The Count's Christmas Baby Read online

  His deep chuckle thrilled her. “It’s still not as dark in here as it was that day. I can see enough of you to want you all over again. My appetite for you is indecent.”

  “Then we were made for each other,” she cried.

  “Tell me something,” he whispered, kissing a favorite spot. “Was that soldier coming on to you?”

  She lifted her head. “What soldier? Oh—the one on the plane?”

  “Do you know another?”

  “No,” She laughed because he sounded so possessive. “He thought Ric was adorable and said so.”

  “Then I guess I forgive him.”

  “Darling.” She kissed him hungrily. “Now tell me about Vito’s plans.”

  He rolled her over to look into her eyes. “With all the money assets including the palazzo and Claudia’s villa turned over to Eliana’s father, the debt my father accrued is paid up in full.”

  “I can’t believe it took all that!”

  “My father’s vice was his own undoing, but I don’t want to talk about him. The best news is, Vito has agreed to go into business with me and run a new shipping line with the assets from Mother’s legacy.”

  She covered his face with kisses. “I know how much it means for you to be close to him.”

  “I believe you do. It’ll be fun to see if we can build a new Degenoli empire with our own hard work, shoulder to shoulder. Both my siblings are going to buy villas here on Paphos so we can all live together.”

  “It’s perfect, except for one thing. You haven’t told me how things went with Eliana.”

  “That’s because her father wouldn’t allow me to go near her. After our business meeting concluded, he told me she was spending time at Prince Rudolfo’s winter palace in Torino while she recovered.”

  “That’s awful.”

  “I don’t think so. She couldn’t handle my having a son, and I don’t blame her. Rudolfo’s her type and eligible. I think they could even have a good marriage because she’ll be marrying a prince. That’s much better than a count.”

  “Ric—” She buried her face in his neck.

  “But I don’t want to think about any of that again. The only thing that matters is you. You came to Italy as I’d hoped you would, bringing me a Christmas gift that’s brought me joy beyond measure. I think I willed you here.”

  Her breath caught. “I’m positive you did. I felt a force stronger than my own will. Ric and I need you desperately.”

  “Then prove it to me again, Sami. I couldn’t live without you now.”

  Neither could she without him.

  Neither could she.

  * * * * *

  Keep reading for an excerpt of The Cowboy Comes Home by Patricia Thayer!

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  CHAPTER ONE

  WILLIE NELSON’S “On the Road Again” poured out of the open windows of Johnny Jameson’s truck as he drove along the country road. It was January in Texas, but he was energized by the cold air, knowing the temperature would rise to triple digits soon enough come spring. No matter what the weather, he’d much rather be outside than cooped up indoors.

  He always liked to keep on the move. Never felt the need to stay at any one place too long. More times than he could count, he had lived out of his vehicle.

  He’d been lucky lately. The jobs came to him, and he could pick and choose what he wanted to take on. That was the reason he was coming to Larkville. He’d been intrigued when he’d heard the job description. Also because Clay Calhoun and his prize quarter horses were legendary in Texas. But before he got too excited, he wanted to assess the situation before he made any promises to the man, or to the job. If there still was a job, since the offer had been made months ago.

  He’d been delayed by a stubborn colt, but after he’d finished training it, the thoroughbred was worth what the owner had paid. When he’d called Calhoun to let him know he’d be delayed with previous commitments, he’d ended up talking to Clay’s son Holt, who’d explained that his father was ill, but assured him that the job would be there whenever he arrived at the ranch. Johnny had said to expect him around the first of the year.

  As it turned out it was the first of the year, and he was finally headed for the Double Bar C Ranch. He glanced in the rearview mirror at his trailer, and his precious cargo, Risky Business, his three-year-old roan stallion.

  His attention focused back ahead and on the southeast Texas landscape of rolling hills and pastures that had the yellow hue of winter. He looked toward a group of bare trees and a cattle water trough nestled at the base. There was also a visitor, one beautiful black stallion. The animal reared up, fighting to get loose from his lead rope that seemed to be caught on something.

  He glanced around to see if anyone was nearby. Not a soul. He pulled his truck to the side of the road and got out. After walking back to check his own horse, he headed toward the open pasture to hopefully save another.

  * * *

  Jess knew she was going to be blamed for this.

  Since her brother Holt was away on personal business, her sister, Megan, was away at school and her brother Nate was in the army, she was the one family member around to handle Double Bar C emergencies. Even though she really wasn’t involved in the day-to-day running of the ranch—Holt was in charge of that—she knew finding Night Storm had to take top priority.

  The bigger problem was, how do you find, much less bring back, a rogue stallion? No one but Clay Calhoun had ever been able to handle the valuable quarter horse. Now that Dad was gone, the question was what to do with Storm.

  The ranch foreman, Wes Brogan, had decided to let the animal out to the fenced pasture, but before Wes was able to transport Storm there, the horse broke away.

  When she’d gotten the call early this morning, she immediately went to the barn, saddled up Goldie and rode out to find Storm. She’d been on a horse since she was a baby, so there wasn’t any problem keeping up with the ranch hands. To cover more ground, the crew took off in different directions of the vast Calhoun land and so Jess set off on her own.

