Page 48 of Her Bachelor Cowboy Billionaire

CHAPTER11

The next morning, after writing for a couple of hours and then having a very troubled sleep, Jessica entered the kitchen for a cup of coffee. The scent of the brew reached her nostrils, and she breathed in the magical smell.

Around the table were five of the cowboys she hadn’t met yet, as well as Roark, Jubal, and Athena.

Athena jumped up from the table. “Sit and let me get you a cup of coffee, sweetie.”

“Thanks, Athena, I can get it.” Jessica was only using one crutch, leaving the other hand free to hold a coffee cup.

“Nonsense. The kitchen is my domain, and just because I might have let you do last night’s dishes doesn’t mean I’m relinquishing my duties, so sit.”

Jessica laughed.

“Did you sleep well?” Roark held his mug with both hands.

“Not really, but I’m better now. Did you go out in the helicopter yet? What did you find?”

“Have your breakfast and then come back to the office. I’ll meet you there.”

“What do you want for breakfast?” asked Athena.

“Just a bagel and cream cheese, if you have it.”

“Sure do. I’ll toast it for you.”

“That would be great. Thank you, Athena. Usually women are used by men, under their thumb, so to speak, but I don’t believe Alice could be under anyone’s thumb. I believe she’s got Mannie under hers.” Jessica sighed. “I know I shouldn’t say anything, so forget I did.”

“It’s all right. I feel the same way. Jubal and I talked last night, and he thinks Mannie is being used, too. The worst thing is that I think he knows it. It’s like he’s using her in return. I wonder…”

“Wonder what?”

Athena returned to the table with Jessica’s coffee and then sat across from her. “I wonder if Mannie was looking for her when he was at the Silver Dollar. It’s not a regular haunt for him. He can usually be found at the Bent Branch Saloon. A friend of his owns it.”

Jessica narrowed her eyes and furrowed her brows. “So, what was he doing at the Silver Dollar? This gets stranger and stranger by the minute.”

“Maybe you’ll know more after you talk to Roark in a few minutes.”

Jessica wasn’t sure. “Yeah, maybe.”

Athena smiled. “Sure you will. He wants to be with you too much.”

“Do you really think so? I’m afraid we sort of had a fight last night.”

“Every couple fights. It’s the working it out and then making up that matters.” Athena filled a traveling cup with coffee, milk and sugar.

“I suppose that’s true. We both seemed to be in a better mood this morning.”

“Of course. Now, here’s your coffee, just the way you like it.”

“Wow, I didn’t think anyone was paying attention.”

“I always pay attention to guests’ requests and needs.”

Jessica stood, took the cup from Athena, and put it on the table. Then she wrapped the older woman in her arms. “Thank you.”

Athena hugged her back. “You’re welcome, sweetie.” She pulled out of the hug, but kept her hands on Jessica’s shoulders. “Roark has never brought anyone here before. You must be very special.”

Jessica shrugged. “I don’t know about that. We have something special between us, but I can’t put my finger on it. I just don’t know what we have. We’ve only known each other for such a short period of time.”