Total pages in book: 93
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 87067 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 435(@200wpm)___ 348(@250wpm)___ 290(@300wpm)
As if on cue, JB shot him a smile over his shoulder. “I’d ask how you like yours, but I simply don’t do well done. Ruins a good steak.”
“I agree. I’m sure however you do yours works for me.”
He pulled his gaze from JB and took in the scenery. Evening sunlight sparkled on the water of the lake and rolling hills spread out as far as he could see. A horse neighed from somewhere close by and it was followed by the lowing of cows. Birds tweeted from the trees around the guest house. There was a sense of tranquility here he wasn’t used to. It filled him with a strange sort of peace. “It’s really pretty. You have quite a view.”
“I love it. Missed it while I was a Ranger in the Army. It was hard being away from home, but I wouldn’t trade the experience for anything. I got to see more of the world. Plus, that’s where I met Noah.”
“Noah’s a great guy.”
“He is, and Rowe’s perfect for him.”
“No doubt, but the two of them together are dangerous.”
JB threw his head back and laughed. It was a full-throated, joyous sound. “I’d say I can only imagine, but I was treated to their shenanigans when we went to DC. The collection of duct tape alone said enough.”
Cole couldn’t help but grin. His boss loved the stuff and had everything from standard gray to minions. And he used it for nearly everything.
Once the corn and steaks were done, they carried the food into the house and made their plates, shucking the corn and buttering it up. They settled at the table with beers and the food. Cole took a bite of the steak and groaned.
JB’s lips tilted into a smirk. “Good, huh?”
“Fantastic. I somehow doubt I’ll ever have steak this good again.” He took another bite, the juicy meat tender in his mouth. “Fuck, JB, this is really great.”
“I aim to please,” JB said as he buttered his potato. He added sour cream and handed the tub to Cole.
As Cole doctored his potato, he eyed JB. “What do you do exactly on the ranch?”
“A little of everything. My day starts as the sun rises—nothing like a sunrise here over the hills. You’ll have to catch at least one. But then I work to feed the animals, check over the cattle to see if any of them need treatment of some kind, tag new calves, dispense vaccinations, and though Logan threw up a fuss, spend a lot of time fixing fences.”
“Having a fence down isn’t the major offense he was making it out to be?”
“Pretty standard practice to spend time on the fences. He likes to rattle my chain. Guy’s always been a pain in my ass.” JB cut into his steak and held a bite on the fork for a moment. “Everyone who works on the ranch does a bit of everything. We stay damn busy, that’s for sure. But luckily, we do have a lot of help, so I’m not dragging my ass inside every single night. Not that there aren’t hard days, of course.”
“I can imagine the work is hard. Must be an incredible workout daily.”
“Oh, hell yeah, I definitely stay in shape. Speaking of which, you must work out a lot yourself.” He ran his gaze over Cole’s arms and chest. “I don’t imagine you get that body sitting in front of a computer all the time.”
“I love lifting weights. You got a gym here on the ranch?”
“Nah, but I can find ways for you to get in some exercise.”
Cole felt heat creeping up his neck, though he knew JB hadn’t meant anything sexual. “I can always run while I’m here. Noticed you have a hot tub outside. Bet that comes in handy.”
“You know it.” JB finally ate his bite of steak, silent as he chewed. He swallowed and grinned. “Rowe calls you one of the triplets, right? I take it you’re pretty damn handy on a computer?”
Cole forked some potato as he nodded. Once he swallowed, he answered. “I’ve always had a knack for them. Got a degree at MIT in computer science and engineering.”
“Whew,” JB breathed out. “MIT, huh? You gotta be damn smart to get into that school.”
Flattered, Cole shrugged. “I knew what I wanted, so I worked hard in high school. It was my goal—didn’t even apply anywhere else, I wanted it that badly.”
“What sort of stuff do you do for Rowe?” JB snagged the neck of his beer. “He have you actually hacking?”
“Sometimes, yeah. I monitor security systems and do a lot of tracking on the Internet—that sort of thing. I also work on our systems, keep everything up-to-date and running smoothly. I provide technical backup to any of the bodyguards who are in the field. Though both Quinn and Gidget help with that as well. It’s kind of like what you have here. We all work on everything.”