The Cowboy Next Door--Includes a bonus novella Read online

  Finn nudged Ben. “So it’s her good cooking that has you sticking around.”

  The two shared knowing grins.

  Penny lifted a roasting pan from the oven and glanced over to say, “It’s pretty simple tonight. I just roasted a couple of chickens.”

  Becca crossed the room to lend a hand. “My mouth has been watering since Ben and I walked in. What’s in all these pots?” She lifted lids, then gave a sigh. “Oh, my. Mashed potatoes. Green beans.” She watched as Penny lifted a pan of biscuits from the oven. “I think I’m ready to change loyalties. I’ve been getting the occasional kitchen help from Mary Pat. But she rarely has time to spare. I’d like to take cooking lessons from you. Would you teach me how to do all this, Penny?”

  Penny dimpled. “Of course. It’s really simple, once you do it a time or two.”

  “Easy for you to say.” Becca shared a smile with her new husband. “I know it would make Ben really happy if you could teach me to do all this.”

  Ben crossed the room to press a kiss to his wife’s cheek. “I didn’t marry you for your cooking, babe.”

  Becca blushed as the others chuckled. “Of course you didn’t. But I’d love to surprise you one night with a meal like this.”

  They looked up at the sound of another car pulling up behind the string of trucks parked outside.

  “Oh, look,” Becca announced. “It’s Mary Pat.”

  The minute the words were out of her mouth, Mac set aside his longneck and hurried out the door.

  Minutes later Mary Pat, arms laden with mysterious packages, stepped into the mudroom, trailed by Mac, whose smile was as bright as the sun.

  Mary Pat turned to Penny. “I can’t tell you how lovely it is to walk into this house and smell dinner cooking.”

  She set aside her burden before circling the room to hug everyone, her red hair threaded with gray brushing the collar of her faded plaid shirt.

  It was obvious, from the warmth of their greetings, that the entire family was delighted to see her.

  “You’ve been gone a long time, Mary Patricia.” Zachariah took her hand. He nodded toward the door. “Car trouble again?”

  She gave a quick laugh. “No, thank heavens. Roscoe and Otis continue to work miracles on my old van. There’s no reason, really, for being away so long, except that I wanted to get in as many visits to the outlying ranchers as I could before the weather turns.”

  They all knew that her role as social worker, visiting nurse, and homeschool advisor made her welcome everywhere she traveled.

  She dropped to her knees to exclaim over Archie. “Oh, look at you. Aren’t you just the cutest thing.” While petting him she looked up. “Whose doggie is this?”

  Becca and Ben said together, “He’s ours. His name is Archie. We got him at the shelter in town.” Then they both broke out in laughter as they realized they’d spoken in unison.

  “A good choice. He suits the two of you.” Mary Pat gave him a final pat before getting to her feet.

  “Dinner is ready,” Penny announced.

  While Penny arranged the roast chicken on a platter, the others passed around a bowl of mashed potatoes and another bowl of green beans.

  Mary Pat eyed the beans. “These look fresh. I’m betting you didn’t get these out of the freezer.”

  “Otis picked the last of his garden vegetables. We can thank him for the bounty.”

  The old man was flushed with pride. “I’m afraid those are the last of them. I had to hunt for every one. But they’re so much better than the ones in the store.”

  “Everything’s better when it’s fresh.” Mac helped himself before passing it along to Roscoe.

  As soon as their plates were filled, they joined hands and waited for Mary Pat to offer a blessing.

  She smiled as she looked around the table. “Bless this food, these good friends, and the many roads we all travel.”

  As they dug into their meal, Mac turned to Mary Pat, seated beside him. “Want to fill us in on your latest adventures?”

  “I’d be happy to.” She took a bite of moist chicken and paused to sigh in pleasure. “Penny, this is pure perfection.”

  The young woman’s cheeks colored at the compliment.

  Becca blurted, “Before you tell us about your last few weeks, I have a confession to make. I’m afraid I’ve traded loyalties, Mary Pat. I know I asked you to give me some cooking lessons, but lately you’re gone so much I just asked Penny if she’d teach me instead. I hope you don’t mind…”

  Mary Pat put up a hand to stop her. “You’re not being disloyal, Becca. You’re being smart. Besides, now that I’ve had a taste of Penny’s roast chicken, I may ask for some of her cooking tips, too.”

