“What?”
“I’m Rusty McIntyre, the new foreman for Big Bob.”
Chapter Two
Two weeks later, Rusty stepped out the front door of his small house on the Lazy Sunset ranch and slapped his hat against his thigh before settling it on his head. He glanced to his left as the ball of energy named Will Stevens raced from his house next door. “Hi, Mr. McIntyre. Whatcha doin’ today?”
The kid had been following him around from the minute he’d moved into his quarters. He would have preferred bunking with the other men, but they were crowded in the bunkhouse. And after the awkward introductions were made between him and Rachel, Big Bob had slapped him on the back and walked him in this direction, telling him the foreman always occupied this little house next to the cook’s home.
“We have some fixing to do today with the north fences,” he told Will.
“Can I come?”
Rusty squatted and eyed the boy. “Now you know your mama doesn’t want you hanging around the men. I heard her tell you she wants you to do your chores and then catch up on your schoolwork.”
“I hate schoolwork. Everyone in my class reads real fast, even the little ones, and I’m always last. And Miss Ames writes stuff on my slate that makes no sense to me.”
Rusty tugged on the boy’s hat. “Well, it appears you should be doing your schoolwork then, because you must need the practice.”
Will kicked at the small pebbles on the ground. “Mama wants me to go to college like Uncle Jess and Uncle Michael.”
“That sounds like a good idea to me. I wish I’d gone to college.”
His eyes grew large. “For real?”
“Sure. I wouldn’t mind getting all dressed up in a suit every day and making my money with clean hands.” Since the kid’s ma had her heart set on the boy going to college, the little white lie about wanting to dress in a suit for work every day didn’t trouble him. Frankly, he agreed with the kid. School was always hard for him, too, and he loved working outdoors. If he had to be cooped up in an office all day, he would surely lose his mind.
“Will? Where are you?” Rachel’s call from her front door had the kid leaning in close to Rusty.
“Once I finish my chores and schoolwork, can I come with you? Please?”
Rusty stood, one knee bent, his hands tucked into his back pockets. “That depends on your ma.”
As Will raced away to plead with his mother, Rusty thought back to the night when he arrived at the ranch. After Rachel swallowed her surprise, they’d proceeded to the main house. Several of the cowboys came out of the bunkhouse to unload the wagon. Rachel and Will scurried away, most likely anxious to get out of their wet clothes.
Big Bob had made it a point to introduce the two of them the next morning. Rachel continued to look as if she’d swallowed something nasty each time she had to deal with him. He chuckled. If he was interested in a forever woman—which he surely wasn’t after his erstwhile fiancée, Beatrice’s deception—he would certainly look in Mrs. Rachel Stevens’ direction.
A young widow, she was feisty, curvy, hard-working, and not too bad on the eyes. Hell, she was easier to look at than any woman he’d seen in years. And that little bit of feistiness would give him something to overcome, and channel in the bedroom. Yes, she would be a fine wife for some man.
Forget that. I’ll stay as far away from forever women as I can get. Lesson learned.
After speaking with his mother, Will entered his house, his shoulders slumped. A righteous mama bear proceeded in his direction. “Mr. McIntyre, a moment, please?”
“Sure. Good morning, Mrs. Stevens. Another lovely day, it seems.”
“Yes. Lovely day. Mr. McIntyre, I do not wish to have my son following cowboys around all day.”
Rusty used his thumb to tip back the brim of his hat. “Well, ma’am, that would appear to be somewhat of a problem since y’all live and work on a ranch.”
“I realize that, Mr. McIntyre. However, I want more for my son than just being a cowboy. He will be going off to college to have a better life.”
He grinned, knowing it would set her off. “Really? I knew the boy was smart, but I had no idea he was ready for college.”
She huffed. “You know what I mean. Just see that you stay away from my son. I don’t want him getting ideas that I’m working very hard to avoid.”
Her blue eyes flashed, her cheeks grew rosy, and he couldn’t think of anything but kissing those pursed lips. All that fire would be exciting in the bedroom. Instead, he opted for a gentleman’s response. “As you wish, ma’am. I will no longer speak with the boy.”
“Oh, don’t b