Candy Kisses (Romance on the Ranch #4) Page 3

  "We've been subsisting on frozen dinners; tried every one on the market. So, we're kinda looking forward to some real suppers."

  Monica lifted an eyebrow. She hadn't cooked since she was in college, and then it had mostly been simple meals like spaghetti, pizza, macaroni and cheese, and easy casseroles.

  Dirk said, "Of course, I don't expect anything homemade tonight. We can tolerate one more night of frozen dinners. He looked at his daughter and winked, "Can't we, sweetheart?"

  Tessa said, "Daddy, I really don't mind the mac and cheese ones; I just don't like the ones with lots of vegetables."

  "I know, baby girl." He glanced at Monica although he continued speaking to his daughter. "Tessa, why don't you give Monica a quick tour of the house and then help her in the kitchen?" He glanced back at his daughter and smiled.

  He does have the same dimple; only now it's more of a crease. I wonder how old this guy is; maybe pushing forty?

  Tessa said shyly, "Miz Monica, what would you like to see first?"

  In a gesture that surprised even herself, Monica held a hand out and the girl slipped her fingers around it. "How about we start in the kitchen?"

  Tessa pulled Monica toward the kitchen, which was entered through the dining room adjoining the living room. Bright yellow walls and faux marble Formica countertops drew her attention first. She cringed at the countertops and then winced at the huge white porcelain sink with standard, run-of-the-mill faucets. Above the sink, a window with frilly white curtains tied back with yellow ribbons, permitted a view of the barn and its attached corrals. Beyond the barn a forest of pines stretched up a hillside that looked so pretty in the early evening light that Monica gazed outside for a few seconds before returning her attention to the pitiful kitchen. She located the refrigerator, a huge white monstrosity with double doors, but not outfitted with dispensers for water or ice, and then studied a stove that wasn't any better; also white and outdated by twenty years. This guy must be as poor as a church mouse. I wonder how he's paying me.

  Already, Monica's imagination was remodeling the kitchen with granite countertops, stainless steel appliances, a larger window with no window covering, and state-of-the-art faucets over a double fireclay sink. She frowned and turned to Tessa, "Where's the dishwasher?"

  "Oh, we don't have one. Before Daddy got hurt, we always washed dishes together. It was fun 'cause we talked about all kinds of stuff."

  No dishwasher!

  Monica walked to the laundry room between the kitchen and the back door and sighed with relief when she noted the washer and dryer were expensive double stacks.

  Tessa said, "Com'on, I'll show you my bedroom." She grabbed Monica's hand and pulled her back through the dining room and living room, where Dirk shouted his approval along with the crowds on TV of whatever mighty maneuver the football team had just pulled off.

  Back down the hallway, Tessa stopped at the door next to Monica's and tossed it open. Her enthusiasm in showcasing her bedroom touched Monica's heart, again reminding her of her own self.

  "I picked out the curtains and bedspread myself! Daddy said he's going to buy me a new bed and matching furniture as soon as I decide on what I want. I've been looking in the Sears Catalogue but haven't found anything yet. Daddy made regular walls so he could paint them the colors I like and he almost finished them before he got hurt." She spoke in a rush and pointed to a wall that was half painted. "Isn't that color pretty?"

  Monica did a double-take. Although unfinished, the room was lovely. Three sea-sand colored walls contrasted beautifully with the half painted aquamarine wall. Curtains on both windows patterned with swirls of the same colors created a sand and sea affect, quite contrary to the pinks or purples one would expect a ten year old girl to choose. The placement of the existing furniture reflected an innate knowledge of balance.

  Monica exclaimed, "This is fantastic! You have fabulous taste!"

  Tessa's warm chocolate eyes beamed. "My best friend, Shauna, wants me to do her room too. Course, we got to wait 'til her mommy saves up the money, but we already picked out the colors."

  Monica suddenly felt choked up by the sweetness of this little girl and turned to pretend interest in a photo. Maybe my baby's a girl.

  Tessa picked up the framed photo that Monica wasn't really looking at. "That's my mommy."

