Page 41 of Captured by the Billionaire Cowboy (The Secret Billionaires #7)
H ow could this be Ciara’s first time interviewing people?
Like a jockey on her hundredth major race, she was confident and poised, kind and patient, as she asked the questions that would identify the best employees.
Although they hadn’t finished their decisions, Rowan agreed with her first assessments, including the hiring of the well-qualified Kira and Naomi.
The last volunteer applicant looked familiar, and Ciara must have thought so, too, because she stiffened when she walked into the room.
The young woman looked to be about twenty, with a short brown bob and fashionable glasses.
It should have been an easy interview, since they were only asking volunteers a few questions about their availability and desire to work with horses.
But something was different about this applicant. Rowan tried to place her, when Ciara said quietly, “I remember you.”
The woman grimaced.
Ciara turned to him, presumably to share her knowledge, when the memory hit him like a kick from a stallion. The woman was with the people who’d mocked Davey at the restaurant. Although she hadn’t made the cruel gestures, she’d laughed along with them.
The woman, who the application named as Louise Miller, sat down across from them and took a deep breath. “I’d like to say something before the interview, if that’s okay.”
Ciara remained still for a moment, then nodded.
“Thank you.” She hesitated, sat up straighter. “I want to… to say I’m sorry.”
Rowan searched the woman’s face, but only sincerity and regret lurked there, as she continued in a low voice, “That’s not me.
I mean it was me, obviously, but that’s not who I am.
I never make fun of people…” She winced, grimaced.
“This isn’t coming out right. I’m trying to say I was wrong.
So very, very wrong. I don’t usually hang out with those guys, and I was so excited they invited me, I got caught up in everything.
I thought about what you said… a lot.” She inclined her head towards Ciara.
“If that’s how they act, then I don’t want to be with them.
So I guess all I can say is I’m sorry, and I promise to be different in the future. ”
Rowan softened. By the woman’s stricken look, she was truly remorseful. Why would she lie, especially when she applied as a volunteer, not as a paid employee?
Ciara studied the woman. “I appreciate that,” she said after a moment. “Like I said that day, people don’t see how much they hurt others.”
“I realize that now.” Louise bobbed her head. “I truly had no idea he could hear us. Not that it excuses it.”
“But it helps.” Ciara hesitated, then looked down at the application. “You want to volunteer?”
She nodded. “I know this is awkward, and I debated coming here a million times.”
“What made you decide to come?”
“For two reasons.” Her eyes were bright. “First to apologize. And second because I was hoping you’d give me a second chance and allow me to volunteer. I’ve always wanted to work with horses, but we can’t afford one. I’m happy to do anything you need.”
Ciara gave Rowan a sideways glance, without words deferring the decision. Davey was his family, so it made sense, only he wasn’t sure what to do. “Davey is my little brother, the person you were… discussing. He lives here. You would see him around the ranch.”
“Of course,” Louise said quickly. “Actually, I was hoping to apologize to him in person – if it wouldn’t make him uncomfortable, of course.”
Rowan intertwined his fingers. He believed her, and furthermore he believed in second chances. But his brother came first. What would Davey want?
He grimaced, shook his head. What Davey wanted most of all was to be treated like everyone else. Which meant he should simply ask him. “I’d like to speak with Davey before we give our answer. If you could return to the waiting room, we’ll call you after we’ve discussed it.”
“That sounds great.” She rose and shook their hands. “I can’t tell you how much I appreciate it.”
“We appreciate your sincerity.” Rowan watched as she left, then retrieved his cell and dialed Davey’s number.
His brother answered with his usual chipper greeting and listened as Rowan informed him they had a matter to discuss, without revealing any details.
After Davey agreed to meet him, Rowan put the phone back in his pocket and turned to Ciara. “He’ll be just a minute.”
Ciara gazed out the door toward the waiting room. “I’m so torn. I’m still upset about what happened, but people deserve the chance to redeem themselves. I also remember what it’s like to be that age and want to fit in.”
“It doesn’t excuse it.” Rowan came up behind her, brushing her shoulders. She shivered under his touch. “She’s old enough to know better.”
“True, yet she was brave enough to admit her mistake.” She picked up the neatly penned application. “Her answers to the questions were thoughtful and well-written, and otherwise she would’ve been a clear yes. But Davey is your brother, and I don’t want to upset him. I’m leaving this up to you.”
