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“Let go of me,” Laurie said haughtily when she’d gotten the tears under control. “I can cry just fine without you.”
Jake chuckled. “But why, when I have this big wide shoulder here to accommodate you?” Just the same, he released her, giving her shoulder one final pat.
She grabbed a paper napkin off the table and wiped her face. “I don’t know why I’m getting so upset about this. Flash is an old horse. His macho days were numbered, anyway. His sperm count was getting lower every time I had him checked.”
Jake stifled a chuckle. The old Laurie he’d known, his child bride, would never have talked so casually in front of him about sperm count. He supposed that living on a breeding farm for four years had toughened her up a bit.
“You have other studs, right?” he asked.
“None with Flash’s lineage, or anything close to his reputation. People sought him out as much for his temperament as for his bloodline. He’s so gentle.”
That’s what Jake wanted to hear. “So you’ve never kept one of Flash’s sons or grandsons around as a backup?”
“Oh, we did, for a while. That was always Charlie’s plan. But I sold him. Some rancher from Oklahoma offered me so much money for him I couldn’t turn him down.”
“What if I could get you the services of one of Flash’s sons…for free?”
Laurie looked at him suspiciously, but curiously, too. “What are you talking about?”
“I happen to own a certain stallion named Flash Lightning—sired by Flash in the Pan, out of Heat Lightning.”
“Heat Lightning? The Heat Lightning?”
“If you mean the grand champion barrel racer from Sulphur Springs, that’s the one.”
“How did you come by this horse?”
“His leg was shattered in a freak accident at a horse show I was at. They were talking about destroying him— his competition days were obviously over. But I couldn’t stand to see such a beautiful animal destroyed, so I bought him and rehabilitated him. He’s still lame, but I don’t think that would interfere with his other capabilities.”
Jake could almost see the wheels spinning in Laurie’s mind. “How come I’ve never heard of this horse?”
“He didn’t have much of a chance to earn a reputation for himself before his accident, but he showed a lot of potential. And I’ve never offered him up for stud because I didn’t want to draw attention to myself.”
“But you’d let me use him…for free?”
“Provided you give me the manager’s job. And, Laurie, Lightning is the spitting image of Flash in the Pan, right down to the white star on his chest. They could be twins.”
She opened her mouth to object, then clamped her mouth closed. Her expression was pensive. Jake could tell she was warring with herself, weighing the temptation of having Flash’s son at her disposal with the inconvenience of having Jake himself underfoot.
“What if things didn’t work out?” Laurie asked. “What if you turn out to be a worse manager than me?”
“Give me five minutes’ notice, and I’ll leave.” But he was pretty confident that wouldn’t be the case. He would work his butt off to get this place back in shape.
If Laurie did end up kicking him off Birkett’s Folly, it probably would be for a different reason. He’d had no intention of pursuing her, or engaging her in anything other than a friendly but professional relationship. He figured he’d given up the right to anything more the day he’d left her standing at the altar. But ever since he’d held her, filling his lungs with her scent, feeling her warmth and softness against him, he’d realized he would have a helluva time keeping his hands off her.
Laurie gave him a penetrating look. He stared back, waiting for her decision.
“When could you start?” she asked in a less-thanconf ident voice.
Jake banked his elation. She was actually going to do it! “Is the house ready?”
She nodded. “It’s clean, and the lights and water are turned on. There’s some furniture, though not much, and nothing in the way of sheets and towels.”
“I’ve got everything I need. I’ll move in tonight, and I can start first thing in the morning.”
Laurie nodded, not looking at all happy.
“You won’t regret it, hon—Laurie, I promise.” Damn, he’d almost called her “honey.” It sure would be easy to fall into old habits, and that could get him in trouble. He shoved his Stetson on his head and got the heck out of there, before he could say or do anything else stupid.
Before she changed her mind.
Three
Laurie stared out the kitchen window, mesmerized, watching Jake walk around the barn taking notes, while Maurice pointed out leaks and storm damage. In his comfortably worn jeans and western shirt, Jake looked leaner, tougher, than Laurie remembered. And although he’d never been what she would term “cheerful,” he used to smile every so often. Now it seemed as if that solemn scowl never left his face.
His mood didn’t matter, she reminded herself. The only important thing was for Jake to do the job he’d been hired for, and so far his performance looked promising. He’d been at the Folly less than twelve hours, and already he was taking charge—inventorying the stock, making lists, setting priorities.
On one hand, his presence was comforting. Laurie was tired of dealing with the endless problems of running the Folly, and letting someone else take control of all her worries had a certain appeal. On the other hand, having Jake so close by was disturbing, setting off a chain reaction of awareness within her that had kept her awake last night, her body thrumming uncomfortably.
“Mommy, something stinks.”
