Sierra poured herself a cup of coffee and sat on the end of the bed with her legs stretched out in front of her and her back against the footboard.

Grinning like a Cheshire cat, she said, “Okay, so dish! How’d we go from I think he likes me to sleeping in his bed... or did you get any sleep?”

Melody laughed. “Not much,” she admitted. “But I’m certainly not complaining. I think sleep may be highly overrated.”

“Me too. So who brought who breakfast in bed? Please tell me he brought it to you.”

“He did and then got pissy when I tried to get up to help him clean it up.”

“Let me guess—he’d told you to stay put.”

Melody grinned. “He did.”

“That’s wonderful. I’m so happy for both of you.”

“I’m actually thinking of calling my boss and telling her I’m taking a sick day.”

“No need to call it a sick day. Just tell her your man used you hard all night and you need to let your body rest. Trust me, she is all too aware of that phenomenon.”

“Stop on the way home, did you?”

“Yes, we did. God, he’s fun when he’s like that and not pissed off.”

“Luc swatted me when I didn’t stay in bed.”

“I warned you about that. I think part of it is they feel a wee bit guilty that they feel great after a night like that and your girlie parts are screaming at you. Anyway, I was hoping you might be wanting to just hang out and do some computer stuff.”

“That sounds good. Let me go grab a shower.”

“Perfect. I’m going to go sit out on the porch. I think we’re entitled to a little porch time before we go to work.”

* * *

Luc trotted down the steps and entered the barn. All of the ranch hands looked up at him expectantly.

“That’s enough of that. Get to work and behave yourselves around Melody.”

There wasn’t a cowboy in the barn who didn’t have a huge grin on his face. They had come to really like and respect Luc and understood his vision for their part of the Flying M business plan and Melody had endeared herself to them quickly.

Luc was glad his day consisted mostly of paperwork. He also thought it best that his office was down in the barn and Melody’s was up in the house. Having her that close and available would have been a major distraction. Mostly, he was glad he didn’t have to ride today. Even though he had made love to her most of the night, his unruly cock reminded him that it was capable of so much more.

He laughed to himself. He hadn’t felt this way about a woman since he was in his teens. He could hardly wait to get back up to her tonight.

Luc wasn’t sure what had tipped the scales in his favor yesterday, but whatever it was he was grateful. He’d grown tired of tossing and turning in his bed at night fantasizing about having her underneath him. And his fantasies paled in comparison to reality.

Not only had she proved to be an eager and enthusiastic bed mate, they had already established a solid friendship, and she seemed to accept his dominance and that she would answer to him. She didn’t necessarily like the idea of the latter, but she had easily acquiesced. He suspected she had found it liberating, as well as arousing, to have someone else take charge.

He continued to try to divert himself and focus on work. There were several contracts that Ryder had sent over on which he wanted Luc’s opinions. In addition, they needed to reinforce the corral panels and move the broodmare herd to the small pasture. The herd was settling in more quickly than he had hoped.

The reinforced panels would be for Slayer, the dapple gray bucking stallion they had purchased and who was scheduled to arrive within the next week. The horse had never been ridden in his five years on the circuit and seemed to sire athletic broncs with the same kind of desire to toss a cowboy on his head. The plan was to cross him on their draft and draft cross mares to produce a strong bucking horse that was a bit easier to handle on the ground.

Luc heard Queenie whinny. It didn’t sound like a call of distress or impatience, but rather like when she would call to him when she saw him. He wondered if it might be Melody the mare was greeting. He got up from his desk, adjusting his jeans to accommodate the hardening of his cock that occurred when he even thought about Melody.

As he exited the barn he could see Sierra and Melody. Sierra hung back as Queenie made it plain she only wanted to see Melody, who had brought her treats. He smiled. Melody was feeding her apples and cooing to her in a soft voice. Luc joined them, embracing Melody from behind. She didn’t startle at all as she felt his arms go around her and he pulled her back against his chest.

“That’s nice,” he whispered in her ear. “I labor between your legs all night to bring you all kinds of pleasure and to whom do you bring treats and murmur sweet nothings? The horse.”

Melody turned in his arms and kissed him. “Well, she didn’t make my girlie parts sore.”

“Are you complaining?”

“Not at all. Want to do it again tonight?”

