Short-Order Sheriff (River's End Ranch Book 1) Read online

  “I had to add more seasoning.”

  Dani rolled her eyes as she headed for the door. “Why am I not surprised?”

  Shane took Kelsi’s hand, squeezing it. “Expanding the kitchen for events doesn’t sound like that hard of a test,” he said.

  Kelsi laughed. “It’s hard when it’s just stage one. Before we’re done, she’s going to have us building a huge event-hall, a church, and hiring a pastor. We’ll have to build a carousel for the children that never come here. Probably even a mini-golf course! You watch! She’s got a whole lot more in mind that some little catering operation.”

  “You know her better than I do.”

  Kelsi squeezed his hand. “Looks like Bart just drove up.” She scooted out and waited until he stood, wrapping her arms around his neck and pulling his head down for a lingering kiss, despite the fact the café had been gradually filling with customers. “I love you, Sheriff Shane.”

  He grinned. “I’m never going to get tired of hearing you say that.” He stroked his fingers over her cheek, not caring that his deputy was waiting for him.

  “Good, because now I’ve started, I’m not sure I’m able to stop!” She watched him go, her heart full. Sure there was about to be mass chaos on the ranch, but it didn’t matter. She had the man she loved by her side. Together, they could do anything.

  If you’ve enjoyed this book, please check for more books by Kirsten Osbourne. You’ll find that all the characters intertwine between series to create a huge world, connected only in her imagination.

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  Want to know more about the next book in the series? I’ve included a sneak peek of Pamela Kelley’s Veterinarian’s Vacation. Read on to learn more about Jess!

  Chapter Eleven

  “Earth to Jess?”

  Jess snapped back to attention. She’d been lost in thought as she waited for a pot of coffee to finish brewing. Mr. Thomas was one of her favorite regulars and he wore an amused smile as he lifted his empty coffee cup.

  “If that’s done brewing, I’ll take a splash,” he said. He was seated at the counter and Jess brought the coffee right over to him. The breakfast rush was over and she had a tendency to forget things when it was slow. Especially today of all days.

  “Here you go. It’s nice and hot.” She filled his cup to the rim as she knew he took it black. Jim Thomas and his buddy Fred Murphy, who was sitting on the stool next to him, were both retired and came in every morning for breakfast. They lingered over coffee as they read the paper and chatted with other customers that passed through. She topped off Fred’s cup too.

  “You look a little down. Everything all right?” Mr. Thomas asked.

  Jess was feeling a bit blue. She always did on this date, but he didn’t need to worry about that. It was her mother’s birthday and it was the only date that still made her feel sad. She’d only been eight when both her parents were killed in a car accident. Although more than seventeen years had passed she still could picture her mother’s face and the blonde hair and pale blue eyes that were so like her own. She’d always had such a calm way about her and like Jess, had loved animals. She forced a smile.

  “No, just busy. Thinking ahead to all the studying I need to do later.”

  “This is your last year, right? You’ll be a true veterinarian soon?” he asked.

  Jess had worked at Kelsi’s Kafe for years and the customers always loved to hear updates on how school was going.

  “Yes, I’m almost done. I have an internship coming up with Dr. Henery and assuming I pass all my tests, I’ll be graduating this year.”

  “Doc Henery is getting up there. Maybe when he retires, if you play your cards right, you can take over his practice,” Mr. Thomas said.

  Jess laughed. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself. I’ll be thrilled just to get a job when I graduate.”

  Riston was a small town, so if she didn’t get hired on permanently by Dr. Henery, there was only one other veterinarian in town and there was no guarantee that either place would be hiring. She really didn’t want to have to move out of the area, but if she had to, to get a good job, she would.

  The front door jingled and she turned to see her cousin Wade, walk in. Wade was her favorite of all the cousins. He was the oldest of four boys, Wyatt, Wesley and Will, and two girls, twins Kelsi and Dani. Jess loved them all. They were like the brothers and sisters she never had, especially since she’d been living with them since her parents died.

