“She sure does,” Brand agreed.
“Come on, you boys,” Amy called, once they were within shouting distance. “I got food on the table.” She stepped down into the yard as the wagon slowed to a halt and welcomed each of her brothers with a hug and kiss on the cheek as they hopped down. “Wash up first, though,” she ordered, pointing to the rain barrel next to the porch. A little shelf hung above it holding a small piece of soap and a folded cloth to dry their wet hands.
“See what I mean, boys, civilized,” Ethan teased his brothers as he led the way to the rain barrel, splashing his face and neck with water.
Amy rolled her eyes. “For heaven’s sake, Ethan, there’s no need to take a bath.”
“I wouldn’t be so sure about that, darlin’.” Beau laughed, as he strolled up to the house from the direction of the barn. He grabbed Amy around the waist, kissing her soundly on the lips.
“Oh, brother,” Dylan snickered, a look of disgust on his face. “Let’s keep the neckin’ to a minimum, please.”
“You’re just jealous,” Amy said, rubbing her cheek against her husband’s whiskered one.
“Are you all going to come into dinner or not?” Beau’s sister, Danielle, peeked her dark head out the door, a teasing smile on her lips.
Amy’s brothers all greeted her warmly. Since Amy and Beau’s engagement and wedding, the two families had been spending even more time together than they had before. It wasn’t at all unusual for Danielle to be around when they had dinner at Amy and Beau’s.
“Hello, Dani.” Brand passed through the open door and gave Danielle a brief hug, which she returned with a smile.
“Brat.” Ethan greeted her with a tug on the long braid hanging down her back. Danielle stuck out her tongue in response.
“Don’t mind him, Dani, he’s had only Brand for company for too long,” Dylan consoled, as he enveloped her tiny frame in a bear hug that lifted her feet off the floor.
“Put me down, you big ox,” she grunted. Dylan set her down, already distracted by the good food laid out on the table.
“The food looks good, Amy,” he said reverently, taking a seat next to Ethan.
“You boys stop man-handling my sister,” Beau admonished from the doorway.
Silence reigned as Amy’s brothers stared at Beau, their expressions sardonic. Beau just laughed. “I married her,” he defended himself. Ethan, Dylan, and Brand just shook their heads.
“You know we are in the room, right?” Danielle stood, her arm linked through Amy’s as they surveyed the men with mock disdain.
“Sure, we do.” Beau tugged her braid on his way to the table. “Come on, everybody. Sit down. I’m hungry!”
There were no objections from the bachelors in the room. Amy and Danielle exchanged an entertained glance as they set to work bringing the rest of the food to the table. The four men sat quietly conversing until the women took their seats. Beau offered a blessing on the food and it wasn’t long before the quiet din grew into a dull roar.
“Amy, I just gotta tell you how much we miss you at home,” Ethan said around a mouthful of his fifth slice of fresh bread, a look of pure pleasure on his handsome face.
“Yeah, if I’d a realized I was gonna be stuck eating Ethan’s rock hard biscuits and drinking sludge coffee, I might not have been so keen on you gettin’ married,” Brand agreed, his coffee held reverently under his nose as he breathed in deeply of its rich aroma, the plate in front of him scraped clean of every morsel.
“You know, you boys could get your own wives.” Beau reached out to squeeze Amy’s hand within his own.
“No thanks.”
“I don’t think so.”
“I’d rather hire a housekeeper.”
Beau shook his head, an amused smile on his handsome face. He figured it’d take some real doin’ to get the Callahan brothers married off. He wondered if his baby sister wasn’t up to the challenge. Beau hadn’t missed the speculative glances Danielle had been casting at all three of Amy’s brothers over the past few months.
“Don’t know what they’re missing, do they,” Amy asked, drawing Beau’s thoughts away from his sister as she reached out to cup his cheek in her hand.
Beau turned his head, kissing her palm. “No idea, darlin’, no idea at all.”
“Oh, no, it’s getting thick in here now,” Dylan warned. “We better get us some dessert before these two forget they have company.”
