The Christmas Cowboy. Judy Christenberry

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ to teach her,” Jim said as he approached.

      Hank didn’t look up. “I’m not.”

      “Come on, Hank. She’s quite a looker.”

      “Forget our deal. You give her lessons, then.”

      “You know Jess won’t agree to that. Especially now that she’s seen her.”

      Hank’s eyes shot up. “You’re attracted to her?” he asked, outrage in his voice.

      Jim held up his hands. “Compared to Jess? Not on your life. Besides, I won’t let you out of this. You agreed to take her on, and that’s what’s going to happen. Get used to it. We’ve got a business to run here.”

      Jim had a point, but Hank wouldn’t concede it. Nor would he admit that ever since Jim had arrived at the Lazy L, his sister’s idea of turning the family homestead into a dude ranch had worked better than he’d expected.

      Instead, he said, “I think we ought to refuse her. Just send her on her way.”

      “I’ve got a better idea. You give her what she paid for.”

      Hank threw down the pitchfork.

      “Fine. I’ll teach her. But she’s mine only for the lessons. The rest of the time you and Jessie entertain her.”

      “SO, DID HE AGREE to be nice?” Jessica looked up from the casserole she was preparing when she heard her husband come in.

      “Not exactly,” Jim replied. He told her about the compromise of them having to entertain their guest.

      Jessica shook her head. “I don’t mind entertaining her when I can, but I don’t understand him. We have a beautiful single woman here at the ranch and he has to go find other women? What’s wrong with him?”

      “He doesn’t want to feel trapped. I understand him.”

      Jessica’s brows rose. “Oh, really? You feel trapped with me?”

      Jim reached out and pulled his wife into a bear hug. “You know what I mean.” He gave her a kiss. “Give him time. He may change his mind.”

      “I doubt it. He’s too wrapped up in the action in town. Those women are only out to capture him. They know that whichever one he chooses will be well provided for.”

      “I’m sure he’ll realize that before it’s too late.”

      “I hope so. It would make life miserable if he married a woman who wanted breakfast in bed every day.”

      Jim kissed his wife. “It’ll work out. Don’t worry. In the meantime—”

      “Am I interrupting?”

      They both turned to see Andrea at the door.

      “I wasn’t sure whether I was allowed in the kitchen.”

      Jessica ushered her in. “If we were in full guest mode, you wouldn’t, simply because it gets too crowded in here with the staff. But since you’re the only guest, we’ll be using the kitchen to eat in. We have dinner at six.”

      Andrea smiled. “Good. I had visions of eating in the dining room all by myself. That would be horrible.”

      “Is everything all right in your room?”

      “Yes, of course. It’s lovely. And I was wondering if I’ll be able to use a washer and dryer while I’m here.”

      “You can, but I’d be glad to do your laundry.”

      “I can do it. And you don’t have to clean my room more than once a week.”

      “You’re certainly making it easy for me,” Jessica said. Then, as if remembering something, she gave a startled “Oh” then moved across the room to a counter where she picked up a box. “I forgot to put this in your room.”

      “What is it?” Andrea asked.

      “Epsom salts. They’ll help reduce the soreness you’ll feel when you start riding. You fill your tub with hot water and pour in a cup of this before you soak.”

      Andrea cringed. “Will I be that sore?”

      Jim laughed. “Horseback riding requires the use of some muscles that aren’t used often.”

      “Then thanks, I think. I’ll run this up to my room.” She started, then stopped. “I was wondering, is there a store nearby where I can pick up some jeans for riding? I only have designer jeans and somehow I don’t think they’re the right thing to wear.”

      “There’s a good place in town,” Jessica said. “I suspect there’re other things you’ll need, too. We can go after dinner, if you want.”

      “Only if you let me come,” Jim told his wife, wrapping his arms around her again and pulling her close.

      Jessica grinned at him, then turned to Andrea. She smiled and wiggled her brows. “We’re newlyweds, you know what I mean?”

      Andrea returned the smile, but truthfully she didn’t have a clue what she meant.

      AT SIX O’CLOCK exactly Hank entered the kitchen. He’d managed to find chores to occupy his afternoon and had avoided his new guest. Now, freshly showered and dressed, he was hungry.

      He sat down at the table in his usual spot and noticed the fourth place setting. “Who’s joining us?” he asked his sister, though he was afraid to hear the answer.

      Before Jess could reply, a small voice said, “I am.”

      He turned to find Andrea walking through the kitchen door.

      “Is that a problem?” she asked when she took the seat across from him.

      He shrugged. “Suit yourself. But guests usually eat in the dining room.”

      “Andrea’s not a conventional guest, Hank,” Jessie said as she put a platter of corn on the table, followed by a bowl of salad, biscuits and a steaming casserole. “She doesn’t want a fuss. And I, for one, appreciate it.”

      Great, Hank thought. Just what he needed. Another “member of the family.” The New York side, he joked to himself.

      When Jim came in and Jess said the blessing, everyone served themselves.

      “Where were you all afternoon?” Jess asked Hank as she filled her plate. “I was showing Andrea around the ranch and I thought we’d run into you.”

      “I had some things to do to get ready for tomorrow.”

      “Oh. Have you chosen a horse for Andrea?”

      “Yeah.”

      Andrea spoke up. “Are you going to tell me about him?”

      “Her,” he corrected tersely. “It’s a young mare I bought СКАЧАТЬ