Luc laughed. “Every night,” he vowed.

“Do I need to turn the hose on the two of you?” quipped Sierra, who couldn’t hide her delight at the changes that had taken place overnight.

“Only if you want to get Luc wet and me wetter,” teased Melody right back.

Both Sierra and Luc laughed out loud.

“See what you’ve done?” Luc said to Sierra. “That sweet, innocent girl who left for Boise with you yesterday has turned into this wanton temptress.”

“Me?” laughed Sierra. “She was perfectly fine when I handed her care over to you. You’re the one who didn’t let her get any sleep last night.”

“And if you don’t quit talking about me like I’m not standing right here, I’m going to douse the both of you!” said Melody. “Anyway, we were coming down to see if you were free. Ryder is, and thought we might meet him for lunch and then he wanted to meet with you and Charlie.”

“That’s a smokescreen,” said Sierra. “He wants to know what happened.”

“Gentlemen do not tell tales,” said Luc. He needed Melody to know that what happened between them was special to him.

“Really? Wanton temptresses tell all... especially to their best friend.”

“Mon Dieu, the two of you are best friends? Now that’s a scary proposition. Call Ryder and tell him we can meet him in town. I can drive us in the SUV.”

Sierra did as he asked. He had no way of knowing what Ryder had said to her in response but he’d have bet a sizeable amount of money on the fact that it was dirty as hell because Sierra blushed profusely.

Luc escorted the two women to the SUV and they drove into town where they had an enjoyable lunch at the diner. They decided to all head back to the Flying M as Sierra had some fabric samples to show Melody and Luc and Ryder needed to meet with Charlie.

Luc watched Melody closely. He knew there was something she was keeping from him, but figured she’d tell him within short order. If not, or he felt it was something that was coming between them, he’d press the issue. But right now he was more curious about the way she was watching Julie, their waitress.

Luc began to watch her as well. He knew that her family owned the diner and that occasionally she helped out with the cooking. But mostly she waited on customers and got bossed around by her overbearing father and even more obnoxious brother.

The two couples got ready to leave the diner.

“Can I keep one of the vehicles here in town with me? I need to run a couple of errands,” asked Melody.

“No problem,” said Ryder, tossing her the truck keys.

“Do you need my help?” offered Sierra.

“No, I’m fine. Just a couple of things I want to do while I’m in town.”

“You sure you’re okay?” asked Luc.

She leaned up and kissed him. He wasn’t as tall as Ryder, nor was Melody as tall as Sierra.

“I’m fine. I promise. I’ll be up in just a bit.”

Luc, Sierra, and Ryder got into the SUV and headed for the Flying M.

* * *

Melody headed around to the back of the diner where there was a picnic table and chairs. She’d seen the employees, including Julie, step outside for a break.

She hadn’t been observing the area for long when she saw Julie come through the back door and then lean heavily on the picnic table. Her entire body seemed to read resigned despair.

“Julie? Can I speak to you a minute?”

Julie jumped and Melody watched as the façade of contentment moved back over Julie’s face.

“Was there something wrong with the food or was the bill incorrect?”

“No, not at all. Lunch was quite enjoyable. I just noticed the t-shirt you had on with CIA embroidered on it.”

“Oh, I’m not a spy,” she laughed.

“No, but my guess is you’re a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America. Which one?”

Julie’s smile brightened considerably and became real. “Napa,” she said proudly.

“Can I ask what you’re doing here waiting tables?”

“There’s nothing wrong with waiting tables,” Julie said a bit defensively.

“Nothing at all. I’ve waited more than my fair share of tables. But it seems odd for a trained chef to be at the front of the house and running a diner. Don’t get me wrong, the food was great, but not exactly standard CIA fare.”

Julie nodded. “I tell myself that it’s American Bistro light.”

Melody smiled. “Ever think about doing something more upscale?”

“My dad and brothers like the diner the way it is and I don’t want to leave my mom.”

“What if you could work as a chef in fine and casual dining and didn’t have to leave town?”

Julie looked at her questioningly. “Are you opening a restaurant?”

“No, but Crooked Creek is positioning itself to be an upscale wedding venue, dude ranch experience, and horse-friendly B and B. All of those require someone with your skills.”

“You don’t know how well I cook.”

