Suited to be a Cowboy (15 page)

Aaron stopped and turned. “No fire. We’re just sliding.”

“Then can you slide down to the kitchen and tell Sheila
your Mom wants her?”

“Okay.”

All three were in their stocking feet, running and sliding
their way down the polished hardwood floor.

Jimmy came back inside and closed the door. “Those kids
sure know how to amuse themselves.”

“I’m just happy they’re getting along. Being an only
child, Aaron can be cantankerous at times.”

John appeared concerned, watching the doorway. “They all
have their moods. I just hope they don’t break anything or hurt themselves.”

Sheila appeared at the open doorway, kids in tow. “You
wanted me, Melissa?”

“Yes, John and the kids will be leaving now. Can you pack
a few staples to send with them?”

“Sure thing.”

John stood and faced her. “Thank you, Melissa. I’ll never
forget your kindness this day.”

“Well, if we
are
family, it only seems right that we help each other out. I’ll see you tomorrow.
And no more hunting on ranch property,” she said with a smile.

“Thank you. I’ll report for duty in the morning. Good
night.”

“Good night.”

She could have allowed them to stay at the far end of the
west wing, where Jimmy’s rooms were. The blue suite contained two bedrooms with
a hide-a-bed sofa in the sitting room. John and Tommy could have shared the
room with two single beds, or use the sofa for a third bed. Either way, they’d
be far more comfortable than staying in the line shack. But Jimmy’s words of
caution had won out.

*
* * *

“What do you say? Time to call it a night?” Jimmy asked as
soon as they were alone.

“I should, but I’m so wound up, I’m not sure I’d get much
sleep. If it wasn’t for the constant pain in my ribs, I could at least go for a
walk.”

“What if we just sit in the courtyard for a spell? Get
some fresh air.”

“I hate to be such a burden,” she said, although she found
it difficult to contain her excitement. She was getting too used to being in
his company.

“No one as beautiful as you should be referred to as a
burden. I’ll just push the tea trolley out in the hall for Sheila and lock up.”

Jimmy bent slightly to do so and the view from where she
sat was precious. The man’s fine
tush
filled out his
jeans just right. When he returned to help her up, his touch had her heart doing
a spectacular tumble in her chest. Had she fallen for this man?

She loved his company, but hated it when he took charge,
as he was prone to do. Although she must admit, he did it with the best
intentions. His questions about her holdings had led to having an audit done.
He’d taken charge but she was grateful for his care of Aaron while she was in
the hospital. He’d evicted Marcus. And now the conversation with John. What
business did he have to question him about his work experience? She was capable
of hiring her own employees. Did he have an ulterior motive?

He’d made it plain that he wanted to own his own ranch.
Did he have his eye on her and Thoroughbreds R Us? He was the complete opposite
of Marcus, but she’d loved Marcus at one time and look where that had gotten
her.

Jimmy didn’t want commitment. She didn’t either, not
really. Did she have it in her to have an affair with the man? Would she
survive it? Or would she fall to pieces when it ended?

Once outside, he carried her as he strolled leisurely
through the garden, not even winded, as if she weighed nothing at all and they
had all the time in the world.

“It’s a beautiful night.” He spoke softly, his voice
hushed on the evening air.

“Yes, it is. Thank you for this.”

“My pleasure.”

His teeth shone white in the darkness lit only by small
solar lights to guide their way to the gazebo.

“Would you like to sit for a while?”

“Sounds lovely.”

He set her on her feet and she eased onto the bench seat.

“You need a garden swing out here,” he suggested.

She adjusted her position so she faced him. “Funny you
should say that. I’ve always wanted one.”

“Really? I could build one for you,” he offered.

“Don’t you have enough to do with the accounting and your Mustangs?”

He slapped his forehead. “Darn! Aaron still didn’t get to
see the Mustangs.”

Melissa laughed. “There’ll be other days.”

“Yeah, I suppose.” Jimmy laughed. “Tippy has broken a few
mares to the saddle already and is keeping them in a separate corral. Says he
can work with one each day. He’s good with the horses and keen on making some
extra money, so it works for both of us. And speaking of the Mustangs, we never
settled on a price for the use of your pastures.”

