Page 22 of The Maverick

He jumped off the bed and ran to the door and stopped. “Okay, but hurry.” Then he disappeared out the door.

Rachel shook her head in wonder. He would never have considered jumping on her and Greg’s bed. Greg didn’t tolerate that kind of behavior. Greg didn’t tolerate much of anything.

She dressed quickly into jeans and a t-shirt, then headed to the kitchen.

Along with Jake, Nick and Bailey were there, too.

“Looks like I’m the late sleeper today. What time do you usually get up?”

Nick grinned. “We eat breakfast at six, lunch at noon, and dinner at six.”

A woman entered with two cast iron skillets. She had trivets already on the table and set the skillets on them.

One skillet contained potatoes that had scrambled eggs, cheese and green chilis over the top. The second contained a casserole with eggs, sausage and cheese. Then she went back and got a platter of Texas toast and a bowl of green chili sauce for the eggs.

Juice and milk were already on the table.

She returned once again with a pot of coffee and two cups, one for her and one for Rachel.

Rachel thanked her. “I’m Rachel, by the way.”

The woman smiled. “I’m Sarah, cook, housekeeper, babysitter and all-round house person.”

“I’m very happy to meet you, Sarah. Jake and I will do our best not to add to your chores.”

Sarah waved a hand. “Don’t you worry about a thing. It’s nice to have more people in this house. Nick and Bailey tend to be too neat for me to have much to do. I’m actually hoping you’ll be messy.” She laughed.

Rachel laughed, too. Then, gazing at all the food, she waved her hands to take it all in. “Isn’t that a lot of food for just five people?”

Nick shook his head. “Smitty and three other cowboys will be here in a few minutes. They always run a little late in the mornings because of feeding the horses before they come in.”

“Oh, well, I don’t feel so bad about being last then.”

The back door opened and the man teaching Bailey to ride entered. He was an older man with a graying beard and he was followed by three younger men.

Each man took off their hat and hung it on a rack by the back door, that Rachel hadn’t noticed on her tour of the house.

The other three cowboys could have been brothers. They all had dark blond hair and pale blue eyes. Even their grins were almost alike.

“Rachel, this is Smitty.” He pointed at the older man. “He’ll be teaching Jake and Bailey to ride. These are the other men I have working for me. They are Luke, Liam, and Larry Cole. They are brothers, in case you hadn’t noticed. Gentleman, this is my friend, Rachel Foster-Bennett. She and her son Jake will be staying with us for a while.”

“Pleased to meet you, ma’am. I’m Luke. I’m the oldest.”

The second cowboy tilted his head toward her. “Ma’am. I’m Liam, and I’m in the middle. We’re all a year apart.”

The last man dipped his chin. “Ma’am. I’m Larry and I’m the youngest, but I’m also the best looking.” He grinned at his brothers.

Rachel barked out a laugh. “I can tell you are a laugh a minute.”

Nick hooted with laughter.

Even the kids laughed.

Sarah smiled but then sat. “You’ll each have to pass your plates to Nick so he can dish them up. Those skillets are too darn heavy to be passed around.” She handed her plate to Nick. “If you would, one small scoop of each should do it and green chili on both, please. Bailey take a piece of toast and pass it on, please.”

Rachel’s eyes danced with amusement. Sarah kept everything under control and saw that everyone was fed.

By the time breakfast was finished, Jake was beyond dancing in his chair. “Can we go ride now?” he asked Nick.