The Davonshire Series 2: Loving Words by Olivia Gaines Page A

over the margarita station, making very sneaky drinks that seemed to be loosening everyone up.  Wilfred had never been so free with his employees and Rita loosened up a great deal.  Not enough to allow anyone to touch her, but enough to truly enjoy herself.  Rod made Rita a virgin drink that she accepted from his hand, almost allowing his fingers to graze hers.
    Gianni brought out his iPod and put on some smooth jazz smooth tunes.  Everyone was surprised when Rod began to sing the chorus to one song.  This was nothing compared to when Wilfred took the lead and began to sing the main verse. Everyone just stood there gaping, with the exception of Jaelon and White Bear who must have been aware of the boss’s talent. 
    Elsie did not react, but continued to make plates for her co-workers and even added a bit of applause when he finished.  Wilfred was almost disappointed that she had not said more. 
Why the hell am I disappointed
?  He wasn’t sure what he wanted her to say or even what would have been appropriate, since he was her boss. 
But damn, couldn’t she at least stroke my ego a bit?
    Either way, his employees were happy and they thanked him for a good evening and began to depart about 9 pm.  White Bear stayed behind to clean the grill and Wilfred knew something was on his mind.
    Gianni helped to clear the trash and Elsie took the utensils into the house and gave them to Conchetta for washing.  Wilfred and White Bear weren’t really friends, per se, since the Indian came with the property. The two men shared a mutual respect for each other, yet neither crossed into the other’s space.  He noticed White Bear staring at him.  “What’s up, Henry?”
    “Little Doe brings life and great energy to this ranch.”  Wilfred only nodded in agreement, not adding any words and feeling uncomfortable that White Bear had given Elsie an Indian name already.
    White Bear asked sheepishly, “If you don’t want her, can I have her?”
    “Henry, she’s not a pet.  And she’s not mine to give,” he said softly as he watched her quietly maneuver about the space.  One week.  She had been here one week and his world had changed.
    Wilfred wasn’t sure it was a bad thing.
     

18

Is That a Garden Gnome?
    The next two weeks passed quickly with the workload setting the pace of an everyday life in the publishing business.  They had managed to comb through all of the entries and narrow it down to the top fifty, then to the top 25 and finally down to the top ten. 
Loving Words
was still at the top of his list, but niggling in the back of his mind was White Bear’s request for Elsie.  No, Wilfred had no designs on the woman, but she was not a token for bargaining.  Wilfred found himself frowning when he thought about Henry’s request.
    It did explain why White Bear had been around more often and joining them on morning rides.  The burly interloper made the Friday evening movie night a regular thing and even had the nerve to bring Elsie some flowers the day before. 
    I don’t like it.  She is girlifying everything.
    He also noticed that Raul had planted some flowers around the patio for Elsie when he noticed she ended her evenings on the back porch.  The surly little Mexican had also added some potted mosquito plants and lilacs to the patio near the chair she sat in. Just to make it worse, and as a dig at him, Elsie went shopping in Bisbee and came back with a couple of fairies and a garden gnome. Placing it in the flowers and giving him a huge cheese eating grin.
     
Damn it, she is girlfying my house.
 
    He knew she had not asked for any of this, but she was like a moth to a flame.  Even Gianni had gotten better with his hygiene and manners.  The kid no longer smelled like anger, angst, and agitation.  Maybe a woman’s touch had been needed, but again, he deserved to walk around with his junk dangling if he wanted it to!
    Four days out from the big Fourth of July celebration, Conchetta came to the office