“We’ll work something out.
Tippy’s
not riding out there alone to do this, is he?” Melissa worried that he’d get
hurt and no one the wiser.

“No, the other wranglers ride out to watch. Gives them
something to do in the evenings besides watching TV or playing cards.”

“Well, that’s a relief. I’d hate to have him doing
something so dangerous with no one else around. What if he got hurt?”

“I’ve already told him to come and get me if no one else
was available. Don’t worry. He’ll be fine.” He patted her knee, a comforting
gesture that sent her world into turmoil. How could such a simple touch set her
body on fire? She shivered in reaction.

“Are you cold?” he asked.

“Just a little,” she lied.

“Want to go in?”

“Not just yet.” As she’d hoped, he moved closer and
wrapped an arm around her, hugging her tight to his warmth.

“Better?”

“Mmm, so much. I could stay out here forever.”

His husky chuckle surrounded them. “I was just thinking
the same thing.”

“Jimmy, what’s happening to us? Why do I feel so
comfortable with you?”

“I don’t know, but I feel it too. Chemistry, perhaps? The
need to feel loved? Accepted? It could be any number of things.”

“True.” She snuggled closer, relaxing at the sound of his
steady heartbeat. “And just because we’re attracted to each other doesn’t mean
we have to hop in the sack and make out.”

“Oh, lady. Vivid pictures are coming to mind here.” He
chuckled and kissed her forehead. “Ready to go in?”

“Yes, I guess so.”

“Where to?” he asked as he scooped her up.

She struggled to hold on with her good arm. “My bedroom.
I’m exhausted.”

“It’s been quite a day.”

“Do you think I did right by inviting them to stay on the
ranch, even if it is just at the line shack?” she asked.

“If the little girl looks that much like your grandfather,
it increases the chances of John telling the truth. You’ve stuck your neck out
quite a ways in order to help them. What if the DNA
proves otherwise? What if they’re not family?”

“But they had no money and no place to go. What else could
I do?”

“Well, to point out the obvious, you could have called
child protection.”

“No, I couldn’t. John’s just a man down on his luck trying
to keep his family together. He’s not an abuser, not if the happiness of those
kids is anything to go by.”

They reached her patio doors and Jimmy shifted her
slightly to pull the door open. With her nose pressed up against his throat,
she inhaled the musk-scented cologne he wore. His heart beat rapidly against
her ear as he carried her inside. After placing her carefully on the bed, he
leaned over, one hand on either side of her, bracing his upper body, and gazed
into her eyes.

“You’re quite the softie under all that higher-than-thou
attitude.”

“What! Are you calling me a snob?”
                                               

“I call ’em as I see ’em. That first day we met, at the
train wreck? The impression you left me with was one of high-maintenance, used
to having all the good things in life.”

“That was my first sales trip and I was afraid for the
horses. I know I was a bit on the brusque side, but snobbish?”

He nodded.

“And now?” She held her breath, unsure if she wanted to
hear his answer.

“Now, I’m enjoying getting to know your softer side.”

He brushed a few strands of hair off her face and grazed a
gentle finger down her cheek. When it continued onward, outlining her mouth,
her lips parted in sudden awareness. She wanted this man. Wanted his kiss. “Will
you stay with me tonight?” The words were out before she’d even had time to
think things through.

“Darlin’, when we get together it’ll be total pleasure
between us. You’ve too many breaks and bruises for the experience to be
enjoyable for you right now. But I’ll definitely take a rain check on that
invitation when the doctor says you’ve healed.”

He followed his words with a kiss, a gentle, enjoyable
kiss that barely held passion in check. It warmed her insides, made her feel
loved, cherished, desired. When he pulled away she felt lost, bereft.

“I must go.”

She groaned as he stood up. “All right.”

“Are you hurting? Stupid question. What I meant was, did I
hurt you? Do you need your painkillers, a glass of water, anything?”

