Suited to be a Cowboy (3 page)

He nodded.

“What if it’s a girl kitty?” she asked.

“Nah, Brian said girls don’t have balls.”

“What! Geesh! I need to talk to that man.”

“What about, Mom?”

Melissa shifted position, thinking fast. “Ranch business.”
That simple answer seemed to satisfy her son. He jumped to his feet, startling
a hiss from the mama cat. “Careful, honey. If mama kitty thinks her babies are
in danger, she’ll move them and we may never find them.”

He reached over and petted the mother cat. “Nah, she’s
knows I won’t hurt ’em. Can I have one?”

“We’ll see. They’re too young yet. Let me think about it.
Okay?”

“Okay.”

“Can we go see the colt now?” She’d wanted to check on the
foal first, but Aaron’s excitement over the new litter of kittens had won out.

He smiled and headed for the ladder. “Last one down’s a
rotten egg,” he called as he swung his leg down to the first rung.

Melissa looked out over the loft to the hay piled below.
What the heck! She jumped, sliding down the side of the pile until her feet
touched the wooden floor, successfully beating her son to ground level. She got
up laughing, feeling exhilarated and carefree.

“Hey! No fair. You cheated.” He glanced up at the loft. “Can
I try that?”

“No, and you cheated first. You didn’t call it until you
were already at the ladder.”

They laughed and with one arm wrapped around his bony,
little shoulders, she allowed him to lead her to the new colt.

“He’s beautiful, Aaron. What do you think we should name
him?”

“Well, I was thinking about that. His mama is Satin’s
Pride and his papa is
Dehavilland’s
Promise. What
about
Dehavilland’s
Pride?”

“I think that’s a perfect name for him, honey.”

Aaron beamed with pride. “He’s the first boy horse baby
since we moved here. I even watched him being
borned
.
Can he be mine, Mom?”

He looked up at her with such hope shining from his eyes
that she didn’t have the heart to say no. Besides, this would be his ranch
someday and she was glad to see him taking an interest in it. Melissa smiled at
her son, amazed at the changes since they’d moved to Colorado. “First a kitten and now a horse?
Where did all this responsibility suddenly come from?”

“If I’m gonna grow up and be a rancher, I need a horse.
Can I have him? Please?”

“I certainly can’t argue with your logic. Yes, Aaron. He’s
yours, but you have to learn how to care for him.”

Aaron entered the stall and petted the colt. “We’re going
to be a great team and I’m going to take extra good care of you.”

She watched boy and gangly colt together for a moment. “I
think I’ve come up with a better name.” His face fell and she entered the stall
to stand beside them, resting her arm on Aaron’s shoulder as she studied the
colt. “What do you think of Aaron’s Pride?”

He turned and jumped into her arms, winding his smaller
ones around her neck in a crushing stranglehold. “Thank you, Mommy. I’ll love
him forever.”

“I’m sure you will. Now, it’s time to go to the house and wash
up for dinner. Sheila will skin us alive if we’re late.”

A delightful chuckle sprang forth. “Nah, I can run faster
scared than she can mad.”

Melissa laughed, so glad to be home. She’d missed this,
missed him. Her heart filled to bursting at the happiness lighting up her son’s
face. She’d do anything to keep him happy…anything at all; except give him the
one thing he really wanted…another daddy.

*
* * *

Excited to know she wouldn’t have to worry about the ranch
accounts after today, Melissa found herself jumping to look out the window
every time she heard a vehicle in the yard. Finally, one stopped in front of
the house. Relieved he’d arrived, and he hadn’t changed his mind at the last
minute, she headed to the front door. Halfway there, a knock rapped. She opened
it with a wide grin…a grin that quickly disappeared when she saw who was there.

“You!” they said in unison.

He recovered first, to her chagrin, a beatific smile
making his eyes crinkle at the corners. “Howdy, ma’am. I hope you got your
horses to Kentucky
in time for the sale. I’m here to see Mister Dehavilland.”

