Free The Rancher Takes a Cook by Misty M. Beller

deny her request straight
off. Her dander rose, but she clamped her mouth shut. At least
Edward was in the same cabin as Juan. The older cowboy had
weathered many storms in his years on the range. Hopefully, he
could help Edward make it through this one.
    * * *
    Thursday morning dawned cool and clear, with
a sunrise that lifted Anna’s spirit. She’d planned a traditional
breakfast this morning with flapjacks, eggs, bacon, and fresh, warm
biscuits spread with strawberry preserves. She’d learned early on
the men didn’t take time to add niceties to their food before
gulping it down. So now she applied condiments to the food before
the cowboys arrived at the table, in hopes they might actually take
time to enjoy the extra flavor.
    She laid the serving dishes, piled high with
food, strategically down the center of the long table, making sure
a dish of each type of delicacy was within every man’s reach.
    Anna grew conscious of a presence in the
doorway. She glanced up, and Jacob leaned against the door frame
with his arms crossed, blue eyes following her movements. His dark
brown hair must still be damp because it lay brushed sideways in
controlled waves, only one unruly lock daring to touch his
forehead. His blue plaid work shirt stretched across wide
shoulders, the top two buttons open as if they couldn’t contain his
muscular frame. He didn’t wear a vest like many of the cowboys, but
his shirt fit snuggly enough to expose a trim waist and flat
stomach. He was gorgeous. He really was. But he was her boss. And
she had no business swooning over him. Loving meant opening herself
up to the possibility of losing. No, she wasn’t planning to attach
herself to anyone else. She was only there to protect Edward and
provide them both a home. She had to keep her focus on those two
facts alone.
    “Food smells good.”
    The words broke through Anna’s thoughts, and
she dropped her eyes to the plate of bacon in her hands. “I’ve
almost finished setting everything out. Would you like a cup of
coffee while you wait?” She peeked back up at him for a response.
His square jaw made him look so strong and capable. Catching his
nod, Anna scurried toward the kitchen, relieved to leave his
scrutinizing gaze.
    As she brought the steaming cup to him, Anna
was careful to keep her eyes on the brew and hold it so her hand
wouldn’t brush his as he took possession. Just standing close to
this man made her stomach do flips. He was her employer ,
after all. She needed to keep that in the forefront of her
mind.
    “I’m goin’ to town today.” His words brought
her head up, shattering her intention to not make eye contact.
“Thought you might have a list of things you want me to pick up.
Or…maybe you’d like to go along?” He asked the question like he
didn’t want to. “I know it gets a bit lonely out here, and you may
want to see your family. It’s up to you.”
    Anna’s heart did a little leap. She longed
to see Aunt Laura and Uncle Walter again. They hadn’t been at
church last Sunday, and she wondered if they were ill. “Do you mean
it? Oh, I would love to go. If it’s not too much trouble.”
    He gave a quick nod. “We’ll leave an hour
after breakfast. Just meet me in the yard.” Jacob turned to leave
then looked back and raised his cup. “Thanks for the coffee.” Then
he was gone.

CHAPTER TEN
    After breakfast, Anna hurried through the
mounds of dishes then took a careful inventory of the supplies she
needed. These men went through food like water through a sieve, so
her list was longer than she’d expected.
    That done, Anna hurried upstairs to freshen
her appearance. Staring in the mirror at her faded brown dress, she
looked so plain and unattractive. Her only other dress was still
covered in tomato sauce from yesterday. Perhaps she’d use some of
their earnings to buy material for new clothing. That brought a
smile to her lips. Yes, she could splurge just a little. She’d
already planned to buy a cowboy hat