The wishing tree, p.5
The Wishing Tree, page 5
Jake got down. Grace's father reached Lulu first. Before Jake could grab her, the man kicked the dog out of the way. Lulu yelped. Her little body rolled and skittered in the dirt and shot up a small cloud of dust. She scrambled to her feet and stared mournfully at Jake and Grace while she cried. Limping, she edged toward them. Grace's father blocked her path, foot reared back for another blow.
Grabbing a fistful of the man's sleeve, Jake yanked him to a halt. "I'd expect no less from a man who trades his daughter for a cow," he said through clenched teeth.
Jake scooped up the whimpering dog and put her in one of Grace's baskets. By chance he saw the look in Grace's eyes. Not gratitude-pain. He'd misspoken and there wasn't a soul who hadn't heard him. The shame and embarrassment Grace had wanted to avoid was upon her and would linger long after she left in the form of gossip.
Jake wanted distance from her. His words achieved that. He hated himself for it even while he told himself it was better this way. And no matter how badly he wanted to take them back, he let them stay. It was his shield for that long, dark night on the trail.
Chapter Four
Grace stared at the back of her horse's head, not at the man who rode the trail before her. In one fell swoop he'd wiped out all the good deeds he'd done before. She was a servant, nothing more. Worse-a slave. Paid for by the cost of a cow. And now everyone in Sleepy Eye knew it.
Gone were the illusions that he had traveled from afar seeking her hand. Tossed to the wind were any notions that theirs was a love match.
"It makes sense," they would say. "Look how plain she is. How clumsy. Now, if it were Mary-Belle..."
She would be fodder for the gossips for years to come. All because the Marshalls couldn't pay their debts proper. She was worth nothing more than a milk cow.
It crushed Grace's heart. But she refused to cry about it even if she wanted to. She could have said no to this whole arrangement. Her own selfishness had got her into this mess. Wanting better than what she had. Coveting. That's what it was. If she wanted to be angry with someone, she'd best start with herself.
Fine. She'd readily admit her mistake. They made a perfect couple-he marrying for a housekeeper, her marrying for money. A real trade-off. Grace guessed they deserved what they got.
But there was one thing she was certain of. He might think of her as a hired hand, but he'd stood up before the preacher just like she had. And Grace would be hanged if she let him treat her like she was one of the help. They were going to be equals whether he liked it or not... Starting right now.
She nudged her horse forward until they were side by side on the trail. Jake looked at her from the corner of his eye, but said nothing. That was fine with Grace. There wasn't anything to say. What was done, was done.
Jake stole another peek at Grace. What was she up to? That damned gray bonnet hid most of her face. He couldn't tell if she was hurt or angry. He'd bet both and held his breath waiting for her to light into him-which he rightly deserved. But the silence grew with each mile they put behind them. So did his tension.
He'd never known a woman to be quiet for so long. They were always chattering about something. Not Grace. She hadn't uttered a word, much less a sound. He knew his thoughtless words cut deep, but there wasn't so much as a sniffle or a tear. In that respect she truly earned her name.
All Jake wanted to do was shake her until he got some kind of reaction from her. The quiet was killing him, feeding his guilt. But he'd be damned if he was going to be the one to break it. She had to talk sometime.
She didn't. Not even when she had to stop to relieve herself. Ignoring him, Grace reined in her horse, put Lulu on the ground, and ducked behind a tree.
Jake waited. Nothing. Grace returned to the horse and tethered it to the tree. Then she retrieved the food basket. Under the shade of a second tree, she shook out a faded yellow- checked cloth and set out the food.
There was no invitation to join her. It was like he didn't exist. Unimportant. Insignificant. Unworthy of sharing the air she...
"It's mid-afternoon, Jake. I know you're anxious to get home, but you need a bite. Far as I know you had no breakfast and we've been riding steady all day. Now come on. The quicker we eat, the sooner we can be on our way."
She took him by surprise. Opening the door between them when he least expected it. Jake wasn't sure it was any better than the silence. Still, he tied his horse next to the other one and joined her.
