“You should laugh more often. Itbecomes you.”

“Oh, really?” Hank reached out his hand and turned her face back to him. “How so?”

In the light from the bunkhouse he could see her eyes clearly now. They were blue, he noticed for the first time. And not for the first time, he could see how beautiful she was.

“When you smile or laugh, your face lights up,” Andrea said softly, tentatively. “You’re handsome when you do.”

“Am I handsome now?” he asked, giving her a hint of a smile.

She averted her eyes.

“I’ll take that as a yes.”

More than anything he wanted to kiss this woman, to take her in his arms and surrender to the tension he felt around her since the first day he met her. But something was holding him back.

He couldn’t quite put his finger on it.

“Can I ask you something, Hank?”

“Of course,” he replied.

“Why do you seem so dead set against marriage?”

Judy Christenberry has been writing romances for more than nineteen years because she loves happy endings as much as her readers do. A former French teacher, Judy now devotes herself to writing full-time. She hopes readers have as much fun with her stories as she does. She spends her spare time reading, watching her favourite sports teams and keeping track of her two daughters. Judy lives in Texas. You can find out more about Judy and her books at www.judychristenberry.com.

The Christmas Cowboy
Judy Christenberry

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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Chapter One

Hank Ledbetter was hungry.

After a long day in the saddle he couldn’t wait to devour the meal his sister had waiting in the kitchen at the Lazy L. But Jessica allowed no one to eat until the entire family was at the table. Whatever was left of the family, he thought.

Right now his brother, Pete, was on his honeymoon, as was his grandfather Cliff and his new bride, Leslie. Jess, too, had married only last summer.

Yes, the Ledbetters were dropping like flies.

Hank’s belly growled. There’d be no wedding in his future.

All he was concerned with was eating his dinner and getting to town to see the ladies. He wasn’t picky about his women. Brunettes, blondes, redheads…Didn’t matter to Hank, as long as they made him laugh and weren’t empty between the ears.

And weren’t interested in roping themselves a cowboy for a husband.

“Jess, can’t we at least get started without Jim?” After a full day’s work, Hank needed nourishment.

His sister shook her head. “Hold your horses. He had to take a phone call. I’m sure he’ll be here in a minute.”

“Can’t he just tell them we’re closed until December?”

“No, he can’t, Hank. You know that.”

He should’ve known Jess would think Jim did the right thing, no matter what. After all, hadn’t Jim agreed last summer to wait for a honeymoon until October—it was now November—when the Lazy L dude-and-cattle ranch was closed to guests until December? Not many men would be willing to postpone what Hank assumed was the best part of marriage.

Not that he would ever find out, he told himself again as he shook his head. He was having too much fun. He and Jim had split their jobs so that neither had to work every day, which left Hank plenty of time for the social life he was enjoying in nearby Steamboat Springs.

At the sound of boot heels, he looked up. “‘Bout time you got here. I’m starving.”

Jim Bradford kissed his wife before he took a seat. “That’s why it pays to be married to the cook,” he said with a grin.

Jessica joined them at the table and Jim said the blessing. As she started passing the dishes, she asked, “Who was it on the phone?”

“It was an interesting call,” Jim said as he took a bite of a freshly baked roll. He looked up at Hank. “Means you won’t have to take care of the cattle anymore, Hank. You’re in charge of the horses.”

On one hand, that was good news, since Hank preferred horses to cows anytime. But he didn’t understand why the change.

“What are you talking about, Jim?”

“That call was from a young woman who needs to learn to ride in a month. She’s willing to pay a lot for lessons.”

Jess asked the question that was on Hank’s mind. “Why’s she coming here?”

“She says she heard about us from a friend of a friend.”

This time Hank spoke first. “Where’s she from?”

“New York City.”

Hank’s hand stilled on its way to his mouth, the beef stew dripping from his fork. “A city woman is coming all the way to Colorado to learn to ride? Can’t she learn in New York?”

“She wants to learn to ride like a cowboy.” Jim dug in to his food. “Anyway, she’s going to take the bedroom next to ours, with the private bath.”

“This isn’t fair! I was supposed to have the whole month off. No guests till December—that was the deal.”

“Except for tending the horses, that’s true,” Jim said calmly. “And that’s why you’ll receive extra pay for the month. Can’t you use a little extra cash?”

“I think I’d rather tend the horses half the week and tend the ladies the other half.” Hank couldn’t help the smile that lit his dark eyes.

Jim named a figure. “You sure you can’t use the money? I did promise the woman, after all.”

The amount was tempting. Still…“Why don’t you teach her to ride!” He had to hold his ground, or Jim and Jess would trot all over him the way they did last summer when the family decided to turn the cattle ranch into a dude ranch. Hank was the only holdout. He’d given Jess so much resistance that his granddad had called in an outside manager. Once Jim came, he not only stole his sister’s heart, he whipped Hank into shape. But Jim wasn’t getting his way this time.

“Then you’d have to deal with the ranch by yourself,” Jim replied calmly. “And you wouldn’t get the extra money. And you’d have to work six days a week.”

Jim had a point. After all, he couldn’t expect Jess to fill in for Mary Jo, Pete’s wife and the ranch chef, and work the herd at the same time.

“Damn it, Jim, I didn’t volunteer for this job.”

“I know, Hank. But one of us has to teach her. And my wife isn’t much in favor of me giving private lessons to a single lady.” He winked at Jess. “But it’s your choice, Hank. Either teach the lady to ride for a month or tend the horses and work the herd six days a week.”

Hank ground his teeth. He didn’t like either choice.

“Did she say she was staying until she learned to ride, or the full month?”

“She’s paying in advance for a full month, so she’s staying.”

“Damn, damn, damn,” Hank muttered.

“It won’t be that bad, Hank,” Jess interjected. “She’ll probably be too sore to ride much in the beginning.”

