Alexander Ranch

Chapter 12

The next day I was escorted back to work at the Alexander Ranch by Daisy and Ethan. Ethan and I worked with the horses all day. It was so exciting. We worked with a yearling, exercised several mares, cleaned out stalls and put out hay. Jordan exercised a couple of stallions nearby and ignored us after his initial lack luster hello. I was starting to think he resented my very presence.

That whole week was basically the same. I worked with either Ethan or Daisy, mostly Ethan, with the horses. Jordan was also there every day, but refused to eat lunch with us or interact any more than necessary. At least he refused when I was around. I would see him talking and interacting quite amiably with Ethan, Daisy, or anyone else, just not with me, the jerk. He was always polite whenever we came into close contact but indifferent.

I tried to ignore this feeling that Jordan really had a dislike for me, but it was difficult. Everyone else was so super friendly in contrast. Jordan worked practically right alongside me for some time each day while we exercised the horses in the corral and barely said a word. He mostly appeared to be ignoring the fact that I was even there.

Ricky and Beto would come by and chat with me, Daisy, and Ethan on their way back and forth from one task to another. The two ranch hands loved giving me a hard time about the veterinary staff slumming it by doing a menial task like mucking out stalls. Rene and Maya, whom I found out were part of the secretarial staff, were also no strangers to the horse barn and training areas. They came out on breaks to get some air and chat and see how things were going. I suspected that Rene was also trying to get a glimpse of Ethan. We usually ate with a combination or all of them.

They all would also chat with Jordan. Unsurprisingly when he was talking to them he seemed just as friendly as the rest of his family. I also noticed he would also have lunch with whomever wasn't having lunch with me. Sometimes Daisy or Ethan and I would go to lunch later than Beto, Ricky, Rene, or Maya, and Jordan would be sitting there eating lunch with them. The moment someone approached the table with me, he had to get back to work and politely excused himself. So, it was quite clear I was who he had a problem with.

By Thursday evening, it had started to prickle. I kept telling myself, whatever it was about me he found so distasteful was his problem. Why should I care? But, I did. I didn't understand how this man, who had been so gentle and caring with me at the cabin, now acted like he hated me. First, he didn't even know me, not really. And second, there had to be more to it then him resenting me for having been assigned by Logan to protect me. Besides, he was never around me to protect me. Working near me each day didn't count. It was Daisy and Ethan who actually worked with me all day, escorted me to and from home, and even stayed at my home. So, what was his problem?

Daisy drove me home after work. Ethan wasn't with us this evening. He'd had some work or other regarding the consulting business to attend to, so it was just me and Daisy. For some reason, this made it easier for me to ask Daisy the questions about Jordan's behavior that were bothering me.

With Ethan gone it was up to me to cook. As far as I knew, Daisy didn't cook. We were eating grilled salmon with rice pilaf I'd whipped up when I broached the Jordan subject.

"Hey, Daisy," I started hesitantly.

"Yea?" She forked up more fish and popped it in her mouth.

"Have you noticed Jordan really seems to have a problem with me?"

She stopped chewing for a moment. Then she looked up at me, finished chewing her food, and swallowed.

"Yes, I have," She admitted.

"Do you have any idea why?"

She took a deep breath and then let it out and sat her fork down. "It's not really you, not really."

"Uh, yea, I'm pretty sure it is me," I disagreed. "And, I'm pretty sure he hates my very presence."

I hadn't meant to say that. I'd blurted the words out before I could stop myself. She blinked with surprise.

"He doesn't hate you," she said slowly as if struggling for the right words. "It's just...well, it's complicated. The best way I could explain it is that you intimidate him."

"Intimidate him?" I frowned in confusion. "How? That's not possible."

"I can't really explain it. Jordan would have to do that. But, trust me, he doesn't hate you. Actually, I'm fairly certain he likes you."

"Yea, right," I snorted. Whatever feelings he had towards me were deep in the opposite direction of like.

"So, you seem to really be enjoying working with the horses," she said. I thought this a deliberate attempt to change the subject. That was fine. I didn't want to talk about Jordan anymore either.

"I do. I really love it."

"Does that mean you'll stay with us for a while?"

"Yes, I'll accept the temporary assignment," I said grudgingly. But, I couldn't help smiling a little. I'd had fun today. Heck, I'd had fun all week. And, I hadn't had this type of carefree fun in a long time.

"Yea!" she jumped up grabbing her now empty plate. This girl could eat. "We need to have cheesecake to celebrate."

"I'll have to visit my job occasionally, however. I've kind of left them shorthanded," I yelled at her back as she headed to the kitchen.

"Hey, anytime. You just let us know," She quipped, peeking her head back around the kitchen entryway. Then she disappeared again into the kitchen. I heard her moving around in the refrigerator as I finished up my considerably smaller portion of food. She returned after a few moments with two dessert plates. Though my piece was smaller than hers, it was still too big.

As I ate my cheesecake, I decided to stick with my original plan and ignore Jordan and his dislike for me. Why should I care whether he liked me or not? I was enjoying myself. I wasn't working with him anyway, so why should I let him ruin this time?

Friday, according to plan, I was fairly successful at ignoring Jordan's ignoring of me. Logan had come to eat lunch with us and tell me what a great job he thought I was doing. I had made rounds with Ethan earlier and tended to a few of the other animals needing minor medical attention like vaccinations or check-ups. I was actually surprised to find just how healthy and robust the animals were, not that I expected anything less. Anyone could plainly see that the Alexanders took very good care of their animals and employees. Their animals fairly glowed with a vitality I couldn't describe. There really wasn't much need for a vet. Caring for all of the animals was the bigger job.

Grace joined us shortly after her husband's arrival and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. Before she even sat down in her seat, however, she announced that she would be taking a look at me after lunch.

"I'm fine, Grace, really. I don't know what you gave me, but I barely have any aches or pains and just some minor bruises."

"It would seem so, but I just want to do a follow-up," She insisted.

After eating, she dragged me off to the exam room and looked over my wounds. After a quick assessment she declared I was indeed doing just fine.