Read The Rancher Takes a Cook for Free Online

caress the soft fabric. A flash of color in the corner
of her vision brought Anna’s attention to the windows, where
curtains of the same rich burgundy material hung from the twin
windows on either side of the bed. An arm chair rested under the
glass on the left, and a pine bureau and mirror to match the bed
sat in the opposite corner. The room held an aura of comfortable
luxury.
    Aunt Lola’s Irish brogue broke into her
gawking, “You take your time, dearie, and settle in, then come
downstairs when you’re ready. We still have a few hours yet, but
you can help me get things ready for supper tonight. While we work,
you can tell me all about yourself.”
    Anna moved fast as she unpacked her single
spare dress and underclothes, then tidied her hair and washed her
face in the basin Aunt Lola had been thoughtful enough to fill with
water.
    She would like this feisty little Irish
woman. She glanced in the mirror to make sure everything was in
place, fingering the gold cross that hung around her neck. It had
been Mama’s, and Papa had given it to Anna for her thirteenth
birthday. The necklace and her olive complexion were all Anna had
left from her mother. She straightened the cross to lay flat on her
brown dress then turned to hurry down the stairs, anxious to say
goodbye to Uncle Walter before he headed back to town.
    * * *
    Later that afternoon, Anna stood over the
stove stirring a large pot of what Aunt Lola called Irish stew. It
was similar to the beef stew she used to make for Papa in the
wintertime and smelled heavenly. Her gaze drifted to the pots
hanging from hooks in the corner and the large work counter against
the wall. This kitchen was larger than what she was used to working
in and much better equipped. The variety of pans and utensils would
make it easier to cook for a crowd, not to mention the large stove
that was already causing beads of sweat to roll down her face.
    Aunt Lola charged into the room with wave of
her hand. “C’mon Anna-girl. The men are washing up, so let’s get
this food on the table.”
    Anna forced down the knot in her stomach.
She was about to meet the cowboys for whom she would be cooking.
What sort of men would they be? She grabbed the handles on the pot
with her apron and carried it to the dining room table, shuffling
so as not to spill. The cowboys filed in, nodded, and sauntered
around the table to stand behind their chairs, each man holding his
hat in his hands. Anna sneaked glances at the four trail-worn men
standing around the table. They ranged in height and age, but all
had rich black hair and mustaches, with darkly tanned skin. Mr.
O’Brien and Edward hadn’t come in yet, and she wasn’t sure what to
do with herself now that the food was set out, so Anna stood by the
doorway to the kitchen.
    Aunt Lola poured the last cup of coffee and
looked up. Awkward silence filled the room. A smirk quirked her
lips. “Lads, I’d like ya to meet Miss Stewart. She’ll be cookin’
for ya from here on, and if this stew is any sign, she has a real
talent in the kitchen.”
    A chorus of “Si” and “Welcome, Senorita”
echoed from the men just as Mr. O’Brien and Edward appeared in the
threshold. After Mr. O’Brien introduced her brother, he motioned
for them to be seated. “I’ll tell you new folks who these
cowpunchers are after we let ’em start eating. It’s hard to hold
’em back from the grub for niceties.” The grin he shared confirmed
his teasing.
    When they were all seated, the group bowed
their heads in unison as Mr. O’Brien spoke a prayer of thanksgiving
in his deep baritone voice. Anna peeked at the Mexican cowboys. She
imagined cowboys as rough men who had no manners and little respect
for God or the law. These men looked the part, but their earnest
expressions during the prayer didn’t fit her expectations.
    At Mr. O’Brien’s “Amen, ” hands flew
everywhere—grabbing biscuits, passing plates, and spooning soup. As
soon as the food hit the men’s plates,