Free Honey Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Series #2) by Verna Clay

perfection. She
invited him to the kitchen for a glass of iced tea so Molly could enter
fashionably late.
    Ann did a double-take when her grandmother stepped
into the room. She looked like a cowgirl in her maroon crushed velvet western
skirt and matching embroidered blouse with white fringe across the bodice. Pretty
white suede boots made the outfit perfect. Her blond hair, strategically
mussed, set off her lovely cheekbones accented with new makeup.
    Ann watched Newt gulp and Granny giggle. She
noticed Newt had borrowed Sarah's beautiful Lexus SUV that Sage had bought her
for Christmas. After they left, Ann fell back on her bed laughing so hard she
had tears in her eyes. Molly and Newt—"Wanna be Cowgirl" and "Died
in the Wool Cowboy"—hot item of the year!
    Late that night, Ann got a phone call from
Molly. In a hushed tone her granny said, "Newt and me are sneaking into
his room. Don't wait up. Gotta go, love." The line went dead. Ann looked
at her cell phone and grinned. Granny was serious about having an affair with
Newt.
    Before sunrise, Ann heard a vehicle pull in
front of the cottage. Peeking out her window, she saw Newt's old truck. He
helped Molly out and then stepped close. Their dark shapes merged into one. Ann
felt like a voyeur and stepped away from the curtain. After a few minutes,
Molly entered the cottage and called, "I'm home, dear! I saw you at the
window! I'm sleeping late!"
     

Chapter 10:  Alligator
     
    Ann finished grinding fresh coffee and filling
the basket. She poured water in the holding tank and started the brew. She
wanted to make a good impression on Jackson's friend, Alligator. He'd called
Jackson a few days after Molly left and said he was coming for a week's visit.
His hopper plane had flown into Cortez/Montezuma Airport late the previous
night so she hadn't been at the house when he'd arrived.
    Ann reached into the cupboard to gather pancake
mix and syrup to begin preparations for the man-sized breakfast she was going
to serve Jackson and his friend. She had her head in the refrigerator when she
heard the kitchen door open. Pulling out a carton of eggs, she turned around
with a smile that turned into a little gasp. Alligator was huge. He
looked like he should be playing defensive end for the Dallas Cowboys.
    Jackson said, "Annie, I'd like you to meet
Al Kosky, alias Alligator. Al, this is Annie Hackstetter. She runs the
household and I'd be lost without her."
    Ann set the carton of eggs on the counter and
extended her hand to Alligator. "It's a pleasure meeting you, Mr.
Kosky." She couldn't help but notice a strange look pass across his face
when he shook her hand. She wondered if her lipstick was smeared and casually
rubbed a finger around her lips.
    "My pleasure," he replied, his New
York accent unmistakable. "But please call me Al or Alligator."
    "You must call me Ann…" she glanced at
Jackson, "…or Annie."
    Jackson slapped Alligator on the back. Come on,
I'll show you around. How long til you think breakfast will be ready,
Annie?"
    "About a half hour."
    "Do you need me to do anything?"
    "Nope, I've got it under control. You'll
have the breakfast of champions when you return." She smiled at Jackson
and his friend and felt that weird vibe again."
    * * *
    Jackson proudly took Alligator on a tour of the
house and the terrace. Lastly, he showed him his office.
    Al said, "I never realized how great this place
is because Tommy still owned it the last time I was here. You were living in the
cottage. Is that where Annie lives?"
    Even though Alligator tried to sound casual,
Jackson wondered what his friend was getting at.
    "Yeah, that's one of the perks of her
job."
    "So, how long has she worked for you?"
    "A couple months. Why?"
    "No reason."
    "Okay, Alligator, something's up. You gonna
spill the beans."
    "There's nothing up. I just think you're
sweet on her and I want to make sure she's not a gold-digger."
    "Annie, a gold-digger?" he laughed.
"If it weren't so ludicrous, I'd punch you in