THE LARKVILLE LEGACY

A secret letter … two families changed for ever

Welcome to the small town of Larkville, Texas, where the Calhoun family has been ranching for generations.

Meanwhile, in New York, the Patterson family rules America’s highest echelons of society.

Both families are totally unprepared for the news that they are linked by a shocking secret.

For hidden on the Calhoun ranch is a letter that’s been lying unopened and unread—until now!

Meet the two families in all eight books of this brand-new series:

THE COWBOY COMES HOME

by Patricia Thayer

SLOW DANCE WITH THE SHERIFF

by Nikki Logan

TAMING THE BROODING CATTLEMAN

by Marion Lennox

THE RANCHER’S UNEXPECTED FAMILY

by Myrna Mackenzie

HIS LARKVILLE CINDERELLA

by Melissa McClone

THE SECRET THAT CHANGED EVERYTHING

by Lucy Gordon

THE SOLDIER’S SWEETHEART

by Soraya Lane

THE BILLIONAIRE’S BABY SOS

by Susan Meier

Dear Reader,

I’m so excited about this series. A new town and family: the Calhouns of Larkville, Texas. It’s also been fun working with the other authors on THE LARKVILLE LEGACY. I’m blessed to get to launch the first book, and to get to introduce the founding family of this small ranching town of Larkville.

In my story Clay’s daughter, Jess Calhoun, is the single mother of a five-year-old son, Brady, who idolised his Papa Clay and misses him terribly. Jess is dealing with the loss, too. And in her brother’s absence she has to run the ranch, which means trying to handle her father’s out-of-control stallion Night Storm.

Horse whisperer Johnny Jameson arrives to save the day. The man knows his way around horses a lot better than people. So when his job with troubled equines is finished Johnny always moves on. Yet something about Jess and little Brady has him thinking about staying and putting down roots.

I hope you enjoy my story!

Patricia Thayer

About the Author

Originally born and raised in Muncie, Indiana, PATRICIA THAYER is the second of eight children. She attended Ball State University, and soon afterwards headed West. Over the years she’s made frequent visits back to the Midwest, trying to keep up with her growing family.

Patricia has called Orange County, California, home for many years. She not only enjoys the warm climate, but also the company and support of other published authors in the local writers’ organisation. For the past eighteen years she has had the unwavering support and encouragement of her critique group. It’s a sisterhood like no other.

When she’s not working on a story, you might find her travelling the United States and Europe, taking in the scenery and doing story research while thoroughly enjoying herself, accompanied by Steve, her husband for over thirty-five years. Together, they have three grown sons and four grandsons. As she calls them: her own true-life heroes. On rare days off from writing you might catch her at Disneyland, spoiling those grandkids rotten! She also volunteers for the Grandparent Autism Network.

Patricia has written for over twenty years, and has authored more than forty-six books. She has been nominated for both a National Readers’ Choice Award and the prestigious RITA® Award. Her book Nothing Short of a Miracle won an RT Book Reviews Reviewers’ Choice award.

A longtime member of Romance Writers of America, she has served as President and held many other board positions for her local chapter in Orange County. She’s a firm believer in giving back.

Check her website, www.patriciathayer.com, for upcoming books.

The Cowboy

Comes Home

Patricia Thayer

www.millsandboon.co.uk

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To the Gentle Persuaders, Anne, Linda and Linda Mac.

For twenty-two years together, and if I don’t say it

enough, thanks for all your support.

CHAPTER ONE

WILLIE NELSON’S “On the Road Again” poured out of the open windows of Johnny Jameson’s truck as he drove along the country road. It was January in Texas, but he was energized by the cold air, knowing the temperature would rise to triple digits soon enough come spring. No matter what the weather, he’d much rather be outside than cooped up indoors.

He always liked to keep on the move. Never felt the need to stay at any one place too long. More times than he could count, he had lived out of his vehicle.

He’d been lucky lately. The jobs came to him, and he could pick and choose what he wanted to take on. That was the reason he was coming to Larkville. He’d been intrigued when he’d heard the job description. Also because Clay Calhoun and his prize quarter horses were legendary in Texas. But before he got too excited, he wanted to assess the situation before he made any promises to the man, or to the job. If there still was a job, since the offer had been made months ago.

He’d been delayed by a stubborn colt, but after he’d finished training it, the thoroughbred was worth what the owner had paid. When he’d called Calhoun to let him know he’d be delayed with previous commitments, he’d ended up talking to Clay’s son Holt, who’d explained that his father was ill, but assured him that the job would be there whenever he arrived at the ranch. Johnny had said to expect him around the first of the year.

