Chapter Three
Krystina
It took me a few beats to find my bearings when I woke and to remember just where I was. The Mirror Lake Ranch. Gentry’s ranch.
I was snuggled up under layers of thick quilts and forgone my normal silky sleepwear for an old Boston University sweats and was grateful for the decision. Even with the wood heat, the upstairs guest room had a slight chill to it.
I climbed out of bed and was jolted to life when by bare feet hit the hardwood. A quick glance at the alarm clock told me it was after nine. Although it was fast approaching two when I had bid Ed a good night and crawled into bed I assumed I had missed several hours of ranch life.
Tomorrow I had every intention of being up when Gentry was. I would earn my keep while I was here. If only to prove him wrong.
I gathered my toiletries bag and headed down the stairs to the one bathroom the ranch house had. An addition that came decades after the home had initially been built.
Gentry’s bedroom door next to mine was open, showing it empty. No real surprise there.
The stairs creaked in an old home could have been considered creepy but instead it was a re-freshing and homely kind of sound. I showered and took care of business. Feeling warmed and ready for ranch life day one.
“Coffee,” Ed asked when I appeared in the kitchen.
I accepted the coffee already aware from last night that the men of this house drank it black and there was no creamer but sugar and milk if I would like it. The coffee cups were plain and came on in 1970s style colors as if they had been discards from some old diner.
With a quick glance around the house it was easy to see that it had been kept neat, though lacking a woman’s touch in the several years that had passed since Mrs. Sutto, Gentry’s grandmother, had taken care of it.
While Ed had a “woman friend” now, he had never married or keep a girlfriend at the ranch to my knowledge.
Since Gloria had found her true love she had often expressed worry over Gentry him taking too much after Ed. Keeping the ranch as a mistress but never finding someone truly special. I also knew from Gloria that after Gentry moved here he dabbled in rodeoing and hadn’t lacked for female companionship but that waned when he retired from the road some years back.
Probably due to the decrease in fresh meat in these mountains.
Not that I cared. I held no romantic desires towards Gentry Hollis the least.
“What are your plans for the day?” Ed asked sitting a plate of eggs and bacon in front of me.
“Wrestling that tour out of Gentry first chance I get and finding myself some chores, I’ll be more than willing to help around the house but I want to help out there as well.”
“You may change your mind on that. Might only be a week into November but it’s already bitterly cold. Are you outfitted for it?”
Even my rougher New York winter wear wouldn’t hold up on the ranch in strength or warmth.
“I know you got plans today, but any chance I can get you to run me into town tomorrow?” I asked sheepishly.
Ed gave me one of his robust chuckles that I recalled from his visits during my childhood. “Right after breakfast. In the meantime, some of Gloria’s things from when she used to visit should still be around. I’ll see what I can dig up.”
A half an hour later I was sporting insulated bib overall overtop my jeans, an old pair of boots and a Carhartt coat, work gloves and a stocking cap. I was ready as I was going to get. I waved goodbye to Ed and started across the ranch yard towards the big barn encouraging myself mentally with every step.
The big sliding doors were closed so I started towards another, smaller one. As I put my hand on the latch a voice behind me made me jump.
“Wouldn’t open that one if I were you Miss.”
I turned to see a handsome enough – or from what I could tell under all the work clothes – cowboy. “Goes right into Doc’s stall.”
“And who might Doc be?”
“Gentry’s sometimes cranky stud.”
“Ah, like owner like horse.”
The cowboy grinned showing a cute pair of dimples.
“I’m Bradley but everyone calls me Boots. My mamma gave me both names but I prefer the latter,” Boots offered me his hand.
“Well Boots I’m…”
“Krystina!” the half bark half growl that barreled towards us was all becoming too familiar of the Gentry that I didn’t know. He sauntered over, looking pissed. Which was basically the same look he had been wearing since he picked me up last night.
“Gentry,” Boots acknowledged him with a curt nod in which Gentry ignored.
“Thought you were going to wait at the house until I had time to take you ‘round the yard this afternoon?”
“I don’t recall agreeing to the waiting part,” I said and crossed my arms. “Besides, wasn’t like you sounded to positive that you would be able to find the time to take me.”
“I can show her around if you want. Be no problem at all ma’am,” Boots offered.
“I don’t pay you to give tours. It’s not a tourist dude ranch Boots.” Damn Gentry was in a mood. “Put the hay out that I got loaded up on the tractor. Come on Krystina, I’ll show you around.”
Boots tossed me a look as if he was uncertain if we could be left together. I waved him along and he tipped his hat to me with yet another “ma’am”.
I stared at Gentry. “Did you wake up on the wrong side of the bed again? Or do you even have a right side anymore?”