by Sara Orwig
“That’s an old family heirloom. It’s a Colt revolver in an antique picture box.”
“My dad would be impressed by this.”
“Maybe he’ll see it someday.”
Laughing, she shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“Let’s move back to the patio and watch the sun go down.”
“I should go unpack,” she said, her smile disappearing.
“Come sit with me. You can unpack later,” he said, seeing a flicker in her eyes and realizing she was trying to avoid him. That realization might mean she was as aware of him as he was of her. The thought brought another tight clutch to his insides. Both of them were trying to remain professional. If she hadn’t been so hurt, he would toss aside this determination and just have fun.
As they walked toward the patio, she stopped short. “I almost forgot. I have a chocolate icebox pie for dessert.”
He inhaled. “Let’s save it for later unless you want a piece now.”
“Waiting is fine. You sit here on the patio and let me clear the table.”
“I’ll help you in a minute. I want to call Jeb first and tell him to come get some leftovers.”
“You call and I’ll clear,” she said, going into the kitchen.
Ryan pulled out his cell phone to call, watching her as she worked.
“Jeb. We’ve finished dinner, but there’s plenty here. Come get some leftovers and try Jessica’s cooking. You can eat here at the house or take it with you. We’ll be happy to have you stay.”
He listened to Jeb question the “we” part. “That’s right,” Ryan said, trying to avoid letting Jessica know about Jeb’s questions. He listened to his foreman and finally put away his phone. He went inside and gathered dishes from the table to help her. “Jeb’s coming up to get dinner.”
“You’re close with your employees.”
“I suppose I am. I’ve known all of them a long time.” He tilted his head to study her. “You know, you’re not at all like I guessed you’d be when you drove up looking for a job.”
“Neither are you, Ryan. And you’re not who I was hoping to find either, but I know I’m not who you hoped would apply.”
He heard a knock and headed to the door to find Jeb waiting. “You must have jogged all the way here.”
“Ran. I’m hungry. I’ll fill my plate and take it with me.”
“You can sit with us.”
“Evidently you have a new cook.”
“Oh, yes. Wait until you sink your teeth into the roast and the rolls she made from scratch. That’s why I called you, so you can see for yourself.”
“Do tell.” He gave Ryan a sly smile. “This ought to be interesting in the next few weeks.”
“Nothing’s changed. She’s still on the mend and you might as well put out the word about her.”
“Already have. I figured she’d get hired whether she could boil water or not. Howdy, Ms. Upton,” Jeb said as they entered the kitchen.
Jessica smiled at him. “Hi, Jeb. Unless you want me to call you Mr. White, please just call me Jessica.”
“Jessica it is.”
“Help yourself, Jeb. We’re going to sit outside shortly. You’re welcome to join us and eat out there,” Ryan said.
“Thanks, but I’ll head back to my house. The dogs are waiting,” he said, getting a pie pan from a cabinet and helping himself. “Welcome to the ranch, Jessica. Glad to have you working here. Ryan’s not always around, so if you ever need me, just call. My number is on the speed dial.”
“Thanks, Jeb.”
“Thanks for dinner. It smells wonderful.”
“Let me cut you a piece of pie.” She worked swiftly, cutting a slice and placing it on a paper plate, covering it with another to hand to him.
“You should eat here,” Ryan said. “If you drop all that, you won’t have dinner.”
“I’m not dropping anything. Thanks, Jessica. Glad to have you with us,” Jeb repeated.
Ryan followed him to the door. “Enjoy dinner. I know you will.”
“I know you did,” Jeb whispered.
Ryan got his meaning. “I have to keep reminding myself of all she’s been through.”
“You’ll manage. Thanks for the food.”
Ryan closed the door behind Jeb and returned to the kitchen to help Jessica until they had the kitchen back in order.
“You don’t have to clean the kitchen with me. The cleanup is what you’re paying me to do,” she said, looking up at him. She stood close, so close he could see her flawless skin and long thick lashes. Her mouth was full, rosy, tempting.
“There is no way this is an ordinary employer-employee relationship. This is different and you know it. You’re single. If you weren’t recovering from a bad divorce and your loss, I’d want to ask you out,” he admitted.
“But I am recovering from both of those things,” she said softly, shaking her head. “Thanks for following my wishes. If you didn’t, I couldn’t stay and work here. It would probably be easier for us both if you didn’t help me clean after meals.”
“We’ll see. I can keep my distance,” he said, feeling sweat pop out on his forehead again while his insides knotted. She had as much as admitted that she was as physically attracted as he was, which was not going to help him dredge up resistance.
When they finished putting the dishes away, he turned to her. “Let’s go watch the sunset. It can be pretty out here this time of year. We can sit on the screened part of the patio so bugs won’t bother us,” he said. “Want a drink to take out?”
“No, thank you,” she replied, and walked beside him in silence.
He was aware of her at his side, her silky-looking blond hair, her enticing perfume. Frankly, it was all he could do not to groan aloud.
She sat in a chaise lounge and he pulled a chair close, turning to face her. She put her feet up on the chair and his breath caught and held as he glimpsed her long shapely legs before she covered them to midcalf with her skirt.