  “I’ll admit,” Mac said quietly, “that we’ve been eating like royalty since Penny came along.”

  The young woman lowered her gaze, aware that her cheeks were burning. It was obvious that she wasn’t accustomed to compliments.

  Seeing her reaction, Mac quickly deflected attention. “I believe you were going to tell us where you’ve been lately, Mary Pat.”

  “Well, the Gardner ranch is falling into serious disrepair now that young Butch left for the Marines. Olga confided to me that her husband is too proud to hire someone to handle all the chores Butch once did. But doing it all by himself is taking a toll, not only on Cecil’s health, but also on their marriage. Olga said Cecil is finding fault with everything. She doesn’t know how much longer they can go on like this.”

  Mac thought a minute before saying, “I may know someone.” He glanced at the others. “Foster Egan’s boy, Mitch, graduated high school last spring and needs a job. He and Foster have been fighting like two bulls in a pasture. Mitch might be willing to work for Cecil Gardner in return for room and board and a little money. That would get him out of Foster’s hair for a while, and ease Cecil’s workload without draining their finances too much. Maybe, if Cecil thought he was doing the boy a favor, he could be persuaded to take him in.”

  Mary Pat put a hand over Mac’s. “Oh, Mac. If you can make it happen, it could be heaven-sent for all of them.”

  He shrugged. “I can’t promise, but I’ll see what I can do.”

  By the time they were all enjoying Penny’s freshly baked pound cake drizzled with strawberry preserves and vanilla ice cream, Mary Pat had brought them up to date on half the population of ranchers in the county. She regaled them with an account of an elderly widow who, after burying her husband, mucked stalls, helped her wranglers with calving in the spring, and rode with them on the annual drive to bring her cattle down from the hills every autumn.

  “She’ll be ninety-two this year, and hasn’t slowed down at all.”

  While they were remarking on this, Mary Pat added, “Oh, and, Becca, a classmate of yours, Dakota Meyers, delivered twins while her husband was caught in a storm up in the high country.”

  Becca’s eyes widened. “Did she have help?”

  “Their ranch is too isolated. She was all alone. She told me it all happened too quickly to be afraid. She just did what she had to, called the clinic afterward to report the births and to ask what else she should do. They told her I was on the road and would make her a priority. So I did. After checking both baby girls, I told her they were perfect. She’s an amazing mother.”

  Becca caught Ben’s hand. “I’m so glad we have lots of family around us. If I’m ever forced to give birth at home, I want as many women with me as possible.”

  Sam leaned close to say, “Don’t you worry, Becca. If there are no women nearby, I’ll dash over to lend a hand.”

  She gave him a playful slap on the arm. “No offense, brother-in-law, but you’d be the last person I’d want attending to me during childbirth.”

  “Hey. I’ve delivered enough calves to know what to do.”

  While the others laughed, Becca rolled her eyes in mock horror. “That’s what I’m afraid of.”

  “That was another fine meal, Penny. Let’s take our coffee in the other
room.” Mac pushed away from the table and led the way to the parlor, where a cheery fire was already blazing.

  Mary Pat and the men followed him, while Sam, Finn, Ben, and Becca remained in the kitchen to help with the cleanup. By now, Penny had learned that it did no good to protest. The three brothers had accepted kitchen duty as a necessary part of their routine. After marriage, Becca had happily joined them, mainly because it was too much fun to miss.

  Penny was content to let the others play their foolish pranks, while she remained aloof. Although she tried to distance herself, she was soon caught up in the constant laughing and teasing that was as much a part of the cleanup as dishwater and towels.

  Ben looked over as Sam picked up a towel and shoved his way closer to Penny, whose hands were deep in soapy water. “You still here, bro? I figured by now you’d be halfway to Haller Creek.”

  “Not tonight.” Sam rubbed his flat, muscled stomach. “All that good food has left me too mellow to hustle pool.”