“Yes, I did, and there is no mister. I’m Melissa
Dehavilland. My son and I own this spread. Please, come in.”

“Thank you.” He stepped inside and bumped the door closed
with his hip, setting his duffle bag on the floor as he reached out to shake
her hand. “I’m James McGovern. You were expecting me?”

His touch burned like fire, the heat rushing through her
in a nanosecond. Afraid she’d combust, she let go and got back to the business
at hand. “No,
er
, yes, Mister McGovern. Your résumé
was impressive. I had no idea you were the wannabe cowboy from the train wreck.”

“Please, call me James, or Jimmy. I rarely stand on
formality. And that goes double for me. I had no idea you were M. Dehavilland.”

His forehead furrowed in a frown as he spoke of their
first meeting. Maybe he was worried she’d send him away. “Be that as it may,
you’re the new ranch accountant. That is, if you still want the job?”

“Yes, ma’am. That’s why I’m here.”

She cringed inwardly at the use of ma’am. “My friends call
me Melissa. I’ll show you to your room so you can unpack.”

Aaron came running in from the kitchen. “Mom, who’s he?” He
slid to a stop beside her.

“Aaron, meet Mister McGovern. James, this is my son,
Aaron.” Melissa watched as her son’s face lost all color.
Good!
He’d recognized Jimmy’s name and learned a valuable lesson.

A hesitant smile curved upward on the boy’s face as Jimmy
shook hands with her son. “Pleased to meet you, Aaron. How did you make out
with that game? Halo, right?”

“Yeah, Halo, but the company wouldn’t do
nuffin
’.”

“Nothing,” Melissa automatically corrected and earned a
sullen glare for her trouble. Too late, she remembered that he didn’t like to
be corrected in front of
the guys
. Oh,
well.

Jimmy rummaged inside his duffle and pulled out a package,
which he passed to her son. “The only one I could find is for Xbox. Is this the
right one?”

Aaron ripped off the wrapping. “Yes! Thanks, Mister
McGovern.” He wasted no time in running for the game room.

Melissa stooped to pick up the discarded paper and plastic
wrapper. It took so little to make him happy.

“I hope you don’t mind. It seemed like such a simple thing
to do for him after he got me a job.”

“How do you figure that?”

“Well, it certainly brought my application to the
forefront in a hurry. Did you have many applicants?”

“Surprisingly, yes.” She smiled. “There were a few
qualified candidates but your résumé and references checked out the best. And
as for the game, they didn’t have another one here in town, so thank you. I’m
sure you just made his day. Now, about that room. Follow me.”

She led him through a series of hallways until they
reached the west wing, pointing out the office as they walked past a closed
door. “The original ranch house has been added to over the years, and is now
shaped in a U fashion surrounding a central courtyard.” She opened a door
leading to a suite of rooms.

“Welcome to Thoroughbreds R Us, Mister McGovern. I hope
you’ll be comfortable here. Your suite encompasses a bedroom, sitting room, and
private bath. If there’s anything you need, let me know.”

“Thank you, and please, call me Jimmy.”

She smiled. “Jimmy it is. When you’ve finished unpacking,
you can go back the way we just came and find the office, or you can go out
through the patio doors to the courtyard. The office is in the center section
of the house and accessible through a set of garden doors opening onto the
courtyard. I’ll be there.”

He nodded. “Sounds easy enough. I’ll see you shortly.”

Chapter
Three

Jimmy’s libido sped up at the sway of her hips encased in
tight black jeans. He recalled his first impression of her. If Melissa and her
son owned this ranch, then she was definitely high-maintenance and well out of
his league. He’d do well to keep himself in check. He smiled, then washed up
and made short work of putting his clothes away, taking stock of his
surroundings.

The sitting room seemed comfortable enough. It boasted a
fireplace, a sofa long enough to accommodate his six-foot-four length, an
overstuffed, comfortable-looking reclining chair, and a selection of books and
magazines stacked on shelves against one wall. A television and stereo system filled
one corner.

