Read Online Must Love Cowboys by Cheryl Brooks - Free Book Online

like he’d been waiting tables all his life.
    I dug into my omelet, too occupied with my own thoughts to take part in the men’s conversation as they wolfed down their breakfasts. Beyond noting that they were discussing the work that needed to be done that day, I paid them no heed.
    I wasn’t the only woman on the ranch, nor, if the men were to be believed, was I the only one who knew how to cook. Wyatt could easily take over for Calvin, although whether he would want to take on the extra job remained to be seen. He might be able to cook but not care for the idea.
    After that first terse meeting, Wyatt was starting to grow on me. In the beginning, I’d only gotten a “get lost” vibe from him. I had no clue how he felt about me now, but I had earned at least a smidgen of his approval. Still, Joe was the foreman, and as such he had some authority. As long as Wyatt didn’t make me too miserable and Dean didn’t get too flirty, I figured I could handle the job.
    The one thing I refused to do, however, was to stick around if there was any resentment toward me. I’d had to deal with enough of that in my previous job. Most of the men had ignored me, but some were openly antagonistic—like I was trespassing on their turf or some such nonsense. As a result, I’d been given some of the crappier jobs. My only consolation was that none of them had expected me to make the coffee.
    These men, on the other hand, would probably only resent me if I tried to tell them how to take care of cows and horses. I didn’t know a thing about ranching, and if I kept to myself, they could go on as they had before. All I had to do was feed them. Any kisses I might receive would simply be a perk. If I played my cards right, I might even get more than that.
    Dream on, Tina.
    I took a sip of my coffee, only to stop short as I realized every eye was on me. “What?”
    â€œThinking pretty hard, huh?” Dean asked.
    â€œEvidently.” They seemed to be expecting an answer to something. Too bad I hadn’t heard the question—although I could probably make a good guess.
    â€œI said, ‘great breakfast,’” Dean explained.
    â€œOh…thanks.”
    â€œCould I have an omelet like that tomorrow?” Sonny asked.
    â€œMe too,” Nick said. “Looks great!”
    I glanced at Joe. “What did I miss?”
    â€œI, um, told them about the job offer.”
    â€œAnd?”
    â€œThey all approve and want you to start right now,” Joe replied.
    â€œYeah,” Nick said. “We think it’s a terrific idea. Think you could make us some lunch to take with us?”
    Clearly, I was hired. “Sure. What would you like?”

Chapter 6
    Not having been given much time to prepare, that first lunch was pretty ordinary. I made some ham and cheese sandwiches and packed up several bags of fruit and chips.
    Dinner was a different story.
    Joe must’ve called Angela and told her about me staying on as the cook because she came down to the bunkhouse soon after the men had gone off to do whatever it was cowboys did all day. Left to myself, I wouldn’t have had the first clue as to how many chickens to fix for dinner or even when to have it ready. Thankfully, Angela had done some cooking for the men and was able to give me a few pointers.
    â€œThey usually eat at six, and you’ll need at least three chickens,” she said in response to my questions. “Four if you want leftovers.”
    â€œWow. How on earth can you afford to feed them?”
    â€œWe raise most of the meat—the freezer is full of beef, pork, and chicken. We also grow some vegetables, and I do a lot of canning and freezing. I make a run into town once a week for anything else we need. Calvin gives me a list.”
    â€œHow is he?” I asked. “Have you heard anything?”
    â€œWyatt called about an hour ago and said Calvin was back in the coronary care unit