The Cowboy's Property (Siren Publishing Classic) by Calico Daniels Page A

the concrete office floor and crushed it beneath his boot heel. “Yeah, well, we shouldn’t have to put up with the crap either, but we do.” His wise gaze leveled on her. “I know why I put up with it, but I don’t understand why a young woman like you just doesn’t find herself a nice man and settle down. Hopping from ranch to ranch every few years is no way for a girl to spend her youth.”
    “Come on, Jerry. You of all people know how opinionated and stubborn I am.” She poked his arm. “If I could ever find a man like you, I would give up the horse shit and eighty-hour work weeks, but until then, I plan on staying as far away from anything that resembles a serious relationship as I can.”
    “Not every marriage is like your parents were, you know.”
    Kayla rolled her eyes. “Uncle Jerry, you and Aunt Martha were exceptions to the rule. Maybe someday I’ll find a guy when I have the time to look. Until then, I want to have a good time and enjoy my life.” She placed a light kiss on his grizzled cheek and started for the door. “I’ll do whatever Laura wants me to do, and I won’t complain.”
     
    * * * *
     
    Won’t complain, my ass! Who was she trying to fool? The minute she walked through the door of the lodge, Laura hit her with a laundry list of things to do. All eighteen rooms needed to be cleaned and fresh sheets put on the beds. She wanted the halls vacuumed, the common room dusted, and all the linens and towels washed. And, oh, by the way, there were no other housekeepers today. Not that the evil bitch cared, no way was she going to take the time to hire anyone else since she was trying to off-load her headache.
    “How do you expect me to do all this myself before the guests get back, Laura?” Kayla planted her fists on her hips and glared at the owner.
    Laura waved her hand dismissively in the air. “The guests won’t be back from their ride until noon, so you have all morning. It shouldn’t be a problem for you as long as you don’t fool around.” She glanced at her gold watch. “I have other things to do, but don’t forget we had a late arrival last night, so I want you to pay close attention to the room, and make sure to leave some fresh flowers in the vases.” She fluffed her teased, mouse-brown hair and walked toward the main door. “Can’t have our guests feeling neglected, now can we?”
    Kayla rolled her eyes as she went to the maid’s closet to get the cart. She loaded it with all the supplies she would need and went to work on the rooms. If it weren’t for the fact that she was given a place to live on the ranch and Jerry depended on her, Kayla might have told the woman to stuff it, but Jerry wasn’t getting any younger, and he didn’t need any more stress. And the thought of having to pack up and move to another ranch wasn’t exactly on her list of things she wanted to do right now.
    With her iPod ready and the maid’s cart in tow, Kayla made her way down the hall to start on the rooms. The work really wasn’t hard. Change sheets, make the beds, clean the bathrooms, and vacuum the floors. She could do it in her sleep, but it got old after a while having to fill in wherever there was an empty spot. Housekeeping, in the kitchen, waitressing. She really just wanted to be in the barn with the horses. Hell, mucking out the stalls held more appeal than asking if someone needed a refill on their drink.
    Almost four hours later, she was down to the last room. The late arrival’s room. She had already grabbed the fresh flowers for the vases in the room and a small fruit basket from the kitchen. Carrie Underwood sang through her earbuds as Kayla entered the room. It was obvious the occupant of this room was male by the blue boxer briefs and a pair of rumpled Wranglers in the middle of the floor. Men!
    She set the basket of fruit on the dresser and put the flowers in the vases on the nightstands on either side of the bed. It was the nicest room in the lodge with its peeled