The smell of coffee, bacon, and eggs greeted him, and sounds of laughter. Male laughter. The house was filled with ranch hands and they were all seated at the dining table…she’d actually set the damn dining table for breakfast? They couldn’t just grab a plate at the kitchen table? She had placed folded napkins by each plate, put the flowers he’d bought her in the middle as a centerpiece, and she was dressed like something from an old fifties sitcom. Knee length flared print skirt, prim blouse, high heeled shoes, and an apron tied around her small waist. She had her hair done up, make-up on and she even smelled great. Geez. Ten ranch hands looked up expectantly as he stalked into the room glowering ominously at everyone.
“Morning, Sunshine!” Glen grinned at him.
“Morning? It’s damn near afternoon,” Cory, the oldest and usually the crankiest chuckled, forking a giant rasher of bacon into his big mouth.
“Don’t swear dude, there’s a lady present,” Alex warned.
“I’ve heard worse,” Jane said, smiling as she popped more eggs and bacon into the serving dishes on the table and slid a plate in front of him. “Breakfast, Red?”
He nodded to the room in general. She kissed his cheek and he automatically turned to kiss her back, and found himself kissing air as she buzzed about the room.
“Cory said you’ll be out in the south pasture today, do you want me to pack you a picnic?” she asked.
Great! She couldn’t have just offered to pack his lunch. A picnic? It conjured up images of checkered table cloths and picnic hampers. All ten faces turned in his direction grinning. Cory picked up his coffee cup, then smirked, jiggled his eyebrows and daintily crooked his little finger. Red was tempted to snap it off. “Sure, thanks.”
“For how many?”
“Why don’t you stay here, boss? Looks like you have plenty on your hands for the day,” Jerry teased, watching the way Red was looking at Jane. “We’ll get by without you.”
Like hell he was staying here alone with Jane. “Jane needs to get settled in and she won’t see how things work around here if we keep changing our routine, will she?” Red stated.
“Didn’t know we had one,” Cory muttered.
Ornery bunch of so and so’s, Red thought, watching their faces, they were absolutely loving this. They’d obviously gotten wind of what this whole thing was about.
“I’ll bring Jane out to find you later,” Honey said, walking in, placing her hand on Jane’s shoulder. Red sighed in relief and choked down a little breakfast before hurrying out to the truck to get on with his work before his world got any weirder.
***
Red had to admit, he was getting kind of hungry, he’d been too wound up to eat much this morning, and a good breakfast was paramount to getting a good start on a working day. Honey usually made breakfast for him and the rest of the hands and threw a packed lunch together for them all, then the bunk house cook took care of dinner. He was both relieved and nervous when he saw Honey drive up in her truck with Jane as he waited to see what she had in store with her ‘picnic’. All the ranch hands were doing the same, not a soul moved. It felt like a scene from an old black and white Sci Fi movie, where all but the main characters were temporarily frozen in time and space. He heard them all start to snicker when she hopped out of the truck, still wearing her pretty skirt and heels, and with Honey’s help started to unload the picnic baskets from the back. Oh hell! He was never going to live this one down if he lived to be a hundred! Though he doubted it would be a problem, he’d probably have a heart attack long before then. Along with a few of the younger members of his crew who were watching Jane avidly as she spread the checkered table cloth—just as he’d feared—on the old wooden picnic table in the shade of the ancient oak, and started putting out the dishes of food. Her pretty plain white blouse was fitted and she had a real nice shape, especially when she leaned forward. The young ranch hands rose up on their toes leaning forward to get a glimpse of her fabulous cleavage. She stumbled, nearly twisting her ankle on a rock, he hurried forward to take her elbow. No doubt about it, he was going to have to get her some boots. She needed to be properly attired.
Jane smiled up at him, and handed him a plate, he motioned for the other hands to come on over. She’d made fried chicken, potato salad and rolls, with fresh fruit for dessert. Not bad, at least it wasn’t prissy little finger sandwiches. He was just starting to feel relieved when she ran around handing out wet wipes for everyone to wipe their fingers before they ate.