  Monica's attention shifted immediately to the picture. Accepting it from the child, she saw a chubby woman with the same curly brunette hair, sweet smile, and shy eyes as Tessa. Next to her, in profile, a younger Dirk had his arm around her shoulders and grinned down at her. In his other arm he held a toddler waving at whoever was taking the picture.

  Captured by the loving photo, Monica had to swallow the lump in her throat. What would it be like to have the father of your child love you so much? "She's beautiful, Tessa. And is that you?" She pointed to the toddler.

  "Yes. My daddy says me and mommy are his sunshine girls. And even though she's in heaven, she'll always be his sunshine."

  The child's revelation caused the tears Monica had been holding inside to well up and she set the photo back on the chest, turned, and fingered her eyes.

  Tessa barely touched her arm. "It's okay if you cry. Mommy died when I was seven and I still cry a lot."

  Chapter 5: Mac and Cheese

  Monica and Tessa returned to the outdated kitchen and selected a Hungry Man frozen dinner for Dirk and macaroni and cheese for Tessa. The squares of packaged food looked about as appetizing as the airline's peanuts had. Eventually, Monica chose mac and cheese, too. Thankfully, there was some lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, celery, and salad dressing in the fridge. Pouring ranch dressing on the salad she and Tessa made together, she made a mental note to buy vinaigrette as soon as she could. Placing slices of bread with thin coatings of real butter under the broiler, she made another mental note to buy heart smart spread. She then prepared place settings on trays because Tessa said they were eating in the living room on TV tables until her daddy got his cast off.

  Monica dished the hot frozen dinners onto their plates and then garnished them with celery tops. Next, she set toast on the edge of the plates and then filled small bowls with salad.

  Tessa grinned. "That's really pretty."

  "Well, making it pretty might make it taste better."

  "Oh, the mac and cheese is really good! Maybe…" she stopped speaking.

  "Maybe what?"

  Shyly she said, "Maybe we could make some from a recipe."

  "You mean from scratch?"

  Tessa nodded.

  Monica lowered her voice. "Don't tell your daddy, but I need all the help I can get with my cooking skills. I think making it together is a great idea."

  Tessa giggled and moved her fingers as if zipping her mouth. "I won't say anything."

  While Monica poured water for everyone, Tessa ran back to the living room and set up the TV tables before coming back to help carry the trays.

  Dirk had raised his recliner somewhat and looked delighted when Monica set his meal on his table. A shout from the television distracted his gaze.

  Great. I suppose we'll be watching football while we eat.

  To Monica's surprise, he reached for the remote and flipped it off. "Now this is right nice," he said appreciatively.

  Tessa sat on the couch across from the recliner and patted the spot next to her for Monica. "Me and Daddy always talk about stuff while we eat."

  Monica sat and glanced at Dirk from beneath her lashes. He was waiting for them to begin eating. Hmm. Maybe the uncouth cowboy isn't so uncouth after all.

  Tessa loaded her fork with mac and cheese and said, "Miz Monica really likes my bedroom. She said I did good in picking out the colors."

  "I told you that, too. But I guess it helps to hear it from a professional." He turned his attention to Monica. "You're an interior designer, aren't you?"

  The last thing Monica wanted to do was talk about the profession she had just been laid off from; a profession she loved. "Uh, yes. My company
downsized, so I'll be sending out résumés to other design companies. Hopefully, I'll have a new job lined up soon."

  "You know, Denver is a progressive city if you don't want to return to New York."

  "I'll keep that in mind."

  Dirk glanced at her feet. "Don't your feet hurt? You've been wearing heels all day."

  "I haven't unpacked my belongings yet. I have some flats that I can wear tomorrow."

  Dirk looked at Tessa. "Honey, run to my room and grab a pair of my socks." He glanced back at Monica. "Slip those shoes off. You can wear my socks and rest your feet on the sofa."

  "Oh, no. I wouldn't think of imposing."

  Tessa was already running down the hallway.

  "If there's one thing we are around here…it's comfortable. Hell, I'm feeling uncomfortable just looking at those heels."

  Tessa ran back in the living room and dangled a pair of socks in front of Monica. It was obvious that she wouldn't hear the last of her shoes if she didn't acquiesce. Slipping off her heels she pulled the thick socks on and almost moaned with relief.

