Читать книгу Runaway Cowboy - Judy Christenberry - Страница 7

Chapter Two

When the lunch bell rang, Jessica was forced from her room by hunger.

The guests, thirty-six at full capacity, ate at six tables in the large dining room, which was perfect for family-style dining. The cowboys, however, ate in the bunkhouse, along with her grandfather, while she and her two brothers usually had their lunch in the kitchen with the help. There was no need for conversation and none was spoken during those hectic moments. Jessica sat down at the kitchen table, knowing she’d get her food and she wouldn’t have to talk to anyone.

At least that was true before her grandfather’s protégé made a change. He came into the kitchen and “suggested” that the four of them eat with the guests, one at each table, to be there to entertain and answer questions.

“While we eat?” Hank asked in outrage.

Pete chimed in. “We’re working cowboys. We don’t do the social thing.”

“Then you need to resign your job, Pete. Because the owners of a dude ranch are selling a way of life, not just a pony ride. These people are here because they want a taste of the West. That’s what you have to give them.”

As much as she hated to agree with him, Jessica had known all along they had to have more contact with their guests. She’d tried, in between the bookkeeping and clerical duties. “He’s right.” She left her seat at the table in the kitchen and walked out into the dining area.

The nearest table had five people at it. She asked if the sixth chair was taken. They told her no, and she sat down. “I’m Jessica, by the way. Some people, like my brothers, call me Jessie, but I prefer Jessica. Are you enjoying your visit?”

They asked polite questions about her life on the ranch, and what her duties were. One woman, the mother of a nine-year-old boy, said, “There’s something I wanted to ask. Robbie wanted to sign up for roping lessons, but he can’t ride that well yet. Is that okay? And can I come and watch…to be sure he doesn’t get hurt?”

“Yes, of course. I’m sorry we didn’t explain it better in the brochure. Roping lessons for the kids don’t involve riding at the same time. We have a fake calf on wheels and the kids practice on him after they learn the basics. Trust me, no one gets hurt!”

The kitchen door opened and two of the lunch servers came out with trays of food. Reluctantly following were her two brothers and grandfather. Cliff was the only one wearing a big smile. Jim came after them.

Apparently he’d given specific instructions to spread out among the tables and to smile at all times.

Jessica ignored him. Her brothers might need a lesson on how to be charming, but she didn’t.

“I want to know where we meet the cowboys,” a young woman named Penny Abraham asked. “The real cowboys.”

“Well, there are four in the room right now. One is a little too old for you,” Jessie said with a wink, “but the other three could qualify.” Pete was twenty-nine, Hank twenty-seven, and she guessed Jim was thirty. “As you go on rides, you’ll come into contact with the cowboys. But be sure to pay attention to what you’re doing. We don’t want any accidents.”

She watched as the woman noted the four new additions to the tables. After centering her attention on Jim Bradford, she said, “I want to meet him!”

“I’ll be glad to introduce you as soon as lunch is over.”

The woman stared at Jim throughout the meal.

Jessica decided she’d discovered a way to occupy Jim’s energies. Dealing with romantically inclined female guests should take up most of his time.

“I like the one scowling at the next table,” her friend Joyce Pedilla said softly.

Jessica looked over her shoulder to identify which brother the lady was talking about. “Oh, that’s my brother Pete. He’s in charge of the cattle operation on the ranch.”

“So he ropes and brands and everything?”

“Absolutely. And the other cowboy is my brother Hank. He’s a horseman. Any riding questions should be directed to him. He’ll be able to help you.”

“Oh, this is so exciting!”

Jessica could almost agree—but for a different reason. Because she could feel Jim watching her all through lunch. His gaze made her skin heat, her pulse pick up. After only a couple of hours, it amazed her that she was so in tune to him.

After dessert, she was about to escort her table out, when Jim touched her on her shoulder. Surprisingly she hadn’t been aware of him for the past few minutes.

“Jessica, could I have a minute of your time before you leave?” he asked softly.

“Of course, but first let me introduce you to Penny Abraham and Joyce Pedilla. They both wanted to meet you and Pete.”

