Lady Jane and the Cowboy
By
L.C. Zingera
Copyright 2012 by L.C. Zingera
No part of this book may be reproduced without
the written consent of the copyright owner.
This is a work of fiction.
Any resemblance to persons living or dead
is purely coincidental
Chapter One
“I can’t believe I let you talk me into this!” Red fumed, glaring at his cousin.
Honey smirked, she couldn’t believe she’d managed to talk him into it either! They’d grown up together like brother and sister. He’d taken care of her, now she wanted to take care of him. He’d thought of nothing but work in ages, and while she knew he dated from time to time, it was never anything serious and never went beyond a couple of casual dates. The ranch house felt empty, it was filled with dusty old antique furniture and no longer felt like the warm home it had once been. Worse still, Red was getting more and more distant, he ate with the ranch hands, was rarely ever in the house, and since Honey was getting married in less than a month, soon he’d be completely alone. It wouldn’t surprise her if he actually moved into the bunk house with the other ranch hands. It was a classic case of all work and no play. What he needed was a woman’s touch, and she’d found him the perfect one. She just knew it.
“You listening to me, Honey?”
“Why should I? You’re only repeating yourself,” she said, and laughed tossing back her honey colored mane and glancing at him sideways, her green eyes twinkling with mischief. While she had earned her name for her honey colored hair, Red had earned his solely because his first name was Redstone, his hair was as honey-wheat colored as hers. Their mothers had been sisters, they’d both inherited their coloring, except whereas her eyes were green, his were blue. They looked more like siblings than cousins.
He groaned as they pulled into the crowded airport parking lot.
“I can’t do this.”
“Too late, we’re already here.”
The keys were still in the ignition. She caught his surreptitious glance, and snatched them away before he could even think of making his escape.
“Time to grow up, Red, your potential fiancée awaits!”
“Potential fiancée?” Red grumbled under his breath.
“Trust me, Red, you’re going to love her!” Honey grinned.
He just snorted like an angry stallion and shot her his most ferocious scowl. Honey merely rolled her eyes.
The English computer dating agency she’d found on the internet had proved to be both legitimate and very helpful. They had an agreement with immigration. The English girls came over here on a new kind of visa, a combination of working and fiancée visa, a chance to get to know their potential husbands for one year. At the end of which, they had to go through the usual immigration interviews, marry or return home.
Honey handed him the large bunch of flowers they had picked up on their way into town as they got out of the truck together. He dragged his big feet like he was going to the guillotine, Honey barely hid her chuckles.
The flight was delayed, and rather than allow him to pace any longer. Honey took Red to the coffee bar. He kept running a hand through his hair and eyeing the ticket counter.
“No,” Honey said, glaring at him.
“No, what?”
“No, you can’t just run over there, buy her a ticket and send her back home.”
“How did you know that was what I was thinking?”
“You’ve always been obvious to me, Red,” she grinned. Then her heart went out to him as she saw his hand shake very slightly as he lifted the cup to his lips while darting another glance past her to the arrivals lounge. The man had been alone for far too long. He was either nervous or he’d had way too much caffeine. Just to be sure, she removed the cup from his hand.
“Hey! I need that!”
“She’ll be here any minute, take this.” She handed him a breath mint, hooked her arm through his and almost dragged him off the stool. “Minty fresh is always best!” she chirped. “She might want to kiss you, you know.”
“Oh hell!” Red ran a hand through his hair again, and his gaze connected with hers, then suddenly as if the absolute hilarity of this odd situation hit him, he threw back his head and began to laugh.
Honey just stared at him like he was losing his mind which only seemed to be making him laugh harder, “Knock it off, Red!” she ordered, and elbowed him in the ribs just to give him something else to think about. Something she’d often done when he’d annoyed her as kids. She had unusually pointy elbows too, he’d frequently assured her.
