Chantilly’s Cowboy by Debra Kayn

can’t cook worth beans, but she keeps things cleaner than a rich man’s tack room. Bisette, the one who’s missing today, would forget she was cooking something in the oven and burn the food every time it was her turn to make the meal.”
    “And Chantilly?” Jack turned his head in Chantilly’s direction. “Was it easy for her to learn how to do all this?”
    “She’s the responsible one in the family.” Stuart frowned. “If someone complained ’bout doing chores, she’d do it for them. If the other girls slacked off, she didn’t come to me complaining. She’d double up on her household tasks to make sure the job got done. That girl can do anything she sets her mind to and more.”
    “Yeah, I can see her doing that.” Jack never took his gaze off Chantilly.
    Stuart cleared his throat. “Tell you the truth, Jack. Her falling head over heels for you is the best thing that could happen to her. She’s more relaxed and the ranch…I think she can finally see how it won’t fall apart if she enjoys life for a change.” He sat forward and leaned his elbows on the table. “I want her to be happy and let someone else take care of her for a change.”
    Jack swallowed. He understood what Stuart was saying. He wanted nothing more than to make Chantilly happy for the rest of his life, but he sat in a precarious position. His loyalty to the man who’d confided in him and his love for the man’s daughter didn’t sit well inside his stomach anymore.
    “Stuart, I really think—”
    “All right, men, outside. It’s time to get this shindig going. I’m starving.” Val shooed them away from the table. “Go out and do your jawing while we bring the food out.” She snapped her dad with the dish towel. “Get going.”
    Stuart raised his arms above his head. “Damn, woman, you shoulda stayed on the ranch the way you like to round things up and herd them away.”
    Val snorted. “That’s Chantilly’s dream.”
    “And what is your dream, Valenciennes?” Stuart stopped at the back door. “What do you want, sweetie?”
    Val stood up on her tiptoes, kissed her dad’s cheek and whispered, “I want someone to love me as much as my daddy does.” She gave him one more kiss before pushing him out the door. “Now take Jack outside and get ready to eat your weight in food.”
    Stuart chuckled and clapped his hand on Jack’s shoulder. He shortened his stride. Stuart wasn’t showing him a sign of companionship, but leaning heavily on him.
    “You okay, boss?” Jack kept his gaze forward. A proud man never wanted to admit to weakness, especially to another man.
    Stuart squeezed his shoulders. “I’m gonna need you to distract Chantilly Tuesday. I’ve got another session with the physical therapist and it’ll be a tough one…or so they say.” He sniffed and inhaled deeply. “I swear, Jack, this is worse than getting kicked by the meanest son-of-a-bitch bull you’ll ever meet.”
    Jack pulled out one of the chairs around the outside table. “Stuart—”
    “Grub’s ready. Let’s start the Fourth of July off right and dig in.” Chantilly led all of her sisters out the door. “It won’t be long and the whole town will be here to celebrate McDougal-style.”
    He sat down beside Stuart. Taking off his hat, he stretched his neck. The muscles running up the backs of his shoulders to his head were tighter than a lead line. It didn’t feel right keeping Stuart’s personal information to himself when he was in love with Stuart’s daughter. He’d talk to the boss tomorrow. This had to end. Dammit, Chantilly has a right to know. Hell, the whole family would rally around Stuart and make this so much easier. Stuart needs to realize he isn’t protecting them, but denying them their right.
     
    Trucks of all sizes packed the gravel driveway leading up to the ranch. Chantilly stood on her tiptoes and leaned against the railing, scanning the crowd gathered on the front lawn for Jack. He’d disappeared fifteen minutes