“True, Jess,” her husband concurred. He turned to Hank. “And you’ve got to promise not to try to get rid of her before the end of the month. Be nice to her.”

Hank frowned at Jim again. “Fine,” he said.

He picked up his fork again, but the food that had enticed him only minutes ago no longer appealed. He pushed away from the table.

“With my luck she’ll be three hundred pounds and ugly as sin.”

HANK FOUND HIMSELF in the Denver airport two days later. He’d made an effort to clean himself up, wearing a nice western shirt with pressed jeans, a belt buckle he’d won in a Cheyenne rodeo and his dress Resistol hat. He was even wearing his dress boots, all for this wealthy woman.

Jess had given him the seal of approval before he left the ranch earlier that morning. Then she’d handed him a sign to hold up, with the lady’s name printed on it. Andrea Jacobs.

Her name made her sound stuck up. Just one more fault to add to the long list Hank had drawn up in his mind. His imagination had already turned her into one damn near impossible woman.

He leaned against the wall in the baggage-claim area, watching people come and go. When the first group of travelers came through the door, he held up the sign, figuring she’d be traveling first-class. A rather large woman came through the door, and Hank grimaced behind the placard, certain she had to be the one.

“Excuse me,” said a voice beside him. “I’m Andrea Jacobs.”

He turned his head and stared. Slender and young, the woman had long, wavy, brown hair that shone with red highlights. She was more than pretty. “You are?” he asked, shocked by her appearance—and his luck.

“Last time I checked my ID I was.” The woman smiled and showed perfect white teeth. “Thank you for holding up a sign. Your manager said to look for a tall man with a cowboy hat, but—” she looked around “—there seem to be a lot of tall men with cowboy hats in the terminal.”

He stiffened a bit. “It’s ranch country, ma’am.” He wanted to remind her she wasn’t in New York anymore, but held his tongue. “Did you bring luggage?”

She looked at him as if he was crazy. “You expected me to arrive without luggage for a month’s stay?”

Little Miss Andrea Jacobs sure had an attitude. He was beginning to wish the heavyset woman he’d spotted earlier was his new pupil. She might have been easier to manage. “Let’s get your bags, then,” he growled.

It wasn’t what he wanted to say, but he’d promised his sister and brother-in-law he’d be on best behavior.

ANDREA JACOBS was irritated.

She followed the cowboy to the baggage-claim area and now he just stood there as the luggage spun around on the carousel. He hadn’t asked her what her bags looked like. Were they going to wait until everyone else had claimed their luggage?

What kind of man was this?

He hadn’t even bothered to introduce himself when they met.

When she’d decided to take these lessons, she’d had all these romantic notions about a cowboy who would teach her how to ride. Maybe she’d read too many books and seen too many westerns, but she’d expected a strong, old-fashioned kind of man, one who could ride like the wind and rope a rustling steer, but treat a woman like a prized possession.

Instead she got him.

When the couple beside her heaved their bags off the carousel, he finally turned to her. “How many bags do you have?”

“Three. They’re bright blue,” she said begrudgingly.

She began to think that maybe this hadn’t been the best idea. Maybe she should never have decided to learn to ride just so she could impress her—

“Aren’t you even looking for your luggage?”

She turned to him. “Excuse me?”

“You look like you’re daydreaming and meanwhile a couple of blue bags have been going around. I don’t know what your suitcases look like, so you’d best pay attention.”

This oaf wasn’t anything like the nice man from the Lazy L dude ranch she’d spoken to on the phone. He’d promised she’d be a great rider in a month and gather memories to last a lifetime.

“Are those your bags coming up?” His impatient voice intruded on her thoughts again.

She looked up. “Yes, those three.”

She grabbed two of the bags and set them at her feet. Then he chased after the third bag.

“I’ll carry the middle bag,” she said when he returned.

“I can manage,” he said tersely.

“Fine.” She’d been trying to be gracious but if he insisted on carrying everything, then so be it. She stepped back so he could lead the way to his vehicle. She only hoped it was comfortable. She’d gotten up very early this morning to catch her flight. Though she’d planned to sleep on the flight, she’d sat next to a woman who had talked to her the entire trip.

Certainly, Mr. Sourpuss wouldn’t intrude on her naptime.

Though she’d have liked to stop somewhere for lunch, she wouldn’t suggest such a nicety to this man. The sooner they got to the ranch, the better.

His vehicle was a late-model Lexus sedan. She could take a nice nap in that car. He stowed her luggage in the trunk, then opened the passenger-side door for her. The small courtesy warmed her, but she certainly wasn’t won over yet.

When he pulled the car into traffic, she expected he’d talk about the ranch, but he was quiet, only the sounds of country music on the radio preventing total silence.

Fine with her. She lay her head back and was almost asleep when she felt the car slowing. “Is something wrong?”

“I’m hungry,” the cowboy replied.

Looking around, she noticed they’d pulled into the parking lot of a restaurant called The Prime Rib. She inhaled the scent of barbecued beef.

“The ranch is two hours away. I need to eat.” With that he got out of the car.

Andrea sat there, not sure if she should follow.

Her door opened. “Are you getting out?”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t understand that you…” Never mind, she told herself. She simply got out of the car and followed him into the restaurant.

The place was much nicer than she would expect the oaf beside her to frequent.

When they were seated and the server approached their table, he barked, “We’ll take a ‘mucho nacho’ and two iced teas to start.”

“Are the nachos good?” Andrea asked when the waitress left, trying to make conversation, though she didn’t know why she was bothering.

“I like them.”

She tried again. “I’m surprised you ordered an iced tea. I figured you for a beer man.”

He shot her a look. In the bright light she could see that his eyes were dark brown laced with topaz. Almost the same brown as his hair, now that he’d taken off his hat.