“It is beautiful out here.”
“Yes, it is,” he said, his gaze running the length of her. She slanted him a look and he turned to gaze over his yard. “I always enjoy it out here,” he said, trying to get back to impersonal topics.
They sat and talked and after an hour he went inside to get her another iced tea and himself a cold beer. The sun sank and then was gone, twilight finally changing to darkness. Pool lights, torches and patio lights came on, soft lighting that still left shadows but highlighted the sparkling blue water, the fountains and the flowers.
They talked as the hours passed and finally she swung her legs off the lounge and stood. “It’s late, Ryan. Six a.m. will be here soon.”
“It is late. Make it seven in the morning. Neither of us will be up for six o’clock breakfast.”
“Sure.”
He walked her to her door, where she turned to look up at him. He knew he was too close, but he couldn’t resist. “I’m glad you applied for the job and talked me into giving you a chance. You’re a fine cook.”
“Thanks for the job, Ryan,” she said, extending her hand to shake his. The minute his hand closed around hers, he drew a deep breath. Her hand was warm and soft and he didn’t want to release her.
“You’re all the good things that Pru and Brad said you are,” she said. Her words were breathless and he still held her hand.
He shook his head slightly. “I don’t really want to have to live up to their recommendations. But I will,” he added quickly, releasing her hand to move away from her. “At least, I’ll try, Jessica,” he said. His gaze lowered to her mouth. He couldn’t kiss her, but he wanted to so badly a tremor ran through him. Her lips looked soft, full, inviting.
“Good night, Ryan. Morning will come quickly,” she said breathlessly, and steppe
d into her suite to close the door.
He shook his head and turned away, going back to close up and turn off lights, moving automatically while his pulse raced and he ached with wanting her. Tomorrow was going to be more torment than today, yet he wanted to be with her. He had no intention of avoiding her.
He swore under his breath and headed to his room, knowing sleep would be a while coming tonight. Jessica Upton, his new cook. Beautiful, sexy, seductive—even without trying.
He groaned and raked his fingers through his hair. “Jessica,” he whispered. He had never wanted a woman as much as he did her. At the same time, he had never had as much reason to leave one alone. She was on the rebound, on the mend from a terrible loss. She had a wall around her heart, and for sufficient reason. She was the type of woman who would take a relationship seriously, while he would not. He never had and he wouldn’t now.
He had made a big mistake moving her into his house, but he just hadn’t been able to resist.
“Jessica, I want you,” he whispered in the dark.
Four
Three days later she had orange juice poured and bowls of blueberries and strawberries on the table. On the kitchen counter she had choices of cereal because Ryan seemed to prefer cereal and fruit to any other breakfast.
She heard him coming and smoothed the apron she wore around her waist over jeans and a red shirt.
When Ryan stepped into the room, her pulse skipped a beat. His hair was still slightly damp from his shower. He was freshly shaved, neat in a navy polo, jeans and his brown boots. His dark eyes met her gaze and her pulse jumped again.
Each day her responses to him grew. Most of the time Ryan resisted flirting, occasionally slipping for only a moment. He was perfect to work for, helping her to begin to recover from the ordeals she had been through.
She became instantly aware of her appearance, resisting the temptation to catch a wayward tendril of hair that had escaped her ponytail.
“Good morning,” he said, walking toward her. “You’ve got breakfast ready, I see.”
“Sort of. Do you want cereal and fruit?”
“That’s perfect,” he said. “Have you had breakfast?”
She shook her head. “Actually, not yet,” she said, knowing she should have come down and eaten earlier.
“Great, join me. I’ll pour your orange juice and coffee,” he said.
Laughing, she reached to take the bottle of orange juice from his hand. “I think I’m supposed to wait on you, not you on—” The moment her hand closed over his to take the orange juice, heat flashed from the point of contact. He inhaled deeply and turned to look at her, a look that sent another shower of sparks flying.
“I’m working on the ranch today, but tomorrow I have to go into Dallas. We have a Delaney Foundation meeting. You might as well come with me to Dallas and meet my family because they’ll be around and you’ll hear about them and talk to them on the phone. While I’m in the meeting, you can entertain yourself, which shouldn’t be too difficult in Dallas.”
“Thanks,” she replied, not hiding her eagerness. His quiet ranch suited her for her purposes, but the prospect of getting into Dallas was great after the past few days on his ranch. “I’d love that,” she added, and he laughed.
“The ranch and all the quiet getting to you?”
She felt the heat rush to her cheeks in embarrassment. “Maybe a little,” she admitted. “But I’m grateful all the time to have this job. It’s perfect and the ideal place. I can relax here without worrying about my ex. It was awkward to run into him at parties and he called a lot. Anyway, Dallas sounds like a day of excitement and fun. I’ll enjoy meeting your family. They sound so nice.”
“They are. The entire bunch—the Delaney brothers and half sister and the spouses. You’ll enjoy meeting everyone.”
