Free Wandering Heart by Rita Hestand

Angela's voice seemed strained even to Cooper. "Maxine
Taylor, Coop Johnson."
    "Maxine."
    Maxine was
dressed like a female vamp out to kill or collect something. Her
tight mini dress and high heels were ordinarily no match for blue
jeans and t shirt, but there was something about the way Angel
wore those blue jeans, Cooper quickly decided.
    "So, you're the
new farm manager," Maxine cooed.
    "I don't like
titles. Don't be so formal, just call me Coop," he said with a
smile and noticed the edge of Angel's mouth tighten.
    "Coop, I like
that."
    A short silence
prevailed as the two sized each other up. Then Cooper glanced at
Angela. "Nice meeting you, Maxine, but I promised to fix a couple
of things for Josh. If you'll excuse me?"
    "Can't it
wait?" Angela frowned. "I think Maxine came to meet and get to know
you."
    "I'd love to
stay and chat but I promised to help him with a science project."
Cooper explained firmly.
    "But I can do
that."
    "Oh?" Coop's
brow went up skeptically. "Are you in to dissecting frogs?"
    "Oh!" Angela
gasped. "Forget that."
    "Maxine,"
Cooper said taking her hand in his, marveling at the beautiful long
fingernails, assured the woman had never done a hard day's work,
and smiled. "It's been a real pleasure."
    Maxine smiled,
letting her full breasts heave just a little, obviously just enough
to be noticed. "Don't be a stranger."
    "No,
ma'am."
     
    *****
     
    Left with
Maxine's company Angela settled herself in the wooden rocking chair
in the living room and offered Maxine the softness of the sofa.
"So, what brings you all the way out here?"
    "Him, of
course!"
    Was she being a
spy for Greg or simply interested in Cooper herself?
    "Does he work
all the time?" she asked.
    "Dawn until
dusk, I'd say. By choice only."
    "Really, I like
that. I like a man that isn't afraid to work. And shame on you,
Angela, for keeping such a dish to yourself. I mean he is a hunk, a
real hunk. He's not overly tall, but he gives that impression. No
wonder you hired him so quickly. Where ever did you find him?"
    "Maxine, you're
a riot. So subtle. I didn't find him at all. Why, I've known him
most of my life. We sort of grew up together. We were next-door
neighbors. And I just happened to bump into him a few days ago. He
needed a job. I needed a farm manager. That's all there was to it.
Why, I hadn't seen him in ten years. But I'll be the first to
testify that he is a great farmer."
    "And I suppose
the fact that he's overly good looking had nothing to do with
you hiring him?"
    "What are you
getting at?"
    "What am I
getting at? Really, Angela? Are you trying to make Greg jealous?
Because if you are, it's working."
    Angela pinked.
"With Coop? Don't be ridiculous. We have no interest in each other.
But he works magic on a farm. See for yourself. He's already got
the north pasture in great shape. That was the reason I hired him.
He's a natural in the fields. He's practically taken over the
place, and Josh. And besides he used to work for my uncle."
    "Really? I'll
bet a farm isn't the only thing he can work magic on," Maxine
purred, her big blue eyes wandering about the place, obviously
hoping to get a glance at him again.
    "I wouldn't
know about that." But if Angela were really truthful with herself,
she'd admit she responded to that smile much more than she should,
and being near him brought all her senses to awareness.
    "Good looking,
hard working, and he likes your kid. What more could you ask for?
Well, since you have no real interest in him as a man, I'm telling
you now. I want a date with him. I don't care how you arrange it,
but I want a date."
    Angela's mouth
flew open. "I'm afraid I don't go around arranging dates for
anyone, Maxine. I've got a farm, a job, and a son to look after.
That's enough. But if you're so interested, go ask him."
    "Don't worry, I
will. If you're silly enough to let a hunk like that get away, it's
your own fault. I suppose you know Greg is a little concerned about
you and Cooper living practically under the