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His thoughts wandered toward Ms. Calhoun. She was one pretty woman. Not your typical rich rancher’s daughter. She’d ridden out on a cold January day to find her dad’s horse just like the hired hands.
She went by the name Calhoun and had a son, so was she divorced, or never married? Either way, he needed to stay clear of her. A woman with a child wasn’t a good thing. Not for him. He’d never fit into that mold. He flashed back to years ago, to his mother and her crazy boyfriend with the freewheeling fist. Nope, he didn’t do the family or commitment thing. He’d heard the word love tossed around enough to know that it had been meaningless to him. It had only been connected to hurtful memories. With love came trust, and it was hard to trust someone when they were beating the hell out of you.
But damn, Jess Calhoun was tempting enough to make him forget a lot of pain.
There was a knock at the door. “Come in.”
The door opened and Jess stuck her head in. “I wanted to bring by some sheets and towels. We didn’t know you were coming, so your bed isn’t made up.”
When he looked at her, he didn’t think about making up a bed. He stood. “It’s okay. I kind of sprung my arrival on you.”
“Not a problem. Storm needs help.” She nodded and glanced around nervously. “I hope the accommodations are satisfactory for you.”
If she’d only seen some of the places he’d lived in.
“I didn’t expect anything besides a bed in the bunkhouse. This is great.”
Johnny took the linens from her. Their hands brushed and he felt her jump. “Well, we want you to be comfortable.”
“I am, thank you.” He paused and rushed on to say, “Again, I want to apologize for letting Brady pet Risky earlier. I trust my horse, so I never once thought he might hurt the boy.”
She nodded. “I know I’m a little overprotective. I’m not used to Brady going to strangers, especially around horses.”
He couldn’t help but be intrigued by this woman’s situation. “What about Brady’s father?”
She glanced away. “He’s not in his life.”
Johnny felt his chest tighten. He knew what it was like to have no father. “I’m sorry.”
She sighed. “Some things are for the best. That was one of the reasons why my father and Brady were so close. We’ve all suffered greatly since his death.”
“I can understand that,” he told her. “I promise I won’t do anything to upset Brady. I only want to help Storm.”
“Good. I should go and let you get settled in.”
She headed for the door when Wes appeared. “Looks like I’m a little late for the welcoming committee.”
Jess nodded. “I’m leaving, so you can continue for me.” She was gone.
Wes stayed. “I just talked with Holt again,” the foreman said. “He told me to make sure you feel at home. So whatever you need let me know.”
“Everything is fine.”
Wes grinned. “We want to make sure you hang around for a while.”
“No promises. I agreed to work with Storm, but after that, we’ll see.”
“Fair enough.” Wes opened the door to leave.
“Supper is at six. See you then.”
Johnny wasn’t going to barge in on the Calhouns. “Look, Wes. I don’t have to go. I know the boy extended the invite but …”
“And Brady will probably have a million questions for you.” Wes paused. “Look, as you can see the boy has a big fear of horses mainly because of an incident with a spooked horse when he was a toddler. He’s really looking forward to talking to you at supper.” The foreman frowned. “And if the boy is taking an interest in you training Storm, I take it as a good sign.”
Johnny finally nodded. As long as the boy didn’t expect anything more than a few answers about horses. “I guess I can handle as many questions as he can ask.”
A smile spread across Wes’s face. “I suggest you stick around long enough to sample Jess’s dessert. That’s her specialty.”
The picture in Johnny’s head conjured a lot more than sweet confections. “Then I guess I should stay and have a taste.”
Johnny studied the big ranch-style house, which might have been built a hundred years ago. There had been several additions to the structure, including the large kitchen that had been remodeled recently with all the modern conveniences. There was a huge double oven and the gas cooktop had eight burners. The refrigerator was industrial-size. Then he learned that Jess’s late mother, Sandra, and Jess had begun making their homemade jellies and jams right here until Jess had outgrown the space. After her mother’s heart attack and death three years ago, Jess had opened up shop at another location on the ranch.
So Ms. Calhoun worked for a living.
The group sat in front of the fireplace at a long wooden table that looked as if it had been around for years. Wes explained that Clay had liked eating in the kitchen.
Although the Calhouns were extremely wealthy you couldn’t tell by the way they acted or treated others. They were down-to-earth folk.
The meal was pot roast with potatoes and carrots. His favorite. The biscuits were mouthwatering. And, oh, yeah, he couldn’t wait until dessert.
“What do you whisper to the horses?” Brady asked, breaking into his thoughts. “Magic words?”
“No, not magic. I just want to get the horse used to my voice. Not spook ‘em. Each animal is different.” He glanced across the table at Jess. “Sometimes, if it’s a filly, I’ve been known to sweet-talk them. All females respond to that.”
The boy giggled. “Mom likes it when I’m sweet, too.”
Jess smiled at her son.
Brady turned back to him. “Can I watch you train Storm? Mom said I have to ask permission.”
Johnny glanced at Jess again. He wasn’t sure how she felt about it. “Why don’t you give me a little time with him and we’ll see how it goes? Horses can be unpredictable.”
The boy frowned. “I don’t know what that word means.”
“It means we don’t know how Storm will act. He misses your grandfather. And from what I’ve been told they were good friends. I’m gonna try and help him so he’ll trust people.”
“You think someday I can pet him like I did Risky?”
“That’s what I’m hoping for.”
When Nancy stood and began to clear the table, Wes immediately got up and helped her. Johnny smiled as the two huddled together at the sink and talked quietly.
The boy leaned toward him and cupped his small hand to his mouth. “Wes’s sweet on Nancy.”
“Brady,” his mother called. “You shouldn’t whisper at the table, it’s impolite.”
“Sorry, Mom.”
She nodded and glanced at the clock. “I think it’s about time we head home. So go gather your things. You have school tomorrow.”
The kid opened his mouth, then closed it. He turned to Johnny. “Papa Clay said that a gentleman never sasses a lady.”
“Your grandfather was a smart man.”
“The smartest in the whole wide world.” The boy got up from the table and walked out.
The room grew silent except for the soft tones