Page 10 of The Unbuttoned Ranger (Texas Heat: The Heart of a Texas Ranger #1)

The farmhouse wore its history through the aged clapboard siding, bearing visible marks from years of exposure to sun and rain, much like Piper Loveland herself.

The two-story structure seemed a bit more significant against the backdrop of the vast blue sky and overgrown fields.

There was a lot of love in the lush flowerbeds, vegetable garden, and overflowing potted plants hanging from the porch rail.

The scent of growing crops hung in the air laced with the stinging aroma of farm animals.

The cattle were stretching their necks over the fence to get a peek of the company as if they sensed CaDee and her son didn ’ t belong.

As she sipped her second glass of lemonade, the first one she ’ d gulped down, she noticed her new boss and the cowboy talking—almost certainly about her.

Sharp ’ s glance in her direction confirmed her suspicion.

Years of being on edge had sharpened her instincts, and she sensed he was just as curious about her as she was about him.

While she watched the exchange, she felt her temperature rise. It had nothing to do with the man ’ s broad shoulders, tapered waist, or long legs encased in worn jeans. Or his powerful expression that left her wondering what his thoughts were.

No, what had her concerned was that he could be dangerous. A woman knew when a man was curious by nature and she had an inkling he watched everything that happened around him with a keen eye. She wanted to keep her business private, didn ’ t want her and Carsen ’ s life disrupted here.

When he hauled himself back into the truck, he waved at Piper, gave CaDee one last glance and he pulled down the lane disappearing in a cloud of dust.

“ I think I ’ ll take one of those myself.

It sure is a firecracker of a hot day.” Piper poured herself some lemonade and drank thirstily, before she said, “ Welcome to Loveland Farm.” Piper turned her attention to Carsen.

“ Albert didn ’ t tell me…everything.” Her perceptive grey eyes landed back on CaDee.

“ Kid, how about you go visit the goats? They enjoy company. Your ma and I need a moment.”

Carsen, who had a stick drawing shapes into the dirt, looked at CaDee for permission. “ Sure, but be careful.”

“Okay, mommy.”

The dog, she ’ d named Milo while under pressure, got up from his resting spot on the step and followed Carsen to the goat pen. They ’ d all gathered to get a good look at the new person.

“He will be okay with them, right?” CaDee asked.

Piper chuckled. “ They ’ re goats. About the only trouble they ’ ll give the kid is a nibble.”

“ They bite?”

“ They ’ re goats, honey.” Piper ’ s gaze narrowed. “ Like I said, Albert didn ’ t tell me that you had a kid, or a dog.”

“ He ’ s a great kid. He won ’ t keep me from doing my work.”

She snorted. “ So now I have three more mouths to feed.”

This rubbed CaDee the wrong way. Lack of sleep, stress and emotional havoc twisted her insides. She set her glass on the table and jumped up. “ I might need the job but if you can ’ t accept my son then we ’ ve already overstayed our welcome.”

“ Have a seat.” Piper made a gesture with her knotted hand.

“ I don ’ t mind the kid. I just need to know…

are you running from something? Albert was unusually vague.

Normally he ’ d talk the peel right off a cucumber.

Always been a talker, that one.” When CaDee hesitated, Piper sighed.

“ I figure we ’ re all running from something.

I guess what I ’ m asking, is there anything I need to know?

If trouble comes a knocking, I ’ d like to be prepared.

I have a friend who helps me keep things… organized.”

“ You don ’ t live alone?” CaDee asked.

“ I ’ m talking about my shotgun, city girl. The boy? Three?”

“ Four.”

“ He ’ s small for his age.”

CaDee had heard that a time or two, but she didn ’ t want to talk about her son ’ s size. “ My son and I drove all this way because Albert said we ’ d have a place to stay and I ’ d have a job. I’m a hard worker and don’t mind being on my feet.”

“ You have a job, so don’t get squirrely.”

With a nod, CaDee relaxed some. “ There won ’ t be any trouble.” At least she hoped there wasn ’ t.