“No, but I watched you handle people. Might you be interested in serving a sample meal to a group of six people? We’d pay you both for your time and for the food.”

“Would anyone have to know?”

“No. We could keep it strictly confidential. I take it you’d prefer your family didn’t know?”

Julie nodded. “I don’t want to upset them unless it’s going to happen.”

“Totally understand. What’s a good night for you?”

Julie grinned. “I’m off tomorrow afternoon and night. Would that work?”

“I’ll make it work. Three-course meal—appetizer, entrée, and dessert. Let’s do it at Crooked Creek.”

“Will six for dinner be too early?”

Melody grinned. “That sounds perfect. We’ll leave the door to the kitchen unlocked all day so you can come and go as you please.”

“Thanks so much, Miss Jackson.”

“We aren’t very formal at Crooked Creek, Melody is fine.”

“Then thanks, Melody.”

“Knock our socks off.”

“I will. You tell the others to come hungry.”

Melody grinned and headed back to the truck. She got in and headed to the Flying M. As she headed up the drive, several of the ranch hands appeared to be moving strays toward different pastures.

There it was, the only fly in her ointment. She was still deathly afraid of the horses except Queenie. There was something about the big mare that didn’t cause her to be afraid. She needed to conquer that fear. She wanted to be able to do her job effectively. But now, more than that, she wanted to learn to ride well enough to go with Sierra or Luc on a pleasure ride.

She parked the truck and headed into the house.

Ruth and Sierra appeared to be waiting for her in the kitchen.

“So what the hell was that all about?” asked Sierra.

“Are you all right, honey?” inquired Ruth.

“I’m fine. I sort of set up a chef try out for tomorrow night.”

“What? Who’d you get? I didn’t even know you’d sent out the invites.”

Ruth looked between them questioningly.

“Sorry, Ruthie. You’re stuck with Ryder and me and then our kids down the line. Melody thought it would be best if we had someone to run the food side of the wedding venue, dude ranch, and B and B at Crooked Creek.”

“Oh, thank God,” said Ruth. “I’ve been afraid to tell you that I just didn’t think I could take that on, but I wanted to be supportive.”

Sierra hugged her tight. “No, Ruthie. You’re family and part of those net profits goes to you, remember? You’re a part owner. Which,” she said, turning to Melody, “reminds me. Ryder and I were talking last night, we want you and Luc to get paid a part of the net profit as part of your compensation package. Both of us feel that both of you have become an enormous asset to the organization and integral part of its success.”

“Sierra, you don’t have to. At least not where I’m concerned. I was more than happy with what you proposed.”

“Nope, my way or the highway,” teased Sierra.

“She only says that to you because she doesn’t get to say it to Ryder.”

“Oh, I say it... it just doesn’t work out that way,” laughed Sierra.

After they returned home, Luc and Melody stopped to see Queenie and then started to stroll up to the house. Billy came out of the bunkhouse to hail them.

“What’s up, Billy?” asked Luc.

“Nothing really,” came the reply. “I just wanted to thank Melody for giving Julie a shot at the chef position here at Crooked Creek. We’ve been kind of seeing each other and she’s just so excited she can’t see straight. Regardless of what you decide, I wanted you to know I appreciate you giving her the opportunity.”

“I’m happy to do it,” said Melody. “She can cook, right?”

Billy returned her grin. “Yes, ma’am, she can. I don’t think you’ll be disappointed. She can do everything from fancy stuff to regular food for cowboys. And she makes the best cakes. I didn’t want to keep you. Just wanted to say thanks.”

They turned toward the house as Billy headed back inside.

“I wondered why you were watching her. What made you think she could cook, much less at the level you and Sierra want?”

“Her t-shirt. It said CIA for the Culinary Institute of America. It’s a very prestigious chef school. I watched her running the front of the house and she was great. If she cooks half that well, she can run the catering/food end of our operation. Most chefs can’t run the front of the house. Fingers crossed.”

When they entered the house, Luc lost no time in sweeping Melody into his arms. She happily wound her arms around his neck and sighed contentedly. When he tossed her over his shoulder and started to the bedroom, she shrieked and then giggled all the way.

Once inside the giggles turned to sighs and moans as Luc proved to her that the night before had been neither an anomaly nor a dream.