“Hard to say.”
“You’re not helping here.” Magda looked around the store. “It’s the last present I have to buy. Give me something to work with.”
“She’s a nice lady. Simple tastes. Not a fancy person.”
Magda stopped in front of the Coach counter. “What about a new purse? Hearon’s is having a sale on Coach purses.”
“You know, that’s a great idea. I think she would love it.”
“Great. Sold.” She leaned in to look at the prices. “Damn. Even on sale these are expensive. Oh well, not my money. And Zeb did say get her something nice.”
Olivia laughed. “That’ll be the last time he’ll send you shopping on his nickel. Gotta run. Eliza Grace is crying, so I’m sure Adam did something. See you tonight.”
“You about ready?” Darren called up the stairs. “We need to be going.”
“Yeah. Yeah. Just a minute.” Reno shoved his shirttail into his jeans and fastened his belt. He stomped his feet into his dress boots and headed down.
“Finally. Grab Mom and Dad’s presents and let’s go. We’re supposed to be at Mitch and Olivia’s in an hour.”
“Coming.”
Sometimes Reno wondered why they’d bought a ranch so far away from the rest of the Montgomery clan. The D&R wasn’t really near anywhere. A weekly grocery trip was an hour there and an hour back, and that was when one of them found time to go.
But he knew the answer to his own question. This in-the-middle-of-nowhere ranch was all they’d been able to afford. If it’d been closer to Whispering Springs, or any real town for that matter, it would have cost three times what they’d paid. That would have put the ranch completely out of their price range. As it was, they’d barely been able to afford it.
Of course, their parents had offered to front them the money for the D&R, and Darren and he had discussed taking the money as a loan. But in the end, they’d wanted this to be their ranch, not a small offshoot from their parents’ large Florida ranch.
Darren wheeled his truck into the Kicking Bull Ranch drive and parked behind an older green Ford truck.
“Isn’t that Zeb Hobbs’s truck?” Darren asked. “I thought he was in the hospital.”
Reno shrugged. “Looks like his, yeah. But last I heard, he was still there.”
The guys unloaded the presents for their parents, their sister, KC, and her husband, Drake. They also had some smaller gifts for the rest of the growing Montgomery family.
Reno raised his hand to knock on the door but it sprang open before his knuckles touched the wood.
“Uncle Reno,” seven-year-old Adam said. “Did you bring me a present?”
“Adam!” his mother admonished. “You do not answer the door like that. Santa still has his eye on you. Now, let Reno and Darren in.”
“Sorry,” Adam said. Apparently, the Santa threat still worked even in this day and age.
Reno entered first and handed Adam a brightly wrapped box. Then, in a stage whisper, said, “This one is for you. Go put it under the tree.”
Adam let out a loud whoop and ran off.
Olivia shook her head. “At least I know it’s not another horse.”
Reno and Darren laughed. Four months ago, Olivia’s brothers had surprised Adam—and Olivia—with a horse for his birthday.
“Come on in. Everybody’s in the living room.”
As they walked toward the large room, Reno said, “Was that Zeb Hobbs’s truck outside? I thought he was in the hospital.”
“Magda’s back,” Olivia explained. “Zeb told her to drive his truck while the temperatures were so cold.”
Reno’s heart jumped into his throat. When Magda had walked out on him five months ago, he’d tried to banish her out of his mind, but just the mention of her name made his head swim. “How long is she here for?”
“Don’t know. Said as long as Zeb needs her.”
Deep male voices booming laughter and Adam’s high-pitched giggles filtered out of the living room. When he and Darren entered, the chorus of welcomes was loud and boisterous.
Reno loved being part of a large family. He looked forward to having his own passel of kids. Not right now, but definitely in the future.
He was disappointed there were no women in the room, one in particular. He wondered about their first meeting after their last one. Frosty? Warm? A hug and kiss? Or a nod of the head? Only time would tell, he decided.
“Dinner will be ready in about ten minutes,” Olivia told the group. “So round up the kids. We’re putting out the food now.” She turned and headed toward the back of the house.
