Page 16 of Daddy's Little Cowgirl

Ellie sat up and looked around. It was huge, and the white fence seemed to go on for miles. Her breath caught in her throat when they topped a hill, and that’s when she saw the sprawling house and all the barns. There were so many men and horses walking around she couldn’t have counted them if she tried.

The house just seemed to get bigger the closer they got. She swallowed. There was no way she’d be able to keep this house clean.

He must have seen or heard her start to panic because he released her seat belt and pulled her across his lap and into his arms.

“Breathe for me, Honey. Everything’s going to be okay.”

She grasped his thick wrist. “I can’t do it.”

“What?”

“I can’t keep that house clean.”

He smiled. “Honey, the only rooms you need to worry about are the TV room, office, and our bedrooms and bathrooms. Maggie takes care of the kitchen and dining room and her small apartment. If we plan on having people stay here, a few women in town come out to help get ready. This is not on you. No one would be able to keep this monster clean by themselves.”

She sniffed. “Really?”

“Yes, Baby, really. How are you doing?” he asked after a short moment.

The tightness that was constricting her heart finally loosened enough to take a deep breath. She nodded. “I’m okay now.”

He released her, and she scooted over. She noticed that it almost hurt to be separated from him. She knew she couldn’t get too attached to him. For one thing, he was her employer, and there was a possibility she might not stay.

“Let’s get you situated inside. I’ll have the men bring your boxes in.”

She nodded, opened her door, and slid out at the same time he was reaching into the back seat for his hat and telling her to wait for him. She wished she had because she barely landed on her feet and had to grab onto the door to stay upright.

She stiffened when he walked around the truck with a scowl on his face.

“Don’t ever do that again. It’s too far up. You’ll hurt yourself.”

“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize it was so high.”

He wrapped a hand around her upper arm. “Let me introduce you to Maggie.”

Ellie nodded, but her stomach started to tighten again as he pulled her along. She glanced right and left, catching glimpses of the rooms they walked by.

“Here we are. Hey, Maggie. I want you to meet Ellie. She’s going to live here and help take care of the house.”

Maggie turned around and looked at her, and her stomach dropped. There was no warmth in her face at all, and she knew she wouldn’t be able to be around someone who was mean. Then the woman smiled, and Ellie could feel her body relax enough to let her breathe normally.

Maggie waved her over. “I’m so glad you found someone to help me. Come here, Child, and let me see you.”

Ellie walked over and stood in front of Maggie.

“Aren’t you a beautiful girl.”

“Um … thank you, ma’am.”

“And so polite. I think we’re going to get along just fine.”

“I’m going to show her to her room, and then we’ll be down for lunch.”

“That’s just fine. It’s ready when you are.”

Ridge grabbed onto her hand and led her up a flight of steps and down a long hallway. “I’ll put you in this room. It has its own bathroom.”

“Oh, this is beautiful.” It was so bright, with the sun coming through the white lacey drapes. The walls were a blue-gray color, and the floor was wood with a patterned rug. There was a dresser and a large chair she could see herself sitting and reading in.

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