The Cowboy Comes Home Read online

  “Looks like we have a trainer for Storm.”

  They headed back through the barn. She had just agreed to pay a hefty fee to Mr. Jameson.

  “Seems like a lot for a trainer,” she remarked.

  Wes nodded. “A trainer as good as Johnny Jameson can name his price.” Wes stopped. “Look, Jess. I know you haven’t been around the operation, and if you had, you’d know that the vet has been out several times to medicate Storm. Doc Peters has talked about the possibility of putting him down.”

  Jess gasped. “We wouldn’t do that!”

  “Of course not,” Wes agreed. “He’s a valuable animal, but he’s also out of control right now. We can’t ride him or breed him when he’s like this.”

  “But Storm was dad’s horse.”

  “And that’s the reason Holt’s put up with his behavior these past months. But someone could get hurt. Jameson is our best hope. It’s the right decision to hire him.”

  Jess knew after just one meeting that the man had stirred something in her. That was the problem. She felt the attraction. Bad news. She also couldn’t forget her lousy track record with men.

  At least she didn’t need to be around that much, and her home and business were on another part of the ranch. That made her a little more relaxed until she walked out of the barn and caught the scene in the corral unfolding before her. She could only watch as Johnny lifted her four-year-old son to the railing. She stiffened, seeing how animated Brady was with the new trainer as his small hand reached out toward the forehead of the man’s roan horse. Quickly the boy pulled his hand back and laughed nervously. Jess hadn’t heard that sound since before Brady’s grandfather had died. Wasn’t her son afraid of horses? She remembered that day when Brady had been barely two years old, and he’d gone with his grandpa Clay to the barn and a horse broke away and nearly knocked him down. From then on, her son had cried every time her dad tried to take him back to the barn.

  Now, Brady was trusting a stranger.

  “Well, looks like Brady likes him,” Wes remarked. “You know what they say.”

  “About what?”

  “You got to trust a man who’s liked by animals and children.”

  Brady Clayton Calhoun ran over to her. “Mom, I did it! I petted him.”

  “I see that.”

  She looked down at her blond-headed son. So much pride in his big brown eyes.

  “I wasn’t scared. Johnny said that Risky would never hurt me.” A big smile crossed his face. “And he didn’t.”

  “You did a great job.” She hugged him. “Brady, why don’t you go up to the house? I bet Nancy’s finished baking those cookies.”

  The boy started off, then stopped. “Are you coming, too, Mom?”

  “I’ll be there shortly, son. I have some business to talk over with Mr. Jameson.” Johnny was approaching her and Wes.

  “’Kay.” Then Brady ran off through the gate.

  Jess turned to Johnny. “I’m not sure how you got him to do that, but I’d appreciate it if you’d check with me before you introduce my child to any of the animals.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He nodded. “You’re the boss.”

  Jess wasn’t sure how to react to Johnny Jameson. She’d never been good at flirting with men. Okay, maybe once, and that had gotten her into trouble. She definitely had no idea how to judge men.

  “No, Mr. Jameson, I’m not.” She wished Wes hadn’t left her alone to handle this. “Holt’s still happy to hire you. But until he returns, you’ll answer to the ranch foreman. If something comes up that Wes questions, then we’ll discuss it.”

  “So you aren’t the least bit interested in how Storm progresses?”

  “Of course I am, but I have other things that take up my time.”

  Jameson’s gray eyes bored into her, causing a stirring inside her that not only surprised but frightened her. Feelings she thought had been dormant for a long time. For the past nearly five years her child and her business had filled all the voids. Now this man was creating something she didn’t want or need.

  She pulled her jacket together to ward off the cold. “So if there’s nothing else, I need to get inside.”

  “Nothing I can’t handle. Sorry I took up so much of your time.” He placed two fingers against the brim of his hat in a salute. “Good afternoon, Ms. Calhoun.”

  “Mr. Jameson.”

  “Why don’t you just call me Johnny? Unless you don’t like to get that familiar with the hired help.”

