabetic supplies.

“Well, I’ll check in with you when I’m done here.”

“All right. I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

I ended the call and looked up. Kaitlyn, Ava and Julia were staring at me, obviously overhearing.

“Roger Beirstad laid off my mother. She was his office manager,” I told them. As if Momma didn’t have enough challenges, this was all she needed. I could support her, if need be, because I’d been doing quite a bit of saving, but neither of us wanted that. But jobs in a small town like Raines were few and far between.

“Why?” Ava asked, frowning.

I shrugged. “No longer a good fit, she said. Something to do with me.”

11

PARKER

* * *

“What does that even mean? Ooh, I hate that guy,” Kaitlyn said.

She told me about their one date, how he’d been demeaning and rude. How she’d turned him down but he’d made it a point to try and embarrass her in front of everyone at Cassidy’s—Jed’s bar downtown—one night. Needless to say, the Duke family had shut that shit down pretty fast.

I hadn’t heard about any of that, but Roger Beirstad hadn’t done anything against the law so he hadn’t come across my path.

Kaitlyn stomped to the back door and went out to Duke and Jed. We watched as Duke pulled her in for a hug.

“They’re real careful with her,” Julia commented. “She’s had it rough. With her dad and all.”

My confusion must have shown, for she added, “Her dad’s the guy who hurt my parents in the hit and run.”

My mouth dropped open. “Holy shit.” I remembered the accident. Everyone in town over the age of twenty probably did.