“I’m sure I will,” she said, surprised he had asked her to go. Was he just being polite and friendly? She suspected he had not asked any of his staff to go with him before. “Thanks for including me.”
“We’ll fly back to the ranch late in the afternoon. Unless you want to stay and I’ll take you to dinner.”
The offer was such a temptation she didn’t dare think it over. She had to turn him down instantly.
“Thank you, but I think I should come back here,” she said, longing to toss caution aside, accept his invitation and have a wonderful evening with a sexy, exciting man.
Instead, her refusal was already spoken and now she had to live with it.
“Home it is,” he said.
A date with Ryan. Dancing. She had to avoid thinking of what could have been.
Disappointment hit her like a brick to the heart.
* * *
The next morning eagerness to go to Dallas made her wake early. She dressed in the light blue cotton suit she had worn when she had come for an interview with Ryan.
She finally left her suite to meet him and found him waiting in his study. The minute she walked into the room, he stood, his gaze drifting over her with a warmth that made her tingle. Adding to her response, his appearance set her heart racing. In a dark suit, white shirt and charcoal tie, he looked more handsome than ever. He wore a fancy pair of black boots and his hair was neatly combed, although he already had wayward locks that had sprung free just above his forehead.
“You look great,” he said in a husky voice.
“You look rather good yourself,” she couldn’t resist saying. “I’m looking forward to today.”
“So am I.”
“Let’s go,” he said, taking her arm, heightening her awareness of him.
In less than an hour they were airborne in his plush jet. She looked at the wide stretches of ranch land spread below, the feathery mesquite bent by the prevailing south winds. The occasional arroyo slashed the earth, or a dry winding creek bed cut through the endless land.
“I talked to my mother this morning and texted my sister and my friend. My mom wants me to come home. My sister and my friend are happy I’ve found a place and a job I like. My mom doesn’t know specifically where I am, but she knows she can get in touch with me on my cell or through my sister. I don’t want my parents to worry about me, but I also don’t want them trying to talk me into returning home.”
“You can say no to them, can’t you?”
“Oh, yes, but my dad doesn’t give up easily and what’s worse, they will tell my ex and then he’ll appear. They really like him and my mother thinks I should overlook his infidelities. I have no intention of doing any such thing. We said vows that meant something to me, even if they meant nothing to him.”
Ryan gazed at her, but she was unable to read his expression. “You’re saying nothing. Does that mean you agree with them?”
“Not at all. Far from it. I agree with you. You said vows that you promised to follow. No, I was just trying to imagine why they would want you with someone like that. And wondering why your ex had affairs if he had you to come home to.”
She smiled at him and shrugged. “I wasn’t enough for him, I guess. I don’t think he really wanted to be married, but he did it because it was the thing to do. I was the right kind of wife until I walked out.”
“If he ever shows up at the ranch, just let me talk to him.”
“I can’t imagine he will come to your ranch.”
Ryan reached out and squeezed her hand. “Good. Now let’s talk about something more pleasant. We’re meeting my family for lunch and then you’ll be on your own this afternoon. I’m having a limo meet us at the airport and you can have use of it all afternoon to shop wherever you want. I’ll call when I’m finished with the meeting.”
She smiled. “I can’t wait to go shopping. By the way, does your family know I’m your cook?”
“Sure. That’s no secret.”
“How many cooks
have you taken to meet them?”
“None. You’re the exception in every way.”
She tilted her head to study him as he gazed at her in silence. How she wished she could read his thoughts.
Finally, he clamped his jaw closed and looked away.
They spent the rest of the flight talking, until they landed in Dallas and moved to a black limo that whisked them to a country club.
As they entered a room with a large round table set for lunch, she recognized his family members from their pictures. The first man she noticed had to be a Delaney. Tall, with dark brown eyes and thick wavy black hair, he had a facial structure that bore an uncanny resemblance to Ryan’s. He was with a beautiful sandy-haired blonde with gorgeous green eyes. She looked younger than him and welcoming, with an easy smile.
Ryan made the introductions. “Jessica, this is my brother Will. Will, meet Jessica Upton.”
“I’m Ryan’s new cook,” she said, smiling as she shook hands with Will. “I’ve heard all about you and I’m so happy to meet you,” Jessica said.
“Happy to meet you, too, and glad you joined us for lunch,” Will replied.
“I’ve heard about Caroline and Adam,” Jessica said to them. She looked at Ava. “Any chance you have pictures?”
“Of course,” Ava said, smiling and glancing at Will, who nodded. “We both do,” he said with a laugh. “I’ll let Ava show hers.”
Ava pulled out her phone and held it so Jessica and Ryan could see a picture. Jessica felt a pang as she looked at a beautiful little black-haired girl who was smiling and holding a fuzzy white dog. For an instant she remembered her own loss and how it had hurt. “So this is Caroline. She’s so pretty. Ryan said she’s a little doll and he’s right.” Jessica’s insides knotted and she had a lump in her throat. She fought the emotion. She had thought she was over all the uncontrollable tears and hurt.
“Show her Adam,” Ryan said, slipping his arm casually across Jessica’s shoulders.