  The Double Bar C had been in the family for generations, and her father had worked hard so it would remain with the Calhouns for many more. Big Clay had loved his horses, especially this stallion, but there had been trouble since Storm had arrived at the ranch. The valuable horse had been mistreated in the past. Eventually Storm began to trust her father somewhat, but since Clay’s death a few months back, the horse’s behavior had gotten worse and no one had been able to handle him.

  She sighed, feeling the bite of the January cold against her cheeks. She slowed her horse as they came to the rise and suddenly caught a spot of black. Taking out her binoculars, she saw the welcome sight.

  “Hallelujah!” she cried out, seeing Storm. Then she looked again and saw a man holding on to his lead rope. She didn’t recognize him as one of the hands, then she spotted a truck and trailer alongside the road.

  “Oh, no, you don’t. You’re not going to steal Double Bar C property.” She kicked her heels into the mare and they shot off.

  * * *

  Johnny had worked with the horse for close to thirty minutes and had made some headway. The animal was still in distress, but at least Johnny had gotten close enough to loop a rope around his neck so he could calm the animal.

  And what a beauty he was. His glistening black coat looked well c
ared for, he thought as he kept the spirited stallion moving in a circle. He pulled the rope taut, knowing he would need an arena to truly work him.

  The horse got more agitated when he heard a rider approach, but Johnny couldn’t take his attention from his task.

  “What do you think you’re doing on Calhoun land?”

  He was surprised to hear the female voice.

  “Trying to help this valuable horse.” He managed to maneuver around to see her.

  “He’s not your valuable horse—he belongs to my father.”

  He noticed the pretty buckskin mare, then he lifted his gaze to the tall blond beauty who sat straight in the saddle. Her long slender legs hugged the animal’s flanks and she controlled her horse as if she were born to ride.

  “Then maybe I should be having this conversation with Mr. Calhoun.”

  He heard her gasp, followed by, “That’s a little difficult since his death.”

  Thrown by the news, Johnny slowed the stallion but when the animal acted up, he turned his attention back to him.

  “Please accept my condolences, Ms.…”

  “Jess Calhoun.” She took her lariat off her saddle. “What do you need me to do?”

  Back to the problem at hand. “If you can manage it, throw another rope over the stallion’s head?” he asked.

  “Storm. The horse’s name is Night Storm.”

  She swung the rope overhead and it took a few tries, but she finally hit her target.

  Johnny watched as Ms. Calhoun walked her mare backward, pulling the rope tight. That helped to get the animal under control. Somewhat.

  “Keep it taut.”

  She did.

  But she also needed questions answered. “Not that I don’t appreciate your help, but I have no idea who you are.”

  “Johnny Jameson. I was on my way to see Clay Calhoun. I had no idea about his death.” He wasn’t sure what else to say. “I spoke with your father last September in Dallas at a horse auction. He’d asked me to come to the ranch then, but I had a job to finish first and it went on a lot longer than planned.” He tugged on the rope. Would this horse ever tire out? “I called Clay right away, but I talked with your brother Holt. He assured me that I’d be welcome whenever I arrived.”

  He caught the sad emotion that played across her face. “When did Clay pass away?”

  “Late October. Pneumonia,” she finally said. “He waited too long to see a doctor.” She nodded toward the agitated animal. “Storm is Dad’s horse. No one else has been able to handle him.”

  The stallion pawed at the ground and breathed heavily through his nostrils. Johnny tugged on the rope.

  Jess watched in amazement. This tall dark stranger sure knew his way around horses. Was Jameson a horse breeder? “Wouldn’t want to buy a stallion real cheap, would you?”

  He grinned. “Don’t be so anxious to get rid of him. Like you said, he’s a valuable animal. I think he’s also the horse your father wanted me to work with.”

  Johnny Jameson was dressed in the standard cowboy uniform—jeans and Western-yoked shirt. His wide-brim Stetson shadowed his face, but she could see the chiseled cheekbones and deep-set eyes. When he tipped his head back she caught a glimpse of the gray color of his eyes and felt a tingle of awareness.

  No. She wouldn’t fall for another cowboy. She took out her cell phone and called Wes. She gave him her location. “More help will be here soon.”

  They stayed busy with the horse until finally the group of riders came over the hill.

  The foreman climbed down from his horse. “Damn, Jess. Your daddy would be proud.”

  “I didn’t do this,” she said as one of the men, Will Hinkle, took the rope, relieving her of her job. “Mr. Jameson here caught him.”

  Wes turned to the man. “I’d shake your hand, but I see you’re busy.” He paused. “Did you say Jameson? Johnny Jameson?”

  “That’s me.”

  The forty-five-year-old Wes grinned. “Well, I’ll be damned. You finally made it to our part of Texas.”

  Jess didn’t like being left out. “Finally made it?”

  Wes smiled. “Mr. Jameson is one of the top horse trainers around. I remember when Clay got back from Dallas. He was so excited and hopeful about Johnny coming to work with us.”

