Maverick Christmas. Joanna Wayne

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СКАЧАТЬ strong-coffee or cold-beer world. People either love it or hate it. So what brings you out here, Chrysie? You don’t seem like a woman with ranching in your blood.”

      So it was Chrysie now. This morning it had been Mrs. Atwater. She liked it better when he used her last name. This way it seemed they were friends, and she definitely didn’t want him to get that idea.

      “I don’t plan on ranching.”

      “So what are you planning to do?”

      “Raise my daughters.”

      “Do their grandparents live in—where was it you said you were from? Texas?”

      “No.” Chrysie gathered the rest of the dishes from the table and carried them to the counter, then started to fill the sink with soapy water. Surely he’d take the hint and leave.

      He didn’t. Or else he ignored it. He followed her to the sink. “You wash and I’ll dry.”

      “That’s not necessary.”

      “It’s the least I can do after you watched the boys for me all afternoon.”

      She dipped her hands into the bubbles. “I was returning a favor. Now we’re even.”

      “I doubt that. The boys are a lot more work than a battery jump.”

      Josh grabbed the dish towel from the counter and took a freshly rinsed plate from her hand. The seemingly meaningless exchange shot her apprehension level straight up.

      “I know they’re not the best-behaved kids in the world,” Josh continued. “I try, but I hate to be too hard on them. And I’m not a natural at the discipline thing, like you seem to be. I figured if I didn’t get that tree straight enough to suit you, you’d take me out behind the woodshed for a switching.”

      “I don’t spank.”

      “Well, there goes that fantasy.”

      Her cheeks burned at his teasing, and she got so rattled she almost let the plate she was washing slip from her fingers. She gritted her teeth, furious with herself that she could show any weakness with a man who held so much potential for disaster. She glued her gaze to the sink and the few remaining dishes.

      Josh dried the last fork, then scanned the kitchen. “This house is nice.”

      “It’s quite comfortable,” she agreed.

      “Twice the size of mine. I’m planning to build a bigger place when I get the time, but I’ve been concentrating on getting the ranch fixed up first.” He slapped his right hand on the tile counter. “I like this tile, too. I know Buck’s current foreman has his own place, a small ranch about twenty miles north of here, but I hadn’t heard Buck was renting out his cabin. How did you find out about it?”

      “I asked around town, and someone at Humphries Bar and Grill mentioned it was empty and that the Millers might be willing to rent it.”

      “How did you ever land in Aohkii to start with?”

      “I read about the town in a travel magazine,” she said, sticking to the story she’d concocted on her first day here. “I was looking for an inexpensive place to settle where there were four seasons and a safe environment for my girls, and this seemed like it.”

      “A travel magazine, huh? Which one?”

      “I don’t remember.”

      “Too bad. I’m sure the locals would love to read that article.”

      It was clear from his tone and the way he was looking at her that he didn’t buy her story. “Where did the twins live before you took custody?” she asked, determined to move the focus of the conversation away from her.

      “New Orleans.”

      “That’s a long way from Montana.”

      “Another world. Have you ever been there?”

      “I went to Mardi Gras once when—” She stopped. Every time she opened her mouth, she gave something away. “When I was in my early twenties, before the girls were born.”

      “They’re cute girls.”

      “They’re my life.”

      “I can tell.” He turned his gaze to the rhubarb pie. “You’re a pretty amazing woman to manage Danny and Davy and still find time to bake.”

      “Evelyn Miller made the pie.”

      “It looks great. Bet it would be good with a cup of coffee about now.”

      Sure. Her and the sheriff having coffee and pie in the cozy kitchen while their children played together in the living room and a quiet snow fell just outside the frosted windows.

      “No coffee for me,” she said. “But you’re more than welcome to half the pie. I’ll cut it and wrap it in foil while you get the boys into their coats and boots.” She could not possibly make it any plainer that it was time for him to leave.

      Instead of walking away, Josh stepped closer. “Is everything okay?”

      Her insides shook. “Why wouldn’t it be?”

      “I don’t know. I just get the impression that something’s bothering you.”

      Dread swelled until she could barely breathe. She had to play this cooler, seem more like a woman with nothing to hide. She should have invited him to stay for pie and coffee, but then that might have led to even more mistakes.

      “I’m fine, Sheriff, just tired.”

      She found herself holding her breath until he’d turned and left the room. She made him a pie doggie bag, then went to tell the boys goodbye.

      “Are we coming back here tomorrow?” Davy asked.

      “Not tomorrow,” Josh said.

      “Then who’s going to watch us?” Danny asked.

      The concern in his young voice got to Chrysie, but there was too much at stake here for her to consider anyone except Jenny and Mandy.

      “Don’t worry,” Josh assured his sons, “I’ll make certain you’re in good hands. Now go hop in the truck and buckle up.”

      Chrysie stepped to the door and breathed in a huge gulp of the cold air as the boys raced to the truck. Unfortunately Josh didn’t race away with them.

      “If you need anything, Chrysie, anything at all, just give me a call.”

      She swallowed hard and shivered, chilled by the cold wind and the realization of how badly she wished she could open up to someone. But she couldn’t. She couldn’t rely on anyone but herself.

      Even now, she’d have to start thinking about moving on. Aohkii was no more the refuge she’d hoped for than any of her other stops had been. Safety for her and her daughters was never more than an illusion.

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