As it turned out it was the first of the year, and he was finally headed for the Double Bar C Ranch. He glanced in the rearview mirror at his trailer, and his precious cargo, Risky Business, his three-year-old roan stallion.

His attention focused back ahead and on the southeast Texas landscape of rolling hills and pastures that had the yellow hue of winter. He looked toward a group of bare trees and a cattle water trough nestled at the base. There was also a visitor, one beautiful black stallion. The animal reared up, fighting to get loose from his lead rope that seemed to be caught on something.

He glanced around to see if anyone was nearby. Not a soul. He pulled his truck to the side of the road and got out. After walking back to check his own horse, he headed toward the open pasture to hopefully save another.

Jess knew she was going to be blamed for this.

Since her brother Holt was away on personal business, her sister, Megan, was away at school and her brother Nate was in the army, she was the one family member around to handle Double Bar C emergencies. Even though she really wasn’t involved in the day-to-day running of the ranch—Holt was in charge of that—she knew finding Night Storm had to take top priority.

The bigger problem was, how do you find, much less bring back, a rogue stallion? No one but Clay Calhoun had ever been able to handle the valuable quarter horse. Now that Dad was gone, the question was what to do with Storm.

The ranch foreman, Wes Brogan, had decided to let the animal out to the fenced pasture, but before Wes was able to transport Storm there, the horse broke away.

When she’d gotten the call early this morning, she immediately went to the barn, saddled up Goldie and rode out to find Storm. She’d been on a horse since she was a baby, so there wasn’t any problem keeping up with the ranch hands. To cover more ground, the crew took off in different directions of the vast Calhoun land and so Jess set off on her own.

The Double Bar C had been in the family for generations, and her father had worked hard so it would remain with the Calhouns for many more. Big Clay had loved his horses, especially this stallion, but there had been trouble since Storm had arrived at the ranch. The valuable horse had been mistreated in the past. Eventually Storm began to trust her father somewhat, but since Clay’s death a few months back, the horse’s behavior had gotten worse and no one had been able to handle him.

She sighed, feeling the bite of the January cold against her cheeks. She slowed her horse as they came to the rise and suddenly caught a spot of black. Taking out her binoculars, she saw the welcome sight.

“Hallelujah!” she cried out, seeing Storm. Then she looked again and saw a man holding on to his lead rope. She didn’t recognize him as one of the hands, then she spotted a truck and trailer alongside the road.

“Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not going to steal Double Bar C property.” She kicked her heels into the mare and they shot off.

Johnny had worked with the horse for close to thirty minutes and had made some headway. The animal was still in distress, but at least Johnny had gotten close enough to loop a rope around his neck so he could calm the animal.

And what a beauty he was. His glistening black coat looked well cared for, he thought as he kept the spirited stallion moving in a circle. He pulled the rope taut, knowing he would need an arena to truly work him.

The horse got more agitated when he heard a rider approach, but Johnny couldn’t take his attention from his task.

“What do you think you’re doing on Calhoun land?”

He was surprised to hear the female voice.

“Trying to help this valuable horse.” He managed to maneuver around to see her.

“He’s not your valuable horse—he belongs to my father.”

He noticed the pretty buckskin mare, then he lifted his gaze to the tall blond beauty who sat straight in the saddle. Her long slender legs hugged the animal’s flanks and she controlled her horse as if she were born to ride.

“Then maybe I should be having this conversation with Mr. Calhoun.”

He heard her gasp, followed by, “That’s a little difficult since his death.”

Thrown by the news, Johnny slowed the stallion but when the animal acted up, he turned his attention back to him.

“Please accept my condolences, Ms….”

“Jess Calhoun.” She took her lariat off her saddle.

“What do you need me to do?”

Back to the problem at hand. “If you can manage it, throw another rope over the stallion’s head?” he asked.

“Storm. The horse’s name is Night Storm.”

She swung the rope overhead and it took a few tries, but she finally hit her target.

Johnny watched as Ms. Calhoun walked her mare backward, pulling the rope tight. That helped to get the animal under control. Somewhat.

“Keep it taut.”

She did.

But she also needed questions answered. “Not that I don’t appreciate your help, but I have no idea who you are.”

“Johnny Jameson. I was on my way to see Clay Calhoun. I had no idea about his death.” He wasn’t sure what else to say. “I spoke with your father last September in Dallas at a horse auction. He’d asked me to come to the ranch then, but I had a job to finish first and it went on a lot longer than planned.” He tugged on the rope. Would this horse ever tire out? “I called Clay right away, but I talked with your brother Holt. He assured me that I’d be welcome whenever I arrived.”

