Page 21 of A Cowboy's Trust
“You’re not a burden,” Jake assured him. “Let that go and get your feet under you.”
Tansy was back at the stove, making breakfast for Chris and beginning to work on the fruit platters she’d need for the late-night snack.
“Just so we’re clear, Tansy, my brother’s fiancée, Petra, and my ward, Jinx, all live on the ranch. The ladies are all family and are to be treated with respect.” Declan’s tone of voice remained matter of fact but brutally firm.
“Got a sister myself who I’d want to be treated properly,” Chris returned. “They’ll get no trouble from me.”
The smallest bit of tension that had hovered at the back of Tansy’s mind eased. Of course, the man could be lying, but the fact he responded quickly meant she’d only sleep with one eye open.
She fell into the rhythm of preparing food for the family as well as what was necessary for the weekend. She dropped a plate of food in front of Chris, was thanked profusely, then went back to her tasks, satisfied at having done something simple but meaningful.
Maybe twenty minutes later, she whirled, blinking in surprise when she found Jake waiting patiently in front of her. “Whoa. Didn’t see you there.”
He grinned. “Next time, should I warn you? Then you can get the eggshells ready.”
Tansy stuck out her tongue.
His smile shifted to something far more needy as he stared at her mouth. The kind of look a man gives a woman when they’re interested in getting down and dirty. Which…
The temptation to lick her lips was so great.
His gaze snapped back to hers, and the moment passed. “We’ll get Chris settled, then work some chores. I expect the man will take a few days to get caught up on his sleep. I think he’s been awake twenty-four seven for nearly a week to keep ahead of trouble.”
“Poor guy. I’ll make sure there’s always a plate of leftovers in the fridge he can warm if he misses a meal.”
“Nice. I’ll let him know.” Jake hesitated for a moment then nodded firmly. “After this weekend, you’ll need a break.”
“After this weekend, I’m going to celebrate,” Tansy informed him.
“I can see why. Let’s plan on celebrating.” He spoke fast enough he had to have preplanned his next suggestion. “You’re off on Monday. How about we head into Diamond Valley and hit that Korean restaurant you were telling Petra about?”
“That’s playing dirty,” Tansy said even as she smiled. “Enticing the cook with the restaurant she wants to go check out? How could I possibly say no?”
“You obviously can’t,” he agreed.
The rice cooker beeped at that moment, and Tansy turned to deal with it. When she looked up again, Jake was gone. Which was fine since she had a ton to do.
Still, having something to look forward to on Monday was a great idea. She’d find out what time Petra wanted to go—Aiden would be ready whenever they told him to be. Jinx usually went home with Sasha on Monday nights to study and to hang out. They could pick her up on the way home from dinner. Declan was the only unknown—he seemed to disappear at times, and Tansy had no idea where he went. Plus, he might want to stick around with Chris for the time being.
Unsolved mysteries would have to wait—she had work to do.
The day passed in a blur. Tansy laid out sandwich fixings on the counter at lunch—chicken salad and thick beef slices from the enormous roast earlier in the week—plus a huge pot of lentil soup. She’d baked buns first thing, so that part was simple.
She loaded trays with the food for the studio on the dining room table. As promised, around four o’clock, Jake showed up with Kevin and Aiden in tow to help her carry them.
Kevin sniffed appreciatively as he accepted the oversized box she pressed into his arms. “It smells amazing in here.”
“Nothing fancy,” Tansy insisted. “I went super easy for family supper tonight and made pans of lasagna with garlic bread and a Caesar salad. If you guys can all be in here by five, though, that would help. I want to be out in the studio when everyone arrives to go over the details with them.”
“We’ll be here,” Jake promised. “I’ll let the others know.”
Out in the studio, she tucked the cold food into the fridge and the hot into the ovens, satisfaction welling up at the sight of so much tastiness created by her own hands. All ready to be laid out in their chafing dishes or set out on the tiered serving stands.
She hurried back to the house and found the table already set for eight. Jinx and Jake were at the counter, prepping iced tea and water in the pitchers they used for the family setting. Dixie was curled up in her dog bed at the side of the couch, chin resting on her paws, but her gaze open enough to keep an eye on Jinx.
“This is a nice surprise,” Tansy said.
Jinx made a face. “The fact you sound so shocked means Jake was right—I’m sorry. I should have been helping you more over the past couple of weeks with the simple things I can do.”
