Cinderella And The Cowboy. Judy Christenberry

but we won’t be able to take much with us when we leave, so there’s no reason to buy them.”

      Tom frowned. “Honey, I’m not planning on you leaving. Like I said, you’re family. The only family I have left. Jack, here, has been like a son to me since Reggie went away. I was too easy on my son. I didn’t make him learn good and bad. I wondered why God took him and not me. Now I know I still have purpose here on earth. I have you, Brady and little Jenny. God left me here to do what my son should’ve done.”

      She gave up the fight and let the tears fall. “Tom, I promise I didn’t come here for you to take care of us. I can get a job when school starts again.”

      “Do you like teaching school?”

      “It’s not bad.”

      “Wouldn’t you rather raise your kids?”

      “Yes, but—”

      “How about cooking?”

      “I enjoy cooking, and will be glad to cook for you and Jack, Tom. That…that would be like having a family.”

      “That’s what we want, too.” Tom leaned forward and patted her hand. “You just take care of the house and those kids and let us know if you need anything, okay?” Before she could reply he continued, “And while you’re at the store, me and Brady can get to know each other.”

      She swiped at her tears. “I don’t know what to say, Tom. Thank you.”

      “You’re welcome. Now, no more tears, young lady. We’re going to wear happy faces around here from now on.”

      Elizabeth couldn’t help but smile.

      Her smile lasted through dinner and the cleanup. Jack insisted on helping, despite her protests, and she thought maybe she’d won him over.

      “What time’s breakfast in the morning?” he asked as they finished up.

      “Brady usually gets up about seven. Is that okay?”

      “Fine. And after breakfast, you and I will drive into Oklahoma City to do some shopping.”

      “We don’t have to, Jack. I don’t think Tom will even notice if we don’t buy much.”

      Jack shot her a look that wiped away her smile. “I may be Tom’s friend, Elizabeth, but I’m also his employee. I do what I’m told to do.”

      CHAPTER TWO

      ELIZABETH didn’t accept Jack’s warning. When she got up the next morning, she fully intended to blow off the shopping trip.

      She hurriedly dressed and slipped downstairs to make breakfast. Pancakes were bubbling on the griddle when she heard steps on the stairway. From the sound, she figured it was Jack coming down the stairs. But she was surprised when he appeared with Brady in his arms.

      “Brady, did you forget to get dressed?”

      The little boy giggled. “Jack said I could come down in my pajamas.”

      “I see.”

      “It’s okay, isn’t it?”

      She ignored Jack’s question and smiled at her son. “Hop up in your seat, sweetie.”

      “Okay, Mommy,” Brady said.

      She flipped the pancakes onto plates and brought them to the table, already set with butter and syrup.

      “These look good, Elizabeth,” Jack said.

      She didn’t respond, choosing to pour milk for Brady instead.

      “I’d like some milk, too, please,” Jack said.

      She poured another glass.

      As she turned back to the stove to flip the four new pancakes, Tom’s door opened and the man came to the table.

      He looked better than yesterday. Sprier, brighter. “Good morning, Tom. How are you this morning?”

      Jack greeted Tom also.

      Brady grinned at his grandfather. “Good morning, Grandpa!”

      “Brady, that’s the best greeting I’ve heard in a long time.”

      “Mommy made pancakes for us.”

      “I can see that.”

      Just then Elizabeth put a plate down in front of him.

      They all ate in silence. Elizabeth didn’t get upset that they didn’t rave about her pancakes. She knew they were good.

      When breakfast was over, she sent Brady up to his room to get dressed. Tom went back to his bedroom when he finished.

      Jack got up and filled a cup with coffee and sat back down again.

      “Do you want more pancakes?”

      He looked up in surprise. “No, I’m full. But they were wonderful.”

      “Thank you.”

      She continued to do the dishes. After a few minutes Jack said, “I can finish the dishes. Why don’t you go ahead and get ready so we can get on our way.”

      “I’m not going anywhere.”

      “Look, Elizabeth, I told you last night. I’ve got my orders and I intend to follow them. Whether or not you agree.”

      Elizabeth turned and gave him an icy stare. “What are you going to do? Carry me out against my will?”

      “If I have to.”

      His stare was just as frigid as she maintained an even eye contact.

      Seconds passed before an idea struck Elizabeth. She’d go with him and make him think he was taking Tom’s orders, but she wouldn’t buy anything.

      Wiping her hands on the dish towel she held, she never broke eye contact when she said, “I’ll be ready in two minutes.”

      Then she walked out of the kitchen without another word.

      Jack chuckled under his breath as Elizabeth walked out of the room. She’d had such a full head of steam, he figured she wasn’t backing down. He wondered what she had up her sleeve.

      Regardless, he intended to follow Tom’s orders to the letter.

      When he heard her coming down the stairs, he jumped to his feet, only to find the two children with her.

      “I need to take Brady to Tom’s room.”

      He waited at the door as she gave the boy final instructions to not bother his grandfather.

      “He’ll be fine, Elizabeth. A little bothering never hurt no one.”

      She leaned down and kissed her son goodbye.

      Then she walked out of the house, assuming Jack would follow.

      He did.

      Jack suggested they start with the infant department. He knew she intended to end it there, too, but that wouldn’t be happening. Not on his watch.

      As they looked at all the cribs they had on the floor, Jack noticed she paid more attention to the prices than the crib. But he saw the sparkle in her big blue eyes when she approached one in particular. Then he stepped to the saleslady and told her they would take the one she’d lingered over.

      Elizabeth whirled around. “What did you just do?”

      “I chose a crib.”

      “Why didn’t I get to choose?”

      “You did. I saw the way you were looking at that one.”

      “But—”

      He ignored her and turned back to the saleslady. “We’ll take it.”

      Elizabeth huffed.

      “What else can