Cowboy on My Mind

by R. C. Ryan

  Sam gave one of his rogue grins. “That’s not what the girls at the Hitching Post say.”

  His brother laughed. Sam’s prowess with both a pool cue and the ladies was well known at the local saloon in the little town of Haller Creek. Men and women alike were drawn to his zany sense of humor and his love of a good joke. “If they could see you now, they’d have a change of heart.”

  “It’s nothing that a shower and shave won’t fix.”

  Ben leaned his arms on the stall’s door. “What kept you in the hills so long?”

  “I offered to handle the herd while Dad and the others caught up on ranch chores”—Sam shot a pointed look at his older brother—“now that one of us has left ranching behind in favor of being a sheriff. You going to lend a hand, or just stand there trying to look important?”

  Ben stood a little taller. “You think the uniform makes me look important?”

  “Only in your own mind, bro.” Sam flung his saddle over the rail of the stall before filling troughs with oats and water. “I’m still trying to wrap my mind around the fact that my big brother is on the right side of the law for a change.”

  The two shared a laugh.

  As Sam started toward the house, he turned. “You coming?”

  Ben shook his head. “I just got a call from Becca. She’s coming home early, so I’m heading back to town to meet her.”

  Sam shot him a sideways glance. “You’d think after a year of wedded bliss, things would change. You still rushing home to your blushing bride?”

  “You bet.” The mere mention of Ben’s pretty young wife, Becca, had his grin spreading from ear to ear. “Since we’re still in that honeymoon stage, I thought I’d…”

  Sam covered his ears. “Stop. Too much information. Remember I’m your brother, not your confessor. Take all that gooey love stuff home, bro.”

  “Yeah. I’m going. But before I leave I think you should know…”

  Sam was shaking his head as he started walking faster. “Not now. I’ve got the longest shower in history waiting for me. I intend to grab all the hot water before Dad and the others beat me to it. You and Becca should stop by the Hitching Post later. I’m hoping I can lure a couple of suckers from the Murphy ranch to challenge me to a game of nine ball tonight.”

  “Okay. But before you go inside, you ought to know. Dad hired a housekeeper.”

  “What?” Sam stopped dead in his tracks. “What’s wrong with Zachariah’s cooking and cleaning?”

  “Nothing. But I guess Mary Pat told Dad about this woman who needed a job. And Dad…”

  Sam held up a hand. Mary Pat Healy, social worker, visiting nurse, and teacher for the county, was a proverbial bleeding heart, eager to help every single person in the entire state of Montana. “And Mary Pat asked Dad to work his magic and hire this poor old woman until she can get on her feet.”

  “Something like that. But…”

  “I guess a couple of old men weren’t enough for Dad. Now we’ve added an old woman to keep an eye on.” Sam climbed the steps to the porch and pushed open the back door without a pause, leaving his older brother to stare after him with a wide smile splitting his lips.

  Once inside the mudroom, Sam paused to pry off his filthy, dung-caked boots before strolling through the empty kitchen to the parlor, unbuttoning his shirt as he walked.

  That’s when he spotted a small figure headed toward him carrying a huge box.

  “What the hell?” His reaction was automatic. No sweet old lady should be handling something as heavy as this. “Here. That looks like it weighs more than you. Give me that.”

  He forcibly took the box from her hands and had to blink twice. He found himself looking into amber eyes so wide, they seemed too big for the pretty face that framed them. To his astonishment, it was a pretty young face, surrounded by a mane of shiny dark hair that fell past her shoulders. The kind of hair a man could happily get lost in.

  The young woman’s features went from relaxed to fearful in the blink of an eye. “I don’t know what gives you the right to come barging in here, but if you aren’t out of here by the count of three, I’ll shout down the rooftop. I happen to know the sheriff is right outside.”

  “I was.” Ben’s voice came from behind Sam. “Good thing I followed Sam inside.”

  They both turned to see Ben standing in the doorway. He didn’t bother to hide his amusement. “I see I’m too late. You two have already met.”

  Sam’s eyes narrowed. “Okay. What’s the joke? I thought you said Dad had hired an old lady.”

