Sea Of Grass (7 page)

“I’m going to ride back. Maria is getting Mrs. Redmond used to the kitchen. God, I hope she can cook.” Tess clicked her teeth as she dug her heels into Stella and took off, scattering the cattle as she rode through the herd.

As she rode back, she noticed a calf away from the herd. Riding closer, she heard it making a horribly mournful sound. It was standing with its front leg lifted slightly. Tess looked back to see Chuck too far to call him for help.

“Damned barbed wire,” she hissed and slid off her horse. “Easy, sweetie,” she cooed and saw the wire wrapped around the front leg. “Okay, now, I’m gonna try not to kill you. It’s been a while for me, so don’t go kicking me.”

She took a pair of pliers out of her saddlebags and began snipping the spiny wire off the injured calf as much as she could. Then, with a deep painful groan, she lifted the calf in her arms. “God, for a baby, you’re awfully heavy.” Tess grunted as she hoisted the calf across Stella’s back. Slipping her foot in the stirrup, she mounted the mare and held onto the moaning calf. “Oh, relax, you’re getting a ride, for
chrissakes
,” she said, wincing as the muscles in her thigh contracted. “God, no cramp now, please.”

As she rode to the barn and corral, she noticed Jack looking at the horses. Jack saw her and his eyes widened as he ran up to her.

“Is that a cow?” he asked.

Tess dismounted and gave him a disturbed look. “No, son, it’s a calf and she’s got an
owie
,” she said, and Jack laughed as he watched her gently take the annoyed calf off the horse and into the barn. “Get my father and tell him what’s happened, okay?”

“Sure.” Jack made a mad dash for the house.

Tess had the poor calf lying on the hay in a stall. With that, Jed, Jack, and Mrs. Redmond barged into the stable.

“What happened?” Mrs. Redmond asked in a panic. Jack was scared to death.

Tess looked up at Jed, who shrugged as if to say, “City folks.”

“It’s really okay. It happens all the time. The little ones stray too far and sometimes they get snagged in the barbed-wire fence.” Tess took off her hat and rolled up the sleeves of her denim shirt.

Mrs. Redmond gently pulled at her son. “Jack, give Miss Rawlins room. Why don’t you go back into the house?”

Tess saw the look of dejection on the boy’s face. “If it’s all right, I might need him to hold her head,” she said, looking up at the woman.

Mrs. Redmond hesitated.

“Mom, she needs me,” Jack pleaded.

“He can help,” Jed assured.

Mrs. Redmond merely nodded. “Do exactly as Miss Rawlins tells you,” she said in a nervous voice.

Tess winked at Jack. “Okay. Jack, kneel at her head and gently stroke her ear. Real gentle, that’ll calm her when I have to cut this wire.”

Jack did as she asked. Tess looked at Jed, who nodded and knelt beside the boy. “She looks small, but if she gets ornery, she may jump,” he offered his assistance. Jack nodded and began stroking the calf’s ear.

His mother stood there looking nervous. Tess looked up and smiled. “I could use a little help.”

Mrs. Redmond blinked. “I don’t think I’d be very good at this.”
 

Tess gave her a frowning grin. “I’m not asking you to marry it, just hand me the stuff when I ask for it.”

Tess laughed but quickly recovered when she saw the glare from Jed. “Sorry.”

Mrs. Redmond narrowed her eyes in anger. “That’s quite all right. I’m not the marrying kind anyway,” she added dryly, and Tess laughed.

She knelt next to Tess and watched as Tess used the wire cutter to free the bleeding leg from the barbed wire. She handed her the antiseptic and poured it on the injured leg, causing the calf to let out another mournful grunt.

“Easy now,” Tess cajoled as she took the rolled gauze from Mrs. Redmond, who surprisingly did not pass out.

“You’re doing fine, Jack. Keep it up,” Tess said, not looking up as she tied off the bandage. She then sat back on her heels admiring her handiwork.

“There, that ought to do it.” She stood and stretched her
back.

“Ya still got it, Tess,” Jed said with a wink.

“It’s been a while. I’m glad I didn’t cause further damage,” Tess said, rubbing the back of her leg.

“Are you all right?” Jed asked with a devilish grin. “Something
achin
’ ya?”

Tess sneered in his direction but ignored him. Instead, she offered her hand to Mrs. Redmond, who took it and stood, as well.

Jack still sat there cradling the calf’s head in his lap. He looked up at Tess. “Maybe I should stay with her for a little while. She probably misses her mom.”

Jed grinned and ruffled his hair.

Tess nodded. “I think that would be a good idea. I think she likes you. You have a gift, Jack. Usually, calves don’t like to be touched like that.”

Jack looked down at the calf and stroked its head. “I think she needs me,” he said almost to himself.

All three adults stood there watching as Jack took care of the injured animal. It was a touching scene for Tess, who felt the tears stinging her eyes, and as she looked at her father, she could see the old gray eyes watering. Mrs. Redmond sniffed.

“Okay, let Jack take care of…well, you’d better name her now, son,” Jed said with a chuckle.

“What should I name her?” he asked and looked up.

Tess took off her hat and scratched the unruly blond hair. “Well, I found her in a clover patch…”

“Clover,” Jack exclaimed, and the calf moaned as if angry that Jack stopped rubbing her head.

