“Welcome, ma’am. Not my usual freight, but Mrs. Hoffman was determined.”
Vanessa laughed, her heart overflowing with joy. “When Greta decides to do something, you just have to go along with her wishes.”
She extended her hands to the beautiful young woman beside Paco. “You must be Marisol. What a pleasure to meet you after hearing so much about you.”
Greta rubbed her hands together. “I could not work for that banker Herr Carlyle another day, leibling. He was a terrible man and very rude. All the young maids quit and he wouldn’t give them a reference. Good thing you took care of that before you left.”
El shook his head at Greta. “She paid me to bring her here but then she saw Miss Gomez crying and had to find out what was wrong.”
Marisol smiled at Greta. “That Mrs. Jessup said I stole her earrings but I did not. Then when her son found them, she wouldn’t admit she had misplaced them. She made me leave without my pay or belongings. I had nowhere to go.”
El leaned back and let out a belly laugh. “Mrs. Hoffman went to the sheriff and coaxed him to go with us to the Jessup home. Sheriff’s had dealings with the Jessups before and was not pleased. Made sure Miss Gomez got her belongings and her pay. But it held us up for several hours.”
Travis stuck his hands in his pants pockets. “You heard about the robber escaping and heading this way.” When El nodded, Travis continued, “He prowled around here a couple of nights ago. I hope you’ll spend tonight in the bunkhouse and wait until full light to leave.”
“Thank you, believe I will. I don’t cotton to traveling in the dark. Now it’d be past midnight before I reached the cabin for wayfarers and I sure would hate to find that robber there.”
Billy and Sam stomped inside. “We put your horses and wagon in the barn, Davis. Gave the horses oats and hay and water.”
“Appreciate your help.” He leaned back. “This fire sure feels good. I must be getting old ’cause I can’t take cold like I used to.”
Vanessa sat on the couch beside Greta. “I can hardly believe you’re here.” The children sat at her feet and draped themselves over her knees.
“I got mad and thought, only Hilda do I have in Atlanta. I never see her son. I’ll miss her, but not like I missed you and the children. I have been hollow since you left.”
Vanessa hugged Greta. How wonderful to have her near again. “I’m so glad you’re here. Tell me about the staff, especially Timmons.”
“Ah, you will be happy to know Timmons and Anna are now married. You remember Mrs. Vandergriff always wanted him to work for her, so he and Anna now have a nice apartment in her home.”
“I’m so glad. I suspected they were courting, but I didn’t comment for fear of embarrassing them.”
Travis said, “Dorie, Jack, please move some of your things from your bedroom so Greta and Marisol can sleep there.”
Jack frowned. “Where will we sleep, Papa?”
Travis rubbed at his cheek. “We’ll have to figure out something. Meanwhile, I’ll help you move your things.”
Dorie scrambled after him. “Papa, will you help me, too?”
Greta raised her eyebrows as she met Vanessa’s gaze. “So, already he is Papa. This is good.”
Vanessa watched the children tagging after Travis. “He’s very patient with them. With me too, even when he learned I can’t cook or keep house.” She smiled at Billy. “Billy’s been teaching me plus I have your notes.”
“This I can do now if your husband will allow me to stay. But, I see there is not room and he will not want so many people shoved at him.”
Billy stopped and leaned toward Greta. “You cook?”
Greta cocked her head at him. “Ja, I am a good cook.”
Billy gave a broad smile. “Then, ma’am, you can be sure of a place here.” He carried two valises toward the bedroom.
Vanessa sat surrounded by a blissful haze as the men carried in luggage and moved the children’s things. Now she had her family with her. Everything was perfect.
Seeing Travis go into their bedroom and close the door behind him startled her.
She patted Greta’s arm. “Excuse me, I’ll be right back.”
Vanessa stood at the bedroom door a few seconds, wondering whether or not to knock. Travis was her husband and this was her room as well as his. She entered the room and found her husband sitting on the edge of the mattress with his head in his hands.
She closed the door quietly behind her. “Travis? Are you all right?”
In answer, he flopped backward onto the bed and flung his arm across his eyes.
She climbed on the mattress beside him. “You’re scaring me. Please tell me what’s wrong.”
He pulled her head onto his shoulder. “Nothing’s actually wrong. Guess I’m overwhelmed.”
“Honestly, I didn’t know Greta was coming. I hope you know I wouldn’t have invited her without asking you.”
He linked their fingers. “No, no, her being here is all right. For so long I’ve been alone, unless you count Billy and Paco. I longed for a wife and family. You and the children came and I felt my life was complete.”
Warmth like sunshine on a summer day shot through her. “Travis, what a lovely thing to say. That means a lot to me.”
“We need to incorporate Greta and, for a while, Marisol into our household, but I can’t figure out how without leaving the kids without good place to sleep.”
“You don’t have to solve this all by yourself.”
“What?” He raised up on an elbow and stared at her. “This is my ranch and my family. I’m responsible for all that goes on here. Of course I have to solve this.”
“But not alone, Travis. You’ve been on your own so long you haven’t learned to let others share in your burdens. No one expects you to be a magician.”
He shook his head and lay back on the bed. “I don’t intend to let my family down.”
“You couldn’t, it’s not in you to do so. Why don’t you come out and we can each contribute ideas. Maybe we can come up with a solution together.”
He grinned at her. “Couldn’t we just stay in here and pretend it’s bedtime?”
