But last month he’d turned down Nash’s offer of employment and had made no secret as to why. He believed in being up front with people, so he could see why Emmett thought Naomi needed someone to step in and keep her heart from being broken.
Luke didn’t want to get crossways with the foreman. He liked and admired the guy, and until now they’d had no real issues between them. But Luke would be damned if he’d allow Emmett to louse up a perfectly acceptable arrangement between two consenting adults.
He thought about his options as he ate the excellent dinner Emmett had bought him and listened to the foreman and Naomi talk about the eagles. Luke even participated in the conversation because he was interested in those birds, too. He was more interested in the woman watching the birds, but he found the eagle study fascinating. He hadn’t been kidding when he’d told Naomi that an eagle’s freedom of movement appealed to him.
“That nest’s not as big as some.” Naomi took a sip of the draft she’d ordered. “It’s only about seven feet across. I’ve seen reports on nests that are ten feet and weigh close to two tons.”
Emmett shook his head in disbelief. “That’s like putting my pickup in the top branches of one of those pines. I had no idea they could be that heavy. I’d—” He stopped talking and glanced at the door. “What do you know? There’s Pam. Excuse me a minute, folks. I need to go over and say hello. Maybe she can join us.” He stood and walked toward the door.
Luke grabbed his chance. He kept his voice low as he looked over at Naomi. “You do realize Emmett’s trying to save you from me, right?”
“I thought he might be.”
“He told me earlier tonight that he thought you wanted a steady guy in your life. That’s why I backed off.”
Naomi sighed. “I’m not surprised he’d say something like that. He’s friends with my parents, and he’s a dad. He probably sees me as being like his daughter, Emily.”
“Ah. Okay, I get that.” Luke thought about the blonde woman who was in training to eventually take over Emmett’s job when he retired. Emily and Naomi had several things in common besides their coloring. They were both only children who had been raised to be independent and fend for themselves without leaning on a man. They both enjoyed testing themselves with physical challenges.
But Emily was now married to Clay Whitaker, who ran the stud operation for the Last Chance. Emmett might figure that Naomi, having similarities to his daughter, also should find herself someone like Clay.
He glanced at her. “Maybe Emmett knows what he’s talking about. Maybe I should just—”
“Don’t you dare back off because Emmett thinks I’m just like his daughter. I’m not.”
The defiant sparks flashing in her blue eyes gladdened his heart. She thought for herself, and that was a quality he admired. “I’m sure you’re not just like anyone.”
“Nobody is. We’re all unique, which means we get to choose our own path. What you and I decide to do is none of Emmett’s business.”
The tension that had been tightening a spot between Luke’s shoulder blades eased. “And you won’t be upset if I tell him that?”
“No, but I think I’m the one who needs to tell him.”
“I’ll tell him.” He started to add that it should be a man-to-man talk but decided that might not sit well with Naomi. She liked being in charge of her destiny.
“No, you work for him and I don’t.”
“But he built you a research platform.”
“Well, one of us needs to say something. Uh-oh. Here he comes. And he doesn’t look happy.”
“Bet it has something to do with Pam.” Luke noticed that Pam Mulholland, the woman Emmett cared for but couldn’t bring himself to marry, was being helped into her chair by a guy Luke didn’t recognize. The barrel-chested man dressed in flashy Western clothes and what looked like an expensive hat. “Or that guy.”
Emmett returned to his seat, his expression grim. “It’s my own damned fault,” he muttered to no one in particular.
“What is?” Luke asked. “And who is that guy with Pam? I’ve never seen him before, and if that’s the way he normally dresses, I doubt I’ve missed him.”
“You haven’t missed him.” Emmett picked up his beer and drained the contents. “Name’s Clifford Mason. Just flew in today from Denver. Booked a room at the Bunk and Grub.”
Naomi looked over at the table where Pam and the newcomer sat. “Does Pam normally go out to dinner with her B and B guests?”
“No, she does not.” Emmett smoothed his mustache. “Far as I know, it’s never happened before.”
Luke could see Emmett was seething with jealousy and was doing his best to keep a lid on his feelings. “Is he on vacation?”
“No, he’s been in contact with both Pam and Tyler Keller, Josie’s sister-in-law.” Emmett looked over at Naomi. “I don’t know if your folks told you that the town hired Tyler a while back as a special-events planner to bring in more business. She’s been doing a great job.”
“I think Mom and Dad said something about it. And I certainly see the results in the increased tourist trade. So this guy is connected to an event?”
Emmett nodded. “Something to do with special preparations for the Fourth of July celebration. All very hush-hush. They want to surprise the good people of Shoshone.”
“Well, then.” Luke sat back in his chair. “It’s only a business dinner. He’ll be around until everything’s set up, and then he’ll leave. No big deal, right?”
Emmett scowled at him. “It wouldn’t be if I hadn’t seen the way he looked at Pam, like she was a helping of his favorite dessert.”
“That’s understandable.” Naomi seemed to be trying to soothe the troubled waters, too. “She’s a beautiful woman. But there’s no way she’d prefer a citified dandy like him to you, Emmett. She probably went to dinner with him to be polite.”
“I’d be willing to believe that if she hadn’t flirted with him right under my damned nose.”
Naomi smiled. “Emmett, that’s the oldest trick in the book. She’s trying to make you jealous. Everybody knows how you feel about her. And she’s made no secret about how she feels about you, too. Why not end the suspense and propose to her?”
“Can’t bring myself to do it. Doesn’t seem right when she has so much and I have so little.”
“Love?” Naomi asked with a twinkle in her eye.
Emmett snorted. “’Course not. Money’s the problem, not love.”
Luke checked on Pam and Clifford’s table. “Then you’re leaving the door open for the likes of him. I agree with Naomi. I’m sure Pam would rather have you than that character. But she might be tired of waiting for you to get over this hang-up.”
Emmett muttered something that could have been a curse.
“I have an idea.” Luke tucked his napkin beside his plate. “Go over and ask Pam to dance. Stake your claim.”
The light of battle lit Emmett’s blue eyes as he pushed back his chair. “All right, I will. That sonofabitch probably can’t dance a lick.”
Luke grinned. “If he could, he wouldn’t dress like a peacock.”
“That was brilliant,” Naomi murmured as they watched Emmett amble over to the table.
“Let’s hope it works.” Luke thought