He nodded to them. “Nice to meet you, ladies. I’ll be checking on activities this afternoon. I hope to see you having fun.”

“Oh, you definitely will,” Penny said, leaning toward him.

“Good. Jessica?” he said, nodding toward the kitchen.

She said her goodbyes to her table. “Let me know if you need anything.”

Then she got up and marched to the kitchen. Once there, she spun around and snapped, “What do you want?”

“I’m glad you didn’t talk to the guests that way,” Jim said, his tone mild.

“Is that what you wanted? To quiz me on how I handled my role? I know how to entertain guests, thank you!”

“Would you give me a chance before you bite my head off? No wonder you and your brothers are at one another’s throats.”

“I didn’t mean—I knew you were right about what you said, but…I knew if I spent more time with the guests, it would be like pushing a boulder up a steep hill. So I gave up.” Her shoulders slumped in shame.

“Jess, you don’t have to do it alone anymore,” he whispered.

“You don’t understand! This ranch is our baby! And we’re doing a good job! We’ve made mistakes, of course, but—”

“I’m not trying to take it away from you. Cliff just thought you needed some help.”

“Which makes me a failure!”

“Woman, would you give me a chance to talk? Look, all I wanted was for you to sit down with Leslie and explain your bookkeeping system. That’s all! So can we throw out the dramatics until later?”

She knew her expression was sullen, but it was difficult to smile and be happy when he’d just insulted her. And he had, by calling her concerns “dramatics.” They were very real!

With her nose in the air, she looked away from Jim and realized Leslie was sitting quietly by, listening to their conversation. Thank goodness she hadn’t said anything about the woman. Not that she had anything to say except that her grandfather had an interest in Leslie. How could he even think of remarrying now, at sixty-four?

“Hello, Leslie. I didn’t see you there. Jim says you want the job of bookkeeper and clerk with us?”

“Yes, Jessica, I would, if I can do the job. It would be…very helpful.”

“Oh, of course. I understood you were quite—I mean, I didn’t think you needed a job.”

“I’m afraid I do.”

Jessica looked at the woman, whose white hair had been cut in a very modern style. She was always nicely dressed.

“Well, come with me, and I’ll explain what I’ve been doing.”

Leslie got up and followed Jessica as she went back through the dining room, reminding herself to add another table so they’d all have a seat when the ranch was full to capacity.

It amazed Jessica how quickly Leslie caught on. She didn’t even seem fazed by the amount of filing that had piled up. She also understood the importance of writing personal letters to those who inquired about the dude ranch.

In half an hour, Jessica had shown her everything and left her to it. She admitted that it was freeing, knowing that the books would be kept up-to-date. She had been overly busy with all the complaints from her brothers and all the extra jobs she was supposed to do.

“Now what do I do?” she muttered. Slowly, she went out the back door, thinking she would see what was going on in the corral. But Hank was organizing twelve people on horseback to take a ride through the forest. He wasn’t going on the ride. One of his men was taking the riders alone.

She didn’t think that would be a good idea. “Steve, do you mind if I ride with your group? It’s such a beautiful day.” With a smile, she waited for him to agree.

Didn’t he realize he had to let her go? He hesitated for several moments. “Uh, I guess so, Jessie.”

“I’ll saddle up right away.”

She saddled her favorite ride and swung up, snatching one of the extra hats they had hung in the stable.

“I’m ready, Steve,” she said as she rode into the corral. “Are all your riders set to go?”

“Yeah. Okay, follow me!”

Jessica already spotted several guests who would need help to complete the ride. They were the last ones out of the corral and they seemed a little nervous on their mounts.

She was enjoying herself until she spotted Jim watching her as she rode along with the two women on the end. Though she stiffened, she thought she hid her irritation as she continued to talk the two riders through their paces.

The ride was supposed to be two hours long. It was offered on the second day of the guests’ week, supposedly after they had participated in an hour-long ride the day before. When she questioned the two ladies about yesterday’s ride, she discovered they hadn’t participated. This was their first time on a horse.

