Read Online Hot Westmoreland Nights by Brenda Jackson - Free Book Online

that others had noticed his interest in her yesterday. “She’s not the only good cook around these parts.”
    “I’m sure she isn’t, but not many would want to have to live on the ranch. Most would probably have homes of their own; families they had to take care of when they left here like Nellie.” Callum rubbed his chin thoughtfully. “Um, that makes me wonder.”
    Ramsey lifted a brow. “About what?”
    “Why would a woman with her looks take a job where she’ll have to live here in the middle of nowhere for two solid weeks. Doesn’t she have any family?”
    Ramsey considered Callum’s question. To be honest Chloe’s personal life hadn’t crossed his mind, mainly because he hadn’t intended for her to stay. In fact, he had planned to call the employment agency when it opened this morning to see how soon they could send a replacement. But Callum had posed a good question. Evidently she did have a place in town because she had returned last night with her luggage in tow.
    “What if she’s on the run and took the job to hide out here?”
    Ramsey looked over at Callum. “On the run from what?”
    “An abusive husband. A psycho fiancé. A possessive boyfriend. Hell, I don’t know, Ram. But if I were you I would find out.”
    Ramsey’s frown hardened at the thought that Chloe might be running from a demented stalker. But then when he’d mentioned to her yesterday that she was hired as a live-in cook she’d seemed surprised. And last night she claimed that she’d only returned after deciding she didn’t want to risk being late this morning. What if there was more than that?
    “I don’t think she’s married or engaged because she’s not wearing a ring and there’s no indentation around her finger to indicate that she’s worn one in the past,” he said.
    Callum chuckled. “You’re as bad as Eric and Thel if you noticed all of that about a woman’s finger.”
    Ramsey shrugged his shoulders, refusing to let Callum bait him. “Whatever.”
    “Well, it might be whatever if you don’t find out. If you make her leave, then you could very well be sending her to her death.”
    Ramsey rolled his eyes. “Spare me the dramatics.”
    Callum stood. “Don’t say I didn’t warn you if something were to happen to her.” He headed for the door.
    Ramsey watched him about to leave. “Hey, where are you going? We haven’t had our meeting yet.”
    Callum smiled over at him. “And we won’t. At least not this morning. I smell homemade biscuits and both bacon and sausage. If you’re still thinking about getting rid of her, then I need to make sure I eat well this morning. No telling what we might end up with for lunch.”
     
    Ramsey had always been a man who’d prided himself on two things: strength of mind and self-control. He felt both takea flying leap when he walked into the dining area an hour later. His men were gone and Chloe was clearing off the table. She glanced over in his direction and the moment he looked into her eyes, he wanted to cross the room and pull her to him and kiss her until she was nothing more than a limp body in his arms.
    “You missed breakfast, but I kept you something warming in the oven. The eggs will be made to order,” she said.
    He nodded, surprised she had thought of him. “Thanks.” He had deliberately remained in his office, trying to concentrate on finishing reports he had failed to do last night. His men’s voices had carried to his office and he could tell from their conversations that they had enjoyed breakfast and were looking forward to lunch.
    “Your men were wondering why you didn’t eat breakfast with them.”
    He glanced over at her as he poured a cup of coffee, wondering if his men had been the ones speculating or if it had been her. “Were they?”
    “Yes.”
    When he didn’t say anything but sipped his coffee while watching her, she said. “If you’re ready to eat I’ll get your plate out of the oven.”
    “Thanks. I’d appreciate