With a grunt, he took her arm, tucked it in his and they paced, watching each flight empty out into the arrivals lounge until the distinct vibrant red suits of the flight attendants of her airline caught their attention.
“The passengers must still be in immigration,” Honey suggested.
“Maybe I’ll get lucky and she’ll be turned back,” he said with a grin, looking a little more relaxed now he’d let some of his tension out.
Honey’s hand landed suddenly on his shoulder, he turned quickly following her gaze—and there she was. Jane Sinclair. A petite blonde with soft curly hair and big blue eyes, wearing a prim skirt, a delicate buttoned up blouse, high-heeled shoes, and pantyhose…pulling a pale blue suitcase on wheels.
“Perfect!” breathed Honey.
“Oh hell!” Red said again.
Honey, practically dragged him over to meet her. Jane’s big baby blue eyes focused on him, and then she took his hand, raised herself up on her toes and dropped a feather-light kiss on his lips.
“It’s nice to meet you, Red,” she said, her blue eyes soft, warm and welcoming.
Honey watched in disbelief as instead of handing Jane the flowers, Red drew her closer and kissed her fully and deeply. Encompassing her small frame in his large embrace, and Jane though momentarily startled, was responding, she didn’t seem to mind one little bit.
“Holy Smokes! I knew it!” Honey gasped.
Looking dazed and thoroughly kissed, Jane held the flowers in her arms as Honey waved away Red’s attempt to take Jane’s luggage and indicated he should walk with her instead. Honey had no trouble with the small wheeled suitcase and wanted to walk behind to give the two a moment to get acquainted. But so far, it didn’t look like it was going to be a problem!
It had started out as something of a joke, looking for a computer date for Red, but when she’d found the English site, something about it had clicked. A different kind of woman, someone unlike the types Red had previously dated, might just be the solution. Hoping opposites might attract and all that, she figured if they didn’t have a lot in common, at least they might have a little fun getting to know one another. Even if this didn’t end in marriage for the two of them, it would pull Red out of the blue funk he’d fallen into lately.
Jane was a delicate looking little thing. Maybe she’d bring out Red’s protective side. But being from two different worlds, might at least give them both something to talk about. Jane had agreed to come here as housekeeper for a year while she got to know Red. Though looking at her now, Honey couldn’t help but wonder exactly how much work this petite and classy looking woman was actually used to doing.
Chapter Two
Lady Jane Sinclair took a giant calming breath as she closed the door to her room. Her legs were shaking! She couldn’t believe she was here. She hurried to the window, looking out she saw the movement of the ranch hands at work below, horses in the surrounding fields, mountains in the distance, and what appeared to be a corral where a cowboy was training a young horse. Young horse? There was probably a proper name for that. She had a lot to
learn. But Red had kissed her! Nothing else seemed to matter. She’d dropped a light friendly kiss on his lips when she’d first seen him to break the ice, then she’d been completely stunned when he’d gathered her close in a giant bear hug and kissed her deeply, as though they’d known each other forever, and she was just returning home. This could be her home. And Red was gorgeous. She hugged herself at the thought. It was beautiful here, the house was huge, almost as big as Sinclair Manor and yet different in every possible way. This was wide open, bright and spacious, but Sinclair Manor, though beautiful and historic, had smaller rooms and not enough light coming in through the leaded windows. Some of the portraits of her ancestors were so grim looking she often wanted to go draw a mustache and spectacles on one or two of them just to liven them up. Nevertheless, it had been her home and she would miss it. But this was a new beginning. She was so lucky. She intended to make the very most of this opportunity.
***
“Don’t look at me like that!” Red groused at Honey, who was smirking at him over her coffee cup at the kitchen table. She’d made him drink decaf.
“You like her, don’t you?”
“Honey, what the hell am I supposed to do with her?”
“You have to ask? You didn’t seem to have any trouble figuring it out at the airport and trust me, she didn’t seem to mind one little bit!”
