The Christmas Cowboy. Judy Christenberry

she was about to spend the next month with that grizzly bear of a man, what could be wrong?

      Jessica’s face fell. “Oh, no!” she cried. “What did he do?”

      Andrea forced her mind to focus. Though she made a mental list of every one of Hank’s offenses, she said nothing because Jim and the man himself walked in.

      “So,” Jim Bradford said. “Did you enjoy the trip from the airport?”

      Before Andrea could reply, Hank spoke up. “She slept the whole way. Missed all that pretty scenery.”

      Jessica nearly gasped. “But surely you could understand, Hank. Miss Jacobs must have been up at the crack of dawn for her flight.” Her eyes flashed at her brother.

      Hank shrugged. “She didn’t tell me that.” He didn’t hide his annoyance.

      Andrea caught the look he shot her from under partly closed lids, and she wanted to scream. Surely there was another riding instructor at the ranch. There was no way she could spend a month with this irritating, stubborn boor.

      Jim stepped forward and defused the situation. He smiled as he sat next to his wife. “So, Andrea, we’re happy to have you. Have you ever been on a horse before?”

      “No, I haven’t.”

      Hank let out an audible groan.

      She ignored him. “But I can be taught, right?”

      Jim nodded. “Hank’s a great teacher for an untrained rider.”

      “What brings you all the way to Colorado for riding lessons?” Hank asked from the doorway. He’d refused to sit. “No stables in New York?”

      “As I told your brother-in-law on the phone I want to ride like a cowboy.”

      “We’ll see. After all, I only have a month.”

      “I’m a quick study, Mr. Ledbetter.”

      He gave her a level look. “Again, we’ll see.” Then his gaze locked with hers. “Are there a lot of cowboys in New York City for you to ride with?”

      “No. I…I’m going to visit someone after I leave here.” Surely there was no harm in revealing that much, Andrea thought.

      “Who?” Hank barked.

      Andrea lowered her gaze. “No one you know, I’m sure.”

      “I don’t think an inquisition is necessary, Hank,” Jim interjected. “We’re all glad Andrea chose us.”

      “Fine!” Hank snapped. “I’m going out to the barn to do what cowboys do.” He stalked out of the room, calling for the dogs to follow.

      Jim stood up. “I’d better go talk with your instructor.” He nodded to his wife as he left.

      When both men were out of earshot, Jessica turned to Andrea. “Was that how he behaved with you earlier?”

      Andrea was reluctant to tell her. “Well, mostly. But I guess I’m to blame, too. I seem to say the wrong thing around him.”

      “Don’t be sorry. My brother can be…uncivilized at times. But you won’t find a better teacher east or west of the Rockies.”

      “I’m sure,” Andrea said with a weak smile.

      All she was really sure of was how long and painful the next month would be.

      HANK DREADED the coming weeks. Thirty days of hell with an irritating city girl.

      He’d managed to escape the homey little scene in the living room and was now in the horse barn mucking out stalls, venting his frustration by jamming the pitchfork into fresh hay.

      He heard footfalls behind him and knew it was Jim. Coming to chew him out, no doubt.

      “I thought for sure once you saw her you’d be dying to teach her,” Jim said as he approached.

      Hank didn’t look up. “I’m not.”

      “Come on, Hank. She’s quite a looker.”

      “Forget our deal. You give her lessons, then.”

      “You know Jess won’t agree to that. Especially now that she’s seen her.”

      Hank’s eyes shot up. “You’re attracted to her?” he asked, outrage in his voice.

      Jim held up his hands. “Compared to Jess? Not on your life. Besides, I won’t let you out of this. You agreed to take her on, and that’s what’s going to happen. Get used to it. We’ve got a business to run here.”

      Jim had a point, but Hank wouldn’t concede it. Nor would he admit that ever since Jim had arrived at the Lazy L, his sister’s idea of turning the family homestead into a dude ranch had worked better than he’d expected.

      Instead, he said, “I think we ought to refuse her. Just send her on her way.”

      “I’ve got a better idea. You give her what she paid for.”

      Hank threw down the pitchfork.

      “Fine. I’ll teach her. But she’s mine only for the lessons. The rest of the time you and Jessie entertain her.”

      “SO, DID HE AGREE to be nice?” Jessica looked up from the casserole she was preparing when she heard her husband come in.

      “Not exactly,” Jim replied. He told her about the compromise of them having to entertain their guest.

      Jessica shook her head. “I don’t mind entertaining her when I can, but I don’t understand him. We have a beautiful single woman here at the ranch and he has to go find other women? What’s wrong with him?”

      “He doesn’t want to feel trapped. I understand him.”

      Jessica’s brows rose. “Oh, really? You feel trapped with me?”

      Jim reached out and pulled his wife into a bear hug. “You know what I mean.” He gave her a kiss. “Give him time. He may change his mind.”

      “I doubt it. He’s too wrapped up in the action in town. Those women are only out to capture him. They know that whichever one he chooses will be well provided for.”

      “I’m sure he’ll realize that before it’s too late.”

      “I hope so. It would make life miserable if he married a woman who wanted breakfast in bed every day.”

      Jim kissed his wife. “It’ll work out. Don’t worry. In the meantime—”

      “Am I interrupting?”

      They both turned to see Andrea at the door.

      “I wasn’t sure whether I was allowed in the kitchen.”

      Jessica ushered her in. “If we were in full guest mode, you wouldn’t, simply because it gets too crowded in here with the staff. But since you’re the only guest, we’ll be using the kitchen to eat in. We have dinner at six.”

      Andrea smiled. “Good. I had visions of eating in the dining room all by myself. That would be horrible.”

      “Is everything all right in your room?”

      “Yes, of course. It’s lovely. And I was wondering if I’ll be able to use a washer and dryer while I’m here.”

      “You can, but I’d be glad to do your laundry.”

      “I can do it. And you don’t have to clean my room more than once a week.”

      “You’re certainly making it easy for me,” Jessica said. Then, as if remembering something, she gave a startled “Oh” then moved across the room to a counter where she picked up a box. “I forgot to put this in your room.”

      “What is it?” Andrea asked.

      “Epsom salts. They’ll