Honey and the Hired Hand

249 Pages·2004·1.82 MB·English

by  Joan Johnston

“Why can’t you just
leave my mother alone?”
Jack said, glaring at Jesse.
How could Jesse explain what he felt for Honey in
words the boy would understand? What did one say
to a thirteen-year-old to describe the relationship
between a man and a woman? It would be easier if
he could tell Jack he was committed in some way to
Honey. But Jesse had never spoken of “forever” with
Honey, and he couldn’t.
“Will it help if I say I’ll try my damnedest never
to do anything that would hurt your mom?” Jesse
asked him.
Abruptly Jack stopped brushing the bull. “She’s
never gonna love you like she loved Dad. There’s
no sense in you hanging around. Now that school’s
out, I can handle things around the ranch. Why
don’t you just leave?” Jack yelled.
“I can’t,” Jesse said. “Your mother needs my help.”
More than you realize, he added silently.
Books by Joan Johnston
Fit To Be Tied
Marriage by the Book
Never Tease a Wolf
A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing
A Little Time in Texas
The Rancher and the Runaway Bride
The Cowboy and the Princess
The Wrangler and the Rich Girl
One Simple Wish
The Cowboy Takes a Wife
The Unforgiving Bride
The Headstrong Bride
The Bluest Eyes in Texas
The Disobedient Bride
Taming the Lone Wolf
The Temporary Groom
Hawk’s Way: The Virgin Groom
A Hawk’s Way Christmas
Hawk’s Way: The Substitute Groom
Sisters Found

For my friends, Sally, Sherry and Heather—

the Square Table at JJ’s

One

The hairs prickled on the back of Honey Far-
rell’s neck. She was being watched. Again. Sur-
reptitiously she scanned the room looking for
someone—anyone—she could blame for the
disturbing sensation that had plagued her all
evening. But everyone in the room was a friend
or acquaintance. There was no one present who
could account for the eerie feeling that troubled
her.
Her glance caught on the couple across the
room from her. How she envied them! Dallas
10 HONEY AND THE HIRED HAND
Masterson was standing behind his wife, his
hands tenderly circling Angel’s once-again-tiny
waist. Their three-month-old son was asleep up-
stairs. Honey felt her throat close with emotion
as Dallas leaned down to whisper into his wife’s
ear. Angel laughed softly and a pink flush rose
on her cheeks.
Honey saw before her a couple very much in
love. In fact, she had come to the Mastersons’
home this evening to help them celebrate their
first wedding anniversary. Honey found it a bit-
tersweet event. For, one year and one month
ago, Honey’s husband, Cale, had been killed
saving Dallas Masterson’s life.
Honey felt her smile crumbling. A watery
sheen blurred her vision of the Texas Rangers
and their wives chattering happily around her.
Mumbling something incoherent, she shoved
her wineglass into the hands of a startled friend.
‘‘Honey, are you all right?’’
‘‘I just need some air.’’ Honey bit down on
her lower lip to still its quiver as she hastened
from the living room.
The overhead light in the kitchen was blind-