  Dirk was talking and Monica returned her attention to him. "…give you a credit card for grocery shopping and buying necessities for the house. The keys to my truck are hooked inside the laundry room. Also, there's a remote for opening the gate."

  Monica interrupted, "Um, I don't know how to drive a stick shift."

  Dirk looked confused. "Neither of my vehicles have stick shifts."

  "Oh, I'm sorry. I just assumed after Newt picked me up that all ranch trucks are like his."

  Dirk laughed loudly, "Newt's been driving that old rattle trap as long as I've known him. Sage bought him a nice car, but his wife, Molly, is the only one who drives it. No, Monica, I assure you my truck is an automatic. And when I get the SUV back from the shop, you can drive it if you prefer." Dirk turned his attention to his daughter, "How was school today?"

  Softly, Tessa said, "Okay, I guess."

  "Did something happen that you want to talk about?"

  "No."

  A frustrated look passed across Dirk's countenance but he let the subject drop.

  The rest of the meal was pleasant and afterward Monica and Tessa cleaned the few dishes together. All in all, what had started out as the day from hell ended on a nice note.

  After a quick shower, Monica pulled on her silk nightgown, wrapped herself in the matching silk cover up, and pulled Dirk's thick socks back on. Tiptoeing back to her room, she slipped under the quilt made soft from hundreds of washings, placed a hand over her belly, and said goodnight to her baby.

  Chapter 6: ChocoDrops

  Light slanting through her window and across her face, along with a cacophony of birds shrilling, tweeting, or singing, woke Monica. She hadn't slept this well in a long time. It's just because you were so tired. Stretching, she lifted her eyes to the window directly above her head and watched a puffy cloud parade across a blue ocean.

  Thinking of Tessa had her sitting up and reaching for her alarm clock that was set to go off at six-thirty. Dirk had said Tessa ate breakfast around seven. It was six-twenty and Monica flipped off the buzzer before it could sound. She hastened out of bed. A little girl needed a good breakfast before school.

  Reaching for her silk wrap, she peeked out her door and into the hallway to make sure the coast was clear before darting to the bathroom and knocking—good, no answer. The bathroom situation was the pits. Maybe they could make a schedule to follow.

  After showering, something she did every morning and night, brushing her teeth, applying her makeup, and blow drying her popular trendy-bob hairstyle that she'd paid a fortune to have cut by one of New York's finest stylists, and that now needed shaping, she wondered if anyone in this dinky town could even come close to creating the same effect. Slipping back to her room, she changed into beige Versace slacks and matching leopard print blouse. Ten to seven. I don't think I've ever dressed this fast in my life.

  In the kitchen, Tessa was opening the freezer.

  "Good morning, Tessa. What would you like for breakfast?"

  Tessa grinned. "Mornin' Miz Monica." She reached for a box of frozen waffles. "I been eatin' these waffles that just pop in the toaster. Would you like one? Before Daddy got hurt, he always cooked breakfast. We love bacon and eggs and biscuits, but he said we'd just have to make due 'til you got here." She retrieved a bottle of fake maple syrup from the cupboard.

  What I wouldn't give for some Greek yogurt, fresh fruit, and Kona coffee. "I think I'll just have toast for now. But tomorrow I'll get up earlier and make a big breakfast." Okay, add Egg Beaters and turkey bacon to the list. Also, whole wheat pancake mix and real maple syrup. "What time does your father get up?"

  "Oh, he's already up."

  "I didn't see him when I came through the living room."

  "He's in his bedroom on his computer. He likes to answer his fan emails in the morning."

  "Oh, does he get a lot of emails from fans?"

  "Sometimes." She pulled her waffle from the toaster that had just popped up and tossed it on her plate. Reaching for the butter dish, she loaded it with real butter and Monica cringed.

  "Well, I'll be going to the grocery store today. Is there anything special I can get for you?"

  "I like popsicles; especially strawberry ones."

  "You got it. What about your father? Anything I should get him?"

  Tessa grinned wide.

  "What?" Monica asked conspiratorially.

  The little girl opened a drawer and pulled out a box. "Daddy loves these candies. I think they're gross." She showed the box to Monica.

  Jalapeño ChocoDrops

  Monica wrinkled her nose. "That sounds horrible!"