“What? Oh, no, the hash browns!” Laurie quickly pulled the cast-iron skillet off the burner and stirred the potatoes. A black layer had formed on the bottom of the pan, and she spent the next five minutes picking out the most burned pieces and dropping them into the trash.
That would teach her to stare out the window in the middle of cooking a meal, even if the view was more riveting than usual. She had to get hold of herself. She had to think of Jake as just another employee, not her former lover, or she wouldn’t be able to function.
Wendy watched curiously from her booster chair, where she’d been sitting and drinking a glass of orange juice. “Did you burn something, Mommy?” she asked.
“Just a little. It’s fine now,” Laurie answered absently. “I think breakfast is ready. Would you go outside and ring the bell, please?”
Wendy scrambled out of her chair, eager to perform her favorite task. But she stopped at the door and looked at the four place settings on the table, her little brows drawn together as she put the pieces together. “Is Jake eating with us?”
“Yes, he is. And don’t call him Jake, sweetie, call him Mr. Mercer.”
“Why?”
“Because he’s a grown-up, and children shouldn’t call grown-ups by their first names.”
“What about Maurice?”
“That’s different,” Laurie said. “He’s practically part of the family.”
“Then why can’t he be my daddy?”
Laurie sighed. “He just can’t be, okay? Now go ring the bell.”
Wendy reached for the doorknob and twisted it, quietly chanting, “Mr. Merster, Mr. Merster.” Just before she walked outside, she turned back to Laurie. “Jake’s easier to say.”
Laurie shook her head. She had a feeling that her efforts to keep Wendy and Jake away from each other would be in vain. The two seemed to have a sensitivity to one another, almost as if they both knew, on some subconscious level, that they were father and daughter. Last night, when Jake had pulled into the driveway with his truck loaded with the belongings he intended to move into the manager’s house, Wendy had run out to greet him before Laurie could stop her. Then the child had jabbered nonstop as Jake had unloaded his belongings and taken them inside the little cottage.
Laurie had tried to take Wendy away, claiming that Jake should be left in peace while he was moving in, but Jake had insisted she stay. “Wendy’s gonna be my number-one ranch hand, so we better get to know each other, right?” he’d said, tickling Wendy’s chubby tummy.
Wendy had giggled, denying she was a ranch hand but obviously intrigued with the idea.
The old schoolhouse bell pealed as Wendy pulled strenuously on the rope. Laurie watched out the window as both Jake and Maurice looked up. Maurice waved to signal her that he’d heard, and Jake tipped his hat. Even at a distance, Laurie caught a glimpse of steel blue eyes—or maybe she only imagined them. Nonetheless, she shivered.
A few minutes later both men came into the kitchen. Jake’s sleeves were rolled up, revealing sinewy, tanned forearms, and his hair was damp and slicked back, evidence that he’d washed up at the old pump before coming in for breakfast. Laurie tried not to stare as she served up scrambled eggs with green peppers, homemade biscuits and the slightly crusty hash browns.
“Smells good,” Jake offered.
“Miz Laurie’s turned into the best cook in the county,” Maurice said, “though when she first came here she couldn’t boil water. She learned quick, though.”
Laurie’s gaze locked with Jake’s for an endless moment. How well she remembered his teasing her about her lack of cooking skills, insisting she ought to learn some domesticity if she wanted to keep her man home at night. And she had insisted, with a certain amount of suggestive body language, that she had other means of keeping her man’s attention.
Looking at him now, she had a feeling that he, too, was remembering those peppery dialogues they used to have. She glanced away and took her chair, busying herself with her napkin.
“Mommy burneded the taters,” Wendy announced.
“They are a bit browner than usual,” Maurice said.
“Better crispy than raw,” Jake added, taking a large bite of the hash browns.
Laurie stood abruptly. “You’re right, they’re too brown. I’ll make some more,” she said, moving to the refrigerator. “The potatoes are already shredded, I just have to fry them up. Won’t take but—”
“Laurie, sit down,” Jake interrupted. “The hash browns are fine.”
“But it’s no trouble.”
“It’s not necessary. Sit down.”
Laurie bristled. How dare he order her around in her own house. Who was the boss here? Then she sighed. Jake could hardly be considered her employee when she wasn’t paying him. He was trying to bail her out of a mess. And right now, he was being very tolerant of a less-than-satisfactory breakfast.
Why was she so concerned that breakfast be perfect, anyway?
Laurie reclaimed her chair, and the rest of the meal passed quietly, punctuated only by Wendy’s oblivious chatter.
Maurice put his fork down with a gusty sigh of contentment and wiped his mouth with his napkin. “Well, now, that was a mighty fine breakfast.”
Wendy giggled. “You always say that.”
“It’s always true. So, Sunshine, are you ready for another riding lesson this morning?”
Wendy’s china blue eyes lit up with delight. “Can I, Mommy?”
Laurie started to say yes, but Jake interrupted. “Maurice won’t have time for lessons this morning. We’ve got a full schedule.”
