“I see.”
Colt waited for the inevitable fallout questions, but they never came. She wasn’t like any woman he’d known before. She’d gotten under his skin, all right. If he felt this way right now, how would he handle her leaving at the end of the summer? Before more time passed, he intended to ask her about her future plans.
“Before we go back, there’s something else you should know. Lindsey’s going to have that baby any minute. She’s very good-looking and high maintenance. So’s her mother. After she gets out of the hospital, don’t let either of them order you around.”
“Being the new inmate on the block, I learned the hard way about bullying. The trick is not to let them get away with it the first time.” Geena’s smile revealed a hint of toughness. She had grit, all right.
“That goes for headstrong animals, too.”
“Thanks for talking to me, Colt. I think I’m ready to face tomorrow.”
He shifted his weight. “One more reality check. Are you feeling overwhelmed yet?”
She took her time before answering. “I’d be lying if I didn’t tell you I’m nervous that I won’t be able to live up to your expectations. But having said that, you don’t know how nice it is to be around a real family where I can try to help make things easier. Your load is huge. I could ask you the same question about feeling overwhelmed.”
“I admit sometimes I am. When everyone needs you at once, it can be a little suffocating, but that feeling passes. We were talking about your problems.” She had the ability to draw him out when he least expected it.
“In prison I learned about work. It’s the great panacea.”
Work had always been his panacea, but lately he’d found out it wasn’t nearly enough. That appeared to be Geena’s fault. Fighting her charisma was like battling a force of nature.
“If there’s any advice I can give you as your employer, treat the ranch house as your own home. Make it yours.”
“Thank you.”
“If you want to change the decor in Mary’s old room, you have my permission to do whatever you want with it.”
“I couldn’t!” she emoted. “It’s like living inside a fabulous museum. I love it.”
“You’d make her happy if she heard that. The entertainment center is in your bedroom armoire but keep in mind we have a family room you saw off the living room. It’s there for your use any time. And something else.” He pulled a cell phone out of his pocket. “I bought you this and a laptop today while you were shopping.”
She took it from him. Though brief, he felt her touch like a white-hot brand. “You’ve thought of everything!”
“We need to be able to keep in touch. I’ve programmed my cell phone number on two, and put your number in my phone. You can phone long distance or out of the country. Later you can program in the other phone numbers you want.
“I also loaded the laptop and left it in your room. Look through it when you have time. If you have problems navigating, I’ll help you. It contains all the information you need on the staff. Phone numbers, addresses. That includes the hands and stockmen. Emergency numbers.
“As for the house inventory, once you have a grasp, it’ll make a difference in what supplies you order and how much will be needed at one time. You’re welcome to use the computer in the den too.”
“All I do is say thank you.” She put the phone in her front pocket. “Now there’s something I have to say to you.”
“That sounds serious.”
“It is. Don’t ever hold back if you’ve discovered I’ve done something wrong or overstepped my bounds or dealt with something in a way that made things worse. The only way I can learn is for you to tell me straight up, Colt. No lies, no tiptoeing around the truth to spare hurt feelings.”
Her earnestness brought out more of her natural beauty. “In other words, no quarter asked.”
“None. I’m a big girl going on twenty-eight. I grew up after I was put in prison.”
Prison was the word that came up in her conversation more than any other. Colt decided he was the one who needed therapy if he was going to be able to handle it. “Then I would say we understand each other.”
“Yes.”
She beat him back to the truck and started the engine. They returned to the ranch house while another amazing full moon started its ascent. She poked her head out the window. “Can you believe we actually went up there?”
“One of our hands thinks it was a hoax.”
“Several inmates were convinced it was a conspiracy, too. To be honest, I really don’t care what they believe. How could anyone care on a night like this? Umm. Fresh mountain air. There’s nothing like it.”
“I agree with you.”
“I know one thing. I’ll never take anything for granted again.”
Almost to the house, his cell phone rang. He checked the caller ID and picked up. “Hank?”
“Travis left me a message that Lindsey’s water broke. The doctor told him to drive her to the hospital.”
Colt was afraid he knew why his brother sounded so anxious. “This is what we’ve all been waiting for.”
“Where are you? Haven’t you checked your messages?”
For once Colt had been too involved in his conversation with Geena to think about anything else. “I was busy.”
“Shouldn’t we do something?”
“Not until Travis asks us. I’ll see you in a few minutes.”
After he clicked off Geena said, “I take it the baby is coming. Is it a boy or a girl?”
“A girl.”
“You’re going to be an uncle before you know it. That’s exciting.”
It should be. But having both his brothers in love with the same woman clouded the picture for Colt. “Now that we’re back, you go to bed, Geena. It’s been a long day. I’ll see you in the morning.”
“Thank you for giving me a new start. I’ll always be indebted to you.” She jumped down from the truck and hurried into the house without drawing out their conversation. Was she a little spooked by Colt? He’d gotten the impression she was a very private person, but maybe he made her nervous. By the time he walked through the back door, she’d disappeared.