  She refused to react. “I’m familiar with a lot of the men who work on the Double Bar C. I’ve known some all my life, but I don’t know you.”

  He smiled. “Yet.”

  Jess nodded and turned toward the house, trying to keep her walk slow and relaxed, but Johnny Jameson had managed to knock her off balance. She couldn’t allow that. She had once and soon learned that trusting a man led to hurt and pain. No, Mr. Good-Looking Cowboy, I’m not falling for your type again.

  CHAPTER TWO

  AN HOUR later, Jess was standing in the ranch kitchen, looking out toward the corral, watching as the new trainer carried his things up the steps to the apartment above the barn.

  Johnny Jameson was moving in. For how long? Would he just work with Storm, or would Holt keep him here longer?

  She shook away the questions. What did it matter? Once her brother came home, he’d handle the ranch again. And she’d go back to concentrating on her business, which she’d been neglecting the past weeks.

  No doubt about it, even months later the entire family was struggling to adjust to all the changes since her father’s death.

  Now, Holt was away, taking care of a terminally ill friend. Megan was at school in the East. Nate was in the army.

  She released a sigh. The ranch problems were hers to deal with. Her immediate choice had been to hire a horse trainer. Well, she’d have to wait and see how that worked out.

  She turned around and saw her son at the big oak table, eating an afternoon snack. A sudden sadness consumed her. Her father used to wander in about this time of day and join his grandson for milk and cookies. She could still hear Brady’s giggles and her father’s laughter ring out through the house.

  Clay Calhoun’s death had been hard on all of them, but mostly her son. The twosome had been inseparable. The only exception had been when it came to horses. Her father always thought Brady would outgrow his fears, but didn’t push the issue. That was why she had been so surprised when the child showed up in the corral today.

  Jess still worried about her son. Not an outgoing boy by nature, the soon-to-be five-year-old needed to interact more with his peers. So three mornings a week Brady had been attending preschool while she ran her store, Jess’s Bakery, featuring homemade preserves, which she’d named after her mother: Sandra’s Preserves.

  “Mom, is Johnny staying here for a long time?”

  She studied Brady’s brown eyes. “Not sure, honey. He’s going to work with Grandpa’s horse.”

  The boy took a drink of milk, then said, “’Cause Storm is sad about Papa going to heaven?”

  She smiled. “Yeah, Storm is sad, too.” Was that the reason she resented Johnny, an outsider, coming here? Because he could handle her dad’s horse so easily, when none of them could? Or that her son trusted him?

  “I hope he can make Storm happy again,” Brady said.

  “So do I, son.” She turned back around and looked out the row of windows toward the horse barn. “For what we’re paying him, he’d better,” she murmured.

  Jess hated this. Since her dad’s death, Holt had taken over the running of the ranch as if he’d been born to it. He had been, but he wasn’t here and could be away a long time. In the past, she’d always gone to her dad for answers and now he wasn’t around any longer.

  She felt the sting of tears, remembering back six years ago when she’d told her parents she was pregnant and was going to be a single mom.

  Even though her mother voiced her disappointment, her dad wrapped her i
n his big strong arms and told her that it would be all right. He made sure of that. The moment her son was born, Clay claimed him as a Calhoun. Over the years, it had been her dad who taught her about the importance of the land and family.

  She turned back to her child. “Brady, what made you go into the corral today?”

  The boy shrugged, concentrating on his chocolate chip cookie. “I dunno.”

  “I thought we talked about this. Until you’re older, you need an adult to be with you when you’re around the stock. Please, pay attention to the rules. They’re for your safety.”

  He looked at her. “I came to find you. I was afraid you got hurt ’cause of Storm.” She saw the fear in his eyes.

  She went to him at the table and knelt down. “Honey, I wouldn’t get close to a runaway horse on my own. And Wes was there, too.”

  “And so was Johnny. Papa said he can work miracles.”

  Oh, no, was he making things up? “Brady, we talked about this. Papa Clay is gone away.”

