Dance or Die: White Oak Series, #3

Chapter 1

Tess Campbell woke in the morning, confused by her hard pillow and unfamiliar room. Then the memories of last night came back. Without Grams here, her father—the mafia don of the Campinelli family—was tightening his noose around not just her neck, but also everyone who stood with her.

Kyle, Denners, Sam...they were just the first to dance to his tune. Dance or die. Not much of a choice.

She recalled how she begged Steel to make love to her. He seemed quite willing until he asked if she were a virgin. When she admitted she was, he stopped and explained how that fact might save both of them if her father got involved with their lives. Then to reassure her that he truly loved her, Steel had given her his family ring and asked her to wear it on a chain beneath her clothes until he could safely buy her a proper ring. Right now, their plans to marry would be their secret.

Tess lifted her head off his muscular chest and sat up. Steel, wake up, she whispered, staring down at her handsome boss. He had the most beautiful long blond hair, not something one would expect of a British prince. But then he disliked his royal title as much as she did being a Mafia princess. All he wanted to be was Steel, the archeologist, not Prince Alistair Castile, and all she had ever wanted to do was take care of Grams’ forest of white oaks.

What time is it? he muttered.

She glanced at her watch. Shit, we’re late. Hurrying out of his room, she ran smack into Frank, one of the archeologists working for Steel.

You okay? he asked.

I just overslept.

Frank’s eyes went to the door she’d just come from. God, she felt like a teen whose dad just caught her making out with her boyfriend.

It’s not what you think, Frank. My relationship with Steel is platonic.

His eyebrows rose and she could almost hear him thinking ‘Do I look stupid?’ She pushed out of his arms. Can you start breakfast? I’ll be ready in ten minutes.

Tess rushed to her room to change. When she pulled off her nightgown, Steel’s family ring, secured on a chain, remained nestled between her breasts. A rush of love and happiness surrounded her. Someday they would marry, but right now, he had a major archeological dig to unearth and she had a state park to establish. She dressed quickly, happy to be wearing a reminder of his love so close to her heart.

STEEL CURSED SOFTLY as he threw on his work clothes and hurried to the kitchen. Frank was scrambling eggs. Seeing he’d forgotten toast, Steel skirted around him and fed the toaster. Thanks for cooking.

Don’t thank me. I’m about to piss you off, but I have to say this anyway, because you have the potential of being an excellent boss.

His use of the word ‘potential’ and his attitude implied a lecture was on the horizon. That had Steel pissed before Frank had even begun his scolding. Since I’m already in a bad mood, I’d advise you to swallow your words.

I’d like to, but you are making a serious mistake.

Steel sat down at the counter. You were warned, but if you insist, let’s get it over with.

Frank turned off the eggs and turned to face him. There’s no rule against having a relationship with another employee, however, if you are hit with a sexual harassment charge, you’ll be gone.

Not that it’s any of your business, but I am not having sexual relations with Tess.

Frank’s fists clenched. Warning us off Tess while you and your damn, useless security guy crawl all over her pisses everyone off and makes you look like a hypocrite.

He’s not a hypocrite, Tess snapped as she entered the room. Nothing happened. I was upset about something and he held me while I cried myself to sleep.

Tess, Frank does not need to know the details. Either he believes me or he doesn’t. And if he doesn’t, then I need to start searching for a better crew boss.

Frank stared at Tess and then Steel. I like working with both of you. I apologize for misunderstanding this morning, but I had to speak up when I thought I saw you doing something that would probably result in your removal. Since I never had the money or time to get a PhD, I knew they’d hire someone else to replace you, and I doubt I’d like him half as much.

Tess nudged Steel’s arm, clearly wanting him to tell Frank he was forgiven, but he couldn’t, not yet. Frank, I like you as well, but sometimes you seem to forget who’s boss. Now I realize you are seven years my senior, but if you want to go toe to toe on experience, I’m pretty sure I’ve got more than you.

Frank raised one eyebrow in challenge.

