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back of his neck in thought, like he did when he was annoyed.
    “Actually, I might know two guys who fit the bill,” Nate said after a few moments.
    “Who?”
    “Jared and Dean Acker.”
    I groaned. The Acker brothers were infamous enough that even I’d heard of them when I was in the Navy. “You mean the Horn Dog Twins? Jesus, Nate. What help would they be? They chase after anything that looks halfway decent in a skirt.”
    “That was years ago and didn’t we all used to act like that,” he drawled. “I wouldn’t have suggested them if I didn’t trust them. We all grow up, Kate.”
    I thought about that and he was right. I wasn’t the same person I was seven years ago either. “Okay, if you trust them, I trust you.”
    I did trust Nate, but I still had reservations. According to some of the girls on base, the Acker twins lived up to their reputation. As long as emotions weren’t involved, just one night with either of them was well worth it. That was the rumor anyway. I had no intentions of finding out firsthand.
    “Cool. They’re not far from you so I’ll call them and have them drive down as soon as they can. I’ll be in touch.”
    “Thanks, Nate, you’re the best pretend big brother ever,” I cooed playfully. He snickered at that and we said our good-byes before hanging up.
    Then I moved on to my next call. I could feel the tension building in my head. This was going to be a massive migraine kind of day.
    “Adam Rose’s office. How can I help you?” a young lady greeted when she answered the phone.
    “Hi, this is Kate Boyle, is Mr. Rose in?”
    “No, Ms. Boyle, he’s attending to a few things, but he did leave a message should you call. He said he’ll stop by the ranch at about six to discuss some things with you.”
    “If he checks in later, let him know I appreciate it,” I told her.
    “Will do, have a nice day,” she said, hanging up. I guess my gramp’s lawyer didn’t tell her why he was coming by later, or she would have known having a nice day was impossible.
    “Anything else?” Nick asked me a few minutes later when he was done.
    “Actually, if you don’t mind hanging out here and holding down the fort, that would be great. I’ve gotta head into town to handle some of the details. I figure some people will be stopping by, pay condolences. It’s really not my kinda thing,” I told Nick, hoping he’d get the idea that I didn’t really want to talk to anyone.
    “Sure thing. Give me your cell number in case something pops up and I need to call you.”
    “Thanks, Nick,” I said, handing him one of my business cards.
    “You own your own company?” he asked, his eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
    “I co-own it. I figure I’ll explain it all to the group tonight. Get all the facts on the table before everyone starts gossiping, if they haven’t already.”
    “You really don’t fuck around, do you? Straight for the jugular?” he chuckled as he shook his head.
    “We’re all busy people and there’s no point in beating around the bush. I know Gramp didn’t tell you guys much about my life, some people have issues with what I do and who I am. But if you’re all going to be working for me, I need to trust you. Hard to give your trust to someone who you don’t know much about. It’ll just be easier if I tell you all in one shot.”
    “You act—” he started to say, before I interrupted him.
    “It’s not an act, Nick, this is how I really am,” I snapped. I hated getting the lecture about how it’s just an act that I’m tough and no nonsense. After years and years of getting it, it just got old. Just because I was a woman didn’t mean I was just a ball of emotions. I could handle any situation without falling apart.
    “Let me finish,” Nick said in a soft voice. “I was saying you act just like your grandpa. I can see a lot of him in you.”
    “Thanks, I’m sorry, I’m just a little raw, especially after what happened with Sean.” I took a cleansing