Sea Of Grass by Kate Sweeney Read Free Book Online Page B

the towel and walked out.
    Tess was standing in the huge living room by the fireplace. “Miss Rawlins, can I have a word with you?”
    Tess looked up and started to smile but saw the dark look. “Sure.”
    “I don’t know what you meant in there, but please, I can take care of myself. I’ve been leered at before.”
    “Perhaps, but not by the men on this ranch,” she countered evenly.
    “I appreciate the gesture, but if I’m to work here, they have to know I can take care of myself.”
    “I’m sure you can. However, I will not have any leering or snickering going on.”
    “Any leering or snickering going on, I will take care of,” she insisted as she put her hands on her hips.
    For an instant, their gazes locked in a battle of wills. Tess ran a hand through her hair in an impatient gesture. She then took a deep breath. “It was not my intention to irritate you on your first day. I’m sure you can take care of yourself.” She smiled slightly and offered her hand.
    Mrs. Redmond took the offering and gave it a healthy pump. “Thank you. Dinner will be ready for you and your father after the men eat. That’s usually what you do, correct?” she asked and smiled in return.
    “Yes, ma’am, if I remember, that is correct,” Tess said with a slight smirk.
    Mrs. Redmond nodded and walked back into the kitchen.
    Dinner was outstanding. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and to Tess’s absolute delight, the biscuits were light and heavenly.
    In the kitchen, Mrs. Redmond paced back and forth, biting her lip. Maria sat drinking her coffee.
    “Claire, sit, you’re make me dizzy.”
    “Do you think the chicken was cooked enough? God, I don’t want to make them sick,” she said and paced.
    Maria shook her head. “You did not make the men sick. Now sit,” she ordered, and with that, Jed and Tess came through the swinging door grinning.
    “Wonderful. Maria, your excellent culinary skills are only preceded by your extreme good judgment,” Tess said and bowed to Mrs. Redmond, who blushed horribly. Tess then spied the pie on the stove.
    “God, don’t tell me…”
    “Pie,” Jed said with a hint of question in his voice as he licked his lips.
    Mrs. Redmond sported a superior grin and nodded. Father and daughter bowed in awe.

 

    Chapter 5

    Tess desperately tried not to limp up the back porch steps. Jack sat at the kitchen table drinking a glass of milk and eating a piece of pie. Tess’s stomach growled at the sight. She heard the soft humming coming from Mrs. Redmond, who stood at the stove. The heavenly aroma made Tess groan openly.
    “What’s wrong? You hurt?” Jack asked as he shoved a forkful of pie into his mouth.
    Mrs. Redmond turned around as Tess eased into the closest chair. “Nope. Just got a hitch in my git -along.”
    Jack laughed, nearly snorting milk through his nose.
    “Jack!”
    “Sorry, Mom.”
    “Would you like a cup of coffee, Miss Rawlins?” she asked, still glaring at her son, who spread his hands out in a helpless gesture.
    “No, thank you. I think I’m going to go and soak this tired body of mine. I’ll take a rain check, though. Whatever you’re concocting at the stove smells heavenly.”
    Tess found herself smiling when she heard the laughter from Mrs. Redmond. As she gingerly walked toward the bathroom, she decided she liked the sound of it.

    After the hot bath, which did nothing for her aching ass, Tess flopped down on her bed. That was the last thing she remembered.
    She woke early to the heavenly smell of cinnamon and bacon. “Good Lord, I’m starved,” she exclaimed as she hauled her naked body out of bed. She immediately shivered and hopped from one foot to the other. “Damn, it’s freezing!” she grumbled as she jumped back into bed.  
    Tess finished a quick shower and stepped out of the deep tub. Shivering, she quickly dried off and dressed. Her stomach told her just how hungry she was as she made her way to the kitchen.
    Mrs. Redmond was humming in