Rachel's Cowboy by Judy Christenberry Read Free Book Online Page B

the morning and feed the cows. We only got a couple inches of sleet and snow mixture, but I want to reward them for getting through the day.”
    “Good idea. Come eat your dinner.”
    “Have you and Rachel already eaten?”
    “Yes. I sent her to bed early. She stayed up all day, so she needed the extra rest.” Madge had brought to thetable a hearty casserole of goulash, a mixture of pasta, cheese and ground beef that he loved. She added some hot rolls and black-eyed peas.
    “You made my favorites tonight, Madge. Thank you.”
    “I thought after your long hours out in the storm you might enjoy them. And I have a carrot cake for dessert.”
    “Rachel didn’t eat it all?”
    Madge chuckled. “No, but she did eat a piece of it. She loved it.”
    The self-satisfaction in Madge’s voice brought a smile to J.D.’s face. “You know everyone loves your cooking, Madge.”
    “I know,” she replied with a grin.
    “I didn’t mean to yell at you today. But I was worried about Rachel being out in the cold.” He stopped shoveling in his food to stare at Madge.
    “She was warm enough. And I think letting her help around here will be good for her. She doesn’t think she can do much that’s useful.”
    “That’s ridiculous!” J.D. said, frowning.
    “That’s what I said. Did you know she’s been working since she was fifteen?”
    “She told you that?”
    “No. Vivian was filling me in last week.” As she cut J.D. a piece of cake, she went on. “You know, I thought models made outrageous money. Not Rachel. She says she makes regular money. And works hard, too.”
    “Yeah. Apparently she’s been working herself to death trying to replace her savings, which her mother stole.” He went back to eating.
    Madge didn’t interrupt his meal again.
    After the table was cleared, J.D. went through the mail that had come in that day, but he was too tired to worry about it tonight. He’d deal with it when the sun was shining.
     
    T HE M ARCH WEATHER changed quickly. Two days later the sun was shining and no one who hadn’t lived through it would believe the storm they’d had. The pastures were greening nicely, making feeding the cattle no longer necessary. All the baby calves were moved to the barn and given to cows with calves of their own.
    “You mean the mother cow doesn’t mind?” Rachel asked when Madge told her the calves were gone.
    “Apparently not. It’s a system that’s been working for ages.”
    “Even Boomer?”
    “Boomer?”
    “I named the smallest one.”
    “That’s not a good idea,” Madge said softly.
    “Why not?”
    She shook her head. “Rachel, think about it. What do you think will happen to those calves?”
    “I hadn’t thought— You mean they’ll be killed?” Rachel shrieked.
    “Of course they will, honey. That’s why you don’t get too friendly. I learned that the hard way.” Madge got down a big bowl and carried it to the table. “Today we’re going to make oatmeal cookies.”
    “We?”
    “Well, actually, you. This will be your first cookinglesson. At least, I think it will be. You said your mother never cooked?”
    “No. She was too busy managing my career.” Rachel’s voice was devoid of expression.
    “It’s never too late to learn to cook.” Madge continued to move about the kitchen, gathering the necessary supplies and utensils. Then she sat down beside Rachel.
    “Usually, I mix them up at the cabinet, but it will be less tiring for you if we sit down. Look at this,” she began, showing Rachel the recipe she followed. For the next half hour Rachel was fascinated with the process of making cookies.
    When J.D. came in unexpectedly for lunch, Madge leaped to her feet, flustered.
    “J.D., I didn’t know you were coming in! I’ll fix you a sandwich. It won’t take a minute.”
    “No hurry, Madge. I’ll stave off starvation with some of your great cookies.” He picked up one that was cooling on waxed paper on the kitchen cabinet.
    Rachel’s eyes widened and she