Lost Memories (Honky Tonk Hearts) Read Online Free Page A

again.
    He shook his head. Another time. Another place.
    “And how do you know that, Nicholas?”
    “Ask Sam or Trent. She fidgeted the whole time we talked with her. She was vague about her history. Did you even look at her résumé? Her life might as well have been nonexistent before she moved here.” Nick moved to the window and rubbed his neck with his free hand. “The only thing I can check out is the fact she volunteered at the local animal shelter.”
    “See there, she does have experience with animals.”
    “Dogs and cats, not horses, pigs, or cows.”
    “Good enough for me. Honey, I’m sure she’s just nervous; the four of you can be overwhelming. I have no doubt the scowl never left your face the whole time. As for her hiding something...” She sighed. “Aren’t we all? We don’t reveal the skeletons in our closets to a person we just met. I’m sure you didn’t divulge any information about yourself.”
    “I’m not the one applying for a job.” His voice rose out of frustration, and he closed his eyes. “I’m sorry.”
    “Nick, honey, you’re suspicious of everyone around you. I love the fact you care for your brothers, but you need to let your guard down a bit. Let people in, sweetheart.”
    “Like Trent did?”
    “No one knew his fiancée had mental issues.”
    “Which is why I planned on thoroughly investigating everyone who applied for this job— before we hired them.”
    “You’re not responsible for April shooting your brother.”
    “Not directly.” He rubbed his neck again. “We’re getting off track. This has nothing to do with Darcy.”
    “It has everything to do with her.”
    “Ma, she doesn’t even have a solid work history.” He crossed the room and sat heavily on the couch. But she does have a hot body. One he found alluring along with her small rounded bottom, the tantalizing caramel color of her eyes, her plump bottom lip. Would it taste as good as it looked?
    “She doesn’t need one to clean cabins and scoop animal dung.”
    He shook off his wayward thoughts. “I don’t trust her.”
    “There lies your problem. I think she’s going to work out great. What was your brothers’ reaction? Do they agree with you?”
    If my brothers were as taken with her as I was, we’re all in trouble .
    He sighed and brought his full attention back around to the prospect of Darcy working on the ranch. “Doesn’t matter. I’m the oldest, I overrule them.” A small sense of satisfaction filled him.
    “And I overrule you.”
    “Mom...”
    “Nicholas, I hired her. You will show her the ropes and be nice to her.”
    Would she ever listen to him? Closing his eyes, he put his head on the back of the couch. “Fine, but if she screws up, she’s out of here.”
    His mother breathed out noisily. “But you’ll give her a fair chance and give her time to learn the ranch?”
    “Yes.”
    “Good. Now don’t sound glum, Nicky. Who knows, you might be surprised. We’ll be in touch in a few days. I love you, honey.”
    “Love you, too.” Nick punched the off button and tossed the phone on the couch, then shut his eyes. Great .
    What had Darcy said to make his mother like her? Not that he disliked her. As a female, he liked her, at least on an appearance level. Physically, her body possessed curves in the right places—not to mention her thick mass of curls and big bay eyes.
    He should implement a dress code. No tight clothing.
    Ha. His brothers would laugh him off the ranch. These long days were obviously getting to him. Now he’d lost his mind.
    Nick jumped up. He would do well to avoid Miss Brooks and leave his family to handle her. She won’t last longer than the week anyway.
    “What’d Mom have to say?” Sam leaned on the door frame with arms crossed over his chest.
    “She hired Darcy, and we’re to show her the ropes.” Nick crossed to the desk and made a project of organizing the papers. He stuffed the stapler into the top drawer and slammed the wood shut.
    “Why