Читать книгу The Christmas Cowboy - Judy Christenberry - Страница 7

Andrea felt her spirit fall like a boulder through water. She nearly sputtered when she tried to speak. “Wha…I…” She gave up.

“Is something wrong, Andrea?” her gracious hostess asked.

Wrong? Other than the fact that she was about to spend the next month with that grizzly bear of a man, what could be wrong?

Jessica’s face fell. “Oh, no!” she cried. “What did he do?”

Andrea forced her mind to focus. Though she made a mental list of every one of Hank’s offenses, she said nothing because Jim and the man himself walked in.

“So,” Jim Bradford said. “Did you enjoy the trip from the airport?”

Before Andrea could reply, Hank spoke up. “She slept the whole way. Missed all that pretty scenery.”

Jessica nearly gasped. “But surely you could understand, Hank. Miss Jacobs must have been up at the crack of dawn for her flight.” Her eyes flashed at her brother.

Hank shrugged. “She didn’t tell me that.” He didn’t hide his annoyance.

Andrea caught the look he shot her from under partly closed lids, and she wanted to scream. Surely there was another riding instructor at the ranch. There was no way she could spend a month with this irritating, stubborn boor.

Jim stepped forward and defused the situation. He smiled as he sat next to his wife. “So, Andrea, we’re happy to have you. Have you ever been on a horse before?”

“No, I haven’t.”

Hank let out an audible groan.

She ignored him. “But I can be taught, right?”

Jim nodded. “Hank’s a great teacher for an untrained rider.”

“What brings you all the way to Colorado for riding lessons?” Hank asked from the doorway. He’d refused to sit. “No stables in New York?”

“As I told your brother-in-law on the phone I want to ride like a cowboy.”

“We’ll see. After all, I only have a month.”

“I’m a quick study, Mr. Ledbetter.”

He gave her a level look. “Again, we’ll see.” Then his gaze locked with hers. “Are there a lot of cowboys in New York City for you to ride with?”

“No. I…I’m going to visit someone after I leave here.” Surely there was no harm in revealing that much, Andrea thought.

“Who?” Hank barked.

Andrea lowered her gaze. “No one you know, I’m sure.”

“I don’t think an inquisition is necessary, Hank,” Jim interjected. “We’re all glad Andrea chose us.”

“Fine!” Hank snapped. “I’m going out to the barn to do what cowboys do.” He stalked out of the room, calling for the dogs to follow.

Jim stood up. “I’d better go talk with your instructor.” He nodded to his wife as he left.

When both men were out of earshot, Jessica turned to Andrea. “Was that how he behaved with you earlier?”

Andrea was reluctant to tell her. “Well, mostly. But I guess I’m to blame, too. I seem to say the wrong thing around him.”

“Don’t be sorry. My brother can be…uncivilized at times. But you won’t find a better teacher east or west of the Rockies.”

“I’m sure,” Andrea said with a weak smile.

All she was really sure of was how long and painful the next month would be.

HANK DREADED the coming weeks. Thirty days of hell with an irritating city girl.

He’d managed to escape the homey little scene in the living room and was now in the horse barn mucking out stalls, venting his frustration by jamming the pitchfork into fresh hay.

He heard footfalls behind him and knew it was Jim. Coming to chew him out, no doubt.

“I thought for sure once you saw her you’d be dying to teach her,” Jim said as he approached.

Hank didn’t look up. “I’m not.”

“Come on, Hank. She’s quite a looker.”

“Forget our deal. You give her lessons, then.”

“You know Jess won’t agree to that. Especially now that she’s seen her.”

Hank’s eyes shot up. “You’re attracted to her?” he asked, outrage in his voice.

Jim held up his hands. “Compared to Jess? Not on your life. Besides, I won’t let you out of this. You agreed to take her on, and that’s what’s going to happen. Get used to it. We’ve got a business to run here.”