He caught the sad emotion that played across her face. “When did Clay pass away?”

“Late October. Pneumonia,” she finally said. “He waited too long to see a doctor.” She nodded toward the agitated animal. “Storm is Dad’s horse. No one else has been able to handle him.”

The stallion pawed at the ground and breathed heavily through his nostrils. Johnny tugged on the rope.

Jess watched in amazement. This tall dark stranger sure knew his way around horses. Was Jameson a horse breeder? “Wouldn’t want to buy a stallion real cheap, would you?”

He grinned. “Don’t be so anxious to get rid of him. Like you said, he’s a valuable animal. I think he’s also the horse your father wanted me to work with.”

Johnny Jameson was dressed in the standard cowboy uniform—jeans and Western-yoked shirt. His wide-brim Stetson shadowed his face, but she could see the chiseled cheekbones and deep-set eyes. When he tipped his head back she caught a glimpse of the gray color of his eyes and felt a tingle of awareness.

No. She wouldn’t fall for another cowboy. She took out her cell phone and called Wes. She gave him her location. “More help will be here soon.”

They stayed busy with the horse until finally the group of riders came over the hill.

The foreman climbed down from his horse. “Damn, Jess. Your daddy would be proud.”

“I didn’t do this,” she said as one of the men, Will Hinkle, took the rope, relieving her of her job. “Mr. Jameson here caught him.”

Wes turned to the man. “I’d shake your hand, but I see you’re busy.” He paused. “Did you say Jameson? Johnny Jameson?”

“That’s me.”

The forty-five-year-old Wes grinned. “Well, I’ll be damned. You finally made it to our part of Texas.”

Jess didn’t like being left out. “Finally made it?”

Wes smiled. “Mr. Jameson is one of the top horse trainers around. I remember when Clay got back from Dallas. He was so excited and hopeful about Johnny coming to work with us.”

Jameson turned those amazing gray eyes toward her. “Your father and I talked at length. As I said, he’s the one who hired me. Thing is, do I still have a job?”

One of the Double Bar C hands drove Johnny’s truck to the ranch and gave Johnny the loan of his horse so that he could escort the stallion back personally. It took nearly an hour before Night Storm was back in his stall in the state-of-the-art horse barn at the ranch.

Johnny led the animal inside himself. At least the equine was exhausted from his adventure. And Johnny was hoping he’d be calmer tomorrow so he’d get the chance to work with him.

If he still had the job. Would the pretty Ms. Calhoun override her father and brother’s decision?

Once the horse had been fed his special mixture of legumes and oats, Johnny walked outside along with Wes. “That’s the calmest I’ve seen Storm in weeks.”

“Is he always so agitated?” Johnny asked.

Wes grew serious. “Pretty much. Clay got him a little over a year ago. He’d been skittish to begin with and we couldn’t work out why, then we found the marks on his hind legs.”

Johnny had missed those. Usually there was something that caused a horse to be distraught, leery. And abuse was often a big factor.

“Clay was the one who handled him, but Storm could still be unpredictable. It’s gotten worse since Clay’s not around anymore. That’s why I let him out to graze this morning.” Wes tipped his hat back. “You saw how that worked out. So you think you can help him?”

He liked a challenge. He wanted to prove, especially to the abuser, that Storm could be turned around. “All I promise is that I’ll try. That is, if Ms. Calhoun wants me to handle Storm’s training.”

“It’s not my decision one way or the other,” the familiar woman’s voice said.

They both turned to see Jess.

Johnny was still awestruck by her beauty. Tall and slender with those mile-long legs encased in formfitting jeans. She brushed the single braid off her shoulder and walked toward them.

Good. He wanted to get a closer look. His gaze moved over her and he wasn’t disappointed. Her skin was flawless and her large eyes were a golden-brown in color. His attention went to her mouth, and those full lips. He swallowed at the sudden dryness in his throat.

Okay, you’d better concentrate on business.

“I can’t thank you enough for what you did today, Mr. Jameson. If you have an agreement with my brother, of course you have a job here.”

“It was an understanding,” he admitted. “I’ll need an agreement in writing for my fees and my training style.”

Jess started to speak, but Wes said, “Jess, why don’t we phone Holt.” He turned to Johnny. “Holt is away on personal business. You wouldn’t mind waiting a few minutes while we speak to him, would you?”

“Not a problem. I’ll go see to my horse.”

Jess watched the familiar cowboy’s swagger as he walked away. Raised on a ranch, she’d known many men like him. Good-looking, sweet-talking, love ‘em and leave ‘em. His way, his game, then pack up and hit the road.

