Page 19 of Mister Cowboy

She smiled through chattering teeth, and he ushered her in. “Get in, it’s cold out.”

“Good morning, Edward,” she said and handed his coffee over the seat.

“Mornin’. Thank you.”

“I’m sorry, I would have brought you one if I’d known you were coming.”

Brecken settled in beside her and grinned. “I didn’t know myself, but I woke up early this morning with more questions for my new employee.”

“I think it’s too early to be bombarding your employee with questions.”

“You could have dinner with me tonight instead. It’d give me a chance to ask you those questions at a more desirable hour.”

She shook her head. The man was persistent, and she could admit, to herself at least, that she’d like to spend more time with him. Still, it was day three on the job, and she wasn’t going to screw this up by going out with the boss.

“Fine. Ask me your questions.”

She took a long sip of coffee and leaned her head against the headrest.

“You said your father was a senator in Chicago, is that where you grew up?”

“I never said where, only that he was a senator.” She arched an eyebrow.

“Okay, I looked him up. Republican, well liked, I even stumbled upon a few pictures of you at his side.”

“Mm-hmm.”

“So, what brought you to Denver?”

She let out a sigh and turned to face him. “College.”

“There are lots of good colleges in Chicago, too.”

He hadn’t asked a question, but she knew what he was getting at.

“Being just January instead of Senator Lyle’s daughter has its perks. Plus, I like having my independence.”

“What about your mother? I didn’t find anything about a Mrs. Lyle.”

“You ask a lot of questions.”

“Okay fine. One more, and then I’ll let you enjoy your coffee in silence.”

She nodded, giving him the okay to continue.

“Are you seeing anyone?”

“This is something you ask all your employees?”

“It speaks to character. I can’t have just any crazy person going through my family’s things.”

“No, I’m not seeing anyone.”

He grinned, but true to his word, stayed silent for the rest of the ride.

When they pulled up to Blackstone Ranch, he walked her to the front door and her hands shook with nervousness like he was dropping her off after a first date instead of dropping her off at work. “Same time tomorrow?”

When she nodded, he smiled and then bounced down the steps and got into the town car. She watched as it disappeared in a cloud of dust.I’m in trouble. Serious trouble.