Another problem she’d need to fix. She’d talk to Steve about not pushing the guests too hard. By the time they got back to the corral, her two riders were dragging, complaining nonstop of aches and bruises.

When they entered the corral, Jessica warned both women to delay their dismount until she got to each one of them. The first woman, Alice, managed to get off, but her legs couldn’t hold her for several minutes. Finally she toddled to the gate to wait there for her friend Miranda, holding on to the railing. Miranda simply threw herself into Jessica’s arms. Jessica staggered and almost fell until strong arms came around her.

“Easy, Jess,” Jim whispered from behind her. “Lean on me.”

“Miranda, put your feet on the ground,” Jessica ordered. She had no choice but to lean on Jim, and she didn’t like it.

When Miranda finally put her feet on the ground, Jessica got her to take baby steps toward her friend’s side. Then Jessica turned and politely thanked Jim for his support.

“My pleasure,” he assured her. “What happened?”

“Hank had one of his men take the group ride this afternoon. He didn’t check to see if they’d taken the hour-long ride yesterday. These ladies were real beginners. They’re in a lot of pain. Excuse me.”

She walked to the women and asked whether they were staying in the main house or a cabin.

“Main house, second floor, room four,” Miranda said, whimpering. “I just don’t think I can get up those stairs.”

“I know what you mean. But I have a secret potion that, when dumped in a hot bath, can make most of the pain go away. Soak in this stuff and you’ll be amazed at the results.”

“Will you give it to us?”

“Of course. It has one drawback, however. It smells.”

“It does?”

A deep voice from behind her said with a chuckle, “It does.”

“Oh, are you going to help us, too?” Alice asked. “I’m afraid Jessica can’t handle both of us at once.”

“I don’t think she can, either. My name is Jim. What’s yours?”

The lady giggled and said, “Alice.”

“Well, Alice, why don’t I help you to your room and then we’ll ask Jessica to go find this wonderful secret potion.”

Jessica helped Miranda to follow in Jim and Alice’s wake, but she wasn’t happy. She could’ve gotten both guests up the stairs and into their room without his assistance.

Her conscience told her she had needed him when Miranda collapsed in her arms. Without his strong arms shoring her up, she might’ve fallen on her rear.

But she’d never admit it. Least of all to James Bradford.

JIM CALLED A MEETING for Jessica, Pete, Hank and Cliff that night at ten o’clock. That was after he had insisted the men walk the guests back to their cabins in the dark with bright flashlights.

When Jessica assumed she would also participate, he told her to put on a pot of coffee and they’d have their meeting in the kitchen.

She resented being left out of normal duties, even though she was exhausted. As much as she did today, she didn’t know how she’d stayed up-to-date with her bookkeeping.

With the pot of coffee ready and mugs set at each place, Jessica lay her head down on the table and fell asleep.

When Jim came in and saw Sleeping Beauty, he hated waking her up, but he couldn’t play favorites. Before he could get to her, Hank came in.

“Sure, she gets to sleep!” he complained loudly, stirring Jessica awake.

“I intended to wake her, Hank, but you did that job for me.” Jim picked up the pot and began pouring everyone some coffee.

“I’ll make this brief, but I want to be sure you understand that you’re expected to eat with the guests and keep a smile on your face. And, talk, too, Hank.”

“I’m not good at talking.”

“They’ll take over for you, if you just act nicely to them,” Jim said. “Right, Pete?”

“I guess, but I have more important things to do.”

“Tomorrow is the lariat roping lessons. Who do you have to teach that class, Pete?”

“I need all my ropers!”

“Then you teach the class,” Jim said calmly.

“No! I’m not—I’ll send Mitch.”

Jim made a note on his papers. “Hank, the man you put in charge of the afternoon ride didn’t make any inquiries about whether the guests had taken the hour-long ride on Monday. There were two ladies who hadn’t ridden before. If Jess hadn’t gone along, they never would’ve made it.”

Hank shrugged. “I told him. He just forgot.”

“You were there helping everyone mount and checking out things for yourself. You could’ve pulled those two ladies out of the group and made sure they had a short first-day ride. We want people happy. Not in the hospital.”

