Suited to be a Cowboy

by Lorraine Nelson

  He wondered where the horses were. The only ones he’d seen were the half-dozen ready to foal. They must be in a pasture, having a good run. Maybe, if he played his cards right, Melissa would take him on a tour of the ranch. He whistled merrily as he changed into a fresh shirt and headed for the office. No doubt in his mind at all, he was sure going to like living on a ranch.

  Melissa turned, surprised when she heard the patio door open. She thought Jimmy would still be busy with his horse, but there he stood in all his muscular glory. Her throat went dry. Her nipples puckered. Her insides clenched in need. Several men were in her employ, men who sometimes went shirtless when it was hot outside, men who looked good in cowboy attire, and yet none of them had ever provoked this reaction.

  “Hello again. Shall we get started?” he asked.

  “You don’t have to begin work today. This,” she indicated the pile of paperwork on her desk, “can wait until morning. Now that you’re somewhat settled in, I thought you might enjoy a tour of the ranch.”

  His grin was sexy enough to heat up the coldest night. That was the first thing she’d noticed about him back in Missouri. It had made her a touch uncomfortable, this attraction to a total stranger, and she was afraid she’d been more brusque that usual. As she studied him now, she loved the way he filled out his T-shirt and jeans. He’d been devastating in a business suit, but those jeans fit snug enough to have her drooling. Add the Stetson and black cowboy boots, and he was more appealing than any wrangler she’d ever come across.

  “I’d love that. Are we riding or driving?”

  “We can cover more distance driving, but once you know the lay of the land, you can ride out any time.” She rose, suddenly remembering just how tall he was, as she had to look up at him.

  “Thank you. I was going to ask permission, seeing as how some areas might be off-limits.”

  “Only the hayfields,” she said, laughing. “We need all the hay we can get. Winters are harsh up here and the horses need feed and bedding. There are many trails suitable for riding on the property, plus there’s a mini race track behind the biggest of the barns.”

  “Great! If you’re ready, my truck is parked out front.”

  “Just give me a sec to shut things down.” She closed the files she’d been working on, then turned off the computer.

  “Want this door locked?” he asked, indicating the garden doors.

  “Yes, please. I’m making a determined effort to keep Aaron out of the office unless I’m in here.” She laughed self-consciously. “I’m real sorry about his mischief. I didn’t even realize he knew how to send an email.”

  “No harm done.” He followed her out into the hallway, and checked to ensure that door locked as well. “Do you have a spare key for the office?”

  “Yes, they’re in my room. I’ll grab them when we come back.” They passed Aaron’s game room where he sat cross-legged on the floor in front of the television. Melissa frowned. He spent way too much time playing video games these days. “Do you mind if Aaron comes along with us?”

  “Not at all.”

  “Aaron, turn off your game and come with us. We’re going to give Jimmy the grand tour.”

  “Aw, Mom.” He glanced their way for a moment, and huffed, but he registered her determination. They knew each other so well. “O-kay.”

  She walked on ahead, smiling, knowing Aaron would soon catch up. That boy never walked if he could run. Sure enough, he’d caught up to them by the time they reached Jimmy’s truck.

  “Can I ride in back?” Excitement sparkled in his eyes.

  “Sorry, sport. Not today. I’ll have to remove the box cover.”

  “What good is a truck if the box is covered?” he asked.

  Jimmy chuckled. “Well, now, in the city, if the truck’s not locked up tight, my tools would go missing in a hurry.”

  “Why?” Aaron asked.

  Melissa giggled. “Sure you don’t mind him tagging along? He’ll probably question you to tears.” Oooh! There was that smile again. Her insides quivered in response.

  “I don’t mind. Aaron, in the city there are more people, and some of them like to take things that don’t belong to them.”

  “They steal? That’s bad.”

  “Uh-huh, very bad. Now hop in.” Jimmy held the passenger door open while Aaron clambered up onto the rear bench seat.

  “This is cool.”

  “Thanks, I’m glad you like it. Melissa?”