She had been uncomfortable with the way Johnny Jameson looked at her. It was a good thing that she didn’t have any part in running the ranch. Except when her big brother went out of town and she was the only one to handle it.

Wes stopped just inside the barn. “Jess, you are going to hire Johnny?”

She shook her head, knowing she had power of attorney while Holt was away. “Of course, but I’d feel better talking to Holt first since we have to agree to the money and terms.”

Wes nodded, took out his cell phone and punched in the call button for Holt. Once the foreman finished with his questions, Jess asked her brother a few of her own. Satisfied, she agreed to what the trainer would need and that he would sign a contract. She hung up and smiled at Wes.

“Looks like we have a trainer for Storm.”

They headed back through the barn. She had just agreed to pay a hefty fee to Mr. Jameson.

“Seems like a lot for a trainer,” she remarked.

Wes nodded. “A trainer as good as Johnny Jameson can name his price.” Wes stopped. “Look, Jess. I know you haven’t been around the operation, and if you had, you’d know that the vet has been out several times to medicate Storm. Doc Peters has talked about the possibility of putting him down.”

Jess gasped. “We wouldn’t do that!”

“Of course not,” Wes agreed. “He’s a valuable animal, but he’s also out of control right now. We can’t ride him or breed him when he’s like this.”

“But Storm was dad’s horse.”

“And that’s the reason Holt’s put up with his behavior these past months. But someone could get hurt. Jameson is our best hope. It’s the right decision to hire him.”

Jess knew after just one meeting that the man had stirred something in her. That was the problem. She felt the attraction. Bad news. She also couldn’t forget her lousy track record with men.

At least she didn’t need to be around that much, and her home and business were on another part of the ranch. That made her a little more relaxed until she walked out of the barn and caught the scene in the corral unfolding before her. She could only watch as Johnny lifted her four-year-old son to the railing. She stiffened, seeing how animated Brady was with the new trainer as his small hand reached out toward the forehead of the man’s roan horse. Quickly the boy pulled his hand back and laughed nervously. Jess hadn’t heard that sound since before Brady’s grandfather had died. Wasn’t her son afraid of horses? She remembered that day when Brady had been barely two years old, and he’d gone with his grandpa Clay to the barn and a horse broke away and nearly knocked him down. From then on, her son had cried every time her dad tried to take him back to the barn.

Now, Brady was trusting a stranger.

“Well, looks like Brady likes him,” Wes remarked. “You know what they say.”

“About what?”

“You got to trust a man who’s liked by animals and children.”

Brady Clayton Calhoun ran over to her. “Mom, I did it! I petted him.”

“I see that.”

She looked down at her blond-headed son. So much pride in his big brown eyes.

“I wasn’t scared. Johnny said that Risky would never hurt me.” A big smile crossed his face. “And he didn’t.”

“You did a great job.” She hugged him. “Brady, why don’t you go up to the house? I bet Nancy’s finished baking those cookies.”

The boy started off, then stopped. “Are you coming, too, Mom?”

“I’ll be there shortly, son. I have some business to talk over with Mr. Jameson.” Johnny was approaching her and Wes.

“’Kay.” Then Brady ran off through the gate.

Jess turned to Johnny. “I’m not sure how you got him to do that, but I’d appreciate it if you’d check with me before you introduce my child to any of the animals.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He nodded. “You’re the boss.”

Jess wasn’t sure how to react to Johnny Jameson. She’d never been good at flirting with men. Okay, maybe once, and that had gotten her into trouble. She definitely had no idea how to judge men.

“No, Mr. Jameson, I’m not.” She wished Wes hadn’t left her alone to handle this. “Holt’s still happy to hire you. But until he returns, you’ll answer to the ranch foreman. If something comes up that Wes questions, then we’ll discuss it.”

“So you aren’t the least bit interested in how Storm progresses?”

“Of course I am, but I have other things that take up my time.”

Jameson’s gray eyes bored into her, causing a stirring inside her that not only surprised but frightened her. Feelings she thought had been dormant for a long time. For the past nearly five years her child and her business had filled all the voids. Now this man was creating something she didn’t want or need.

She pulled her jacket together to ward off the cold. “So if there’s nothing else, I need to get inside.”

“Nothing I can’t handle. Sorry I took up so much of your time.” He placed two fingers against the brim of his hat in a salute. “Good afternoon, Ms. Calhoun.”

“Mr. Jameson.”

“Why don’t you just call me Johnny? Unless you don’t like to get that familiar with the hired help.”

She refused to react. “I’m familiar with a lot of the men who work on the Double Bar C. I’ve known some all my life, but I don’t know you.”