  “That’s not what I said. But I guess it’s what you heard.” Ben turned to the woman. “This smelly cowboy fresh from the hills is my brother Sam.” To Sam he added, “Our new housekeeper, Penny Cash.”

  At the mention of her name, Sam’s lips curved into a teasing grin. “Really? Penny Cash? You’re making that up, right, Miss…Money?”

  “What a tired joke. Believe me, I’ve heard them all.” She looked from Ben to Sam before taking the box from Sam’s hands. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ll store these things in the mudroom and finish cleaning out the spare bedroom, which is now my bedroom.”

  She started to brush past Sam, but he stopped her with a hand on her arm. “Okay. What’s a pretty thing like you doing out here in the middle of nowhere, cleaning up after a houseful of men? Are you on the run from the law?”

  “No. But you may be the one running if you don’t step back right now.” She glowered at the offending hand until he removed it. “Mackenzie Monroe knows everything he needs to know about me. If you have any questions, ask him.”

  Ben slapped a hand on his brother’s back. “Better watch out, bro. Looks like she’s already made up her mind about you.”

  She looked Sam up and down, and wrinkled her nose at the offending odor. “As a matter of fact, I have. But I find it hard to believe this trail bum is the brother you and Finn bragged about. The one who charms all the ladies from six to sixty.”

  Sam puffed up enough to say, “Yeah. They got that right.”

  She headed toward the kitchen, shaking her head. “Poor things. They must be desperate. I pity them all.”

  When she was gone, Ben shook his head. “Way to go. I could see she was really impressed.” He paused a beat before adding, “Looks like you’re losing your touch, bro.”

  A grin spread across Sam’s face. “You think I care what one bossy sourpuss thinks?”

  “Hell, yes. I know you too well. You never could resist a challenge. You’re going to brood until you find a way to charm her.”

  “Damn straight.” Sam gave his brother a fist bump.

  His laughter continued all the way up the stairs.

  Once upstairs Sam headed toward the bathroom and stripped off his filthy clothes before picking up his razor. A glance in the mirror had him wincing. He looked even worse than a trail bum.

  No wonder the female downstairs was so quick to think he was a dangerous intruder. Her reception had been a shock. He wasn’t used to having pretty women treat him like something that crawled out from under a rock. In fact, he’d always taken for granted the fact that women of all ages liked him. His humor and his good looks were all part of his charm. Apparently all that charm was lost on their new housekeeper.

  He chuckled as he removed weeks of shaggy beard before stepping under a hot shower.

  By the time he’d toweled himself dry and took another look in the mirror, he was feeling smug. Take that, Miss Prim and Proper Money.

  His confidence restored, he headed toward his room to dress and enjoy the first family meal in weeks.

  “Welcome back to civilization, Samuel.” Zachariah York, his lion’s mane of white hair framing a handsome, weathered face, looked up from his perfect gin and tonic as Sam stepped into the kitchen.

  “It’s good to be home.” Sam reached into the refrigerator, helped himself to a longneck, and took a long, cool drink.

  Mackenzie Monroe clapped a hand on his son’s shoulder. “Thanks for
stepping in with the herd.”

  “You know I don’t mind, Dad. I can’t think of anywhere I’d rather be than up in those hills.”

  Zachariah shared a knowing smile with Roscoe Flute and Otis Green, who were grinning from ear to ear. “Unless it’s in town running the table at the Hitching Post.”

  Sam chuckled. “Well, yeah. That’s a given.”

  Mac indicated the young woman across the room. “Have you met Penny?”

  “We met.” Sam studied her backside as she bent to remove a roasting pan from the oven. She was wearing slim denims and a faded T-shirt, her dark hair pulled back in a ponytail, making her look like a high school girl.

  She barely gave him a glance before setting the pan on top of the stove and lifting the lid.

  If Sam was disappointed that she didn’t bother to give him a second look, he was willing to forgive her for the moment. He was content to inhale the amazing aroma that drifted toward him, making his mouth water.

