Page 8 of Yours To Take
“Dwight, as in Layla’s high school boyfriend, Dwight?”
“Yes. Didn’t you know that when you booked them?”
“No. Nash has taken over the booking of all entertainment.” Peter gets a lopsided grin on his face, thinking about his partner.
The two of them were high school sweethearts, or whatever the summer equivalent is. But Nash left, leaving Peter heartbroken.
Fast forward seven years, and Nash is now living with Peter in his cabin on the property.
“Go run your bar, and I’ll see you at dinner this week.”
“See ya, Gem.” Peter drops a kiss on my head before leaving.
There are a few guests mingling, but with it being early spring, it’s not quite busy season.
These are the times I love my job. I love the quiet before summer starts. Meeting and chatting with guests is my favorite part of this job. Even if I wasn’t born to work here, I’d still want to.
Dixon Creek Ranch has been in the family for as long as I can remember. My grandparents ran it until they retired, and then my parents took over. When my mom and dad decided they wanted to retire early, I was barely old enough to work the front desk.
But I came to work and haven’t looked back since. I love everything about this place.
The only downside? I’m still just a front desk clerk. Sure, I know more about this place than anyone else, but I haven’t moved up. It’s something Gramps never wants to discuss with me. I don’t know why.
It’s not like there are many options for me if I wanted to find another job. Dixon is twenty minutes away, and with a population of three thousand, it makes jobs scarce.
It also makes dating hard. Really, really hard.
I’ve either known everyone since kindergarten, or they’re tourists who blow through town treating it like shit under their shoe.
Probably why I still have my V-card. No one worth giving it up to.
Regardless, I wouldn’t trade my life for anything. This small town is in my blood. Dixon raised me, and I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.
ChapterFour
GEMMA
“I’m going to be okay, right?”
I tighten the helmet strap on our youngest rider today.
“Absolutely. Buttercup is our best horse, and Billy here will make sure you have the best time.”
“Okay.” The little girl smiles brightly up at me before I help her up onto the horse.
This is one of my favorite parts of my job. I love getting to help people overcome their fears.
But based on how she’s cooing at Buttercup, she’s going to be just fine.
“Want to muck out the stalls while we’re gone?” Billy shouts back at me as they head out.
“Only have thirty other things to do today, so why not?” I laugh.
“Thanks, Gemma.”
I shake my head. Mucking out the stalls isn’t my favorite thing to do, but I’ll never say no to pitching in and helping.
Popping in my earbuds, I get to work. I try to help out when I can, but most of the time, my days are spent working inside.
