Suited to be a Cowboy by Lorraine Nelson Page B

taking its course, especially if it
had a little help.”
    Melissa heaved a heavy sigh. “Right. I’ll go talk to
Aaron.” She cast one final look at the new colt nestled in next to his mother,
and left the barn to find her son.

 
    *
* * *

 
    For the horse’s sake, Jimmy was glad when Melissa arrived,
although those white shorts of hers would never be the same. He had to give her
credit. She’d jumped right in and helped out, uncaring of the time passing or
anything else as the three of them worked to save the mare and her colt.
    He’d been slightly miffed when she’d ignored him, but
heck, avoiding her had been his exact aim when he went out to check on Sherry, so
he didn’t know why it bothered him so much. He had half a mind to move his
belongings to the bunkhouse, only why should he give up his comfort?
    Frustrated at the current state of affairs, he ran his
fingers through his hair. They’d had a good working relationship going, were
well on the way to being friends, so why this? It’s a good thing his rooms were
comfortable. When not working or out riding, he’d be spending a lot more of his
time here.
    He stripped on his way to the bathroom, showered and
dressed and made his way to the kitchen for a late dinner. Sheila was a real
stickler for mealtimes, so the most he hoped for was to raid the fridge for a
sandwich. He just hoped Melissa didn’t have the same idea.
    To his surprise, Sheila was sitting at the table with a
cup of tea, her attention immersed in a book with a cowboy on the cover. Ah,
the lady had a cowboy fetish. Maybe he could charm her into making him a
sandwich. “Hi, Sheila. What’s cooking?”
    She glanced up and laid her book down on the table. “Supper…about
two hours ago.”
    “Sorry I missed it. Was helping Starshine birth her foal. Any leftovers?”
    “Well, that’s all right then.” She hefted her heavy bulk
out of the chair and went to the stove, pulling a covered dish from the oven. “Had
a feeling to keep it hot for ya . You’re not one to
miss meals.”
    He forced a grin for her benefit. “Not when you’re the one
doing the cooking.”
    Sheila gave him a stern look as she reached for a plate. “You
rascal. You think you can charm me into serving you meals at odd hours?”
    His grin widened of its own accord. Sheila always spoke
her mind. “I sure hope so. Is it working?”
    Sheila smiled and placed a plate piled high with chicken,
baked potatoes, and mixed vegetables on the table. “Obviously. This plate isn’t
for me. I ate at five. Now sit.”
    Jimmy sat and picked up his fork. “ Mmmm ,
this smells wonderful.”
    She came back with a tall glass of ice water and placed it
before him, then went back and cut him a huge piece of lemon meringue pie.
    “Sheila, you’re a doll.”
    “Need anything else?”
    Hmmm, was he pushing his luck? “Is there any decaf coffee?”
    “Instant okay?”
    “Instant is fine. Thank you for going to all this trouble.”
    “No trouble. Better to serve ya than to have ya making a midnight raid on my larder and leaving it in a mess.”
    He snorted a laugh and almost choked on a bite of chicken.
“Much better,” he said once he’d swallowed and taken a sip of water. “No
complaints here.”
    Sheila stayed and kept him company as he ate, for which he
was grateful. He didn’t particularly want to be alone with his thoughts.
    “You’re being awful quiet tonight. Something eating at
you?”
    “Just this mess with Midnight Rain and Sherry, my horse.”
    “You can’t fault nature, boy. If it is meant to be, it’ll
happen.”
    “I suppose.”
    “No supposing about it.” She switched to speaking of
mundane topics and it helped keep his mind from dwelling on the heated exchange
he and Melissa had earlier.
    He took his plate to the sink. “Thanks, Sheila. You’re the
best. Good night.”
    “Good night, Jimmy,” she said as she picked up her book. “Breakfast
is at eight.”
    “Yes, ma’am.” Jimmy chuckled all the