Free Rachel's Cowboy by Judy Christenberry Page B

computer,” Rachel said before she returned to fixing the sandwiches. While she did so, J.D. gathered up some information he wanted to have entered into the computer.
    “Call Madge to lunch, J.D., please.” Rachel carried various plates to the table.
    “Right.” He put down a pile of papers and turned toward Madge’s bedroom, knocking on the door. “Madge? Lunch is ready.”
    When she came out, she seemed to be the same old Madge, a warm smile on her lips. “Oh, Rachel, you did a fine job fixing lunch.”
    “Thank you, Madge.” Rachel loved the praise Madge gave her at every turn. Her mother had been highly critical.
    They sat down and ate their lunch in silence. Rachel had so much to think about.
    “You want to try out your new boots tomorrow morning?” J.D. suddenly asked.
    She looked up in surprise. “What do you mean?”
    “Your first riding lesson. If I only have a month, I should get started turning you into Annie Oakley.”
    Rachel stared at him.
    “J.D., I don’t think—” Madge was silenced by J.D. waving his hand.
    “Well, Rachel?” He stood and placed his hands on his hips, as if ready to do battle. He was throwing down a challenge and expected an answer.
    Rachel knew what she should say. But something in her responded to that challenge in his eyes. “Thank you, J.D. I’d like to learn to ride, though I’m not promising I’ll be up to Annie Oakley’s standards.”
    “Okay. Madge can have you afternoons and evenings, but I get the mornings, before you grow too tired. You’ll have to wake up early, though. We’ll start the lessons at 8:00 a.m.”
    Rachel swallowed. But riding would be good for her, she realized. She’d been very lazy, sleeping until nine every morning. “Okay.”
    J.D. looked even more surprised than she felt.“Good. We’ll start slowly, I promise.” With that proclamation he spun on his heel and left the kitchen.
    Rachel stared into space, still trying to comprehend what she’d agreed to.
    “Are you sure about this, Rachel? Because if you’re not, I can talk to J.D. He’ll understand.” Madge stared at her, waiting for an answer.
    “I’d be crazy to turn down the opportunity to learn how to ride from a real cowboy. All my friends will be jealous.” Rachel tried to smile, but was afraid her lips were trembling. “You—you don’t think it’s a good idea?”
    “If it’s what you want to do, I guess it’ll be fine. J.D. will be a good teacher.”
    “I’m sure he will be.”
    J.D. was good at everything he did, she thought. Everything. She thought back to their night together. Yes, nobody had done to her what J.D. had—made her feel so special, so loved.
    The silence was broken by Madge. “It’s just that Vivian told me you were upset at seeing him again. I thought maybe you wouldn’t want to be around him.”
    Rachel couldn’t meet the older woman’s gaze. She knew her cheeks were red. “We—we had a problem in communication, Madge, but I’m okay with being here. And I’ll enjoy those lessons.”
    “It’s your decision.”
    “May I have breakfast at seven-thirty tomorrow morning? I’ll be glad to fix it.”
    “Don’t be silly, child. Of course I’ll fix your breakfast. Do you need me to wake you up, too?”
    “There’s an alarm clock beside my bed.” Rachel managed to look at Madge and smile gamely. “I guess I’ll try out my boots in the morning.” She stuck her feet out in front of her. “They look good, don’t they?”
    Madge chuckled. “Honey child, you’ll give Annie Oakley a run for her money even if you can’t ride or shoot anything. You’ll look much better than she did.”
    “Well, at least I can win one way.” When the thought struck her, she felt her cheeks blanch. “J.D. won’t expect me to learn to shoot, will he?”
    “I don’t think that’s in his plans. If you were going to live here for a long time, you’d need to learn, but not for a short visit.”
    “Why would I need to learn to shoot?” Rachel