  “I know. He’s buried in the ground on the hill with Grandma Sandy.” He pointed toward the barn. “But Papa said this before, when he was sick in bed. ’Member when I went to his room and read him stories? Sometimes he talked about the ranch.”

  She couldn’t hide her smile. That sounded like Dad. “I think you better talk to Holt about that.”

  “Papa already told Uncle Holt that he needed to teach me ’cause I hafta know how to run the Double Bar C when I grow up and be the boss. That’s when Papa and Uncle Holt talked about Johnny.” Brady wrinkled his freckled nose. “Mom, did you know that he talks to horses?”

  “Who, Papa?”

  “No, Johnny. And that’s why Papa wanted him to come here.” Tears formed in the child’s eyes. “That’s why I had to go and see Johnny. To tell him things about Storm.”

  Jess blinked several times. “Okay.” She hugged him. He’d been so tough through the past months. “But next time let an adult know before you head to the corral. Storm isn’t safe to be around.”

  “I know. But now Johnny’s gonna fix Storm so he’s a nice horse.”

  From a child’s mouth to God’s ears. “We all want that, son, and I hope it happens, but don’t expect miracles.”

  “But there are miracles, Mom. In Sunday school they talk about them all the time.”

  Okay, she was going to lose this one. “Okay, we’ll see what happens.”

  “So, can I watch Johnny with Storm?”

  She shook her head. “It’s too dangerous right now.”

  “What if Johnny says it’s okay, then can I do it?”

  She was torn. Brady had been so afraid to get anywhere close to the stables. Now he wanted to be around the orneriest horse ever. “All right, when we see Johnny again, we’ll talk about it.”

  He cheered. “Tonight.”

  “Tonight?”

  He nodded. “I asked him to come to supper, and he said yes.”

  Great. She didn’t need this now, didn’t need to face Johnny again so soon.

  She nodded and he climbed down from the table and ran off.

  Nancy came in and cleared the table. “That’s a first, the boy going anywhere near a horse.”

  Jess glanced at the housekeeper and nodded. “It shocked me, all right.”

  “I can’t wait to get a good look at this Johnny Jameson.”

  In her mid-forties, Nancy Griffith was full-figured. She had light brown hair that she wore pulled back into a ponytail, and had pretty hazel eyes and a smile that was as warm as she was herself. And since Jess’s mother died a few years ago, they had become the best of friends.

  “Well, you can stroll down to the barn if you like.”

  The housekeeper smiled. “I’ll just wait until supper.”

  Jess thought about the man. She knew his type—he attracted women, and probably didn’t get turned down much. Well, she wasn’t going to be affected by him. “Nancy would you mind watching Brady for a while?”

  “Of course not.”

  “Good, I’m going to head back to the bakery for a few hours. I have my own business to run.” Before that she needed to show some Texas hospitality.

  * * *

  Johnny finished bringing his things upstairs to the two-room apartment. There was a living area and small kitchen. The other room held a queen-size bed and dresser. There was a tiny bathroom, with no tub, but a shower stall. That was plenty for him.

  He sank into the well-worn leather sofa. Home. Until… At least for a few weeks. Not much longer than that. He’d always moved on when the mood struck him. He never wanted to get too attached to a place, especially when he felt he didn’t fit in. That was most of the time.

  Yet, this ranch was a top-quality facility. Large stalls, a well-ventilated barn. Clay Calhoun had been serious about his horses.

  He sank farther into the cushions. The past few years, he’d made good money because of his training skills. Moving around, he’d banked most of it. He’d invested some in stocks, and some in horses. Risky Business was his latest find. The previous owner deemed the young stallion untrainable and dangerous. Johnny got him at a steal. After a lot of patience and training, Risky had turned into a great horse. Johnny had even bred him. He thought back to the sweet mare that Jess Calhoun rode today. The two would produce a fine-looking foal.

  His thoughts wandered toward Ms. Calhoun. She was one pretty woman. Not your typical rich rancher’s daughter. She’d ridden out on a cold January day to find her dad’s horse just like the hired hands.