“Surely he can take off thirty minutes…” The look Jake gave Laurie pinched off her objection.
Jake turned his attention to Wendy, whose cherubic face was wreathed in disappointment. “How about we have your lesson this afternoon?”
The little girl smiled again, though not quite as brightly as before. “Okay, Mr. Merster.”
“Call me Jake.”
“Mommy said not to.”
Jake looked questioningly at Laurie.
“She’s not supposed to call adults by their first names,” Laurie said coolly. “It’s the way I was raised, and she’s being raised that way, too.”
“Okay, fine.” But Laurie didn’t miss the conspiratorial wink he flashed at Wendy, and she suspected that no matter what her preferences, her daughter would be calling Jake “Jake.”
Laurie stood and began clearing the dishes. “Wendy, honey, it’s time to feed the cats. Ask Maurice to help you.” She looked defiantly at Jake, daring him to countermand her orders.
He stared back, measuring, as he stood and donned his hat, but all he said was, “Thanks for breakfast.”
“Wait a minute,” she said, halting him at the door. “I’d like a word with you in private.”
He pulled his Stetson back off and held it, fidgeting, until Maurice and Wendy were gone. “Yes, ma’am?” he asked politely.
“Don’t use that patronizing tone with me. I’m still the boss here.”
“I never said you weren’t.”
“Wendy’s been taking riding lessons from Maurice twice a week for a month now, always right after breakfast. I don’t appreciate your interfering with her routine.”
“All I’m asking for is a slight postponement. I need Maurice’s help this morning. Flash Lightning is due to arrive here any minute, and we don’t even have a stall ready for him.”
Laurie crossed her arms, wanting to object, but knowing that what Jake had said was perfectly sensible.
“Look, Laurie, if you want to see results around here, you’re going to have to trust me. Cut me some slack. Let’s try things my way.”
“Trust you?” she repeated. “Trust is something you earn, Jake Mercer, and you haven’t even begun to earn it yet.”
“Then at least give me a chance to either succeed or fall on my face. I can’t do the job if I don’t have your support.”
Laurie thought for a few moments. He wasn’t asking for anything unreasonable. “Okay,” she finally said, though grudgingly. “I guess I’m a little out of sorts this morning. I still have to call the vet and tell her my decision about Flash.”
“I already did that. The surgery’s scheduled for tomorrow.”
Laurie’s mouth dropped open. “That was not your decision to make!”
Jake took a step closer until he towered over her. “Anything concerning the running of this ranch or the finances or the stock is my decision to make. If we disagree on that, then you might as well fire me right now.”
“I’m tempted!” She had to crane her neck to meet his electric blue gaze.
“Well?”
Her anger faltered. He knew damn well she wouldn’t fire him. She needed him. Turning away, she said quietly, “All right, we’re agreed. You have complete authority over the ranch. In return, I’ll ask that in the future you show some sensitivity where Wendy’s concerned. She doesn’t have a father, and the time she spends with Maurice is important to both of them.”
“Agreed. I’ll make sure she gets her riding lesson this afternoon. Which horse does she ride, anyway?”
“Tosca.” Laurie focused her gaze out the window toward the pasture. “The little red mare out there, grazing near the fence. She has a very sweet disposition.”
“She’s not so little, though.”
Laurie resumed clearing the table, and to her surprise, Jake helped. “Wendy will grow into her. Meanwhile, I just want to get her used to horses so she won’t be afraid of them the way I was.”
“You’re not anymore?” Jake asked. “I remember when you wouldn’t even touch a horse. When we were kids, I couldn’t get you on Paco’s back for love or money. You wouldn’t even ride behind me.”
“I wasn’t afraid of the horse, I was afraid of you,” she quipped. When she realized what she’d said, she was horrified. How easy it was to step back into their old roles, even after all this time.
“Why were you afraid of me?” he asked, sounding genuinely curious.
She couldn’t tell him the truth—that back in those days, when their mutual desires were first beginning to blossom, she was scared to death to go anywhere alone with him, afraid their innocent kisses would get out of control and she wouldn’t be able to stop him or herself.
She chose not to answer his question. “I’ll never be an expert rider, and certain horses still unnerve me,” she said, “but I like to ride now and then.”
“This I gotta see. I’ll be riding out to check fences this afternoon. Why don’t you come with me?”
“No, I’ll be much too busy,” she answered automatically.
“With what?” he challenged her. Their hands met under the faucet as they both went to rinse a dish at the same time.
Laurie jumped back as if she’d been branded. “With…with stuff, okay? I need to get my hair trimmed. And Wendy needs new clothes—she’s outgrowing everything.”
Jake dried his hands on a dishcloth. “Oh, that reminds me. You need to sit down and figure out what your monthly personal expenses are. I’ll be putting you on an allowance.”
Before she could even sputter an objection, he was gone.
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