Free Count This Cowboy In by Misty Malone Page A

got that lock on the window fixed yet, Jeb?" 
    The two ladies looked at each other and smiled.  Trevor quickly recovered and said, "I did.  I wanted to be sure if there were anything that needed a little attention it would get it.  If someone's going to be living on my ranch, I want to be sure they're safe and comfortable."
    Jeb smiled at Consuela again and told Trevor, "Well, if you want everyone living on the ranch to be comfortable, we could sure use another TV in the bunkhouse.  Some of the men like to watch the ten o'clock news before they go to bed, but they don't all like the same channel."
    " Jeb, go get the ladder so we can check out the roof, make sure there's no loose shingles."
    " But boss, I just ––"
    " The ladder, Jeb."
    Sam thought Jeb had a pretty satisfied look on his face as he headed off toward the barn.  Apparently the hands all felt comfortable around Trevor.  She could already tell they had a great deal of respect for him, but she was happy to see they felt free to joke with him, as well.
    Consuela had moved over to the window and started taking down the lower curtains.  Sam got a chair from the kitchen and took it over to the window.  She climbed up on it to get the top curtains, but before she could get the first side she felt a pair of strong hands around her waist and before she knew what was happening she was standing back down on the ground.  Trevor was looking down at her with a frown on his face.  "What do you think you're doing up there, young lady?"
    With hands on her hips and her eyes wide, she answered, "Taking down the curtains so we can wash them.  What do you think you're doing putting me back down here?"
    Now his eyes opened wide, as did Consuela 's.  Trevor looked over at his long time friend and cook and asked, "Have you ever seen such a feisty little minx?"
    " I think you have met your match, Mr. Trevor."
    Looking at Sam, he said, "Or perhaps she's met hers."  He reached up and started taking the curtains down as he said, "Sam, I don't want to see you climbing on a chair again, it's too dangerous.  I'll take these down and put them back up for you."
    " I've been getting on a chair to reach things my whole life and I've never fallen off yet."
    " I'm glad you've been lucky so far, but I don't want to see you doing it again."
    " Then turn your back and don't look."
    " Sam," he warned.
    " Trevor, in case you haven't noticed, I'm not as tall as you."
    " I have noticed that, Sam, which is why I'm doing it for you."  He saw her open her mouth to argue further, but he put his finger over her mouth.  "Protective, remember?  As long as I'm here and can easily do this for you there's nothing else to talk about."  When she opened her mouth again he again put his finger over her mouth and said, "And before you argue with me further let me remind you," he said as he caught her eyes with his, "give you a little verbal reminder to watch your attitude."  He gave her a moment to catch his meaning before quietly saying, "We can talk more later if you want."
    He turned around and took the top curtains off the window and handed them to her.  Consuela saw the tension between them and said, "Miss Sam, if Mr. Trevor is going to help you with these curtains, I'm going to go check on lunch.  I need to stir the stew and get a salad ready."
    Trevor smiled at her and said, "By all means, Consuela, go on and check on lunch.  We don't want it to burn.  I'll help her get the curtains."
    Consuela nodded and left, leaving the two alone.

     

Chapter 5
     
    Once they were alone Sam looked at Trevor and said, "Look, I know you want to protect me, but ––"
    " Shhh, listen to me a minute, Sam.  I may be a bit overprotective; I get that.  I'll work on it.  In the meantime, can you please just humor me and let me do this since I'm here?  I'll give this some serious thought, though, I promise.  I understand your frustration.  Please understand mine.  I don't know why I feel so protective