Hang Tough (24 page)

“Well that shot down my little whine-fest. Here I thought I was special.”

He laughed. “I'd love to make us both feel better by saying a lot of grads never utilize their degrees, but I happen to be surrounded by folks that are doin' just that. Janie, the Split Rock GM, went to school for hospitality and business management. Tierney, Renner's wife, has like four advanced degrees in finance, business and economics. She runs all the finances for the Split Rock and the cattle company. Plus, she has her own financial consulting business, which to be honest? I don't even know what that means except she knows how to make money and other people pay her to show them how. Then there's Fletch, the local veterinarian. He performs surgeries and all that medical stuff he went to school for.”

“So why didn't you end up at a research lab someplace?”

“Good question. Jobs were really tough then. Not that it's that much easier now. I'd spent time in Brazil during grad school and developed the mind-set that I just wanted to be home. In Wyoming.” He rubbed the back of his neck and laughed. “I don't know where I thought I'd get a job. Not a ton of research facilities out on the prairie. So I didn't look real hard for work beyond the state border. Which means, I'm pretty much a dumb-ass.”

Jade covered her hand with his. “Don't say that. My parents encouraged me to get my master's and I couldn't fathom why I'd want an advanced degree in a subject that wasn't employable with a basic degree. I still love history. Still love that time period. So I can play music from the Renaissance era and tell you all about the history, the politics and the literature from then. It is excellent cocktail party talk.” She smirked. “If I was the type who actually spoke to people at cocktail parties, instead of hiding in the corner wondering if my shoes look okay with my dress.”

He laughed. She was so refreshingly honest. But not mean. And not pitiful. “We might've met at a cocktail party like that. I'm not petite enough to hide in corners, so I have the opposite problem. Everything seems scaled down when you're used to wide-open spaces. Then I'm bumping into shit with my big boots and knocking things over. And it was ten times worse in Brazil because I don't speak Portuguese.”

For the next hour they talked about bad job interviews and prima donna professors. Of how practicality can crush passion. Of triumphs and disappointments. He told her about the applications he'd filled out and his worry that with the rapid advancements in the field that even just six years out of school, his education might be outdated.

After they put away the lunch fixings, Jade washed the dishes and he dried. Miz G had a dishwasher, but he preferred standing next to Jade, sneaking in little pats on the ass or a quick kiss.

She was equally affectionate. Standing close enough to make sure their bodies touched and some part of her hand or arm connected with some part of his even when she handed him a soapy plate.

With her, the getting-to-know-you stuff flowed more naturally than he'd ever dreamed. But Jade became introspective as she wiped down the counters and table.

When Tobin returned from taking out the garbage, she was leaning against the doorjamb of the back door, gazing across the yard. He curled his body around hers, resting his chin on the top of her head. “Whatcha thinking about?”

“Canning. If GG really expects me to do it, do I buy a book? As much as I'd like to ask her friends for help . . .”

“I'm not much help either. When it cools off let's head out to the veggie patch and make lists of what there's too much of.” He brushed his lips across her temple. “Because I know how much you love your lists, darlin'.”

She laughed.

“Something else on your mind?”

“Yesterday when Riss and I were in the ranch supply store, I met Dodie. And she said Lou-Lou the prep cook had given notice, so Riss just blurted out that I had experience as a prep cook. Dodie told me to fill out an application.”

Tobin turned her to face him. “Is that something you're interested in?”

“I actually liked working as a prep cook. I'm used to getting up early. It's a part-time position . . .”

“Jade. Sweetheart. You should definitely apply.”

She studied his eyes. “You wouldn't mind if we worked in the same place? I mean, it's not the same job. Obviously I won't be out chasing cows. But we'd be in the same area. That wouldn't feel like I was trying to insert myself into every part of your life?”

“Let's see . . . how do I phrase this?” He moved in closer to her. “My life would be a million times better if you were in every single part of it, every minute, of every day.”

“Really?”

“Scout's honor.” He smooched her lips. “Apply for the job if you want to. Don't apply if you're worried that working there will stress you out.”

She fiddled with the collar on his shirt. “Then I'm going to apply.”

Tobin tempered his initial response to whoop and holler and spin her around. But this was such a good sign that she was taking steps to stay here for a while.

Isn't it ironic that four of the six job applications you've sent . . . are for positions out of state?

He wouldn't think about that now. “Do you want me to bring you an application since I'm there every day anyway?”

“Sure. And maybe put in a good word for me?”

“Jade. Janie and Renner would be thrilled to have a former New York City cook working in their kitchen.” He tucked her hair behind her ear. “Tell me you're excited about spending these next three weeks together.”

“I am.”

“I've got big plans for us.” He pinched her ass and she squeaked. “Not all of them will revolve around you bein' naked.”

“Now I'm dying to hear what you're planning.”

“Next weekend I'm takin' you fishing.”

“Why?”

Tobin laughed. “Because I like to fish. Maybe you will too. Lots of couples end up with common interests.”

