She was being silly. She set the book on the nightstand on the left side of the headboard, closest to the door. Then she undressed and put on the silk nightgown she’d been provided. She ran her hand down the sides of her body and the difference between this and her normal cotton gown was the smooth way her hands slid down the gown. The silk against her skin made her feel beautiful. She’d never had something so nice.
And it fit like it was made especially for her. Whoever had done the shopping for her clothes had gotten the size right, though none of her nightgowns had ever fit like this. She went through the closet and the drawers of the bureau and pulled out clothes for tomorrow. She didn't want to have to decide in the morning, when being on time was essential. She found a pair of sandwashed jeans and a blue cotton shirt that had princess seams to accommodate her ample chest without being too big at the waist.
Kaylie looked at the belt coiled in the drawer like a snake and decided against it—too conservative for her tastes. Was she trying to impress Ryan? The jeans looked tight enough to make her legs look longer and tucking in the shirt would emphasize her tiny waist. Yes, she definitely was. It had been too long since she’d been looked at as a desirable woman. Her engagement ended more than two years ago and she hadn’t been with anyone since.
The pantsuit she’d worn to the U.S. Marshal’s office today didn’t do that. Not that it looked bad but it was too much like work. Vinnie had insisted she dress for business every day, even Saturday because he could call her in at any time. Except Sunday. Vinnie never worked on Sunday and she usually wore sweats while she did her laundry and her housework.
Today, when she’d dressed to go see the marshal, she thought she should be business like, so she’d worn the suit. Or maybe it was because she didn’t have much except business clothes. One pair of ripped jeans and a couple of t-shirts she’d gotten at concerts she’d attended with Julie. She wished she had those, just for the memories.
Now that she had her clothes for tomorrow laid on the chair beneath the window, she wondered if she was ready to spend the next three months with a man like Ryan Evers. A man who made her weak in the knees just by looking at her.
* * *
The next morning,Kaylie was up at four and she showered and dressed. She headed to the kitchen and found a note on the counter.
Kaylie,
We forgot to discuss the menu for breakfast. We usually have scrambled eggs, bacon or sausage, biscuits, coffee, milk and orange juice. Make enough biscuits to have three for each man. Tomorrow everyone will be here. That will be fifteen men and you.
I suggest you make two pots of coffee, put them in the thermal carafes in the bottom cupboard to the right of the sink and make a third pot. You’ll have to make three more pots before breakfast is over. Coffee is expected to be available all day for the men to drink whenever they come in.
Thanks,
Ryan
She huffed out a breath. This would be a big meal with all the men there. She put the note down and started the first pot of coffee. Opening the top cupboard to the right of the sink she snagged a cup and set it next to the coffee pot. Then she found the carafes and set those on the counter.
After the coffee was started, she found the largest mixing bowl in the cupboard and then pulled the ingredients for biscuits from the pantry. She turned on both ovens and proceeded to bake two sheet pans full of the quick bread. She had enough dough left to make another dozen biscuits, found a third cookie sheet and put the biscuits on it and into the second oven.
“Looks like you’ve got everything under control.”
She screamed and spun toward him. “Ryan! Don’t sneak up on me like that.”
He raised his hands, his shirt only buttoned halfway up his chest. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t meaning to sneak up on you.”
She waved at him to lower his hands. “Sorry. I guess I’m a little on edge. This whole situation has me so upset I’m eating Rolaids like they were candy.” She closed her eyes and took some deep breaths.
“Soon it will be over. In the meantime, you don’t have to worry while you’re here. I’ll make sure nothing happens to you.”
She narrowed her eyes. “How can you make that promise? You’re just a rich man with a ranch.”
He laughed. “Oh, my Kaylie, I’m so much more than that, but I can’t tell you now. Maybe some time down the road.”
Sighing, she nodded. “I know. If you told me you’d have to kill me.”
He grinned and cocked a brow. “Something like that.”
“Well, I better get started cooking. It will take a while to pull this all together by six.”
“Do you want some help? I am here but to serve.”
She shook her head. “I think I’ve got it now. The biscuits were the most time consuming.” Turning, she looked toward the stove and the ovens on the wall. “And they’re almost done.”
“All right. I’ll go do my morning chores.” He finished buttoning his shirt, grabbed his coat from the mud room off the kitchen and walked out the back door.
She’d enjoyed looking at the hard chest that peeked from beneath his shirt.
What is the matter with me? I have got to get my emotions under control. I can’t be screaming every time someone enters the room. He’ll think I’m insane…and so will I.