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CHAPTER4
Emily woke with the sun streaming through the hotel window and realized that Tanner was gone. With a sigh, she stretched and rolled over and smiled. Last night was the best night she’d had in over three years. Last night, she’d experienced one orgasm after another and could only thank the man who was no longer in her bed.
She rolled toward the pillow he’d been sleeping on and took a deep breath. It smelled of Tanner. The crunch of paper made her realize he’d left her a note.
Picking it up, she read the short and sweet missive. Oh, how she wished he’d left her his number. But that wasn’t meant to be. Last night had only been about pleasure. Nothing else.
The experience had been for one night only. Both realized they were using each other and, oh, how they had used every inch of their bodies. But now it was over and it was a new day.
Time to move on to the next new experience in her new life.
Knowing she needed to get up and get going, she rose from bed. She had an hour before she needed to be on the road.
After she showered, she grabbed a bite to eat and a coffee to go. She needed to be at the ranch by noon. Her orientation would begin later this afternoon and they wanted to give her time to get settled in before she took over their kitchen tomorrow.
Cooking was her love and she couldn’t wait to show them her talents. Talents she’d spent learning while John had been in Iraq.
While this job was on a smaller scale than the big restaurants in New York that had been recruiting her, she knew it would be less stressful and she needed peace. And she was looking forward to living in the middle of nowhere with the cows and an ever-changing guest list.
This seemed like the perfect opportunity to regain control of her life.
Away from the press and the constant reporters. Away from the town where everyone knew her story. Away from the sorrow that followed her like a shadow.
Last night only added to her peace. If she could tell Tanner thank you, she would. But he was gone. This morning she felt more relaxed and at ease than she had in years. No, she would never see him again, but she would always be grateful for the time they shared. For the pleasure-filled night that made her realize she could love again someday.
After loading her suitcases into her Volkswagen, she got behind the wheel. Next stop, her new job.
Putting the address in her phone, she followed the directions, enjoying the winding two-lane highway that led her deeper into Texas. Oak trees lined the road, the growth thick, making the drive a spectacular, beautiful view.
Two hours later, she saw the ornate gate and pulled into the Burnett Dude Ranch where she would be cooking.
Trees reaching to the sky lined the driveway. At the guard gate, she stopped. “I’m Emily Young, the new cook.”
“Welcome, Mrs. Young. I’ll tell the family you’ve arrived. Just pull up to the main building there and they will come and meet you. Good luck to you.”
Pressing the gas, her Volkswagen bug tootled on down the road until she saw the main building where the kitchen resided, where she would spend her time doing what she loved.
Cooking.
Pulling into a parking place, she turned off the car and stepped out.
Several people hurried toward her.
“Hello,” an older woman who walked with a cane said. “I’m Rose Burnett, the head of Burnett Enterprises. We met at your interview. Welcome.”
Yes, Emily remembered the gray-haired woman who’d been large and in charge at the board meeting. With just a glance, she’d silenced several junior members.
“Great to be here,” Emily said, glancing around at all the houses and the land. It was a huge ranch. She’d been here for a quick interview, but she’d been so nervous that day, she didn’t remember much about the place. But now the memory of how much she’d enjoyed meeting these people returned.
The peace, the quiet, the solitude. It seemed like a truly magical place.
Just then a beautiful dark-haired woman came running up. “I’m Desiree Burnett. I handle the front office and also work with the maids. Welcome.”
Like a butterfly, she flitted around.
“Thank you,” she said. “I think we met at my original interview.”
“Oh, yes,” Desiree said. “Travis is not here right now. He’s on a cruise and won’t be back until tomorrow night. Tucker is in California on business.”