Steel stormed back to his room, grabbed a copy of his CV, and returned to the kitchen, slapping it on the counter. This is what you Americans call a resume.

Tess took over the cooking so Frank could read it.

Frank finished. Damn... How did Tom ever get you to come here?

Long story, Steel replied. Now can we eat? And where are the guys?

Good question. He stormed down the hall and returned with two sheepish rangers. Seems they heard us arguing. I’ve explained that I was completely out of line. Would you mind if they look at your resume? He then turned to the guys. Steel is a premier archeologist. Working for him will be the best experience any of us ever get.

Frank then smiled at Dan who had followed the boys in. And your presence finally makes sense to me.

Dan frowned at that, no doubt thinking Steel had revealed he was Secret Service here to protect him. Instead of responding to Frank, Dan walked around them to Tess. His hands rested on her hips as he leaned in and whispered in her ear. Exactly what did he share with them?

Steel shared his resume, she replied softly.

Tess, how’s breakfast coming? Steel asked, wishing Dan would take his hands off her.

She grimaced as she looked his way. Well, the first batch of eggs didn’t look so good, so I’m starting over.

Jack and I will eat those. They’re saturated in butter...real butter.

Sweet! Jack said and climbed on the stool next to Frank.

I’ll have your eggs, Tess, Sonny, the youngest staff member, said.

Tess smiled at him as she handed Frank his plate of buttery eggs.

To be honest, Steel thought Frank’s eggs smelled great, but he knew if he asked to have buttered eggs, Tess’ feelings would be hurt.

Anyone else want Frank to cook his eggs? she asked.

Dan chuckled. I much prefer my arteries working.

Steel noticed Jack’s glare at Dan. Frank was right. Dan’s flirtation was pissing off the staff. He would ask Dan to stop, but the agent had been very clear on this matter. As long as Steel showed Tess affection, he would as well, just to muddy the water, so Tess’ father, the mafia don Benito Campinelli, wouldn’t come to the conclusion that Tess and Steel were lovers.

Not that Steel wouldn’t be willing to make love to Tess if her father wasn’t a mafia don. While very different from his regular fare, Tess’s muscular body was sexy as hell. Her long, black hair normally hung down her back or in a side braid that fell over her left breast, but at night after her shower, she’d let her black silk flow down her back and shoulders. Not a male sharing this house didn’t want to run his hands through it...and more.

Once Tess had everyone fed, she stood beside Steel to eat her food. He offered her his chair, but she refused. I need to hire some strong backs.

Hey, we aren’t wimps, Jack complained.

She grinned. You are skilled staff. I need some muscle to make the tree barrier.

Oh...yeah, you need to hire someone else for that, Jack said as Frank chuckled.

She refocused on Steel. Do you need to approve them? Or can I try them out first?

Steel rubbed his neck. What exactly do you intend?

To hire them for a day’s work, and if they prove good enough, I’ll put in the paperwork for our park to hire them.

I’ll check with Tom, but I don’t think that’s allowed, Steel warned.

It’s not, Frank said. Although it should be. Most of my fires wouldn’t have made it on the payroll if we could do that. Frank had been working at the archeological site at Harpers Ferry until the head of the Park’s Division ‘borrowed’ Frank and three others to assist Steel until he had time to recruit his own people. He had already sent one of the four home, but these three he liked.

Tess sighed. If I can’t have a day working with the guys, how can I tell who will and won’t follow my orders?

Jack looked at Frank. She’s right. They probably won’t give her lip during an interview. Even an ass can usually behave for a half hour.

And I don’t have the time to spend a half hour with each low-level laborer. I just want to grab a bunch and choose the ones that work out.

Where are you planning to find these guys? Dan asked.

I intended to have Andy leave fliers at the gym and at the bar in La Motte, then drive as far as I can down the back road, and hike the rest of the way to the main road where Andy can pick me up.

And how do you plan to get them back up here? Steel asked.

The same, but in reverse. If some object to hiking up my hill, then I don’t want them.

Steel rubbed his temple. And when do you want to do this?