  Jameson turned those amazing gray eyes toward her. “Your father and I talked at length. As I said, he’s the one who hired me. Thing is, do I still have a job?”

  * * *

  One of the Double Bar C hands drove Johnny’s truck to the ranch and gave Johnny the loan of his horse so that he could escort the stallion back personally. It took nearly an hour before Night Storm was back in his stall in the state-of-the-art horse barn at the ranch.

  Johnny led the animal inside himself. At least the equine was exhausted from his adventure. And Johnny was hoping he’d be calmer tomorrow so he’d get the chance to work with him.

  If he still had the job. Would the pretty Ms. Calhoun override her father and brother’s decision?

  Once the horse had been fed his special mixture of legumes and oats, Johnny walked outside along with Wes. “That’s the calmest I’ve seen Storm in weeks.”

  “Is he always so agitated?” Johnny asked.

  Wes grew serious. “Pretty much. Clay got him a little over a year ago. He’d been skittish to begin with and we couldn’t work out why, then we found the marks on his hind legs.”

  Johnny had missed those. Usually there was something that caused a horse to be distraught, leery. And abuse was often a big factor.

  “Clay was the one who handled him, but Storm could still be unpredictable. It’s gotten worse since Clay’s not around anymore. That’s why I let him out to graze this morning.” Wes tipped his hat back. “You saw how that worked out. So you think you can help him?”

  He liked a challenge. He wanted to prove, especially to the abuser, that Storm could be turned around. “All I promise is that I’ll try. That is, if Ms. Calhoun wants me to handle Storm’s training.”

  “It’s not my decision one way or the other,” the familiar woman’s voice said.

  They both turned to see Jess.

  Johnny was still awestruck by her beauty. Tall and slender with those mile-long legs encased in formfitting jeans. She brushed the single braid off her shoulder and walked toward them.

  Good. He wanted to get a closer look. His gaze moved over her and he wasn’t disappointed. Her skin was flawless and her large eyes were a golden-brown in color. His attention went to her mouth, and those full lips. He swallowed at the sudden dryness in his throat.

  Okay, you’d better concentrate on business.

  “I can’t thank you enough for what you did today, Mr. Jameson. If you have an agreement with my brother, of course you have a job here.”

  “It was an understanding,” he admitted. “I’ll need an agreement in writing for my fees and my training style.”

  Jess started to speak, but Wes said, “Jess, why don’t we phone Holt.” He turned to Johnny. “Holt is away on personal business. You wouldn’t mind waiting a few minutes while we speak to him, would you?”

  “Not a problem. I’ll go see to my horse.”

  Jess watched the familiar cowboy’s swagger as he walked away. Raised on a ranch, she’d known many men like him. Good-looking, sweet-talking, love ’em and leave ’em. His way, his game, then pack up and hit the road.

  She had been uncomfortable with the way Johnny Jameson looked at her. It was a good thing that she didn’t have any part in running the ranch. Except when her big brother went out of town and she was the only one to handle it.

  Wes stopped just inside the barn. “Jess, you are going to hire Johnny?”

  She shook her head, knowing she had power of attorney while Holt was away. “Of course, but I’d feel better talking to Holt first since we have to agree to the money and terms.”

  Wes nodded, took out his cell phone and punched in the call button for Holt. Once the foreman finished with his questions, Jess
asked her brother a few of her own. Satisfied, she agreed to what the trainer would need and that he would sign a contract. She hung up and smiled at Wes.

  “Looks like we have a trainer for Storm.”

  They headed back through the barn. She had just agreed to pay a hefty fee to Mr. Jameson.

  “Seems like a lot for a trainer,” she remarked.

  Wes nodded. “A trainer as good as Johnny Jameson can name his price.” Wes stopped. “Look, Jess. I know you haven’t been around the operation, and if you had, you’d know that the vet has been out several times to medicate Storm. Doc Peters has talked about the possibility of putting him down.”

  Jess gasped. “We wouldn’t do that!”

  “Of course not,” Wes agreed. “He’s a valuable animal, but he’s also out of control right now. We can’t ride him or breed him when he’s like this.”

  “But Storm was dad’s horse.”

  “And that’s the reason Holt’s put up with his behavior these past months. But someone could get hurt. Jameson is our best hope. It’s the right decision to hire him.”

  Jess knew after just one meeting that the man had stirred something in her. That was the problem. She felt the attraction. Bad news. She also couldn’t forget her lousy track record with men.

  At least she didn’t need to be around that much, and her home and business were on another part of the ranch. That made her a little more relaxed until she walked out of the barn and caught the scene in the corral unfolding before her. She could only watch as Johnny lifted her four-year-old son to the railing. She stiffened, seeing how animated Brady was with the new trainer as his small hand reached out toward the forehead of the man’s roan horse. Quickly the boy pulled his hand back and laughed nervously. Jess hadn’t heard that sound since before Brady’s grandfather had died. Wasn’t her son afraid of horses? She remembered that day when Brady had been barely two years old, and he’d gone with his grandpa Clay to the barn and a horse broke away and nearly knocked him down. From then on, her son had cried every time her dad tried to take him back to the barn.

  Now, Brady was trusting a stranger.