Читать книгу Her Texan to Tame - Sara Orwig - Страница 8

Two

“I really appreciate this chance you’re giving me.” Jessica smiled, even though she had mixed feelings. She had argued with her friend about applying for this job. She would have preferred working for a couple. An older couple or a couple with children. Not a good-looking single guy.

But when she had turned in to the ranch, it had looked like the perfect place, exactly the peaceful surroundings she wanted in order to recuperate.

Her divorce had been a bad one, emotional for both of them. Carlton had not wanted the divorce. He wanted her back—probably to soothe his wounded ego, because it certainly wasn’t out of love for her. Her parents wanted her to go back to him. As for her, she wanted to get away from all of them, somewhere quiet where they couldn’t bother her and she could recover and let her nerves settle.

She hadn’t told Ryan Delaney about losing her baby in her second month, but that miscarriage had added to her stress and heartbreak. First finding Carlton had cheated on her from the beginning of their marriage and then losing her baby. Yes, she thought, this isolated Texas ranch, where life was quiet and laid-back, seemed the ideal spot to recuperate.

Ryan Delaney was an appealing man—that alone shook her because no male had held even a tiny degree of appeal since she had moved out and filed for divorce. How had Ryan gotten through her numbness and hurt?

Ryan’s appeal was a minus in her opinion. But he was nice, so that balanced out. He had remained professional, although if she wasn’t mistaken, she felt a spark between them, which was another reason to seek a job elsewhere. On the other hand, she had a job and a place to stay in a part of the world where no one should be able to find her.

Besides, Ryan had said they would see little of each other, and she was counting on that. First she had to get the job with her one chance tonight.

She sighed with anticipation and relief that was short-lived. When following him out of the office and into the hall, she noticed his broad shoulders and thick black hair neatly cut above the collar of his blue denim shirt. He fell into step beside her, making her aware of his height and even more conscious she might regret this job. When close to him, this breathless, tingly feeling was not welcome. She needed an obscure, remote place to settle and heal, but this ranch might not be the place at all. Fear nagged that she was making a big mistake.

“You have a beautiful home.”

“Thanks. I love the ranch. This is my getaway. I can relax here. Have you ever been to Texas?”

“Not until now.”

“Here’s the kitchen,” he said, leading her into a large room filled with what looked like the newest appliances. The kitchen was an instant draw as she looked at the practical arrangement, the excellent equipment and an adjoining comfortable living area. A tall woman with a thick brown braid turned from the sink and smiled at her. Dressed in a T-shirt and jeans with a yellow apron tied around her middle, she smiled. “Jessica, this is Gwen Grayson, who works for me. She’s in charge of cleaning. There are two more on my cleaning staff, but Gwen is here the most. Gwen, meet Jessica, who is applying for the cooking job.”

Gwen’s eyes widened as she looked at Jessica. “Welcome to the ranch,” she said, staring.

“Thank you,” Jessica replied. “I’m glad to meet you. This is a wonderful kitchen.”

“Oh, yes,” Gwen said. “Everything you can possibly need.”

“I’m showing Jessica around and then she’s volunteered to fix lunch and dinner, so you can go on with whatever else you want to do,” Ryan said to Gwen.

“I’ll be happy to do lunch,” she said.

“I appreciate that, but I want to do this,” Jessica said, smiling at Gwen, who smiled in return and shrugged.

“Ask me if you want some help.”

Jessica nodded. “Thank you. I will.”

“I’ll show Jessica where she’ll stay and she’ll be back,” Ryan said, taking her arm lightly and turning her. His touch ignited a sizzle. He released her. As she turned with him, she glanced at the bar with high stools dividing it from a connected room that held a fireplace, a pool table, and a big-screen television.

To one side of the kitchen a door stood open on a walk-in pantry that was neatly filled with supplies. At the end of the pantry was another freezer.

“This kitchen is wonderful but big enough you could cook for a U.S. Army base,” she said.

