The Rancher Takes a Cook Read Online Free Page A

wrinkle
formed between Edward’s eyes. “He said it pays twenty-five dollars
a week. Twenty-five whole dollars. And that includes room and
board. I’m to start on Monday.”
    “Start on Monday?” Anna’s pulse leaped as a
tingle shot up her spine. This situation was becoming too dire to
beat around the bush anymore. “Absolutely not. The work of a cowboy
is far too dangerous. You simply cannot.”
    “But Anna.” Edward’s tone was steady, but he
had a stubborn jut to his chin. “We need the money and it’s a
respectable job. I’ll be careful, and everything will be just fine.
You’ll see.”
    In desperation, Anna turned to her uncle.
“Uncle Walter, please tell Edward how ridiculous this idea is.”
    Uncle Walter stroked his chin, creases
forming between his dark brows. “I know the Double Rocking B and
its owner well. Marty O’Brien is a good man and runs an honest
spread. He would watch over the boy and see he receives proper
training. Yes, I think it might be a good plan.”
    Anna sat back in her chair, astonished.
She’d always respected her uncle’s wisdom and judgment. How could
he possibly think this was a good idea? Apparently, she would have
to take the matter into her own hands.

CHAPTER FIVE
    Anna settled into the saddle on the bay
livery mare and let out a long breath. The leather beneath her and
the musky smell of the horse eased the tension from her muscles.
She tucked her feet in the stirrups, adjusted her grey skirt, and
gathered the mare’s reins in her right hand. Straightening her
shoulders, she squeezed the horse with her lower legs and relaxed
as they walked out of the livery yard.
    While she rode through town, Anna couldn’t
help but stare at the pretty white buildings they passed, some with
decorative scrollwork. Uncle Walter had said the white material was
called concrete, made out of lime that was harvested nearby. It
gave the buildings an unusual solid look and wouldn’t burn or rot.
That must be why so many buildings in the town were made of the
stuff. People called Seguin the ‘Concrete City’. There was even a
concrete wall around the town.
    As soon as she passed through the city gate,
Anna urged the mare into a trot then a rocking canter. She reveled
in the breeze playing across her face and the gentle rhythm of the
horse beneath her. The bay mare was an older horse, but Anna
settled into the ride like coming home.
    Even though they’d lived in the city growing
up, every Saturday Papa would rent three horses from the livery and
he, Edward, and Anna, would go for a ride through the plantation
country around Columbia. Anna smiled as she pictured Pepper, the
black and white paint mare the livery owner had always saved for
her. Pepper had been a small horse but quick and a high-stepper.
Over the years, she’d helped Anna develop a solid seat and sit a
canter with confidence.
    After loping for about fifteen minutes, Anna
reined the mare back to a walk. A grin stretched across her face.
Even remembering where she was headed couldn’t steal the pleasure
from this moment.
    After Edward’s news of his new job, Anna had
spent many hours in prayer as she went about her daily work,
beseeching God for guidance in the situation. He’d not sent any
miraculous signs or changed Edward’s mind, so it seemed the only
thing she could do was to ride out to the ranch herself and reason
with Mr. O’Brien. Surely when he understood how young and
inexperienced Edward was, he would override his foreman’s decision
and fire Edward before he even began to work. Since Edward was to
start on Monday—just two days away—time was of the essence.
    Too soon, Anna reached the cedar post which
held a sign that read Double Rocking B Ranch , just like the
directions Mr. Tucker from the livery had given her. She halted the
mare at the post and gazed down the dusty wagon ruts that led to a
ranch house and outbuildings. From this distance, it was hard to
make out details. No sign of people, but several