Читать книгу Mistletoe & Marriage: Snowbound Cowboy - Patricia Thayer, Donna Alward - Страница 7

AMELIA PACED THE KITCHEN, occasionally glancing out the window at the blowing snow. She couldn’t see a thing. And according to the forecast, the weather wasn’t going to improve for at least three or four days. How bad was it going to get? She looked toward the barn, barely able to see the red structure. Suddenly, she was happy Boone Gifford had showed up.

The phone rang and she picked it up on the second ring. “Hello.”

“Amelia. It’s Kelley.”

“Kelley, hi. Is Gram okay?”

“Yes. I got her settled in her room and she’s resting right now.”

“That’s good.” Amelia knew how hard it had been to convince seventy-five-year-old Ruby Hughes to have this procedure done.

“Well, the doctor had to sedate her so she’d be relaxed.” There was a pause. “How are you and Jesse doing? I’m worried about this storm, Amelia. It’s going to get bad.”

Amelia glanced outside again. The wind was blowing heavy snow. “We’ll be fine, Kel.”

“But what if you can’t get out?”

“I have help.”

“Oh, good. So Joe sent over the hand from Sky High Ranch.”

She wasn’t going to tell her sister that he had already rescued her and Jesse. “Yes, he’s moving his things into the barn and checking on the horses.”

“I’m glad you’re not there alone.”

So was she, but she’d never tell Kelley. “I know you don’t think so, but I can handle things. I’ve lived out here as long as you have.”

“I know, but I can’t help being worried.”

“Don’t, because then Gram will worry, too. She’s got to be your only concern right now. Mine is the ranch and Jesse.” She went to the high counter that divided the kitchen from the dining room and glanced further into the great room to find her son sitting in front of the television watching a video.

Kelley still wasn’t convinced and rattled off a list of instructions. Amelia heard the back door shut and turned as Boone walked into the kitchen. His dark eyes met hers, and her throat suddenly went dry.

“Amelia…Amelia. Are you there?”

She shook away her wandering thoughts and turned back. “Yes, I’m here. Look, Kel, Jesse needs me so I better go. Call after the surgery tomorrow. Bye.”

Amelia hung up the phone before her sister gave her more things to do.

“I came for that coffee.” He removed his hat and coat revealing a dark-green flannel shirt.

“Sure.” Amelia swung away from the distraction and went to the freshly brewed pot and grabbed two mugs. After filling it, she placed them on the table. “Cream or sugar?”

He shook his head. “No, black’s fine, ma’am.” The large brown dog lumbered into the room.

“Oh, Izzy. I forgot all about you.” She glanced at Boone. “Thanks for bringing her to the house. She’s pretty close to her delivery time.”

Amelia went over and petted the dog. The animal basked in the attention, then wandered over to the warm kitchen hearth and lay down on the rug.

“Have a seat,” she offered, and sat down across from him. “That was my sister, Kelley, on the phone. She wanted to make sure you got here.” Amelia took a sip of coffee. “She was checking up on me, too. To see if I was staying out of trouble.”

“She’s probably worried.”

Amelia nodded. Kelley had watched over her since they were little; since their dad died and their mother left them here for Grandma Ruby to raise. “She’d have a fit if she knew I’d gone out in the storm.” She met his dark gaze. “I can’t thank you enough for showing up when you did.”

Boone knew he should tell her his real reason for being on the road today. But then he saw Amelia’s nervousness. “You already have. Besides, you and Jesse are safe now.” He set down his mug. “I checked the supply of wood on the porch. There seems to be plenty for a few days. I’ll go out before dark and move more from the side of the house.”

“That’s a good idea since the radio says it’s only getting worse. The roads are impassible. Not uncommon for this part of the country.”

“Did they say how long the weather system will last?”

“Through Thursday, at least.”

Great. He couldn’t leave for three days. He took a long drink of coffee. This was a bad idea all around. “I should get settled in.” He stood and carried his cup to the sink when Jesse rushed into the kitchen.

The boy smiled. “Oh, Boone, you’re back.”

“Not for long.”

The child frowned. “You can’t leave now. Mom’s going to fix lunch.” The boy turned to his mother. “Mom, will you make egg salad?”

“I can.”

“It’s the best,” the boy bragged. “Everybody says so. I even like it, but not as much as peanut butter and jelly. That’s because Mom makes the bread and her special jelly. It’s peach. That’s my favorite. What’s your favorite, Boone?” The kid finally took a breath.

“I’d say peach is probably at the top of my list, too.”

