“I’ll meet y’all outside,” Alex tells the twins. One of them releases a grunt while the other rolls his eyes.
Kiera sighs once they’re out of sight. “I wish they were more like their sister. Kaitlyn does things without being disrespectful.”
Jackson chuckles and turns to me. “That’s our youngest. She just left for her second year of college, but she’ll be back during the holidays and breaks. I’m sure you’ll see her around then.”
The phone rings, and Keira answers and immediately begins scribbling on a notepad. “How about next week? Could probably fit you in on Monday. Yep. See ya then.” She ends the call, then looks up at me. “I hope you’re ready to start workin’ this afternoon,” she tells me.
“I sure am. Been looking forward to it,” I admit, which seems to please them both. The exhaustion on their faces is evident. I’m glad I can relieve some of the pressure and stress they’ve had running this huge empire by themselves.
“Great,” Jackson says, patting me on the back. “We’ve got a packed training schedule for the next five years.”
My eyes widen in shock.
“That might be a slight exaggeration.” Kiera snorts. “But the rest of the year and next will be really busy, though. Since our competitor closed shop, business has been booming.”
“That’s great.” I smile.
“Have you eaten?” Jackson abruptly changes the subject, but Kiera doesn’t seem to mind and goes back to her calendar.
“Actually, no,” I respond.
Jackson immediately shakes his head. “Unacceptable.” Swinging open the office door, he finds Alex standing by the truck talking to the twins and moves toward him. “Not feeding our new employee on his first day is ridiculous. The man has to eat!”
Alex rolls his eyes and flips him off. Jackson turns toward me. “Alex will take you to the B&B for breakfast. It’s tradition. Then I’ll show you ’round here.”
Kiera comes outside and frowns. “Don’t be a bad influence.”
“Yeah, yeah. Haven’t heard that all my life.” He chuckles. “Really happy you took our offer. Now go eat. I’ll see you back here in an hour.”
“Is that a firm hour?” Alex asks. “Or do we have time?”
Jackson shrugs. “Take however long you need, considering it’s his first day. Make sure he tries the blueberry pancakes,” he tells Alex, then looks at me. “My niece makes the best stacks in Texas,” Jackson says with a grin.
“Sounds like I need to.” I smile. Alex and I climb into the truck while Knox and Kane ride in the back.
Alex drives us across the property on the road that leads to the shop. “Sorry. I should’ve thought about bringin’ ya to the B&B for breakfast since we were so close. Slipped my mind, though.”
“No need to apologize. I should’ve eaten before I left the house. I typically do,” I explain.
“Nah. Not anymore. Breakfast at the B&B is something you should add to your daily schedule. It’s served from six to ten every day with enough to feed a small army—or rather all the ranch hands on-site.” He chuckles.
Alex parks in the front by a ton of other work trucks. I check my phone and see it’s just past seven. Knox and Kane climb out of the bed, and I follow Alex up the steps. Once we’re inside, the smell of bacon and pancakes has my stomach growling. I didn’t realize how hungry I was until now.
The tall ceilings and wooden floors of the B&B give me the same feeling as when I’d visit my grandma’s house. We enter the buffet area, and I am surprised by the amount of food even though Alex warned me. We grab plates, and I notice the ample seating inside the dining room for the guests.
“There’s seating outside too,” Alex explains, piling sausage and scrambled eggs on his plate.
“Showing him how to do it right,” a man says from behind, and my brows furrow.
He holds out his hand and takes mine. “I’m John, nice to meet you.”
I glance at Alex. “Jackson didn’t say he was a twin, did he?”
I shake my head.
“I’m the non-crazy one,” John explains with a chuckle. “I run the B&B.”
“Gotcha. I was slightly confused for a second,” I admit.
John takes in a deep breath. “I’m sure you were. Most people are. Thankfully, Jackson’s somewhat settled down in his old age, or I’m sure some sort of joke would’ve been played on ya. Trust me when I say it’s not been easy having the same face as him.”
His admission has me chuckling. “I can only imagine.”
“Don’t let me interrupt you. Enjoy your food. If you need anything, let me know,” John says, then walks away to greet some of the guests who enter. It would be impossible to sleep in late with the delicious smells wafting through the house.
Alex and I sit at a table by the large windows that oversee the backyard, and Knox and Kane make their way to a bigger table. Though it’s the last day of August, it’s by no means cool, so hopefully, the temperatures will drop soon. The humidity here isn’t like it is in Houston, but it’s still hot as hell.
“So, how long has this place been here?” I ask, interested in the history of the B&B.
“Almost thirty years. It was John’s idea to turn the old farmhouse into a nature getaway. Ever since we remodeled and fixed it up, we’ve been booked solid. Some regulars have booked the same weeks for the past few decades and have made visiting here a tradition in their family, which Mama loves.”
I take a bite of the blueberry pancakes like Jackson suggested, and I swallow it down. My eyes go wide as I take bigger bites until my plate is clean.
“Good, huh?” Alex grins. “My niece, John’s daughter, is the head chef. Took all Mama’s recipes and added some of her culinary skills to them. She plans all the meals, and with her small team, she prepares hot food every day for every meal.”
“You Bishops are the jacks-of-all-trades,” I say, impressed with how much they’ve accomplished.
“Not to mention my older brother Evan is a doctor and so is his wife. So, if an apocalypse happens, you’re in the right place.” Alex says around a mouthful. It makes me smile.
Seconds later, Diesel and Riley enter, going back and forth with each other just like they were this morning, but now it all makes sense.
Alex shakes his head. “They act like that all the time.”
Another guy I haven’t met yet is following them. As soon as the guys see me, they walk up and give hellos and introductions.
“Grayson, this is Gavin. He’s helping Uncle Jackson with the horses,” Riley says, popping a piece of bacon in his mouth.
“Nice to meet ya.” We say it at the same time, then laugh.
“I work with Diesel, but hope to one day be training horses too,” Grayson tells me.
“I’m the best boss he’s ever had!” Diesel nearly yells. Grayson rolls his eyes.
“Let’s eat,” Riley announces, getting antsy, and they follow him to sit with Knox and Kane.
I get up and put another stack of pancakes on my plate, then cover them with syrup. As I take a big bite of pancakes, I think about the night I had with a girl the last time I was here. I think I remember Maize mentioning someone named Grayson, and I wonder if it’s the same guy. It’s a small town, so it’s possible.