Grace offered him a breast of fried chicken and a slab of cornbread. She shared her own meal with Lulu. It was no wonder Grace was thin as she was. All she did was pick at her food.
"You should have let me know you needed to stop." He broke off a crumbly piece of the bread and popped it in his mouth.
Grace kept her focus on the dog as she fed her a morsel of chicken. "There are things a lady likes to keep private even from her husband, whether he be a real husband or a pretend husband."
There it was, that back slice he'd been waiting for. Jake had to give her credit for wielding it when his guard was down. The edge found the crack in his emotions and pried them open.
Now what? He had the distance between them he thought he wanted. It was worse than the craving that built when he was near her, and that was bad.
"I didn't like the way your father was treating the dog. I only wanted to put him in his place."
"Well...you succeeded. The neighbors will be chewing on that one for a long time."
"I didn't mean for them to hear."
Her gaze clicked up to his. "Then maybe you shouldn't have raised your voice."
"When I see someone abusing a dumb animal, I usually don't stop to use my supper table manners."
Grace looked down at the dog. "Hear that, Lulu? He considers you dumb. You are as unworthy as me."
"Don't twist my words." Jake slammed the cornbread to the cloth. It exploded into a thousand crumbs. "Don't ever twist my words."
Lulu zipped in to take advantage of the situation. Jake let her; his stomach had soured. Grace never budged, which irritated him all the more.
He crawled to her, using her skirts to pin her legs in place. Still she didn't move, didn't bother to show any fear or concern that he trapped her. Not even when he shoved his face within inches of hers.
"Who cares that those busy-bodies think I married you in trade for a cow. It'll be a coon's age before either of us sees them again. What was I supposed to do, Grace? Let him continue to beat a little dog just because she loves you enough to want to be with you? I could never live with myself if I let that happen. Could you?"
"You mean that adorable dog who just took off with your chicken? Those bones could choke her, you know."
"Lulu, no!" He scrambled to his feet, scattering what was left of their meal.
Grace sank against the tree trunk. That was better. She could finally breathe. But that was all she could do. Her head still swam from Jake's nearness while the rest of her body simply quivered.
It was impossible to stay mad at him, especially when everything he said made sense. The neighbors didn't matter. She'd never had much use for them anyway. Now that she was gone, they could talk a blue streak about her. Why should Grace care? And if it saved someone else from their venom, more the better.
As for her father...he did have a mean streak in him when it came to animals. He always took his frustration and anger out on those poor creatures unable to defend themselves. Many were the times Grace had stood between him and some animal. She had been more than glad when Jake stepped in on Lulu's behalf. In that second, her heart twanged with the first hint of what might have been love. Jake destroyed that the next second when he opened his mouth.
What was it her mother always said? That men never thought before they spoke. That certainly was true of her father. He was forever putting his foot in it with Ma. But Grace hated to lump Jake in with her father. They were two different men. But then they were still men.
Grace watched Jake cavort with Lulu-drawn into a game of chase that the dog reveled in. She still had the chicken clutched in her teeth. Her lips were drawn back in what had to be a dog-smile, her eyes shone, and her tail never stopped wagging.
And Jake enjoyed the game. Only joy in his face, not anger. Trying to coax Lulu into giving up her prize, he was now on all fours. The dog mimicked his position, belly-crawled to him, and dropped the food into his outstretched hand.
Jake scooped her into his arms. His reward? A flurry of licks to the chin. As he walked back, he tore the chicken apart and fed the tidbits to Lulu.
Grace's eyes misted over. If he was this great with a little dog, what a wonderful father he would make. No...what a wonderful father he was. He already had a son and had made it quite clear he did not intend to beget another. Unless that was more man-talk without thinking.
She blinked to clear her vision. Time would tell.
He flopped down on the cloth across from her. Lulu parked herself in his lap and eagerly chomped each bite he offered until there was nothing left.
"And when are you going to eat?"
Jake smiled as he looked up. Before he could answer, the smile faded. He stared off into the distance. Lulu jumped to her feet, a growl deep in her throat. Then Grace heard the steady gait of hooves headed their way.