“ That ’ s fair. How much do you know about running a farm?”

“ I guess Albert actually didn ’ t inform you of everything if you ’ re asking that question.”

Piper examined the sky then looked back. “ Know the difference between a rooster and a hen?”

“ Yes.”

“ Then I guess you ’ re teachable,” she snorted.

“ I ’ m a very fast leaner and I don ’ t mind getting my hands dirty,” CaDee said. “ Where will Carsen and I be staying?”

“ In the house. The dog stays outside. He looks like he could use a bath about as much as you could.”

CaDee started to argue, but she looked down at her hands and clammed up. She was covered in grease and dirt from messing under the hood of her car. Admittedly, she probably did appear a bit frazzled.

“ Come on, let ’ s take you on a tour of the house before lunch.” Piper opened the screen door that squeaked loudly.

“ Carsen, come inside now.” CaDee noticed he seemed particularly interested in one goat with black and white fur who seemed eager to get his attention. Milo remained close. Maybe CaDee had made the right choice to bring the dog along.

“ Let the kid play. He couldn ’ t care less about this old place,” Piper said.

With a thread of hesitation, CaDee decided he probably would rather stay outside. “ Stay there,” she told him.” She hoisted the bag over her shoulder.

“ That the only thing you got?” Piper jutted her thin chin.

“ We ’ ve never needed much.” She didn ’ t feel the need to explain any further.

The planked flooring creaked under her cheap dime-store sandals when she stepped into the foyer. There was something about the place that felt…comfortable.

A stone fireplace framed by reclaimed wood dominated the living room.

The walls were covered with livestock photos instead of portraits.

Quilted throws lay on a flowered sofa and chair, while an open, upside-down book and reading glasses on the coffee table suggested Piper had stepped away mid-read.

The scent of wood and pine lingered in the air.

CaDee stepped deeper inside the room, watching Piper refold a blanket. “ Obviously, this is the living room.” She gestured for CaDee to continue down a short hallway.

The kitchen, the heart of the house, had the aroma of something simmering on the stove which made her mouth salivate. A loaf of fresh bread sat on the counter.

Sunlight poured in through big windows, filling the room with natural light. Flour dusted the butcher block island, while open shelves showed Piper's heirloom dishes and spices. Modern glass cabinets added a subtle modern touch.

“ I ’ m guessing Albert didn ’ t explain the duties of the position?” Piper asked.

“ No, he didn ’ t.”

“ Can you cook?”

“ I can. I ’ m a good cook.”

Relief spread over Piper ’ s features. “ That ’ s a plus.

Now for upstairs.” She took the lead up a set of creaky stairs off the kitchen.

“ There ’ s only one available bedroom so you and the kid will have to share.

I have a rollaway bed I ’ ll bring in,” she said as she opened the first closed door at the top of the stairs.

CaDee scanned the furnishings inside the bedroom. It was a simply decorated space but had everything anyone would need.

“ I ’ ll leave you to wash up for dinner. The bathroom is down the hall. I ’ ll call in the kid and have him wash up downstairs.”

“ I can go and grab him,” CaDee said as Piper started to close the door.

“ I ’ ve raised a son, CaDee, so I know how to handle a kid. If you ’ re going to be living in my home, he ’ ll have to get used to me.” There was no room for arguments.

“ Carsen.”

Piper paused in closing the door. “ Excuse me?”

“ His name is Carsen,” CaDee said.

Piper gave a simple nod of understanding and finally closed the door.

CaDee listened to the woman ’ s footsteps fade on the stairs and then she took in the bedroom with a closer eye.

The centerpiece was a wooden bed dressed in layers of soft blankets and pillows that all looked handmade.

A sheer curtain on the window allowed sunlight to stream in, casting a soft glow on the room.

She stepped over to peer outside and she felt an instant wave of peace seeing the view.

The field was dotted with purple wildflowers and large, fluffy clouds danced in the vast blue sky.

In the bathroom, she eyed the shower, but she didn ’ t want to leave Carsen alone so she quickly washed her face and hands then headed downstairs where she found Piper filling bowls full of stew.