  Penny frowned. “You actually shoot pool for money?”

  “Well, yeah.” He shot her a lazy grin. “What other incentive would there be for me to perform?”

  “Perform?”

  Ben and Finn shared a laugh before Finn explained. “Sam’s the best actor around these parts. If he spots a sucker, you’d swear he can’t even figure out how to hold a cue stick, let alone shoot nine ball. But once some poor dumb wrangler falls for his act and ups the bet high enough, Sam suddenly turns into Super Sam.”

  “Super Sam.” She gave a sniff of disdain.

  “It’s a beautiful thing to watch.” Finn used his best courtroom voice to embellish his tale. “I’ve seen my brother look like a falling-down drunk, slurring his words, using the wrong end of a pool stick, and completely missing the ball when he tries for a shot. When the poor wrangler thinks he’s got a sure thing and asks if they can play for a hundred dollars or more, Sam mysteriously sobers up and runs every ball in succession.”

  She looked horrified. “Isn’t that cheating?”

  Sam finished the last dish and stored it in the cupboard above her head.

  He leaned close. “That’s called hustling, little lady. And you’re looking at one of the best in the business.”

  While the others shared his laughter, Penny drained the water and dried her hands on a towel. “Careful, cowboy. Pride goeth before a fall.”

  “Oh. So prim and proper.” He tugged on a lock of her hair. “And don’t you forget. Fall goeth before winter.”

  Despite her good intentions, she couldn’t hold back the burst of laughter, and the others quickly joined in.

  They were all still laughing as they trooped into the parlor to join Mary Pat and the men, who were listening intently as she shared more news from the trail and began opening the packages she’d brought. A handmade afghan from a grateful rancher’s wife. A series of childish drawings made by a family of six young children whose parents lived miles from their nearest neighbor. A stone, cut in two and polished to a high shine by a teenaged rock collector, in gratitude for having been contacted by a college professor recommended by Mary Pat.

  Her tales were endlessly entertaining and brought home to all of them how much impact she made on the lives of all those she touched.

  Chapter Five

  As the fire burned low, Ben put a hand on his father’s shoulder. “Time for us to get back to town. I have an early morning tomorrow.”

  “I’m glad you two were able to make the drive.” Mac hugged his daughter-in-law.

  After they took their leave, with Archie between them, Penny couldn’t stifle a yawn.

  She turned to Mary Pat. “I’ve been sleeping in the bigger guest room, but since you’ve been on the trail for weeks, I’d like you to have it. I’ll take the other room.”

  Mary Pat shook her head firmly. “Penny, after sleeping in my old van, any room with a bed will feel like heaven. You have all your things in the big room, and that’s where you’ll stay.”

  “But…”

  Mary Pat gathered her close for a hug. “No argument, honey. Now go to bed. And thank you for that lovely dinner.”

  Penny turned away, calling good night to the others.

  Sam set aside his empty cup. “I think I’ll turn in, too. I’m beat.”

  He trailed slowly behind Penny.

  The others watched until they disappeared up the stairs.

  Finn turned to Zachariah. “If you’re not too tired, I’d like to ask your opinion on some issues I have with my latest case.”

  The old man looked pleased. There was nothing he loved more than the chance to discuss any aspect of the law. “Let’s go to my room. If I can’t help, maybe we can find something in my library that will do the trick.”

  They called good night to the others and made their way to Zachariah’s rooms off the kitchen.

  Otis and Roscoe had already hurried off to the bunkhouse to continue their nightly gin rummy game.

  Mac put a fresh log on the fire before fetching fresh coffee from the kitchen. He and Mary Pat settled into two rockers side by side in front of the fire.

  Mary Pat took a sip. “I’ve never seen this place looking so organized.”

  Mac nodded. “It’s certainly showing Penny’s touch.”

  “So.” Mary Pat took another sip. “Penny’s a good fit?”

  “As if you didn’t know that before bringing her here.” He looked over with a grin. “You have a gift for reading people, Mary Pat.”

  “Some people.” Relaxed, she leaned back, letting the warmth of the fire soothe her. “It’s so good to be back here, Mac.”