Hank muttered under his breath, but he didn’t argue with Jim.

Jessica decided her grandfather must have put the fear of God in those two. Or maybe they just responded better to a man. She hated to admit that about her own brothers.

“Now, tell me the problems you had today,” Jim said, sitting down and picking up his coffee mug.

There was dead silence.

“No problems? No complaints?” Jim prodded.

“I suggest we each get one night a week to eat in the kitchen. Having to keep a smile on our faces from sunrise to sunset is difficult,” Jessica said.

“Good point. Do you each want to pick your day?”

Hank immediately said, “I pick tomorrow!”

“You did notice that it’s for only the evening meal, didn’t you, Hank?”

“Not all day?” Hank complained.

“No, not all day. Although it would be beneficial to show up at other times, too. So Hank chooses Wednesday night. Pete?”

“Friday night.”

“Okay, you realize your sister didn’t mean you could duck out of the evening activity, right, Pete?”

“How am I supposed to have a social life if I’m always working here?”

“Maybe, as we get further along, we’ll find ways to give each of you time off for a personal life, but not now.”

“I guess I’ll take Tuesday evening,” Jessica said. Then she thought of another idea she’d had that her brothers had resisted. “What about name tags?”

Jim frowned. “Why name tags?”

So he was opposed to them, too? “So we could learn people’s names quicker, and also so we’d know if the guest had been here one week already or was brand new, or had special needs. We have a family of four coming in a couple of weeks and the mother is diabetic.”

Jim nodded. “Good idea. Can you handle getting them ready?”

“Of course.” She’d have them ready for next Monday’s influx of new guests. At least, she hoped so. Or was Jim setting her up to fail?

Wearily, she realized she was too tired to think anymore tonight.

“Cliff, do you have anything to say?” Jim asked.

“Nope, you did a good job, Jim.”

“Thanks, Cliff. Okay, let’s wrap it up for tonight. Breakfast is served from seven to nine. Find a time to say hello to the guests and spread a little cheer. Good night.”

Knowing her brothers and grandfather disliked housekeeping, Jessica immediately began gathering up the coffee mugs. She managed three and then turned to get the other two, almost bumping into Jim. He held the other two mugs in his hands.

“I’ll take them,” she said brusquely.

“Just because you’re the only female of the group doesn’t mean you have to do the cleaning up, Jess.” He stepped around her and put the two cups in the dishwasher. “Remind me to address that subject in our meeting tomorrow night.”

“No, I won’t.”

“Why not?”

“Because they’ll think I was complaining about them not cleaning up after themselves. I’ve tried that before and I didn’t get anywhere. They just laughed and said it was my job.”

He leaned against the counter. “What if I bring it up because I was struck by the unfairness of it?”

“Fine, but don’t use anything I’ve said as a complaint, because I’m not saying anything!”

“I won’t need to. I’ll simply tell them to take turns or they’ll do without coffee.”

“Fine. But it wasn’t my idea.”

“Definitely not.”

She turned to head to her bedroom.

“Oh, Jess, can you wait just a minute?”

“Yes?” she said, knowing her exhaustion was apparent in her voice.

“I wanted to tell you that you did a really good job today.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You did a great job at lunch, without my forcing you to do so. You just got up and went out there and did your best to charm the socks off everyone at your table. You were answering questions and dispensing advice all over the place. I heard several guests at your table quoting you as they talked to others. It was a nice job.”

“Thank you.”

“I particularly wanted you to know that going with the two-hour rider group was great. Did you do it because you realized Steve had too many to take on his own?”

“I thought it could be difficult. I mean, Steve tried, but when you have good riders and a couple of poor ones, it’s hard to manage.”

“True, but you spotted the problem.”

“I—I think I forgot to thank you for keeping me from falling.”

“Again, my pleasure.”

She felt her cheeks flushing, her throat drying. It was time to get out of there before she did something stupid. “Well, good night,” she said, backing up until her behind hit the door. She spun on her boots and scooted out the door to safety.

Jim was even more of a threat when he was being nice.