is because you’re actually upset, and the only way you know how to show it is by yelling and making everyone else miserable.”
“Balderdash.” Jeff slammed the upper door shut and shot the bolt in place. “Don’t tell me how I feel, Kaiden Miller. I have enough of that from your mother.”
“Who would be extremely annoyed with you right now for going super negative on Ben, who is definitely her favorite kid.”
“All right!” Jeff scowled at him. “If you’ll just stop yapping your mouth off, I’ll go and be nice to Ben, deal?”
“And Silver,” Kaiden said firmly. “Don’t forget her.”
His father stomped off in the direction of the house muttering to himself, and Kaiden stayed where he was.
It occurred to him that Julia had a similar way of dealing with her problems. She got mad first, and offered more nuanced explanations later. Perhaps after all those years of dealing with his dad, he understood where she was coming from and didn’t let it put him off. Whatever she said, things definitely weren’t good at her job, and he wondered why. Not that it was any of his business, but he’d always been the curious type.
Just as he was about to go back in to make sure his dad was behaving himself, he heard Julia’s voice coming toward him and instinctively went still.
“Look, Melanie, I assure you that I’ve done everything you asked me to do.”
He eased himself back into the shadowy corner and realized she must be on the phone and walking toward him.
“No, that’s not . . . No, I can’t fly back for Monday. There’s no one to look after my father.”
There was another long pause.
“It isn’t a question of money, Melanie. It’s about my responsibility to care for the people I love. If you can’t see that, I’m sorry, but I don’t know what else I can say to you. Miley knows all about the case, she has offered to help, and that should solve any issues that might arise on Monday.”
Kaiden tensed as Julia’s voice grew louder. She was almost through the door now. He jumped as she kicked the doorframe hard.
“Sure, Melanie, you promoted him, so why are you in such a panic now? Regretting your decision? Afraid he’ll make you look bad in front of the other senior partners when I’m not there to prop him up?”
Her gasp when she finally noticed him made him grin. He pointed at her phone.
“You didn’t actually say that last bit to her, did you? Because if you did, you’re probably going to need a new job. I hear the Garcia Ranch are looking for a manager.”
She slammed a hand over her heart and gaped at him. “What the hell are you doing here?”
“Just checking out the horses.”
“And spying on me?”
“Hey.” He raised an eyebrow. “I was here first.”
“You—” She shook her head. “You’re right. I’m the one who is intruding. I’ll turn around right now.”
Kaiden frowned. “Backing down so fast? What’s wrong with you? That Melanie lady must’ve really rattled you.”
“She’s one of the senior partners at my law firm.”
“So not someone you want to piss off,” Kaiden commented as Julia looked down the length of the barn and anywhere except at his face. “Are you going to fly back on Monday?”
She turned on him, her hands now on her hips. “Kaiden, has anyone ever told you it’s rude to eavesdrop on other people’s private conversations?”
“Sure, all the time,” he said easily. “But sometimes you hear such good stuff that you can’t help but comment on it.”
“You are . . .” She sighed. “So annoying.”
He nodded gravely. “You’re not the first person to mention that.” He waited a beat before continuing. “What’s going on?”
Her mouth settled into a now familiar stubborn line. “What if I just say it’s none of your business?”
“I’ll just keep bugging you until you tell me.” He shrugged. “It’s what I do.”
“I am well aware of that.” She took another turn around the barn before finally swinging around to face him. “My new boss has to present a case to the senior partners, and the clients on Monday, and he’s panicking because I’m not there to hold his hand.”
“What’s that got to do with Melanie?” Kaiden asked.
“She’s the one who promoted him, and she doesn’t want to look bad at the meeting if he isn’t sufficiently prepared.”
“Makes sense I suppose.” Kaiden nodded. “No one likes looking stupid.”
“You think I’m at fault here? That I should get on that plane?” Julia asked.
Kaiden concealed a grin.