Page 4 of Rancher's Rescue
“He’s very handsome, yes.” I rolled my lips together so I wouldn’t say more.
“The blush on your cheeks says he’s drop dead gorgeous.” Kristin teased.
“If I’m ever questioned about this conversation, I will deny it ever happened. He’s the most gorgeous man I’ve ever met. I can’t focus on work. I don’t know how to be normal and he’s great with the kids.” The words spilled out and I couldn’t stop them.
“When are you going to sleep with him?”
“He’s my employee Kristin.”
“Sleeping with your employee isn’t always a bad thing.” Nora said, laughing. “Trust me, I have firsthand knowledge.” She put her hands on her expanding stomach.
“You’re thinking too much Mags. Just do it.” Kristin put her hand on mine. “You’re a young woman who’s had a shit few years. You deserve some fun and spice.” She grinned at me.
“I need him to help me. I can’t risk that by sleeping with him.” Shaking my head.
“What’s the worst that will happen? You spend a few awkward days together, and either he stays and work continuesor he leaves and you have to find a new ranch hand?” Nora lifted her coffee and wiggled her eyebrows.
“So, who’s going to help me if he leaves?”
“I’ll send the Flying Diamond 5 over. Problem solved. Go have some fun.” Nora had a solution for everything.
“You both are bad influences.” I huffed as I bit into my scone.
CHAPTER FOUR
KANE
The days passed quickly. Maggie was easy to work with and the kids were a breath of fresh air. It made my heart ache for my daughter, but that was an ache that wouldn’t ever go away.
We’d spent the day picking and placing round bales, loading the hay loft full of the small squares for the horses and laughing the entire time. Maggie worked as hard as any man I’d ever seen. “Join us for supper, Kane,” she said, looking over her shoulder. It wasn’t a question. She was telling me I was coming for supper, just trying to be polite about it.
“Oh no, ma’am, not tonight. I will just head back to the cabin. I can rustle something up for myself.”
A frown crossed her face, and he turned back to Kit and Marshall. “Kids, go wash up while I talk to Mr. Watson.” They ran off to the house, hooting and hollering. “If this ranch had a full crew, I would let you eat there, but it’s just you and I won’t let you eat alone. Besides, by this time of the day, I really appreciate some adult conversation.” She looked at me, her eyes hopeful and pleading all at the same time.
“I’ll be right up. Just let me clean up and I will be along.” I smiled and watched her face change from worried to elated. She could have asked me to rope the moon and I probably would die trying to make that happen for her.
I’d known some strong women in my life, but Maggie was probably the only woman I knew of that single-handedly did what she did.
The bunkhouse was musty from the rain last night. I hadn’t noticed it this morning, but being closed up in the scorching sun, everything felt sticky. I would have to figure out how to seal this place up if I was going to live here year round. If this happened in the summer, I and no doubt snow would find its way in during the long, cold winter.
Quickly showering, I threw on my nicest shirt, dabbed some aftershave on and looked in the mirror. Why had I done that? It was supper with my boss and her kids, no reason to think it was any more than that.
Walking to the house, the sky was turning purple and pink as the sun dipped behind the mountains. Climbing the steps of the porch, I heard the soft sound of music floating through the open windows. God, this was all I dreamed about when I was younger. Coming home after a long day, the woman I loved waiting for me, the kids fighting with one another, eager for me to walk in the door. Pulling the screen door open, I wandered through the house to the kitchen, like I’d done almost every night since I’d been here.
Maggie was swaying to the music, and turned when she’d heard my footsteps. Her smile warmed my soul. “Smells good in here,” I said like a dolt.
“Slow cooker to the rescue on days like today. Want a beer?” She moved to the fridge and grabbed two bottles. Reaching out, I took them and twisted the tops off, and handed one back to her. She was relaxed, not the boss, just a woman taking care ofthose around her. “Sit, I’m just going to cut some lettuce.” She motioned to the stool at the counter as she grabbed a cutting board and a knife.
“It’s quiet in here. Did you get rid of the kids?” I smiled as I raised the beer to my lips.
She smiled and grabbed the lettuce. “I made them go upstairs and read. Now if they are really reading, I’d be shocked. They are probably watching a cartoon or something, but they are quiet and I have a few moments of peace.” The knife made a sharp sound as she brought it down over the lettuce.
“I can go if you need quiet.”
“I made them go upstairs so I could have a moment of peace with you, if you really want to know. The kids absolutely adore you, and want to be by your side all the time, so I feel like I’ve had no time to get to know you with them around. Tonight, even just for a few minutes, it’s just you and me.” She stopped cutting lettuce and looked at me.
Nodding, I wasn’t sure what to say. “I don’t mind these minutes at all.” I watched a hue of red creep across her cheeks. She looked up at me as she brought down the knife and I watched her eyes widen as she cut her finger. Jumping off the stool, I grabbed the towel that was draped over the oven handle and pressed it to her hand.
