with the achieving. Which I am convinced I will. Somehow.”
“I think he’s working hard to make sure you have an empire. He’s on fire.” Greg shoved his hands in his pockets as they neared the office. He had her purse over his shoulder. “I hear you guys are having another try for a baby. Congrats.”
Sara could feel her face turn red. She shrugged, a move having her wincing again. “Not right at the moment. I need to heal first. But we will. We both want the same things, so we’ll try again.”
Greg nodded, his eyes focused on her face. “I’m sorry about what happened. Seems like you’ve been getting the short end of the stick lately.”
Sara waved the thought away. “I’m okay. Duke’s in jail—that’s enough for me. I’ll heal and be right as rain. Things could’ve been a lot worse.”
“Too cheery by half.” Greg flashed her a grin and backed up. “Well, I think we’re all supposed to go to dinner tonight, so see you then.”
“Yup. Bye—but can I have my purse back? It looks good on you, but I have my lipstick in there. It’s not your shade.”
Greg smiled and unslung the handbag from his shoulder. “Just call me mule. All right, see ya.”
Sara watched him walk down the hall before she took a big breath and entered the office. She’d done some good work while she had actually been working, but she’d had so much crazy go down since she got here that she hadn’t done enough of it. She needed to know where she stood.
May was sitting at the desk with her head bent over some papers when the door opened. The older woman glanced up, and her eyes widened when she saw Sara.
“My goodness, child, what are you doing out of bed!” She hurried to Sara, took an arm, and escorted her to a chair. “You’re supposed to be resting.”
“I just wanted to check in. There’s bound to be some things not looked after while I’ve been gone.”
May glanced at the desk. “Don’t you worry about it! Now, you need to go back—”
“What is it? Let me see.” Sara held out a hand for the papers, a smile tickling her lips.
May sighed and handed them over. “There seems to be a problem with some delivery or other, but the boys didn’t remember receiving it at the barn. We got it, because we have some supplies, but we don’t know if we got it all or—” May waved her hand. “I’d forgotten how long all this takes. Seems like it goes so smoothly when you take care of it. It really takes hours, though.”
Sara’s chest filled with warmth. “I’ll take care of it.”
“No, dear. Oh no, I couldn’t have you do that. You need to get better. I can handle it.”
Sara tucked the page in her purse. “I’m sore, not decrepit. I’ll do what I can, and boss the boys around to do what I can’t.” She laughed. “Being needed means I still have a job, so that’s fine by me.”
“Well, of course you have a job. And did I hear right, you’re staying in the area? Because all the boys keep threatening to leave unless you stick around. Seems managing the supplies at the ranch houses has won a lot of votes.”
A shadow passed over May’s face. She clasped her hands and bowed her head slightly, pursing her lips. She’d apologized directly to Sara for what happened, feeling like it was her and Dan’s fault that Sara hadn’t been safe on their lands. She’d also said, though, that she wouldn’t mention it again—every time she did, tears choked her voice.
Three close friends of Duke’s had been fired. Dan and May were loyal, but when pushed, they reacted quickly and harshly. Anyone that sided with Duke, in any capacity, was thrown out of Dodge. No one was sad to see them go.
Sara smiled. “I’m trying to find some room in the budget for a weekly cleaner. We’ll see.”
“Oh yes, that would be nice. And a budget? My goodness, we’ll be just like all the big ranches.” May laughed in a carefree sort of way. “Well, we’d be happy if you stayed on with us. You fit in here. And if you stay, we know Mike Frost will, too. He’s nearly family now, so we’d hate to see him go!”
Sara’s eyes moistened. “Well, I’ll get to it. Probably a lot to do.”
May helped her up and walked her to the door. “But don’t tax yourself, you hear!