Broken Rider(17)

“You don’t have to worry about Jack, it would take more than a rainstorm to take him down.” Erin nodded her head and took a bite of the pound cake. “Wow, this is delicious,” she said. “Did you bake it yourself?”

Cindy smiled. “I wish I could bake this well. It’s Christine’s handiwork actually, she’s better than me in the kitchen.”

“Do you think she would give me her recipe?”

“Sure, but I have tried to replicate her success and failed numerous times. I guess I lack her touch, but you might have better luck. I’ll ask her when I get back to the ranch, ok?”

“Sounds great, thanks. Also, I was wondering if you knew of any contractors that would be willing to build a greenhouse for me. Just a small one of course, built right next to the cabin. I figure patrons of the bed and breakfast would like to see where their food comes from, not to mention the money I will save on produce costs.”

“Sure thing,” Cindy said. “I will ask around the next time I am in town and get back to you. How does that sound?”

“Thanks so much Cindy, you guys have been such a great help. I would be lost without the two of you. And thanks to Jack I can now at least shoot a gun, although not with much accuracy. Without all of the help I have been given I don’t know where I would be.”

Cindy smirked as she took a sip of her coffee.

“What is it?” Erin asked.

“Oh nothing,” Cindy responded. “It’s just that you keep mentioning Jack and I am beginning to think you might have a crush on him.”

Erin blushed and looked away. Although she wasn’t quite sure why, she felt embarrassed. Maybe Erin felt guilt about the man’s dead wife, or maybe she just felt foolish for having a crush at her age, but whatever it was it made her feel uncomfortable.

Cindy reached across the table and took her by the hand. “Don’t be embarrassed honey, Jack Riggans has been making girls blush since he was a teenager. He’s a tall, handsome man and that strut of his is enough to drive any woman crazy. Add that to his rebellious nature and outlaw tendencies and you have a recipe for some wet pussies.”

Erin exploded with laughter. Hearing Cindy talk like caught her entirely off guard.

“He is good looking,” she admitted, “but I was just curious about him is all. It seems like he’s still in love with his wife, so I hadn’t even considered him in a romantic sense.” Erin knew it was a lie—and she suspected Cindy did also—but she wasn’t quite ready to admit her growing lust for the rugged man. Cindy nodded her head and took a forkful of the pound cake. After a few moments of silence Erin asked, “So what was his wife like?”

“Sarah? She was a very sweet woman, and unlike Jack she wore her emotions on her sleeve. The two of them balanced each other out, I suppose.”

“Was she pretty?”

“Gorgeous,” Cindy answered. “She was darker skinned than most people around here and most suspected she was part Native American. As a matter of fact I still vividly recall an incident when a drunk local called her a redskin and Jack loosened a few of the man’s teeth for his trouble.” Erin felt her heart sink at the mention of the woman’s beauty. Great, I’m jealous of a dead woman, Erin thought. “How did they meet?” she asked.

“Up in the Bakken formation,” she answered. “Jack used to be a roughneck and Sarah was an engineer. They met when he was working on one of the rigs she helped design. Within a year they were married and most of us expected a baby to follow. Perhaps if they had more time, one would have. As it was, Sarah passed away and Jack moved back down here. He’s been out driving on them roads ever since."

“What does he do for work? For money?”

“Nothing, as far as I know. He had some money saved from working on the rigs, but other than that I don’t think he does anything for money. He just sort of gets by, I guess. Doesn't surprise me he survives with a steady job though, Jack's one of the brightest men I know. Man can, and has, done damn near anything he sets his mind too. Just so happens he don't care about things most people do.”

Erin nodded and decided to change the subject. So much talk of Jack was getting her worked up and she wanted to keep her desires at bay, especially considering it could be months before she saw the man again. Or maybe she would wake up tomorrow and he would be on the porch. Who knew with this guy? The two shared a pot of coffee and put a serious dent in the pound cake. Before either of them realized it, dusk was beginning to set in and Cindy told her she needed to get back to the ranch. “I don’t want to have to answer to the boss,” she joked. Erin bid her farewell and watched as she drove off towards the setting sun.