  Zachariah turned as Finn walked in carrying his ever-present briefcase stuffed with legal documents. “Ah. Finnian. Just in time for supper.”

  Seeing Sam, Finn’s face creased into a wide smile and he crossed to his brother. “Hey. How’re things in the hills?”

  “Quiet. How’s the lawyer biz going?”

  “I picked up another client today.” He tossed aside his burden to accept a longneck from Mac. “You know a rancher named Edgar Hanover?”

  His father thought a moment before nodding. “Does he have a ranch up on Stony Mountain?”

  “That’s him.” Finn turned to Zachariah. “He wants to take on the county for creating a dam that dried up the branch of the Stony Mountain Creek that feeds into his land.”

  Zachariah arched a bushy white brow. “I’ll remind you, the county has deep pockets, Finnian. They’ll spare no expense. You’ll be up against an experienced legal team that is kept on retainer for only one purpose—to shoot down the locals who complain about the way things have always been done.”

  Finn turned to Sam, and the two wore matching dangerous smiles.

  Finn took a sip of beer before saying, “I figured as much. That’s why I told Edgar Hanover I’d be happy to represent him.” In an aside, he said to Zachariah, “And I’m hoping you’ll give me the benefit of your expertise.”

  “Going up against the big guns, are you, lad?” The old man rubbed his hands together. There was nothing he liked better than a chance to step back into the ring and use his years of experience as one of the top trial lawyers in the state. “You have as much of my time and expertise as you want, Finnian, my boy.”

  They looked toward the door when Ben and Becca walked in, holding hands.

  “We were just up in the hills, taking a look at how our house is shaping up. Conway is doing a fine job.”

  Mac gave a nod of approval. “Conway Miller is a good, honest building contractor. You two hired the best. When does he think you’ll be able to move in?”

  “Not for another six or seven months. But that’s okay. Becca and I are comfortable in the little house in town.” Ben looked around. “I’m glad to see we’re not too late for supper.”

  Sam gave a snort of laughter. “Some things never change.” He put an arm around his new sister-in-law’s shoulders. “I thought Mary Pat was giving you cooking lessons.”

  Becca nodded. “She is. But only when she’s in town, which isn’t nearly often enough to suit me.”

  “Or to suit Dad,” Sam said in an aside, causing Mackenzie Monroe to blush.

  Sam couldn’t resist drawing their new housekeeper into the conversation, hoping to get her attention. “Have you met Penny?”

  Becca hurried over to give the young woman a hug. “We met in town, before she came to work here. I hope it’s all right that we’ve barged in on you without warning, Penny.”

  “You know I’m used to cooking for a crowd. The more the merrier,” Penny added.

  It was obvious that Penny and Becca had already become comfortable with one another.

  Becca reached for a platter. “The least I can do is help pass things around.”

  As the others took their places around the table, the two young women began passing platters of tender roast beef with garden potatoes and green beans, along with rolls warm from the oven.

  When they were ready, Mac suggested they join hands in honor of their missing member, Mary Pat, who always insisted on a blessing whenever she managed to join them.

  He smiled as he intoned, “We’re thankful for this food, this family, and those who aren’t able to be here with us this day.”

  With murmured words of approval they dug in.

  “That was a fine meal, Penny.” Mac glanced at the young woman seated across the table.

  For the most part she’d eaten dinner in silence, content to let the others carry the conversation.

  “Thanks, Mr.…” She paused and corrected herself. When Mackenzie Monroe had hired her, he’d asked her to call him Mac. “Thanks, Mac.”

  “Where’d you learn to cook like that, Miss Penny?”

  She smiled at Otis, and it was obvious she felt easy in his company. “I have three brothers. I learned early that the male of the species likes to eat.”

  “I bet your ma was a good cook, too.”

  She stared hard at the table. “My mom died when I was ten.”

  Otis stared helplessly at Mac, who strove to lighten the mood. “Mary Pat said you earned your teaching certificate at the university in Bozeman.”

  She nodded. “I studied online, and finished college in Bozeman.”

