Page 6 of A Montana Secret Admirer (Sagebrush Ranch Sweethearts #4)

CHAPTER FIVE

Reese kicked up his boots onto Bo’s desk in his office.

It felt smaller than usual, but that was due to the four bodies that were crammed to one side of the room.

Noah spoke quietly with Jane near the door, and Leo was giving Reese a curious stare.

They’d been in here before. Bo had called them in for various reasons, but to be here with Noah and his wife?

Reese had a good idea of what was coming, and he knew now more than ever that Leo wasn’t going to like it.

So far, Reese had been able to steer clear from this project, but by the looks of it, that wouldn’t be for long.

The way Jane was looking at him? Either he was in hot water when it came to her sister, or he was going to be roped into helping with her little project, since he and his brother were no more than grunts at Sagebrush.

He jerked his chin at his brother, murmuring, “How much you want to bet this has to do with that therapy thing they’re up to?”

Leo’s eyes drifted toward the couple at the door, and he shrugged. “Does it matter? It’s not our project. And I don’t care what they say, I’m not going to be a babysitter.”

Reese snickered. “You’ll do what Bo asks you to do because he’s in charge.”

“You’re right. I am in charge.”

Leo stiffened, and Reese’s smile spread wider. Jane and Noah moved farther into the room. His cousin looked a lot like his brothers: tall, dark, and handsome. Jane was pretty in a simple way. But it was her brown eyes that seemed to draw people in even when they didn’t want to be.

Serenity had similar hair to her sister, but her blue eyes were something else. They were dark like an evening sky, and sometimes he caught sight of brown flecks in them. Now, those were the eyes of someone who could capture a person, torture them, and never let go.

“Come on, Bo. You can’t be serious,” Leo muttered. “I’m fine if you want to make me muck out stalls or help reshoe the horses. Heck, put me out in the fields with the cattle and make me live in a tent for days at a time. Anything but that .”

Jane chuckled at Reese’s back, and Reese straightened. What had he missed?

Bo gave him a hard look before staring pointedly at his boots on the edge of the desk.

Dropping them unceremoniously, Reese glanced to his brother, who was still grumbling.

“It’s going to take some time to get things sorted out with this company.

But I want to be prepared for anything. Sagebrush’s name is linked to this program, and I don’t want it to fail.

” Bo glanced at Jane. “Remind me. I thought you said that Kat Jerris was the one who reached out to you. But she’s not the CEO of the company? ”

Jane nodded. “She did. It’s her father’s company. She reached out on his behalf.”

“And they’ve invited representatives to go to New York… for what purpose exactly?”

Leo groaned again. “You’re sending me, and you don’t even know why?”

Bo shot him a sharp look. “We just got the invitation.” He turned his focus to Jane again. “Why wouldn’t they just come out to us? Don’t they want to see the place?”

“Of course they do. But there’re a lot of things logistically speaking that need to be taken care of before they can come.

That’s why they want us to come visit. I just need a couple of guys—besides Noah, of course.

” Her eyes strayed to where Leo sat. “And if you’re set on Leo being the liaison for the ranch?—”

“I am.”

Leo cursed under his breath.

Reese bit back a smile. He had a feeling that if he wasn’t already involved in teaching Serenity’s kids how to ride, then Noah would have suggested he take the spot.

But seeing as both Noah and Jane were present at this meeting, he had a feeling choosing Leo had more to do with what Jane preferred over what Bo wanted.

The latter was here simply to ensure Leo knew who was calling the shots.

“It’ll only be a weekend trip,” Jane insisted, apology written all over her face—not that Leo saw any of it. He wasn’t looking in her direction at all.

“So…” Reese drawled. “Why am I here? If Jane only needs one person?—”

It was Noah who answered his question. “You have experience with teaching kids how to ride. The equine therapy program will include children, and we need you to be ready to head that part of the program.”

Reese stiffened. He couldn’t possibly be suggesting that they wanted him to attend this trip as well.

“We’re currently looking into various programs that could get you certified for something like that.

Until that point, we need you just as involved in this project as Leo.

He’ll be helping out with the project overall.

You’ll be fine-tuning the interpersonal stuff. They want to meet you in New York.”

