The Prodigal Groom. Karen Leabo

be calling Jake “Jake.”

      Laurie stood and began clearing the dishes. “Wendy, honey, it’s time to feed the cats. Ask Maurice to help you.” She looked defiantly at Jake, daring him to countermand her orders.

      He stared back, measuring, as he stood and donned his hat, but all he said was, “Thanks for breakfast.”

      “Wait a minute,” she said, halting him at the door. “I’d like a word with you in private.”

      He pulled his Stetson back off and held it, fidgeting, until Maurice and Wendy were gone. “Yes, ma’am?” he asked politely.

      “Don’t use that patronizing tone with me. I’m still the boss here.”

      “I never said you weren’t.”

      “Wendy’s been taking riding lessons from Maurice twice a week for a month now, always right after breakfast. I don’t appreciate your interfering with her routine.”

      “All I’m asking for is a slight postponement. I need Maurice’s help this morning. Flash Lightning is due to arrive here any minute, and we don’t even have a stall ready for him.”

      Laurie crossed her arms, wanting to object, but knowing that what Jake had said was perfectly sensible.

      “Look, Laurie, if you want to see results around here, you’re going to have to trust me. Cut me some slack. Let’s try things my way.”

      “Trust you?” she repeated. “Trust is something you earn, Jake Mercer, and you haven’t even begun to earn it yet.”

      “Then at least give me a chance to either succeed or fall on my face. I can’t do the job if I don’t have your support.”

      Laurie thought for a few moments. He wasn’t asking for anything unreasonable. “Okay,” she finally said, though grudgingly. “I guess I’m a little out of sorts this morning. I still have to call the vet and tell her my decision about Flash.”

      “I already did that. The surgery’s scheduled for tomorrow.”

      Laurie’s mouth dropped open. “That was not your decision to make!”

      Jake took a step closer until he towered over her. “Anything concerning the running of this ranch or the finances or the stock is my decision to make. If we disagree on that, then you might as well fire me right now.”

      “I’m tempted!” She had to crane her neck to meet his electric blue gaze.

      “Well?”

      Her anger faltered. He knew damn well she wouldn’t fire him. She needed him. Turning away, she said quietly, “All right, we’re agreed. You have complete authority over the ranch. In return, I’ll ask that in the future you show some sensitivity where Wendy’s concerned. She doesn’t have a father, and the time she spends with Maurice is important to both of them.”

      “Agreed. I’ll make sure she gets her riding lesson this afternoon. Which horse does she ride, anyway?”

      “Tosca.” Laurie focused her gaze out the window toward the pasture. “The little red mare out there, grazing near the fence. She has a very sweet disposition.”

      “She’s not so little, though.”

      Laurie resumed clearing the table, and to her surprise, Jake helped. “Wendy will grow into her. Meanwhile, I just want to get her used to horses so she won’t be afraid of them the way I was.”

      “You’re not anymore?” Jake asked. “I remember when you wouldn’t even touch a horse. When we were kids, I couldn’t get you on Paco’s back for love or money. You wouldn’t even ride behind me.”

      “I wasn’t afraid of the horse, I was afraid of you,” she quipped. When she realized what she’d said, she was horrified. How easy it was to step back into their old roles, even after all this time.

      “Why were you afraid of me?” he asked, sounding genuinely curious.

      She couldn’t tell him the truth—that back in those days, when their mutual desires were first beginning to blossom, she was scared to death to go anywhere alone with him, afraid their innocent kisses would get out of control and she wouldn’t be able to stop him or herself.

      She chose not to answer his question. “I’ll never be an expert rider, and certain horses still unnerve me,” she said, “but I like to ride now and then.”

      “This I gotta see. I’ll be riding out to check fences this afternoon. Why don’t you come with me?”

      “No, I’ll be much too busy,” she answered automatically.

      “With what?” he challenged her. Their hands met under the faucet as they both went to rinse a dish at the same time.

      Laurie jumped back as if she’d been branded. “With…with stuff, okay? I need to get my hair trimmed. And Wendy needs new clothes—she’s outgrowing everything.”

      Jake dried his hands on a dishcloth. “Oh, that reminds me. You need to sit down and figure out what your monthly personal expenses are. I’ll be putting you on an allowance.”

      Before she could even sputter an objection, he was gone.