  Melissa climbed onto the seat, extremely self-conscious of Jimmy standing behind her. Maybe it was a good thing Aaron rode along to act as a buffer. She was much too aware of her new employee for her own good.

  Her monkey in the middle, Aaron, jabbered all the while they were driving, pointing out his favorite places and telling Jimmy all he knew about the ranch.

  “How many horses do you have?” Jimmy asked.

  “Around two hundred, now that some have been sold. We try to keep the herd manageable so each horse can get the attention it needs.”

  “Yeah, and you should see them run,” Aaron exclaimed from the back seat. “Like the wind.”

  “Have you always been a rancher?”

  “Not really, although we did spend a lot of time here when Grandpa was alive.”

  “Horses need a lot of care and plenty of good grazing land. Looks like you have that here.”

  “We’ve gots thousands of acres,” said Aaron.

  “Wow, that’s a lot.” Jimmy smiled in the rear view mirror. It was directed at her son, but Melissa felt its impact clear to her toes.

  Aaron kept up a steady monologue as they drove across the vast acreage. When he hesitated, uncertain, Melissa filled in the blanks, so glad that her son liked it here enough to take an interest. She also liked that Jimmy knew enough about ranching to ask intelligent questions.

  “Where did you learn so much about ranching?” she asked.

  He took his eyes off the track they were following and glanced her way. “Here and there. I used to work on a ranch during summer vacations and discovered that I enjoyed the life.”

  His tone of voice, hesitant yet brusque, left her wondering what he wasn’t saying. There were secrets there. Whether he chose to share them or not was his business, as long as it didn’t interfere with his ability to do the job she’d hired him for.

  “Do you think the isolation will bother you? It’s a lot different than what you were used to in the city.”

  “As I told Brian earlier, I worked in town, but I didn’t live there. I’ll be fine. What’s that up ahead?”

  Any fool could see it was one of their line shacks. She’d give him credit though. It was an expert way to change the subject.

  “That’s one of our shacks where we can stay if we get stranded. It snows a lot here on the ranch, you know. Humongous storms like you’ve never seen.” Enthusiasm laced Aaron’s words, as if he was looking forward to being stranded out here.

  “So far, when they’ve hit,” she said, “we’ve been at the homestead, but a couple of the wranglers were out checking on stock and had to hole up in one for a few days last winter. “We keep them well stocked, just in case.”

  “Good to know,” Jimmy pulled up in front and cut the engine. “Mind if I have a look?”

  “Not at all.” She hopped down from the cab, with Aaron jumping out right behind her. The cabins were never locked, so she walked up and opened the door, figuring she might as well check on supplies while she was there.

  “Cozy,” Jimmy said. “A person would be quite comfortable here.”

  “That’s the idea,” Melissa replied as she checked the pantry.

  “A roof over one’s head, food to eat, and a roaring fire…life doesn’t get much better than that.”

  “Sounds like you enjoy a simple life, Jimmy.”

  “Yes, I do. Modern technology has its place, but I like to leave it behind whenever I can. As a matter of fact, I wouldn’t mind living in one of these line shacks.”

  “No can do.” S
he eyed him warily. “I need to have you on hand to do your job. If you don’t want to live in the house, you can bunk down with the wranglers.”

  Jimmy struck a hand over his heart as if pained. “Now that makes me sound ungrateful. The accommodation is fine. I’m more concerned about your privacy. It won’t be easy having a stranger living under your roof.”

  Aaron had gone back outside, and deciding to be frank, she said, “I married a man, lived with him for over ten years, and one day I found out I didn’t know him at all. I’ll take my chances.”

  He grazed her with a considering look and then nodded. “Fair enough. Shall we go?”

  “I need to bring in some wood. Always helps to have dry on hand if you end up stranded here during cold weather.”

  “Lead me to it.” He glanced at the wood box. “Want me to split some kindling?”

  She smiled at his offer. “I wouldn’t refuse.”

  She enlisted Aaron’s help in carrying armloads of wood inside, and when they’d finished, headed out to continue their tour. As they topped a rise, acres of land spread out before them. Land that she now owned. “The ranch must seem huge to you.”

