ISN'T BOBBY ADORABLE?

"I really should find Francisca," Rose protested, glancing out the window toward the bunkhouses.

"She will be fine. The twins won't let her or Bobby out of their sight, so you don't have to worry."

Which was the truth. Those girls had arrived only to meet the fiancée and not to the movies with Marty. But if Bobby wanted a few minutes alone with Francisca Handel, that was natural. And Andrew didn't want to get in the way of matrimonial progress.

After all, that was the whole point of this. Just because the future woman of last winter didn't mean that Bobby should get off track.

Andrew decided to try to keep his questions to himself for now. Miss Rose Marti was going to be around for a while, and he was going to be her tour guide. He didn't have to rush his fences, so he changed the subject.

"Don't you get tired of holding him?"

That finally made the woman smile again. She reluctantly perched on a kitchen chair, plopped the dog in her lap and accepted a glass of wine from Andrew. The hairy little guy looked like he was dead.

"It's ridiculous, I know," she admitted, "but I don't know what else to do with him. He gets scared when he's by himself and he's too old to learn anything new."

"I sometimes feel that way myself," he joked, hoping to see her smile once again.

"He's not really mine," she said. "He belonged to my aunt, and she spoiled him terribly."

"And you have got him now."

"you see, I inherit things," she explained.

"Nieces, houses, rugs, silver... and even dogs." She took a sip of wine. "That's what happens when you are the oldest surviving member of the family."

"So you feel responsible for Francisca."

"Of course."

"She's twenty-one," he pointed out "Right?"

"Yes, but..."

"And an adult."

"Who still needs looking after," Rose added, standing up and walking over to the window. "I wish they'd come back."

"They will," he assured her.

She stepped closer and peered outside. "Before or after they have sex?"

"What?"

Rose pointed. "He's on too of her right now."

Andrew was out the door within seconds, his hat on his head and his fists clenched at his sides as he strode across the yard. Sure, enough, Bobby and Francisca Handel were tangled together in the shade of mechanics shed. And were laughing, not moaning in passion.

"What the hell are you two doing?" Andrew kicked Bobby's booted foot. "Get up, before her aunt finds out where we keep the rifles."

Gus whined and wagged his tail, Uncertain what was going on but ready to play.

"It's okay, Mr Johnson," Francisca said, laughing up at him as Bobby climbed to his feet. The young man held out his hand and tugged Francisca to stand beside him. She tugged her short dress over her thighs and blushed while Bobby reached down in the dirt to retrieve his hat. "It's all my fault, honest."

Andrew turned to Bobby. "You have got something to say, I hope?"

The kid had the nerve to grin at him. "You have gotta blame Gus, Andrew. Damn 'darn' dog knocked Francisca down and..."

"I screamed," she added. "Because I didn't know he was trying to play. I thought he was attacking me, so I grabbed Bobby and..."

"I Fell," he said, still grinning he dusted off his hat. "We just got all tangled up."

Andrew didn't believe it for a minute, but then again, he'd known Bobby to make love to anyone in the middle of the damn yard before.

Francisca laughed again and tried to pet Gus, but he scurried away and hid behind Bobby as Rose approached. "Sorry, Aunt Roro," she said, as her aunt hurried toward them. "I didn't mean to scare you."

"Gus knocked her down," Bobby said. "I told you he wasn't much for obeying anyone."

"I see," the aunt murmured, but Andrew could tell she didn't believe a word of it. She continued, "I'm sure you'd like to unpack."

Not an invitation, but a command, Andrew noticed, though her niece didn't seem too concerned. The girl tucked her arm through Bobby's and smiled at him as if neither one of them was covered with dirt.

Maybe he'd underestimated the little city girl, after all. Andrew turned to Rose, who still had that damn little dog tucked under her arm.

"Get away," Rose said, and it took Andrew a second to realize she was talking to Gus and not him.

Not that he was about to pay any attention. In fact, he was damn sure he was going to get all the attention he wanted.

If he could get Rose to admit she knew exactly who he was.

"ISN'T BOBBY ADORABLE?" Frank knew her aunt didn't think any such thing, but she couldn't help teasing her. "Come on, Auntie Roro, admit that you didn't think the ranch would be this nice."

"I didn't think the ranch would be this nice," Rose said obediently as she stood by the window.

Francisca hurried to unpack so she could join Bobby downstairs. She'd no idea the would be this big or that the life she'd envisioned for herself would be so wonderful in reality.

"Aren't you glad you came?"

*****

CHECK OUT MY NEW STORY 'ANNIE'S PERFECT HUSBAND'

*****