Danielle laughed, wrinkling her nose. “Come on, Dylan. You can help me dish it up.” Danielle pushed back her chair, the legs scraping against the rough pine floor.
Dylan grumbled good-naturedly. “She’s gonna make me work for my pie,” he teased, as he dutifully rose to help Danielle with the plates of cherry pie.
“It’ll be good for you, Sheriff,” Ethan teased around another mouthful of bread. “Yer getting soft sitting in that office with your feet propped on the desk.”
“And eatin’ all that restaurant food,” Beau chimed; the picture of contentment, sitting with his wife snuggled under his arm. Amy’s eyes danced with amusement as her husband joined easily in teasing her brothers.
“You all are funny.” Dylan returned to the table with two plates in hand. Amy and Danielle snickered behind their hands as he placed a tiny sliver of pie in front of both Ethan and Beau, before turning a challenging eye on his eldest brother. “I didn’t say anything,” Brand announced defensively. “I’ll admit you’re the strongest man in the county if it’d get me half a pie all to myself.” The hopeful look on his face was too much, and when Danielle deposited a plate laden with half a pie, the room erupted with laughter.
“Thanks for dinner, darlin’,” Brand said, as he wrapped his arms tightly around his sister. Stars were already twinkling above and it was time to head back to the ranch. It had been a welcome reprieve; an evening spent laughing and enjoying the company of his family. They had even been given a wonderful announcement; Amy and Beau were going to have a baby. Brand shook his head at the thought of Amy having a little one of her own.
“You know you are welcome here anytime, Brand.” Amy squeezed him around his waist and buried her face in the folds of his coat.
“I know it, honey,” Brand acknowledged, releasing her so he could join his brothers and Danielle in the wagon, who were calling out their last well wishes to the new parents-to-be and waving farewell.
“Thank you for taking Dani home,” Beau called out.
Brand waved as he turned the wagon down the lane toward the house where Danielle lived with her mother.
“It sure is chilly this evening,” Danielle commented, tucking her hand in the crook of Brand’s arm.
Brand felt a trickle of alarm as she scooted closer, wrapping both arms around his, the warmth from her body seeping through the layers of both of their coats.
“I can get the blanket from the back,” he offered.
“No,” Danielle laughed. “I’ll just scoot close. It’s a short ride.”
Brand couldn’t control the urge to clear his throat. He was more than a little aware of his two brothers sitting in the back of the wagon and cast a furtive glance over his shoulder to see the both of them grinning broadly at his back. His eyes narrowed as he shot a stern look in their direction, causing them to break into silent chuckles. Brand sighed, knowing doing anything else would only draw attention to their childish behavior. Boy, was he glad the drive to Danielle’s home was short.
As he pulled in front of the house, Danielle sighed, gazing into his eyes with a sweet smile on her lips. She was a beautiful young woman, and with her sitting beside him, her pretty heart-shaped face turned toward his in the soft glow of moonlight- it was easy to imagine pulling her into his arms.
But even with his gaze trained on Danielle, the face of another intruded on his thoughts, causing him to look away. He gently disentangled his arm from Danielle’s grasp and jumped down and offered her his hand. She accepted it, allowing him to help her to the ground.
“I’ll walk yo
u up,” he said, confused about the emotionally charged moment in the wagon. While he admired Danielle, and thought she had grown into a downright beauty, Brand couldn’t admit to thinking of her except as a sweet girl who happened to be the sister of his friend.
“Thanks for bringing me home, Brand.” The words were spoken softly. And before Brand knew what she was about, Danielle reached up and placed a soft kiss on his cheek.
“My pleasure, Dani,” Brand replied. Danielle opened the door. Before stepping across the threshold, her eyes met Brand’s again and she offered him a small nod. Her look was both understanding and speculative.
Brand opened his mouth to say... what? He didn’t know and so he closed it again. Instead, he lightly touched the brim of his hat. “Good night, Dani.”
She didn’t say anything, but lowered her gaze and turned into the house, quietly closing the door behind her.
Brand stood on the step for just a moment in a confused stupor. It had never occurred to him to think of Danielle in a romantic way. The fact that she had so subtly, yet openly, expressed an interest in him…in front of his brothers, Brand was shocked and a little distressed.