“You’ll only have to cook for me and any company I have. Also my house staff, which is Gwen, Paolina and Chiara, who clean, and Enrique and Dusty, who are maintenance. I doubt if you will see any of them except Gwen. Paolina and Chiara are off this month. Enrique and Dusty are maintenance for all the buildings. When they’re working here, they eat here. Gwen’s been filling in until I hire a cook, but she has a full-time job cleaning. I told you, I’m not here much of the time and when I am, I’m usually alone. Mainly, you’ll just cook for me.”

The idea made Jessica’s insides flutter and she wondered how much just the two of them would be together.

“If you need help finding things, let me know. Especially this first day,” he added.

“I’ll find everything I need, I’m sure,” she said, glancing up to catch him studying her with a look that made her warm and tingly.

“One more thing—my cook does the grocery shopping. I have an account and you just charge it to the account. It’s in Bywater, a nearby small town. Are you certain you would want to get out to do that task?”

“Sure.”

“It’s Bywater, Texas, and it’s a very small town. And no, it’s not by any water. I don’t know why they named it that.”

“I don’t mind at all.”

“That settles the grocery buying.” He glanced around. “I usually let my cook stay in one of the houses on the ranch, but since you’re single, I think you’ll have more peace and quiet staying here,” he said. “This way to your suite,” he said, going a short distance down the back hall to enter a suite. “Look around. See if this will do. You can stay here. You’ll be close to the kitchen, as well as downstairs by yourself.”

She stood in the living area and could see the adjoining bedroom with French Provincial fruitwood furniture, polished hardwood floors, another large-screen television, a desk with a computer.

“This is lovely. It’ll be fine,” she said, turning to look into dark brown eyes that captured and held her attention again, stealing away all thoughts or conversation. The moment stretched between them.

He turned abruptly and the moment was gone, leaving her breathless and with a racing heart. Declining the job to go elsewhere was the sensible thing to do. But right now she was too busy trying to get her breath and regain her composure.

“Give me the key to your car and I’ll bring in your things,” Ryan said in a deeper, huskier voice. Was he having a reaction as much as she was? Warning signals were flying like sparks from an exploding firecracker, yet she didn’t want to turn down the chance for the job.

She motioned toward the door. “I’ll go, too. I can carry something.”

“While you’re here, you can keep your car in the garage.”

“Thank you.”

When they reached her car, he removed two bags and shouldered a carry-on.

Gathering her laptop, a shoulder bag and another small bag, she followed him back to the house, where he set things down in her new suite.

“Have some more things in the trunk?”

“No.”

“You’re traveling light for someone moving away from home.”

She shrugged. “Starting over. I don’t need a lot and my folks will take care of my things. I have a small condo I leased for a year. I’ve already paid the rent for the year.”

One corner of his mouth lifted slightly, making slight creases bracket his mouth. Once again she thought he was an incredibly handsome man, which would not make this job easy.

“Why are you smiling?”

“I suspect what you paid for that year’s lease will be more than your salary here. You went to college. You have an accounting degree and you’re qualified for a job that would give you a career and a good salary. Are you sure this is the choice you want to make?”

“At this time in my life, it is. My heart wouldn’t be in any accounting job. I’m changing and trying to decide what I want to do the rest of my life. I want to work at something I like to do. My marriage is definitely over. I made a mistake in judgment about my ex that has shaken me.”

“Well, you’re following your heart, something not many of us get to do,” he said, sounding slightly wistful, and she recalled what he’d said about wanting to spend more time at the ranch. “Give me your key and I’ll put your car away for you,” he said, holding out his hand.

She placed a key ring into his hand. “I’ll wait on the porch and see where you go.” As they walked through the house, she glanced at her surroundings. “Did you grow up on this ranch?”

“No. I had this house built five years ago to suit myself. Now, there’s another Delaney ranch with a house that goes back generations. We lived there part of the time, but because of school and Dad’s business, we lived in Dallas most of the time.