I want to have the fliers placed today and pick them up tomorrow.

He sighed. Let me clear it through Tom first.

Tell him I’ll pay for their trial cost myself.

Steel shook his head. No, you won’t. In all honesty, it’s a great way to weed out the weak and misogynists at little cost to the park.

Not to mention paperwork, Frank grumbled.

She leaned closer to Steel and whispered. It will also reduce the chance of my father sending someone to cause trouble. He pretty much ignores La Motte and with so little time to hear about my plans...

Steel almost pointed out her father had gotten to her friend Sam, but held his tongue. They didn’t know that for sure.

He went to his room and called Tom Barkman. Tom’s first response was not good. Not happening. There are plenty of unemployed foresters who would love jobs.

Not this job, Steel clarified and explained what they’d be doing and why it was better to select them in this manner. I’m guessing most of them will quit the same day they arrive. They won’t like the work and they won’t like taking orders from a woman. Tess is willing to pay them out of her own pocket.

No.

Good, I was against that as well.

Tom sighed. There is no way I could do this if this park didn’t have a separate employment structure. In fact, technically you aren’t state employees. You are free contractors.

Why’s that?

Well, the trust fund is a separate entity, not controlled by the state, so there is no chance of it ever having its funds drained for other purposes.

Sounds good, Steel replied.

And it also allows the salaries to be higher.

Like that as well.

I’m on the trustee board and have had significant input on setting up the employment regulations. Presently, you have the standard state requirements, which would prohibit employing rangers without a BS degree.

But this job just requires the ability to lift logs and follow orders.

Any way you can hire a work crew from a subcontractor?

That will follow a woman’s orders?

Tom groaned. Okay, I’ll have my secretary Sara alter the regs to allow general laborers which can be hired for a limited time or regular employment.

Thank you, but honestly, I’d like the same thing for the rangers.

You want a bunch of clueless people on your staff?

Not a chance, but the ability to hire them for a month trial before offering them a full-time job actually sounds good...Frank thought so as well.

Tom huffed.

We need quality people, here. If we accidentally get a deadbeat, I want to cut him loose the same day he pisses me off and I don’t want to pay a fortune to get rid of him.

I’ll have to check with legal for your request, but day laborers for low-skilled work I can approve now.

Tess will be very happy, so I’m not going to bitch about the other. However, if you can pull it off, it will save time and money on this end and result in a better staff.

TESS WAS CLEANING UP, sulking about all the stupid red tape getting in their way, when Steel returned. Where are the guys?

I sent them on. If you hurry, you can catch them. Can I buy my laborers myself?

No, but send Andy the fliers to put out. Tom promised to change the regs for our park to say day laborers can be used and low skilled jobs do not require a BS in forestry.

She stared at him in shock. He expected me to find college grads willing to lug trees?

Normally, the state hires a contractor when they need low-skilled labor, but Tom understands why that won’t be efficient here.

Tess wrapped her arms around him. Thank you.

When you get a chance, you should thank Tom. Did Dan leave with the guys? Steel asked.

Not unless they dragged my cold, dead body off, Dan replied from the hall to upstairs. He looked at Tess. I removed all the mics in the cabins as you requested.

Thank you, Tess said. If my father wishes to declare war, then so be it.

Chapter 2

The next day, Tess drove down the back side of the hill to La Motte. With the use of planks, she made it across most of the washed out sections of the road. She stopped at the giant hole that had unquestionably been eaten by large ground-moving equipment. Three hundred feet of the road was missing, stripped even of the large base rocks.

No way in hell a flash flood did that. If water had been responsible for lifting the one-ton rocks, then the trees beyond the road would have been ripped out as well. No...this required a crane and a large quantity of load-trucks to carry the rocks away, which had to cost a bloody fortune. Definitely, her father’s doing.

She trekked through the woods next to the giant pit and returned to the road on the other side. Someone, probably the sheriff, had placed a series of roadblocks warning the public of the road closure.