“Jess said I couldn’t.”

“Is he your boss?”

“No. She’s my sister.”

She nodded. “So you both work on the ranch?”

“No, we both own the ranch,” he said indignantly. Then he added, “Along with my grandfather and my brother.”

“And you are…?”

“Hank Ledbetter.” He flushed. She could tell he’d suddenly realized he’d forgotten to introduce himself.

The waitress arrived then with a towering plate of nachos and their drinks. Before Andrea could order for herself, Hank ordered for both of them. “Two sirloins, medium rare, with baked potato and salad.”

True, Andrea thought, she was more than two thousand miles from home, but she’d never expected to find a totally different species of man in Colorado. She sat there, completely dumbfounded at his audacity.

“Aren’t you going to try the nachos?” he asked when he noticed her sitting there stiffly.

Much as she didn’t want to, she was hungry. “Are they hot?”

“Not if you don’t eat those green things. They’re jalapeños. That’s what makes them hot.”

She laughed to herself. “We do have jalapeños in New York, Mr. Ledbetter. In fact, we have all kinds of cuisine.”

She tried some of the nachos and found them delicious.

They ate in silence, Hank wolfing down three times as much as she did. When only one chip remained, he said, “You want that?”

“No, thanks. You go ahead.”

He didn’t hesitate. Scooping up the chip, he ate it in one bite.

She marveled at his appetite. “Will you be able to eat your steak?” she asked.

His brow knit as he looked at her. “Why wouldn’t I?”

“I just thought that after you…Never mind. I guess that was a dumb question.”

Their meals arrived then and she sighed when she saw the huge, thick steak.

“I’ll never be able to eat all that,” she said, giving voice to her thoughts. “That’s more than I eat in two dinners back in New York.”

The cowboy’s eyes raked over her face and neck, breasts and waist. “You could use some meat on your bones.”

“Excuse me?” she sputtered.

“Trust me. Once you’re in the saddle all day, you’ll eat everything that’s put in front of you.”

The man wasn’t only rude, Andrea thought. He was downright crazy.

HANK COULDN’T BELIEVE the woman was sleeping while they were driving through the most beautiful countryside in the world. They were coming down the mountain, the picturesque town of Steamboat Springs lying just below them.

She’d fallen asleep about half an hour after leaving Denver. He wouldn’t have known if he hadn’t snuck a look at her. It was obvious he hadn’t needed to worry about her chattering nonstop.

At lunch, what little talking they’d done had made him think they spoke different languages. Sometimes she made sense, but other times he had no idea what she was talking about.

But he’d made a promise to be polite. And he’d tried. It was certainly easier now that she was asleep.

Taking liberties, he snatched glances at her as he drove. Her wavy hair curved around high cheekbones, and rosy lips were set in a pout. His eyes roamed lower, to her full breasts and slender waist, exposed now that she’d removed her coat in the warm car. Her manicured hands rested on her lap. And her legs…long and shapely, just the way he liked ‘em.

No, he told himself. Do not go there.

Andrea Jacobs might be beautiful, with curves in all the right places, but she was not the woman for him. Besides, he had lots of women in Steamboat Springs, ones he could understand. He didn’t need a city slicker with an attitude—no matter how gorgeous she was.

“Where are we?”

The voice startled him and he wrenched his attention from her legs back to the road.

“Steamboat Springs,” he said in a husky voice. He cleared his throat, pretending boredom. “The ranch is about fifteen minutes outside of town.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t think I’d sleep that long.”

“Not a problem.” He didn’t tell her that her nap had given him a chance to check out her lovely body.

She sat up and looked out the window. “This seems like a nice town. Not as big as I thought it would be, though.”

“It has everything we need.” His voice sounded perturbed, even to his own ears.

“I didn’t mean anything by that,” she was quick to explain. “It’s just that…well, in comparison to New York, everything looks small.”

“Really?” Hank said sarcastically.

“Mr. Ledbetter, I did not mean to insult your town.”

“So you’d rather insult me?”

She crossed her arms, which only brought his attention back to her ample bosom.

He looked the other way before she caught him. He didn’t think she’d appreciate his interest.

THE LAZY L LOOMED ahead of her, looking like a picture postcard. Nestled against the Rocky Mountains, the two-story ranch house, barn and numerous outbuildings wrapped in a split-rail fence were just what Andrea had expected.

Hank pulled the Lexus up to the main entrance. Before he could come around and open her door, she was out of the car, eager to meet her other hosts.

“This is beautiful,” she said, looking around her.

“Yeah,” Hank agreed, and she realized that was the first statement from her he didn’t argue with.

He moved to the trunk to get her bags at the same time as the front door opened and a couple came out, followed by two Labrador puppies.

The young woman approached, her hand outstretched in greeting. “I’m Jessica Bradford. Welcome to the Lazy L.”

“And I’m Jim Bradford. I spoke to you on the phone.”

Andrea shook their hands. “You certainly have a lovely place.”

“Thank you,” Jessica said. “We’ll leave your bags for the men to bring in. Let’s get inside where it’s warm.” She whistled to the dogs, who followed obediently.

The house was everything Andrea thought it would be. Warm and rustic with western accents.

“Let’s go into the living room. Jim built a fire and I made some treats for us.”

“That’s so nice of you. But your brother stopped at a restaurant on the way. I’m afraid I couldn’t eat another bite.”

“Hank will, though,” Jessica said in a mock whisper. “In case you didn’t notice, he’s a bottomless pit.”

Andrea laughed, and realized she felt comfortable for the first time since getting off the plane.

Everything was going to be fine, she told herself. She needn’t worry. Jessica was friendly and the ranch was beautiful. The Lazy L was going to be the perfect place to learn to ride and put her plan into action.