“There were quite a few of us. My brother Adam is deceased, but I have two others who live around here. Will is the next oldest brother. He’s married and lives in Dallas. We have a half sister, Sophia, who is married and lives in Dallas and her husband is like another brother. Middle brother Zach has married, shocking the family because he was a world traveler. I’m the youngest. We’re all in Texas.”

“I come from a big family, too, as I told you. I have an older sister and three older brothers—a banker, an accountant and an attorney, all professions my father approves.”

“There must be something you want to do your dad doesn’t approve,” Ryan guessed.

“I’d like to have my own restaurant. He would see that as a highly frivolous risk. Actually, my parents want me to be what I was—married to a highly successful man and not working outside the home, a socialite. I followed that life but spent a lot of my time volunteering, which I did enjoy.”

“At least you helped others. That’s good,” he said, holding the door for her to step outside. She was conscious of passing close to him, constantly aware of his proximity.

“I’ll be right back,” he said, taking the porch steps two at a time.

She watched his long strides as he headed toward her car. Her gaze ran across his broad shoulders down to his narrow hips and long legs while her insides tightened. What would it be like to kiss him? She tried to think of another subject and get her mind off Ryan. What was it that stirred such chemistry between them?

She looked at her car and decided if this job didn’t work out, she would drive back to Dallas and sell the car, then head north. Maybe Montana or Wyoming would have another isolated ranch where a family could use a cook. Or a small-town restaurant off the main highways.

Common sense still urged her to go now. There was a hot attraction between Ryan and her. The fact that he had remained professional, resisted flirting, until after the interview had not cooled the fires. She glanced at her surroundings again, the outbuildings, corral, stables, garage, wide-open spaces and, through a stand of mesquite trees, a bunkhouse. She could not imagine any of her family or her ex finding her here. So the place was perfect—except for one tall Texas rancher.

Ryan came striding back and handed the keys to her. When his fingers brushed hers, another sizzle danced in her insides. “Nice car. Want to sell it to me?”

“You’ll get the first chance if I do decide to sell it. But I really like my car and I’d hate to let it go.” She took a deep breath and looked toward the door. “I’d better go get accustomed to your kitchen. What would you like for lunch?”

He gazed at her a moment in silence. “Surprise me,” he finally said. “I’ll get ready for the next interview. I’ll answer the door when she arrives.”

Jessica nodded and left for her room to change clothes. She wasn’t putting anything away until she was certain she had the job. She thought about his offer to buy her car. For the time being she didn’t want to sell. As soon as she sold her car, it would be easier to look up records and find she had been in Texas.

She changed into jeans and a red cotton shirt, tying her hair behind her head with a red scarf. Slipping on flip-flops, she left for the kitchen. Certain Ryan was closed in his office to interview someone, she glanced down the empty hall. She hadn’t heard a doorbell or anyone talking, but the house was big enough that she wouldn’t hear when she was in her suite or even back in the kitchen.

The first thing she did was familiarize herself with his kitchen. It was as well stocked as a store. As she began collecting what she needed from the pantry, she heard someone in the kitchen and turned around to see Gwen.

“Ahh, you’re here to fix lunch,” Gwen said, smiling at Jessica. “You really don’t need to, because I’ve been filling in. You don’t actually have the job yet—right?”

“I’m trying out for the position,” Jessica said. “I’m starting with lunch. He didn’t say what he likes to eat, so I’m guessing. I’m going to make a pie first, for after dinner.”

“He’ll like that. I’ve never seen him turn down pie. You’re trying out? He doesn’t usually do that when hiring,” she said, looking puzzled.

“He said he usually hires couples. I’m divorced. I sort of talked him into giving me a chance and letting me cook for him today.”

“Ahh.” Gwen chuckled. “Good. If you need help, I’ll be happy to.”

“Thank you. That’s sweet, but this time I better do it all on my own since it’s sort of a trial to show him what I can do.”

“And you’re up for this?”

“Oh, yes,” she said, smiling at Gwen, who gave her a big grin.