  “Why do you say that?”

  “Well, being from town and all.” She fidgeted in her seat, feeling as if she was beating a dead horse. Why did she feel it necessary to remind herself that he was a city boy? “There isn’t any acreage like this to be seen in the city.”

  “Ain’t that a fact? Where did you live before coming here?”

  Melissa snorted a laugh. “Touché!”

  Jimmy chuckled. “Well?”

  “Lexington, Kentucky. I own a business there as well.”

  “You don’t get much more city than that. What made you take up ranching?”

  Out the window, the magnificent expanse of the Rocky Mountains rose up, bordering her land. “This was my grandfather’s ranch. I used to spend summers here, following Gramps around. He taught me how to ride and rope…taught me a lot, actually.”

  “He sounds like a good man.”

  “The very best. Although I was surprised to inherit. The property was supposed to go to my father, being the only child.”

  “Really? Where’s your father now?”

  She shrugged. “Who knows? Last I heard from him was a postcard from Bermuda. I guess Gramps knew him better than I did.”

  “Maybe so.”

  Conversation ceased and all was silent. Melissa checked on Aaron, only to find him sprawled across the rear seat, fast asleep. “All this excitement tired him out. It’s not like Aaron to nap during the day.”

  “He’s quite a boy…smart. You must be proud of him.”

  “Yes, I am. This past year hasn’t been easy on either of us.” Right away, she regretted opening her mouth. Jimmy was an employee. He wasn’t interested in hearing her life story. She didn’t want his pity or condolences. She didn’t want anything from him except a job well done. Her glance strayed in his direction. God, but he was handsome!

  “Well, my being here should take some of the pressure off so you can spend more time together. What kind of shape are the ranch accounts in?”

  Thankful that he hadn’t asked any personal questions, she answered immediately. “Not great. I can order feed and supplies and make sure they’re paid for, but that’s about it. Brian does up the payroll and writes out the checks for each employee. All I have to do is sign them.”

  James shook his head. “I hope he’s been making the right deductions or the accounts could be in a mess.”

  “What deductions?” She nervously twined her fingers around a loose thread on her shirt.

  He slanted her a look of disbelief. “Never mind. I’ll handle it all from here on out.”

  “Those words are a blessing in disguise. Thank you.” She let go of the thread and a button popped off, leaving much more cleavage showing than she liked. “Would you like to have a couple more days to settle in before you tackle the accounting?”

  “No thanks, but since I’m on salary, am I also on specific hours?”

  “All I ask is that you keep a time sheet and put in your forty hours a week.”

  When he glanced toward her, she knew the exact moment he noticed the opening of her shirt. His eyes widened, darkened, and zeroed in on her exposed cleavage before raising his gaze to lock with hers. She tried to pull the edges of her shirt together, but without much success, and the heat of a blush rose into her cheeks. Should she explain? “Uh, this isn’t for your benefit. I’m not trying to entice you in any way. A button popped off.”

  “Pity.” His smile lit up his eyes, but he turned his attention back to the trail ahead, saving her further embarrassment.

  Melissa had been jumping in and out of the cab to open and close gates as they drove across country. “If you turn right up ahead, we’ll be on the ranch road…no more gates.” She got out to attend to the last one.

  “You have some gorgeous acreage here, but I haven’t seen any horses except those nearest the ranch yard.”

  “My horses are in the summer pasture, but keep your eyes peeled. There’s a section of land along here that borders mine and it’s owned by the BLM. Plenty of wild Mustangs for the taking.”

  “BLM? Free horses?” His face registered interest and intent as he watched for the Mustangs, his eyes narrowed against the brilliance of the sun.

  “Bureau of Land Management. And yes, if you can catch them, they’re yours.”

  “If I catch them while I’m working for you, are they mine or yours?”

  She chuckled. “Good question, but as long as you catch them on your own time, they’re yours.”

  “Hot damn! Er, sorry.” He caste a quick glance to the back seat.