Now all she had to do was steer clear of Mr. Sourpuss.

Andrea sat down on one of the sofas. “I’m eager to get started with my lessons,” she began. “Can you introduce me to the cowboy who’ll be my teacher?”

Jessica shot her a puzzled look. “Didn’t Hank tell you? He’s your teacher.”

Chapter Two

Andrea felt her spirit fall like a boulder through water. She nearly sputtered when she tried to speak. “Wha…I…” She gave up.

“Is something wrong, Andrea?” her gracious hostess asked.

Wrong? Other than the fact that she was about to spend the next month with that grizzly bear of a man, what could be wrong?

Jessica’s face fell. “Oh, no!” she cried. “What did he do?”

Andrea forced her mind to focus. Though she made a mental list of every one of Hank’s offenses, she said nothing because Jim and the man himself walked in.

“So,” Jim Bradford said. “Did you enjoy the trip from the airport?”

Before Andrea could reply, Hank spoke up. “She slept the whole way. Missed all that pretty scenery.”

Jessica nearly gasped. “But surely you could understand, Hank. Miss Jacobs must have been up at the crack of dawn for her flight.” Her eyes flashed at her brother.

Hank shrugged. “She didn’t tell me that.” He didn’t hide his annoyance.

Andrea caught the look he shot her from under partly closed lids, and she wanted to scream. Surely there was another riding instructor at the ranch. There was no way she could spend a month with this irritating, stubborn boor.

Jim stepped forward and defused the situation. He smiled as he sat next to his wife. “So, Andrea, we’re happy to have you. Have you ever been on a horse before?”

“No, I haven’t.”

Hank let out an audible groan.

She ignored him. “But I can be taught, right?”

Jim nodded. “Hank’s a great teacher for an untrained rider.”

“What brings you all the way to Colorado for riding lessons?” Hank asked from the doorway. He’d refused to sit. “No stables in New York?”

“As I told your brother-in-law on the phone I want to ride like a cowboy.”

“We’ll see. After all, I only have a month.”

“I’m a quick study, Mr. Ledbetter.”

He gave her a level look. “Again, we’ll see.” Then his gaze locked with hers. “Are there a lot of cowboys in New York City for you to ride with?”

“No. I…I’m going to visit someone after I leave here.” Surely there was no harm in revealing that much, Andrea thought.

“Who?” Hank barked.

Andrea lowered her gaze. “No one you know, I’m sure.”

“I don’t think an inquisition is necessary, Hank,” Jim interjected. “We’re all glad Andrea chose us.”

“Fine!” Hank snapped. “I’m going out to the barn to do what cowboys do.” He stalked out of the room, calling for the dogs to follow.

Jim stood up. “I’d better go talk with your instructor.” He nodded to his wife as he left.

When both men were out of earshot, Jessica turned to Andrea. “Was that how he behaved with you earlier?”

Andrea was reluctant to tell her. “Well, mostly. But I guess I’m to blame, too. I seem to say the wrong thing around him.”

“Don’t be sorry. My brother can be…uncivilized at times. But you won’t find a better teacher east or west of the Rockies.”

“I’m sure,” Andrea said with a weak smile.

All she was really sure of was how long and painful the next month would be.

HANK DREADED the coming weeks. Thirty days of hell with an irritating city girl.

He’d managed to escape the homey little scene in the living room and was now in the horse barn mucking out stalls, venting his frustration by jamming the pitchfork into fresh hay.

He heard footfalls behind him and knew it was Jim. Coming to chew him out, no doubt.

“I thought for sure once you saw her you’d be dying to teach her,” Jim said as he approached.

Hank didn’t look up. “I’m not.”

“Come on, Hank. She’s quite a looker.”

“Forget our deal. You give her lessons, then.”

“You know Jess won’t agree to that. Especially now that she’s seen her.”

Hank’s eyes shot up. “You’re attracted to her?” he asked, outrage in his voice.

Jim held up his hands. “Compared to Jess? Not on your life. Besides, I won’t let you out of this. You agreed to take her on, and that’s what’s going to happen. Get used to it. We’ve got a business to run here.”

Jim had a point, but Hank wouldn’t concede it. Nor would he admit that ever since Jim had arrived at the Lazy L, his sister’s idea of turning the family homestead into a dude ranch had worked better than he’d expected.

Instead, he said, “I think we ought to refuse her. Just send her on her way.”

“I’ve got a better idea. You give her what she paid for.”

Hank threw down the pitchfork.

“Fine. I’ll teach her. But she’s mine only for the lessons. The rest of the time you and Jessie entertain her.”

“SO, DID HE AGREE to be nice?” Jessica looked up from the casserole she was preparing when she heard her husband come in.

“Not exactly,” Jim replied. He told her about the compromise of them having to entertain their guest.

Jessica shook her head. “I don’t mind entertaining her when I can, but I don’t understand him. We have a beautiful single woman here at the ranch and he has to go find other women? What’s wrong with him?”

“He doesn’t want to feel trapped. I understand him.”

Jessica’s brows rose. “Oh, really? You feel trapped with me?”

Jim reached out and pulled his wife into a bear hug. “You know what I mean.” He gave her a kiss. “Give him time. He may change his mind.”

“I doubt it. He’s too wrapped up in the action in town. Those women are only out to capture him. They know that whichever one he chooses will be well provided for.”

“I’m sure he’ll realize that before it’s too late.”

“I hope so. It would make life miserable if he married a woman who wanted breakfast in bed every day.”

Jim kissed his wife. “It’ll work out. Don’t worry. In the meantime—”

“Am I interrupting?”

They both turned to see Andrea at the door.

“I wasn’t sure whether I was allowed in the kitchen.”

Jessica ushered her in. “If we were in full guest mode, you wouldn’t, simply because it gets too crowded in here with the staff. But since you’re the only guest, we’ll be using the kitchen to eat in. We have dinner at six.”