Jim had a point, but Hank wouldn’t concede it. Nor would he admit that ever since Jim had arrived at the Lazy L, his sister’s idea of turning the family homestead into a dude ranch had worked better than he’d expected.

Instead, he said, “I think we ought to refuse her. Just send her on her way.”

“I’ve got a better idea. You give her what she paid for.”

Hank threw down the pitchfork.

“Fine. I’ll teach her. But she’s mine only for the lessons. The rest of the time you and Jessie entertain her.”

“SO, DID HE AGREE to be nice?” Jessica looked up from the casserole she was preparing when she heard her husband come in.

“Not exactly,” Jim replied. He told her about the compromise of them having to entertain their guest.

Jessica shook her head. “I don’t mind entertaining her when I can, but I don’t understand him. We have a beautiful single woman here at the ranch and he has to go find other women? What’s wrong with him?”

“He doesn’t want to feel trapped. I understand him.”

Jessica’s brows rose. “Oh, really? You feel trapped with me?”

Jim reached out and pulled his wife into a bear hug. “You know what I mean.” He gave her a kiss. “Give him time. He may change his mind.”

“I doubt it. He’s too wrapped up in the action in town. Those women are only out to capture him. They know that whichever one he chooses will be well provided for.”

“I’m sure he’ll realize that before it’s too late.”

“I hope so. It would make life miserable if he married a woman who wanted breakfast in bed every day.”

Jim kissed his wife. “It’ll work out. Don’t worry. In the meantime—”

“Am I interrupting?”

They both turned to see Andrea at the door.

“I wasn’t sure whether I was allowed in the kitchen.”

Jessica ushered her in. “If we were in full guest mode, you wouldn’t, simply because it gets too crowded in here with the staff. But since you’re the only guest, we’ll be using the kitchen to eat in. We have dinner at six.”

Andrea smiled. “Good. I had visions of eating in the dining room all by myself. That would be horrible.”

“Is everything all right in your room?”

“Yes, of course. It’s lovely. And I was wondering if I’ll be able to use a washer and dryer while I’m here.”

“You can, but I’d be glad to do your laundry.”

“I can do it. And you don’t have to clean my room more than once a week.”

“You’re certainly making it easy for me,” Jessica said. Then, as if remembering something, she gave a startled “Oh” then moved across the room to a counter where she picked up a box. “I forgot to put this in your room.”

“What is it?” Andrea asked.

“Epsom salts. They’ll help reduce the soreness you’ll feel when you start riding. You fill your tub with hot water and pour in a cup of this before you soak.”

Andrea cringed. “Will I be that sore?”

Jim laughed. “Horseback riding requires the use of some muscles that aren’t used often.”

“Then thanks, I think. I’ll run this up to my room.” She started, then stopped. “I was wondering, is there a store nearby where I can pick up some jeans for riding? I only have designer jeans and somehow I don’t think they’re the right thing to wear.”

“There’s a good place in town,” Jessica said. “I suspect there’re other things you’ll need, too. We can go after dinner, if you want.”

“Only if you let me come,” Jim told his wife, wrapping his arms around her again and pulling her close.

Jessica grinned at him, then turned to Andrea. She smiled and wiggled her brows. “We’re newlyweds, you know what I mean?”

Andrea returned the smile, but truthfully she didn’t have a clue what she meant.

AT SIX O’CLOCK exactly Hank entered the kitchen. He’d managed to find chores to occupy his afternoon and had avoided his new guest. Now, freshly showered and dressed, he was hungry.

He sat down at the table in his usual spot and noticed the fourth place setting. “Who’s joining us?” he asked his sister, though he was afraid to hear the answer.

Before Jess could reply, a small voice said, “I am.”

He turned to find Andrea walking through the kitchen door.

“Is that a problem?” she asked when she took the seat across from him.

He shrugged. “Suit yourself. But guests usually eat in the dining room.”