  She went by the name Calhoun and had a son, so was she divorced, or never married? Either way, he needed to stay clear of her. A woman with a child wasn’t a good thing. Not for him. He’d never fit into that mold. He flashed back to years ago, to his mother and her crazy boyfriend with the freewheeling fist. Nope, he didn’t do the family or commitment thing. He’d heard the word love tossed around enough to know that it had been meaningless to him. It had only been connected to hurtful memories. With love came trust, and it was hard to trust someone when they were beating the hell out of you.

  But damn, Jess Calhoun was tempting enough to make him forget a lot of pain.

  There was a knock at the door. “Come in.”

  The door opened and Jess stuck her head in. “I wanted to bring by some sheets and towels. We didn’t know you were coming, so your bed isn’t made up.”

  When he looked at her, he didn’t think about making up a bed. He stood. “It’s okay. I kind of sprung my arrival on you.”

  “Not a problem. Storm needs help.” She nodded and glanced around nervously. “I hope the accommodations are satisfactory for you.”

  If she’d only seen some of the places he’d lived in.

  “I didn’t expect anything besides a bed in the bunkhouse. This is great.”

  Johnny took the linens from her. Their hands brushed and he felt her jump. “Well, we want you to be comfortable.”

  “I am, thank you.” He paused and rushed on to say, “Again, I want to apologize for letting Brady pet Risky earlier. I trust my horse, so I never once thought he might hurt the boy.”

  She nodded. “I know I’m a little overprotective. I’m not used to Brady going to strangers, especially around horses.”

  He couldn’t help but be intrigued by this woman’s situation. “What about Brady’s father?”

  She glanced away. “He’s not in his life.”

  Johnny felt his chest tighten. He knew what it was like to have no father. “I’m sorry.”

  She sighed. “Some things are for the best. That was one of the reasons why my father and Brady were so close. We’ve all suffered greatly since his death.”

  “I can understand that,” he told her. “I promise I won’t do anything to upset Brady. I only want to help Storm.”

  “Good. I should go and let you get settled in.”

  She headed for the door when Wes appeared. “Looks like I’m a little late for the welcoming committee.”

  Jess nodded. “I’
m leaving, so you can continue for me.” She was gone.

  Wes stayed. “I just talked with Holt again,” the foreman said. “He told me to make sure you feel at home. So whatever you need let me know.”

  “Everything is fine.”

  Wes grinned. “We want to make sure you hang around for a while.”

  “No promises. I agreed to work with Storm, but after that, we’ll see.”

  “Fair enough.” Wes opened the door to leave.

  “Supper is at six. See you then.”

  Johnny wasn’t going to barge in on the Calhouns. “Look, Wes. I don’t have to go. I know the boy extended the invite but…”

  “And Brady will probably have a million questions for you.” Wes paused. “Look, as you can see the boy has a big fear of horses mainly because of an incident with a spooked horse when he was a toddler. He’s really looking forward to talking to you at supper.” The foreman frowned. “And if the boy is taking an interest in you training Storm, I take it as a good sign.”

  Johnny finally nodded. As long as the boy didn’t expect anything more than a few answers about horses. “I guess I can handle as many questions as he can ask.”

  A smile spread across Wes’s face. “I suggest you stick around long enough to sample Jess’s dessert. That’s her specialty.”

  The picture in Johnny’s head conjured a lot more than sweet confections. “Then I guess I should stay and have a taste.”

  * * *

  Johnny studied the big ranch-style house, which might have been built a hundred years ago. There had been several additions to the structure, including the large kitchen that had been remodeled recently with all the modern conveniences. There was a huge double oven and the gas cooktop had eight burners. The refrigerator was industrial-size. Then he learned that Jess’s late mother, Sandra, and Jess had begun making their homemade jellies and jams right here until Jess had outgrown the space. After her mother’s heart attack and death three years ago, Jess had opened up shop at another location on the ranch.

  So Ms. Calhoun worked for a living.