Read Sun Burnt for Free Online Page A

Sh e’ d likely never see him again.
    Kesslyn needed to focus on the task at hand, which was learning as much as she could about the ranch itself and what life in Walker Creek would be like for a city girl like her. To that end, she needed to gather her questions for the foreman. She could ride a horse fairly well, thanks to her fathe r’ s insistence that she learn. So she planned to ask the foreman to take her out for a ride. When Mr. Baird spoke of acreage it was all just numbers to her. She needed to see as much of it as she could to get a better idea.
    When she pulled up to the house, there was a car parked in the circular drive, but nobody was waiting for her to arrive. Maybe the foreman had a key. That idea freaked her out a little, but she was sure the man had been close to her grandparents. If he lived and worked on the ranch, there could be any number of reasons for him to have a key. She was thinking like a city kid. When sh e’ d arrived the day before, the key had been under the doormat. That would never happen where she came from. Never.
    Kesslyn climbed the few steps to the long front porch and pulled out her key, but the door was n’ t locked. It was going to be hard for her to adjust the trusting way of life in the country. She pushed open the door and was greeted by delicious smells coming from the kitchen and Frank Sinatr a’ s smooth tones floating in the air. Kesslyn headed straight towards the smell of food. She was starving, and sh e’ d been too out of sorts when she left Mr. Bair d’ s to try to find a grocery store.
    She pushed open the swinging door to the kitchen to find a lovely woman with steel grey hair in a tidy twist on the back of her head. She wore an apron over her pink dress and shiny black heels on her small feet. The outfit was so out of place in the kitchen. The lady looked like a gracefully aged June Clever. Kesslyn could only hope to age so well.
    The elegant woman was stirring one pot and supervising the progress in a couple of others. She peeked into the oven where two trays of what looked like homemade rolls were baking. Kessly n’ s mouth watered.
    When the woman turned and saw Kesslyn standing there, tears came to her eyes. She put down her pot holders and looked Kesslyn over. Kesslyn stepped into the room and extended a hand.
    “ Hello. I’ m Kesslyn Walker ,” she introduced herself feeling a little perplexed by the tears on the other woma n’ s cheeks.
    “ I know who you are, sweet girl. You have the look of your daddy .” Instead of taking Kessly n’ s proffered hand, the woman pulled her into a tight hug. The hug was a bit awkward for Kesslyn at first until she relaxed into it. This woman had obviously known her father. It was true that she looked just like her dad. The only trait she inherited from her mother was the auburn hair.
    “ Oh, now, looking at me crying all over you. Please forgive me. I’ ve only recently learned of your fathe r’ s passing, and so soon after Russell and Claire .” The woman released her and dabbed at her tears with a delicate handkerchief she retrieved from her handbag.
    “ I totally understand. Ther e’ s no need to apologize . ”
    “ Let me introduce myself properly. I am Tippy Nelson. I worked for your grandparents from the day your granddaddy inherited this land until just after your grandma passed on to her reward .” She gestured toward the long kitchen table .“ Have a seat, baby. I’ ll get you some iced tea, and w e’ ll talk .”  
    “ Thank you, Ms. Tippy. I could use a drink .” Kesslyn sat and took the tall glass of sweet tea gratefully.
    “ Just call me Tippy. W e’ re family. No need for formality, baby .” She took a seat .“ Le t’ s see. Where to start ?” She tapped her chin .“ At the beginning, I suppose. I went to school with your grandma. Claire and I were the best of friends. So when she and Russell took over the ranch, and they were in need of a cook, she insisted I come give it a try.