Page 41 of Shades of Mercy
“Do you ever make a mistake while working?”
The fiasco with going undercover and nearly getting herself killed by Cross came to mind. “Yes, I do. More than I care to admit.”
“And what do you do when you make a mistake?” Bryar used a hand can opener and began the task of opening cans of tomatoes.
“I learn from them and they don’t happen again.”
“So that’s what you’ll do in this position.” Bryar’s shoulders slumped. “I know it seems like you’ll be here at the stove all the time, but you won’t be. Get outside and enjoy the land. Ride a horse. Pet the animals. Enjoy the sunsets. And think of feeding the cowboys as important as working the land.”
“Thank you—and thank you for not being angry that I can’t cook.”
“Angry? Why would I be? Honey, we have a different mindset here in the country. We only get angry when we plan to flip some tables. Just because we’re women doesn’t mean we’re cooks. Honestly, I hate cooking, but we all need to chip in to keep the ranch running. I prefer mucking stalls to being in here, but when I discovered I was pregnant, Puma insisted I take it easy.” She touched her rounded belly lovingly. “Now my doctor feels I should stay off my feet until she’s born.”
“Then here, sit down and I’ll do all the work. You can supervise me.” Mercy pulled out one of the cushioned stools.
“I think I’ll take you up on it. I swear, this baby loves using my bladder as a pillow.” Bryar slowly lifted herself onto the chair, holding her belly as if she were about to topple over.
“You must be so happy?” Mercy smiled.
“I am. Very. Do you have any kids?”
“Oh no.” Mercy cut into the pepper. “That hasn’t crossed my mind. I don’t know if having children is something I’ll ever be ready for.”
“My first pregnancy had been a surprise. I was barely eighteen, and Puma and I reacted out of fear. We rushed off and got married. I’m not saying I regret it, but we were kids.”
“Wow. I didn’t realize you two had been married that long.”
Bryar frowned. “We separated after we lost our son.”
Mercy paused in chopping. “I’m so sorry. That must have been very painful.”
“I lost a piece of myself when I lost Blake.” She appeared to struggle to pull herself out of her thoughts. “I think my doctor wants me to take it easy more for my anxiety than for the pregnancy. Puma watches over me like a hawk. I do understand. After Blake…well, it can make a person worry even when there isn’t any quantifiable reason.”
“I’m sure you both are very ready to meet your daughter.”
“Definitely. Anyway, enough about me.” Bryar waved a dismissive hand. “I hope you’ll feel right at home. It’ll be an adjustment, I’m sure, but there are lots of things the ranch offers.
“I’m already starting to adjust,” Mercy said.
With Bryar’s assistance, Mercy had the chili pot simmering on the stove by dinner time. Cornbread was in the oven, and a simple dessert was in the fridge. She felt like she’d tackled something grand.
Puma had shown up and whisked Bryar away, leaving Mercy alone as she heard the back door open and the first cowboy strolled into the kitchen. It didn’t quite surprise her that it was Bones. His clothes looked as if he’d been wallowing in a dirt bath.
“Do I have you all to myself?” Bones’s grin could melt a woman’s heart. He seemed genuine and kind-hearted, but Mercy didn’t feel anything for him. Her thoughts were preoccupied with Jag, whom she’d spent most of the day anticipating seeing again.
More cowboys strolled in as she mentally tried to save their names to her internal hard drive. Each stopped to reintroduce himself and complimented her on how good dinner smelled.
“Damn. I’m starving.” The husky voice made Mercy whip around. Jag had arrived and all her alarms sounded. He looked exactly like what he was—a hardworking cowboy who’d put in a long day.
She smiled at him and took in the fit of his checked chambray that hugged his broad chest. The sleeves were rolled up to his elbows, showing off the ink on his forearms. She wanted to stare, but she didn’t want to draw attention from him or the crew.
As she stood at the sink, she saw his reflection through the window. The butterflies were fluttering inside her stomach. “Need any help?” Bones asked. He was standing close enough to touch her.
“Will you grab the dessert from the fridge?”
“Sure thing.”
Mercy caught Jag watching the exchange.