“That’s not what I meant and you know it! She a petite, fragile…aristocratic looking little thing! This is a working horse ranch. It’s like dropping a porcelain doll into a cow patty!”
“Wow, interesting analogy, Red!” Unfortunately, she knew he was right, but that didn’t mean things couldn’t work out, one way or another, surely? Besides, if he found out the absolute truth about the aristocratic part, he’d probably have Lady Jane on the next plane out. Honey had simply suggested to Jane when they spoke that she not mention it right away for fear of coloring the situation with preconceived ideas. Jane had readily agreed. Besides, Lady Jane Sinclair was losing her ancestral home to the English equivalent of the IRS. She needed a new home, a new career, a new direction. Honey was going to make sure she got all three. And despite Red’s reservations, there was immediate chemistry between the two. A definite case of opposites attract for sure.
Honey made dinner while Jane unpacked and showered after her journey, and Red went out to attend the last chores of the day with his crew. When Jane tentatively made her way downstairs and into the kitchen, Honey welcomed her with a warm smile and a gentle hug.
Over dinner, Honey dropped her bombshell. “Oh, by the way, Red, I’m moving in with Tony tonight, it’ll give you and Jane a little time to get acquainted. I have some decorating to do on the new house, but I’ll be by here every day to see how things are going.”
Red shot daggers in her direction. “I thought you were staying to help get Jane settled in?” he accused.
“I’ll be fine,” Jane answered quickly.
Honey just flashed him a satisfied grin.
Jane and Honey cleared up after dinner together. “My number is by the phone, Jane, if you need anything day or night, just call, okay?”
“Thanks, Honey, I will.”
***
Red stared at Jane, his ‘potential fiancée’, they were alone in his home, and this was just the beginning of what was going to be a difficult year, he just knew it. He blew out a long breath that lifted the hair off his forehead, sighed, and crossed his arms over his massive chest. As though his mind had snapped a perfect picture that was indelibly imprinted on his brain, he recalled her walking toward them in the airport in her delicate heels and prim outfit. She was everything fragile a woman could be, and the very last thing they needed at the ranch. What had possessed him to suddenly kiss her like that he didn’t know. Maybe he’d been trying to scare her. But no, he knew that wasn’t it. She was cute, he’d caught a whiff of her delicate floral fragrance when she leaned in to kiss him lightly on the lips. He’d gone on impulse alone taking it further, savoring the softness and moist heat of her mouth, his hungry body leaping to attention. He’d enjoyed the feel of her in his arms. He thought he’d heard something along the lines of “Holy Smokes! I knew it!” from Honey, who’d been standing behind him, but it could have been simply another passenger or his fevered stressed out brain playing tricks on him. Yep. Had to be the latter. This was going to be a year-long blind date. And he was royally screwed.
“Would you give me a tour of the house, Red?” Jane asked, snapping him back to the present and suddenly appearing a little unnerved at the penetrating way he was staring at her.
He nodded, took her elbow and guided her brusquely from room to room. He just couldn’t believe he’d allowed himself to be talked into this. As if it wasn’t bad enough Honey had been constantly trying to set him up on blind dates before. Now he had to live with one of them! He was beginning to feel like he was being railroaded. Or corralled like a wild stallion.
“Oh, it’s exquisite!” Jane cried when she saw the ancient solid oak dining room table and chairs, it had belonged to his grandparents. His Grandpa Joe had created it with his own two hands. He’d always been proud of the pair of them, the way they had moved out here, into what had once been the middle of nowhere, settled down and made a life for themselves. Grandpa Joe’s talent as a carpenter had come in very handy, not to mention Grandma Marie’s cooking skills. Jane was running her hands over the smooth surface of the wood.
“Well, if you like that, you’re going to love the attic,” he said gruffly, oddly touched by her thrilled reaction to what was an important part of his family heritage.
“More antique furniture?”
He nodded, and continued on to the rest of the rooms, but left the attic for another day.
