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The Cowboy's Christmas Proposal
Judy Christenberry
One snowy Christmas, wedding bells ring!Penny Bradford has inherited her family ranch, but she has no idea how to run it! So she hires rugged rancher Jake Larson to train her up and show her the ropes. Jake thinks it will be easy–he'll run the ranch and hold Penny's hand until she realizes she isn't cut out for ranching.Trouble is, Jake realizes he doesn't want to let Penny's hand go! As the snow falls thick and fast, Christmas begins to work its magic on the boss and her rancher…
The Cowboy’s Christmas Proposal
Judy Christenberry
www.millsandboon.co.uk (http://www.millsandboon.co.uk)
CONTENTS
PROLOGUE
CHAPTER ONE
CHAPTER TWO
CHAPTER THREE
CHAPTER FOUR
CHAPTER FIVE
CHAPTER SIX
CHAPTER SEVEN
CHAPTER EIGHT
CHAPTER NINE
CHAPTER TEN
CHAPTER ELEVEN
CHAPTER TWELVE
PROLOGUE
TWO attractive young ladies held hands as they stood by the four graves, tears streaking their cheeks as they struggled to overcome their emotions.
“At least we know they didn’t suffer,” one of the girls said, sniffing away her tears, the morning sun glinting off her shiny blond hair.
“No,” the brunette agreed, “but they were much too young to die so soon.”
“I know.” She gulped back her emotions. “It means we’re our only family now, you and I. We’re going to have to stick together if we’re going to continue.”
“Yes. And that’s what they would’ve wanted, for us to continue.”
They were interrupted by the townspeople in Bailey, Colorado, wanting to express their condolences. The young cousins stood shoulder to shoulder and greeted their neighbors and friends. The deaths of their parents in a car accident, having traveled to Denver for a football game and run head-on with an eighteen-wheeler on the way home, had been totally unexpected and the tragic loss had taken everyone by surprise.
“You girls should ask for help when you need it. You’re awfully young to be on your own,” one neighbor had told them. They exchanged looks but received the piece of advice graciously. They were both twenty-five, a reasonable age to be independent, but neither had wanted it to be like this.
They received many offers of help, but they didn’t expect to ask for any. They both thought they had a plan laid out to carry on their lives and their beloved family traditions.
But then they hadn’t planned to be alone, either.
CHAPTER ONE
PENNY BRADFORD strode toward the bunkhouse, knowing she was getting there late, but she needed to talk to Gerald Butler, her ranch manager.
She was grateful she had her father’s trusted manager to rely on. Because of her brother’s unexpected death at the age of sixteen, she hadn’t been taught much of anything about ranching. Grieved by his death, her father had feared she might die also and had decided that Penny would instead be sheltered from ranch work and showered with affection. She had become her father’s princess and his tragic death in a car wreck with her mother had devastated her.
But now it was time for Penny to start learning about running a ranch and Gerald had agreed to teach her. She had planned to meet him later that morning, but something else had come up and she had gone in search of him earlier than anticipated. She reached the bunkhouse and stood for a moment to draw a deep breath and prepare to knock on the door. Before she could do that, there was an uproar of laughter.
Leaning forward, she listened to determine what could be so funny and froze upon hearing her manager’s betrayal.
“I don’t see why I shouldn’t continue. If I could fool her dad, the girl ought to be ridiculously easy. She’ll never have any idea that I’m skimming off the top. Why, I’ve collected more than fifty thousand a year for the past four years.”
Penny backed away from the bunkhouse in shock. When she thought she couldn’t be heard, she turned and ran back to the ranch house.
Inside the house, she reached for the phone and called her cousin. “Oh, Sally, thank goodness. I—I just heard Gerald bragging that he’s been skimming at least fifty thousand a year off Dad for the past four years! What do I do?”
“Oh, my! Penny, that’s awful. Well, there’s really only one thing you can do—you’ll have to fire him. Clearly the man isn’t to be trusted so you make sure he leaves with nothing that belongs to the ranch. Will you be able to do that?”
Penny took a deep breath. “Yes, I can do that I’m so angry that he would treat my father that way. The only problem is, what do I do then? You know I know nothing about ranching. Dad refused to teach me, afraid I might have an accident, and Gerald is the only one who knows how the ranch works.”
“I know, you are going to need some help. Wasn’t your dad friends with Dexter Williams? He’s the biggest rancher in the area, maybe he could recommend someone trustworthy to replace Gerald.”
“Good idea. Thank you. I couldn’t think for a moment. I think I’ll get the sheriff to escort Gerald off the ranch. I’ll go see him first thing in the morning and let him come back out with me. I doubt I could prove what Gerald has done, but I should be able to scare him enough to send him on his way.”
“I’m glad I could help. Let me know what happens.”
“I will, Thanks, Sally, I’ll call you tomorrow.” Penny hung up the phone and prepared to take her first difficult step as ranch owner.
“Mr. Williams, I appreciate your taking the time to talk to me. I know you and Dad were friends, and I need your advice.”
“Of course, Penny. How can I help you?”
“I need a ranch manager, someone known for his honesty as well as his ranching skills, and who would be willing to teach me about ranching.”
“Hmm, that’s a tall order, my dear. What happened to Gerald?”
“I fired him this morning after I discovered he was ripping Dad off. Now I need a replacement”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Penny, your father was a good man. Decent honest ranch managers are hard to find.” Suddenly, as if a lightbulb went off in his head, he said, “But I may know just the man for you. He’s ready for a managerial job but there isn’t an opening here for him.”
