The English Lord's Secret Son (17 page)

At least she didn't need to be around that much, and her home and business were on another part of the ranch. That made her a little more relaxed until she walked out of the barn and caught the scene in the corral unfolding before her. She could only watch as Johnny lifted her four-year-old son to the railing. She stiffened, seeing how animated Brady was with the new trainer as his small hand reached out toward the forehead of the man's roan horse. Quickly the boy pulled his hand back and laughed nervously. Jess hadn't heard that sound since before Brady's grandfather had died. Wasn't her son afraid of horses? She remembered that day when Brady had been barely two years old, and he'd gone with his grandpa Clay to the barn and a horse broke away and nearly knocked him down. From then on, her son had cried every time her dad tried to take him back to the barn.

Now, Brady was trusting a stranger.

“Well, looks like Brady likes him,” Wes remarked. “You know what they say.”

“About what?”

“You got to trust a man who's liked by animals and children.”

Brady Clayton Calhoun ran over to her. “Mom, I did it! I petted him.”

“I see that.”

She looked down at her blond-headed son. So much pride in his big brown eyes.

“I wasn't scared. Johnny said that Risky would never hurt me.” A big smile crossed his face. “And he didn't.”

“You did a great job.” She hugged him. “Brady, why don't you go up to the house? I bet Nancy's finished baking those cookies.”

The boy started off, then stopped. “Are you coming, too, Mom?”

“I'll be there shortly, son. I have some business to talk over with Mr. Jameson.” Johnny was approaching her and Wes.

“'Kay.” Then Brady ran off through the gate.

Jess turned to Johnny. “I'm not sure how you got him to do that, but I'd appreciate it if you'd check with me before you introduce my child to any of the animals.”

“Yes, ma'am.” He nodded. “You're the boss.”

Jess wasn't sure how to react to Johnny Jameson. She'd never been good at flirting with men. Okay, maybe once, and that had gotten her into trouble. She definitely had no idea how to judge men.

“No, Mr. Jameson, I'm not.” She wished Wes hadn't left her alone to handle this. “Holt's still happy to hire you. But until he returns, you'll answer to the ranch foreman. If something comes up that Wes questions, then we'll discuss it.”

“So you aren't the least bit interested in how Storm progresses?”

“Of course I am, but I have other things that take up my time.”

Jameson's gray eyes bored into her, causing a stirring inside her that not only surprised but frightened her. Feelings she thought had been dormant for a long time. For the past nearly five years her child and her business had filled all the voids. Now this man was creating something she didn't want or need.

She pulled her jacket together to ward off the cold. “So if there's nothing else, I need to get inside.”

“Nothing I can't handle. Sorry I took up so much of your time.” He placed two fingers against the brim of his hat in a salute. “Good afternoon, Ms. Calhoun.”

“Mr. Jameson.”

“Why don't you just call me Johnny? Unless you don't like to get that familiar with the hired help.”

She refused to react. “I'm familiar with a lot of the men who work on the Double Bar C. I've known some all my life, but I don't know you.”

He smiled. “Yet.”

Jess nodded and turned toward the house, trying to keep her walk slow and relaxed, but Johnny Jameson had managed to knock her off balance. She couldn't allow that. She had once and soon learned that trusting a man led to hurt and pain.
No, Mr. Good-Looking Cowboy, I'm not falling for your type again.