Easing to his feet, Jake drew his Colt and motioned Grace behind the tree. She didn't waste any time doing so, but still couldn't resist peeking around to see who was coming.
Jake crouched low, taking a position in front of her. Then the rider appeared. A big man, broad of shoulder, towering over the world on a glossy brown horse.
"Hoyt!" Jake shoved the pistol in its holster and raced forward.
The other man tossed off his cowboy hat and let out a whoop. Sunlight set his red hair ablaze. He jumped down and met Jake halfway, crushing him in a backslapping embrace that clearly shocked Jake.
"Boss, I sure am glad to see you."
"Why? What's wrong? I've just been gone a few days."
"Yeah...but..." His gaze fell to Grace when she stepped from behind the tree. He swept his hat from his head once more. "Ma'am."
Jake caught his arm and drew him toward her. "Hoyt, this is my wife. Grace, Hoyt here is one of my best ranch hands. His wife, Justina, has been keeping house for us. They're expecting their first child soon."
She greeted him with a nod, and a red flush mottled his cheeks.
He scuffed the toe of his boot in the grass. "And here I thought all this time you were after a cow. I shoulda known you had a bee in your bonnet."
"I didn't want any kidding from the rest of you," Jake said, giving a nervous chuckle. "Fact is, I've had my hat set on Grace since we met last spring. We've been writing regular and I figured, well...it was about time I spoke up...before some other fella beat me to it."
Grace wondered how long the lie would hold this time.
Hoyt's flush deepened. "Well, I can see where you'd be worried. A purty little gal like her and all."
Now it was Grace's turn to be embarrassed. Never in all her days had anyone ever called her pretty. She wanted to toss her arms around the big man's thick neck and hug him. Instead, she stared at the ground to cover the urge to giggle like her sisters.
Jake clapped Hoyt on the back. "What's this all about?"
Hoyt recovered himself and focused on Jake. "Things have been a mess since you left. We got a fair amount of rain. The river came over the bank. We moved the herd to higher ground, but the lightning was something awful. Spooked the herd. They plum broke through the barbed fence and took off a-running. Took us two full days to round 'em all up. Then A.J. got to worrying that you might have got stuck in the flood. He sent me to find you. Sure am tickled to see you well. You too, Missus." He tipped a nod her way.
"We stopped for a bite. You must be hungry, Mr. Hoyt. Please...help yourself then we'll be on our way," Grace offered.
"Don't mind if I do, ma'am. I rode straight through. Just stopped long enough to rest my horse. And just call me Hoyt."
Grace sensed the man ate with as much gusto as Lulu, but held back because a lady was present. He counted every chew until he thought it was safe to swallow, then sighed and took another bite. His restraint was admirable even if he did look bored, awkward, and more than a little comical. It made him all the more endearing and Grace wouldn't think of hurting his feelings by laughing at him. A day would come soon enough when he would relax and not tiptoe around her. Grace intended to enjoy his consideration while it lasted.
Having Hoyt along certainly livened the day and made the hours on the trail roll away. He and Jake tossed work back and forth, how many calves were in the herd, how much they'd get per head in Kansas. Then the conversation shifted to tales that rolled off Hoyt's tongue so fast Grace barely had time to quit laughing from one before he started another.
Jake tried to focus on the trail and not on the sweet sound of Grace's laughter. It was nigh on to impossible. Each note lit a spark deep inside. Watching her, he realized that it wasn't just beauty that changed with her laughter, it was everything about her. Her whole person shifted. Light glowed around her. And he wanted to be a part of it.
He couldn't remember the last time he'd been with a woman. He squelched his needs by throwing himself into his work. Not that he couldn't find a woman. There were plenty around who made their interest known. After Laurette, Jake had indulged himself, bedding one after the other, seeking to fulfill only his needs. Soon each encounter left him more hollow inside. Without the emotions, the tenderness, or even the reactions of his partner, all it became was release. Jake wanted more, wanted some kind of involvement on the woman's part. It didn't exist with saloon girls. He refused to accept the flirtations of married women, and maidens wanted more than he was willing to give.
