Read Online Learnin' The Ropes by Shanna Hatfield - Free Book Online Page B

you have an Italian heritage?” Ty asked, wondering if an Italian ancestor was where Lexi inherited her dark hair and bronzed skin-tone.
    “No. My Dad’s family comes from good ol’ English and Irish stock.” Hesitant to share the next piece of her family history, Lexi feared Ty’s reaction. Although it was ridiculous, some people remained mired in their biased opinions. She didn’t want to see a look of prejudice cross Ty’s handsome face when he learned about her ancestry.
    Bravely plunging ahead, she kept her eyes on her plate as she spoke. “My Mom was Native American, Paiute actually. My grandmother grew up on a reservation north of Burns. She took a waitressing job in town when she was nineteen. That’s how my grandfather met her and declared it was love at first sight. They married two weeks later and had a happy life together.”
    “That’s a great story.” Ty studied Lexi for several heartbeats. His intense gaze left her with the urge to squirm in her seat. He grinned at her. “Do you look like your grandmother?”
    “Some people say I do,” she said, anxiously stirring the food around on her plate.
    “That must be where you get that beautiful hair and amazing cheekbones.” Ty wished he could snatch the words back as soon as they left his mouth. Something about Lexi loosened his tongue. Pink crept into her cheeks, leaving him pleased his words had her flustered.
    Lexi snapped her head his direction and started to say something then closed her mouth. From the look on his face, she could see he wasn’t teasing, just saying what was on his mind.
     “Thanks,” she said quietly, working to regain her composure after Ty’s unexpected compliment. “If you’d like, I’ll show you a painting of her after dinner.”
    “I’d like that.” Ty took another helping of the polenta. “Is she still alive?”
    “Yeah, she is. My grandparents retired to Florida years ago. She decided to stay down there when he passed away. Grandma said the winters there are much more to her liking than the bitter cold of Harney County.”
    “Smart woman,” Ty said with a teasing grin. The change in climate from Portland was one he still struggled to adjust to. The variations in landscape and temperature in just a few hundred miles was somewhat challenging to accept.
    “She is at that.” Lexi smiled as her appetite returned. She was quite pleased at Ty’s reaction to her heritage. After James dumped her when he found out she was a part Paiute, she was hesitant to share that information with anyone. It shouldn’t make any difference at all, but to some people it apparently did. She was very glad Ty wasn’t one who judged a person by their ancestry.
    As she sat next to him at the counter, heat seared her skin every time their arms brushed. She wondered what would happen if they kissed. Would he completely melt her lips?
    Swiftly corralling her wayward thoughts, she finished her dinner, asking Ty questions about his life in Portland. They discussed places they both had eaten and visited.
    Once they finished eating, Ty helped her clean up while taking in the big, spacious kitchen. The dining area behind it was large and airy. He wondered what the rest of the house looked like. From what he could see, it was homey and inviting.
    “That was a fantastic meal. Thank you for inviting me to dinner,” he said, grateful for the good food and the opportunity to spend time with Lexi.
    “You’re welcome. I don’t cook much unless I have a reason to.” Lexi wiped off the stove. “I’m sorry you boys have to split cooking duties. My next project is to hire another housekeeper who can cook.”
    “You said another housekeeper. Did you used to have one?” Ty asked, curious.
    “Yes, we did, but during his illness Dad ran off the last one.” Lexi didn’t want to think about all the crazy things her father did in the last few months before he was completely bedridden. “It’s hard to find someone who wants to live all the way