Beyond the roadblock, her favorite hardworking teenager, Andy, waited. He had borrowed a hay truck. She had thought he was going to take her to the guys, but the back of the vehicle was stuffed with men in their twenties and early thirties.

Upon seeing her, Andy jumped from the cab and ran to her. I know you wanted me to take you to the potential workers, but over a thousand people showed up. Sheriff Cobbs selected these and sent the rest home. I really can’t stop the sheriff...

She wrapped her arm around his shoulder and hugged him. This is a much better plan. Glad you didn’t argue with him.

Andy chuckled. I’m not stupid. He then straightened and faced her. Nor weak. I’d like to apply for this job, too.

It’s hard, miserable work, she warned him.

That warning didn’t faze him. I need the money.

But Grams...oh shit. I haven’t filed Grams’ will. She was about to tell Andy that Grams had left him money so he could go to college, but Tess refrained in case her father had managed to file a fake will, or claim there wasn’t a will.

Andy, I have a more important job for you to do, but consider yourself hired.

TESS CLIMBED ONTO THE back of the hay truck. Twenty men stared at her.

I’m Tess. Anyone who has doubts about taking orders from a woman should stay on the truck. The rest of you, follow me.

To her surprise, they all got off the truck. Due to the missing road, you’ll have to make this hike every day. You will be paid to hike up this hill. However, if you can’t keep up with me, then you don’t have the stamina this job needs, so I’ll have to let you go. If along the way you realize that you can’t or don’t want to do this trek every day, return to the truck.

Again, no one quit.

She headed through the woods and not one person whined about snakes or chiggers.

When they got to the other side and her SUV, she turned to the group. "Now clearly, my vehicle can’t take you all at once. So we’ll do this in two trips. Those who aren’t on the first trip today will be first tomorrow. I’m going to split you into two teams. Those in Team Two will need to keep walking up this road. I’ll return as fast as I can and pick you up. Anyone who doesn’t want to do this every day can head on down and wait in the hay truck for a ride back to La Motte.

She smiled when no one left. I’m beginning to like you guys. Using her cab as a temporary employment office, she had each man sit in the passenger seat and provide her his name, social security number, and home address, which she typed into her computer. Then she took their picture with her phone.

Once finished, she alphabetized the men and called off the first ten. They climbed into the SUV and she returned uphill as fast as she could. When she came to the first washout, she pointed to three guys to assist. They were so quick to learn that next time, she added another guy to the group and stayed in the vehicle, which sped up matters. When she got to the cabin, she led the men on a trail around the house and sent them down into the woods that Steel had given her responsibility to turn into a State Park. Stop at the bottom of this hill and rest on the wooden platform.

She and Andy entered her home. First, she called the sheriff. Thank you for picking me such good workers, she said.

You are most welcome, his deep, soft voice replied.

I have a question since you are so good at reading people. Do you know a good lawyer close by? She then explained her worry about the will and her plan to have Andy file it.

I don’t think Andy should get between you and your father. Send the boy down with the will and I’ll get it filed within the hour. And if your father has filed an earlier or fake version, I’ll find you a lawyer.

She breathed out in relief. She’d lost count of all the times Sheriff Cobbs had recently helped her out. You have got to be the nicest man in the whole world. Thank you.

My pleasure.

She hung up and turned to Andy. I’ve good news and bad.

His body stiffened as if ready to take a blow. Give me the bad first.

You lost your cushy job. Sheriff Cobbs is going to do it.

Do I still have an un-cushy job?

Yes, and it will pay $40 an hour. You are my crew chief.

He smiled. All right!

So carry my chainsaw down the hill and wait with the guys and I’ll be back as soon as I can.

You’ll go faster if I go with you and help with the planks.

She ruffled his hair. Way to go, crew chief. Already adding value. Let’s go.

THE WIRY OLD SHERIFF, wearing blue jeans and a plaid shirt, leaned against his ancient pickup truck. He probably had a thousand other things that he needed to do. She hated making the sheriff wait, so she ran through the woods as fast as she could.

When she handed Sheriff Cobbs the will,