While Mitch and Olivia had a large home, tonight it was filled to the rafters with family and in-laws. A variety of dishes lined the buffet in the dining room. Tables and chairs were set up there and in the kitchen and the sunroom.
Reno followed his dad to the dining room, trying to be subtle in his lookout for Magda. He’d just added the final touch to his heaped-full plate—a hot yeast roll—when Magda came from the kitchen carrying a fresh platter of sliced turkey. She walked past him as though she didn’t have a clue who he was, which was far, far from the truth. So frost and non-acknowledgment was how she was going to play their reunion, which wasn’t his first choice.
However, her physical appearance bothered him. Her face was a little pale and her eyes lacked the sparkle he remembered. Still, she had the sexiest walk he’d ever had the pleasure of watching in all his twenty-seven years.
She smiled at Mitch as she cut the line to change out the meat platters, but even that expression lacked the energy she used to exhibit all the time. But then again, maybe she was just tired.
Mitch’s younger brother, Caleb, kissed Magda’s cheek, and her face lit up with a broad grin.
Suddenly the food on his plate didn’t look so appetizing anymore.
Reno was here. Magda had known he would be and she’d thought she was prepared, but she’d been wrong. All day, she’d been talking to herself, prepping for this inevitable meeting. Now that the time was here, she couldn’t look at him. Didn’t dare let her gaze shift in that direction. Her heart throbbed so hard her throat hurt. She could barely swallow, barely breathe. She fought to project a cool and calm exterior, the exact opposite of what was happening in her gut.
She squeezed between Mitch and his brother, Caleb, to swap out the meat platters. Caleb kissed her cheek.
“Thanks, sweet cheeks,” Caleb said. “When you going to marry me?”
Magda gave him her sweetest smile. “When hell freezes over, precious.”
“Have you looked outside lately? You might want to start looking for a wedding dress.”
Magda burst out laughing and a dark bubble in her gut popped. Since she’d agreed to dinner, knowing she’d be seeing Reno today, her nerves had been strung as tight as guitar strings. Joking with Caleb made all that tension evaporate like dry ice.
She slapped the back of Caleb’s head. “Keep dreaming.”
Walking back to the kitchen, she saw Reno taking a seat at the formal dining room table next to his dad. She tried not to notice him, but she’d lost control over her eyes as they sought him out. He didn’t look up or appear to be aware that she was even in the same house.
Whatever.
Back in the kitchen, Blanche Jenkins was pulling a freshly baked cornbread casserole out of the oven. The tantalizing aroma mixed with the other food scents filling the Landry kitchen. Apparently, Blanche was an excellent cook and housekeeper. Plus, Adam and Eliza Grace loved her.
Magda couldn’t blame Olivia for replacing her when she quit. In fact, it would have made no sense to hold Magda’s job just in case she changed her mind. Blanche had come to Whispering Springs to visit her sister, Polly Henry. Polly attended Whispering Springs United Methodist Church with the Montgomery family and had introduced Blanche to Olivia and Mitch. A week lat
er, they’d hired her to replace Magda, a mere two weeks after she’d quit.
Still, it hurt to think that after four years of working for Mitch she’d been replaced so easily.
Blanche set the piping hot casserole dish on a trivet in front of Magda and wiped her brow. She was an older woman, probably in her late fifties. Tall and carrying an additional fifty pounds, Blanche was a cheerful woman who’d worn a smile since Magda had arrived.
“You don’t know how happy I am to finally get to spend some time with you,” Blanche said as she placed rolls on a baking sheet. “Your dad talks about you all the time. And so does Adam.”
Magda smiled. “Adam has mentioned you, but when he called you Mrs. Jenkins, I thought he was talking about his kindergarten teacher.”
“I told the Landrys that he could call me Blanche, but Mrs. Landry was having none of that. No, ma’am. She said he needed to learn more respect for his elders.” Blanche smiled. “He is a good kid though.” She leaned over and whispered, “When his momma isn’t around and he wants a cookie, he’ll call me Ms. Blanche.” She laughed. “Works every time. He’s going to be a lady charmer for sure.”