With a shake of his head, Brand headed back to the wagon. Ethan and Dylan, who, to Brand’s chagrin, had been raptly watching the entire exchange. He mentally prepared himself for the ribbing he was sure to get from his brothers. They did not disappoint.
“What was that all about,” Ethan asked before Brand even raised his foot to step into the wagon.
“Little Dani,” was all Dylan could say, shaking his head.
Brand’s sigh was laced with long-suffering. “There is nothing going on with Dani.” Brand took his seat and untied the lines from the brake.
“I don’t know, Brand. It sure looked like something to me,” Ethan teased. “What do you think, Sheriff?”
“I’m afraid I have to agree with Ethan, Brand,” Dylan answered.
“Listen, I was just as shocked by all that as you were.” Brand clucked to the horses and was gratified when his brothers were knocked off balance by the abrupt movement.
“Well, why not, Brand? Dani sure is pretty.” Ethan had regained his footing and was climbing over the seat. He settled next to Brand, throwing his arm casually across the back.
“You court her then,” Brand retorted hotly, shifting uncomfortably in his seat.
“She hasn’t shown any interest in me,” Ethan shot back.
“Yeah, Brand, you’re the one she was making calf eyes at,” Dylan added from his perch on a hay bale in the wagon bed.
“She’s Beau’s sister.” Brand knew his argument was weak.
“That didn’t stop Beau from courtin’ and marryin’ Amy,” Ethan pointed out unnecessarily.
Brand closed his eyes and took a deep, calming breath. He could spend the rest of his life denying any feelings other than that of a brother for Danielle, but Dylan, and especially Ethan, would never let up. So, he opted for stony silence for the remainder of the ride home. And he was right. His younger brothers yapped back and forth, talking as though he wasn’t even there, discussing Brand’s future with Danielle from courtship to grandchildren.
Brand had never been so glad to get home, and jumped out of the wagon as soon as it stopped.
“Since you two have so much to discuss, I’ll let you take care of the team.” Brand shook his head as their chuckles followed him all the way up to his room. They were relentless. However, he supposed if the situation were reversed he would be hard pressed to not tease either of them.
Brand slammed the door, breathing a sigh of relief, as he leaned against it. He rubbed his eyes with the heels of his hands, his stomach knotted with anxiety. He contemplated his interactions with Danielle over the last few months and was satisfied that he had not encouraged her in any way. Perhaps, she was just testing the waters, to see how he would respond if she were to show an interest in him.
Brand pulled his shirt over his head and tossed it into the corner of the room. Sitting on the edge of his bed, he yanked first one boot and then the other off his feet, he was distracted by another thought.
Her.
It was her face that was always at the forefront of his mind. Her that consumed his thoughts day and night. Brand allowed himself a break from the constant battle of banishing her from his thoughts. He pictured her in his mind.
Blond curls.
Blue eyes.
Skin the color of cream.
Heat spread up the back of his neck and face. With a growl of frustration, Brand jumped up from the bed, angrily stripping off his trousers, leaving them in a discarded heap on the floor. It was no use, that line of thinking. Maybe he should consider Danielle, he could choose worse. Much worse.
No.
Brand lay in his bed, staring mindlessly at the ceiling. It would not be fair to Danielle. He could never court her-consider marrying her. She deserved more, to be loved with all the passion she did not stir within him. All the passion stirred by someone else. Brand rolled onto his side, punching his pillow, willing sleep to overtake him.
And after what felt like hours, he finally succumbed, his dreams haunted with visions of her.
Chapter 3
“Brand!”
Brand turned to see Sawyer Hughes, his friend and the owner of one of the local saloons, walking toward him.
“Sawyer.” Brand stopped, and the two men shook hands.
“Haven’t seen you in town for mor’n a week,” Sawyer drawled, as he clapped his hand on Brand’s shoulder, pulling him into the dimly lit saloon.
“No. Sawyer. I’m on my way to Miss Ellie’s,” Brand protested, taking a step back out the door. Sawyer tightened his grip.