She shook her head. “No, you didn’t hurt me. Just the
opposite. And I’m fine.”

Jimmy backed away from the bed, never once removing his
gaze from hers.

“Call me if you need me.”

She smiled. She already needed him, but that wasn’t what
he meant. “I will. Good night.”

He nodded and slipped out through the patio door. His
footsteps receded as he returned to the office. Was he going to work on the
accounts or just lock up? When the lights remained on, she knew he was working.
She roused herself, washed up and got ready for bed.

*
* * *

Jimmy paced the office until his desire subsided. Such a
simple kiss, and yet it left him so aroused that it took quite a while before
he could sit and even attempt to concentrate on the accounts. Finally, he
booted up the computer and opened the accounting program. He double-checked the
receipt for the last one showing as entered and continued on from there. When
next he glanced at his watch, it was past
midnight
.
Time for bed.

Problem was, he wasn’t tired.

He sifted through the next month of receipts and kept working.
Brian would bring this week’s payroll information to him on Monday morning. He
hoped to be caught up by then, but life seemed to continually conspire against
him. At least he had a few months’ worth of deductions sorted out. He hadn’t
hit the men with them all at once. Most of the wranglers had families to care
for and needed every cent they made. Still, he’d included a brief note with that
first paycheck explaining the need to catch up on deductions before year-end.
It was either that or they’d have to pay them all at once at tax time—never a
good plan.

At
two o’clock
in the morning, he called a halt, backed up the files, and shut down the
computer. He stood and stretched, walked over to lock the main door and turn
off the lights, then followed the shimmery glow of courtyard lighting to find
his way out, locking the patio doors behind him. A brief walk on such a balmy
night seemed preferable to lying awake, so he started down the path toward the
gazebo.

He knew better than to work at night. It always got him
too keyed up and it took a while to wind down and release the work from his
mind. Otherwise, he’d lie awake and think of all he had yet to do, like another
month and a half of sales and expenses. And payroll.

He entered the gazebo and glanced around. It had been
built on a grand scale with enough room to fit a table and chairs in the center,
if so inclined, but he had other plans. He planned to build Melissa a
two-seater garden swing. It would fit the gazebo perfectly and be easy to move
if the space was needed for other things. He lay down on the bench seating, his
hands behind his head, and stared at the stars hovering overhead.

One of his binders still held the plans for some swings he’d
made during college. He smiled in remembrance. He’d made a fair profit from the
sale of them too. Parents who’d come to pick up their children for long
weekends and holidays bought them faster than he could make them. Quite often,
he had orders in advance of production. Those were the days.

He’d never been one to socialize much, preferring to study
in the evenings and work weekends instead of wasting money partying, especially
after his engagement ended. Always in the forefront of his mind, he kept his
dream of owning a ranch. It focused him and kept him sane. He’d envied his
classmates their families. Parents, brothers, sisters, cousins, familial love. It
had dragged him down when he thought on it too hard, so he’d kept busy—kept the
thoughts at bay.

But now he was thinking of family again. He envisioned Melissa
big with child, his child. His arms ached to hold an infant of his own,
something he’d long since denied. His feelings for Melissa were the real thing.
Of that, he had no doubt. He’d fallen head over heels for the feisty, blonde
beauty, and therein lay his dilemma.

She already had it all—family, property, wealth. What did
she need him for, other than the obvious? Jimmy knew she wanted him—physically.
But she was quick to put him in his place with a minimum of words. And with his
background, if they ever did get together, she’d probably think him nothing
more than a gold-digger. No, he’d best keep his libido in check and keep his
feelings to himself. The sooner he found a ranch of his own, the better.

Maybe he should contact his lawyer and find out how the
sale of the firm was proceeding. And he needed to contact a real estate agent.
He loved it here on the ranch, but it wasn’t his and never would be. Of course,
he wouldn’t actually move until Melissa was feeling better. It felt good to be
needed.
That
he could easily admit,
but his attraction to his employer was a definite no-no. It was getting harder
and harder to not touch her. He wanted to tell her how much he longed to hold
her, to caress her silken skin, to make love with her.