Page 11 of Strip It Down (Spoiled by My Blue Collar Man #4)

Sayer

I place the breakfast next to where we’d placed the coffee urns earlier. Most of the guy’s nod at me as I join Gentry at the makeshift desk.

“We’ll train first, then while Gentry helps you individually, the rest of you can grab breakfast. Just so we’re on the same page, if you want paid this is the process,” I state.

“I’ve known a lot of you for years and have worked with most of you over the last month since I’ve been back.

I know you all have a phone on you. This is going to be easier for you and more accurate.

This will be the only way you get paid. So, pay attention and ask questions.

I’ve used it for the last two days and it’s slick. ”

Standing in the background I keep an eye on our two troublemakers. They barely pay attention and keep snickering at each other. All the better for me.

Everyone has completed their training and grabbed their coffee and breakfast. I notice a movement at the barn door and glance up. He made it.

Hands casually stuffed in his cargo pant-pockets, wearing his ever present grey hoodie, Jarrett ‘Doughboy’ Blackstone slips inside. Tall, lean, silent. No one has even noticed him. No one except Gentry. I wink at her.

“Did everyone get something to eat?” At their nods I continue, “Today, your time started with this meeting. Going forward it starts when you start work at a job site.

“We’re shifting up a bit today. Job assignments are as follows. Foremen, you’re in the same locations. Bob and Geo you’re with Denny. Clive and JonBoy you’re with Bill.”

I’ve already talked to Bill. He nods, knowing I’ll be about fifteen minutes behind. It isn’t until they start to leave that the men notice the stranger in the doorway. I’m not surprised most of them give him a wide berth. There is a primed stillness to Doughboy that vibrates off him.

When everyone is gone, I nod toward Jarrett. “When did you get here?”

“Couple hours. Set up farther up the hill behind the house.”

“I really appreciate this.” He just nods. “This is Gentry. She’s my — office manager. Her place was vandalized so she’s staying here since she works out of my home office. She also helps with Ayla. Let’s grab the leftovers and go up to the house. Dad will want to say hi.”

We carry everything to the kitchen. Then follow the voices to the office. Dad stands, smiling. “Jarrett, I didn’t know you were coming. Good to see you.”

They shake and he introduces MaryKatherine who’s holding Ayla. “How long are you staying?”

Jarrett shrugs. “As long as it takes. I hear you’re heading out on a cruise.” He looks at Dad and gives a fake shudder. “You’re crazy man. Stuck on a boat in a little room surrounded by strangers… No way in hell.”

“The state rooms aren’t that small young man,” MaryKatherine shakes his hand.

“They are to me, ma’am.” He chucks Ayla under the chin. “Damn, man you did good. She’s a cutie. I’ll be on the porch when you’re ready to talk.”

I take my daughter. “Dad, I know you moved up your plans. Now that Jarrett is here, I think you should stay with MaryKatherine until you leave town. I’ll have Gentry inside and Jarrett and Stone will watch the house.

“Gentry, will you be okay calling or video chatting with Dad if you need something before he leaves? He could also come out for an hour or two while MaryKatherine is working.”

“Yes, that works. Who’s Stone?”

“Wait,” MaryKatherine cuts in. “What about my daughter? Is she in any danger?”

“I don’t think so, but I’ll talk to the Sheriff and get his opinion. Maybe he can have someone keep a closer eye on her, too.”

She nods.

“Let’s go outside.”

Jarrett is on the porch, leaning back in a rocker, ankles crossed on the porch rail. He smiles. “Damn, I love your view. Although it’s even better up where I’m at.”

“I’ll bet. Cliff behind you?”

He smiles. “Ready?”

“Yep.”

He gives a low whistle.

I turn to MaryKatherine and Gentry. “I should have asked, are either of you afraid of dogs?”

Too late, Stone pads into the yard.

“That’s not a dog. That’s a horse,” MaryKatherine gasps.

Stone crosses to Jarrett and sits beside him, taking the rest of us in. His nose lifts and he cocks his head.

“Hand me Ayla, please,” Jarrett asks.

Handing her off, Jarrett cuddles her first then leans forward letting Stone smell every inch of her.

To my surprise, Ayla giggles and grabs Stone’s face. He lets her gently maul him.

Then Jarrett speaks a single word.

“What did he say?” Gentry asks.

“That’s his guard command. Basically, he just told Stone to guard Ayla with is life. Which he will. Now he’ll let Stone know which ones of us are safe to her. Until he tells the dog otherwise, no one else will be able to touch her.”

“How does that work?”

“Let’s say you are home alone with Ayla. Someone breaks in. His job is to guard her, but you grab and hold her. Stone will protect both of you.”

“If an intruder tries to pick her up, he’ll attack.”

“What kind of dog is he?”

“Cane Corso. Jarrett will have a couple others patrolling the area around the house and one more inside to protect Stone while he’s doing his job. He has a couple breeds.

“You will be introduced and they will all be safe to you and to her. She could pull their ears off and they won’t hurt her. Plus, Jarrett will never be far away.”

“Will Jarrett be staying in the house with us while you’re away at work?”

“No. He prefers to watch from the outside. You’ll be safe. I promise.”

Jarrett looks at me. “Bella and Rose are waiting. I’ll bring them out in a minute since they’ll share house duty. Duke, Shep and Buddy are already on patrol.”

“Uhm, how many dogs are there?” Gentry asks.

“Six. Depending on what their job is, they rotate. Stone is in charge of Ayla. Bella will be his back up and inside to help cover if he gets injured.”

Jarrett gives a different whistle and two more dogs pad into the yard. “This is Bella and Rose. They already know Sayer and Paul but they’ll take a minute to reacquaint themselves. If you don’t mind ladies, just let them smell you. They may nudge your hand. If so you can scratch their heads.”

After the meet and greet the dogs begin to sniff around the yard.

“Dad, I need to get to the job site. Do you want to go with MaryKatherine now?”

“I need to get to work with my daughter,” she interrupts. I’ll just go to the coffee shop, your dad can come to town at the end of the day.”

“Okay, I’ll follow you to town.”