“Good for you. Ask me if you have any questions or can’t find something.”

“Thanks. I will.”

“My husband has worked for Mr. Ryan since he bought this ranch. After he built the house, I was hired on to clean. We live in a house here on the ranch and we like working here. So for tonight—what kind of pie are you baking?”

“I’m not baking. It’s a chocolate icebox.”

“Very good choice. He has a weakness for chocolate. Burgers, roasts, steaks, barbecue and just plain potatoes are his favorites. That and blueberry waffles.”

“Thanks for letting me know.”

“Do you really know how to cook?”

“Oh, yes,” she said, smiling.

“Then you’ll get hired. And you’ll definitely be the prettiest cook we’ve ever had.”

Jessica laughed with Gwen. “Thank you. And thanks for telling me what he likes.”

“It’s quiet here. Are you sure you want the isolation of the ranch?”

“I’m sure. I had a bad divorce and my ex didn’t want me to leave. This will be a good place for me. I’ll like it here,” she said, thinking of Ryan’s irresistible smile.

“I’ll be through cleaning and out of here by four. If you need something or want help, here’s my cell number,” Gwen said, getting a piece of paper and jotting a number to hand to Jessica.

“Thank you. That’s very nice.”

“I think you’ll be a good addition here. I clean upstairs today. I better get started. Oh, if you want flowers for the table, Mr. Ryan doesn’t care if we pick some and bring them in for bouquets. Just watch out for rattlesnakes in the garden.”

“Rattlesnakes? I think I’ll skip the flowers.”

When the housekeeper had left, Jessica checked and found frozen raw hamburger patties that she could cook. She found buns and all she needed. She busied herself with making the pie first and setting it in the refrigerator to chill.

When noon came, she looked around, making sure everything was ready. Thirty minutes later she still hadn’t seen Ryan and she wondered if an interview was running long because he had found someone who would be more satisfactory for his cook and would have a husband to work here also.

By one she was certain that was what had happened and then she heard his boots as he approached the kitchen and stepped through the door.

Her heart missed a few beats when she smiled at him. “I’d given you up.”

“Sorry, I should have let you know,” he said. He filled the doorway and dominated the room. Would she ever get accustomed to him and see him as just another person? “I’ll look over my notes and be back in about twenty minutes. That should give you some time.”

“Sure. By then your lunch will be ready,” she said, hearing the breathless sound of her voice and wondering whether he noticed it.

“Eat with me, okay? We can talk some more.”

“Isn’t that a little irregular?”

“Because you work for me? I don’t think so and that’s all that matters, unless you don’t want to—”

“Oh, no. That’s fine,” she said, flashing a smile at him.

“Good. See you in twenty minutes,” he said, and left.

Eat with me.

His request replayed in her mind. Once again this job was taking another unexpected turn. Could she continue being close to him, associating with him daily, and still stay remote and impassive around him? He had to know he was having an effect on her every time they were together. It was obvious sometimes that he felt it just as much as she.

She hurried to get his lunch, and twenty minutes later she took the hamburgers off the small grill as he came through the door.

They sat at a table overlooking the formal garden and a pond with a fountain, a waterfall and blooming lilies.

“This is a beautiful view,” she said.

“Yes, it is,” he said in a warm voice that held a note that caught her attention. She turned to look at him as he gazed back with a faint smile. He looked back at his plate. “This looks great and I’m hungry. It’s been a long time since breakfast.”

“I baked beans,” she said. “I thought that might be healthier than the fries.”

“You’re probably right. So far, I’ve rejected both women I interviewed this morning. You’re still at the top of the list.” He took a bite of his burger.

“That’s good news because I think I’ll like it here. We’ll see how you like my lunch and dinner. Lunch isn’t really a test, because burgers are sort of always the same and very easy.”

“The burger is good.”

“Thank you. Are you planning on staying at the ranch for a while now or will you go back to Houston soon?”

