Pulling her worn and thin cloak closer Tara Lindsey marched stiffly into the main house of Rancho Bucking Horse.  The wind had picked up quite a bit this early evening of autumn, blowing dirt into her eyes and tossing her hair into a wild tangle adding to her disheveled look.  Tara did not have time to ponder her look or attire; it was her best set of clothes when a gruff old man behind the desk barked out, “Yes, what is it?”

            She nervously bit out her response, “I’m here to see Mr. Mancino.  I’m Tara Lindsey, the new housekeeper/cook.  I have spoken with him on the phone.” 

            “Mickey here.  I do whatever errands Mr. Mancino wants me to do.  Been on the ranch a good ten years.” He said softening as he looked at her fidgeting around nervously.           

            Mr. Mancino, the owner of the ranch, sounded harsh and rough on the phone grilling her thoroughly and offered her the lowest wage for a housekeeper/cook compared to other similar positions in nearby ranches.  She had called and asked the owners but no one was hiring.  Her friend in a different state was making twice as much in the same position.  But she couldn’t afford to be picky right now; Tara had no car and no home.  Well, she had a room that she shared with a roommate back in Kinsley but after being laid off for five months her savings had dwindled to almost nonexistent.  

            To say she was nervous was putting it mildly.  Tara hoped that she would be able to handle this job considering Mr. Mancino seemed like a tough employer.  Would she be able to please him?  Tara could cook well enough but she wasn’t a gourmet cook so hopefully he didn’t entertain much.  And she could clean alright but he sounded like he wanted everything spotless.  What if she missed a spot, would he fire her?

            “Did you have trouble finding the ranch? We were expecting you three hours ago.” He asked. “Mr. Mancino weren’t too pleased with your lateness.”

            “Well, he said someone would pick me up at the airport but no one was there to get me.” Tara hastened to say.  It really wasn’t her fault she was late today.  She didn’t have the money for the long cab ride here so she hiked a ride and it took longer than she had expected.

            He looked at her thoughtfully but said nothing more.  Mr. Mancino didn’t mention anything about that; Mickey would talk to him in the morning about it. 

            “He said to show you to your room for the evening.  Mr. Mancino will speak to you in the morning.”  Mickey, the bald older man dressed in worn overalls lead her down a hallway. 

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            Tara woke suddenly and grabbed her alarm clock.  The sun was streaming in through the curtains and it said 9:38am.  She didn’t hear the alarm at all.  Mr. Mancino might just fire her this morning for her tardiness.  Tara groaned inwardly.  The day was not starting as she had hoped.

          Tara found Mickey stacking can goods in the kitchen.  "Good morning, Mickey.  Can you tell me where I might find Mr. Mancino?"

                 "Down the hall, 2 doors to your right.  That's his study, he said he's expecting you."

             "Thanks."

             Mr. Mancino was not what she had expected at all.  For one thing he wasn't at all old, maybe in his thirties and another, he was devastatingly handsome in a rough looking unapproachable way.  He was broad shouldered, lean, with a strong square jaw and a slight stubble.  His hair was short wavy brown and his eyes were an intense piercing set of dark chocolate.  Right now those eyes were looking up and down at her old worn clothing and scrutinizing her every movement.  It made her nervous and self-conscious.  How she wished she had a better dress, but this was her best outfit and she knew it was far from passable.

               "Mr. Mancino, I'm Tara.  We spoke on the phone."

               He glanced back at the papers in front of him on the thick oak desk.  "Yes. Have a seat.  We were expecting you earlier last night." 

               "I'm really sorry, I was having trouble securing transportation.  I thought that you would have someone pick me up."  She clutched her hands tightly together on her lap.  Would he fire her now before giving her a chance?  Hopefully not, because she had no savings for a return trip nor a place to stay.

                He looked up and studied her.  "Mickey informed me.  My apologies.  There was a crisis at the ranch, but I expected you to know to catch a cab.  We would have reimbursed you for the fare."

                This put her in a tough spot.  Should she confess to her lack of funds or let him think her stupid?  She finally sighed and spoke the truth.  "I'm sorry about that, my funds are kind of low right now."  Fine, she was poor, there was no reason to lie about it.  Let him think whatever he wanted to.

                "I see.  I'll arrange for an allowance for groceries and whatever household supplies you need or require."  He handed her a check.  It was way too much for groceries or household supplies she concluded.  "Please take out your first two month's salary from that.  I imagine you'll be needing more winter clothes and other things."

                  "Thank you."  Silenced stretched between them for a few moments. 

                  "If you need supplies or anything else, be sure to let Micky know and he'll see to it that you get it."  Then he dismissed her.  "You can go now."

                  Abrupt, business-like, and emotionless she concluded of her boss.  Well, she wasn't here to make friends with any of the employees or her boss so his attitude suited her just fine.  Besides, she liked her solitude or maybe she'd just gotten used to it.  She told herself that she wasn't even a tiny bit hurt by that abrupt dismissal.

                                                                                              (To be continued....)