“Andrea’s not a conventional guest, Hank,” Jessie said as she put a platter of corn on the table, followed by a bowl of salad, biscuits and a steaming casserole. “She doesn’t want a fuss. And I, for one, appreciate it.”

Great, Hank thought. Just what he needed. Another “member of the family.” The New York side, he joked to himself.

When Jim came in and Jess said the blessing, everyone served themselves.

“Where were you all afternoon?” Jess asked Hank as she filled her plate. “I was showing Andrea around the ranch and I thought we’d run into you.”

“I had some things to do to get ready for tomorrow.”

“Oh. Have you chosen a horse for Andrea?”

“Yeah.”

Andrea spoke up. “Are you going to tell me about him?”

“Her,” he corrected tersely. “It’s a young mare I bought last summer with an Appaloosa bloodline.” Not that she’d know what that meant.

Jess asked, “Is that the one you bought from Dan Peters? She’s—”

As she swallowed a forkful of salad, Andrea suddenly began to choke, coughing into her hand.

“Are you all right?” Hank asked, rising to his feet. “I could do the Heimlich on you, if you need.”

“No!” Andrea managed to get out between coughs. “I’m fine.” She cleared her throat and took a drink. “You were saying, Jessica?”

“I think she’s a good choice, that mare. I rode her once or twice last summer. She’s very gentle.”

Hank nodded. “I think she’ll be good for Miss Jacobs.”

“Please, Hank, call me Andrea.”

He looked at her in surprise. “Don’t you think that’s a little too informal for a New York socialite?”

Jim fairly groaned, but Andrea seemed unaffected. She calmly said, “It may surprise you to know that though my family is well-off, I do work. And I can actually cook and clean for myself.”

“Really?” Hank tried for nonchalance, but he was actually intrigued. He thought she was a rich girl taken care of by daddy’s millions. “What do you do?” he asked in spite of himself.

“I’m a graphic designer for a small advertising firm.”

Hank could imagine that. Along with her real femininity and poise, she had an artsy quality about her, and wasn’t that a perfect education for a rich girl? Art school. He could see her now, going to class dressed in her designer clothes and carrying her sketches in a designer bag. No doubt she took a cab to school or had the chauffeur drop her off. No public transit for this girl.

“And you managed to get a month off from work?” he asked skeptically.

He could swear Andrea hesitated just a second before she replied, “I had some vacation time saved up.”

“Nice company.” He took a forkful of chicken casserole and thought aloud as he chewed. “I can’t even remember the last time I had a vacation.”

“Think of this next month as one,” Jim interjected. “You don’t have to deal with the herd.” He shot Hank a grin, and Jess laughed.

True, but he had to deal with Miss Jacobs. He wasn’t sure which was worse.

After Andrea took her first bite of the casserole, she looked at Jessica. “This is delicious.”

Jess smiled. “Thanks. I went to college for home ec.” She laughed.

“Actually, public relations,” Jim said.

“Sounds like the perfect preparation for your job.”

“Oh, I don’t usually cook. Hank’s and my older brother, Pete, married our chef. Mary Jo does a wonderful job of cooking. They’re on their honeymoon.”

“Yeah, she does,” Hank said. He looked at his sister, “You’re not so bad yourself, sis.”

“Thanks, Hank.”

When Hank had finished his dinner, he stood up to leave.

“You don’t want dessert?” Jess asked.

“You made dessert? Well, I might have some now that I think about it.”

She brought a cake plate from the counter and lifted the lid, revealing a chocolate cake.

“Oh, my, and I was thinking about refusing dessert, but like Hank, I’ve changed my mind.” Andrea smiled at Jessica.

“Good. I hope you like it, because you’ll probably get it again tomorrow.”

“I’m a chocoholic. You can’t give me too much chocolate. Are you a chocoholic, Hank?”

“No, Miss Jacobs, I’m not. I have no addictions.”