“Replacin’ shingles?” Sawyer was practically pushing Brand toward the back of the saloon. “Don’t worry. Just this morning she had me sipping lemonade one minute, stripping my jacket and up the ladder the next.” Sawyer shook his head in amusement as he led Brand up the stairs to his office, calling over his shoulder for drinks. “That old woman knows I can’t tell her ‘no’ to save my soul.”
“And lord knows it needs saving,” Brand teased.
“Ha! Isn’t that the truth.” Sawyer accepted Brand’s ribbing. “Have a seat.” Sawyer gestured toward the single chair positioned in front of his desk. He settled into a leather wing-back behind it, promptly kicking up his feet to rest on its paper-littered top.
“I don’t think I’ve ever seen the top of your desk. What is all this?” Brand was overwhelmed just looking at the mess. Invoices, receipts, and letter after letter were scattered across the surface and some had even trickled onto the floor.
“Just this and that.” Sawyer’s nonchalant air was typical. Brand wasn’t sure the man took anything seriously, and supposed it was part of his charm. Brand had become friends with Sawyer, oddly enough, through Elvira Mason. Mrs. Mason, or Miss Ellie, as folks called her, was a widow woman who lived in a small house just down from the saloon. Sawyer had taken to stopping by to check on the older woman and had struck up a friendship. It wasn’t at all unusual to see Sawyer sitting on her front porch sipping lemonade or cider depending on the season.
After crossing paths at Miss Ellie’s often enough, Brand began stopping in at the saloon every now and again for a game of cards and friendly conversation.
“Well, since you’ve saved me a trip to Miss Ellie’s, maybe I should head over to the smithy,” Brand mused through a yawn. Sawyer shot him a knowing look. Brand had sunk low in his seat, his long legs propped on a haphazard stack of envelopes.
“I think you’ve been spending too many nights at the smithy…as ridiculous as that sounds.” Sawyer’s sardonic comment was interrupted as the door to his office swung wide admitting his bartender, Mac McDougall, carrying a small tray holding one shot of whiskey and a glass of water, which he unceremoniously plunked onto the desk.
“Thank you, Mac,” Sawyer said, without rising from his seat. “And none of your preaching. You are awfully intolerant for a man who
makes his living tending a bar.”
Mac grunted, turning from the room, muttering something about being a farmer in his thick Scottish accent, his hulking frame hunched low to avoid hitting his head on the doorframe. Sawyer smiled at his back. “Close the door, you great Scottish oaf.”
Mac kicked the door closed, shaking the whole building with the force of it. Sawyer sat grinning at the door, his eyes lit with amusement.
“I can’t make him out.” Brand regarded Sawyer curiously. Mac always seemed irritated with Sawyer, but he knew the two were old friends and that Mac had come to Carson’s Gulch with Sawyer five years prior when he'd purchased the saloon.
“Aw, he’s just upset. I told him I bought a farm, not a saloon.” Sawyer’s reply was off-hand, as though they were discussing the weather. “He still hasn’t forgiven me.”
“You’re not serious,” Brand asked, incredulous.
“Nasty Scottish temper. Not very forgiving.” Sawyer deliberately misunderstood. He reached for the tiny glass holding little more than a mouthful of whiskey. Bringing it to his lips, Sawyer flicked his wrist, swallowing the liquid quickly.
Brand, who couldn’t stomach any kind of alcohol, wasn’t sure if he was impressed or concerned with Sawyer’s apparent ease with the fiery drink. His confusion must have shown on his face.
“It’s an acquired taste.” Sawyer’s smile was self-deprecating.
“I think I’m happy not to acquire it.”
Sawyer responded with a grin.
Brand shook his head. Sawyer was a good man, as far as he could tell, and really, what could he expect from the saloon owner. However, Brand’s mother had been vehemently against strong drink and Brand couldn’t remember his father ever drinking spirits of any kind. It was a bit uncomfortable, sitting casually in Sawyer’s office as he tipped back whiskey as though he had been drinking all his life; and for all Brand knew, he had been.
“You’re a good influence on me, Brand.”
Loved from Afar Page 2