“What’s his name?”
“Jake Larson. There’s only one thing about him.” The old man began to chuckle as he decided how to phrase his next words. “He has a bit of a reputation…as a ladies’man, so you’d best keep your distance.”
“Oh, I’m sure I can do that, Mr Williams, as long as he can be trusted on my ranch.”
“Oh, he’s completely trustworthy. I’ll send him over to talk to you first thing in the morning.”
“Thank you, Mr. Williams. I appreciate your assistance.”
“I’m glad to help out, Penny. Now you let me know if there is anything else I can do for you.”
Penny replaced the receiver, pleased that she had found an answer to her problem, but curious as to exactly what kind of man Jake Larson was.
Jake Larson walked up to the big house, gritting his teeth. He hoped it was Dexter who wanted to see him and not the much younger Mrs. Williams. She’d been chasing Jake all summer and he’d been expecting to be fired.
It wouldn’t be fair, because he had no interest in the woman, but he couldn’t convince her of that. He had even less of a chance to convince Dexter it was his wife who was doing the chasing.
So he’d take what was coming as well as he could.
He knocked on the back door and waited. Dexter appeared and opened the door to him. “Come on in, Jake.”
“Yes, sir.”
“Let’s go to my office and have a chat.”
Jake figured he’d be lucky if Dexter gave him a recommendation.
Once they were seated, Dexter said, “Jake, we both know things can’t continue as they have been. I didn’t want to let you go, because you’re a good man. That wouldn’t be fair. So I’ve found you another job.”
Jake’s head came up and he stared at his boss. “I usually find my own jobs.”
“Okay, I’ll be honest with you. You’ll be doing me a favor if you take this job. You’re ready for it. The daughter of a friend of mine who recently died needs a new manager. Someone who can run the ranch and also teach her about ranching.”
Jake frowned. He’d been wanting a managerial job. That was great news. Teaching a woman about ranching didn’t appeal.
“I’m not sure I’m right for the job.”
“You’re right for it, Jake. And we both know you can’t stay here.”
“Yeah, I know, but—what ranch?”
“The Rocking B ranch, on the other side of town. It’s a good operation, but she’s just found out her manager has been skimming the profits for the past four years.”
“That’s the one with the brand that looks like a hat?”
“Yeah, that’s them.”
“I guess I could talk to her.”
“Good. She’s expecting you this morning. Pack your things. I’ll let my wife know you’ve moved on.”
“Yes, sir.” Jake figured he’d talk to the lady about the job. Then, if he didn’t like the situation, he’d move on. He’d saved some money and would be all right for a few months.
When he got back to the bunkhouse, the men had already gone out on their assignments. He’d call a couple of them after he got settled. They all knew the situation, so they wouldn’t be surprised to find him gone.
It didn’t take long to pack up his belongings. The main thing he would take with him was his mount. He and Apache had been partners for the past four years. He was well trained and Jake had had a lot of offers for Apache, but he knew the value of his horse.
His truck and trailer had been well-maintained and would come in useful wherever he worked. He loaded Apache in the trailer and connected it to his truck, then he threw his belongings into the back seat and took the hour-long drive to the Rocking B ranch.
Penny paced the kitchen, waiting for Jake Larson to show up for his new job. She hoped Dexter Williams had explained everything. She thought he should be there at any time.
It would be a relief to have someone in charge of the ranch. She knew so little about the decisions she should make. She intended to study hard to learn what she should do, but she would have to have some help.
She heard a vehicle turn in her long driveway. She peeked out the window and saw a truck and trailer come to a halt. Holding her breath, she waited until the truck door opened and a tall, rangy man got out. Dexter had told her he was a ladies’man, and she intended to make her lack of interest very clear.
When he came closer, she was surprised to see he wasn’t what one would call a “pretty boy.” He had rugged good looks that might tempt many women, but not her. She needed to learn ranching, not find a boyfriend.
The man strode toward the back door. She waited until he knocked and taking a deep breath, she opened the door. “Yes?”
“I’m Jake Larson. Mr. Williams suggested I come talk to you about a job you have open.”
“Yes, come in, Mr. Larson.” She moved back to give him room. Then she walked toward the cabinet. “Coffee?” she asked.
“Yes, please.”
Okay, so he had nice manners. She poured him a mug of coffee and one for herself. Then she offered him a seat at the table. She sat down across from him. “I hope Mr. Williams explained that you’d also be doing some teaching. I don’t know much about ranching.”
“Yes, ma’am, he mentioned that. I’m not sure I’m the one for the job. I’m not used to explaining the hows and whys of my job.”
“I can understand that, Mr. Larson, but I’m afraid that aspect of the job is absolutely necessary.”
“If you trust me to do the job, why do I need to teach you?”
“Because I believe I need to know the job as well as you. Otherwise, I can’t give my opinion.”
“It’s not something easy to learn. You realize I can’t teach you what I know in six months or a year. It takes longer than that.”
“I understand. But I have to start somewhere.”
“Do you understand that you may have to postpone asking questions until the end of the day? There isn’t always enough time to do that during the day.”
“Yes, I can be flexible.”
He stared at her for several minutes, and she held her breath. His dark brown eyes were hard to read. She had no idea if he’d accept the job or turn her down.
Finally he extended his hand across the table. “Very well, Miss Bradford, if you want me, I’ll take the job.”
She shook his hand, liking the strength of that hand as it grasped hers. “Yes, I’d like that. May I show you your quarters?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