“No finger bowls?” he asked. Then wanted to kick himself for hurting her feelings. He didn’t have to, Honey elbowed him in the ribs instead. But Jane’s feelings were not quite as delicate as either of them anticipated.
“Finger bowls are for after you eat, Red,” she said, and sauntered off on her high heels. Her calves were really nicely shaped. And he wasn’t the only one who was noticing.
“What’s wrong with you, acting like a barbarian around her?” Honey asked, elbowing him again for good measure. “Gran would be disgusted.”
Red decided against agreeing with her. Though they both knew she was right. Gran was a stickler for good manners. He went with a simple change of subject. “We need to take her to get some boots.”
“Good idea, Red!” Honey smiled at him, and he groaned. He knew that look. She was either pleased her little scheme appeared to be working out so well, or she was up to something new. Hard to tell. Either way he was screwed. He wolfed down some chicken and rolls and headed back to work. Work he understood.
***
Red had absolutely no idea what to expect when he got in. He’d taken his time, prolonging his work day as long as he dared, and then grabbing a bite for dinner with the ranch hands down at the bunk house. It would be just the two of them. Honey would have gone back to Tony’s house. He needed to have a talk with Jane. A serious one. This whole thing had been a bad idea that needed to be nipped in the bud.
The house smelled like old lemon polish. There were frilly curtains up at the kitchen window that he suspected she’d retrieved from the attic, and Jane was nowhere to be seen. He walked into the living room and discovered she’d fallen asleep on the couch, apparently waiting for him. He pulled off his Stetson, ran a hand through his hair and knelt down beside her. She did look kind of cute. He hadn’t kissed her since the airport and she hadn’t offered, other than the quick peck on the cheek she’d given him this morning. He tucked his fingertips gently under her chin, her sleepy blue eyes opened, and widened for a second when she saw him so close. Then she slipped her arms around him, and he forgot why he was there. Her hands were small and super soft as she caressed his neck and drew him invitingly closer.
He lifted her into his arms and walked up the stairs, she snuggled closer still, and he was tempted, big time. But it was way too soon for this, and while she was soft and inviting now, he might find himself in over his head by morning. He deposited her on her feet in front of her bedroom door.
“You’ve had a long first day, Jane,” he said gently as her arms slipped from his neck and she stepped back.
She looked strangely upset, he’d never refused what was on offer before, but he was older and wiser now. And he wasn’t at all sure he was reading the signals right, maybe she just wanted a goodnight kiss? He hesitated just long enough to change his own mind.
“Goodnight, Red,” she said, and turned walking into her room. He followed her. A goodnight kiss wouldn’t hurt, would it?
He drew her back into his arms and she melted against him instantly. He had to bend his head way down, she was so much smaller than him, and she’d already tossed off her high heels. He’d meant to take it slow, but the instant his lips touched hers, her response was explosive. She might be cute, angelic and prim looking, but man could she kiss! And the feel of those ultra soft hands cradling his neck, moving, and caressing him was pure heaven. His body insisted he move closer. With a giant effort he kept his hands at her waist, he wanted to slide them down and caress her backside, pull her into con
tact with him, where he needed her touch the most. Then he opened his eyes and caught sight of the open closet—with rows upon rows of soft silky garments and pretty shoes, and bottles of perfume and lotion lined up on the dresser—and knew he needed to get out of there now. And he wasn’t coming back. She needed to go home.
Chapter Four
It was obvious that Jane must have shipped some things over from England because there was no way all the stuff he was finding around the house had come in that one suitcase. When he arrived back at the ranch house unexpectedly in the middle of the afternoon, he found her sitting at the kitchen counter, a pretty porcelain teapot in front of her, sharing afternoon tea with Honey, who looked like a Cheshire cat with that idiotic grin on her face. He was tempted to tell her so, but got sidelined by Jane offering him a cup of tea. He took in the dainty porcelain tea cups with their floral patterns and clasped the back of his neck in despair. He needed a drink, was it too early for one? He did have an old bottle of single malt in the cupboard in his room. He shook his head and took off in that direction. He’d been saving the prized aged scotch for a special occasion, and this was it. He needed emergency treatment before his head blew off his shoulders. He yanked the cork out and tipped the bottle to his lips. A knock sounded at his door and he poured it down his chin instead.
