Rope My Heart A cowboy second chance romance

Chapter 9

Lily Mae

I have a spring in my step, yeah I sure do. Oh, hell seeing Jax is such a turn on - that man could swoon the panties off any girl with his broad shoulders and cheeky damn grin not to mention those piercing blue eyes of his and yeah I do recall just how he made me feel then. My phone rings, I take a look it's my boss Eleanor Walden. Great, this I don't need, don't get me wrong I love my job which is why I'm hell keen to get back to the city but Eleanor can be a real bitch sometimes, it all depends if it's a full moon or not. Strike that, it doesn't matter what on earth the moon is doing, when Eleanor is in one she is in one. I get that she's worked herself to having a successful business and folk all around America choose her services for large events, but there's no need to be mean about it.

"How's the charity event coming along?" Er, no pleasantries, sure fire way to know she is having one of her moods. I think and wonder if she could be going through the change. I've heard it can make you real moody.

"It's coming." I lie because I haven't even started yet. I need a large paddock for the rodeo event, I need catering on site, I need bunting, banners, posters, social media activity, riders, horses and the list is endless.

"Good, I'm planning a visit to see what you've got so far," she says causing me to almost choke.

"Really? When?" Am I squeaking? I think I am. One of the cowhands goes by and tips his hat in my direction, I give him a wave. Daddy has taken on more staff for the season as I don't recognize him readily.

"Thinking next weekend. How does that sound? The event is only four weeks away so I figured I'd come and see how my best event planner is getting on and whether I can still rely on giving her the promotion she so badly wants." Now that is real Bitch talk if every I heard it, dangling carrots like that.

"Next weekend. Sure, no problem. I'll send you some pictures so you can get a feel for what is going on down here."

"I want costings, Lily Mae, not pictures. We're in it to make a profit." Is she kidding me right now? This is a charity even not a profit making endeavor. I scrape my cowboy boot along the dirt ground and rub the back of my neck with my hand.

"Eleanor, this is charity work, you understand that, right? We're not trying to make money." There is a long pause, I do, however hear hear sharp intake of breath. Eleanor and charity are not words that are synonymous with one another.

"Get me some advertisers and sponsors, make something happen so we make some money." Oh Lord, this woman is a female demon.

"Not sure how you expect me to do that in all honesty, Eleanor, we are raising sponsor money to cover the cost of the riders and their horses, to pay daddy for his field, for the catering and everything that is involved."

"I have to go, Lily Mae. Get me some figures over by tomorrow. I do not expect to put in any money of my own." She hangs up leaving me staring red faced at my mobile.

"Everything okay?" Harley is in front of me carrying some baskets laden with food, no doubt my mommy has prepared for the crew for their lunch. Sometimes we eat at the main house out front on the long pine table that can seat sixteen people or more.

"Huh, yeah just my bitch boss. She doesn't quite get the meaning of the word charity. She wants me to run her some figures to shower her a bit of profit and by tomorrow." Harley raises her eyebrows at me.

"C'mon give me a hand to lay these out in the barn, we're all eating in there today. You'll figure something out, you're the smartest person I know well except maybe your daddy that is." Her good nature is infectious and I could do with something to take my mind off the sexy eyes of Jax McCoy and the words of my evil boss. Somedays, especially moments like this, I could just jack my job in completely, come back here to the ranch and help my mommy and daddy out. Lord knows they sure could do with some help around here.