He moved through the house to check on his mother. She was in bed asleep. All was quiet from Ina’s room. After locking up and turning out lights, Colt climbed the stairs. Hank met him at the top and followed him into his bedroom.
“Where in the hell have you been?”
“I gave Mary’s truck to Geena. She drove us a ways while she got used to it.”
“That’s quite a transformation from the woman I met in the kitchen last night. What’s the story on her? I didn’t see a car.”
“She didn’t have one. Geena arrived on her bike to interview for the position.” Straight from prison.
“She’s a biker?”
“Not in the sense you mean. She has a road bike. I put it inside the storage shed for safekeeping.”
“So where did she sleep last night?”
Colt was getting tired of answering his questions. “In Mary’s old room.”
“You’re kidding! You mean you hired her on the spot?”
No, but for reasons he still hadn’t examined, he hadn’t want to see her leave. “Not until today. With Ina occupying the guest room on the main floor, I had to put her somewhere last night.” Certainly not upstairs in the other guest room across from Hank’s bedroom.
His brother might take it on himself to get more acquainted with her and start asking questions. Geena would rather no one knew about her time in prison. Colt didn’t want his brother making her uncomfortable.
“Can she even cook?”
Geena’s looks had knocked his brother sideways. Obviously, so had her rejection. But his brother was so mixed up emotionall
y, it was hard to read him. “I guess we’ll find out tomorrow. At least you’re off the hook. She’s temporary until fall. By then I’ll find a woman like Mary to replace her.”
“Fat chance.”
Colt agreed, yet he had to honor the contract he’d made with Geena. That meant he needed to put out more feelers for a permanent housekeeper, but the idea of her leaving was growing unacceptable to him.
“Let’s just be thankful that with the baby coming, someone will be here to help out. A word of warning, Hank. Let’s respect her boundaries, hmm?”
His brother sighed. “I’m going to have to, since she turned me down for a date.”
Good. The resignation in Hank’s voice told him all he needed to know. “That makes for less complications around here. Go to bed, Hank. We’ll hear from Travis before long. I don’t know about you, but I’m whacked.” Except that Colt knew he’d have another sleepless night.
* * *
When the alarm clock went off at five-thirty, Geena jumped out of bed to get ready for her first day of work. She’d showered last night, so all she had to do was put on a fresh pair of jeans and a plum-colored cotton crew neck sweater with short sleeves. While she rebraided her hair and put it on top of her head, she wondered if the baby had been born yet.
After applying a pink lipgloss, she slipped on sandals and hurried through the house to the mudroom. Tonight she would serve leg of lamb with all the trimmings.
Once she’d taken it out of the freezer and put it aside in the kitchen to thaw, she made coffee, then got bacon and sausage from the fridge. They’d taste good with scrambled eggs. For an added treat, she made milk gravy and baking powder biscuits. She’d forgotten how much fun it was to cook. Her grandmother’s recipes were the best.
By five to seven, everything was ready and she’d poured the orange juice. As she added two kinds of jam to the table, her employer entered the kitchen in a tan Western shirt and jeans. He could have no idea how his incomparable masculinity affected the opposite sex.
“Good morning, Geena. Something in here smells fabulous.”
He smelled marvelous himself. “I hope it tastes as good.” Colt was so striking, she busied herself pouring him some coffee at the place where he’d sat last night. “Do I take it you have a new niece?”
Before he sat down, his hazel gaze appraised her so thoroughly, she could hardly breathe. “Not yet, but I suspect it won’t be long now. After breakfast Hank and I will drive to Sundance and see how things are going. By the way, I spoke to Hank last night. He gets it.”
Geena’s heart warmed to him even more for being concerned. “Thank you for telling me.” While he drained his glass of juice, she went over to the stove and made up a plate for him. “Do you like milk gravy on your biscuits?”
“I like everything. Bring it on.”
“You sound like my brother Todd.”
“How old was he when he died?”
“I’d say Hank’s age.”
“Were you close?”
“Very.” Until Janice moved in with him. She was probably living with another guy by now. And what about the baby? Was it even alive?
Stifling another shudder, she brought his plate over and set it in front of him. “Before I serve anyone else, does anyone in the house have allergies I should know about? Or foods they truly don’t like? Especially your mom?”
He ate two sausage links before he flashed her a sideward glance. “Not to my knowledge, but I appreciate you asking. Won’t you join me?”
“Not yet. I’m waiting for everyone to come.” In truth she derived pure pleasure from watching him eat while she propped herself against the counter to drink her coffee. Anticipating his desire for more biscuits, she took a plate of them to the table. In a minute they disappeared.
Soon a guest she hadn’t thought of came flying into the kitchen. He plopped his head on Colt’s leg.
“Hey, Titus.” He rubbed his fur. “Mac must have brought you home.” His presence reminded Geena to put out dog food for him.
