Learnin' The Ropes

by Shanna Hatfield

  “Yes, ma’am.” Trent raised an eyebrow as he glanced at Trey, wondering what type of man would let a beautiful woman like Viv’s niece get away.

  Viv motioned for Trey to scoot over and slid in beside him, fanning herself with her apron.

  “As much as I love that girl, she is going to be the death of my diner,” Viv whispered to the two boys she had watched grow up into fine men. “She can’t wait tables to save her life. She’s broken more glasses in the last week than I have in a lifetime. Just today, Cadence spilled hot soup on Ermil Wright and dumped a platter of Buffalo wings on Fred Noder. I don’t know what I’m going to do with her.”

  “Can she cook and clean?” Trey asked, surprised when he heard himself blurt out the question.

  Viv slowly turned her head to look at him and took a moment before answering. “Can she cook and clean? That girl is fanatical about cleaning. She keeps running around with bleach wipes and a mop, scrubbing anything that doesn’t run away from her. Have you ever seen the front windows so spanking clean?”

  Trey and Trent looked at the windows. They were so clean they actually held a bit of sparkle from the fading evening light.

  “What about cooking?” Trent noticed the direction of Trey’s thoughts and honed in on the potential of finding a replacement for Lois.

  “She can cook, but it’s fancy pants food.” Viv shook her head, looking somewhat offended. “She says the grease I use to fry food is going to kill you all graveyard dead. Despite that, the one thing the girl can do fine is bake. You’ve never had a pie like she can make. My Joe said her berry pie was the best thing he’d ever eaten. Old coot!”

  Trey smothered a laugh and patted Viv’s hand. “You know we’ve been left high and dry since Lois moved to Boise.” He hoped to play off Viv’s sympathy. “What do you think of Cadence coming to work for us?”

  “As your cook and housekeeper?” Viv considered the possibility. “I don’t know.”

  “What’s not to know, Viv?” Trey liked the idea the more he considered it. The girl might be a terrible waitress, but she wasn’t hard to look at, that was for sure. “We’d give her room and board and a wage on top of it. She’d be out of the café but still close enough you can see her anytime you want and keep an eye on her. We wouldn’t let anything happen to her, would we Trent?”

  “No, ma’am.” Trent quickly warmed to his brother’s plan. He could almost smell bread baking in their oven. “We’d treat her just like we would our own sister.”

  “See, right there is the problem.” Viv shot Trent a wary glance. “You don’t have a sister. You three hooligans are too much for even your own sweet mama to handle. I just don’t know if it would be proper for her to be living out there with all you bachelors. None of your hands are married are they?”

  “No, Viv, they aren’t.” Trey started to feel edgy under her continued resistance to his plan. “This isn’t the Stone Age and we aren’t a bunch of cavedwellers. She could have the whole north wing of the house to herself and we’d be clear over in the south wing. Come on. What do you say?”

  Viv was about to say no, but turned just in time to watch Cadence upend a breadbasket in old Mrs. Henkle’s lap. She rose from the table with a resigned look on her face. “If she agrees, you boys can hire her. But no funny business or you’ll answer to me.”

  “Yes, ma’am,” Trey hurried to agree.

  The two ranchers watched Cadence spill, drop, and fumble her way through the dinner service. Viv personally hand-delivered a brimming plate of chicken fried steak to each of them. They’d just finished mopping up the last bit of gravy off their plates with a warm dinner roll when Cadence approached with two pieces of pie smothered by a crown of melting vanilla ice cream.

  Although he had eaten his fill, Trey’s mouth began to water as she carefully slid a plate in front of him then set one down in front of Trent. Keeping her aloof façade in place, she said, “enjoy,” then walked back to the kitchen.

  Unable to talk while they were devouring the best piece of apple pie to ever cross their lips, Trey and Trent communicated by raising eyebrows, grunting, and nodding their heads.

  When the pie was gone, they didn’t care how much “fancy pants” food they had to eat, they’d do anything to be able to enjoy dessert like that on a regular basis.

  When the café was nearly empty, Viv came out to their table and motioned for Cadence to join them.

  “Cadence, these two gentlemen have a business proposal for you,” Viv said as she gave Cadence’s shoulders a reassuring squeeze. Tall and lean with a head full of short gray curls and pale blue eyes, the woman was a near replica of Cadence’s own mother.

  Cadence leaned into her hug and tried to keep her heart from pounding. She knew she had to be the world’s worst waitress and wondered how long it would be before Aunt Viv sent her packing.

  “Miss Greer.” Trey smiled as he addressed the hapless waitress. “We’re in need of a housekeeper and cook. Your aunt thought you might be interested in the position. You duties would include preparing breakfast and dinner for us and our hired men, and keeping up the ranch house. The hired hands take care of the bunkhouse and do their own laundry. We’d pay you a thousand per month in addition to your room and board.”

  Surprised by the offer, Cadence thought the wages more than fair considering they were in the middle of nowhere. The inclusion of room and board was a bonus she had not expected at all. She would be close to Aunt Viv and Uncle Joe, yet would no longer have to be mortified every time she spilled something on a paying customer.

