Zuri Day - Ready For The Rancher

Dennis sat back. “Wow, really, Adam? You’re offering me the job of managing your meat-processing operation?”

“I’m asking if you’re interested. We’d still need to go through the application process, but if everything from there is in order then yes, I’d feel good in you having that job.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it and yes, I’m very interested. I’ve always loved your family’s land. Working on it would be my pleasure.”

“I might come up to Bakersfield,” Adam said. “Get a look at your operation and see how it compares to ours.”

“Okay,” Dennis said, after a beat.

Adam found the hesitation odd but didn’t dwell on it. Now that he’d potentially solved a huge dilemma, a delay that would have put a serious wrench in their scheduled plant launch, he was ready to find out more about Ryan. Whether or not he ended up working with Dennis, he wanted to see more of her. Before parting ways he asked Dennis to send him a proposal, and asked Ryan for her number.

“Why?” Ryan asked, her expression suggesting she couldn’t think of a reason why he’d need to talk to her.

Adam smiled slightly, impressed. Most women were all too eager to give him their number. He was appreciative of one who hesitated. “To talk about food,” he replied, “and what types of vegetarian options might work with our current menu.”

She seemed relieved that his reason was work related. It wasn’t the only one, of course, but it was as good of an excuse as any.

Three

Ryan hadn’t been surprised yesterday when Dennis ran off before she could confront him. He hadn’t returned her calls from last night or yesterday, either. Blindsiding her with a job she’d never heard of in front of the man wanting to hire him was pretty low, even for a brother known for sometimes being underhanded. But honestly, Ryan couldn’t be totally mad. Adam Breedlove was one hot man. She had no intention of working at Breedlove Ranch but she could put in a personal shift or two with the boss. She’d been in the city for three months without dating. One day after the other had been all work, no play. Dennis’s friend could prove a nice lightweight diversion. A little sin in Sin City every now and again.

The prospect of a rendezvous with the cowboy was totally titillating, but Ryan forced her mind back to where it belonged this Monday morning—on her practice, and building it up. After years of sharing “her hobby” as Dennis had called it with friends, classmates and coworkers, she’d gotten serious about her love for alternative healing and obtained a bachelor’s degree in naturopathy, specializing in plant medicine, biophysics, massage therapy and nutrition. She’d simultaneously pursued and received certificates in energetic healing and emotional frequency technique from the prestigious Institute of Higher Holistic Learning in La Jolla, California. From her childhood until her early-adult years as she came into her own, she’d sought to please others and be what they thought she should be. After learning of her passion, her parents had suggested traditional medicine, had thought she should pursue a nursing degree. But Ryan had finally followed her heart and become submerged in Eastern medicine and alternative forms of healing. Those three years of expedited learning were the best ones of her life. This was also when she’d met her ex, which had added some worst moments to those educational years.

While attending an expo during her senior year she’d met Brooklyn, a woman named for where she’d been born, who’d moved cross-country to Las Vegas, a place Ryan had doubted she’d ever return to live. But their long conversations on the alternative and holistic landscape evolved into others on working in complementary fields. Their shared interests and similar personalities led to them being best friends, the sister Ryan had always wanted. Brooklyn suggested they open a practice together. Ryan jumped at the chance to have her own business. That’s why she’d moved back to Las Vegas. Not the only one, but the one she felt most comfortable admitting. The other reasons were complicated, both hopeful and painful. There were secrets she hadn’t unearthed and couldn’t share...yet.

Ryan’s ringing landline startled her out of daydreaming. A blessed interruption, she inwardly noted, while crossing the airy living room of her Summerlin townhome. No doubt it was Brooklyn, calling to make sure Ryan was on schedule and that she’d make it to their appointment on time.

“Yes, I’m ready. Five minutes and I’m out the door.”

“Um, okay, but where are we going?”

Ryan’s heart raced. “Adam?”

He chuckled, a sound that sent goose bumps dancing over her skin.

“I hope it’s okay that Dennis gave me your home number. I tried your cell phone a couple times but didn’t hear back, and the question I have is time-sensitive so I called your brother.”

Halfway through his explanation, Ryan had begun searching for her cell. She’d checked the living room and master bedroom. Now she headed toward the garage.

“Ryan, are you there? If this is a bad time—”

“No, it isn’t,” Ryan said, while lying on her belly and searching her car’s back seat. “I’m looking for my cell phone that I now realize I haven’t heard ring all morning.”

“When is the last time you remember having it?”

“Definitely this morning before leaving the house. I tried calling Dennis in fact and...aw!”

“Whoa, are you okay?”

“Yes!” Ryan laughed. “I just remembered where it was.” She headed into her house and the bedroom. “I forgot I placed it in my yoga bag before going into the studio.”

She found the bag in her closet, opened it up and retrieved the phone. “Listen, Adam, if you’re calling about what Dennis is doing—”

“I’m not.”

“Oh.” Ryan glanced at the clock on the wall. It was almost time to head out for her meeting. But she had five minutes. She sat down. Adam’s voice was better than a massage. It made her feel all noodly, if that was even a word.

“What’s up?”

“Magic, if you’re into that sort of thing.”

If you’re doing the tricks, I very well could be. “What kind of magic?”

“What kind do you like?”

His voice had lowered just enough for Ryan to imagine a double entendre. If his bedroom moves were half as sexy as that raspy tenor...

“All kinds, I guess. I find fantasy entertaining. The ability to conjure another type of world within this one is an incredible skill.”

“I agree. Our hotel is hosting a private premiere that we feel is going to be very special. It is a show that blends illusion with dance, great music and scenes. Rather than separate tricks, an entire story is told. The guy is from Denmark. His name is Valdemar.”

“Never heard of him.”

“Few have, in America. At least not yet. And no one in the way he’ll be presented at CANN. The show is tomorrow night and I’d like very much for you to join me.”

“It sounds interesting. What time?” Ryan asked, as though it mattered. Mentally, she was already going through her closet for what to wear, but a girl couldn’t appear too hasty.

“The show starts at nine but I was hoping you’d also join me for dinner. I spoke with hotel management, who recommended a couple of our restaurants with stellar vegan and vegetarian choices.”

“That’s very thoughtful of you.” Or presumptive.

“I wanted to be prepared, just in case you said yes.”

Ryan hesitated.

“I know it’s late notice. I wasn’t planning to go until, well, I caught a bit of the rehearsal and what I saw blew me away.”

“It sounds incredible, Adam. I’d love to join you.”

“May I pick you up around...six thirty?”