Runaway Cowboy. Judy Christenberry

Чтение книги онлайн.

СКАЧАТЬ that supposed—”

      “Let’s just go to the kitchen.”

      When they entered, Hank and Pete were still arguing. Her grandfather was watching them with a frown.

      “Enough already,” Jim yelled, so he could be heard over the two of them.

      They turned and stared at him.

      “Now you look like a cowboy,” Pete said.

      “Yeah,” Hank said, actually agreeing with his brother.

      “I’ve worked as a cowhand and acted as boss on a cattle ranch in Texas. Now, let’s get down to business. What problems do you have right now?”

      Both brothers started at the same time. Jim lifted his hand again. “One at a time.”

      “Pete always gets to go first because he’s the oldest and that’s not fair!” Hank immediately said.

      Pete retorted. “Hey, I’m the—”

      “This time Hank can go first,” Jim said.

      Hank gave a nod, satisfied. “Well, we have people who think they’re expert riders and they don’t even know to mount their horses on the left side! I can’t put those people on our best horses!”

      “You should have a stable of mostly tame horses that won’t get upset if they’re mounted on the wrong side. That said, though, you should be directing the riders to mount from the left. Do you?”

      “Well, yeah, but I still wouldn’t call them great riders,” Hank protested.

      “No one said you would. But you don’t have to be absolutely honest with your customers. What you want to do is find horses that are comfortable around a lot of people.”

      “Yeah, I got those.”

      “Good. Let me know if you run into problems.”

      “Okay.”

      Jim turned to Pete, who started in immediately.

      “She expects me to have the guests wandering around when I’m trying to run a roundup!”

      Jessica wanted so badly to step into the argument, but she wasn’t going to. First she’d wait for Bradford’s decision.

      “Did you have a meeting to discuss your plans for the next week?” Jim asked Pete.

      “Yeah, but I wasn’t listening because—Well, just because.” Pete’s argument sounded lame to Jessica.

      Jim turned to her. “Did you explain to your brother what you expected from him?”

      “Yes, I did. Specifically.”

      “What did you promise?”

      “We advertised our ranch as a working ranch, meaning we have cowboys and cows. I promised four people they could ride with the cowboys for several days.”

      “You didn’t promise they would be involved in roping and branding?”

      “No.”

      “Pete, could you use the four people to hold the herd as you sort out the ones with calves?”

      “I could, but I don’t see why I should!”

      “Because if I’m in charge, you have to do as I say. I’m not being unreasonable, you know.”

      “I know, but—”

      “Pete!” Cliff Ledbetter said.

      “But, Granddad!”

      Once again, Cliff’s response was only his grandson’s name. “Pete!”

      “Okay, okay!” Pete exclaimed, and marched out, still irritated.

      “Now, for you, Jessica,” Jim began.

      “I don’t have any problems, now that they aren’t yelling.” She raised her chin, just in case he thought he’d revamp her job, too.

      “Actually, I think you do. If you’re going to make this a topflight dude ranch, you have to be out there with your guests. You need to hire someone to do the clerical and receptionist duties.”

      “But I can—”

      “I don’t think the ranch can succeed with all of you arguing about every little thing,” he said gravely.

      “But there’s no way we’ll succeed if the books aren’t balanced!” She looked at him, challenging him to disagree with her.

      “That’s true. But still, someone else could do that while you’re being the face of this company. If you’re moving among the guests, you’ll make them feel important.”

      “But I don’t have anyone to handle my regular job.”

      “I’m sure we can find someone. I’ll supervise that person and make sure everything is running satisfactorily.”

      Jessica turned to her grandfather, her eyes imploring his help.

      But she received the same answer her brothers had. “Jessie, you have to do what Jim says. If you don’t, then this idea will ruin all of you. That’s why I hired him to come take charge. To save you.”

      “Oh, Granddad,” Jessica said with a sigh.

      “Go on, Jessie, go mingle with the guests,” Cliff said.

      She walked out of the kitchen just as Mary Jo walked in.

      “Hello,” she said, and batted her lashes at the stranger.

      “Mary Jo, here is your new boss,” Cliff said.

      Mary Jo did a double take. “But what about Jessica?”

      “He’s her new boss, too.”

      Mary Jo took another look, a measuring one before she stuck out her hand. “Hi, I’m Mary Jo Michaels.”

      “Hello, I’m Jim Bradford, the new manager. And you’re the chef?”

      She smiled. “Yes, I am.”

      “What kind of meals are you serving the guests?”

      “Jessica and I plan the menu.” She turned to a shelf and pointed out to him a chalkboard menu.

      After studying it, he said, “Nice job. Don’t you need help to prepare them?”

      “Yes,” she said, and looked at her watch. “I have four helpers who should arrive in five minutes.”

      “Good. I’ll talk with you later, after I’ve had lunch,” Jim said with a smile.

      Mary СКАЧАТЬ