  Becca put a hand over Penny’s. “I went to college there, too. I bet we were there at the same time. Wouldn’t it be something if we had mutual friends?”

  Penny gave a shake of her head. “I didn’t have time to socialize. I carried two jobs while I was there. I worked in a little café mornings, and right after class I worked in a coffee shop off campus.”

  “And I thought my schedule was tough. When did you sleep?” Becca asked.

  Penny gave a short laugh. “Good question. Mostly I went without it. But I didn’t mind. Getting my teacher’s certification was worth it.”

  Sam looked over. “If you’re a teacher, why aren’t you teaching?”

  Mac turned to explain. “Penny was brought to Haller Creek by the school board to replace Nancy Carter.”

  Sam nodded in understanding. “Pryor Carter was telling everyone in town not long ago that he and Nancy were finally having a baby after six years of trying.”

  “Unfortunately, Nancy lost the baby.” Mac sipped his coffee. “She and Pryor have been really shaken by the loss. Her doctor said work would be the best way for her to move on with her life, so she asked the board to keep her job available. The board agreed that they were legally bound to honor their commitment to her, since technically she was still under contract.”

  Sam glanced at Penny. “But what about your job?”

  She shook her head. “I never got a chance to sign a contract, so I had no legal rights.”

  “Couldn’t you teach somewhere else?”

  She sighed. “With school already in session, all the positions are filled. The board offered to let me sub whenever one of the teachers needs a day, and I’m happy to do that, but I have a lot of college debt to clear. I need a full-time job, and Mary Pat Healy suggested I come here.”

  Sam arched a brow. “Not surprising. Mary Pat seems to have a logical solution for every problem under the sun.”

  Sam’s words had Mac nodding. “That’s our Mary Pat, all right.”

  “Do I smell pumpkin pie?” Roscoe’s question had Penny pushing away from the table.

  Over her shoulder she called, “I think it’s cool enough to cut now. I made whipped cream, too.”

  “I’ll help.” Sam walked to the refrigerator and removed a bowl mounded with whipped cream. Even before he reached for a spoon, he’d dug his finger in to taste. “I’ll be darned. Not out of a can or carton, but the rea
l thing.” He dipped a big serving spoon into it and ate it in one big gulp.

  Finn chuckled. “That’s the fastest I’ve ever seen you offer to help. Now I know why.”

  “So do I.” Penny fished a second spoon from the drawer and took the bowl from Sam’s hands. “After you’ve licked that one clean, you can put it in the sink. I don’t want you passing your germs around to the rest of us.”

  “Hey.” Sam tried to reach over her shoulder with the spoon, but she was quicker and snatched the bowl away.

  She shot him a withering look. “If you want a piece of pie, you’d better not try that again in my kitchen, cowboy.”

  While Sam stepped back, the rest of the family hooted with laughter.

  “Guess the lady told you who’s in charge, bro.”

  At Finn’s taunt, Sam was forced to drop the spoon in the sink and take his place at the table. But one bite of pumpkin pie smothered in whipped cream had his smile returning.

  Penny Cash was bossy. No doubt about it. But the lady could cook. And he was willing to overlook her obvious character flaw as long as he could indulge his sweet tooth on something as good as this.

  “So,” Finn said around a mouthful of pie. “I guess you must have missed your nights in town while you were stuck up in the hills with nothing but cows for company. Planning on heading into town for your usual entertainment at the Hitching Post tonight?”

  Penny’s head came up sharply and she regarded Sam with a look of disdain, the way she might study a big, hairy spider.

  Seeing the look of disapproval on her face, Sam’s first reaction was a slow burn. What gave this self-righteous woman the right to judge him? Just as quickly, he found himself giving a slow, reluctant shake of his head. “That was the plan. But after three weeks in the hills and a full stomach, I’ve decided I need to sleep in a real bed.”

  Or did the thought of spending a little more time enjoying the view here at home have something to do with his sudden change of heart?

  He saw the rigid line of Penny’s back as she walked to the stove and couldn’t resist adding, “There’s time enough for teaching the yokels the game of nine ball in the weeks to come.”