He smiled. “Yet.”

Jess nodded and turned toward the house, trying to keep her walk slow and relaxed, but Johnny Jameson had managed to knock her off balance. She couldn’t allow that. She had once and soon learned that trusting a man led to hurt and pain. No, Mr. Good-Looking Cowboy, I’m not falling for your type again.

CHAPTER TWO

AN HOUR later, Jess was standing in the ranch kitchen, looking out toward the corral, watching as the new trainer carried his things up the steps to the apartment above the barn.

Johnny Jameson was moving in. For how long? Would he just work with Storm, or would Holt keep him here longer?

She shook away the questions. What did it matter? Once her brother came home, he’d handle the ranch again. And she’d go back to concentrating on her business, which she’d been neglecting the past weeks.

No doubt about it, even months later the entire family was struggling to adjust to all the changes since her father’s death.

Now, Holt was away, taking care of a terminally ill friend. Megan was at school in the East. Nate was in the army.

She released a sigh. The ranch problems were hers to deal with. Her immediate choice had been to hire a horse trainer. Well, she’d have to wait and see how that worked out.

She turned around and saw her son at the big oak table, eating an afternoon snack. A sudden sadness consumed her. Her father used to wander in about this time of day and join his grandson for milk and cookies. She could still hear Brady’s giggles and her father’s laughter ring out through the house.

Clay Calhoun’s death had been hard on all of them, but mostly her son. The twosome had been inseparable. The only exception had been when it came to horses. Her father always thought Brady would outgrow his fears, but didn’t push the issue. That was why she had been so surprised when the child showed up in the corral today.

Jess still worried about her son. Not an outgoing boy by nature, the soon-to-be five-year-old needed to interact more with his peers. So three mornings a week Brady had been attending preschool while she ran her store, Jess’s Bakery, featuring homemade preserves, which she’d named after her mother: Sandra’s Preserves.

“Mom, is Johnny staying here for a long time?”

She studied Brady’s brown eyes. “Not sure, honey. He’s going to work with Grandpa’s horse.”

The boy took a drink of milk, then said, “’Cause Storm is sad about Papa going to heaven?”

She smiled. “Yeah, Storm is sad, too.” Was that the reason she resented Johnny, an outsider, coming here? Because he could handle her dad’s horse so easily, when none of them could? Or that her son trusted him?

“I hope he can make Storm happy again,” Brady said.

“So do I, son.” She turned back around and looked out the row of windows toward the horse barn. “For what we’re paying him, he’d better,” she murmured.

Jess hated this. Since her dad’s death, Holt had taken over the running of the ranch as if he’d been born to it. He had been, but he wasn’t here and could be away a long time. In the past, she’d always gone to her dad for answers and now he wasn’t around any longer.

She felt the sting of tears, remembering back six years ago when she’d told her parents she was pregnant and was going to be a single mom.

Even though her mother voiced her disappointment, her dad wrapped her in his big strong arms and told her that it would be all right. He made sure of that. The moment her son was born, Clay claimed him as a Calhoun. Over the years, it had been her dad who taught her about the importance of the land and family.

She turned back to her child. “Brady, what made you go into the corral today?”

The boy shrugged, concentrating on his chocolate chip cookie. “I dunno.”

“I thought we talked about this. Until you’re older, you need an adult to be with you when you’re around the stock. Please, pay attention to the rules. They’re for your safety.”

He looked at her. “I came to find you. I was afraid you got hurt ‘cause of Storm.” She saw the fear in his eyes.

She went to him at the table and knelt down. “Honey, I wouldn’t get close to a runaway horse on my own. And Wes was there, too.”

“And so was Johnny. Papa said he can work miracles.”

Oh, no, was he making things up? “Brady, we talked about this. Papa Clay is gone away.”

“I know. He’s buried in the ground on the hill with Grandma Sandy.” He pointed toward the barn. “But Papa said this before, when he was sick in bed. ‘Member when I went to his room and read him stories? Sometimes he talked about the ranch.”

She couldn’t hide her smile. That sounded like Dad. “I think you better talk to Holt about that.”

“Papa already told Uncle Holt that he needed to teach me ‘cause I hafta know how to run the Double Bar C when I grow up and be the boss. That’s when Papa and Uncle Holt talked about Johnny.” Brady wrinkled his freckled nose. “Mom, did you know that he talks to horses?”

“Who, Papa?”

“No, Johnny. And that’s why Papa wanted him to come here.” Tears formed in the child’s eyes. “That’s why I had to go and see Johnny. To tell him things about Storm.”

