Chapter 7

Tess walked into the kitchen the next morning and heard Pedro talking in Spanish; she assumed he was talking to Manny and was shocked when she heard Claire’s voice. The two of them were conversing, and of course, Tess had no clue what they were saying. She was vaguely aware this bothered her as she walked into the kitchen.

“Bonito tardes,” she said with a grin.

Pedro and Claire stopped and exchanged quick glances, then started to laugh.

Tess immediately frowned and was acutely aware this bothered her. “What’s so funny? Didn’t I say good morning?”

Claire stopped laughing. “No. You said pretty afternoon.”

Pedro hid his grin in his coffee cup. Tess grunted and sat opposite him at the table, mumbling a thank you to Claire when she set the hot coffee in front of her. After a moment, Tess shrugged. “It could be a pretty afternoon.”

Claire laughed and explained to Pedro, who laughed along. He stood and picked up his hat. He nodded to Tess and Claire and walked out.

“Nice guy.” Tess watched him through the screen door. “He’ll do fine. So will his son.”

“That’s good,” Claire said as she loaded the dishwasher.

“So where did you learn Spanish?” Tess asked as she drank her coffee and watched her. She noticed the hesitation in Claire’s movements.

“High school, then from the people where I worked,” Claire said. “Now what would you like for breakfast?”

“Nothing, thanks. I’ll grab a cinnamon roll, though.” She took two sticky rolls off the plate and headed out the door.

“You really should eat something more substantial.”

Tess poked her head back in. “And gain ten more pounds,” she said with a grin and a wink. “See ya.”

She was still grinning when Jack led Stella out of the stable. “Good morning, Tess.”

“Good morning, Jack. And how is Clover this morning?”

“Doing better. I saddled Stella for you.”

“Thanks. You’re doing a fine job around here.”

Jack shrugged as he petted Stella. Tess watched as she slipped on her gloves; she saw the disappointment. “But you know, I really could use another man watching the herd.”

She glanced at Jack, whose eyes widened. “I’m getting better at handling a horse. Your dad is really helping me, and well, maybe I can help…somehow.”

Tess smiled when she heard the frustration in his voice.

“How old did you say you were?”

“Sixteen, seventeen in the fall.”

She wanted to ask him about his father, but for some reason, it didn’t seem appropriate at the time.

“Well, you are riding better,” Tess said, scratching her chin.

Jack said nothing as he continued stroking Stella’s neck.

“And you’re sixteen, practically seventeen. If I decide to let you help with the herd, you might have to sleep in the bunkhouse with the other men.”

“That would be okay,” Jack said, nearly pouncing on her words.

Tess slapped him on the shoulder. “We’ll check with your mom later. You keep up with the stable and the corral for today.”

Jack’s grin spread across his face. “Okay. Thanks, Tess.”

Tess mounted Stella and pulled on the reins. “No, Jack, I thank you.” She leaned down to him. “Between you and me, getting you out there will save my aching arse.”

Claire sat on the back porch peeling potatoes in the shade of late afternoon. She watched Jack riding the filly around the confines of the corral and chuckled at the fierce look of concentration on his face. As Claire looked past him, she saw Tess riding toward the corral. When Tess slowly dismounted and flexed her back, Claire saw how tired and dirty she appeared. The vision of Tess in a classroom with book in hand and wearing something other than dusty blue jeans had her dropping the paring knife into the bowl. It was then she also noticed how fit Tess had become; maybe it was her imagination.

“Tess! I’m getting better,” Jack exclaimed.

Claire was amazed and had to agree with her son; he took so easily to riding a horse.

Tess dismounted and tied Stella off to the post. “You’re doing just fine, Jack. Maybe after supper we can take a ride out in the open and let that filly run,” she said with a tired smile.

She walked over to the horse trough and took off her hat, then plunged her head into the water. Claire grimaced as she watched.

Tess lifted her head, shaking it like a dog. Jack dismounted his horse and took off his hat. Claire knew what was coming next.

“Man, it’s hot,” Tess exclaimed as she ran her fingers through her wet blond hair, then grabbed the towel hanging on the fence.

“No kidding,” Jack said and took off his hat and dunked his head in.

Tess threw her head back and laughed, then saw his mother sitting on the porch. She poked Jack on the shoulder and he came up for air, his wet face looking up in confusion. Tess motioned to the porch.

Jack sported a sick smile. “Um, sorry, Mom,” he called out as Tess threw him a towel.

Tess gave her a teasing smile. “Me too, Mom,” she called out.

She unbuckled her chaps and flung them over the railing. She saw Jack eyeing the leather. “Go on, you’re tall enough. They’re about your size,” she said, and Jack quickly pulled them off the fence. “You just buckle them like a belt, then they have a strap behind the leg. There you got it. You look like a real cowboy now,” Tess said proudly and turned him around.

“Yeah? Why do you wear them? I see them in the movies, but I never really knew.”

“For driving the herd and riding through the brush and thickets. They protect your legs.” Tess watched as Jack walked around. “You can have them. I’ve got another pair. Once you get used to riding, I’ll take you out to see the herd.”

“Great! Thanks, Tess,” he said sincerely.

“You’re welcome. Now get back to practicing,” she said as she walked up to the porch. “Good afternoon, Claire.” She gingerly sat on the top step. “What’s for supper?”

“Beef stew and biscuits.”

Tess let out a sigh of relief as she leaned against the railing.

“Are you done for the day, Tess?”

“Yes, thank God.”

Jack came bounding up, then stopped short and slowly swaggered up to them. Claire and Tess exchanged quick glances.

“Tess, can I take care of Stella for you?”

“Sure. You know where to put the saddle and where the brushes are. Give her a good brushing and let her cool off. I had her running this morning. Got a few strays stuck in the thicket on the north pasture.”

“I’ll take care of her for you,” Jack assured her and led the chestnut mare to the stable.

“He’s a good young man, Claire. You should be proud of him,” Tess said as they watched him.