“Great. We'll go fishing together. Then at some point over the weekend, we'll make popcorn and watch my favorite movie.”

“Please tell me it's
Die Hard
.”

She wrinkled her nose. “No, it's an opera.”

“Like . . . ?” Fuck. He couldn't name a single opera.

“It's
La bohème
, a Puccini opera. The Italian edition is subtitled.”

Great. “We could go dancing too.”

“I'm not a very good dancer,” Jade said. “But I'm not bad at tennis.”

“I hate tennis. What about horseback ridin'?”

She thought about it. “I'll try it. But since you were born with reins in your hand, that means you have to do something I'm good at. Which in this case is cooking. You have to learn to make one thing.”

“Fine. There is one other point to mention. You're in my bed every night.”

“Like that'd be a hardship. But I'll warn you . . . I'm a light sleeper with insomnia.”

“How about . . .” He pinned her hands by her sides and used his teeth on the back of her neck. “I wear you out. We could go for a run every night. Then you'll sleep.”

“You have the best plans.” She rubbed her ass into his groin. “Or we could skip the couple activities and just fuck.”

“That works for me.” Tobin scooped her up, tossed her over his shoulder and raced up the stairs.

Two days later, Tobin sat at his desk at the Split Rock messing around with possible dam matchups for BB, the bucking bull from hell. He'd had good luck breeding him so far.

His cell phone rang and he answered it absentmindedly. “Hello.”

“May I please speak with Tobin Hale?”

“Speaking. Who's this?”

“Chris Gowden. I own the LME Corporation in Casper. You sent in a resume and we'd like to meet with you in our offices, if you're still interested in an interview?”

Holy shit. “Yes, sir. I am.”

“Excellent. When would be a convenient day and time next week?”

“I can be in Casper after two o'clock any day.”

“How about Monday?”

“That would work. Thank you. I'm looking forward to it.”

“We are as well. See you next week.”

Tobin hung up and slumped back in his chair.

Wow. He had an honest-to-god interview.

He couldn't wait to tell Jade.

And what did that say? That she was the first person he thought of when it came to sharing good things and bad.

The irony of the situation didn't escape him—he'd finally bucked up and sent out resumes so maybe he'd have a shot at finding a woman he could settle down with . . . and the most beautiful, talented, amazing woman he'd ever met was currently living in the same house with him and sharing his bed.

Since his computer was up he headed to the LME website to refamiliarize himself with the company.

Started doing business last year. So, unproven. He kept reading. Not unproven. The owner had partnered with the guy who started the
bovine IVF company in Powell. But that partnership had ended and he'd begun his own company.

Interesting that LME had a different focus.

But then again, dissenting opinions on how to move forward were usually what ended business partnerships.

That issue had ended plenty of relationships too.

The next evening Tobin was naked, sprawled on his belly, his mind drifting and his body sated after Jade had tried out her riding skills—which were excellent—but she was such a perfectionist that she kept asking for a do-over. Like he'd ever say no to that.

This living together stuff was fucking awesome. Not just the sex part . . . but it was a serious rush to have Jade under him, or on top of him, or bent over the closest piece of furniture, anytime he wanted.

His tiger was as obsessed with him as he was with her. They couldn't be in the same room and stay on opposite sides for longer than five minutes. They held hands through supper. Her place was on his lap when they watched TV. He loved going upstairs with her every night. He loved watching her getting ready for bed. He loved the moment when she wrapped herself around him. He loved the sense of completeness when he woke in the middle of the night and Jade was still right there, holding on to him.

She drew squiggles up and down his back. “I talked to my mom today.”

Don't panic
. “Yeah? How'd that conversation go?”

“It was . . . hard. I can't really talk to her about you. So I listened as she chattered on.”

“How many times did she ask you when you were coming back to New York?”

Jade sighed. “Five. And since all my restaurant uniforms are in my
closet at their house, I don't know the best way to ask her to send them to me. I know you said Dodie doesn't wear a uniform, but I want to be prepared in case I have to wear one.”

“Does that mean you're sticking around and not heading back to New York even to pick up your uniforms?”

She stopped abruptly and jerked her hand free. “After all I've told you? After how incredible it's been between us? You still think I have the ability to walk away from this? If your answer to any of those questions is yes . . . then why am I even looking for jobs?”

“Whoa. Hold on. I'm looking for a job too. And whenever I bring this topic up, you distract me with hot sex and it gets shoved under the bed—which is about the only place we haven't fucked.”

“Is that a complaint?”

“Yes.”

Her eyes widened.

Shit. “I mean no. But bein's I have an interview in Casper next week, it is something we need to talk about.”

“So talk.”

“I am in a transitory position, Jade. I have five job applications that I haven't heard back on. What happens if the place in Taos offers me a full-time job? Would you stay here or go with me?”

“Would you
want
me to go with you?” she retorted.

Tobin didn't even hesitate. “Yes.”