Andrea smiled. “Good. I had visions of eating in the dining room all by myself. That would be horrible.”

“Is everything all right in your room?”

“Yes, of course. It’s lovely. And I was wondering if I’ll be able to use a washer and dryer while I’m here.”

“You can, but I’d be glad to do your laundry.”

“I can do it. And you don’t have to clean my room more than once a week.”

“You’re certainly making it easy for me,” Jessica said. Then, as if remembering something, she gave a startled “Oh” then moved across the room to a counter where she picked up a box. “I forgot to put this in your room.”

“What is it?” Andrea asked.

“Epsom salts. They’ll help reduce the soreness you’ll feel when you start riding. You fill your tub with hot water and pour in a cup of this before you soak.”

Andrea cringed. “Will I be that sore?”

Jim laughed. “Horseback riding requires the use of some muscles that aren’t used often.”

“Then thanks, I think. I’ll run this up to my room.” She started, then stopped. “I was wondering, is there a store nearby where I can pick up some jeans for riding? I only have designer jeans and somehow I don’t think they’re the right thing to wear.”

“There’s a good place in town,” Jessica said. “I suspect there’re other things you’ll need, too. We can go after dinner, if you want.”

“Only if you let me come,” Jim told his wife, wrapping his arms around her again and pulling her close.

Jessica grinned at him, then turned to Andrea. She smiled and wiggled her brows. “We’re newlyweds, you know what I mean?”

Andrea returned the smile, but truthfully she didn’t have a clue what she meant.

AT SIX O’CLOCK exactly Hank entered the kitchen. He’d managed to find chores to occupy his afternoon and had avoided his new guest. Now, freshly showered and dressed, he was hungry.

He sat down at the table in his usual spot and noticed the fourth place setting. “Who’s joining us?” he asked his sister, though he was afraid to hear the answer.

Before Jess could reply, a small voice said, “I am.”

He turned to find Andrea walking through the kitchen door.

“Is that a problem?” she asked when she took the seat across from him.

He shrugged. “Suit yourself. But guests usually eat in the dining room.”

“Andrea’s not a conventional guest, Hank,” Jessie said as she put a platter of corn on the table, followed by a bowl of salad, biscuits and a steaming casserole. “She doesn’t want a fuss. And I, for one, appreciate it.”

Great, Hank thought. Just what he needed. Another “member of the family.” The New York side, he joked to himself.

When Jim came in and Jess said the blessing, everyone served themselves.

“Where were you all afternoon?” Jess asked Hank as she filled her plate. “I was showing Andrea around the ranch and I thought we’d run into you.”

“I had some things to do to get ready for tomorrow.”

“Oh. Have you chosen a horse for Andrea?”

“Yeah.”

Andrea spoke up. “Are you going to tell me about him?”

“Her,” he corrected tersely. “It’s a young mare I bought last summer with an Appaloosa bloodline.” Not that she’d know what that meant.

Jess asked, “Is that the one you bought from Dan Peters? She’s—”

As she swallowed a forkful of salad, Andrea suddenly began to choke, coughing into her hand.

“Are you all right?” Hank asked, rising to his feet. “I could do the Heimlich on you, if you need.”

“No!” Andrea managed to get out between coughs. “I’m fine.” She cleared her throat and took a drink. “You were saying, Jessica?”

“I think she’s a good choice, that mare. I rode her once or twice last summer. She’s very gentle.”

Hank nodded. “I think she’ll be good for Miss Jacobs.”

“Please, Hank, call me Andrea.”

He looked at her in surprise. “Don’t you think that’s a little too informal for a New York socialite?”

Jim fairly groaned, but Andrea seemed unaffected. She calmly said, “It may surprise you to know that though my family is well-off, I do work. And I can actually cook and clean for myself.”

“Really?” Hank tried for nonchalance, but he was actually intrigued. He thought she was a rich girl taken care of by daddy’s millions. “What do you do?” he asked in spite of himself.

“I’m a graphic designer for a small advertising firm.”

Hank could imagine that. Along with her real femininity and poise, she had an artsy quality about her, and wasn’t that a perfect education for a rich girl? Art school. He could see her now, going to class dressed in her designer clothes and carrying her sketches in a designer bag. No doubt she took a cab to school or had the chauffeur drop her off. No public transit for this girl.

“And you managed to get a month off from work?” he asked skeptically.

He could swear Andrea hesitated just a second before she replied, “I had some vacation time saved up.”

“Nice company.” He took a forkful of chicken casserole and thought aloud as he chewed. “I can’t even remember the last time I had a vacation.”

“Think of this next month as one,” Jim interjected. “You don’t have to deal with the herd.” He shot Hank a grin, and Jess laughed.

True, but he had to deal with Miss Jacobs. He wasn’t sure which was worse.

After Andrea took her first bite of the casserole, she looked at Jessica. “This is delicious.”

Jess smiled. “Thanks. I went to college for home ec.” She laughed.

“Actually, public relations,” Jim said.

“Sounds like the perfect preparation for your job.”

“Oh, I don’t usually cook. Hank’s and my older brother, Pete, married our chef. Mary Jo does a wonderful job of cooking. They’re on their honeymoon.”

“Yeah, she does,” Hank said. He looked at his sister, “You’re not so bad yourself, sis.”

“Thanks, Hank.”

When Hank had finished his dinner, he stood up to leave.

“You don’t want dessert?” Jess asked.

“You made dessert? Well, I might have some now that I think about it.”

She brought a cake plate from the counter and lifted the lid, revealing a chocolate cake.

“Oh, my, and I was thinking about refusing dessert, but like Hank, I’ve changed my mind.” Andrea smiled at Jessica.

