Page 45 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

Jessica reared her head back slightly, like she’d been slapped. This was the first clue she’d gotten that Mannie didn’t like her…and she didn’t know why. Rather than Alice, could it be Mannie who was the problem?

“I’m sorry, Mannie. I meant no offense.” She sat next to Roark, leaving enough room for Athena to sit next to her and to Jubal in the chair on that end.

Mannie glanced at Roark, and suddenly the old Mannie was back. The man who’d liked her well enough when they were talking about going up in the helicopter.Was that just for Roark’s benefit? Does the real Mannie dislike me?

“I’m sorry, Jessica. Just a little nervous about tomorrow.” He gave her a small laugh. “Flying the boss always makes my stomach turn upside down.”

Roark put his arm along her shoulders.

She leaned into him. “No worries, Mannie. I’m a little nervous for you all, myself.”

Mannie smiled. “I promise to bring the ‘copter back safely.”

“I’m glad to hear it.” She smiled while she said it. She wondered if anyone realized the smile was fake and didn’t reach her eyes? Why didn’t Mannie like her? She hadn’t picked up on that when they first met, but he was almost hostile now. Had she done something to irritate him? Perhaps when she invited him and Alice for dinner? Was that what set him off? But why would that be?

Jessica tried to ignore Mannie. “So, Alice, why don’t you tell us a little about yourself? I know you like to read my books, and that is the best thing as far as I’m concerned. But what else should we know about Alice Nelson? Do you have any siblings?”

Alice’s smile never faded. “I do. I’m the middle child of five. Four boys and me. They spoiled me rotten.” She laughed and leaned back against the sofa, with her hand on Mannie’s knee. “Even my little brothers spoiled me. They took their cue from the older two. Benjamin is thirty-two, Adam, thirty-four, Carson, twenty-nine and David, twenty-seven. My parents kept us all close together. They said it was so we would all have friends to play with.”

Athena gazed at Jessica. “Would you cut the cake, please? I’ll pour the coffee.”

“Sure.” Jessica cut six good-sized slices.

Everyone passed each one around until they each had a piece of cake and a mug of coffee.

“Jessica, why don’t you tell us a bit about you?” Mannie took a sip of his coffee and looked over the rim of the cup.

Jessica angled her body to face him. “There’s not really much to tell. I’m an only child. My father was my idol. He passed away ten years ago. I’m twenty-seven and I write western romance and scifi novels for a living. The industry as a whole, and my books in particular, have been very good to me. I’m able to support myself with my writing, which was always my dream. How many people get to live out their dream?”

“Not many,” agreed Roark. “I’m glad you’re able to do that and are still happy writing your books.”

“Happy? I’m ecstatic.” She looked at Roark and then toward Mannie and Alice. “Every time I publish a new book or the print version of an ebook, or the foreign version of one of my books, I smile as I’m doing it. Getting copies of my print books is so gratifying. Holding the book in my hands is even better than the ebook…for the author’s morale. It means we’re actual authors. No one can deny it.” She pretended to clasp a book to her chest while closing her eyes and dropping her head back.

Then she dropped her chin back to normal position and looked at Alice. “And because I love what I do, I’ll never work a day in my life…well, from now on. I definitely worked in my previous life before I started writing. I started working for the Golden Chamber of Commerce when I was fifteen in their tourist booth, which was fun. But some of my other jobs sucked. I can honestly say I feel sorry for fast food workers. Having done it, I realize they are under a lot of pressure.” She dropped her hands back on her lap. “Alice, are you still working at the Silver Dollar?”

“No, when Mannie asked me to move in, I had to quit. It’s too far to drive every day. Especially when tips are bad. Waitresses don’t make a lot per hour. They report we make minimum wage, but what that amounts to is four dollars hourly and the rest,” she made quotes with her fingers, “is made up with tips. Some nights, we don’t even make half of the $9.95 minimum wage.” Alice was red in the face by the time she quit talking.

“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to get you upset.”

Alice waved her hand. “It’s nothing. I’m just angry about our wages. If I thought it would do any good, I’d protest in front of the Silver Dollar. But it won’t matter to management and the owners and they’ll just take it out on the waitstaff.” She sat back, crossed her arms, and put her chin on her chest.

Jessica knew the sign of dismissal. Alice was done with this subject. So, rather than let the discussion fade, Jessica changed topics. “So, what about the rustlers? I didn’t think they existed today, but only in the old west.”

She watched Alice lift her head; her interest piqued.Good. Good. I want to know what you know about the rustlers, and I hope you are not just using Mannie.

Roark sat forward and set his empty plate on the coffee table. “Rustlers are still around. They never actually went away… just their methods of stealing changed. Instead of riding horses, now they use four wheelers. Before that, they used trucks, small ones like you’d rent to move from one loft to another. They’d drive up to the fence, cut it, and then herd the animals they’d previously collected into the truck with a couple of cowboys on horses. Smart rustlers repaired the fence, to a degree, so the rancher wouldn’t notice until he counted his cattle. Nowadays, they don’t bother. They’re gone by the time we find the cut fence.”

Jessica watched his hands form into fists. She reached over, placed a hand on his knee, and gave it a little squeeze.

He swung his gaze to hers. His brows curled down, and his eyes showed he was troubled by more than anger. As he looked at her, his face softened and his hands relaxed. “I’m sorry. I’m just frustrated, that’s all.”

“I’m sure we all are.” Jubal reached over and put his hand on top of Athena’s where it rested on the arm of the sofa. “This isn’t just a crime against you, Roark. It’s a crime against everyone at the ranch.”

“Why do you say that?” Alice’s eyes narrowed and her brunette brows formed a slash above her eyes.

“Because this ranch is our bread and butter. If the cattle continue to disappear, Roark could decide to sell it rather than take substantial losses.”

Roark nodded.