Read Online Reckless Heart by Barbara McMahon - Free Book Online Page B

milk started to go bad.”
    There wasn’t enough money in Texas to get her to confess before all these men that she had been so stupid to put sugar instead of salt into the mashed potatoes.
    Josh stared at her.
    Nervously Molly took a sip of ice tea and prayed he wouldn't attack her in front of everyone.
    “Shall I make a fresh batch?” she asked just as the buzzer rang for the oven.
    Grateful for the respite, she jumped up and withdrew the golden biscuits. Sighing with relief that these turned out perfectly, she gave each man two.
    “We’ll make it through with these, but maybe next time you should taste them before serving them,” Josh said.
    “Good idea.”
    She smiled brightly, more with relief than anything else, and sat back at her place.
    “Odd potatoes or not, boss, this beats us cooking,” one of the men said.
    Josh had to agree with him.
    As housekeepers went, Molly was the worst cook he’d seen. But she kept trying, he had to give her that.
    And she was the easiest on the eyes. In fact, she looked downright pretty.
    He frowned and forced his gaze away. She was too pretty for the ranch. He remembered his mother. He'd always thought she was the most beautiful woman in the world. He remembered more how loving she had always been, how there had been cookies and milk every day. How she’d baked pies and cakes for the men—because her husband loved sweets.
    He never saw her spend time on her hair or her makeup. But she'd always looked glamorous to him.
    And she'd been content on the ranch. He never remembered her wanting to go out in the evenings. But he did remember playing games in the evenings, picnics out near where the cattle were when they were too far from home for his dad to come in for lunch.
    Her life had been complete on the ranch with her family.
    The tragedy of the automobile accident that claimed both her and his father had altered things forever.
    He'd thought to find a woman just like her. And believed he had with Jeannie.
    She had been pretty as a picture. And his former fiancée had stayed at the ranch several times. Her yearnings to go into town, or Dallas or Galveston he'd put down to not being fully part of the ranch. Which he expected to change when they married.
    He should have read the signs. She liked parties, nightclubs and dancing. And pretty clothes. Clothes totally unsuitable to ranch life.
    He flicked a glance to Molly as she ate quietly. At least Molly made an effort to dress appropriately. She’d worn tennis shoes today instead of her new boots, but the jeans and cotton shirt were suitable, if a bit snug.
    Not that clothes alone made a woman suitable for ranch work.
    Not that ranch work was what Miss Molly Forrester wanted. She considered herself a writer .
    He wondered when she thought she’d find the time to actually sit down and write. Especially if she kept the house up to the standards she set with the living room and kitchen.
    “Nice dinner, ma’am, despite the potatoes,” Jack said, pushing back his chair.
    “And the biscuits. The second batch came out good,” Billy said.
    Molly smiled, hoping the heat in her cheeks didn’t show. She grew more and more determined to improve her cooking. Breakfast had been perfect. Lunch went well for the men who had been close to the house. Why had she let her mind wander when she cooked dinner?
    “I still say it beats me having to cook,” Lance added, tilting back in his chair and sipping from the cup of hot coffee. He smiled at Molly, his eyes studying her.
    “It was good,” Trevor said as he rose and headed out.
    “Mighty fine, ma’am.”
    “Good night.”
    One by one the men left the house until only Josh and Lance remained at the table.
    Josh looked at Lance. “Had enough?” he asked.
    The foreman looked at him and raised his cup. “Still working on this one, boss. But you don't have to stay, Molly can keep me company.”
    “She has work to do,” Josh replied.
    “When I finish eating,” she said, taking the last