The bathroom, sufficient to meet his needs, was nothing
special, but the bedroom—he was mighty impressed with the four-poster,
king-sized bed. His bedroom at the cottage had been small, only allowing for a
double, so this came as an unexpected bonus, as did the panoramic view of the Rockies from his sitting room window. He chuckled as he exited
to the patio. This would be a terrific place to hole up while he scoured the
area for a ranch of his own.

What he could see of the courtyard was a wonderful mix of
seating areas, shrubbery, and flowers. A three-tiered fountain spewed forth
water. At the center of the house he spotted the garden doors. Though anxious
to begin work, he had to see to his horse first. She’d been cooped up in that
trailer long enough.

He knocked on the office door before entering. Melissa sat
at the desk, but turned to meet him.

“All unpacked?”

“Enough for now. I need a place to stable my horse.”

“Your horse?” She frowned. “Stallion or mare?”

The question surprised him, and he sensed a superior
attitude loud and clear with just those three words. “Mare.”

Melissa nodded. “We’ll have to keep her away from the
stallions or you could end up paying stud fees.”

“Sherry’s a purebred Arabian. Her coat shimmers with
burgundy highlights and she runs as fast as the wind. If one of your stallions
takes a liking to her, it could be a toss-up as to who owes what fee, but we’ll
cross that bridge if we come to it.”

Jimmy took great delight in the envy crossing her
features. He hadn’t anticipated beginning his herd while working here, but the
idea did have merit.

“An Arabian? I’ll come with you to get her settled in.”

He opened the door to the main hallway, gesturing for her
to go first. They went outside to the back of his horse trailer. Sherry’s
whinny told him she’d heard him coming. “Hey, girl. I’ll have you out of there
in a minute.” Jimmy unlocked the rear door to the trailer, let down the ramp,
then led his horse into the ranch yard.

“Oh! She’s a beauty, Jimmy. Will she allow me to pet her?”

Jimmy frowned. “I don’t rightly know. It’s been just her
and me since I got her, but she’s never seemed skittish or nervous.”

While he spoke, Melissa edged closer. “Hello, Sherry. What
a beautiful girl you are.”

She was close enough to pet the horse now and Jimmy held
the bridle as she reached out a tentative hand. Sherry didn’t shy away. “Jimmy,
she doesn’t appear temperamental at all.”

He smirked at the awe and admiration in her voice. Melissa
had just received a come-uppance. She might raise thoroughbred racing horses,
but he’d almost bet on Sherry being the fastest horse on the ranch, and a show
horse to boot. He’d entered her into a few contests during the past five years
and she’d won every one, hands down.

“So where can I bed her down?”

“Follow me.” Melissa sashayed toward the largest of the
outbuildings. “This is the barn where we keep the mares ready to foal.”

Jimmy followed her inside. A man was cleaning out a stall
a few doors down.

“Brian, come meet our new accountant, Jimmy McGovern, and
his horse, Sherry.”

The man walked toward them, pulling off his work gloves as
he advanced.

“Now that’s one mighty fine hunk of horse flesh.” His gaze
scrutinized Jimmy where he stood. “I thought you were a city slicker. What’s
with the horse? You just buy her?”

Jimmy didn’t take offense. The man was trying to get his
measure, so he’d oblige. “I worked in the city, didn’t live there. Sherry’s
been mine for a few years now. Glad to meet you, Brian.”

Brian’s weather-worn face broke into a tired grin. He held
out his hand. “Nice to know you can ride. Comes in handy on a ranch. Welcome.
I’m the foreman here. If you need anything, just ask.”

“Brian, Jimmy is the cowboy who rounded up my horses a few
weeks ago.”

“Is that so? Quite the coincidence, you showing up here.”

“You’ve got that right.” Melissa’s voice held amusement.

Jimmy caught a twinkle in her pretty blue eyes. “Yep,
quite the coincidence, but right now I’m looking to stable my horse. Anything
available?”

