and riding off. Kaiden settled Domino down and set off home still smiling. Not bad for a morning’s work, which somehow made the thought of seeing his father so much easier to bear.
Chapter Five
Julia was still thinking about her last exchange with Kaiden when she arrived back at the ranch. She’d confided in him, she’d let him tease her out of her bad mood, and then she’d let him kiss her.
“Way to go, Garcia,” Julia muttered as she took Dolly’s saddle and blanket off and rubbed her down. “You’re a complete pushover.”
But Kaiden understood her current situation better than anyone else in the world. He knew all the players and didn’t have any qualms about speaking out about their particular issues. How could she not confide in him?
She lugged the saddle into the tack room, noting that everything in there needed to be cleaned, and mentally added it to her long to-do list. Her cell buzzed and she took it out of her pocket.
Hey! You around?
She typed back: Yes, what’s up?
Her phone rang and she accepted the call. “Hey, Scott.”
“Hey, babe. Are you available for dinner tonight?”
She grimaced. “Don’t you remember me telling you that I was going to stay with my dad in Morgantown for the next two weeks?”
There was a rather long pause. “You must have forgotten to ask my admin to put it on my calendar.”
Jeez, he was already sounding offended, and she really did not have the energy to deal with his hurt feelings right now.
“Maybe I’ll see you when I get back?” Julia offered.
“I’m off to Japan for a month. That’s actually why I wanted to see you.”
“Oh, okay. Have a great trip.”
“You don’t sound very bothered.”
Julia repressed a sigh. “Scott, you were the one who specified that we were just having fun with a no-commitment relationship. Why would you want me to be bothered?”
“Because I find that women usually do start to care for me despite their best intentions.”
Wow, the conceit of the man. Julia tried to think how to reply, but he saved her the bother.
“It’s okay, Julia, you don’t have to pretend you don’t mind. I was going to break up with you before I went away anyway. I thought I’d detected signs of you getting a mite too possessive of me last time we went out together.”
“You mean when I introduced myself to your boss as your date?”
“Yes, that. It was very presumptuous of you.”
“You’re right, it was.” Julia gave a fake sigh. “Oh, God, how am I ever going to live knowing that I am not your chosen one?”
“I’m sure you’ll get over it and find someone else. You are quite attractive, and you have a very good job.”
“But no one is as godlike as you, Scott. How will I survive?” she wailed. “My life is ruined!”
“Now, calm down, Julia . . .”
“How will I endure it?” Julia screeched. “My ovaries crumbling to dust, my skin to paper, my once straight limbs crooked and bent all because Scott Halton has rejected me!”
Her phone went dead and she laughed until her sides hurt. Who knew that bringing out her inner Kaiden Miller could be such fun? A text flashed on the screen.
I am blocking you now, Julia. Good-bye.
“Good riddance you jerk,” Julia muttered as she returned to the house.
Why she’d ever gone out with Scott in the first place was a mystery. He’d seemed okay, not pushy, and not interested in anything more than the limited time she had to offer. With the hours she worked, and his frequent trips abroad, she’d barely seen him more than once every couple of months.
When her cell rang again, she held it to her ear.
“I thought you’d blocked me.”
“I’d never do that while you continue to be useful to me, Julie.”
Julia grimaced. “Hello, Blaine. How can I help you today?” It seemed like it was her day to deal with over-entitled men.
“Miley gave me those files.”
“Great!” Julia opened the kitchen door and went inside enjoying the warmth and the sunlight streaming through the newly cleaned windows.
“But, I still can’t make any sense of what you’ve done, so I need you to walk me through everything before my presentation on Monday.”
“Sorry, I can’t do that.” Julia set the new kettle on the stove. “As I’ve already stated, my father comes first, and the company is legally required to allow me to take my days off without interference from you or anyone at MZB.”
“This is just sour grapes because you didn’t get the job,” Blaine whined.
“Everything