  Wade was the general manager of River’s End Ranch, where they all worked. Her Aunt Bobbi and Uncle Wilber used to run it, but they were unofficially retired and were touring the country in their RV, checking in from the road often to see how they were all doing or to make one of their unusual requests. The most recent had been to renovate the kitchen so that they could take on outside catering and handle larger functions at the resort.

  “How’s my favorite cousin?” Wade said as he came behind the counter and poured himself a cup of coffee.

  “Your only cousin,” she corrected him and grinned. “I’m fine. Lots of studying to do later.”

  Wade took a sip of coffee and then casually said, “Did I mention that I booked the Copper Cottage for the next two weeks? Possibly longer.”

  “Two weeks, really? Wow.” People didn’t usually stay that long, and the Copper Cottage was one of their nicest. It featured a chef’s kitchen with a hanging copper pot rack filled with gleaming copper bottomed pots and pans. It wasn’t their busiest time of the year and hadn’t been rented in over a month.

  “I gave it to an old friend that is going to be in town for a while. You remember Jake Wheldon?”

  “Jake is coming here?” Jess found herself gripping the counter. Jake had been one of Wade’s best friend’s. They were the same age, thirty-two, and Jess hadn’t seen Jake in a long time. And the last time she’d seen him, had been mortifying. She’d been in eighth grade and had just turned thirteen. Jake had been eighteen and was a senior in high school, about to graduate. He’d been over the house, during a crowded Christmas party, and she’d found herself standing under the mistletoe, right next to him. She’d had such a crush on Jack back then.

  He was tall, dark-haired, with chocolate brown eyes and a smile that made her knees go weak. Her best friend Suzy had been there and she thought she was helping when she pointed out that they were standing under the mistletoe. Jess had been embarrassed and then thrilled, because it seemed like he was going to kiss her. She closed her eyes as he leaned forward and then cringed when he instead whispered in her ear, “I don’t think this is a good idea.” He gave her a quick peck on the cheek and then walked off, while Jess stood there, wanting to die. She’d avoided him after that, and after graduation, he went off to college and then veterinary school.

  “I thought he was living in Lewiston now. What brings him back here?”

  “Just a vacation, I think. He hasn’t been back to spend any real time, other than a weekend here or there in years.”

  Jake’s parents had divorced when he went to college and he spent his summers and school breaks with his mother, in Lewiston, so it had been a long time since even Wade had seen him.

  A few minutes later, Jess was putting dirty coffee cups in the dishwasher when she heard the front door chimes jingle again. Before she could turn to look, Wade said, “There’s Jake now, he said he might stop by.”

  Jess automatically smoothed down the flyaway hairs that always escaped from her ponytail. She knew she didn’t look her best. The Kafe uniform made her feel like an awkward teenager, with its frilly apron and pink polyester. It was practical, but not overly flattering.

  Wade walked out from behind the counter and gave Jake a hug and slap on the back. Jess simply tried not to stare. This Jake was a million times better looking than the high school senior she’d last seen. He still had the deep brown eyes, his hair was thick and dark and along his jaw
was a faint hint of stubble. He was dressed simply in a navy button down shirt and faded jeans that fit his lean body so well. He caught her eyes and smiled.

  “Jake, you remember my cousin, Jess?” Wake said. “She’s studying to be a vet too.”

  “You were just a kid, last time I saw you,” he said.

  “I was thirteen, not really a kid,” Jess said stiffly.

  “Well, you’re all grown up now. And yeah, I had heard that you’re studying to be a vet.”

  “You did?” Jess wondered how he would have known that? Unless Wade mentioned it.

  Jake smiled again and Jess couldn’t help but notice how it lit up his face, how the laugh lines that danced around the corners of his mouth and eyes were so attractive.

  “I have some exciting news. I just met with Doc Henery. He wants to retire and we worked out an arrangement for me to buy his practice.”

  “Doc Henery is retiring? When?” Jess was stunned.

  “I’m taking this week off while he gets ready for me, and then I’ll start with him the following week. He also mentioned that you’re going to be starting an internship there…so, I guess that makes me your new boss.”

  About the Author

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  KirstenOsbourne

  www.kirstenandmorganna.com

  Also by Kirsten Osbourne

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