Honey Kisses (Romance on the Ranch Series #2) (3 page)

Ann didn't know how to reply. Instead, she said,
"So, how was the wagon train? You held it a little earlier this year."

"Yeah, we were trying to beat the hot
weather. It was
so
much fun. I wish you could have been there. It was
the first time we’ve allowed the boys to go and they loved it!"

"I wanted to come, but I still had too much
to take care of, what with selling the house and all."

"I can only imagine. Now that the zaniness
of preparing for the wedding is behind us, I want to hear about your plans for
the future. Have you found another house to buy?"

Ann looked at the table. "No, not
yet." Willing herself not to tear up, she blinked rapidly and then glanced
at Sarah, forcing a smile.

Sarah wasn't fooled. "What's wrong, dear
friend?"

Sarah's sweet words lodged in Ann's heart and
the floodgates opened. Big tears pooled and then overflowed. "I'm so
sorry."

Sarah placed her hand over Ann's. "You can
talk to me. I want to help however I can."

Ann sniffed and blotted her eyes with a napkin.
Her nose sounded stuffy when she answered. "Oh, Sarah, I don't know what
to do. I…I…feel so lost. After Jerry died I found out he'd gambled everything
we had away. He'd even mortgaged the house. I've sold just about everything to
cover his debts. I've got to find a job, but I've never worked. I've always
been a stay-at-home mom." She sobbed, "I have to be out of my home by
the end of the month."

"Honey, why didn't you share this before?
You shouldn't be burdened with this alone."

"I didn't want to spoil anything for Jacob
and Julie. Jacob thinks there was a hefty insurance policy, and there was at
one time. I just couldn't have him worrying at such a happy time in his
life."

Sarah patted her hand. "I understand."

Ann blew her nose on the napkin.

"I think you should move here," Sarah
said matter-of-factly, and reached for Ann's coffee cup. "I'm going to
refill our coffees and then we're going to relax on the back porch and sort
this out."

"I don't want to become a burden to my son
or anyone else. I was thinking I'd see if I could get a job with an agency that
cleans houses." She gave a half sob, half laugh, "I'm really good at cleaning."

Sarah poured almond mocha creamer into their
coffees. "Come on, hon, let's go outside."

Ann followed Sarah through the kitchen door and
into a beautiful screened-in porch with views of rolling pastures. She sat in a
jade green lounging chair and Sarah sat in the deep chocolate one next to it.
For a few minutes they watched cowhands tending cattle in the distance.

Sarah said, "As I was saying, I think you
should move in with us until you're back on track. We'd love to have you. You
could make the guest room to your liking. We could redecorate it any way you
want."

"Sarah, I couldn't impose on you and Sage."

"I know you don't believe this, but you are
not
imposing. We love you and want you to stay however long it takes to
get back on your feet. You can look for a job in town and when you're ready,
we'll help you find the perfect place. Living here, you'll be close to family
and friends."

Jackson tossed another fifty pound sack of grain
in the back of his pickup and swiped his glove across his forehead. He watched
Sage's Dodge Ram roll through the gates of Hank's Feed and Seed and pull in
beside his F350. "Howdy Sage," he called when his neighbor jumped out
of the cab.

"Howdy, Jackson. How're things at the
Triple T?"

"Haven't had many emergencies…today,"
he laughed.

"Isn't that how it goes." Sage grabbed
a feed sack from the pile and hefted it onto the bed of his truck.

Jackson asked, "So, did Jacob and Julie
have fun on their honeymoon?" He chuckled, "Kind of a dumb question.
Who wouldn't have fun on their honeymoon?"

Sage laughed, "They got back two weeks ago
and they've already drilled me with enough history and geography of Alaska that
I could teach a high school class."

Jackson laughed. "Would you let them know I
haven't forgotten about inviting them to dinner? They're staying with you,
right?"

"Yep, until that little house on the
property I gave them is refurbished. It's more like a cottage, but they'll be able
to enlarge it over the years."

Jackson mused, "I remember the first time I
met Jacob. He was quite the city slicker. Who'd have thought he'd turn into one
of the best ranch hands in the county. If he didn't work for you, I'd hire him in
a New York minute."

"I know what you mean. He's my backup
foreman and seems to love the work. Hey, did I tell you he won first place
trick roping at the Montezuma County Rodeo?"

"No. That's awesome! Is he planning on
entering more competitions?"

"Oh yeah. In fact, he and Julie were
filling out forms last night. She's entering some trick riding events for her
and Precious Pudding."

Jackson chuckled, "I laugh every time I
hear that horse's name." He reached for his last bag of grain. "So,
did Annie recuperate after the wedding and get back to Las Vegas okay?" He
kept his eyes on the sacks in his truck.

"Yep, she left a week after the wedding.
But–" Sage paused and pushed his Stetson back, "–she's returning—moving
here, actually."

Jackson jerked his eyes toward Sage. "What
brought that about?"

"Sarah talked her into it. She finally convinced
her she needs to be around family and friends."

"Hey, that's great." Jackson's heart thumped.
"Is she going to stay with you or Jacob?"

"She's only staying with us temporarily. She
insisted that we understand she doesn't want to be a burden." Sage shook
his head. "The woman couldn't be a burden if she tried. Anyway, after she gains
employment, we're gonna help her find her own place."

"Why's she looking for work? Didn't that
scum husband of hers leave her anything? Oh, sorry for adding my two cents
about her husband."

"Don't worry about it. I never liked him
either. I only met him a couple times after that first summer. In my opinion,
he hadn't changed a bit. Anyway, back to your question, she's just about
destitute. Course that's just between you and me 'cause I know you've always
been fond of her." Sage paused and leaned against his truck.

