Cowboy Enchantment - By Pamela Browning Page 0,4
shoulder and returned to her task.
Erica’s mouth had gone as dry as dust; her mind skittered over the possibilities. She had arrived at Rancho Encantado only minutes ago, and already she’d seen the man of her dreams. It would be counterproductive, she figured, to mention that she’d known how to ride since she was ten.
“You might as well sign me up for those riding lessons,” she said as nonchalantly as possible, considering the fact that her entire body was vibrating at a new and higher frequency.
“Group lessons or private?”
“Private, please.”
Justine checked a box on the card and dropped it into a folder.
Erica cleared her throat. “I suppose a handsome guy like Hank is already taken, right?”
“Women ask me about him all the time,” Justine said, her mouth twitching with amusement. “As it happens, no, he’s not.”
“I see,” Erica said.
“But he’s not interested in getting to know people in a more personal way, either,” Justine added.
“Mmm,” Erica murmured, but Justine’s caution didn’t worry her. She didn’t have to get to know him well; all she wanted was a fling.
Justine handed her a printed schedule. “Okay, Erica,” she said. “You’re all set. Your wardrobe consultant, that’s Sue. Hairdresser and makeup artist, Tico. Yoga with Ananda, riding with Hank and…oops, our physical fitness instructor is all booked.”
“That’s okay. There’s enough going on to keep me busy. Say, I hope I haven’t created a problem for you by arriving in the middle of the week. I had some things I had to clear up at work before I could leave.”
“Most guests arrive over the weekend, but sometimes we have people like you whose job responsibilities make it impossible for them to arrive until midweek. We always accommodate.” Justine slid a room key across the counter. “I’ll let you get settled in your room, and then you can join me for dinner.”
“Oh, I don’t want to be a bother. Shouldn’t I be eating in the communal dining hall with the other guests?”
“I thought it would be fun for me to have company at the Big House for dinner and for us to get better acquainted. Plus, I’m being selfish. I’m hoping you can distract me from the many trials and tribulations of running a place like this.”
“It’s a deal! I’ll look forward to letting you fill me in on the lost legend of Rancho Encantado.”
“If only. The thing is, the legend is lost. What’s left of it has been handed down by word of mouth through the years, and I know only enough to say that it has something to do with unexpected transformations. Since we specialize in makeovers, the legend fits in with what we do. That’s all we need to know.”
“I suppose there’s no ghost, either?” Erica couldn’t help asking.
Justine smiled. “Some people claim to have seen him, but he’s certainly never shown himself to me. If he had, I would have put him to work.”
“It’s a man?”
“They say it’s Padre Luis, a priest who was instrumental in building a school and hospital here. I understand he was much revered by the miners and their families. I’d like to see Padre Luis, but oh, well. I have my fill of personnel problems without adding a priestly ghost to my list.” She called toward the employee lounge, “Tony, will you please show Erica to her suite? Unless Padre Luis wants to do it, that is.”
“Sure thing, and as for that priest, I’ve never seen him either. It’s a rare person who has, I think.” Tony, the withered little old man who had picked her up at the airport earlier, emerged from the lounge looking as if a strong wind could blow him away. Nevertheless, he insisted on hefting Erica’s bag and transporting it to her quarters.
“This tiny bag? It’s not a problem for an old cowhand like me,” he claimed with a ready grin.
During their ride from Las Vegas, Tony had treated her to a discourse on their surroundings. Now he was eager to fill her in on the geology of the desert, knowledge of which was, according to him, necessary information if she was to enjoy her stay.
“First you got your mountains,” Tony said, jerking his head toward the tawny snowcapped peaks as they left the reception building. “Then you got your valleys, like this one. You may notice that it’s green here. That’s because there are seven springs in the area, some in the mountains, some right here. The water keeps everything well irrigated.”
“You’d almost think we weren’t surrounded by desert,” Erica