Magda nodded. “Yep. I dread all the crying teenage girls and broken hearts we’ll have to face with him.”
Her mind, and her heart, stumbled at her words. She probably wouldn’t be around for those years. And even if she were in the area, she doubted she’d be around for the heart breaking. After all, her dad was their foreman. She’d been their housekeeper, which—let’s be honest—was a fancy word for maid. She and Olivia would never be real friends. She wasn’t exactly in the Montgomery social standing. Lord, now that she thought about it, she was probably only invited tonight because they’d felt sorry for her.
Her gut rolled in a nauseated dip. She shouldn’t have come. Maybe she could quietly thank Olivia and head out the back door.
An arm snaked around her shoulders. “You look like you just ate a bug. What’s wrong?” Jackie Montgomery, Olivia’s mother, hugged her shoulder.
Magda shook her head. “Nothing. Just thinking.”
“No, no, no,” Jackie said with a smile. “There’re no sad thoughts at Christmas. Grab a plate and join me and Adam in the sunroom. He’s holding a seat for you.”
That made Magda smile. “Thanks.”
After dinner, the entire group crammed into the living room, finding seats wherever they could. Magda stood by the door, not taking one of the prime seats that someone in the family should take.
“The whole gang together can be a little overwhelming, can’t they?”
Magda turned toward the speaker. Nadine Montgomery, Reno and Darren’s mother smiled at her.
“I remember the first time I met Clint’s family. Why, I almost ran out of the house and didn’t look back.” Nadine laughed.
“They are something,” Magda agreed.
“I wonder if I might have a word with you.”
Magda frowned in puzzlement. “Okay.”
They stepped out of the living room and walked into the now deserted dining room.
“Have a seat,” Nadine said as she pulled out a chair and sat.
Magda sat. “What can I do for you, Mrs. Montgomery?”
“First, you can call me Nadine. There are way too many Mrs. Montgomerys around here.”
Magda nodded. “Okay, Nadine.” The name stuck a little in Magda’s throat. This was Reno’s mother. Calling her anything other than Mrs. Montgomery felt too forward. Still… “What’s up?”
“I need a favor and I admit it’s a big one.”
Magda shrugged. “Sure. If I can help, I will.”
“Olivia sings praises of your work. Said you’d whipped Mitch into line by the time she married him.”
Magda laughed. “Mitch was a sweetie. It was only his horrible ex-wife that was the problem. He probably felt so guilty about inflicting her on me that he was willing to do anything I asked to make up for her.”
Nadine snorted. “I heard all about her.” She shook her head. “A total nutcase, in my opinion.”
“Oh, she was. Now what can I do for you?”
“I want to hire you.”
Magda drew back. “Hire me? I’m sorry, but I can’t go to Florida right now. I promised Zeb I’d stay in the area until he was back on his feet. Thank you, but I can’t.”
Nadine chuckled and touched Magda’s arm. “Sorry. I didn’t make myself clear. I want to hire you to work on the D&R ranch. Do for my sons what you did for Mitch. Keep house. Cook. Make them park their nasty boots outside instead of tromping mud, blood and God knows what else through the house.”
“You want to hire me…to keep house for your sons?” See Reno every day? She fought the panic wanting to grab her by the throat. She’d faced worse and survived. If her past was any indication, she could handle anything thrown at her. That wasn’t the question. The question was did she want to spend a lot of time with Reno? And if she did want more time with him, what did that mean?
“Exactly. Look, I know they are slobs, but I love my boys so much.” A maternal smile lit up her face. “They are working so hard to get their ranch up and going with almost no help from us. Clint and I were over there tonight, and good Lord, the dust. I know they want to do everything themselves and not rely on us, but sometimes everybody needs a little help.”
“I see. Well. You’ve caught me off-guard. I wasn’t expecting this.” The memory of Reno’s kisses sent a battalion of goose bumps down her arms.
“Of course, Clint and I would pay your salary. Sort of a surprise Christmas present for the boys. Olivia told me she wasn’t sure how long you’d be in the area, but I’d really appreciate it if you could help me out while you’re here.”