“Good. I hope you like it, because you’ll probably get it again tomorrow.”

“I’m a chocoholic. You can’t give me too much chocolate. Are you a chocoholic, Hank?”

“No, Miss Jacobs, I’m not. I have no addictions.”

Andrea shot him a look, but Hank dove into his cake. He wolfed it down, then pushed away from the table. “If y’all will excuse me, I’m going to town.”

Andrea looked up. “So are we.”

Hank was startled. “Why?” he demanded.

“I need to do some shopping.”

“You brought three bags! Isn’t that enough clothes for you?”

“Apparently not,” she said with a smile, refusing to be offended.

“Women!” Hank said as he stomped out of the kitchen. “I wouldn’t be caught dead shopping.”

“I THINK THIS STORE will have exactly what you need,” Jessica said as they entered a large western clothing outlet in Steamboat Springs.

Andrea was surprised by how busy the town was for a weeknight. Every store was crowded. Some people looked to be tourists like her. In their fur jackets and Ugg boots they stood out from the regulars.

“Let’s start with jeans,” Jessica proposed as she led Andrea to the appropriate section.

Andrea followed, along with Jim. She’d helped the couple clean up the dishes and the kitchen after dinner in return for their help with her shopping.

Jessica picked out a few different styles and Andrea went into the dressing room to try them on.

When she emerged in one pair, Jessica and Jim nodded. “Perfect, Andrea,” Jessica said. “How do they feel?”

“Like sausage casing,” she said as she turned to view herself in the mirror. “And I’m the sausage.”

Jess laughed. “Then they fit just right.”

With Jessica’s help, she bought three pairs of jeans and a handful of western-style shirts, a ski jacket, long underwear and a pair of gloves. And boots.

“You need one more thing—a cowboy hat,” Jess said.

Andrea looked at her. “Are you sure?”

“Absolutely. But a hat’s a tricky fit. It has to be tight enough so it won’t fly off while you’re riding, but not so tight it’ll give you a headache. Jim will be more help there.”

“She’s right,” Jim said with a grin. “I’m the hat man.”

“I really appreciate it, Jim,” Andrea said. “You’re better at shopping than any man I know.”

“Maybe you don’t know many married men.” Jim laughed.

“I guess I don’t.”

When Jim took her to the hat section, she was surprised to see so many choices. She’d always thought one cowboy hat looked like another.

Jim gave her several to try, none of which apparently was right, then he led her around the aisle to another rack.

She heard a woman’s flirty laugh, followed by the rumble of a deep, sexy male voice. A voice she recognized.

Could it be?

She lifted her head so she could see from under the brim of the gray suede hat she’d tried on, and her eyes met a pair of brown ones shot through with topaz.

“Hank. What are you doing here? I thought you wouldn’t be caught dead shopping.”

He let go of the woman he’d been embracing and put a hat on her long blond tresses. “I’m helping a friend pick out a hat.”

“I see,” Andrea said. “Maybe you can give your opinion about this hat.” She indicated the one she wore.

“A good choice,” Hank grudgingly said. “Of course, it’s also the most expensive.”

The blonde he was with tried on a few more hats. Then she stepped close to him, slid her hands up Hank’s chest and around his neck. “Ooh! I love this hat, Hank. Can I have it?”

He pulled her arms down. “Come on, Lucy, it’s not appropriate for you.”

“You just don’t want to pay for it because it’s so expensive.”

“No, that’s not the reason.”

“Pretty please, Hank? The color looks good on me.”

Andrea had to stifle a laugh as she noticed the lavender hat with an ostrich feather in red and purple encircling the crown.

“Fine, I’ll get it for you.”

She couldn’t help herself. “Nice choice!” she called out.

The blonde smiled. “Thanks.” Then she whispered something to Hank. Despite Hank’s sharp no, she spoke up, anyway. “We’re heading out for a drink and some dancing. Want to join us?”

Andrea shook her head. “Thanks, anyway. I’ve got an early day tomorrow.” She wanted to remind Hank that he did, too, but she held her tongue.

It didn’t matter to her what Hank Ledbetter did with his nights.

She watched him walk away with the blonde draped around him. If she didn’t know better, she’d think that pang in her stomach was jealousy.

Chapter Three

Andrea came down to the kitchen early the next morning. She hadn’t been able to sleep much in anticipation of her first riding lesson with Hank. She’d found Jessica already preparing breakfast, and lent a hand as they chatted.

They were laughing about some of the antics of previous guests when Hank entered the room and went directly to the coffeepot.

“You’d better eat a big breakfast or you’ll be starving by lunch!” he snapped.

Andrea had thought they’d prepared too much food, but she must’ve been inspired by the early hour, for she cleaned her plate. Hank did the same.

When Hank got up from the table, Andrea jumped up, too. She wasn’t going to be accused of dawdling.

Hank stared at her. “You ready?”

“Yes,” she said, putting on her new ski jacket and hat, and working on her gloves as she followed Hank.

As they walked to the horse barn, Andrea felt anticipation grow. Along with fear. She hoped she managed to do what her teacher asked without showing she was scared.

“Okay, first you need to know the equipment you’ll be using.” Hank began pointing out the parts that they used to saddle a horse. After he made her repeat the names of the parts, he introduced her to the horse she was going to ride. “This is Moonbeam.”

“Nice name.”

“She came with it. Dan Peters named her.”

Andrea stroked the horse several times under Hank’s supervision.

Then he brought out an apple and cut it in half. “Here, hold this flat in your hand and feed it to her.”

Andrea did as he said, refusing to ask if the horse would bite her. When the horse gently took the apple half and crunched it, Andrea stood amazed. Then she fed the mare the other half. When the animal nuzzled Andrea for more, Andrea looked at Hank. “Do you have more?”

“No. That’s enough. We don’t want to spoil her.”