His brother’s voice sounded outside, distant but growing closer. “I’m not sure how he’ll react, which is why I’m going to ask him. Sometimes I shield him too much.” He cleared his throat. “Among others.”
“Oh yeah?” Ciara nudged his arm playfully. “Are you admitting to stealing control?”
He stood up taller. “Absolutely not.”
“You seem to like control.” She blinked at him coyly, placed a hand on his chest. Now it was his turn to repress a shiver. “A lot.”
And suddenly his control didn’t seem so strong. “You made your point,” he said gravely. He took her hand, but instead of releasing it, brought it to his lips. “Be careful about tempting me. You wouldn’t want me losing control.”
She blushed as he kissed her, yet her expression clouded with desire. “Maybe I would.”
He couldn’t let a challenge go unanswered.
He swooped down, matching their lips. She responded immediately, sparking pure desire and unfettered need. Satisfaction surged as she pushed into him, bringing those luscious curves against him. Yet time was up. As the doorknob turned, he had just enough time to jump back.
“Hi guys!” Davey greeted happily. “You wanted to see me?”
“I … uh… yes,” Ciara stuttered. She took a second to catch her breath, her cheeks pink, her eyes alight. The passionate woman couldn’t hide her emotions like he did. Then again, she didn’t have years of practice.
“We would like your assistance.” Rowan stepped forward. “We just interviewed one of the applicants for a volunteer position. All the others have been accepted, but we’re not sure about this one.”
“Why not?” Davey looked between the two of them. “Does it have to do with me?” Despite his situation, his brother was perceptive. He knew there was a reason he’d been summoned.
“Yes.” Rowan fought the urge to tell Davey it had been a mistake, to unilaterally deny the girl’s application and spare his brother the unpleasant memories. Yet he’d pledged not to control people’s lives, and that meant letting Davey make his own decisions. “You’ve actually seen her before.”
“Oh yeah?” Davey grinned, yet it faded under their somber regard. “I guess it’s someone I don’t like.”
“Actually, it’s someone you don’t know.” Rowan hesitated again. Time to stop procrastinating. “It’s one of the people from the restaurant.”
Davey cocked his head to the side. Then his eyes widened, and sorrow filled them.
That was enough for Rowan. “We don’t have to hire her.” He moved quickly towards his brother, touching his arm. “We’ll tell her no.”
“Wait.” Davey placed a hand over his. “What did she say?”
Rowan hesitated. “She said she was sorry,” he responded honestly. “That she regretted what she did and learned from her mistakes. She wants to volunteer with the horses.”
Davey stood silently, his expression pensive, as Rowan shifted his weight. He was unaccustomed to being helpless, especially when it came to his family. “We don’t have to accept her. You’re our priority. If you feel uncomfortable, we can just forget it.”
“I don’t want to forget it.” Davey’s expression hardened, reflecting determination, resolve and the Byrne stubbornness all the brothers shared. He lifted his chin. “You should hire her.”
“We should?” Ciara and Rowan responded in unison, with matching surprise. “Are you certain?” Rowan asked.
This time Davey didn’t hesitate. “I’m positive. It’s hard to say you’re sorry, and I’m glad she did. It would bother me more to send her away.” He shrugged. “Even people who make mistakes deserve a second chance.”
Rowan patted Davey on the back. He’d never been prouder of his little brother. “You have a big heart, buddy.”
Davey looked straight at him, and for a moment all their differences disappeared. They were just two brothers who loved each other. “You have a big heart, too,” he said softly.
Emotion threaded through Rowan. With all the obstacles his youngest brother faced, he had every right to feel angry. Instead, Davey was the happiest person he knew.
Indeed, everyone forges their own happiness.
“Remember when you got those horses from Dalton?”
Rowan stiffened at the unexpected question. It seemed so long ago he’d purchased Sweetheart and the other horses, yet it was right before he came to Waterstone, right before he reconnected with Ciara. Just before life transformed.
“You knew the horses would be no good for us.”
This time he couldn’t shield his surprise. “What?” His brother had no access to his records; he couldn’t possibly know what he’d done.
Yet shoulds and coulds didn’t apply to his perceptive brother. “You knew Darton’s horses were sick, but you bought them anyhow. You always meant to give them away.”
Surprise splintered into shock. How did Davey perceive the truth when his other brothers never considered it, despite their far greater education and experience? Yet Davey possessed a deep wisdom, a profound intuition. Somehow, he saw the truth, no matter how deep.