Chapter 4

Chapter 4

Charlotte left the mansion, eager to explore the surroundings of the ranch. As she stepped onto the vast land, she was greeted by the heat of the Texan sun and the distant sound of animals and the wind whispering through the trees.

She walked slowly, allowing herself to appreciate the beauty of the landscape around her. The rolling hills, grazing fields, and fences stretching as far as the eye could see were impressive. Jack truly had a magnificent property.

As she walked, Charlotte noticed that she hadn't seen any of the staff since her arrival. She imagined they were busy with their daily tasks, scattered across the vast expanse of the ranch. This gave her a sense of tranquility; she liked the idea of exploring on her own for a while.

She passed a stable where a few horses were lazily grazing. The proximity to the animals brought a slight smile to her face. She had always found comfort and peace among animals, and at least in this aspect, her new life might not be so bad.

Continuing her walk, Charlotte arrived at a small lake. The clear water reflected the blue sky, creating a serene scene. She approached the shore and sat on a rock, letting her thoughts drift. The sudden change in her life was still hard to process, but at least here, in the tranquility of the ranch, she could find a moment of peace.

As she gazed at the water, she heard soft footsteps behind her. She turned and saw an older woman approaching with a gentle smile on her face.

"Hello, dear. You must be Charlotte, right?" the woman said.

Charlotte nodded, standing up to greet her.

"Yes, that's me. And you are?"

"I'm Julieta, the ranch cook. Jack asked me to check if you're all right and if you need anything," she explained in a warm tone.

Charlotte smiled, feeling a bit more at ease.

"Thank you, Julieta. I'm just exploring a bit. This place is really beautiful."

Julieta nodded, looking around with pride.

"Yes, it is. Jack takes good care of this ranch. If you need anything, don't hesitate to find me. I'll be in the gourmet area getting dinner ready and preparing the afternoon snack."

"Thank you, Julieta. I really appreciate it," Charlotte said, grateful for the woman's kindness.

Julieta gave a friendly nod and walked away, leaving Charlotte alone with her thoughts again. Looking at the lake, Charlotte felt a wave of hope. Maybe this new life wouldn't be as bad as she'd imagined.

After some time, Charlotte stood up and continued her walk, exploring more of the ranch and discovering the nooks and crannies that could become her refuges. Smiling, she returned to the mansion, determined to find the gourmet area and perhaps help Julieta with the afternoon coffee.

Upon entering the kitchen, she was greeted by the delicious smell of freshly baked bread and fresh coffee. Julieta, a middle-aged woman with a kind face and quick hands, was busy setting the table.

"Hello, Julieta. Do you need any help?" Charlotte asked, trying to be useful and at the same time find a way to integrate into the new routine.

Julieta looked up and smiled warmly.

"Oh, Charlotte! Of course, I can always use a friendly hand. Can you help me finish preparing the afternoon coffee?"

Charlotte nodded, happy to have something to do. Together, they began setting the table with cups, saucers, and a variety of breads, jams, and cakes. As they worked, Julieta chatted cheerfully, telling stories about the ranch and the staff.

"You know, Charlotte, Jack is a good man. He takes care of all of us here," Julieta said as she spread butter on a fresh piece of bread. "I'm sure, in time, you'll feel at home."

Charlotte smiled, feeling a bit more comfortable.

"I hope so, Julieta. This place is very beautiful and pleasant. Jack has been very kind."

Julieta nodded, satisfied.

"He always will be, dear. I hope the age difference isn’t a problem for you."

"How old is he?" she asked curiously.

"He's a gorgeous forty-something. Everything a woman desires in a man. And before you ask, he never married before because he was always buried in work, hardly had time for dating."

With the table finally ready, Julieta poured two cups of coffee and invited Charlotte to sit.

"Come on, let's enjoy a bit of this coffee before the hustle starts again," Julieta said with a wink.

Charlotte sat, feeling more relaxed. They chatted about small things for the next few minutes.

Later, as the afternoon coffee was nearly finished, Jack entered the kitchen. He stopped when he saw Charlotte and Julieta talking and laughed, pleased to see his fiancée relaxed and seemingly happy.

"Looks like you two have already hit it off," he said, approaching the table.

Julieta laughed too.

"Of course, Jack. Charlotte is good company."

Jack looked at Charlotte and smiled.

"I'm glad to hear that. Charlotte, I hope you're starting to feel more at home."

Charlotte nodded, feeling a warm sense of welcome in her chest.

"Yes, I am. Thank you, Jack."

With a nod, Jack served himself a cup of coffee, stepped outside to ring the bell, and joined them. For a brief moment, everything seemed at peace.

Gradually, the staff began entering the kitchen. They all observed Charlotte curiously and greeted her politely, but they still didn’t know she was the boss’s fiancée. At the distant tables, some whispered, trying to figure out who the pretty girl was, dressed so simply.

"Who could she be?" one of the workers murmured, casting furtive glances at Charlotte while grabbing a cup of coffee.

"Maybe she’s a new staff member," another suggested, watching the friendly interaction between Charlotte and Julieta.

"Did she come to help in the kitchen?" a young maid asked, also curious.

Charlotte felt the eyes on her and tried not to appear uncomfortable.

Jack, noticing the scene, realized it would be best to clarify the situation. He approached Charlotte and gently placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Attention, everyone!" Jack began, calling everyone's attention. "I'd like to introduce you to Charlotte. She's not here just as a visitor. Charlotte is my fiancée."

One of the ranch's senior workers widened his eyes and turned so quickly to see the scene that he lost his balance, stepping on the tail of the cat sleeping peacefully near the wood stove. The animal screeched and ran off.

Charlotte’s heart broke when she heard the cat scream, and she looked at Jack with sad eyes.

"He’ll be fine," Jack murmured.

There was a murmur of surprise among the staff, followed by a silence as they processed the news. Then, one by one, they began to smile and nod at Charlotte.

"Welcome, Charlotte," one of the older workers said, extending a hand to greet her. "It’s a pleasure to have you with us."

Charlotte felt a weight lift off her shoulders and returned the smile.

"Thank you. I’m happy to be here."

The staff returned to their usual routine, chatting and laughing as they drank coffee and had their snacks.

After coffee, Jack pulled Charlotte aside.

"I know all of this is very new to you. If you need anything, don’t hesitate to find me, or even Julieta. She’s been like family to me," he said with a comforting smile, his tone carrying a hint of mystery in the last sentence.

Charlotte nodded, feeling grateful for the kindness.

"That means a lot to me."

As the day wore on, Charlotte continued to explore the ranch.

The sun was beginning to set when Charlotte finally returned to the mansion, tired but content. Upon entering, she found Jack waiting for her on the porch.

"How was your day?" he asked, genuinely interested.

"It was good," she replied, smiling. "I think I’ll adjust well here."

Jack nodded, satisfied.

"I’m glad to hear that. Let’s have dinner and talk more about how we can make this ranch a real home for you."

As they walked together toward the dining room, Charlotte felt butterflies in her stomach. She knew Jack was now her only family, and the responsibility of building a new life together felt both daunting and exciting. She took a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves, and realized that despite all the uncertainties, she was willing to face the future by his side.