Andrea stroked Moonbeam’s neck. But she watched Hank to see what came next.

“Now pick up the bridle. I’ll tell you how to put it on the horse.”

She did as she was told, her stomach fluttering. It took several tries to work the bit into the horse’s mouth, but she finally learned to trust Moonbeam. They moved on to the remaining equipment, and in no time she had Moonbeam saddled.

She felt so proud when Moonbeam stood before her, ready to ride.

“Now unsaddle her.”

She turned to Hank. “But…”

He gave her a steely stare.

“I thought I’d get to ride her, since she’s all saddled.”

“You’re not ready yet.”

She stared him down, but in the end she followed his instructions. He was, after all, the expert. She unsaddled the horse, and when she finished, she looked at Hank, a challenge in her eyes.

“Good,” he replied, without any expression. Then he said, “Now saddle her again.”

She waited for him to say what to put on the horse.

“Without my help,” he said.

She prayed she could remember the order of what she’d done only a few minutes before, and was pleased with herself when she got it right.

Hank offered no words of praise. Nor did he tell her to unsaddle Moonbeam again, as she’d expected.

“Now mount up.”

Feeling a rush of adrenaline, she stepped up to the side of Moonbeam, wondering how she was supposed to climb onto such a tall animal.

Hank’s sharp words stopped her.

“You’re on the wrong side of the horse. You need to be on her left side. That’s the way most horses are trained.”

“Oh, sorry, Moonbeam.” She started to walk behind her to the other side.

“Don’t go around the back of the horse. Go around the front so she can see you. Some horses kick when you go behind them.”

Nervous now, Andrea walked around the front of the mare and moved to the left stirrup. She paused, trying to figure out which foot went in first.

“Your left!” Hank barked.

She glared at him. Did he have to yell? And why didn’t he just explain all these rules before?

She put her left foot in the stirrup and using all her strength, swung her other leg over the horse. Much to her surprise, her body settled into the saddle as if it belonged there.

“Good job. Now dismount.”

She considered taking the right side to dismount, but Hank told her, “Left side!”

She slid off the horse on the left side. She figured he would tell her to mount up again and she wasn’t disappointed. She swung up into the saddle once more, a bit more smoothly this time, and hoped he’d let her stay there and begin teaching her to ride. But alas, no. He ordered her to dismount, then turned on his heel to leave.

“Unsaddle her and then you can amuse yourself till lunch.” With that he simply walked out of the barn.

Andrea rested her head against Moonbeam’s long neck and stifled a scream.

“HONESTLY, JESSICA, all I did was saddle and unsaddle Moonbeam. I thought he’d let me ride a little bit, at least. I was so frustrated!”

“I guess you were, but you have to know how to take care of your horse. You did say you wanted to learn to ride like a cowboy, didn’t you?”

“Yes, but I didn’t think Hank would be so…formal!”

The man himself stepped into the kitchen. “If you don’t like my teaching techniques, Miss Jacobs, we’ll be glad to refund you your money, except for the cost of the food and lodging we’ve provided so far, and you can go elsewhere.”

The kitchen was painfully silent for several moments.

Then Andrea spoke. “I didn’t mean to be so harsh, Mr. Ledbetter. I just thought I might be allowed to ride a little bit.”

“If you can manage to saddle your horse properly after lunch, you’ll be allowed to ride this afternoon.”

“Really? Why didn’t you tell me that this morning?”

“I don’t think it’s necessary to inform my students of every step when I’m teaching them.”

Jessica stepped between them. “But you could change your rules slightly, Hank. That wouldn’t be so hard, would it?”

“Fine! When’s lunch going to be ready?”

“I’m just getting ready to serve it. I’ll put it on the table if you’ll both be seated.”

“You can have Jim’s seat by Jess,” Hank said to Andrea. “He won’t be here.” After saying that, Hank sat down on his side of the table.

With a shrug, Andrea sat down beside Jessica.

Jessica put another casserole on the table with a salad and some baked beans.

Andrea now understood the remark Hank had made to her at The Prime Rib about eating everything in front of her. She was starving.

When Jessica uncovered the dish, Andrea drew a deep breath. Then she looked up straight into Hank’s eyes, noting the laughter there. At least he wasn’t frowning. “Yes, you were right,” she said with a chuckle.

“Good,” Jessica said. “It’s chicken pot pie. Be sure to fill your plate. And we have dessert, too.”

“Oh, my, I don’t know if I can eat that much.”

“You can,” Hank said.

She glared at him, but it was a wasted effort. He was already digging into his lunch. Which reminded her she was wasting time.

THE AFTERNOON LESSON went much better. After she successfully saddled Moonbeam, Hank told her to lead the mare out into the corral. She eagerly did so, waiting for the chance to ride for the first time ever. Hank didn’t bring out a horse for himself, and that surprised her. He was going to let her ride alone?

He sauntered out into the corral and climbed onto the split-rail fence. “Now, lead her around for a while.”

She thought about complaining, but she remembered what Jessica had told her about this morning’s lesson. She’d better hold back. Maybe he really was trying to teach her to ride the cowboy way.

After half an hour, he drawled, “Okay, bring her over here and mount up. Remember, left side, left foot. When you step up into the saddle, swing your right foot over and into the right stirrup.” While he was saying that, he got down from the fence and grabbed the horse’s reins.

Oddly, there was something different about mounting the horse in the wide-open space of the corral, instead of in the barn. She felt anxious. “She won’t run away, will she?”

“I’ll hold her. Don’t worry.”

She gave him a tight smile. “I won’t.”

She put her left foot in the stirrup and tried to swing up, but she got caught, unable to pull her body up into the saddle. Suddenly she felt Hank’s hands on her behind pushing her up. She gasped and nearly lost her grip on the horn. Her skin burned where he touched her. Somehow she found herself in the saddle.

