The Cowboy's Christmas Proposal. Judy Christenberry

meals. A housekeeper was a necessity.

      But she wasn’t sure she could stand to have a stranger live with her, in the same house. She’d always shared the house with her parents and brother, but no one else. Penny was more nervous about this interview than she had been with Jake Larson.

      Another vehicle pulled into the driveway. Penny watched through the window at the lady who got out. She guessed her age was about fifty, a little overweight, but not much. Even better, she had a pleasant expression on her face.

      Again, Penny waited until her visitor knocked and then opened the door. The lady introduced herself as Harriet Buckner. Penny invited her in.

      “My, what a lovely kitchen,” the woman said, looking around.

      “Yes, my father had it redone last year for my—my mother.”

      “Oh, yes, I heard. I’m so sorry for your loss.”

      “Thank you. I helped my mother with the housework and cooking, but now I’m going to be riding out each day with my new manager to learn the business and I don’t think I’ll feel like cooking and cleaning also.” She drew a deep breath. “So, I’m looking for a housekeeper who can do all those things herself.”

      The woman nodded. “I’ve been cooking since I was a little girl and I enjoy it. And I’m good at cleaning. Are there any duties you’re especially looking for?”

      “No, I don’t think so. But I did tell the new manager you’d do his laundry. I put a laundry basket in his room. And maybe occasional baking for the men. They seldom have time for any cooking that takes time.”

      “Of course. So it’ll just be you and me for meals here in the house?”

      “Yes, unless I invite someone. My cousin and I try to visit as much as we can. Or I might ask the manager to join us occasionally so I can ask questions about something that happened. I’m a raw beginner at ranching.”

      “I see. I could always prepare enough food for three. Then I’d eat the leftovers the next day for lunch, so it wouldn’t go to waste.”

      “Yes, that would work. Do you think you’d like the job?”

      “It sounds perfect to me.”

      Penny drew a deep breath. “I’ll show you your room.” She’d already decided the guest room on the first floor would be perfect for the housekeeper. She led her down the hall and opened the door. “This bedroom would be yours and it has an attached bathroom for you.”

      “Oh, my, it’s quite lovely. I’ll be very comfortable here.”

      “All right. Do you need to go back to Trinity to get your belongings before you move in?” To Penny’s surprise, the woman’s face turned a bright red.

      “No! I—I took my belongings with me. You see, the rancher I worked for previously decided he—he was interested in marrying me, but it had only been a month since his wife had died. I thought he was looking for a way to have my services without paying me a salary. I wasn’t interested.”

      “Oh, yes, I understand. That would be awkward.”

      “Yes. I really appreciate you giving me this job. I promise I’ll do my best. You just let me know what you want me to do.”

      “I will. I’ll take care of my own bedroom. You’ll just need to clean the downstairs.”

      “You’re making the job sound too easy.”

      “No, I’m sure you’ll be busy.”

      “Okay. What time do you want breakfast on the table?”

      “Oh! I didn’t ask my new manager what time he wanted me to be ready. I’ll go ask him while you’re getting settled.”

      Penny stepped out on the back porch and gave a sigh of relief. Harriet seemed like she’d be okay and easy to get along with.

      She walked down to the bunkhouse and knocked on the door. When there was no answer, she stepped inside and moved to the manager’s room. No answer there, either.

      Moving back outside, she noted that the truck and trailer had been parked out of the way but were still there. She moved to the main barn that held some of the hay supply but also housed any cows that had problems with their calves, or injured horses.

      No one there.

      Then she heard that deep voice that fascinated her. It was coming from the nearest corral. She moved out into the cold air again and found him petting a horse.

      “Beautiful horse. Is he yours?” she asked.

      Jake spun around as if she’d crept up behind him. “Uh, yeah, he’s mine. His name is Apache. I—I took a little hay to feed him.”

      “That’s fine. The men usually put their rides in a corral in winter. It makes it much easier to get started in the morning and more efficient to feed them when they are in a corral.”

      “Yeah, I figured.”

      “I needed to ask you what time you wanted to start in the morning.”

      “I usually eat breakfast at six-thirty. There’s barely enough light at seven in the winter. That’s when you’d need to be in the saddle. Have you ever ridden a horse before?”

      “Yes, I’m a proficient rider. It’s the one thing my dad insisted I learn.”

      “Okay, then I’ll see you at seven.”

      “Do we take our lunches with us?”

      “Would you like us to have a picnic together?” he asked, sarcasm in his voice.

      Penny stiffened. “No, I didn’t mean to have a picnic, but I’m used to eating lunch. I didn’t want to waste time coming in for lunch.”

      “You go ahead and bring along what you need to eat, but it has to be eaten while you’re in the saddle. I don’t eat lunch.”

      “Fine. I’ll see you at seven in the morning.”

      She didn’t wait for an answer. Spinning on her heels she headed for the house.

      CHAPTER TWO

      PENNY marched back to the house, her teeth clenched. The nerve of the man! He thought she was hoping for a romantic picnic? He had the wrong idea about her. She would have to be on her toes to make sure he didn’t get that idea again!

      When she reached the house, she went to Harriet’s bedroom. The lady was storing away her clothes.

      “Is everything okay, Harriet?”

      “Yes, ma’am. What time did the manager expect you to be ready?”

      “He said seven. His name is Jake Larson, by the way, but don’t expect him to be friendly.”

      “Oh? And you hired him anyway?”

      “I was warned that though he’s honest, he has problems with thinking he’s a ladies’ man. When I asked him if I should bring a lunch tomorrow, he thought I was expecting a romantic picnic!”

      “And that’s what he wanted?”

      Penny looked at Harriet, frowning. “No,” she said slowly, “his question was sarcastic, as if that was the last thing he wanted.”

      Harriet didn’t say anything.

      “Maybe he’s changed his tune, but I’ll be on my toes anyway. I’m not looking for a boyfriend.”

      “So you’re not taking a lunch?”

      “I need something to eat that I can manage in the saddle. Do you know what I can take with me?”

      “A sandwich will work. It won’t spoil in winter. An apple works okay, too, and what you don’t eat can be fed to your horse.”

      “Good