Jossy knew she’d been rude, but she couldn’t bring herself to apologize. Not when the man’s expensive cologne teased her nose and the warmth of his presence beside her made every nerve ending in her body prance to attention. His arm accidentally rubbed against hers, and she nearly dropped the glass in her hand.
Openly, he studied her, his gaze holding hers captive, his eyes growing dark until the hue reminded her of the leaves of a cottonwood tree cast into twilight shadows. Unable to look away, she watched his jaw tighten as he appeared to battle an inner debate.
Suddenly, he set the pan he held on the counter with a clang and turned to her. The ludicrous notion that he was about to kiss her caused Jossy to moisten her lips instead of step away from him. Regardless of her head shouting for her to turn tail and run, her feet seemed rooted to the floor. Slowly, his head dipped toward hers and Jossy began to lower her eyelashes, anticipating his kiss.
Nell chose that moment to hurry back into the kitchen, oblivious to whatever craziness was happening between Jossy and the attorney. “Great news! The pastor and church are both available for the wedding.” She looked around, realizing only Jossy and Nathaniel remained in the room. “Where’s Hud and Emery?”
“Hud walked out with Parker. He’s probably taking care of the evening chores. Emery is still helping Cricket pack.” Jossy hastily stepped away from Nathaniel, grateful her grandmother had made such a timely appearance. If she hadn’t, Jossy might have lost every last speck of sense she possessed and allowed the attorney to kiss her.
Stunned by the realization of what had almost happened, she released a sigh of relief when Emery and Cricket returned. Cricket ran over to Jossy, wrapping her arms around her legs. “I’m so glad I get to spend the night at your house, Aunt Jossy. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome, baby girl. Shall we get going?” Jossy set the last clean pan in the drainer to dry.
“Yep!” Cricket ran over to Nell and kissed her cheek, hugged Emery, then waved at Nathaniel. “It was nice to meet you Mr. Knight.”
“You as well, Cricket. Have fun with your aunt.”
“I will!” Cricket grabbed Jossy’s hand before she finished drying them on a dish towel and began tugging her toward the back door. “Let’s go, Aunt Jossy. I wanna see the babies.”
“We’ll catch up with everyone at church tomorrow,” Jossy said, giving the occupants of the kitchen a parting glance before she walked outside with her niece.
Once Cricket was buckled into her booster seat and chatting a mile a minute, Jossy started her pickup and drove across the road to her ranch. As she passed beneath the Lazy J Ranch sign that hung from a solid timber frame, she thought about how nice it was Hud had given her the sign for Christmas the year before last. He’d helped her clear and pave the road after Richard had died, creating an entry to the ranch that was not only closer to her house, but much more convenient to both the main road and Summer Creek Ranch where Hud and Nell lived.
Life had certainly changed since Richard passed away two years ago, leaving her a widow at twenty-seven. Often, she worked from well before dawn to far past dusk just because she hated being alone in the quiet house with nothing but her thoughts and guilt to keep her company.
Tonight, though, Cricket would be there to bring much needed joy to her heart.
After they spent an hour with the horses, the two of them watched a Disney cartoon, and ate ice cream sundaes. Finally, Cricket rubbed her eyes and yawned so widely, Jossy laughed at her niece as she tried to force herself to stay awake.
“Bedtime, baby girl,” she said, carrying Cricket to one of three guest rooms located upstairs. She helped Cricket get ready for bed, then listened to the child’s prayers.
“Thank you, God, for Emery. I’m so happy she’s gonna be my mama now. I knew you sent her here to love us. And thanks for my daddy, and Grammy, and Aunt Jossy, and our friends, and the horses, and my kitty, Luna, and the dogs, and cows, and the good food we had to eat, especially ice cream. Please bless us and hold us in your hands. And thanks again for my new mama. Amen.”
Jossy smiled as she lovingly tucked Cricket beneath the covers of the big bed. “I get the idea you’re pretty happy about Emery agreeing to marry your daddy.”
“I am, Aunt Jossy. I just knew she came to be my mama. We’re gonna have tea parties and play dress up and ride horses, and have the bestest time ever.” Cricket’s eyes, the same rich cobalt color as Jossy’s, glittered with excitement.
“Do you think I can join you for any of that fun you’re planning?” Jossy asked as she kissed Cricket’s cheek.
The little girl threw her arms around Jossy’s neck, squeezing tight. “Yep! You’re my favorite auntie. You have to come to the tea parties, too.”
Jossy chuckled softly. “I’m your only aunt, but I appreciate the invitation.”
“I’d still love you best if I had ten aunties.” Cricket noisily smacked her cheek then flopped back against the pillows. “Love you, Aunt Jossy.”
“And I love you, Cricket. Have sweet dreams, baby.”
“I will. Night-night.”
Cricket sighed and rolled onto her side, one little hand beneath her cheek as her eyes drifted shut. Jossy stood by the bed and watched her for a moment, brushing Cricket’s unruly black curls away from her face, wishing, not for the first time, for a child of her own. Before her thoughts tumbled in a direction she hated for them to go, she bent down and pressed a light kiss to Cricket’s forehead. Quietly, she walked out of the room, leaving the door partially open so the nightlight she’d plugged into an outlet in the hallway would make it easy for Cricket to find the bathroom if she awakened in the night.