  Nevertheless, she wasn’t sure the idea of living close to two bachelors, especially two extremely good-looking cowboy bachelors, was a good idea.

  “How many men would I have to cook for?” She looked at Trent as she asked the question.

  Glancing at Trey scrambled her thoughts and she had to fight to keep from being sucked into those ocean-blue eyes of his.

  “Generally, there are eight of us, although right now there are only seven. Our youngest brother is finishing up his tour of duty in Iraq,” Trent answered.

  “I see.” From Trent’s tone, it was easy to surmise how much their younger brother must be missed. “I hope your brother is safe.”

  “I don’t know how safe he is, but when he called earlier today, he sounded just fine.” Trey gave Cadence a crooked grin.

  “You mean you two sat here this whole time and didn’t even think to mention that Travis called?” Viv took them both to task then pumped them for details about their brother.

  While Viv and the two brothers discussed Travis, it gave Cadence a chance to study the two men seated before her. She decided they didn’t look cruel or unkind, just dangerously attractive. Her aunt seemed to like them. Surely Viv wouldn’t agree to send her anywhere that wasn’t reputable.

  Still unconvinced moving to a ranch with unmarried men was a wise decision, she realized she didn’t have many options. Cadence wasn’t nearly as worried about being around Trent as she was Trey. Just standing close to him, she could feel a shimmer of something magnetic and mysterious pass between them.

  “Well, Miss Greer, what do you say?” Trey finally asked. “Will you put us out of our misery and come be our cook and housekeeper?”

  “I’d like to give your proposal due consideration and offer you a response tomorrow. Would that be acceptable?” Cadence wanted to check with Neil before she made any decisions. She’d contacted him a couple of times for his opinion and he had given her solid advice. She could shoot him a quick email and see what he thought.

  “Sure, we’ll check with you after breakfast.” Trey took out his wallet and paid for their meal, leaving a generous tip on the table.

  As he and Trent sauntered toward the door, Trey turned back for one more look at Cadence and offered her a warm smile.

  He didn’t know what had happened between them and was pretty sure he didn’t want to find out. A smart man would forget about asking her to work for him and ignore the jolt that shot thr
ough his hand when he touched her. That is exactly what a smart man would do.

  But every man had a weakness and it looked like Trey’s was, quite possibly, delicious pie.

  The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan

  Available on Amazon

  The Women of Tenacity Series

  Tenacious, sassy women tangle with the wild, rugged men who love them in this contemporary western romance series.

  Heart of Clay (Book 1) — Easy-going cowboy Clay Matthews is a respected college professor. He's the man family and friends turn to for help, or when they need a good laugh, since he's a huge tease and practical joker. Life would be almost perfect, except for his relationship with his wife... (Available FREE for electronic downloads.)

  Country Boy vs. City Girl (Book 2) — A confirmed city girl finds herself falling for a wanna-be country boy. Sparks fly as a battle of stubborn will ensues.

  Not His Type (Book 3) — After spending her entire twenty-four years hiding in the background and perfecting her status of wallflower, Anna Zimmerman arrives at the astounding conclusion it’s time for a change. Tired of living life in the shadows, she steps into the light, unprepared to handle the attention of the charming, handsome cowboy who works across the street.

  Books by Shanna Hatfield

  FICTION

  HISTORICAL

  Baker City Brides

  Crumpets and Cowpies

  Thimbles and Thistles

  Corsets and Cuffs

  Pendleton Petticoats

  Dacey

  Aundy

  Caterina

  Ilsa

  Marnie

  Lacy

  Bertie

  Millie

  Hardman Holidays

  The Christmas Bargain

  The Christmas Token

  The Christmas Calamity

  The Christmas Vow

  CONTEMPORARY

  Learnin’ The Ropes

  Love at the 20-Yard Line

  QR Code Killer

  Grass Valley Cowboys

  The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan

  The Cowboy’s Spring Romance

  The Cowboy’s Summer Love

  The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall

  The Cowboy’s New Heart

  The Cowboy’s Last Goodbye

  Holiday Brides

  Valentine Bride

  Rodeo Romance

  The Christmas Cowboy

  Wrestlin’ Christmas

  Capturing Christmas

  Silverton Sweethearts

  The Coffee Girl

  The Christmas Crusade

  The Women of Tenacity

  A Prelude (Short Story)

  Heart of Clay

  Country Boy vs. City Girl

  Not His Type

  NONFICTION

  Farm Girl

  Fifty Dates with Captain Cavedweller

  Recipes of Love

  Savvy Entertaining

  Savvy Autumn Entertaining

  Savvy Holiday Entertaining

  Savvy Spring Entertaining

  Savvy Summer Entertaining

  Rodeo Romance Series

  Hunky rodeo cowboys tangle with independent sassy women who can’t help but love them.

  The Christmas Cowboy (Rodeo Romance, Book 1) — Among the top saddle bronc riders in the rodeo circuit, easy-going Tate Morgan can handle the toughest horse out there, but trying to handle the beautiful Kenzie Beckett is a completely different story. As the holiday season approaches, this Christmas Cowboy is going to need more than a little mistletoe to win her heart.