Mrs. Redmond shook her head. “Okay, Jack. Dinner will be ready in one hour. Make sure you wash your hands,” she added with a grimace and walked out of the stable.

Tess and Jed watched the retreating figure. “It’s a good thing she can cook,” Tess mumbled out of the corner of her mouth.

“I guess we’ll find out,” Jed said.

By five o’clock on the dot, Stan, Luke, and Chuck came lumbering into the huge kitchen. Maria and Mrs. Redmond were manning the stove as the men sat in their usual places. Stan and Luke eyed the new cook.

Tess stood in the doorway and saw the look. She instantly bristled but said nothing. A few mumbles and chuckles ensued, and Tess cleared her throat and walked into the kitchen.

The chuckling stopped.

“Boys, this is Mrs. Redmond. She’ll be taking over for Maria until the fall. You will respect her as you respect Maria,” she said, looking at the culprits, who buried their heads in their coffee.

Mrs. Redmond whirled around and gave Tess a stern look but said nothing. Maria caught the look and continued with dinner.

“Have a good meal,” Tess said, then walked out.

Mrs. Redmond watched the door swinging. “Maria, I’ll be back in a minute.” She dried her hands on the towel and walked out.

Tess was standing in the huge living room by the fireplace. “Miss Rawlins, can I have a word with you?”

Tess looked up and started to smile but saw the dark look. “Sure.”

“I don’t know what you meant in there, but please, I can take care of myself. I’ve been leered at before.”

“Perhaps, but not by the men on this ranch,” she countered evenly.

“I appreciate the gesture, but if I’m to work here, they have to know I can take care of myself.”

“I’m sure you can. However, I will not have any leering or snickering going on.”

“Any leering or snickering going on, I will take care of,” she insisted as she put her hands on her hips.

For an instant, their gazes locked in a battle of wills. Tess ran a hand through her hair in an impatient gesture. She then took a deep breath. “It was not my intention to irritate you on your first day. I’m sure you can take care of yourself.” She smiled slightly and offered her hand.

Mrs. Redmond took the offering and gave it a healthy pump. “Thank you. Dinner will be ready for you and your father after the men eat. That’s usually what you do, correct?” she asked and smiled in return.

“Yes, ma’am, if I remember, that is correct,” Tess said with a slight smirk.

Mrs. Redmond nodded and walked back into the kitchen.

Dinner was outstanding. Fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and gravy, and to Tess’s absolute delight, the biscuits were light and heavenly.

In the kitchen, Mrs. Redmond paced back and forth, biting her lip. Maria sat drinking her coffee.

“Claire, sit, you’re make me dizzy.”

“Do you think the chicken was cooked enough? God, I don’t want to make them sick,” she said and paced.

Maria shook her head. “You did not make the men sick. Now sit,” she ordered, and with that, Jed and Tess came through the swinging door grinning.

“Wonderful. Maria, your excellent culinary skills are only preceded by your extreme good judgment,” Tess said and bowed to Mrs. Redmond, who blushed horribly. Tess then spied the pie on the stove.

“God, don’t tell me…”

“Pie,” Jed said with a hint of question in his voice as he licked his lips.

Mrs. Redmond sported a superior grin and nodded. Father and daughter bowed in awe.

Chapter 5

Tess desperately tried not to limp up the back porch steps. Jack sat at the kitchen table drinking a glass of milk and eating a piece of pie. Tess’s stomach growled at the sight. She heard the soft humming coming from Mrs. Redmond, who stood at the stove. The heavenly aroma made Tess groan openly.

“What’s wrong? You hurt?” Jack asked as he shoved a forkful of pie into his mouth.

Mrs. Redmond turned around as Tess eased into the closest chair. “Nope. Just got a hitch in my
git
-along.”

Jack laughed, nearly snorting milk through his nose.

“Jack!”

“Sorry, Mom.”

“Would you like a cup of coffee, Miss Rawlins?” she asked, still glaring at her son, who spread his hands out in a helpless gesture.

“No, thank you. I think I’m going to go and soak this tired body of mine. I’ll take a rain check, though. Whatever you’re concocting at the stove smells heavenly.”

Tess found herself smiling when she heard the laughter from Mrs. Redmond. As she gingerly walked toward the bathroom, she decided she liked the sound of it.

After the hot bath, which did nothing for her aching ass, Tess flopped down on her bed. That was the last thing she remembered.

She woke early to the heavenly smell of cinnamon and bacon. “Good Lord, I’m starved,” she exclaimed as she hauled her naked body out of bed. She immediately shivered and hopped from one foot to the other. “Damn, it’s freezing!” she grumbled as she jumped back into bed.
 

Tess finished a quick shower and stepped out of the deep tub. Shivering, she quickly dried off and dressed. Her stomach told her just how hungry she was as she made her way to the kitchen.

Mrs. Redmond was humming in the kitchen. Her dark hair was pulled back, and her hips swayed to some old song coming from the radio on the counter. Tess raised a curious eyebrow as she leaned against the doorjamb.

Tess grinned as she listened to the waltz rhythm; it had her swaying, as well. With that, Mrs. Redmond turned from the stove and stopped dead. She blushed from her head to her toes, and Tess’s grin grew even wider.