Jackson exclaimed, "Are you shitin' me? He
left her with nothing?"

Sage nodded.

"So what kind of job is she looking
for?"

Sage snorted. "She told us all she knows
how to do is clean. Said she's gonna apply for janitorial or housekeeping positions.
Not that I have anything against janitorial jobs, but she's kinda small and
some of that labor is heavy. I tried offering her a job helping Sarah, but she
refused. Said she knew I was doing it out of charity and would never take money
for helping my family."

Jackson cursed under his breath. "A
janitor—that's horseshit. I'll bet she'd be great at running a household and,
as a matter of fact, I've got an opening at the Triple T for someone to run the
main house. There wouldn't be any heavy labor. She can hire that out. You think
she might be interested? The job also comes with that cottage out by the river."
Jackson's heart pounded in his ears.

Sage took his hat off and dusted it on his leg.
"All I can do is present the offer." He looked at the sky and then
back at Jackson. "You still got feelins' for her?"

"Come on, Sage, that was five years ago and
I was only twenty-six."

"Well, I kinda feel like her guardian and I
want to make sure your intentions are honorable."

"Give it a rest. I just want what's best
for her, too."

"I believe you. I'll mention your
offer." He chuckled and asked, "Besides the cottage perk, is the pay
good?"

"Very good."

* * *

Ann stepped out of her newly purchased used 1984
Toyota Corolla. She'd sold her late model Buick Enclave to generate more money
to live on until she could get a job. She waved at Sarah who was rushing down
the porch steps followed by Toby and Preston. Sarah hugged her and each twin
grabbed one of her legs.

"We're so glad you're here!" said
Sarah.

"Yeah, Auntie Ann," said Preston.

"Did you bring us a surprise?" asked
Toby.

"Toby! You don't ask people questions like
that," Sarah scolded.

"Why not? We got a surprise before,"
he sulked.

Ann laughed, "As a matter of fact, I did
bring a little something." She winked at Sarah.

"You're spoiling these boys."

"I know. But I can't help myself."

Sarah knelt beside the twins. "You boys go
in the house and wash up for lunch and
maybe
we'll see what Auntie Ann
brought you
after
lunch. I'm teaching you patience."

Toby tucked his chin to his chest. "I don't
want to learn patience."

Sarah hugged him, "I know and that's
exactly why you're going to learn. Now giddy-up and go wash. We'll be in the
house in a minute."

Preston grabbed Toby's hand and pulled him
toward the porch. "Come on, Toby. What do you think our surprise is? Let's
guess, kay?"

Ann and Sarah both laughed when the boys started
naming everything on their wish lists. Ann opened the hatch of her car and
lifted a suitcase.

"Here, let me help." Sarah reached for
another one. "Sage will be back soon and he can unload the rest of your
things. You know, of course, we have no problem sending some of the hands to
pack up your storage unit. There's plenty of room in the barn to store your
things."

"It's just a small unit with some
keepsakes. I sold everything else. It'll wait til I get my own place. But thanks
for offering."

They started toward the house but when they
reached the porch steps, Sarah paused. "I just can't wait to tell you
something."

Ann looked at her, "You're pregnant?"

"Goodness no, not that we'd mind, but this
has to do with your job search. Guess who's looking for a housekeeper?"

Ann's spirit lifted at the thought of finding a
job so quickly and doing something she was good at. "Oh, tell me."

"Jackson Martinez needs someone to oversee his
main house. He told Sage there's no heavy maintenance because all that can be
hired out. He wants someone to keep the place running smooth and prepare meals.
And it's got a great perk."

Ann's heart raced.
As if Jackson isn't a
great perk.

Sarah continued, "The job comes with a
small cottage. I remember seeing it when Jackson gave us a tour after he'd
bought the place. At that time he was renovating it. It's adorable and right on
the banks of the river—only a few minutes walk to the main house. What do you
think?"

Ann started up the porch steps and said with her
back to Sarah, "I'll certainly consider it."

Ann chewed her thumb nail. The butterflies in
her stomach made her nauseous.
What were you thinking to even consider
working for Jackson?
She glanced around the huge living room. The note on
the front door had said:

Hi Annie,

I got called out on a ranch emergency. Come on
in and follow the hallway to the living room at the back of the house. Make
yourself at home. I won't be long.

—Jackson

Forcing herself to relax, she took several deep
breaths and turned her attention to the room she had just stepped into. Huge
picture windows on either side of beautifully carved French doors framed
rolling pastures and grazing horses. The French doors opened onto a lovely
terrace with steps leading to a paved walkway that ended at a gate. Beyond the
gate, a dirt path meandered through a pasture to tall pine trees. Set amidst
the trees was a small house. She guessed it was probably a five or ten minute
stroll to the lovely little home and wondered if it was the cottage Sarah had
mentioned. If so, then the river must be beyond it, although she couldn't see
it from the main house.

Now that she felt calmer, she noticed the potted
plants on the terrace were sadly in need of care and the living room in need of
dusting. Books had been taken out of built in shelves and lay haphazardly on
tables. It was obvious Jackson needed a housekeeper. She walked to a stack of
books and picked up the top one,
Stock Market Trends.
Below that one was
The Super Analysts
and also
The Intelligent Investor.
In fact,
all the books in the stack had something to do with the stock market.

"Are you interested in playing the stocks,
Annie?" said a teasing voice behind her.

Ann gasped and turned so fast she knocked the
books on the floor. Going down on one knee she apologized and started picking
them up. "I'm so sorry."