  “You were gone so long, I was starting to worry.”

  She put a hand over his. “I’d tell you not to worry about me, but it’s kind of nice having someone do that. It’s been a lifetime since I had someone care about my comings and goings.”

  “I care.” His gruff voice softly growled his words almost grudgingly.

  She kept her gaze fastened on the fire. “I was a little worried about bringing a young woman into this all-male household. I know how your boys love to tease, especially Sam. I’m sure a lot of women wouldn’t be able to hold their own against them. But Penny is different. She helped raised three brothers, and I thought that would level the field a bit.”

  “My boys do like to tease. But they don’t take it far enough to be hurtful. If I ever saw something like that, you know I’d put a stop to it.”

  “I know.” She turned to look at him. “But you do know Sam has a crush on Penny.”

  He arched a brow, and she could see the look of surprise in his eyes. “A crush? That sounds like high school talk. Aren’t they both a little too old for that kind of thing?”

  “What does age have to do with attraction?”

  When he said nothing, she softened her words with a smile. “A fascination, then. I doubt he’s even aware of it yet. I suspect it might have something to do with the fact that Penny isn’t like other young women he knows.”

  “What does that mean?”

  “From what I’ve seen, women young and old are attracted to Sam, not only because he’s so good-looking, but also because of that zany sense of humor. It’s a real bonus. But I’m guessing those are the very things that are off-putting to Penny.”

  “Off-putting? Isn’t that a strong statement?”

  Mary Pat shrugged. “From what I know of her, Penny hasn’t had much time for fun and games. She’s strict, not only with others, but also with herself. I’m sure a laid-back, handsome charmer might seem intimidating to a serious-minded woman like her.”

  “I know Sam can appear to be…careless. As for any attention he pays to her, I think it’s just his way of trying to make her feel comfortable.” Mac tapped a finger on the arm of the chair, his mind working overtime. “Penny does seem to enjoy bossing around my boys like they were her brothers.”

  Mary Pat chuckled. “I’ve noticed. But they aren’t her brothers.”

  He paused, clearly unc
omfortable with the direction this was taking. After a moment of silence, he swallowed before saying, “I guess I’ll start paying closer attention. And if I see any issues between Sam and Penny, I’ll speak to Sam.”

  “I don’t think that would be wise.”

  He arched a brow.

  “Sam’s a man. And a good one. He’ll figure out how far he can tease Penny without crossing a line.”

  Mac sat quietly, mulling over her words.

  Upstairs, Penny made her way to her room. When she paused at the door, she was surprised to find Sam directly behind her.

  “What are you…?”

  “Just walking you to your door.”

  “Why?”

  He gave her one of those rogue smiles that did funny things to her heart. “Hey. Just trying to be nice.”

  She lifted her chin, determined to ignore the strange tingle of awareness his presence always caused. “When one of my brothers tried to be nice, they always wanted something. Usually money or the chance to borrow my car.”

  “Penny, I don’t want your money or your car. I have my own, thank you.” He leaned close, inhaling the soap-and-water smell of her. “You smell so clean. Like the house. Everything’s cleaner, brighter since you took charge of the place.”

  “I’m glad you noticed.”

  “You’d be surprised at the things I notice.” He pressed his face to her hair. “Like the way you smell. Like sunshine.”

  As he breathed her in, she was caught by surprise by the rush of emotions that flared like a torch. The nearness of him had heat racing through her veins.

  Seeing the way she held herself stiffly, he lifted both hands in a signal of surrender. “Sorry. I didn’t mean to…I just wanted to…” He paused, gathering his thoughts. “I want you to know, even though I tease you a lot, I’m really glad you’re here.”

  “Thanks. But I can’t help thinking you’ve got some ulterior motive for all those kind words. Next you’ll be asking me to pack you extra goodies in the lunches I make when you and the others head up to the hills, just the way my brothers always asked.”

  “That’s not a bad idea.” Instead of taking another step back, he stood his ground. His smile was that sexy, teasing curve of mouth that always sent her heart into overdrive. “But there’s something you need to know. I’m not your brother.”