The Cowboys Fire

Chapter 11

Lilly POV

Sitting on the wrap around porch, it was nice to hear the comments about my food. However Connor’s opinion of me couldn’t do much but hurt. Already feeling at the end of my tether but that was pretty much the last kick really. I have been trying to keep upbeat about everything and treating this as my new start but I can see now it’s just a short term stepping stone on to somewhere else. At least I’m not paying for rent but I do need to discus pay and then I can work out how quickly I can move on and where to start looking for an actual fresh start.

My heart sinks.

I stay in the darkness looking out at the night sky, waiting for them to go to bed so I can sort their breakfast as well.

After a while, the last of the lights turn off inside and I head in to get on with the cleaning and cooking. I can’t have Connor’s opinion of me getting any worse otherwise he may show me the door before I have a plan and funds in place.

About an hour later, all the pots are cleaned and away, the breakfast casserole is in the slow cookers, I have blended a better mix of coffee for the maker and it should have the house smelling good enough so nobody can sleep through their chores.

I look around and see the disaster of an office and decide it’s my task for tomorrow.

Closing the kitchen back down, I head to the bunk house. Checking on the slow cookers, everything looks in order. I head to my room and don’t even have the energy to shower. I crawl under my duvet and am asleep before my head hits the pillow.

…………………………………………………………

Movement outside my bedroom door pulls me from slumber. I can hear a few whispering voices, some form of debate going on at .. .. .. 6:15am.. .. .. I roll over, pulling the duvet over my head hoping to go back to sleep since I had been finding sleep mostly illusive. The voices silence and I hope they heard my silent prayer, when there’s a small knock at the door. No!!! Trudging from my snuggly hovel I slip on my slippers and without thinking better of it I swing open my door.

On the other side five ranch hands stand, Saint, I recognise with his hand up clearly about to knock again. All with their mouths hanging open. They woke me up, they can’t expect any woman not to look a fright at this hour.

“Morning” I greet, hoping their brains will kick into gear at some point and they can explain why they needed me up as well.

“Morning” comes out of Saint on a puff of air. I hear footsteps coming down the hall, seeing it’s the Jack to my Jill, Forman Wainright, I smile and do a little wave to which I get a double take, to which he turns bright red and steps between me and the rest of the hands. Facing them. What the???

A loud whistle shocks everyone.

“Men, say what was so important that you had to pull Miss Lilly from her bed at 6am when she clearly stayed up late to make us all great coffee and a delicious hot breakfast. Now!”

“Sorry, we just wanted to say.. .. that really. The food is great and thanks for the clean clothes. We have all filled out the schedule. The coffee is great too, we don’t know how you did it but, thank you. Sorry”

They all turn and dash off. Surprised, a little smile crosses my face. I notice, Wainwright seems to be shielding me from view. He turns around but refuses to make eye contact, I’m not awake enough for this.

“I know I must be quite a sight first thing in a morning, but do I really look that bad?” I can’t keep the hurt from my voice, it’s been a rough time.

Shocked, Wainwright meets my gaze.

“Bad! Bad! Sweetheart, these men, me included haven’t seen a woman looking like you in a long time. Lilly, you are wearing a tiny sting t-shirt and little shorts. They couldn’t speak because all their focus was on not jumping you” my cheeks become molten as I look down and remember how I greeted the door.

oh!

Oh!

OH!!!

I dash back inside my room and slam the door behind me, mortified.

Kill me now, please, open the ground up and swallow me whole. How can I ever face them again.

I hide under my duvet until I realise I have work to do and somehow have to face the hands again.

I purposefully wait until I assume everyone will be busy out and about, and get to work. Cleaning everything from breakfast. Get today’s laundry going and do the same at the main house. I looked through the cupboards yesterday and created a list for a shop. It’s.. .. extensive but should last around two weeks with a different meal each night and rotating breakfast menu. By the sound of what Connor said yesterday, I don’t imagine I’ll still be here longer than that.

I locate the keys to the car Logan arranged for me and see a note attached to the keys;

“Thank you for the amazing dinner and breakfast, please remember to get plenty of rest. You’re here to heal foremost. I have programmed the satnav in the car with the supermarket, and a few other places you might need. There’s a fob on the keys, use it to pay for whatever you need. You’re welcome to join us for dinner at the main house. Logan”

Awe he is a sweetie, I agree with his point of view, he treats me like sister would, I think. Trying not to dwell on that, I bundle myself in the car and set off.

With my list on hand, I get pretty much everything I’m looking for and for some things I can adjust recipes. Happy with my haul and conscious of the time I head back to the ranch, I’m not one for socialising and it difficult when you’re watching over your shoulder to see if anyone’s following you.

Relieved to see the ranch gate, I head towards the main house, bags in hand. Unloading and putting everything away into the serving kitchen. Taking a few minutes and a bite of a turkey sandwich, I decide what to cook tonight and crack on. Hearing movement overhead I assume the brothers are back for lunch. I keep quiet in the hope that they leave me alone and carry on with my tasks. Before long the dishes are ready, and I have my pilfered little red cart to drag all the fixings for a Mexican feast. Pulled pork nachos and enchiladas with fresh cheese, salsa and guacamole.

I finish the washing at set it all in the right rooms. Then decide I can’t put it off any longer. It’s time to face the office.