Brian nodded. “Stall eighteen is open at the end of this
line. Go ahead and get her settled.” He chuckled. “She’ll be safe enough in here.
The stallions aren’t allowed in the foaling barn.”

Jimmy grinned. “Good to know. She’s due for a heat soon,
so we’ll have to keep a close eye.” He led Sherry through the barn until they came
to number eighteen. It was a good-sized enclosure, wider than she was used to.
He left her standing to one side while he grabbed a pitchfork and fetched some
fresh hay. Then he led her inside and closed the stall door to return to the
truck for her feed and necessities. A second trip had him balancing her saddle and
blanket over one shoulder, the saddlebags in his other hand.

Brian pointed to a door at the far end of the barn. Jimmy placed
his burden in the tack room and returned to feed and water his horse. “I’ll be
back to take you for a run after dinner, girl.”

Melissa had left the barn by the time he had Sherry
settled. “Where can I park the trailer, Brian?”

“Drive around the far corner and you’ll see where the
other stock trailers are parked. Can’t miss it.” He’d pointed in the general
direction, so Jimmy jumped in his truck and headed over that way. Sure enough,
several stock trailers of various lengths sat backed up against the far end of
the barn. He backed his in, dropped the trailer, and drove back to park near
the house.

A flagstone path meandered down the side of the house and,
having just been in the barn, he followed the path to see where it led. No need
upsetting everyone if he had manure on his boots, although he’d checked before
getting in his truck and hadn’t seen any.

As he suspected, the path continued around the end of the
house and he arrived in the courtyard. He took his time, strolling at a casual
gait, amazed at the differing foliage. They all seemed to blend, one into the
next. A peaceful place, he hoped to spend some time there. But not today. He
hastened his footsteps to arrive at his room, quickly crossing to the ensuite
bath to wash up before returning to the office.

He wondered where the horses were. The only ones he’d seen
were the half-dozen ready to foal. They must be in a pasture, having a good
run. Maybe, if he played his cards right, Melissa would take him on a tour of
the ranch. He whistled merrily as he changed into a fresh shirt and headed for
the office. No doubt in his mind at all, he was sure going to like living on a
ranch.

*
* * *

Melissa turned, surprised when she heard the patio door
open. She thought Jimmy would still be busy with his horse, but there he stood
in all his muscular glory. Her throat went dry. Her nipples puckered. Her
insides clenched in need. Several men were in her employ, men who sometimes
went shirtless when it was hot outside, men who looked good in cowboy attire,
and yet none of them had ever provoked this reaction.

“Hello again. Shall we get started?” he asked.

“You don’t have to begin work today. This,” she indicated
the pile of paperwork on her desk, “can wait until morning. Now that you’re
somewhat settled in, I thought you might enjoy a tour of the ranch.”

His grin was sexy enough to heat up the coldest night. That
was the first thing she’d noticed about him back in Missouri. It had made her a touch
uncomfortable, this attraction to a total stranger, and she was afraid she’d
been more brusque that usual. As she studied him now, she loved the way he
filled out his T-shirt and jeans. He’d been devastating in a business suit, but
those jeans fit snug enough to have her drooling. Add the Stetson and black
cowboy boots, and he was more appealing than any wrangler she’d ever come
across.

“I’d love that. Are we riding or driving?”

“We can cover more distance driving, but once you know the
lay of the land, you can ride out any time.” She rose, suddenly remembering
just how tall he was, as she had to look up at him.

“Thank you. I was going to ask permission, seeing as how
some areas might be off-limits.”

“Only the hayfields,” she said, laughing. “We need all the
hay we can get. Winters are harsh up here and the horses need feed and bedding.
There are many trails suitable for riding on the property, plus there’s a mini
race track behind the biggest of the barns.”

“Great! If you’re ready, my truck is parked out front.”

“Just give me a sec to shut things down.” She closed the
files she’d been working on, then turned off the computer.

“Want this door locked?” he asked, indicating the garden
doors.