“Holy shit!” he yelled.
Red rarely swore, but when he turned to find Jane standing there in the doorway staring at him like he’d just grown horns, he felt like hell. She was holding a giant mug with his name on it. Red emblazoned across the front in big red letters. She held it out to him.
“I brought you a mug of tea,” she said practically. “That might go down a bit better if you pop a bit in here,” she suggested, nodding to the bottle he held in his hand.
“You want me to put single malt scotch in a cup of tea?”
“Trust me, Red, Great Grandma Rose swore by it, she had a drop every afternoon for most of her life. She lived to be nearly a hundred.”
She was comparing him to her great grandmother? Now he felt insulted. But he allowed her to take the bottle, and measure a small amount into the cup.
“Taste it,” she urged.
He did, and it was surprisingly good. The warmth of the tea combined with the heat of the liquor, it slid down his throat entering his bones with an unusually relaxing warmth.
“That better?”
Stunned he nodded.
“Why don’t you lie down for an hour, you look like you could use the rest.”
Honey had obviously told her that since they got up so early, they often crashed for an hour or two in the afternoon if they had time, before going back out to tend to some more of their evening chores.
“I think I might join you.”
Startled, his gaze connected with hers. But she just smiled, her eyes twinkling up at him.
“I’ll be taking a nap in my room if you need me.”
“You could stay in here with me.” Why had he said that? It had come out of his mouth before he’d had a chance to think. Obviously this whole situation had somehow screwed up his mind to mouth connection.
He sat down on the end of the bed, wondering if he should correct himself, tell her he really hadn’t meant to say that at all. But to his amazement she was already slipping off her high heeled shoes…did she always wear those? He was reminded he going to have to take her shopping for something more practical. Or maybe he could persuade Honey to do that since she was determined to be so ‘helpful’.
Jane was shorter than ever without the heels, and suddenly his fevered mind shot back to the kiss last night, when she’d barely even come up to his shoulder.
“Where do you want me?” she asked. It came out so innocently, he wondered for an instant if she was toying with him in some way. But her expression said otherwise.
“You take this side.” He pointed at the side nearest the window.
“Need any help getting your boots off?” she asked when he simply leaned back and tucked his hands behind his head and crossed his booted feet.
She had him so confused he hadn’t even thought of it, just merely laid back watching her. He nodded just to see what she would do. Images of old Saturday afternoon cowboy movies ran through his head, with scenes of some pioneer woman tugging off a man’s boots while he pushed at her backside with his other foot for leverage, making him want to laugh out loud. But this was the twenty-first century and his boots were top of the line, and easy release.
Jane merely cupped his ankles and slid the boots off. Then burst out laughing. He had a hole in his sock and his big toe was peeking through. She tweaked it and then joined him on the bed. Lying down next to him, she slipped her arms around him and rested her head on his chest.
“Night, Night, Red.”
“Night, Jane,” he said as his arms instinctively slipped around her. Surprisingly they both slept.
Red awoke to a lingering soft floral scent in his nostrils, he reached out, but her warmth was gone and she’d covered him with a blanket. The sun had gone down. He tossed the blanket aside and sat up looking for his boots. Something pink caught his eye. Then he burst into raucous laughter. She’d put a bright pink band-aid on his big toe where his boots had chaffed a blister!
Chapter Five
“Oh, for heaven’s sake, Red!” Gerry, the owner of Gerry’s Boot Depot exclaimed, glaring at him. “There is no reason a girl can’t wear a good pair of boots with heels!”
You’d think he’d asked for the world here! He snorted in disgust at her attitude. He’d just wanted Jane to have a practical pair of boots. Instead Gerry had talked her into something that he imagined only a dominatrix would wear—knee high shiny black leather—with heels. Did this girl ever go anywhere without high heels?