An argument clung to the tip of his tongue. He wanted to tell them that under no circumstances would he be leaving right now. He was helping Serenity and her kids. How could they ask this of him?

But then the ridiculousness of the situation hit him over the head.

Jane had said it herself. It was only for a weekend.

He wouldn’t be expected to stay away for long.

And if he brought up Serenity as his reason for wanting to stay, there was no way they wouldn’t catch on to…

what? That he already had feelings for her?

That he was hopelessly smitten by not only her but by her kids as well?

He clamped his mouth shut, opting not to say anything at all. Instead, he gave a curt nod.

On the one hand, it would be like a dream come true to have this sort of change in his life. He could work with kids. Not only that, he’d be making a difference for children who needed help.

There was a different kind of warmth spreading through his chest, and he almost felt bad for Leo and his irritation over what he was being asked to do.

He glanced at Leo out of the corner of his eye every so often throughout the meeting.

His brother remained stoic at best, with arms folded and stiff muscles.

When they were finally allowed to leave, he stormed toward the barn without another word.

Noah clapped Reese on the shoulder before he had a chance to chase after him.

Turning, Reese came face to face with Jane and Noah.

Both of them were smiling, at least. If they knew he had a crush on Serenity, they didn’t show it.

Noah offered an easy smile. “We’ve been watching how well you are doing with our nephews.

I told Jane we should utilize your talents. I hope that was okay.”

Reese nodded. “Of course. I’m not sure why I’d need to attend that meeting in New York, though?—”

“People who invest a lot of money into projects like this one aren’t doing it just out of the goodness of their hearts.

” There was a sort of flatness to Noah’s tone, like he’d had his share of bad experiences when it came to people in his financial disposition.

“They’re still a business who wants to show they can be productive and successful in all of their endeavors, including charitable work. ”

“That makes sense, I guess,” Reese said.

“And you’d be asked to come because you’d be the face for the youth side of things. They need someone they can put a face and a name to. Everything will go far smoother if you’re there, and you can tell them your vision.”

He all but choked on the words. “My vision? Noah, I really appreciate the opportunity you’re trying to give me, but I have no idea what?—”

“Jane will work with you on the finer details, but for the most part, you probably have the answers without even realizing it.”

Gaping at the two people standing in front of him, Reese couldn’t find the words he needed to express just how much bigger this felt.

Jane laughed. “Relax, Reese. It’s really not that big of a deal.

” She motioned in the direction of the corrals where just yesterday he’d been working with the boys.

“If Kat were to ask you about your passions and why you want to work in this field or what your goals would be to help these kids in a therapy setting, what would you say?”

“I—I don’t know.” Reese could feel the heat crawling up his skin at that confession. “I’ve never had to think of something like that before.”

Jane reached forward and squeezed his upper arm. “Well, we don’t have to go for a couple weeks. I’m sure you can come up with something before then. I’ll send you an email with some of my expectations, and you can go from there. Does that sound good?”

He blinked, nodding, but still struggled to find the words to express what he was feeling in this moment. Even after they’d left his side to do other things, he still stood just outside of the main house.

Dragging a hand down his face, Reese heaved a sigh. He wasn’t anxious. That wasn’t it. This was something else. Anticipation? He was standing before a path that would lead him to a future he’d only ever dreamed of.

And there was one person he wanted to revel in this moment with—Serenity.

He didn’t see much of Leo for the rest of the day. Nor did he bump into the woman of his dreams. For the most part, he kept to himself, his thoughts whirling with unnumbered questions.

By the time the sun had started to drift toward the horizon, Reese was making his way toward the front porch of the house next door.

Serenity was already seated on the steps, and when her eyes locked with his, she offered him a smile.

It was genuine, and it made the stresses of the day melt right from his shoulders.

He hesitated. He’d been out here to share the sunset with her a handful of times since she’d arrived, but it was still the quiet moment that she stole for herself.

“Well?” she murmured. “Are you going to take a seat or just hover there, blocking my view?”

He snorted. “We both know my standing here only improves it.”

She laughed, and the sound of it did things he couldn’t get enough of. Serenity patted the steps beside her, and he obliged.