Free River Road (River's End Series, #4) by Leanne Davis Page A

deposit. You’ll get half of it back as long as you return the vehicle undamaged. You have to sign some paperwork for insurance reasons and take a quick tutorial, which I can gladly give you.”
    “Oh, the paperwork. I sure as hell hope you learned your lesson. I can’t imagine how Jack Rydell had your ass over that.”
    Jocelyn’s head tilted. “Well, no. He just reminded me to double check next time.”
    “What’s with all the work going on around my cabin?”
    “Oh, that’s because of Erin and Allison. They want to fancy up the place. Jack’s complaining, but it will be nice. I hope you weren’t disturbed.”
    “By AJ? The man’s a damn shadow. Ghost. Snake. I don’t know. Whatever moves around without making a peep or complaining or even voicing basic human rights,” she grumbled. Kate was offended on his behalf by her brother’s tyrannical actions. First taking over for Erin as if she were a damn idiot, and then insisting AJ couldn’t even talk to guests?
    “Oh, AJ. He is quiet.”
    “Don’t tell me half the old married women here aren’t out on their porches drooling over him,” she muttered, scowling at the image. She’d seen some women in their retirement years. She just bet they all enjoyed a nice fantasy of eye candy in the quiet, hardworking ranch hand.
    “Well, don’t we all?”
    “Do you have something going on with him?” The thought made Kate resist glaring at Jocelyn as if she had any business to ask, let alone care if they did.
    Jocelyn dropped her head, shrugging her shoulders as she let out a little, embarrassed laugh. “Well, not from lack of trying. But he nearly pats me on the head and tells me to run along. He says he’s far too old for me, but I don’t care…”
    “How old are you?” Kate studied the girl. She was all tattooed and pierced, so it was hard to tell. She might have been older than Kate first thought.
    “Twenty-one. AJ’s thirty or something. So I guess he’s old. But old like that…”
    AJ’s esteem just shot up. He turned this hot little girl down? Yes, Jocelyn was hot in a wild, rebellious, crazy way. A way AJ had turned down! Good man.
    “Well, I hope you didn’t get into any trouble because of me. And I’ll plan on that quad around two, okay?”
    “It’ll be pretty hot then. You going alone?”
    “No. I’m going to find someone here to go with me. But let me guess, it can’t be AJ, right? Because Jack forbids it?”
    Jocelyn’s smile was quick before it disappeared. “True. But in all fairness, it’s the same no fraternizing rule for all the employees, not just AJ, from me to all the ranch hands. Have you seen the other workers? AJ is just the tip of the iceberg. It would be one hook-up after another if too many women mingled with the guys who work here.”
    “Well, it still seems impossible that someone can insist on that.” Kate turned and left the office, determined that stupid Jack’s rules wouldn’t hamper her sudden inclination to enjoy one AJ Reed.
    No matter who told her not to. Because the first thing her brother would learn about Kate was, she did not tolerate anyone telling her what to do.
     
    Kate wandered around the beach and the ranch until finally she found Erin working with a horse in the circular arena. She leaned on the gates and watched for a good hour or so after Erin walked over to chit-chat and gave her permission to stay. Snapping up the opportunity to try grilling Erin again, she didn’t find out anything more of great interest.
    Kate mentioned the rented four-wheeler and hinted that she needed someone to go with her. Erin claimed she only rode on the backs of them, but promised she’d find someone. Kate crossed her fingers, hoping she’d suggest AJ. It was so foreign to Kate to pussyfoot around a guy like him. She didn’t play games, or send others to do her work, or hope the guy would be here or there. She just usually went out with the guy. She asked him for a date or if he wanted to sleep with her.