Page 40 of Fairy Tale Husband

“There’s no hurry,” she replied. “I’ll start dinner while you deal with the boys.”

He couldn’t answer. Instead, he nodded and headed for the barn. The boys were waiting just inside the door. Buster stood in front of his brother, his expression one of stoic resolve. The phrase “taking it like a man” leapt to mind and Jake studied them in silence, waiting. Buster broke first.

“We’re sorry for what we did, Uncle Jake. And it won’t never happen again. We promise.”

Chick peeked apprehensively around his brother and nodded, before popping his thumb into his mouth and sucking furiously.

Jake inclined his head. “That’s good to know. Because if I can’t trust your word, I’ll have to restrict you to the house instead of having you help around the ranch.”

Surprise warred with exhilaration on their expressive faces. “Really? You mean it? We can help you?”

“I wouldn’t have said it if I didn’t mean it.”

“We promise!” Buster stated fervently. “We’ll do everything you say.”

Chick tugged on his brother’s arm and whispered something.

“Okay, I’ll ask.” Buster glanced at Jake. “You want both of us to help, right?”

“Yep. Aranch this size needs every pair of hands available.” He gave Buster a stern look. “But there’s a lot of dangerous animals and equipment on a ranch. One thoughtless mistake can get you seriously hurt, like with Mad Dog. Iknow you wouldn’t want Chick injured through your carelessness.”

“No, sir,” came the somber reply.

“That means you can’t do anything without asking permission first. You got that?”

“Got it.”

Chick gave a decisive nod of agreement.

“Okay. The only problem is, your little stunt today has caused Dusty and my men a lot of extra work, which means they’re going to have trouble getting all their chores done.”

Buster didn’t hesitate. “Maybe we could do some of those chores.”

Jake pretended to consider. “You know, Ithink that’s an excellent way to make amends.” He hooked a thumb toward a pair of pitchforks propped in the corner of the barn. “Let’s see how good you are at pitching hay.” He watched in satisfaction as the boys scrambled to obey. Alittle hard work and they’d be too worn out to get into any more mischief.

He hoped.

Which just left Wynne. He rubbed a hand across his jaw and grinned. That shouldn’t be much of a problem, either. If he put his mind to it, he didn’t doubt he could think of one or two activities to keep her occupied. Like reviewing what she’d learned about driving a stick shift. Only this time, he’d make sure they didn’t just talk about fifthgear.

He’d make sure they experienced it, aswell.

CHAPTER SEVEN

JAKE sat at his grandfather’s desk and stared at the bills and correspondence littering the oak surface. Just over a week had passed since he’d returned home and a veritable mountain of work had piled up. He’d hoped that by coming to the Chesterfield ranch he’d find the peace and quiet to accomplish it. No runaway horses. No grouchy foreman. No hero-worshiping kids. And no starry-eyed wife who thought the sun rose and set at her husband’s behest.

But instead of settling down to business, he found himself gazing off into space, picturing an impish smile, winter-white hair, and impassioned green eyes. In the past week he’d developed an uncontrollable need to steal Wynne away as frequently as possible and review the finer points of driving a standard transmission. Worse, when he wasn’t preoccupied with his wife, his mind turned to what new activity he’d introduce to the boys and how he might wheedle one, tiny word out of Chick.

The phone at his elbow rang and he snatched it up with relief. Anything to block such appealing, impossible daydreams. “Hondo.”

“Thought I might find you there,” Peter’s satisfied voice echoed down the line. “I just spoke to Judge Graydon. He approved the dinner party.”

“Glad to hear it.”

“I don’t think he liked the idea of a public hearing, either. As for a date, he’s available Saturday night. Randolph, needless to say, is protesting for all he’s worth. Not that it’s done a lick of good. Graydon supports you in this instance.”

“I assume my cousin has to be there,” Jake stated with a marked lack of enthusiasm.

“’Fraid so. Idid suggest he bring Evie. I’m hoping she’ll help control that temper of his.”

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