  "I know." Tessa lifted the lid. "But look, there's only two left."

  "Are they at the grocery store?"

  "Oh, no. The only place you can get them is Dixie's Cuppa Joe."

  Monica said, "I saw the coffee shop when Newt drove through town yesterday. I guess I could stop and buy another box."

  "Maybe you should get two."

  *

  Monica smiled and rubbed her palm over the leather of her seat. Dirk's truck was indeed an automatic. In fact, it was as nice as a luxury car. With a symphonic melody softly floating through the cab of the Chevy Silverado 2500HD, Monica felt a peace she hadn't experienced in months. The rolling hills fit the music and she found herself humming and talking aloud to her baby. "Maybe things are looking up. Perhaps coming here wasn't such a bad idea. After I find a place with wi-fi, I'll fire up my laptop and go online and start a job search. Surely, there's a company in New York looking for an interior designer. Hey, we can deal with living in a cabin for three months, can't we? And Tessa is sure sweet. Maybe you're a girl. But if you're a boy, that's okay."

  The town, which was a straight shot from Dirk's ranch down the old highway, came into view. Almost immediately Monica saw Dixie's Cuppa Joe on the left and decided now was as good a time as any to buy that horrible candy. Pulling into a vertical parking spot several over from the coffee shop, she slid out of the luxury cab, locked it with the push of a button, straightened her expensive slacks and shell, and stepped onto the curb wearing her Stuart Weitzman low pumps. This place must be popular with so many cars.

  Several patrons turned to eye her when she entered through a glass door with fancy etching that read, Take a Load Off. Since the age of sixteen, Monica had been turning heads and never paid much attention, but for some reason, she felt conspicuous and out of place here. Duh, you're in a cow town where boots are considered high fashion, and we're not talking Manolo Blahnik boots.

  Stepping to the back of the line, she watched the pretty woman behind the counter greet the patrons like they were family. "Howdy, Miz Stanislavsky, will it be your usual today?"

  The little old lady with blue hair said, "No, dearie, Florence Doolittle told me to try the Very Vanilla Velvet Vienna with an extra shot of espresso.

  Monica looked at the floor, covered her mouth with he
r hand, and smiled. Say that three times real fast.

  The clerk called out the drink to the barista and the elderly woman paid and stepped to a table with more blue haired ladies.

  Next, a tall cowboy moved forward and the friendly clerk said, "Mornin' Jackson. I heard Angel won an award for her science project."

  The handsome cowboy shifted his stance, lifted and resettled his Stetson to reveal sun-kissed blond hair that contrasted beautifully with his Hispanic coloring, and said, "Yep. We're sure proud of her. And I'll tell you what; those second graders know more about science than I do."

  The clerk laughed. "Last time I talked to Angel she said she wanted to become an astronaut."

  "Well, with a mother as smart as Annie, I have no doubt she'll accomplish whatever she sets her heart to."

  Obviously, the cowboy was a regular because the woman handed him a coffee and Danish without taking an order and said, "I'll put this on your tab. Catch you later."

  "Bye, Dixie."

  So this is the owner of the coffee shop.

  As the cowboy turned to leave, a giant of a man pushed through the entrance and said with a New York accent, "Hey, Jackson. Got a minute?" He grinned at Dixie and said, "Morning, Sweetie."

  Dixie gave the man a look that held her heart in her eyes and Monica noticed her wedding ring. This must be her husband. A wave of sadness washed over Monica that she'd never met a man who'd loved her enough to ask her to marry him.

  The man named Jackson said, "Sure, Alligator. I'm headed to Hank's Feed and Seed. Do you want to ride along and then I can drop you back here?"

  "Sounds great, bro."

  Dixie waved goodbye to the men and then helped the customer in front of Monica, an old man wearing coveralls. Again, she greeted her patron by name. "Howdy, Bubba. Strong black coffee, no frills, and a whole grain muffin to go."

  "Yep, you got it, missy." The man paid with change, counting it out slowly while Dixie patiently waited."

  Finally, it was Monica's turn.

  Dixie said, "Hello, what can I get for you?"

  "Well, I believe you have these candies called Jalapeño ChocoDrops. I'd like two boxes."