On silent feet, Jossy made her way to the kitchen. She fixed a cup of passionflower tea, hoping it would help her relax enough to get a few hours of sleep, then curled into the soft cushions of the couch, not bothering to turn on a light.
The darkness swirled around her as she sipped the tea, letting memories and emotions wash over her. Livid at herself for allowing Nathaniel Knight to stir her emotions, she hoped the man was long gone before she met her family at church in the morning. Good riddance to him.
She had no use for a handsome hotshot from Portland, especially not one who left her lips tingling at the very thought of his kiss.
Order your copy today!
Read more about Ty and Lexi Lewis and the Rockin’ R Ranch in
Learning the Ropes!
All he wanted was a job . . .
He didn't plan on a beautiful boss, a crazy dog, or a ranch in the middle of nowhere
In a moment of desperation, homeless and unemployed auto mechanic Ty Lewis responds to a classified ad for a job in Harney County, Oregon. Offered the position on a remote ranch, he bids goodbye to his life in Portland and heads to the tiny community of Riley to jump into a new adventure. He encounters a behemoth dog that rules the ranch, a crusty old cowboy full of legendary wisdom, and a beautiful woman who can’t possibly be his new employer.
After the untimely death of her father, Lexi Ryan leaves behind a successful career in the city to return home to the Rockin’ R Ranch. As the new owner of the ranch, it doesn’t take long for Lexi to discover her father did many odd things during the last few months of his life, like hiding half a million dollars somewhere on the place.
Ty and Lexi are both in for a few surprises as he begins learning the ropes of country life in this sweet romance brimming with laughter and love.
Available now!
Books by Shanna Hatfield
FICTION
HISTORICAL
Baker City Brides
Tad’s Treasure
Crumpets and Cowpies
Thimbles and Thistles
Corsets and Cuffs
Bobbins and Boots
Lightning and Lawmen
Dumplings and Dynamite
Pendleton Petticoats
Dacey
Aundy
Caterina
Ilsa
Marnie
>
Lacy
Bertie
Millie
Dally
Quinn
Evie
Hardman Holidays
The Christmas Bargain
The Christmas Token
The Christmas Calamity
The Christmas Vow
The Christmas Quandary
The Christmas Confection
The Christmas Melody
The Christmas Ring
Gifts of Christmas
Gift of Grace
Gift of Hope
Gift of Faith
Hearts of the War
Garden of Her Heart
Home of Her Heart
Dream of Her Heart
CONTEMPORARY
Learning The Ropes
Love at the 20-Yard Line
QR Code Killer
Rose
Summer Creek
Catching the Cowboy
Rescuing the Rancher
Protecting the Princess
Grass Valley Cowboys
The Cowboy’s Christmas Plan
The Cowboy’s Spring Romance
The Cowboy’s Summer Love
The Cowboy’s Autumn Fall
The Cowboy’s New Heart
The Cowboy’s Last Goodbye
Holiday Brides
Valentine Bride
Summer Bride
Easter Bride
Rodeo Romance
The Christmas Cowboy
Wrestling Christmas
Capturing Christmas
Barreling Through Christmas
Chasing Christmas
Racing Christmas
Keeping Christmas
Friendly Beasts of Faraday
Scent of Cedar
Tidings of Joy
Boughs of Holly
Wings of an Angel
Romance by Chance
Taste of Tara
Saving Mistletoe
Silverton Sweethearts
The Coffee Girl
The Christmas Crusade
Untangling Christmas
Welcome to Romance
Blown Into Romance
Sleigh Bells Ring in Romance
The Women of Tenacity
Box Set with Bonus Prelude
Heart of Clay
Heart of Hope
Heart of Love
CHILDREN’S BOOKS
Steve the Mule
NONFICTION
A Cowboy Christmas
Farm Girl
Fifty Dates with Captain Cavedweller
Recipes of Love
Savvy Entertaining
Savvy Autumn Entertaining
Savvy Holiday Entertaining
Savvy Spring Entertaining
Savvy Summer Entertaining
About the Author
PHOTO BY SHANA BAILEY PHOTOGRAPHY
USA Today bestselling author Shanna Hatfield is a farm girl who loves to write. Her sweet historical and contemporary romances are filled with sarcasm, humor, hope, and hunky heroes.
When Shanna isn’t dreaming up unforgettable characters, twisting plots, or covertly seeking dark, decadent chocolate, she hangs out with her beloved husband, Captain Cavedweller, at their home in the Pacific Northwest.
Shanna loves to hear from readers.
Connect with her online:
Website: shannahatfield.com
Facebook: Shanna Hatfield’s Page
Shanna Hatfield’s Hopeless Romantics Group
Pinterest: Shanna Hatfield
Email: [email protected]
Catching the Cowboy: A Small-Town Clean Romance (Summer Creek Book 1) Page 27