“I’m in and out right now. I’ll go to Houston later this week.”

As he spoke, she gazed into his warm brown eyes. She had made such a poor judgment with her ex; was she making more poor decisions now with Ryan? He smiled and picked up his burger to take another bite.

“I’m glad to hear the job is still open,” she said.

“Oh, yes. I have two interviews after lunch. I’ll let you know how it goes. So far, lunch is good. The beans are great and the burger is cooked just the way I like it.”

“I’m glad. Gwen told me you like burgers, but not how you like them cooked.”

“You guessed well. Gwen and her husband both work here, you know.”

“That’s what she said.” She wiped her hands on her napkin and stood up. “I have pie for dinner tonight, but I baked some cookies for now.” She went inside to get a plate of chocolate-chip cookies, which she placed in front of him. He promptly held the plate out to offer her one as she sat.

“No thanks,” she said. “I’m not a sweets person.”

“I’ll remember that,” he answered, taking a cookie.

“I don’t think you need to remember your cook doesn’t eat sweets,” she said.

“I might want to send you a present sometime and I would need to remember,” he added. He still kept his voice impersonal. There was no flirting, no touch, but when she looked into his chocolate-colored eyes with those thick bedroom lashes, a current sizzled between them. The attraction was still there, like bedrock beneath a stream of polite conversation.

She drew her eyes away, focusing on the nearby fountain. She had to get her head back in the game.

“Did you go with this guy in college?”

Ryan’s question drew her up short, and she realized she must have missed something he said. “My ex?” she guessed. When he nodded, she replied, “No. He was a bit older than I am. I’ve known him all my life.

“I think he thought I’d be the perfect wife. That I would never find out about his affairs. And if I did, I’d go along with his infidelities.” She shook her head. “I was just naive about everything. Anyway, it’s over now.”

“Your family is in Tennessee. Won’t you go back someday?”

“Oh, my, yes. I love Tennessee with all my heart, especially Nashville. That’s where I plan to live. It’s close enough to my family in Memphis to be convenient but far enough that I can live my own life and I won’t run into my ex often. Before I go back, though, I want to recover from the stress of the past few months.”

“If peace and quiet helps you recover, you’ve come to the right place.” With a glance at his watch, Ryan rose. “Excuse me, Jessica,” he said, her name spoken by him stirring a tingle, sounding deeper, more personal than when he’d previously said it. “It’s time I get back to my office and look over my notes before the next interview. Thanks for the lunch.”

She couldn’t help but feel disappointed that he would continue to interview applicants, so she went into work mode, gathering the dishes and bringing them inside. She turned from the sink and almost bumped into Ryan, who stood there with glasses in his hands. He steadied her, his fingers lightly on her shoulders, but the moment he touched her, she saw his eyes narrow slightly. Inhaling deeply, he released her. Her heartbeat raced and she wanted to lean closer to him.

But Ryan hurried out of the room in long strides.

Watching him, she took a deep breath. Once again common sense said to pack and go. She was having a volatile reaction to Ryan Delaney and he had had a reaction to touching her, too. Maybe he would hire someone this afternoon and the job decision would be out of her hands.

She cleaned the dishes and then got more familiar with the kitchen, turning on an oven to start cooking a roast for dinner. She spent the afternoon laboring over dinner, checking on the roast, making rolls and mashing potatoes. Later she set the table for the evening meal and finally reached a point where she could go to her suite to get ready to be with Ryan.

After showering, she slipped into a blue sundress and sandals and brushed her hair out. By five she was back in the kitchen to finish cooking dinner. Everything was going well, which lifted her spirits. Whether she got the job or not, she was happy to discover she could turn out a lunch and dinner when the result was crucial and time was of the essence. It was dinner tonight, one good enough to get her hired, or she was out. There would be no second chance tomorrow.

As she made gravy and steamed collard greens, she couldn’t squelch the nagging question: Was she more excited over the prospect of a dinner that would determine her future...or the thought of an evening with Ryan?