Jess blinked several times. “Okay.” She hugged him. He’d been so tough through the past months. “But next time let an adult know before you head to the corral. Storm isn’t safe to be around.”

“I know. But now Johnny’s gonna fix Storm so he’s a nice horse.”

From a child’s mouth to God’s ears. “We all want that, son, and I hope it happens, but don’t expect miracles.”

“But there are miracles, Mom. In Sunday school they talk about them all the time.”

Okay, she was going to lose this one. “Okay, we’ll see what happens.”

“So, can I watch Johnny with Storm?”

She shook her head. “It’s too dangerous right now.”

“What if Johnny says it’s okay, then can I do it?”

She was torn. Brady had been so afraid to get anywhere close to the stables. Now he wanted to be around the orneriest horse ever. “All right, when we see Johnny again, we’ll talk about it.”

He cheered. “Tonight.”

“Tonight?”

He nodded. “I asked him to come to supper, and he said yes.”

Great. She didn’t need this now, didn’t need to face Johnny again so soon.

She nodded and he climbed down from the table and ran off.

Nancy came in and cleared the table. “That’s a first, the boy going anywhere near a horse.”

Jess glanced at the housekeeper and nodded. “It shocked me, all right.”

“I can’t wait to get a good look at this Johnny Jameson.”

In her mid-forties, Nancy Griffith was full-figured. She had light brown hair that she wore pulled back into a ponytail, and had pretty hazel eyes and a smile that was as warm as she was herself. And since Jess’s mother died a few years ago, they had become the best of friends.

“Well, you can stroll down to the barn if you like.”

The housekeeper smiled. “I’ll just wait until supper.”

Jess thought about the man. She knew his type—he attracted women, and probably didn’t get turned down much. Well, she wasn’t going to be affected by him. “Nancy would you mind watching Brady for a while?”

“Of course not.”

“Good, I’m going to head back to the bakery for a few hours. I have my own business to run.” Before that she needed to show some Texas hospitality.

Johnny finished bringing his things upstairs to the two-room apartment. There was a living area and small kitchen. The other room held a queen-size bed and dresser. There was a tiny bathroom, with no tub, but a shower stall. That was plenty for him.

He sank into the well-worn leather sofa. Home. Until … At least for a few weeks. Not much longer than that. He’d always moved on when the mood struck him. He never wanted to get too attached to a place, especially when he felt he didn’t fit in. That was most of the time.

Yet, this ranch was a top-quality facility. Large stalls, a well-ventilated barn. Clay Calhoun had been serious about his horses.

He sank farther into the cushions. The past few years, he’d made good money because of his training skills. Moving around, he’d banked most of it. He’d invested some in stocks, and some in horses. Risky Business was his latest find. The previous owner deemed the young stallion untrainable and dangerous. Johnny got him at a steal. After a lot of patience and training, Risky had turned into a great horse. Johnny had even bred him. He thought back to the sweet mare that Jess Calhoun rode today. The two would produce a fine-looking foal.

His thoughts wandered toward Ms. Calhoun. She was one pretty woman. Not your typical rich rancher’s daughter. She’d ridden out on a cold January day to find her dad’s horse just like the hired hands.

She went by the name Calhoun and had a son, so was she divorced, or never married? Either way, he needed to stay clear of her. A woman with a child wasn’t a good thing. Not for him. He’d never fit into that mold. He flashed back to years ago, to his mother and her crazy boyfriend with the freewheeling fist. Nope, he didn’t do the family or commitment thing. He’d heard the word love tossed around enough to know that it had been meaningless to him. It had only been connected to hurtful memories. With love came trust, and it was hard to trust someone when they were beating the hell out of you.

But damn, Jess Calhoun was tempting enough to make him forget a lot of pain.

There was a knock at the door. “Come in.”

The door opened and Jess stuck her head in. “I wanted to bring by some sheets and towels. We didn’t know you were coming, so your bed isn’t made up.”

When he looked at her, he didn’t think about making up a bed. He stood. “It’s okay. I kind of sprung my arrival on you.”

“Not a problem. Storm needs help.” She nodded and glanced around nervously. “I hope the accommodations are satisfactory for you.”

If she’d only seen some of the places he’d lived in.

“I didn’t expect anything besides a bed in the bunkhouse. This is great.”

Johnny took the linens from her. Their hands brushed and he felt her jump. “Well, we want you to be comfortable.”

“I am, thank you.” He paused and rushed on to say, “Again, I want to apologize for letting Brady pet Risky earlier. I trust my horse, so I never once thought he might hurt the boy.”

She nodded. “I know I’m a little overprotective. I’m not used to Brady going to strangers, especially around horses.”