Magda hesitated. “I don’t know, Nadine. It doesn’t seem like a good idea. I mean, we’re all so close in age.” She stood and walked a couple of feet away. “Give me a minute to think.”
Magda had to work while she was here. She knew that. She had no savings and really nowhere to live since the option of staying with Zeb was out the window.
Now that she’d met Blanche and realized Zeb and Blanche were seeing each other, she had no intention of being the third wheel by staying at her dad’s house. And no intention of trying to push Blanche out of her job.
Really, she was actually quite happy for Zeb and Blanche. She’d never known Zeb to have a steady girlfriend. Besides, if he had Blanche to take care of him, that would free Magda up to hit the road again earlier. However, the job offer pretty much confirmed her earlier ruminations that she wasn’t in the Montgomery social circle and that the family saw her as hired help. Excellent hired help, but help just the same.
But to live with Reno? See him every day? Her heart grabbed her ribs and rattled them as though insisting, “You can’t go there again,” while her gut released a bucket of butterflies at the idea.
Reno Montgomery was the sexiest man she’d ever known. The best lover she’d ever had. The man she’d tried—and failed—to forget.
“Please say you’ll do it,” Nadine said, interrupting Magda’s thoughts. “Olivia told me what Mitch was paying you and, given that I’m asking you to do twice the workload that you had with Mitch, of course we’ll pay you double your salary.”
Well, crap. Double the salary. Heaven knew, she needed the money. The last repairs on her bike had taken her last penny. But could she do it? Could she keep herself out of Reno’s bed?
Hell, yeah. She’d faced tougher situations, deadlier for sure. She’d walked away once. She’d walk away again when the time came. Strong women could control their emotions, and if she was anything, she was a strong woman. Her challenge was to make sure Reno understood she was an employee, someone to keep his house and cook his meals. She wasn’t there to warm his bed. If he could live with that, she’d take the job, at least for a few months.
“Congratu
lations, Nadine. You’ve got yourself a housekeeper.”
Chapter Four
“I don’t know about you, but Mom sure shocked the shit out of me tonight.”
Reno looked over at his brother. “Yeah. Me too. Who’d have thought of hiring us a housekeeper but Mom?” As he spoke, he worked at keeping his voice steady. His heart sure wasn’t. It pounded against his chest wall like a sledge hammer.
Yay for his parents hiring a housekeeper for them, but damn on their choice. Why Magda Hobbs?
When their parents had sprung their surprise, Reno’s mouth had gaped. Of course he, and everyone else, had passed it off as shock. In a way, it was. The news had stunned his heart worse than a Taser. When she’d roared out of town on her Harley, her path had been straight through his gut. It’d hurt, damn it. And now she was back. And going to be working in his house.
A small part of him wanted to tell her to just fuck off. Get out. Never darken his door again.
But then there was the sane side, the side who reminded him how happy she’d made him, how she’d made him laugh and how she could transform the worst day into the best day with a single touch. He’d missed her a lot more than he was willing to admit, even to himself.
Seeing as no one had been aware of their relationship, he’d been required to keep his frustrations bottled up. In the months since Magda had left, Darren had dragged him to Leo’s Bar for a drink now and then, but there hadn’t been a woman there who’d held a candle to Magda.
And now she was back. Would be living in his house. Sleeping under the same roof. He wasn’t sure if he’d been dropped into hell or elevated to heaven.
“True,” Darren said, jerking Reno back to the conversation. “Did Mom say when Magda would be starting? And wow.” He took his hand off the truck’s steering wheel long enough to slap the dash. “Magda Hobbs on top of that. What a hottie. I wonder if I’ll have to actually get out of my bed when she changes my sheets. Or maybe she’ll be in my sheets making them need to be changed.”
A rocket of revulsion blasted inside Reno. “That’s disgusting, even for you. Keep your hands to yourself. Magda isn’t being hired to be your plaything.”
Texas Bossa Nova (Texas Montgomery Mavericks Book 5) Page 3