  Wrestlin’ Christmas (Rodeo Romance, Book 2) — Sidelined with a major injury, steer wrestler Cort McGraw struggles to come to terms with the end of his career. Shanghaied by his sister and best friend, he finds himself on a run-down ranch with a worrisome, albeit gorgeous widow, and her silent, solemn son.

  Capturing Christmas (Rodeo Romance, Book 3) — Life is hectic on a good day for rodeo stock contractor Kash Kressley. Between dodging flying hooves and babying cranky bulls, he barely has time to sleep. The last thing Kash needs is the entanglement of a sweet romance, especially with a woman as full of fire and sass as the redheaded photographer he meets at a rodeo.

  Valentine Bride (Holiday Brides, Book 1) — Fynlee Dale returns to Holiday to take care of her wacky grandmother. Although it means giving up her dreams of a career and husband, she needs to be there for Grams.

  Carson Ford vows to take care of his elderly aunt after buying her ranch. Comfortable with all aspects of his life, his world turns upside down when he meets a woman who's impossible to forget.

  They find themselves in the midst of a plot by two scheming old women determined to make them fall in love.

  Love at the 20-Yard Line — Haven Haggarty is woefully inept when it comes to men and matters of the heart. Successful in her job as an image consultant with an up-and-coming company, she wishes she could enjoy as much triumph in her dating efforts. When she falls hard for a handsome wide receiver, Haven realizes she needs to tackle her fears or miss the opportunity to experience once-in-a-lifetime love.

  Brody Jackson lives and breathes football. As a wide receiver for a popular arena team, he’s determined to make it back to the NFL. Cocky and confident, he doesn’t have the time or energy to be bothered with a serious relationship until he’s blindsided by a sweet, naive girl who breaks through his defenses. He has to decide if he’ll let go of his dreams or fumble his chance to win Haven’s heart.

  Farm Girl — What happens when a farmer who’s been wishing for a boy ends up with a girlie-girl?

  Come along on the humorous and sometimes agonizing adventures from a childhood spent on a farm in the Eastern Oregon desert where one family raised hay, wheat, cattle, and a farm girl.

  Pendleton Petticoats Series

  Set in the western town of Pendleton, Oregon, at the turn of the 20th century, each book in this series bears the name of the heroine, all brave yet very different.

  Dacey (Prelude) — A conniving mother, a reluctant groom and a desperate bride make for a lively adventure full of sweet romance in this prelude to the beginning of the series.

  Aundy (Book 1) — Aundy Thorsen, a stubborn mail-order bride, finds the courage to carry on when she's widowed before ever truly becoming a wife, but opening her heart to love again may be more than she can bear.

  Caterina (Book 2) — Running from a man intent on marrying her, Caterina Campanelli starts a new life in Pendleton, completely unprepared for the passionate feelings stirred in her by the town's incredibly handsome deputy sheriff.

  Ilsa (Book 3) — Desperate to escape her wicked aunt and an unthinkable future, Ilsa Thorsen finds herself on her sister's ranch in Pendleton. Not only are the dust and smells more than she can bear, but Tony Campanelli seems bent on making her his special project.

  Marnie (Book 4) — Beyond all hope for a happy future, Marnie Jones struggles to deal with her roiling emotions when U.S. Marshal Lars Thorsen rides into town, tearing down the walls she’s erected around her heart.

  Lacy (Book 5) — Bound by tradition and responsibilities, Lacy has to choose between the ties that bind her to the past and the unexpected love that will carry her into the future.

  Bertie (Book 6) — Haunted by the trauma of her past, Bertie Hawkins must open her heart to love if she has any hope for the future.

  Millie (Book 7) — Determined to bring prohibition to town, the last thing Millie Matlock expects is to fall for the charming owner of the Second Chance Saloon.

  And don’t miss Nik’s story coming in 2017!

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Hopeless romantic Shanna Hatfield spent ten years as a newspaper journalist before moving into the field of marketing and public relations. Sharing the romantic stories she dreams up in her head is a perfect outlet for her love of writing, reading, and creativity. She and her husband, lovingly referred to as Captain Cavedweller, reside in the Pacific Northwest.

  Shanna loves to hear from readers. Connect with her online:
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  Blog: shannahatfield.com

  Facebook: Shanna Hatfield’s Page

  Shanna Hatfield’s Hopeless Romantics Group

  Pinterest: Shanna Hatfield

  Email: shanna@shannahatfield.com

  If you’d like to know more about the characters in any of her books,

  visit the Book Characters page on her website

  or check out her Book Boards on Pinterest.

  Table of Contents

  Lesson One

  Lesson Two

  Lesson Three

  Lesson Four

  Lesson Five

  Lesson Six

  Lesson Seven

  Lesson Eight

  Lesson Nine

  Lesson Ten

  Lesson Eleven

  Lesson Twelve

  Lesson Thirteen

  Lesson Fourteen

  Lesson Fifteen

  Lesson Sixteen

  Lesson Seventeen

  Lesson Eighteen

  Lesson Nineteen

  Lesson Twenty

  Polenta Alla Romana

  The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan

  Books by Shanna Hatfield