Free Alexander Ranch by Marla Josephs Page B

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.
    A s 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,