Runaway Cowboy. Judy Christenberry

I think we should have Mitch work with the kids every time. I think he’d be good at riding lessons for kids, too.”

      “You’d better tell him instead of Pete. Pete will make it sound like he’s being punished.”

      Jim chuckled. “Good point.”

      Suddenly they both cheered when the smallest child got his rope around the neck of the fake calf.

      The little boy ran over to tell his mother what he’d done.

      Jessica smiled. “This is one of those moments you’d like to have a camera ready.”

      “Hey, that’s a great idea.”

      “What is?”

      “Why don’t we hire a photographer to take pictures during the week, making sure everyone gets his or her picture taken. Could we do that?”

      “I guess. I don’t know how much it would cost.”

      “But you don’t have to worry about that now. That’s my problem.”

      “Oh, yes. I forgot!” She jumped down from the fence and strode toward the big house.

      “Damn,” he muttered under his breath. They’d been getting along just fine today. She’d even said her brothers were behaving better because of him. Then he had to remind her that he’d taken her job away from her.

      He climbed down and walked toward the house. It wouldn’t be long until lunch. Maybe he could make amends when they gave Alice and Miranda their riding lessons. If she showed.

      THE FAMILY WITH THE YOUNG roper ate at the table that Jessica chose for lunch.

      “May I join you today?” she asked, nodding to the two empty chairs.

      “We’d love for you to,” the mother said.

      “I’m Jessica. I don’t think I’ve met you before. You must’ve arrived when I wasn’t at the front desk.”

      “That’s right. Your grandfather registered us. But I got your letter when I wrote for information. This sounded like such an interesting place.”

      “Thank you. I’m glad you’re enjoying yourselves.”

      “Oh, we are. We’re having such a good time. Jack, my husband, and our older son rode horses this morning, and Timmy and I stayed here so he could learn to rope a calf. And you saw how he did!”

      “Yes, I did. You were great, Timmy.”

      “I wish I’d seen it,” Jack said.

      “Well, you would have if you hadn’t decided to ride this morning.”

      Jessica thought it would be good to break up their argument, but she couldn’t think of anything to say.

      Then someone said, “May I join you?”

      Jessica turned to glare at Jim.

      “We’d be glad for you to join us,” Jack said, relief showing on his face.

      “Thanks. We don’t have many people here today because of the trip into Steamboat Springs.”

      “Oh, I wanted to go on that tour this morning, but I wanted to see Timmy rope.”

      “And he did a great job,” Jim said, smiling at the little boy, who beamed back at him.

      “I took my older son on the riding lesson this morning,” Jack said.

      “And what did you think?” Jim asked.

      “It was wonderful. The scenery was great, and we saw a bear!”

      “You did?” Jim asked with a frown.

      “Yeah. He was at the stream, farther up. We didn’t come close to him.”

      “I didn’t realize bears were part of the scenery,” Jim said to Jessica.

      “I’m sure the cowboy leading the ride carried a rifle that he would’ve used if the bear had gotten too close.” Jessica kept her voice calm. “But it must’ve been exciting to see one.”

      “Yeah, it was.” Then Jack said, “But I’m sorry I missed seeing you rope, Timmy.”

      “That’s okay, Dad,” the little boy said, oblivious to his parents’ argument.

      “We’re just glad we can keep everyone happy,” Jim said.

      “Yeah, and I like the food, too.” The older boy had his plate piled high.

      “Be sure to save room for dessert,” Jessica told him.

      “Don’t worry. He has an enormous appetite. He plays football,” his mother bragged.

      “So if we played touch football tonight, you’d be one of the captains?” Jim asked.

      The boy lit up. “Sure.”

      “Unfortunately,” Jessica interjected, “we’re going to watch a film this evening instead. I hope you’ll like it.”

      “What film are we watching?” Jim asked.

      “Calamity Jane.”

      “What’s it about?” the teenager asked.

      “It’s a movie about a young pioneer woman who thought she could do anything a man could do.”

      “Ha! As if,” the teenager said.

      “Careful, son,” Jim advised. “Women can be a lot more capable than men, you know.” He shot Jessica a smile and a nod.

      Another compliment? she thought. If Jim kept this up, her brain might agree with her body and she could be attracted to the new cowboy.