Read The Cattleman's Special Delivery for Free Online Page B

It’s my job.’
    ‘Really?’
    ‘I’m a chef.’
    He knew so little about her. She was the girl he’d found on the side of the road. A girl in trouble, a girl still in trouble. He ate in silence, caught up in his thoughts.
    ‘You’re not huge on conversation, are you?’
    He looked up to find Jess watching him, her eyes dancing with private amusement.
    ‘Sorry. I was thinking.’
    ‘About your father?’
    ‘Partly.’ He couldn’t deny that he was haunted by the image of his dad looking lost and intimidated in the big city hospital. He would duck back there soon to make sure the old man was settled for the night. ‘I was also thinking about you.’
    ‘Don’t worry about me.’ She picked up her glass. ‘This is a very fine wine.’
    Reece couldn’t let her change the subject so easily. ‘Sorry, Jess, but I can’t help being concerned. You’re not in trouble, are you?’
    ‘No, I’m absolutely fine. I have a job, and I’m managing. Honestly.’
    ‘Are you in a position to buy a new fridge and washing machine?’
    ‘Of course.’
    He was sure she was lying.
    ‘Look,’ Jess said tightly. ‘I don’t want to talk about money tonight. I’m sick of thinking about money and bills. I’ll deal with that tomorrow. I want to channel Scarlett O’Hara. Another day and all that, and I’ll work something out. But tonight, my baby’s asleep, I have adult company, and we’re drinking a very good wine. I’d very much like to enjoy it.’
    With a wave of her glass, she gestured to the table and then to him and her mouth quirked into a shy smile. ‘Believe me, this is an unexpected but gratefully appreciated luxury.’
    Reece found himself returning her smile. Truth was, this was a luxury for him too. Dining with a pretty girl who happened to also be a fabulous cook made a brilliant change from his own bland cooking and his father’s increasingly dour company.
    Just the same... Jess hadn’t just lost a husband—she’d lost a life partner, a support base. ‘I know you don’t want to talk about it, but this must have been hard for you, managing on your own. Do you have support? Friends? Family?’
    ‘Yes, Reece.’
    Her reply was too quick, but he knew she’d hate it if he pushed her any further.
    She smiled again as she sipped her wine. ‘So tell me... If you could be absolutely anywhere in the world right now, where would you like to be?’
    Here, he almost said, and then checked himself just in time. She would be shocked if she knew how much he was enjoying this meal and her company.
    ‘Come on,’ Jess prompted. ‘Where would you choose? City or country?’
    Reece shrugged. ‘City, I guess. I wouldn’t mind a city break.’
    ‘In summer or winter?’
    ‘Maybe winter. A total change from the tropics. Possibly with snow.’
    ‘Manhattan in January,’ she suggested, her green eyes alight.
    ‘Sounds about perfect.’ He pictured her on a crowded Manhattan street. Saw her against a background of yellow taxis and skyscrapers. She would be wearing a long coat with a bright scarf at her throat and there’d be snowflakes in her dark hair. The image was entrancing.
    ‘What about you?’ he remembered to ask. ‘Where would you like to be?’
    Jess’s eyes were lit by a gratifying sparkle. ‘I wouldn’t say no to Manhattan. As long as I could afford to buy really trendy clothes. But...’ she cocked her head to one side ‘...I guess it depends... If I had Rosie with me, I might choose the beach. Not a North Queensland beach. I wouldn’t want stingers or crocodiles. Somewhere with surf and sandcastles and wading pools.’
    Now, he was picturing Jess in a bikini.
    Damn, he was a fool.
    * * *
    Later...Jess washed the dinner dishes in the laundry tub, because the kitchen sink was now packed with ice and the contents of her fridge. Of course, she wouldn’t let Reece help her with the dishes, but after she’d sent him away, she felt depressed.
    She missed him already, which was crazy. He wasn’t