Chief Cook and Bottle Washer by Rita Hestand Read Free Book Online Page A

Hadn't he
heard of a little white lie. A lie to protect someone you love?
Some times it was necessary.
    He nodded and filled the thirsty tank. "Now,
wanna try it again."
    Silently Emma wished they could start over.
She wished she could bring back that fantastic smile to his lips.
The one that heated her skin, and made her prickle. But goodness,
her mind was flighty. Must be the heat. He stirred something within
her, with just a look. And that had never happened before, not even
with Charlie.
    This time the truck started and spurted. Emma
waved.
    "Remember two things Emma." He came to stand
just in front of her, his legs far apart, his eyes narrowing on
her. "I don't like deception, in any form. For any reason. And two,
I'm always fair."
    Emma opened her mouth to spill her guts, but
a clap of thunder to the north broke his attention.
    "We better be getting to the house. Looks
like a norther. Okay, little lady, follow me. We're on our way
home."
    Deke nodded, mounted and headed west without
another word.
    "Home?" Emma repeated as Sammie Jo woke up
and let out a wail.
    Emma reached over and gave her a quick pat on
the shoulder. "It's going to be all right, Sammie Jo. You'll see.
I'll tell him everything as soon as I'm sure where I stand. I've
got to talk to a lawyer, darling. I've got to get this
settled."
    Emma forced the worries from her mind. She
wished he would have given her time to say something but it didn't
seem in the cards, as Frank used to say. Perhaps it was for the
best. She'd tell him the truth at the first opportunity.
    Home, Emma sighed to herself as she stared at
the retreating horse and rider. She was so hungry for the word home
she could almost taste it. Yet hard lessons had taught her that
home was where you made it. And she was determined to make one.

Chapter Three

    Sprawled in the middle of a vast prairie, the
ranch conjured many images of the old west. Aside from the main
house, there were two barns, a shed, and a bunkhouse. The place was
bigger and much more spread out than the ranch she had been raised
on. She drove around a circular gravel drive that lead to the
walkway of the house. A one story white frame house that spread
over well manicured lawns. Its very atmosphere spelled home. White
rocking chairs adorned the long veranda, and between two of the old
rockers there was a checker table all set up, as if waiting for
someone to arrive.
    A Sheltie came up to the truck and barked
loudly, wagging its tail ready to greet her and eager for a
pat.
    "Down Denver," Deke called as he dismounted,
loosened the stirrups and handed the reins of his fine stallion to
a ranch hand. Coming around the truck he gave the dog an affection
pat.
    Like all good cowboys, he took care of his
animals first.
    "Brush her down good, will ya Pete." He gave
the animal a quick affectionate pat on the rump as he was led
away.
    "Sure thing boss."
    Two cowboys stood negligently against the
porch railing watching her. Emma smiled at them shyly. Out of the
corner of her eye she saw the bunkhouse cowboys gather at the edge
of the porch, some scratching their chins, others digging their
boots into the gravel. They had to be the hired men, they were
covered with dust, and reeked of saddle leather and cows, she noted
as they moved closer.
    Then an older man came through the front door
of the house and stood on the edge of the steps. His smile was wide
and welcoming as he raised a hand to wave at Deke. It was also very
familiar, since Deke Travers wore an identical smile.
    "Howdy," the older man called out to her as
Emma got out of the truck and came around to the other side. He
coughed harshly, then smiled again as he gathered his strength.
Emma warmed to his friendliness. This man had a way about him that
Emma related to. He wasn't as tall as the other men, and a little
bent, but his face glowed with life.
    "Howdy," Emma said just before she whirled
about to get Sammie Jo out of her car seat. She felt a pack of eyes
on her now, as she