After feeding the dog a sausage, Colt got up from the chair and left and, before she knew it, he came back into the kitchen with a dark-blond man who had to be in his mid forties. “Mac Saunders? Meet Geena
Williams, our new housekeeper.”
Mac removed his cowboy hat and shook her hand. “Pleased to make your acquaintance, ma’am.”
“Sit down and have breakfast with us,” Colt insisted. “These biscuits and milk gravy are to die for.” Colt sounded like he’d meant it.
“Yeah?” the foreman grinned. His blue eyes lingered on Geena before he complied.
“Let me take your hat.” She put it over on one of the other counters before she served him a plate.
“Yup,” he said a minute later. “I think I just died and went to heaven.”
Colt eyed her briefly. “Did you hear that, Geena?”
“If it’s food, men love it,” she teased.
“This is food—” Mac blurted with such enthusiasm it warmed her heart. While the two men discussed the day’s work schedule, she heard other voices.
Hank came in, making record time with that cast on his leg. He was followed by Ina and their mother. Geena was kept busy serving everyone. She buttered a hot biscuit for Laura and put blackberry jam on it.
“No word from Travis yet?” Ina inquired. Colt shook his head. “A first baby usually takes a long time.”
“We’re going to see him after we eat,” Hank muttered. The other two men continued to talk business. Geena poured everyone a second cup of coffee and kept the food coming. Before long a restless Hank got up from the table. “Coming, Colt?”
“As soon as I’ve had one more of Geena’s biscuits. I think I’ve eaten half a dozen.”
Mac laughed. “With food like this, you’re going to gain weight fast. Much obliged, Geena.” He got up and walked over to the counter for his hat.
Hank wheeled around and left the kitchen in a temper Geena could feel. Colt eyed her briefly before he got to his feet. Though Colt had explained some of Hank’s problems to do with his broken leg and his rodeo career, he hadn’t told her everything. Nor had Colt explained about his own wife or his marriage. “See you later.”
After the men left, Ina stood up. “That was a delicious meal, Geena.”
“Thank you. I’m glad to see Laura enjoyed it too.”
“She surely did.”
“Colt said you eat lunch at one o’clock.”
“Yes, but after all this, I’m not sure we’ll be hungry. Don’t go to a lot of trouble. Make something light. See you later.”
Once they’d gone, Geena put more food and water out for Titus, then cleared the table and did the dishes. Before long she heard a female voice call out hello. It turned out to be Elaine Ruff, one of the house cleaners coming into in the kitchen. Evidently all three women had keys. They chatted for a few minutes. Elaine informed Geena that today was the day she washed windows.
Geena told her to go about her usual business, then she changed clothes and drove into town. She needed to pick up the mail. After that she renewed her driver’s license and then bought produce. Ina had said she wanted something light for lunch so Geena decided to pick up some fresh crab for a salad.
Before she started back to the ranch, she made one more quick stop near the town center.
* * *
Colt entered the back of the house with no time to spare before dinner. He’d planned it this way on purpose. After leaving the hospital at eleven that morning, he’d seen the white truck parked in front of the police station on his way out of town. Hank hadn’t noticed or he would have said something.
At the sight of it there, any relief Colt felt now that the long nine-month wait was over and mother and daughter were doing well had gone up in smoke. He could speculate till doomsd
ay about Geena’s skittishness, but it wouldn’t do any good until she told him what she’d been doing there. The hell of it was, he knew it was none of his business.
But he wanted it to be his business because he was growing more attracted to her all the time. The fact that she was planning to leave the ranch at the end of the summer was the very reason he should have no personal interest in her. Unfortunately, he’d already become emotionally involved with her.
She was the first woman to get to him like this since his divorce. He hadn’t thought he could feel like this again. But alongside the attraction was the frustration that she hadn’t opened up to him emotionally. Not being able to know her private thoughts and feelings was driving him crazy.
When he’d dropped off a taciturn Hank at the house, he’d gone straight to the barn for his horse. Since then, he’d been in the saddle close to eight hours repairing fence line. Hard work should have brought some semblance of calm to his mind, but nothing could have been further from the truth.
He walked into the mudroom to wash the dust off his face and hands. After drying himself, he stepped into the kitchen and was assaulted by the smell of roast lamb and homemade cinnamon rolls. The aroma knocked him back on his heels. It smelled like his mother’s cooking before she’d come down with Alzheimer’s. Since then Mary had taken over in the food department. Her meals had been good, but nothing like this.
His gaze moved to Geena, who was wearing a denim skirt and striped blouse her figure did wonders for. Her back was turned to him while she tossed a green salad. Everything was in order. The table set. So what were you expecting, Brannigan?
She turned to put the bowl on the table and saw him. “I didn’t realize you were back. Congratulations on becoming an uncle!” Her cheery attitude got under his skin. Whatever she was hiding wasn’t visible on the surface. “How does it feel?”
Geena had done nothing wrong. In fact, so far she’d done everything right. That was the problem.
“I’m still getting used to the idea.” It was Hank who had the problem dealing with his emotions where
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