“I come from a big family, too, as I told you. I have an older sister and three older brothers—a banker, an accountant and an attorney, all professions my father approves.”
“There must be something you want to do your dad doesn’t approve,” Ryan guessed.
“I’d like to have my own restaurant. He would see that as a highly frivolous risk. Actually, my parents want me to be what I was—married to a highly successful man and not working outside the home, a socialite. I followed that life but spent a lot of my time volunteering, which I did enjoy.”
“At least you helped others. That’s good,” he said, holding the door for her to step outside. She was conscious of passing close to him, constantly aware of his proximity.
“I’ll be right back,” he said, taking the porch steps two at a time.
She watched his long strides as he headed toward her car. Her gaze ran across his broad shoulders down to his narrow hips and long legs while her insides tightened. What would it be like to kiss him? She tried to think of another subject and get her mind off Ryan. What was it that stirred such chemistry between them?
She looked at her car and decided if this job didn’t work out, she would drive back to Dallas and sell the car, then head north. Maybe Montana or Wyoming would have another isolated ranch where a family could use a cook. Or a small-town restaurant off the main highways.
Common sense still urged her to go now. There was a hot attraction between Ryan and her. The fact that he had remained professional, resisted flirting, until after the interview had not cooled the fires. She glanced at her surroundings again, the outbuildings, corral, stables, garage, wide-open spaces and, through a stand of mesquite trees, a bunkhouse. She could not imagine any of her family or her ex finding her here. So the place was perfect—except for one tall Texas rancher.
Ryan came striding back and handed the keys to her. When his fingers brushed hers, another sizzle danced in her insides. “Nice car. Want to sell it to me?”
“You’ll get the first chance if I do decide to sell it. But I really like my car and I’d hate to let it go.” She took a deep breath and looked toward the door. “I’d better go get accustomed to your kitchen. What would you like for lunch?”
He gazed at her a moment in silence. “Surprise me,” he finally said. “I’ll get ready for the next interview. I’ll answer the door when she arrives.”
Jessica nodded and left for her room to change clothes. She wasn’t putting anything away until she was certain she had the job. She thought about his offer to buy her car. For the time being she didn’t want to sell. As soon as she sold her car, it would be easier to look up records and find she had been in Texas.
She changed into jeans and a red cotton shirt, tying her hair behind her head with a red scarf. Slipping on flip-flops, she left for the kitchen. Certain Ryan was closed in his office to interview someone, she glanced down the empty hall. She hadn’t heard a doorbell or anyone talking, but the house was big enough that she wouldn’t hear when she was in her suite or even back in the kitchen.
The first thing she did was familiarize herself with his kitchen. It was as well stocked as a store. As she began collecting what she needed from the pantry, she heard someone in the kitchen and turned around to see Gwen.
“Ahh, you’re here to fix lunch,” Gwen said, smiling at Jessica. “You really don’t need to, because I’ve been filling in. You don’t actually have the job yet—right?”
“I’m trying out for the position,” Jessica said. “I’m starting with lunch. He didn’t say what he likes to eat, so I’m guessing. I’m going to make a pie first, for after dinner.”
“He’ll like that. I’ve never seen him turn down pie. You’re trying out? He doesn’t usually do that when hiring,” she said, looking puzzled.
“He said he usually hires couples. I’m divorced. I sort of talked him into giving me a chance and letting me cook for him today.”
“Ahh.” Gwen chuckled. “Good. If you need help, I’ll be happy to.”
“Thank you. That’s sweet, but this time I better do it all on my own since it’s sort of a trial to show him what I can do.”
“And you’re up for this?”
“Oh, yes,” she said, smiling at Gwen, who gave her a big grin.
“Good for you. Ask me if you have any questions or can’t find something.”
“Thanks. I will.”
“My husband has worked for Mr. Ryan since he bought this ranch. After he built the house, I was hired on to clean. We live in a house here on the ranch and we like working here. So for tonight—what kind of pie are you baking?”
“I’m not baking. It’s a chocolate icebox.”
“Very good choice. He has a weakness for chocolate. Burgers, roasts, steaks, barbecue and just plain potatoes are his favorites. That and blueberry waffles.”
“Thanks for letting me know.”
“Do you really know how to cook?”
“Oh, yes,” she said, smiling.
“Then you’ll get hired. And you’ll definitely be the prettiest cook we’ve ever had.”
Jessica laughed with Gwen. “Thank you. And thanks for telling me what he likes.”
“It’s quiet here. Are you sure you want the isolation of the ranch?”
“I’m sure. I had a bad divorce and my ex didn’t want me to leave. This will be a good place for me. I’ll like it here,” she said, thinking of Ryan’s irresistible smile.
“I’ll be through cleaning and out of here by four. If you need something or want help, here’s my cell number,” Gwen said, getting a piece of paper and jotting a number to hand to Jessica.
“Thank you. That’s very nice.”
“I think you’ll be a good addition here. I clean upstairs today. I better get started. Oh, if you want flowers for the table, Mr. Ryan doesn’t care if we pick some and bring them in for bouquets. Just watch out for rattlesnakes in the garden.”
“Rattlesnakes? I think I’ll skip the flowers.”
When the housekeeper had left, Jessica checked and found frozen raw hamburger patties that she could cook. She found buns and all she needed. She busied herself with making the pie first and setting it in the refrigerator to chill.
When noon came, she looked around, making sure everything was ready. Thirty minutes later she still hadn’t seen Ryan and she wondered if an interview was running long because he had found someone who would be more satisfactory for his cook and would have a husband to work here also.
By one she was certain that was what had happened and then she heard his boots as he approached the kitchen and stepped through the door.
Her heart missed a few beats when she smiled at him. “I’d given you up.”
“Sorry, I should have let you know,” he said. He filled the doorway and dominated the room. Would she ever get accustomed to him and see him as just another person? “I’ll look over my notes and be back in about twenty minutes. That should give you some time.”
“Sure. By then your lunch will be ready,” she said, hearing the breathless sound of her voice and wondering whether he noticed it.
“Eat with me, okay? We can talk some more.”
“Isn’t that a little irregular?”
“Because you work for me? I don’t think so and