The Cowboy Comes Home. Patricia Thayer

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      With ten minutes to spare she kissed her son goodbye at preschool, then climbed into her small silver SUV and drove back two miles toward the west side of the ranch. To the section of Calhoun land that ran next to the highway and the home of Jess’s bakery. Above the shop was also a two-bedroom apartment where she and Brady called home.

      Even though the bakery had been a dream of hers none of it would have come to be if not for her father. He’d convinced her to keep going after what she wanted in life.

      When she’d outgrown the kitchen at the ranch for jarring the fruit preserves, and the mail-order business took off for Sandra’s jellies and preserves, he’d loaned her the money for a bakery with a small warehouse at the back to expand her business.

      She’d talked him into adding a two-bedroom apartment over the bakery so she and Brady had their own place.

      Clay had complained about her living so far away from the main house, but there were two shifts a day with production in the warehouse, so there needed to be someone close by. Right now the store didn’t get as much traffic as she wanted; most of her jelly and jam sales were from the internet. She hoped to change that. She didn’t want to live over the bakery permanently. That was why she had more plans to expand, not only the business but her home.

      Jess parked at the side of the building and walked through the front door of the store. The familiar aroma of the baking bread and cakes hit her as she went behind the long counter to the cash register. She took out the bills and coins from her purse and added them to the cash register for today’s sales.

      Removing her coat, she walked along the high glass case filled with sweets, cakes and pies that were fresh for today’s customers.

      The entire store was filled with her products. The shelves along the opposite wall were stacked with Sandra’s Preserves. During the winter months, she didn’t expect a lot of traffic in the store, but they were still busy filling orders from town.

      Jess heard a familiar voice from the back and looked up to see her best friend carrying in a tray of cakes.

      “Hi, Mol.”

      “Morning, Jess.”

      Molly Dayton had lived in Larkville all her life. That was how long she’d been friends with Jess. Molly had moved to Houston for college, and a few years ago when her parents had lost their ranch, she’d come home to help out. Now, her father, Ben, handled the shipping of all the bakery’s products. Molly’s mother, Carol, was her best baker. All ten of her employees were the best.

      “Did Jerry deliver the café’s order?” Jess asked.

      “Yes, even Mrs. Fielder’s birthday cake made it on the truck.” Molly set the tray down on the counter. It was laden with two carrot cakes and three of her double Dutch chocolate cakes. Jess smiled. “Looks like your mother’s been busy.”

      The pretty brunette smiled. “Hey, be careful, or she’ll take over.”

      Jess loved Carol Dayton. She had come in to help with her quickly expanding business, and now, Jess didn’t know what she’d do without her. “How is everything else going?”

      Molly folded her arms. “You tell me, friend.”

      “What happened?”

      “A good-looking guy shows up at your ranch and I have to hear about it in town.”

      CHAPTER THREE

      JESS should have realized how fast word traveled in Larkville. With the population less than two thousand, everyone knew everyone else. A stranger coming to town was big news.

      “I take it you’re talking about Johnny Jameson.”

      “There’s another good-looking cowboy in Larkville?”

      “Not that I’ve been looking, but I’d say there are several, especially with early-spring roundup coming soon.”

      Molly opened the case and placed two cakes on the shelf. She paused and looked at Jess. “It’s a shame you have such a cynical outlook on men. It might be fun to fight you for him.”

      Jess straightened. “This isn’t high school. If you’re interested in Johnny, go for it.”

      Molly nodded. “Okay, I’m curious to know what he looks like. Maybe you can invite me to the ranch for supper and have this Johnny Jameson come, too?”

      Jess didn’t want to spend any more time with the man than she had to. “Wouldn’t that be a little obvious?”

      “Maybe, but there aren’t a lot of single men around here to choose from. The good ones seem to all be married, or they’re ranch hands and move around a lot. The last guy I dated seemed to have more loyalty to his horse than to me. And then he took off. I’m looking for a stick-around guy.”

      Weren’t they all, Jess thought. “Well, don’t look at Johnny for stability. He’s got his truck, trailer and his trusty horse. Horse Trainer Will Travel seems to be his motto.”

      Molly shrugged. “Maybe he hasn’t met the right woman, yet.”

      Jess would hate to see her friend hurt again. One of the reasons Molly came back to Larkville had been because of a man who wouldn’t commit. And Jess knew all about that type of man. “Mol, just tread carefully.”

      Her friend eyed her closely. “And you’re too careful, Jess. At least I’m out there trying to find love. It’s better than what you do, hide out from life.”

      She glanced around the bakery. “You call this hiding out? Besides, I’m a little busy with a son and running a business.”

      Molly gave her an incredulous look. “You have no idea how men look at you. Just about any male in town would swallow his tongue if you showed him some interest.”

      Jess knew about some of them. “Most are far too old, and some of the others just like the fact that I’m Clay Calhoun’s daughter.” She had Brady to think about, too. “I never know if the interest is in me, or the Calhoun fortune.”

      “Then go somewhere that’s never heard of Clay Calhoun.”

      Jess smiled. “I guess I’d have to leave Texas, huh?”

      Molly laughed. “Okay, I see your point.” Her friend grew serious again. “I know Chad did a number on you. He’s lower than a snake for walking away when you were pregnant. But, Jess, you can’t give up on finding that great guy.”

      Jess stiffened. She’d heard this story before, and she could always push it off before when Brady had Papa Clay to take care of him. But now the man in both their lives was gone.

      Jess didn’t want to deal with this now. “Why do you feel the need to give me this same pep talk about every six months?”

      “Because I hate to see you close yourself up. Not all men are like your ex.”

      “Chad never made me any promises.”

      “Well, you should expect promises and more. So good riddance to him.”

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