Free Just Once by Julianna Keyes Page B

at them once already today. I’m not going to go overboard.
    At least Hailey is still on my side. “How’s it going?” she asks when I bring in a load of dirty plates.
    I scrape leftovers into the compost bin. “Not bad,” I lie. “Tiring.” I rotate my shoulder. I’ve been here less than a week, and while I’d hate to admit Shane is right, maybe I should make a trip to town sooner rather than later. This knot isn’t working itself out. If anything, it’s getting worse.
    I set down the plates and pour myself a glass of water. I didn’t have time for a nap earlier—after cracking the whip with the girls and chatting with Lisa I was lucky to squeeze in a shower before dinner. I close my eyes when I hear the familiar sound of covered plates being stacked.
    “Sorry,” Alec says, instead of “Ranch hands’ dinner is ready.”
    I down half the water and set the glass on the counter. My two-person idea is going to have to wait until we have hands to spare. I have a feeling we’re lucky Becca and Janie even showed up for dinner service, so I’m not going to ask them to make the trip.
    “I’m on it,” I say, sounding more confident than I feel. I hoist the stack of plates, feeling their warmth against my chest, and maneuver out the back door. I’ve just rounded the corner of the lodge when I hear the rapid pounding of running feet. Big ones. Clad in work boots.
    “What’s going on?” I shout. I know it’s Shane, but if he’s running from something, I want to know what and get a head start.
    “Here,” he says, breathing hard as he stops in front of me. I feel his calloused palm on the back of my hand as he takes the stack of plates from me. I shake out my arms and stare at him. Against his big frame the plates look miniscule.
    “What’s happening?” I ask.
    “You don’t have to do this anymore,” he replies.
    “Do what?”
    “Bring the food over.”
    “Well, there’s no one else right now. Janie and Becca hate—”
    “Leave it on the counter inside the door, and we’ll pick it up.”
    “Oh. But I thought—”
    “Why are you arguing?” He arches that damn brow again.
    “I’m not.”
    “How’s the shoulder?”
    I whirl around to go back inside. “Just fine.”
    I hear him laugh behind me.
    “That was fast,” Hailey remarks when I return for my water.
    “They’re going to pick up the food themselves from now on,” I tell her, and by default Alec, who is standing right there.
    “Really?” he says, seeming interested. “That’s a first.”
    I shrug. “I’m not going to argue. Those plates are heavy.”
    “Yep,” Hailey agrees. “No reason to go to that barn. No reason at all.”
    I smile, and she smiles back. I don’t know what Brandon’s deal is. Hailey is incredibly pretty, with hair to die for. On top of that she was a college volleyball player and is still enviably fit. And, unlike the other kitchen/cabin girls, she’s mature.
    “You coming to O’Malley’s tonight?” she asks.
    It’s on the tip of my tongue to say no, but just then Mark enters with a tray of molten lava cakes for dessert. “Say yes,” he urges. “I’ll give you a free cake.”
    “Cakes are for guests,” Alec points out.
    Mark winks at me. “Of course.”
    “Okay,” I say. “I’ll come.” I can’t help but wonder if Shane will be there again. And why he’s breaking tradition: going to O’Malley’s, picking up the ranch hands’ food.
    “Come where?”
    I turn to see Janie standing just inside the door, half-full coffee pot in hand.
    “O’Malley’s,” Hailey answers.
    Janie sighs dramatically and does everything but stomp her foot. “Seriously? Again? Why? Why are you everywhere?”
    “Relax,” I tell her. “I promise not to speak to you.”
    “Thank God.”
    “Hey,” Alec snaps. “Like it or not, Kate is your boss and this is my kitchen. If anybody gets to be rude, it’s me. Got it?”
    Janie looks like she wants to say something else, but merely turns on her heel and