Page 18 of Daddy's Little Cowgirl

Layton nodded. “Good. I’m glad you found someone.”

“Me, too. Ellie tells me she likes cooking and cleaning,” Ridge said.

Layton smiled. “You don’t find many women like that around anymore.”

“Why? What do you mean?” she asked.

His foreman looked at him to explain. “You’ve seen how women nowadays like to have their own careers and be independent. Hell, some of them think it’s insulting when a man opens the door for them or helps them put a coat on or get seated.”

He loved how her eyes widened. “But … why?”

Both men chuckled.

“I wish I knew,” Layton said. “It’s nerve-wracking when I go to town. Do I say hello or not? Tip my hat to them or not? I have to try to judge if a woman wants my courtesy or not.”

“That must be awful,” Ellie said, frowning.

“You got a sweet one here, Boss. I hope you’re smart enough to keep her.”

Ellie gasped. “You shouldn’t say that to your boss, Sir.”

Layton wiped his mouth, and Ridge knew it was to hide a smile. “You’re right, ma’am.” His foreman turned to him with a twinkle in his eyes. “Will you forgive me, Sir?”

Ridge choked.

Ellie got concerned and started patting his back. “Oh, no. We might have to give him CPR.” That just made him cough harder. She looked at Layton as she continued to pound on Ridge’s back. “But, I don’t know how to do it. Do you?”

Ridge almost started choking again at the thought of Layton giving him mouth-to-mouth. Now, Ellie, he wouldn’t mind. He held up his hand. “No, I’m good.”

Layton laughed. “Thank God.”

“She won’t be out here around the barns too often without me, but if you see her, keep your eye on her.”

“I can do that.”

Ridge wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “I’d also like you to inform the men that she’s mine.”

“I think just looking at you two, they’d guess it, but I’ll definitely tell them anyway.”

Ridge nodded. “I’m going to show her some things. She really wants to see the cats.”

“The mother cat moved her kittens again. They’re up in the hayloft,” Layton said. “When you’re free, find me. I’ve got a few things I need to talk to you about.”

“Anything serious?” Ridge asked.

“Nothing that can’t wait.” Layton waved as he walked away.

Ridge squeezed her hand. “I want to show you something.”

Chapter Eleven

Ellie let Ridge pull her along as her head whipped back and forth, trying to take in everything at once.

They walked into one of the barns. The walkway was concrete, and there were stalls on both sides. It was like walking into a Western movie. Her breath caught in her throat when a horse popped his head out of his stall to look at them.

Ellie had no idea that she gripped Ridge’s hand with both of hers, and her body vibrated with excitement and apprehension. “Oh, my.”

He chuckled. “I’ll introduce you to Rascal.”

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