“Yes, please. I’m making a determined effort to keep Aaron
out of the office unless I’m in here.” She laughed self-consciously. “I’m real
sorry about his mischief. I didn’t even realize he knew how to send an email.”

“No harm done.” He followed her out into the hallway, and
checked to ensure that door locked as well. “Do you have a spare key for the
office?”

“Yes, they’re in my room. I’ll grab them when we come
back.” They passed Aaron’s game room where he sat cross-legged on the floor in
front of the television. Melissa frowned. He spent way too much time playing
video games these days. “Do you mind if Aaron comes along with us?”

“Not at all.”

“Aaron, turn off your game and come with us. We’re going
to give Jimmy the grand tour.”

“Aw, Mom.” He glanced their way for a moment, and huffed, but
he registered her determination. They knew each other so well. “O-
kay
.”

She walked on ahead, smiling, knowing Aaron would soon
catch up. That boy never walked if he could run. Sure enough, he’d caught up to
them by the time they reached Jimmy’s truck.

“Can I ride in back?” Excitement sparkled in his eyes.

“Sorry, sport. Not today. I’ll have to remove the box
cover.”

“What good is a truck if the box is covered?” he asked.

Jimmy chuckled. “Well, now, in the city, if the truck’s
not locked up tight, my tools would go missing in a hurry.”

“Why?” Aaron asked.

Melissa giggled. “Sure you don’t mind him tagging along?
He’ll probably question you to tears.”
Oooh
!
There was
that smile again. Her insides quivered in response.

“I don’t mind. Aaron, in the city there are more people,
and some of them like to take things that don’t belong to them.”

“They steal? That’s bad.”

“Uh-huh, very bad. Now hop in.” Jimmy held the passenger door
open while Aaron clambered up onto the rear bench seat.

“This is cool.”

“Thanks, I’m glad you like it. Melissa?”

Melissa climbed onto the seat, extremely self-conscious of
Jimmy standing behind her. Maybe it was a good thing Aaron rode along to act as
a buffer. She was much too aware of her new employee for her own good.

Her monkey in the middle, Aaron, jabbered all the while
they were driving, pointing out his favorite places and telling Jimmy all he
knew about the ranch.

“How many horses do you have?” Jimmy asked.

“Around two hundred, now that some have been sold. We try
to keep the herd manageable so each horse can get the attention it needs.”

“Yeah, and you should see them run,” Aaron exclaimed from
the back seat. “Like the wind.”

“Have you always been a rancher?”

“Not really, although we did spend a lot of time here when
Grandpa was alive.”

“Horses need a lot of care and plenty of good grazing
land. Looks like you have that here.”

“We’ve
gots
thousands of acres,”
said Aaron.

“Wow, that’s a lot.” Jimmy smiled in the rear view mirror.
It was directed at her son, but Melissa felt its impact clear to her toes.

Aaron kept up a steady monologue as they drove across the
vast acreage. When he hesitated, uncertain, Melissa filled in the blanks, so
glad that her son liked it here enough to take an interest. She also liked that
Jimmy knew enough about ranching to ask intelligent questions.

“Where did you learn so much about ranching?” she asked.

He took his eyes off the track they were following and
glanced her way. “Here and there. I used to work on a ranch during summer
vacations and discovered that I enjoyed the life.”

His tone of voice, hesitant yet brusque, left her
wondering what he wasn’t saying. There were secrets there. Whether he chose to
share them or not was his business, as long as it didn’t interfere with his
ability to do the job she’d hired him for.

“Do you think the isolation will bother you? It’s a lot
different than what you were used to in the city.”

“As I told Brian earlier, I worked in town, but I didn’t
live there. I’ll be fine. What’s that up ahead?”

Any fool could see it was one of their line shacks. She’d
give him credit though. It was an expert way to change the subject.

“That’s one of our shacks where we can stay if we get
stranded. It snows a lot here on the ranch, you know. Humongous storms like you’ve
never seen.” Enthusiasm laced Aaron’s words, as if he was looking forward to
being stranded out here.