The Founding Father. Diana Palmer

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СКАЧАТЬ accident.” Colby shook his head. “She is the clumsiest woman I have ever known,” he said coldly, “and I have found not one single gentleman who lasted more than a day as a suitor.”

      “But she is charming,” John countered gallantly, his eyes dancing. “She has a sense of humor, the ability to laugh at herself, and despite her companion’s rudeness, she behaved with dignity.”

      Colby was listening intently. “You find her… attractive?”

      “Sir, she is the most attractive woman I have ever met,” John replied without choosing his words.

      Colby laughed and shook his head. “You want something,” he mused. “But I’m damned if I don’t find you a breath of fresh air, sir. You have style and dash.”

      John grinned at him. “Thank you, sir.”

      “I may take you up on that invitation at a later date, young man. In the meantime, I have accepted the other offer. But you could do me a favor, if you’re inclined.”

      “Anything within my power, sir,” John assured him.

      “Since you find my daughter so alluring, I would like you to keep an eye on her during my absence.”

      “Sir, there would not be adequate chaperones at my ranch,” John began quickly, seeing disaster ahead if the old man or his daughter got a glimpse of the true state of affairs at the Jacobs’ ranch.

      “Oh, for heaven’s sake, man, I’m not proposing having her live with you in sin!” Colby burst out. “She will stay here at the hotel, and I have told her not to venture out of town. I meant only that I would like you to check on her from time to time, to make sure that she is safe. She will be on her own, except for the maid we have retained here.”

      “I see.” John let out the breath he’d been holding. “In that case, I would be delighted. But what of her companion, Sir Sydney?” he added.

      “Sir Sydney will be with me, to my cost,” Colby groaned. “The man is an utter pain, but he has a tract of land that I need very badly for a new roundhouse near Chicago,” he confessed. “So I must humor him, to some extent. I assure you, my daughter will not mourn his absence. She only went to drive with him at my request. She finds him repulsive.”

      So did John, but he didn’t want to rock the boat.

      “I’m glad you came, young man.” Colby offered his hand, and John shook it.

      “So am I, sir,” he replied. “If you don’t mind, I would like to take my leave of your daughter.”

      “Be my guest.”

      “Thank you.”

      John walked toward the open door that contained a maid, Miss Ellen Colby and a very mad wet dog of uncertain age and pedigree. It was a shaggy dog, black and white, with very long ears. It was barking pitifully and shaking soapy water everywhere.

      “Oh, Miss Colby, this doggy don’t want no bath,” the maid wailed as she tried to right her cap.

      “Never you mind, Lizzie, we’re going to bathe her or die in the attempt.” Ellen blew back a strand of loose hair, holding the dog down with both hands while the maid laved water on it with a cup.

      “A watering trough might be a better proposition, Miss Colby,” John drawled from the doorway.

      His voice shocked her. She jerked her head in his direction and loosened the hold she had on the dog. In the few seconds that followed, the animal gave a yelp of pure joy, leaped out of the pan, off the table, and scattered the rugs as it clawed its way to the freedom of the parlor.

      “Oh, my goodness!” Ellen yelled. “Catch her, Lizzie, before she gets to the bedroom! She’ll go right up on Papa’s bed, like she usually does!”

      “Yes, ma’am!”

      The maid ran for all she was worth. Ellen Colby put her soapy hands on her hips and glared daggers at the tall green-eyed man in the doorway.

      “Now see what you’ve done!” Ellen raged at John.

      “Me?” John’s eyebrows arched. “I assure you, I meant only to say goodbye.”

      “You diverted my attention at a critical moment!”

      He smiled slowly, liking the way her blue eyes flashed in anger. He liked the thickness of her hair. It looked very long. He wondered if she let it down at bedtime.

      That thought disturbed him. He straightened. “If your entire social life consists of bathing the dog, miss, you are missing out.”

      “I have a social life!”

      “Falling into mud puddles?”

      She grabbed up the soaking brush they’d used on the dog and considered heaving it.

      John threw back his head and laughed uproariously.

      “Do be quiet!” she muttered.

      “You have hidden fires,” he commented with delight. “Your father has asked me to keep an eye on you, Miss Colby, while he’s off on his hunting trip. I find the prospect delightful.”

      “I can think of nothing I would enjoy less!”

      “I’m quite a good companion,” he assured her. “I know where birds’ nests are and where flowers grow, and I can even sing and play the guitar if asked.”

      She hesitated, wet splotches all over her lacy dress and soap in her upswept hair. She looked at him with open curiosity. “You are wearing a gun,” she pointed out. “Do you shoot people with it?”

      “Only the worst sort of people,” he told her. “And I have yet to shoot a woman.”

      “I am reassured.”

      “I have a cattle ranch not too far a ride from here,” he continued. “In the past, I have had infrequently to help defend my cattle from Comanche raiding parties.”

      “Indians!”

      He laughed at her expression. “Yes. Indians. They have long since gone to live in the Indian Territory. But there are still rustlers and raiders from across the Mexican border, as well as deserting soldiers and layabouts from town hoping to steal my cattle and make a quick profit by selling them to the army.”

      “How do you stop them?”

      “With vigilance,” he said simply. “I have men who work for me on shares.”

      “Shares?” She frowned. “Not for wages?”

      He could have bitten his tongue. He hadn’t meant to let that slip out.

      She knew that he’d let his guard down. She found him mysterious and charming and shrewd. But he had attractions. He was the first man she’d met who made her want to know more about him.

      “I might take you for СКАЧАТЬ