Ana Leigh - [The Frasers 4 - Jed] - One Night with a Sweet Talking Man Read Online Free PDF

Buffer.
    “Good morning, Mama. Good morning, Mr. Fraser.”
    Jed dropped his hands and stepped away. “Morning, Garrett.”
    “Good morning, sweetheart.” Caroline opened her arms and Garrett ran into them for a kiss and hug. “I hope you had a good sleep with pleasant dreams.” She gave him a pat on his bottom. “Go get dressed, and tell your grandfather breakfast will be ready in fifteen minutes.”
    Then she turned to the dog, whose stare had never strayed from Jed. “Buffer, stop that growling.”
    “Thank you,” Jed murmured.
    “Come on, Buffer.” Boy and dog exited as quickly as they had entered.
    “Will you please explain why that dog continually growls at me?” Jed grumbled. “I’ve never had a problem with any dog except this one.”
    Caroline tried not to laugh. “Well, they do say that dogs have remarkable instincts about people, and The Buffer is usually right.”
    “The Buffer!” he scoffed. “So the captain was right; the damn dog rules this household.”
    “He does indeed. Now, get out of my kitchen so I can get on with breakfast.”
    “Fine, but I should tell you, I’m known for my flapjacks.”
    She eyed him with a dubious glance. “Really?”
    “Ask your father; he’s eaten enough of them when we were at sea.”
    She tossed him an apron. “Then welcome to the galley, sailor. You’ll find the ingredients in the cabinet next to the door.”
    A short time later she stole a glance at his broad shoulders as he stood at the stove, whistling and flipping pancakes. She’d already known he was dangerous to her life and Garrett’s, but now there was an additional danger to fear—he excited her. Could she really hope to succeed against him in a battle of the sexes?
    Garrett stuck his head in the door, interrupting her thoughts. “Mama, Granddad’s at the table waiting for his breakfast, and he told me to tell you the fifteen minutes have passed.”
    “Tell your grandfather that patience is a virtue.”
    She picked up the pot of coffee and plate of biscuits and carried them into the dining room.
    Jed glanced over his shoulder, and as soon as the door swung shut behind her, he broke off a piece of a pancake and tossed it to Buffer, who was watching his every move. The dog’s jaws clamped on it before it hit the floor.
    “Good boy,” Jed murmured, just as Caroline returned and picked up a platter of bacon.
    “Pancakes ready?” she asked.
    “All set,” he said. “Aren’t we, boy?”
    The dog gave him a muddled look but at least didn’t growl at him. Smiling with satisfaction, Jed grabbed the platter of pancakes and followed Caroline.
    Yes, sir. Just a matter of time, and that dog will be eating out of my hand.
     
    After breakfast was over, Caroline tidied up the kitchen, then packed them a lunch. Nathan harnessed Belle to the buggy and then saddled their remaining horse Liberty for Jed to ride since there was only a single backseat in the buggy.
    Nature smiled on them as they rode the five miles to the mill through the sun-kissed valley, the rough trail shaded by towering oaks and pine trees. White petals of Indian pipe lined the route, their fragrance blending with the spicy scent of pine.
    Unlike the flat, arid land of the grape-growing Napa Valley, this area had a river running through it, a hot spring, an artist’s tapestry of vine-covered hillsides, and brightly colored wild flowers amid the groves of oak, maple, and Douglas fir trees.
    The trail ended in a woodland clearing. Several yards away stood a large rectangular building, a small cabin, and a third building next to the cabin.
    Garrett scrambled out of the buggy with his usual enthusiasm when Nathan reined up in front of the cabin.
    “Garrett, you stay nearby,” Caroline called as he raced off with Buffer at his heels. Then she disappeared into the cabin. Jed walked over to a nearby hillside that was devoid of any trees or shrubbery; several chutes had been gouged into the earth.
    “The chutes were made by trees