“Sometimes dudes get caught in the middle.”

Andrea felt her cheeks heat, not because he called her a “dude”—which, as an inexperienced rider, she supposed she was—but because she couldn’t look him in the eye after he’d had his hands on her rear end.

True to form, though, he irritated her with his next words.

“Okay, ride her around the corral for a while. Remember, she’ll do what you tell her with the reins. Pull gently left or right, and when you need to stop, pull back gently on both reins.”

“You want me to ride in circles like a child?” she demanded.

“Yeah,” Hank responded.

“But what about riding somewhere?”

Hank sighed and shook his head. “Just do what I say. You’ll get there before you know it.”

“Today?”

“Nope. But maybe tomorrow. It depends.”

“On what?”

“On how quickly you recover.”

She gave him a glare and started riding around the circle with her teeth gritted and in total silence. She wanted to prove that she could wait him out. After a few minutes, he shouted for her to stop. She pulled back on both reins. The horse was wonderfully responsive.

“Good. Now do a figure eight.”

She rode the horse in a figure eight, enjoying that more than riding in a circle. Then he told her to reverse the figure eight.

He kept her going for a couple of hours, alternating the routine. When he finally brought her to a stop, he studied her. “How are you feeling?”

She was hurting a little, but she thought she could still ride. “I’m perfectly fine.”

“No problems at all?”

After debating her answer, she finally said, “I’m a little sore.”

“Okay, get down.”

She tried to get down the way she’d gotten up, but her legs seemed to crumple under her. Before she knew it, Hank was holding her.

“Easy, Andrea. Give yourself a chance to get your legs back under you.”

“What happened? I—I can hardly stand.”

“Take it slow. You’ll get the feeling back in a minute.”

She didn’t like his arms around her, his chest near her face, but she was afraid she’d fall to the ground if he let her go. She felt suddenly parched and her skin tingled.

Then he said, “You get a break because I’m going to unsaddle Moonbeam for you while you go up to the house. If you want a snack or something to make you feel better, just tell Jess.”

“Okay, but how do I walk out of here?” She still couldn’t trust her legs.

He led her to the gate, his arm still around her and holding her against the long, lean length of him. In spite of his going very slowly, she almost felt like asking him to carry her, but she wouldn’t give in to that urge.

When he got her out of the corral, he asked, “Can you make it from here?”

She wanted to say yes, but her legs were still wobbly. “I—I think I can make it.”

He shook his head and scooped her off her feet. “Never mind. I’ll take you into the kitchen.”

She didn’t say anything. She was afraid he’d put her down.

When he got to the kitchen, he lowered her onto a chair.

Andrea could barely get words past her dry throat, but she pulled herself together enough to say, “Thank you, Hank.”

“No problem.” But he continued to lean over her, his face entirely too close.

She noticed for the first time how great he smelled. The outdoors, the crispness of the weather, the scent of leather. All infused her senses.

Hank looked her right in the eye and she could’ve sworn she saw a hint of a smile on his mouth.

But he pulled back quickly and made for the door. “Tell Jess not to count on me for dinner.” He threw the words over his shoulder. “I’m going into town.”

Andrea was surprised by how disappointed she felt.

AMAZING. HER MUSCLES felt so much looser after she’d soaked in the Epsom-salts bath. She didn’t want to get out of the tub, but hunger pains drove her. She stood and reached for a fluffy towel. Sighing, she ran the towel over her body. She was tempted to crawl into bed, but she needed that steak Jessica was making.

Besides, if she didn’t show for dinner, Hank might hear about it and think he’d managed to win the contest.

She pulled up short. Contest? Why did she seem to want to best him all the time, as if she needed to prove herself? She had every right to be the student, to be sore, to be a “dude.” There was no harm in that. After all, she was out here to learn.

But there was something about Hank…

Somehow she felt she always needed to be on guard around him, to put up a strong facade—or else he’d see the weak, vulnerable woman underneath.

The woman who kept a secret.

The woman who could fall for him.

She stopped herself right there. That line of thinking could do no good, so she quickly dressed and went downstairs, limping only slightly.

She found Jessica already putting dinner on the table.

“I’m not late, am I?” she asked with a hesitant smile.

Jessica turned around. “I was just about to see how you were doing. I’m glad you made it down.”

“Those special bath salts you gave me are miraculous. Thanks. I thought I’d never walk again when I first got off Moonbeam.”

Jessica laughed. “Well, I think you did very well.”

“Can I help with anything?”

“No, this is easy. Wait until you see the kitchen function when we have a full house.”

“I’m sure it’s a lot of work, but I bet it’s fun, too.”

“Actually, it has been fun—ever since Jim got here.”

“I guess so, since you married him,” Andrea said with a laugh.

“Oh, yes, that made it fun, but more importantly, he took care of my problems with my brothers. After our parents died and I got the idea of opening a dude ranch, Hank and Pete thought they could overrule me. Anything I wanted to do, they said no. It was a mess!”

“That must’ve been difficult.”

“Aw, she’s just teasing. They wanted to do everything she said,” a deep voice said behind the two women.

Jim smiled at them when they faced him. “Well, maybe there was a little friction,” he said as his wife stepped into his ready arms.

Jim stole a quick kiss and as Andrea watched the two of them, so obviously in love, she felt lonesome for the first time in her life.

When Jim let go of his wife, he said to Andrea, “Glad to see you’re still able to walk.”

“Yes, thanks to the Epsom salts.”

“Hank worked you hard, I guess.” He looked around the kitchen. “Where is he, anyway?”

“Hank said he was going into town,” Andrea explained, remembering that moment with him earlier in the kitchen.

Jim frowned. “I wanted to talk to him.”

Andrea knew what he meant. Once again she felt a rush of disappointment.

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