But now he was suddenly, unexpectedly married. For all his talk of this being in name only, the prospect of a physical relationship did have its appeal.
"Looks like a storm a-brewing," Hoyt said.
Jake looked up from his rambling thoughts. Dark clouds piled around them. Now that the storm had his attention, a bank of clouds crept forward, hid the sun, then slowly edged toward the riders. There were five more miles to cover before they reached the layover shack at the edge of Jake's property. He doubted they'd make it before the clouds reached them. All he could do was hope the rain held until they were safe behind doors.
A cool breeze, gentle at first, stirred the trees. But gentle soon turned to blustery. In the space of a few minutes it was downright cold.
Grace fumbled with her bundle and pulled out an old wool coat. Lulu curled deeper into the basket. Hoyt just shivered. Jake doubted he'd thought to bring much with him as big a hurry as he was in. As for Jake, he'd bear it. Warmer clothing was tucked in his bedroll and he didn't want to lose time pulling it out.
The first drops struck as the shack and its small barn came into view. Shelter was a mile away. It might as well have been ten.
Hoyt urged his horse into a gallop. Jake followed suit, motioning Grace to come on. But her mount refused to do more than trot.
He doubled back. Nothing Grace did had an effect on the stubborn animal. He'd seen mules that were easier to cajole. Thunder, lightning, drenching rain, even a sharp whack to the rear couldn't spur it on. They were going at the horse's pace whether they liked it or not. By the time they reached the shack, everything was soaked.
Hoyt waited in the doorway. "I got a fire going in the stove." He grabbed Lulu and the baskets and ducked inside.
Jake didn't give Grace a chance to get down-he pulled her off the saddle himself. "Get inside and warm up."
"What about you?" Her chin quivered with every word.
"I've got to tend to the horses." He shoved her bundle into her arms and gave her a gentle push toward the door.
Grace had never been so cold in her life. She stood just inside the little house while a puddle of water formed at her feet. Every stitch of clothing was soaked, even what she had in her bundle.
A small wood cook stove on the opposite side of the single square room glowed with warmth through its grate. Grace couldn't feel it and wondered if she ever would. She stripped off the breeches and hung them on the peg in the wall, then did the same with her coat.
Rubbing her hands together, she hurried toward the stove. A shivering Lulu was curled in a tight ball beside it. She never budged when Grace joined her. Grace could appreciate that. Once the first rays of heat pierced her wet clothes, Grace didn't want to move either.
A blast of cold air when the men rushed in stole what little warmth she was able to generate. But at least they were in for the night and safe.
Boots and bedrolls hit the floor with a thud. Then the men scurried for the heat while the howling wind slammed rain against the shack. Grace prayed the walls held.
She gave her back to the heat and looked around. Pegs dotted the walls. Grace liked that. It was space put to good use.
A narrow plank table with two ladder-back chairs was shoved against the wall. Plank shelves lined the wall above that for stores and kitchenware. It looked fully stocked. If the weather didn't clear, they'd need it. Whoever owned the place was obviously prepared. He might not appreciate strangers coming onto his property.
The only other things in the cabin were two beds. The mattresses were rolled up and stored at the foot of each. Bedding was tucked inside. Two beds. Three people, and two of them were married. Grace wouldn't think about that now. One thing at a time.
She rubbed her upper arms. "What if the owner comes in? I doubt he'll much like us taking over his place."
Hoyt chuckled through his shivering and motioned to Jake. "Owner's standing right there. I don't think he minds."
This was Jake's place? She let her gaze wander once more. It was no bigger than her family's house. Where were the children? The other brother?
Hoyt edged closer to the stove. "It sits on the edge of the ranch. We use it when we're out on the range and bad weather hits. Sure comes in handy."
It sure did. Grace would have hated to spend the night in this storm. They'd likely have frozen nearly to death. But the edge of Jake's property? They still had a day's ride left. Just how big was his place? Ma was right. He was rich.