He couldn’t help but be intrigued by this woman’s situation. “What about Brady’s father?”

She glanced away. “He’s not in his life.”

Johnny felt his chest tighten. He knew what it was like to have no father. “I’m sorry.”

She sighed. “Some things are for the best. That was one of the reasons why my father and Brady were so close. We’ve all suffered greatly since his death.”

“I can understand that,” he told her. “I promise I won’t do anything to upset Brady. I only want to help Storm.”

“Good. I should go and let you get settled in.”

She headed for the door when Wes appeared. “Looks like I’m a little late for the welcoming committee.”

Jess nodded. “I’m leaving, so you can continue for me.” She was gone.

Wes stayed. “I just talked with Holt again,” the foreman said. “He told me to make sure you feel at home. So whatever you need let me know.”

“Everything is fine.”

Wes grinned. “We want to make sure you hang around for a while.”

“No promises. I agreed to work with Storm, but after that, we’ll see.”

“Fair enough.” Wes opened the door to leave.

“Supper is at six. See you then.”

Johnny wasn’t going to barge in on the Calhouns. “Look, Wes. I don’t have to go. I know the boy extended the invite but …”

“And Brady will probably have a million questions for you.” Wes paused. “Look, as you can see the boy has a big fear of horses mainly because of an incident with a spooked horse when he was a toddler. He’s really looking forward to talking to you at supper.” The foreman frowned. “And if the boy is taking an interest in you training Storm, I take it as a good sign.”

Johnny finally nodded. As long as the boy didn’t expect anything more than a few answers about horses. “I guess I can handle as many questions as he can ask.”

A smile spread across Wes’s face. “I suggest you stick around long enough to sample Jess’s dessert. That’s her specialty.”

The picture in Johnny’s head conjured a lot more than sweet confections. “Then I guess I should stay and have a taste.”

Johnny studied the big ranch-style house, which might have been built a hundred years ago. There had been several additions to the structure, including the large kitchen that had been remodeled recently with all the modern conveniences. There was a huge double oven and the gas cooktop had eight burners. The refrigerator was industrial-size. Then he learned that Jess’s late mother, Sandra, and Jess had begun making their homemade jellies and jams right here until Jess had outgrown the space. After her mother’s heart attack and death three years ago, Jess had opened up shop at another location on the ranch.

So Ms. Calhoun worked for a living.

The group sat in front of the fireplace at a long wooden table that looked as if it had been around for years. Wes explained that Clay had liked eating in the kitchen.

Although the Calhouns were extremely wealthy you couldn’t tell by the way they acted or treated others. They were down-to-earth folk.

The meal was pot roast with potatoes and carrots. His favorite. The biscuits were mouthwatering. And, oh, yeah, he couldn’t wait until dessert.

“What do you whisper to the horses?” Brady asked, breaking into his thoughts. “Magic words?”

“No, not magic. I just want to get the horse used to my voice. Not spook ‘em. Each animal is different.” He glanced across the table at Jess. “Sometimes, if it’s a filly, I’ve been known to sweet-talk them. All females respond to that.”

The boy giggled. “Mom likes it when I’m sweet, too.”

Jess smiled at her son.

Brady turned back to him. “Can I watch you train Storm? Mom said I have to ask permission.”

Johnny glanced at Jess again. He wasn’t sure how she felt about it. “Why don’t you give me a little time with him and we’ll see how it goes? Horses can be unpredictable.”

The boy frowned. “I don’t know what that word means.”

“It means we don’t know how Storm will act. He misses your grandfather. And from what I’ve been told they were good friends. I’m gonna try and help him so he’ll trust people.”

“You think someday I can pet him like I did Risky?”

“That’s what I’m hoping for.”

When Nancy stood and began to clear the table, Wes immediately got up and helped her. Johnny smiled as the two huddled together at the sink and talked quietly.

The boy leaned toward him and cupped his small hand to his mouth. “Wes’s sweet on Nancy.”

“Brady,” his mother called. “You shouldn’t whisper at the table, it’s impolite.”

“Sorry, Mom.”

She nodded and glanced at the clock. “I think it’s about time we head home. So go gather your things. You have school tomorrow.”

The kid opened his mouth, then closed it. He turned to Johnny. “Papa Clay said that a gentleman never sasses a lady.”

“Your grandfather was a smart man.”

“The smartest in the whole wide world.” The boy got up from the table and walked out.

The room grew silent except for the soft tones coming from the other side of the kitchen. “I should go, too,” he told Jess.

He was surprised when she reached across the table and touched his arm to stop him. He felt the warmth of her delicate hand through his shirt.