  “He’s still sleeping, but thanks for considering his young age.”

  “Truth is,” he scratched behind his ears with his free hand, “I hate profanity, but I’m not used to being around kids, at least, not in the last ten years or so. I’m half afraid I might end up saying or doing something you may disapprove of.”

  “Not to worry. I’m sure he’s heard worse from the wranglers, not that I approve, but I can’t go around lecturing everybody. I’d soon lose my staff.”

  “Well, I’m used to not talking rough, especially around the ladies, so it should work out all right. If I step out of line, give me a look or something to make sure I’m aware of it.” His brows drew together as he frowned at her in demonstration.

  Melissa giggled at the expression he’d conjured up. “Okay, so if I give you that look, you’ll know.” She wondered what he’d do if that look portrayed desire instead of reprimand. Would he act on it? Pretend it hadn’t happened? Or run the other way? I have to stay in control. He’s a man in my employ. She licked her lips. And what a man!

  “So, if I catch some of those horses, where would I keep them? Could I board them here?”

  “Sure, we’ll work something out. Some of the outer pastures are empty since I just sold off quite a few of my stock.”

  He nodded. “Where is the summer pasture?”

  “Due east of here. It has a creek running through it so we don’t need to worry about watering them.” She pointed in the general direction. “We’ll be driving past that section shortly.”

  He nodded and kept driving, but when the high chain-linked fencing came into view, he slowed the truck to a crawl. “Is this the BLM section?”

  “Yes. This is where it starts.”

  “Can you see the Mustangs from the road?”

  “Sometimes. I think they like to flaunt their freedom.”

  Jimmy stopped the truck at a clearing and whistled in merriment. “Wooeee! Just look at those beauties run! There must be over a hundred head out there, and such a mix of colors. That stallion is as pure a white as I’ve ever seen.”

  She delighted in his reaction as he concentrated on the horses, his amazement clear to see. His smile, so full of joy, did strange things to her insides. Her internal organs vied for space among the tangled knot of n
erves. His avid gaze locked with hers.

  “I know how you feel. They’re amazing horses. Are you truly interested in capturing some for yourself?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I intend to have a ranch of my own one day. If I can start a herd now, train some horses, I’ll be one step ahead when the time comes.”

  “Oh!” She frowned. “What about your position here?”

  “Not to worry. I’ll watch for a place close by so I can still honor my promise to you.”

  Melissa nodded, uncertain if she’d hired the right man for the job after all. If he was thinking of moving already, where would that leave her? “If I hear of anything, I’ll be sure to let you know.”

  “I’d appreciate that. Much obliged, ma’am.”

  She laughed. “You’re already beginning to sound like a cowboy, but if you don’t cut the ma’am, you’re likely to feel the toe of my boot.” She flexed her foot, raising it for him to see the pointy red tips.

  Jimmy chuckled, the sound low-pitched and sexy. “I’ll keep that in mind. Where to now?” He gave the Mustangs one last, longing look as they disappeared over a ridge.

  “Might as well head back to the ranch. I have several mares ready to foal and I prefer to be on hand if needed.”

  Jimmy put the truck in gear and drove ahead. “Does this road lead right back to the ranch yard?”

  “Yes, it does. It circles the south end of the property and comes out by the barn just beyond where you parked your trailer.” She quickly shut her mouth, but his swift glance told her that he was aware of what she’d inadvertently let slip…she’d watched him.

  “Okay. Thanks. That gives me a better visual of the layout.” They rode in silence for a while until they came upon another herd of horses. “Are those yours?”

  “Yes. We have over two hundred horses grazing in the summer pasture right now.”

  “Nice. They’re a gorgeous lot. How do you decide when to sell and which ones?”

  “Good question. For the most part, Brian decides. He worked for my grandfather and is better suited to making decisions like that.” The horses ran across the pasture, heading for the creek. “Someday, maybe, I’ll be able to take control of every aspect of ranching, but I’m not ready for that yet. If it were up to me, I’d keep them all. I love horses.”