CaDee ’ s stomach growled as a reminder that she hadn ’ t eaten much over the last few days.

She pulled the sleeve of the shirt down over her wrist to cover the lingering bruises from the tangle she had with Dante.

The last thing she wanted was for Piper to send CaDee packing because of the possibility of trouble.

“ The kid—I mean, Carsen, is washing his hands,” Piper said as she filled the last bowl.

“ Is there anything I can do to help?” CaDee reminded herself that she wasn ’ t a guest. She was an employee.

“ I ’ m guessing you know how to slice bread?”

“ I think I can manage.” Finding a knife, she began slicing the bread. She was so hungry she felt woozy.

“ Mommy!” Carsen came flying into the room, cupping something in his tiny hands. “ Look what I found.” He opened his hands, showing her a rock that had bits of sparkles embedded in it.

“ That ’ s very pretty.” To see him have so much pleasure over something so simple made tears well in her eyes. This proved they had been in a bubble for the last few years. She ’ d done what she thought she needed to do to keep him safe.

“ Dinner ’ s ready,” Piper said. “ Sit down—I ’ ll get the bread.”

CaDee didn ’ t protest the command. Neither did Carsen, who, despite usually being picky, quickly started on the stew.

The flavorful stew was unlike anything she ’ d ever had before. “ This is delicious. What is it?” Cadee said to Piper when she placed the breadbasket in the center of the table.

“ Roadkill stew.” She dropped down into the chair.

CaDee ’ s spoon hit the bowl and clattered loudly. “ Excuse me?”

Piper finished praying over her bowl. “ Roadkill stew.” Piper dipped a chunk of bread into the broth.

“ As in…”

“ Relax. The meat came from the freezer not the highway,” she said without any humor.

“ That ’ s good…I think.” Although the stew was delicious, CaDee was a bit wary.

“ Mommy, I ’ m finished. Can I go play outside?”

She felt Piper ’ s inquisitive eye. “ Wipe your mouth and then you can. Just stay near the house.”

Once he was away from the table, Piper said, “ You ’ ll have to give the kid some freedom. He ’ s an explorer, I can tell.”

Biting her tongue, CaDee pushed her partially full bowl away. “ Maybe now would be a good time for you to tell me what the job duties are.”

“ Things are on schedule around here. Not yours or mine, but the animals rule. The cows, pigs, goats, and chickens get fed in the morning before the heat of the day. And in the evening after dinner. The boy might like to help with those chores. He seemed awfully fond of the goats. They need milked for the cheese I sell at the farmer ’ s market on the weekends.

The grass needs mowed weekly. Fences maintained.

I ’ ll have you do the shopping and the cooking.

Keep things neat and tidy. Cleanliness is next to Godliness.

It doesn ’ t pay much, but you get free room and board.

Tomorrow morning Sharp will show you how things work around here. ” She pushed back her chair and stood.

“ Wait. Why Sharp? Can you show me around?”

Piper looked tired. “ My ride will be here to take me to an appointment in the city. I won ’ t be back until late. I need my animals to be fed. Will that be a problem?”

“ Not at all.” Now wouldn ’ t be the time to make waves.

“ I ’ m heading upstairs to get the rollaway bed. You do the dishes.”

CaDee responded only with a nod, reminding herself that she needed the job.

After cleaning the kitchen, CaDee stepped outside with a plastic dish of stew for Milo. He ate hungrily. “ I ’ ll get you some food, but for now roadkill stew it is.”

“ Hi, Mommy!” Carsen swung on a tire swing.

“ Hi, Carsen.”

Movement in the distance caught her attention.

Sharp was unloading the back of his truck of fence material.

The sleeves of his shirt were rolled up high on his corded biceps and the front was open.

His hat shaded his face. He must have sensed she was watching because he stopped and looked at her across the land.

Neither waved nor acknowledged each other outside of that heated stare.

He went back to unloading and she went back inside to prepare herself for the morning.