The boy grinned. “I bet Mom would fix you peanut butter and jelly if you want.”

“Jesse,” his mother called, “slow down. We can have both for lunch.” Amelia glanced up at the clock over the sink. “Why don’t you go and wash your hands?”

Jesse started to argue, but at a look from his mother turned and hurried down the hall.

“I apologize for my son. Outside of seasonal ranch hands, he’s doesn’t have many men around.”

Boone had learned as much from the friendly waitress in town at the diner. The Hughes women were well respected and admired around here. “From what I can see, you’ve done a fine job with him and this place.”

She glanced away. “Thank you. My family helps a lot.”

He nodded in agreement. “Family is a good thing.”

“Do you have family? A wife…children?”

“No,” he said, trying not to react. He’d lost any part of that dream two years ago.

She sighed and refilled their coffee mugs. “Since you’ll be around for a few days, there’s something you should know.” She paused. “When Jesse started kindergarten this year, he realized his classmates have dads. Everyone except him. So he came up with this crazy idea that all he had to do was ask for one. So on the top of his Christmas list he has the word Dad.”

Boone nodded. Great. And here he’d arrived with news that would make it impossible for the boy to get that wish. “And his father?”

She shook her head. “His father has never been involved in Jesse’s life, nor at this stage do I want him to be.”

Boone couldn’t blame her for that. “I guess every boy wants a dad.”

“But he can’t go around picking one out, either. I’ll have a talk with him.”

This was getting complicated. “Maybe I should leave now.” He stood. “I mean, go to the barn.”

“No, you’re not going to stay out in a cold barn all day. I’ll handle Jesse. I just wanted you to know the situation.”

Amelia got up, walked to the refrigerator and took out the ingredients for the salad. When she bent over he caught the appealing shape of her bottom and long legs. His attention was drawn upward as she went to the counter, took a loaf of bread out from under a towel and began slicing it.

“Is there anything I can do?” he asked, knowing he couldn’t just sit there and ogle this woman.

“You can get the plates down from the cupboard.” She nodded overhead.

Boone walked up behind her. Reaching over her head, he caught a whiff of her shampoo. Something lemony. Something that normally wouldn’t be sexy to him. It was now. He gripped the plates and carried them to the table before he got himself into trouble.

Jesse came in. “I’ll help you, Boone.”

The boy pulled flatware from the drawer and placed it beside the plates.

“Good job,” Boone said.

“Gram Ruby says I’m her best helper,” Jesse said proudly. “I help Kelley with the horses, too.” Those big brown eyes widened. “I can help you, too.”

“Jesse Thomas,” his mother called. “Don’t even think about leaving the house in this storm.”

“Ah, Mom. If I get lost, Izzy can find me.”

At the mention of her name the dog looked up. “Izzy isn’t in any shape to go traipsing around in this weather,” Amelia said.

“What if Boone gets lost? Who will find him?”

Amelia swung around to look at Boone. She was asking for help.

“I strung a rope from the barn to here. And believe me, once I get back there I’m staying put.”

The wind howled outside, and suddenly the lights flickered, then finally died.

“Oh, no,” Amelia said. Although it was afternoon, the room was dim, only illuminated by the fire from the hearth.

“Do you have a generator?” Boone asked.

“Yes, it’s in the mud room.” She led him out to the enclosed porch and to a closet.

Boone examined the old machinery. “Have you used it recently?”

“Not since last spring. And only for a few hours. Gram had it checked out just last month.”

Jesse poked his head in. “And the man said she needed to get a new one,” he volunteered. “Gram was looking in the catalog. She showed me a picture of the one she wants.” He looked up at both adults. “You want to see it?”

“Not now, honey.” She turned to Boone. “Do you think you can start it?”

He threw a switch, then pulled the cord to get the motor running. He stood back. “I’m just not sure how reliable it is. It’s best to keep both fireplaces going. You can sleep in front of the living room one tonight.”

“Oh, boy. Can you sleep there, too, Boone? Can he, Mom, huh?”

Boone watched the pretty brunette blush. “I don’t think Mr. Gifford would be happy to share space with a rambunctious five-year-old.”

The boy wrinkled his nose. “That means I jump around too much. But I’ll promise to be quiet.”

“I appreciate the offer, son, but maybe you and your mother should have the sofa space. I’ll make sure you have plenty of firewood to keep you both warm.” He started to walk off.

“Wait, Boone,” Amelia called as he started out. “I have to agree with my son. You can’t sleep in the barn, not without electricity. You’ll move in here.”