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“So, where is your room? Just so Cooper doesn’t accidentally interrupt you in there,” I quickly added, so it didn’t sound like I was going to come searching for him. Oh God, why had I asked that? It was so embarrassing. Would he think I was rude if I ran screaming out of this house?
“It was the first closed door we passed when we left the kitchen.” We wandered back into Cooper's room and watched him play with a toy car on the floor. “Cooper, I’m going to run up to the attic and see if I can find you any toys. I know there used to be some up there. Want to come with me?” Kipp headed for the door, and Cooper was hot on his heels.
“I’ll put the groceries away.” I called after them. I walked into my room again and looked around. Opening the door to the hall, I could hear Cooper talking a mile a minute.
“Were you allowed to play in the attic?” Cooper asked. “Mommy read a book to me one time about a bunch of girls playing dress up in the attic. I don’t want to play dress up, that doesn’t sound like much fun.” His little voice that had been so animated changed to concern, and I could picture his face all scrunched up contemplating having to play dress up.
Kipp’s laughter filtered down the stairs. “No, Coop, I didn’t play in the attic. My sisters did though, and I’m pretty sure they played dress up too. So other than finding you some toys, let’s agree not to go up there again.”
“Deal,” Cooper said with conviction.
I wanted to explore the house, but I also didn’t want to be nosy. Was it nosy wandering around the home you now lived in? Considering I worked here and just happened to live here, yes, it would be, so I carried on about the business I actually had. Putting away the massive haul of groceries.
The large dining table sat just off of center in the room. It looked like it was here before the room was built. The varnish was wearing off in spots, and I imagined that’s where generations of this family had claimed as their spot.
CHAPTER SIX
NORA
Thunderous pounding up the stairs of the porch was followed by thunks, grunts, and the door slamming shut every ten seconds. “It smells good in here.”
“Wonder what Kipp’s cooked up today?”
“Must have grabbed something from town. Ain’t no way he cooked this.” A chorus of laughter broke out and immediately stopped when the circus rounded the corner to the kitchen. The first cowboy stopped and the other three piled into him, and he lost his balance, falling into the pantry door. I pinched my lips together, trying to suppress my laughter at the sight.
“Ma’am.” They all said in unison as they tipped their hats, just like Kipp had done in town. Quickly, they grabbed their hats off their heads and stood in a line like children who were about to get into trouble. Just as I was about to open my mouth, Kipp walked through the door.
“What the hell are you three gawking at? Have you never seen a cook before?”
“Oh, we’ve seen one, but not this one,” a man who looked like he was the same age as Kipp said.
“Boys, this is Nora Belfort. She's going to be our new cook. I don’t have to remind you to watch your manners, but watch your manners. Wash up and get back here. Nora isn’t keeping supper warm all night for you lot,” he barked, like an overprotective big brother.
The three men filed out of the kitchen and set their hats on the bench in the hallway. “They’ll settle down once they get to know you.”
“Kipp, they really did nothing wrong.” I shook my head and turned back to the lasagna I was cutting.
“They don’t have to be doing anything wrong to be reminded to act like men, not children.” He walked around the island that was separating us and leaned on the counter beside me. I looked up at him and hid my smile. This man was all business. He needed to relax a little bit, but I wasn’t the one that was going to tell him that.
Cowboys strode back into the kitchen and took seats at the table. “Far one is Griffin Harp, next to him Nash Powers, and Ryder Saffort. Our fifth partner is in Texas at a ranch we’re looking at a few places we’re thinking about buying down there, but he will be back for branding.” Kipp pointed at every one of them, and they nodded politely. I was pretty sure I would forget their names or mix them up, but I would get it figured out. Lifting the large pan of lasagna, I walked carefully over to the table and set it on the stack of hot mats I’d put down.
Turning back to grab something else, I ran smack into that brick wall again. This time, I put my hands up, and they were resting on Kipp’s chest. “Sorry, I won’t make it a habit of doing this.” I looked up and smiled. He wasn’t upset, and I thought I saw a glimmer of something flash through his eyes. Scooting past him, trying to avoid touching any parts of this man, I grabbed the rolls I’d quickly made and the salad. Kipp hadn’t moved and he was still in the way. “Kipp, if you want supper on the table, you’d best get out of my way. For heaven’s sake, sit down.” It was a little early in my employment to let my brash side out, but something told me that’s how things worked around here. Feelings weren’t considered, and if you had something to say, you just said it.
“Yes, ma’am,” he said as he nodded and walked to his chair. Pulling it out, it scraped along the floor and groaned slightly under his size. He sat with his hands folded in his lap. In fact, all the cowboys were sitting there like a bunch of children who’d been scolded and told to behave.
“All right, boys, dig in. Enjoy your supper.” I smiled and left the kitchen. Walking down the hallway, I opened the door to Cooper’s room. I found him sitting on the mat playing with some toys Kipp had found in the attic.
“Mommy.” His smile lit up the room and made the stress of the day melt away.
“Hey, mister. Are you doing okay in here?” I sat down beside him, and he climbed up into my lap. Gentle wasn’t in his vocabulary, and he squirmed and stood up on my legs, digging his toes into my thighs as he ran his truck across my head and down my shoulder.
“I'm hungry, Mommy.” A rumble came from his stomach just as he said it, and I wrapped him up in a hug.
“I know sweets, as soon as the men are done, I will fix you a plate, okay?” I didn’t care when we ate, just that we were able to tonight. Taking the sandwiches that didn’t sell from the coffee shop was getting old, and a little boy needed more than a sandwich to fill him up.
“You’ll come and eat with us. Now.” Kipp’s voice boomed from the doorway, and I jumped, which made Cooper lose his balance and fall onto my lap. Cracks and pops emanated from Kipp’s knees as he squatted to be on the same level as my son.
“Cooper, please go to the kitchen and take a seat at the table. Ask Griff to get you a plate and some food. I want to talk to your mom.” He’d spoken right to Cooper like he was a person, not a child.
