Jake (Downton Cowboys #2) - Miley Maine Page 0,16

wild in a beautiful frenzy around her face, her eyes widening as Katie’s body stands between us.

And her jaw drops.

The expression on her face quickly shifts from a benevolent smile to a stunned stare. As she exhales, I see her shoulders immediately droop.

“Good mornin’. Can I help you?” I only see the back of Katie’s head. Her inviting voice, however, does nothing to change the dumbfounded look on Belle’s face.

“I—Uh…” she mumbles, shaking her head while one foot slides back.

Now those are some sexy boots.

“Hey, Belle!” I holler, peeking from behind my housekeeper’s back before she quickly shifts to the side, clearing the way.

Belle’s eyes linger on my face with a flat look and grinding jaws, and it hits me… we never actually mentioned relationships, and she clearly thinks that Katie is a lover.

“Oh, this is—” I shift in my stance, stepping closer and pulling the door open wide so Katie comes back into the scene once again.

“Yeah, no,” Belle speaks quickly, scrunching her nose as her steps take her back. “You’re clearly fine.”

“But, lis—” I raise a hand in the air, hoping that she will hear me out.

“I’m glad you’re okay.” Her voice is suddenly serious, bordering on formal.

The smile she musters resembles one you would flash at the cashier at the grocery store before picking up your change and leaving.

Without giving me a chance to respond or introduce Katie as I intended, Belle quickly turns around and marches away toward Lady.

“Belle? Hang on!” I call out, frustration rapidly building up within me.

She neither responds nor even regards me with a glance. She just hops up on her horse, turns her around, and rides away.

“Belle!” I call out one more time, to no avail.

What the hell?

“Is everything okay?” Katie’s puzzled face is the only thing left for me to turn to.

“Ah—” I sigh, my shoulders slouching as my hand reaches back to scratch my head. “Yeah, never mind.”

“Do you know her?” she asks.

“Her name’s Belle.” I turn around, shutting the door behind me before sourly shuffling over to the kitchen.

“Oh.” I think I hear Katie murmur before she follows me. “Well, would you like some breakfast?”

“Yes, please. I’m already late.”

I eat in a hurry, partly because I have a lot of work to get to, and mostly because I don’t want to burden Katie with my dilemma.

This is the first chance I had with a beautiful and interesting woman in months, and there it is, reduced to nothing in less than thirty seconds. I try to conceal my irritation, and I think I succeed when she smiles and hands me the paper.

“You might wanna get a break later.”

“Thanks, K.” I take it and place it on the table next to my unfinished coffee.

My smile is cracked, but at least I muster one.

I have forgotten what it was like to be in a relationship with a woman and the considerations that it entails. That’s why it totally escaped my mind to mention that I have a lady who helps me out.

It’s not Katie’s fault, but as I gulp down the rest of my coffee and stand up, I indulge the urge to get away from her as quickly as possible.

It’s my mistake and she shouldn’t bear the brunt of it.

“Thank you. Have a good one.” I quickly march toward the door with one hand holding the paper and the other grabbing my hat.

“You too.” Her voice lacks the usual enthusiasm.

Just as I head for the door, the phone begins to ring. I see her launching over to get it.

“Yes?” She looks in my direction. “Who’s speaking? Sheila?”

I silently shake my head.

“I’m sorry, he’s not. Have you tried his office?” She glances at me again. “Oh, well, then maybe he’s doing a round. I’ll let him know you called.”

She hangs up and I resume walking.

“Thank you.”

“You’re welcome.” She pauses. “Have I mentioned that she called twice last week? This is the third time.”

“Yes, you did.” My hand grips the knob as I turn to give her an appreciative look. “Thanks again.”

Sheila.

Sheila and I shared some drinks at the bar in town some weeks ago. Since then, she’s been calling every now and then in hopes that we could repeat it. Only trouble is, Sheila is a loud drinker who happens to lose control more often than not. And me, I’m not a man who likes to draw too much attention. Especially when out with a woman I’m interested in.

The only time I spoke to her about it didn’t exactly go too