“These are new, and all the rage around here,” Gerry informed him.
“So how come I haven’t seen anyone else wearing them?” he asked suspiciously.
“Because they’re new!” Gerry reiterated with exaggerated patience.
“And how often do you get out, Red?” Honey asked, surreptitiously casting a glance at Gerry.
“Fine,” Red said, giving in to the three and addressing Jane. “But don’t blame me if you break your ankle.”
“Spoken like a true old fart!” Honey declared, arms crossed.
“She needs a pair of boots for getting around on the ranch…” he reasoned.
“These are leather, Red, and she’s not going to be mucking out the stables with you! Besides, for someone who’s always worn heels, wearing flats can be quite uncomfortable,” Honey stated practically.
“Look here.” Gerry took Jane’s now bare foot and pointed out the delicate high arch and instep. And again he wondered—what the hell was this woman doing on his ranch? But something about the delicate curve of her foot, reminded him how it had felt to hold that softness in his arms yesterday afternoon. He’d told her he wanted to buy her a pair of boots this morning and she’d cheerfully accepted. To refuse now would only make him seem like a Scrooge.
“You’d like to see her in a pair of those, would you?” Gerry pointed at the ugly work boots he had intended to buy her. Sheepishly he ignored them and slapped down his credit card. Gerry ran it through with lightning speed and packaged up the boots for Jane before he could change his mind.
Taking Jane’s hand in his he marched her out to the truck with him, he didn’t know what came over him, but as soon as he got in the truck with Jane, he purposefully pulled her against him and kissed her like there was no tomorrow. Then without a word, he stepped on the gas and drove them home.
Gerry and Honey watched them go, high fived each other, and burst into laughter.
“Well, that was easier than I thought!” Honey grinned. Gerry didn’t stock the boots, her supplier had sent them to her store by accident. But it was obvious that they were just right for the delicate English girl, and a big turn on for any man who still happened to be breathing. “I just wish we could have sold him the
entire dominatrix outfit along with them.”
“All in good time, Honey,” Gerry said. “I have a feeling there’s more to Lady Jane than meets the eye.”
***
Late that night, Red paced. He’d been out to check on the horses, come back in, had dinner with Honey, Jane, and Tony, then escaped one more time. Everything around him felt different. More vivid. He noticed things he normally didn’t give a second thought to, he was more aware of every sight, sound and smell. He was seeing the ranch through Jane’s eyes now. She appeared to love it here, and she was incredibly easygoing despite her fragile looking appearance.
He strode back up to the house after his second head-clearing walk of the evening. Honey and Tony were driving away. They honked and waved as they went. It was getting late, he realized. They’d all sat after dinner for a while, chatting over coffee and dessert. Jane had made some fantastic chocolate fudge brownies, he didn’t have much of a sweet tooth but he could be persuaded now and then. He wondered if she’d be waiting for him, sleeping on the couch once again. He didn’t think he could take it. Not after the whole boot thing today. He ran a hand through his hair again and slowed his footsteps, but looking up, he realized Jane’s light was on in her room, she must have given up and gone up to bed as soon as Tony and Honey had driven off. He was kind of disappointed but…still, it was probably for the best.
He strode into the empty kitchen and flung open the refrigerator, wondering if there was any of that decadent dessert left. He jumped when a soft voice spoke behind him.
“Still hungry, Red?”
He turned to find Jane standing there in a silky pale pink robe, delicate heeled matching pink slippers on her feet, her painted toes peeking out the ends. He groaned. How on earth could he be turned on by a woman who was all pink fluff? They were way too opposite. He nodded and grunted. Great, now he felt like a Neanderthal! But Jane just smiled; reaching around him she retrieved the rest of the dessert and slipped it onto a plate, holding it out to him. He took it like he was accepting a loaded weapon and stared at her hard. The thin silk was almost transparent. He wondered what she had on under there, if anything.
Lady Jane and the Cowboy Page 2