Jane was clearly disappointed when he escorted her to her room at the end of her tour, but he could see that her eyelids were starting to droop a little. It had been a long trip, and she’d admitted over dinner tonight that she’d barely slept for several days prior with anticipation.
“Have a good night, Jane, if you need anything I’m right next door.” He didn’t give her a chance to say anything or offer her a kiss goodnight, he just walked off leaving her standing in the door to her room.
“G’night Red,” she called as he disappeared down the corridor. He just gave a backwards wave over his shoulder as he turned the corner to go back downstairs, leaving her alone with her thoughts of how this had all begun.
Three weeks earlier.
“Jane, I can’t believe you’re really going to do this!” Lily cried, as both she and Camilla stared in disbelief at the picture of the gorgeous cowboy on Jane’s computer screen.
“I need a fresh start, girls, and really, what could be fresher than the farmlands of Wyoming?” Jane asked.
“You don’t know anything about working on a ranch!” Camilla pointed out.
“It’s not just the ranch she’s going to be working on, Camilla,” Lily said with a giggle.
“Well, I can certainly see your incentive,” Camilla noted, gesturing toward the screen displaying the image of Redstone MacAlistair. “But still, you’ll be in the middle of nowhere!”
“As opposed to the ‘hub’ of activity here at Sinclair Manor?” Jane said wryly, looking around her ancient family home. Sinclair Manor was a sixteenth century manor house overlooking the Yorkshire moors, it took far too much money to keep up, and with the astronomical annual property taxes, she had no choice now but to let it go. It was an historic monument, it would be protected. It just wouldn’t belong to her.
“Won’t you miss the old house?” Lily asked sadly, looking around. They had all spent many summers here during their school holidays away from boarding school; out in the countryside surrounded by the wild untamed Yorkshire moors, often pretending to be characters from Wuthering Heights and Jane Eyre. They weren’t far from Haworth where the Bronte sisters had lived. It had always been the perfect retreat from London.
“I will, but life moves on, girls,” J
ane said pragmatically. Losing her family home hurt like crazy, but what could she do? She had to think of her own future, and looking at the picture of the gorgeous and available American hunk on the screen, it didn’t seem like such a sacrifice somehow.
“But what if he’s a jerk?”
“I can go take another job somewhere else, that’s the beauty of this situation. I have the right to work over there in the States for a year. Hopefully at the ranch, but…” she shrugged.
“He’s just going to adore you, Jane!” Lily said loyally.
“Well, I hope Jane feels the same way about him!” Camilla stated practically. “Now girls, what do we know about him?”
“He’s thirty two, never been married, no kids…”
“And gorgeous,” piped in Lily.
“Yeah,” Camilla said, eyeing the photograph. “Big deep blue eyes, and dark blonde hair, tan year round probably if he works outdoors, and it looks like there’s a few muscles under that shirt…”
“How tall is he?” Lily asked.
“Six two,” Jane answered.
“Well, if you change your mind, I’ll be happy to take your place,” Camilla offered. “It would be no hardship at all.”
“No chance, Cam, this cowboy is mine!” Jane stated emphatically.
Over their favorite chocolate raspberry mud truffle ice cream, and the last bottle of champagne from the Sinclair cellars, they reminisced about past boyfriends and daydreamed about their shared future hopes.
“To Lady Jane and the Cowboy!” Lily said, holding up her glass.
“To Lady Jane and the Cowboy!” They chorused, clinking glasses.
As the full screen close-up picture of Redstone MacAlistair looked on.
Chapter Three
Red was certain he’d awakened in an alternate universe. He was never going to live this down. Ever. Apparently, Jane had awakened early, her body clock not yet adjusted to the time change, and had gotten to work on his house. He’d slept in, unusual for him, but he’d been up half the night trying to figure out what the hell to do about the situation, and how on earth he got into this mess in the first place.
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