The Cowboy's Christmas Proposal. Judy Christenberry

somewhere or do anything about safeguarding them?” Sally asked.

      “He said he put the books somewhere safe, but who knows where that might be. I just wish I’d waited a while before handing them over.” As if to underline her feelings, there was a knock on the back door. Penny got up to answer it.

      “Penny,” Jake said, “I’m sorry to interrupt your dinner, but I wanted to give these back to you before they are damaged. I think someone was in my room today while we were out. Luckily they didn’t get to the books, but given time, they might.”

      Penny took the journals from him and realized that she had been wrong about Jake. She suddenly felt rather guilty for her earlier outburst in front of Sally and Harriet. “But how are you going to read them to learn about the ranch?”

      “I think they will be safer with you, but I thought maybe on Sunday, you’d let me come to the house and read them.”

      “Yes, of course.”

      There was a slight pause as Jake prepared to take his leave. But suddenly Penny wanted him to stay for just a little longer. “Did you get your dinner, Jake?”

      “No, I slipped out while they were all getting in line. I’ll get some food when I get back.”

      Harriet came to the door. “There’s plenty of food here. Maybe you should ask Jake to join us.”

      Penny looked at Harriet. Then she turned back to Jake. “You can join us for dinner if you want. We have plenty.”

      “Are you sure you don’t mind?”

      “No, I don’t mind. You must be hungry.”

      Once Jake stepped into the kitchen, he realized there was another guest. “I’m sorry. I didn’t know you had company.”

      “Sally, this is Jake Larson, my manager. Jake, this is Sally Rogers, my cousin.”

      “It’s nice to meet you, Sally. You run the general store, don’t you?”

      “Yes, I do.”

      Harriet put another place setting on the table. “Sit right here, Jake. Go ahead and serve yourself.”

      “This looks great, Harriet. I can see why Penny’s pleased with your work.”

      “Why, thank you, Jake,” Harriet said with a big smile.

      Penny felt like everyone was smiling at Jake but her. “How could you tell someone had been in your room?”

      Jake swallowed a mouthful of food before answering, “Well, a few things were moved around a little, not like I’d left them. I also found some scratch marks on the lock box that I’d stored the books in. There’s no way that could’ve happened with it stored under my bed, so somebody has definitely been snooping around.”

      “When did they have time?”

      “Cookie didn’t say anything, but I believe some of them came in early. I intend to ask him about it when no one else is around.”

      “Have some rolls while they’re hot,” Harriet urged.

      Jake took several rolls and began eating. Penny wanted to ask more questions, but she’d been raised by her mother’s rules of etiquette. It was rude to interrupt a hungry man’s meal.

      When Harriet brought out her apple pie, Jake’s eyes glowed. “Man, that looks good, Harriet.”

      “I hope it tastes good, Jake.”

      She had no doubt about its taste when Jake finished. He raved about her pie.

      “I’ll have to make some more for the bunkhouse, too. But I thought I’d make a cake next. I don’t want you boys to get bored with the same dessert.”

      “We’ll look forward to anything you send us, Harriet.” Jake wiped his mouth with his napkin and put it beside his plate.

      Again, Penny noted his good manners and felt a little pang for not trusting him more. But that didn’t mean he hadn’t risked her dad’s journals by mentioning them to the cowboys.

      He stood and thanked Harriet and Penny for inviting him to join them. Then he told Sally how pleased he was to meet her.

      Penny wondered if there was any attraction there. She guessed she had no problem with that. But the sudden thought of Jake and Sally together made Penny feel decidedly uncomfortable. Penny didn’t know why she was feeling this way, since she hardly knew Jake. She realized that she must be more tired than she thought. She said good-night, hoping her emotions didn’t show. The look in Jake’s eyes told her she wasn’t as successful as she’d hoped. Blushing slightly, she turned to meet Jake’s chocolate gaze, “Tomorrow at seven?” she asked.

      “Right. Good night, everyone.”

      Once the door had closed behind him, Sally said, “Well, I think he’s very nice, Penny. He’s charming and polite and I’m sure he will make a wonderful manager.”

      Penny sat back down at the table. “I don’t know what to think. But I’m grateful to have Dad’s journals back.” Penny gently ran her hand over the cover of the journals, her mind a riot of thoughts and feelings. It had been surprising how easy it had been to relax with Jake over dinner and she found herself looking forward to the day ahead.

      She picked up the journals. “Harriet, if anyone asks you, you never saw these journals.

      “Sure, Penny. What are you going to do with them?”

      “Dad had a safe put in because a lot of cowboys liked to be paid in cash. He didn’t want to keep a large amount of money here without a place to keep it secure. I’ll put the journals in there where they’ll be nice and safe.” Penny stood up from the table.

      “Sally, will you come on up with me?”

      “Okay.”

      Upstairs, Penny went to her parents’ room and opened the safe. Inside, she moved aside some papers and stored the two books there. “I think there’s room for more of the books. Would you bring them here from Dad’s bedside table?”

      “I’ll be glad to. I see you haven’t changed anything in here. I’d wondered.”

      “Have you cleaned out your parents’ bedroom?” Penny asked.

      “No. It just seems…so final.”

      “I know. Harriet has volunteered to clean out the clothes that I don’t want, to give to charity so someone will use them.”

      “I suppose that’s a good idea. Maybe I can do it a little bit at a time.”

      “If you like you could ask Harriet to come help you on Saturday.”