Andrea shot him a look, but Hank dove into his cake. He wolfed it down, then pushed away from the table. “If y’all will excuse me, I’m going to town.”

Andrea looked up. “So are we.”

Hank was startled. “Why?” he demanded.

“I need to do some shopping.”

“You brought three bags! Isn’t that enough clothes for you?”

“Apparently not,” she said with a smile, refusing to be offended.

“Women!” Hank said as he stomped out of the kitchen. “I wouldn’t be caught dead shopping.”

“I THINK THIS STORE will have exactly what you need,” Jessica said as they entered a large western clothing outlet in Steamboat Springs.

Andrea was surprised by how busy the town was for a weeknight. Every store was crowded. Some people looked to be tourists like her. In their fur jackets and Ugg boots they stood out from the regulars.

“Let’s start with jeans,” Jessica proposed as she led Andrea to the appropriate section.

Andrea followed, along with Jim. She’d helped the couple clean up the dishes and the kitchen after dinner in return for their help with her shopping.

Jessica picked out a few different styles and Andrea went into the dressing room to try them on.

When she emerged in one pair, Jessica and Jim nodded. “Perfect, Andrea,” Jessica said. “How do they feel?”

“Like sausage casing,” she said as she turned to view herself in the mirror. “And I’m the sausage.”

Jess laughed. “Then they fit just right.”

With Jessica’s help, she bought three pairs of jeans and a handful of western-style shirts, a ski jacket, long underwear and a pair of gloves. And boots.

“You need one more thing—a cowboy hat,” Jess said.

Andrea looked at her. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. But a hat’s a tricky fit. It has to be tight enough so it won’t fly off while you’re riding, but not so tight it’ll give you a headache. Jim will be more help there.”

“She’s right,” Jim said with a grin. “I’m the hat man.”

“I really appreciate it, Jim,” Andrea said. “You’re better at shopping than any man I know.”

“Maybe you don’t know many married men.” Jim laughed.

“I guess I don’t.”

When Jim took her to the hat section, she was surprised to see so many choices. She’d always thought one cowboy hat looked like another.

Jim gave her several to try, none of which apparently was right, then he led her around the aisle to another rack.

She heard a woman’s flirty laugh, followed by the rumble of a deep, sexy male voice. A voice she recognized.

Could it be?

She lifted her head so she could see from under the brim of the gray suede hat she’d tried on, and her eyes met a pair of brown ones shot through with topaz.

“Hank. What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn’t be caught dead shopping.”

He let go of the woman he’d been embracing and put a hat on her long blond tresses. “I’m helping a friend pick out a hat.”

“I see,” Andrea said. “Maybe you can give your opinion about this hat.” She indicated the one she wore.

“A good choice,” Hank grudgingly said. “Of course, it’s also the most expensive.”

The blonde he was with tried on a few more hats. Then she stepped close to him, slid her hands up Hank’s chest and around his neck. “Ooh! I love this hat, Hank. Can I have it?”

He pulled her arms down. “Come on, Lucy, it’s not appropriate for you.”

“You just don’t want to pay for it because it’s so expensive.”

“No, that’s not the reason.”

“Pretty please, Hank? The color looks good on me.”

Andrea had to stifle a laugh as she noticed the lavender hat with an ostrich feather in red and purple encircling the crown.

“Fine, I’ll get it for you.”

She couldn’t help herself. “Nice choice!” she called out.

The blonde smiled. “Thanks.” Then she whispered something to Hank. Despite Hank’s sharp no, she spoke up, anyway. “We’re heading out for a drink and some dancing. Want to join us?”

Andrea shook her head. “Thanks, anyway. I’ve got an early day tomorrow.” She wanted to remind Hank that he did, too, but she held her tongue.

It didn’t matter to her what Hank Ledbetter did with his nights.

She watched him walk away with the blonde draped around him. If she didn’t know better, she’d think that pang in her stomach was jealousy.