Interview with Sawyer

Blurb:

Trace is nursing a broken heart. He lost his job, his boyfriend of two years was cheating on him, and his apartment building burned right to the ground with all his worldly possessions.  It was time for Trace to get out of Minnesota. 

So Trace heads for Texas and Riven Creek Ranch, the horse farm his aunt Lois owns. But hours before he arrives, Lois is in a terrible car accident that nearly takes her life, and Trace finds himself in charge of the ranch kitchen. Sounds simple enough and it's the least he can do for his recuperating aunt.  

Then Sawyer happens.

Sawyer is his aunt's big, beautiful, muscle bound, incredibly sexy straight ranch manager. Someone who has no clue Trace is gay. And meeting the big man should have been okay, except it was in the middle of his aunt's kitchen at five in the morning and Trace was nearly naked. Embarrassing? Yep. But the very next day Trace proceeded to ramp up his embarrassment by quantum leaps when he nearly sets his aunt's house on fire and the brooding Sawyer has to come to the rescue. 

Seems like Trace's "luck" followed him.

Not to mention that Aunt Lois's "accident" was actually attempted murder. And now, they just might want Trace dead, too. 

Can Trace figure out who's behind the attempts on his aunt's life AND keep Sawyer from finding out he's hot for the cowboy? 

He probably can’t. But he’s going to try.

Character interview with Sawyer Elliot

Thank you for talking with me this morning, Mr. Elliot. May I call you Sawyer?

Sure.

So you are the ranch manager here at Riven Creek Ranch. Can you tell me a little bit about your job?

Well, I’m in charge. All the ranch hands answer to me. I establish the work schedule and make sure everyone is properly trained and following procedures. We’re not overly staffed so everything is a delicate balance. (chuckles). Thankfully we all work well together. It’s not easy taking care of this facility. The maintenance alone is a full time job. 

It must be expensive to run this place.

Absolutely. I should know, too, since I have to put together the budget every year.

Care to share that figure with us?

I don’t think I should but it’s a crazy high one.

Is there a lot of paperwork that goes along with your job? This office you have is fairly large and there doesn’t seem to be a lack of paper on your desk.

There is a mountain of paperwork. From keeping personnel files on the employees to keeping accurate files on each and every horse on the ranch. We monitor weight, health, feed. When they last saw the vet or farrier. Horses tend to injure themselves, too, so we have to daily monitor that. And if an animal is sick or truly injured? Then let’s talk about paperwork! Not to mention all the state and federal regulations I need to keep up with along with repair records on all the equipment. So, yes, there is paperwork.

Tell me about your relationship with the ranch hands.

(Laughs) We have a good one. All of us. We’re more like a family here. I know a lot of places probably say that but here it’s the truth. These guys have my back and I have theirs.

What do you mean?

We work well together. Each of us pretty much knows what the other guy is thinking, what they need. My guys never question me and oftentimes don’t even need direction from me. They see what has to get done and they get it done.

How does that say family?

Well, maybe it doesn’t say family. It does shout respect. There is not one of these guys I wouldn’t take a bullet for. I think they would do the same for me.

So what about family? Where’s yours?

I don’t have one. I was an only child and my parents died a long time ago.

No aunts or uncles? Cousins?

Nope.

Love life?

(Laughs) Nope. Nada. Don’t believe in it.

You don’t believe in love?

I don’t believe there is that special someone out there for me.

Really? Why’s that?

Do you see him?

Him?

Yeah, I’m gay. So what? Everyone knows and they have no problem with it.

Wow. That alone is something, don’t you think?

Oh, don’t get me wrong. I had issues when I first took over. It’s taken five years to get the crew I have. That’s why I call them family because they accept me for who I am and respect me for the job I do. In turn, I put a lot on these boy’s shoulders and not once have they disappointed me.

So, none of them have caught your eye?

No.

That’s pretty definitive.

That’s because it is. And each and every one of them knows that.

That’s kind of sad.

A relationship would only mess things up.

I disagree.

What are you talking about?

I think you’re going to be surprised one day Sawyer Elliot. I think a very special man is going to walk into your life and turn you into a believer. And I think it’s going to be very soon. What do you say to that?

I’d say you’re crazy. It’s not going to happen.

Ha! Famous last words. (laughs)