“Please, don’t leave.” She quickly moved it away. “I mean, finish your coffee, Mr. Jameson. And have some dessert. It’s apple pie.”

He looked into those light brown eyes. “I will if you stop calling me mister. Again, the name is Johnny.”

“Johnny,” she repeated. “And I’m Jess.”

“That short for Jessica?”

With her nod, he said, “I think Jess suits you better.”

“I don’t know if I should ask what you mean by that.”

“I’d say you’re a solid, dependable person.”

She quickly changed the subject. “What about you, Johnny Jameson? Do you have a place you call home?”

He hated to have the tables turned on him. But it was best she knew him from the start. No surprises. “No. I travel too much with my work to pay for a place that would be empty for months at a time. As you can see, my trailer is big enough.” He smiled. “And a pretty good sleeping quarters, and just about everything else I need.”

“You don’t get lonely?”

Hell, he’d been lonely all his life. He took a sip of coffee. “I’ve been on my own since I was a kid. I like moving around from place to place.” He needed to get her away from talking about him. “Enough about me.” He leaned forward, his voice low. “I’d rather talk about a pretty woman, with a smile that could stop a man in his tracks.”

A blush rose on her cheeks and she glanced away.

“Too much information?” he asked.

“Maybe a little inappropriate. We don’t even know each other.”

He started to speak when he heard a familiar voice ask, “Mom, what does inppro … inpprop …?”

Smiling, Johnny stood. “It means that I didn’t behave myself, son.” He ruffled the boy’s hair and walked to the back door. Grabbing his hat off the hook he looked back at the woman he suspected would be keeping him awake tonight.

“Good night, Jess. Brady.” He turned and walked out into the cold, but that didn’t put out the fire in his belly.

The next morning, Jess had struggled to get Brady dressed and out the door on time. She needed to open the store. Her manager and right-hand man, Molly Dayton, usually came in early on Brady’s school days to start the baking orders.

With ten minutes to spare she kissed her son goodbye at preschool, then climbed into her small silver SUV and drove back two miles toward the west side of the ranch. To the section of Calhoun land that ran next to the highway and the home of Jess’s bakery. Above the shop was also a two-bedroom apartment where she and Brady called home.

Even though the bakery had been a dream of hers none of it would have come to be if not for her father. He’d convinced her to keep going after what she wanted in life.

When she’d outgrown the kitchen at the ranch for jarring the fruit preserves, and the mail-order business took off for Sandra’s jellies and preserves, he’d loaned her the money for a bakery with a small warehouse at the back to expand her business.

She’d talked him into adding a two-bedroom apartment over the bakery so she and Brady had their own place.

Clay had complained about her living so far away from the main house, but there were two shifts a day with production in the warehouse, so there needed to be someone close by. Right now the store didn’t get as much traffic as she wanted; most of her jelly and jam sales were from the internet. She hoped to change that. She didn’t want to live over the bakery permanently. That was why she had more plans to expand, not only the business but her home.

Jess parked at the side of the building and walked through the front door of the store. The familiar aroma of the baking bread and cakes hit her as she went behind the long counter to the cash register. She took out the bills and coins from her purse and added them to the cash register for today’s sales.

Removing her coat, she walked along the high glass case filled with sweets, cakes and pies that were fresh for today’s customers.

The entire store was filled with her products. The shelves along the opposite wall were stacked with Sandra’s Preserves. During the winter months, she didn’t expect a lot of traffic in the store, but they were still busy filling orders from town.

Jess heard a familiar voice from the back and looked up to see her best friend carrying in a tray of cakes.

“Hi, Mol.”

“Morning, Jess.”

Molly Dayton had lived in Larkville all her life. That was how long she’d been friends with Jess. Molly had moved to Houston for college, and a few years ago when her parents had lost their ranch, she’d come home to help out. Now, her father, Ben, handled the shipping of all the bakery’s products. Molly’s mother, Carol, was her best baker. All ten of her employees were the best.

“Did Jerry deliver the café’s order?” Jess asked.

“Yes, even Mrs. Fielder’s birthday cake made it on the truck.” Molly set the tray down on the counter. It was laden with two carrot cakes and three of her double Dutch chocolate cakes. Jess smiled. “Looks like your mother’s been busy.”

The pretty brunette smiled. “Hey, be careful, or she’ll take over.”

Jess loved Carol Dayton. She had come in to help with her quickly expanding business, and now, Jess didn’t know what she’d do without her. “How is everything else going?”

Molly folded her arms. “You tell me, friend.”

“What happened?”

“A good-looking guy shows up at your ranch and I have to hear about it in town.”

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