Runaway Cowboy. Judy Christenberry

course I know her. This is a small town. Besides, I think Granddad is in love with her. He wanted me to hire her, but I didn’t think we could afford to do that right off. Anyway, Leslie isn’t hurting for money. She wouldn’t take the job.”

      “Your grandfather seems to think she will.”

      Jessica twisted her mouth but didn’t say anything.

      After a minute he tried again. “Can you show her what she’ll need to know to understand your system?”

      “Yes,” she snapped.

      “Hey, Jessica, look at me!” one of the children called out as the horse he was on was being led around the corral.

      She smiled and waved back.

      Jim looked at her and wondered if she’d ever smile at him the way she smiled at the boy. The grin lit up her face, put a sparkle in her eyes.

      He had his answer almost at once as she turned and once again glared at him. He asked, “So you have no problem with Leslie working here?”

      “We don’t need her if I do the books.”

      “Don’t you realize you are the most important person on the ranch? If you can be out here to recognize problems before they arise, everyone will be happier.”

      “I was already doing that!”

      “You couldn’t possibly notice things happening here in the corral while you were working on the books in the big house.”

      “So what are you going to do?” she demanded.

      “Basically the same as you. I’m going to look for little problems and try to fix them before they become big problems.”

      Jessica ground her teeth and looked away from him. She didn’t want him to make her life easy. His being here meant she’d failed. She’d pored over their notes, their plans, their hopes. She’d examined every idea or request that had come in. She’d written wonderful letters to their future guests, not just sending them brochures.

      And James Bradford thought he was going to waltz in and take over?

      She jumped down from the fence. She needed some time on her own. With her head down, she walked from the corral, ignoring his question that followed her.

      “Where are you going?”

      She didn’t answer.

      Chapter Two

      When the lunch bell rang, Jessica was forced from her room by hunger.

      The guests, thirty-six at full capacity, ate at six tables in the large dining room, which was perfect for family-style dining. The cowboys, however, ate in the bunkhouse, along with her grandfather, while she and her two brothers usually had their lunch in the kitchen with the help. There was no need for conversation and none was spoken during those hectic moments. Jessica sat down at the kitchen table, knowing she’d get her food and she wouldn’t have to talk to anyone.

      At least that was true before her grandfather’s protégé made a change. He came into the kitchen and “suggested” that the four of them eat with the guests, one at each table, to be there to entertain and answer questions.

      “While we eat?” Hank asked in outrage.

      Pete chimed in. “We’re working cowboys. We don’t do the social thing.”

      “Then you need to resign your job, Pete. Because the owners of a dude ranch are selling a way of life, not just a pony ride. These people are here because they want a taste of the West. That’s what you have to give them.”

      As much as she hated to agree with him, Jessica had known all along they had to have more contact with their guests. She’d tried, in between the bookkeeping and clerical duties. “He’s right.” She left her seat at the table in the kitchen and walked out into the dining area.

      The nearest table had five people at it. She asked if the sixth chair was taken. They told her no, and she sat down. “I’m Jessica, by the way. Some people, like my brothers, call me Jessie, but I prefer Jessica. Are you enjoying your visit?”

      They asked polite questions about her life on the ranch, and what her duties were. One woman, the mother of a nine-year-old boy, said, “There’s something I wanted to ask. Robbie wanted to sign up for roping lessons, but he can’t ride that well yet. Is that okay? And can I come and watch…to be sure he doesn’t get hurt?”

      “Yes, of course. I’m sorry we didn’t explain it better in the brochure. Roping lessons for the kids don’t involve riding at the same time. We have a fake calf on wheels and the kids practice on him after they learn the basics. Trust me, no one gets hurt!”

      The kitchen door opened and two of the lunch servers came out with trays of food. Reluctantly following were her two brothers and grandfather. Cliff was the only one wearing a big smile. Jim came after them.

      Apparently he’d given specific instructions to spread out among the tables and to smile at all times.

      Jessica ignored him. Her brothers might need a lesson on how to be charming, but she didn’t.

      “I want to know where we meet the cowboys,” a young woman named Penny Abraham asked. “The real cowboys.”

      “Well, there are four in the room right now. One is a little too old for you,” Jessie said with a wink, “but the other three could qualify.” Pete was twenty-nine, Hank twenty-seven, and she guessed Jim was thirty. “As you go on rides, you’ll come into contact with the cowboys. But be sure to pay attention to what you’re doing. We don’t want any accidents.”

      She watched as the woman noted the four new additions to the tables. After centering her attention on Jim Bradford, she said, “I want to meet him!”

      “I’ll be glad to introduce you as soon as lunch is over.”

      The woman stared at Jim throughout the meal.

      Jessica decided she’d discovered a way to occupy Jim’s energies. Dealing with romantically inclined female guests should take up most of his time.

      “I like the one scowling at the next table,” her friend Joyce Pedilla said softly.

      Jessica looked over her shoulder to identify which brother the lady was talking about. “Oh, that’s my brother Pete. He’s in charge of the cattle operation on the ranch.”

      “So he ropes and brands and everything?”

      “Absolutely. And the other cowboy is my brother Hank. He’s a horseman. Any riding questions should be directed to him. He’ll be able to help you.”

      “Oh, this is so exciting!”

      Jessica could almost agree—but for a different reason. Because she could feel Jim watching her all through lunch. His gaze made her skin heat, her pulse pick up. After only a couple of hours, it amazed her that she was so in tune to him.

      After dessert, she was about to escort her table out, when Jim touched her on her shoulder. Surprisingly she hadn’t been aware of him for the past few minutes.

      “Jessica, could I have a minute of your time before you leave?” he asked softly.

      “Of course, but first let me introduce you to Penny Abraham and Joyce Pedilla. They both wanted to meet you and Pete.”

      He nodded to them. “Nice to meet you, ladies. I’ll be checking on activities this afternoon. I hope to see you having fun.”

      “Oh, you definitely will,” Penny said, leaning toward him.

      “Good. Jessica?” he said, nodding toward the kitchen.

      She said her goodbyes to her table. “Let me know if you need anything.”

      Then she got up and marched to the kitchen. Once there, she spun around and snapped, “What do you want?”