She gently tugged his hand as she stood. “Come on, you’ll feel much better when the problem is resolved.”
He allowed her to pull him to his feet. “I suppose, but I still think pretending it’s bedtime sounds good.”
She couldn’t keep from laughing. “Bedtime will come soon enough.”
“Not for me.” He kissed her and they went to join the others.
Chapter Ten
Travis was shame-faced when he walked to the kitchen. Someone had moved the two parlor chairs to the table so there was room for the adults if Dorie and Jack shared and the others were elbow to elbow. He had to do something about that problem quickly. First, the sleeping arrangements.
He scanned the faces before him. “We need to put our heads together and come up with a solution for the children’s sleeping area.”
Sam said, “My folks had a loft where us kids slept.” He looked up. “Don’t think it would be hard to floor in one room.”
Billy pointed at the new cowboy. “You’ve got somethin’ there. If it was me, I’d build it over the room where they been sleepin’.”
Travis nodded. “Heat from the house would warm the floor. I don’t like the idea of Dorie climbing a ladder, even though it would only be for a few months.”
Greta smiled at him and gestured to the wall. “If you keep to the kitchen wall, you can make a stairway with a rail that would not be in the way.” She waggled her finger. “Not too steep, though.”
Vanessa clasped her hands. “After you add more rooms, the loft could be a storage area or you could remove it.”
Paco and Marisol had been so busy holding hands and whispering that they hadn’t contributed to the discussion. Travis doubted the lovebirds had heard a word.
He winked at his wife and announced loudly, “So it’s settled. Paco will do all of the work
.”
With a horrified expression, Paco leaped up. “What? Paco will do all of what?”
Everyone but the two lovebirds laughed.
Travis grinned, unable to contain his relief there was a plan. “I was only teasing you, Paco. In the morning, we men will build a loft for the children’s sleeping room.”
Paco wiped his forehead with his hand, pretending he’d been worried. “Whew. This is a good idea. Many homes have such places for children.”
***
After supper, Greta pulled Travis aside. “Perhaps you can show me the smokehouse.”
“Of course.” Figuring she wanted to speak privately with him, he held her coat for her then pulled on his own.
Jack ran to them. “Can I come?”
Travis tousled the boy’s hair. “Not this time. We’ll just be a couple of minutes. Greta is going to help cook so she needs to know where we keep our meat.”
Before anyone else could ask, he and Greta were out the door and down the steps.
She took his arm. “Many years have passed since I was a girl in Bavaria so I must practice walking in the snow again.”
“I’ve heard Bavaria is beautiful country.”
“Ja, this is true. But what I wish to tell you is that I did not know I would be such a burden. I only longed to see Vanessa and the children. Now I see there is no room here for me so I will look for a job nearby as a cook.”
He stopped and turned her to face him. “Please don’t. I’ve heard so much about you from Vanessa and the children. As far as I’m concerned, you’re my mother-in-law. You belong here with her, with us.”
Greta brushed at her eyes and her voice held a catch. “You are a good man, Travis Boyd. At last my Vanessa has found a worthy husband.”
He hugged her shoulders. “Far as I can tell, you’re responsible for my wife being the wonderful person she is.”
She pulled away to look into his face. “Ah, you are falling in love with her.”
He surprised himself by answering truthfully, “Believe I’m already there, Greta. She doesn’t reciprocate, but I’m determined to show her I’m a man to depend on. I intend to capture her heart.” He hung the lantern on the smokehouse and opened the door then held the lantern so she could see inside the small building. The odor of charcoal drifted toward him.
She peered inside. “I am glad. You’d think with the money her parents and first husband had that her life was easy, but that is not so. None of the important people in her life appreciated her or gave her the love she deserves.”
He touched her shoulder gently. “Except you. She’s made clear that she could count on you. I’m grateful you’ve been in her life.”
Looking embarrassed, Greta gestured into the smokehouse. “If supplies are an indication, you are dependable. What is your favorite food?”
He laughed as he closed the door. “Anything not scorched, burned, or underdone.”
She took his arm for the walk to the house. “Poor man. How long since you’ve had a really good meal?”
“Vanessa is learning but in answer to your question, I’m not sure I ever have. If I did it’s been so long I can’t even remember.”
She patted his arm. “Tomorrow you will have one. Cooking is one thing I know. A good man deserves good food.”
“I’ve heard you’re a great cook and I look forward to eating whatever you prepare.”
***
After breakfast the following morning, Vanessa hugged her arms against the cold. “Take care.”
El Davis climbed onto his wagon. “Thanks for the hospitality and the food you’re sending with me.”
Snow had ceased during the night but the wind stole Vanessa’s breath.
She shivered. “This is a great day to stay inside.”
Travis caught her around the waist and lifted her onto the porch and into the kitchen. “We will for we’ll be building the sleeping loft.”
Paco carried a pail of milk to the kitchen. “I am ready for carpenter duty.”
Jack craned his neck to peer around. “Where’s Sam?”
Billy patted the boy’s shoulder. “Sam stayed in the barn to cut lengths of wood and keep sawdust from inside the house. We figured them women folks would skin us alive if we made much of a mess.”
Vanessa spread a sheet over the bed then couldn’t tear herself away from watching the project. She had never seen construction up close. This was personal because it would benefit her children.
Joking and accusing one another of clumsiness and poor skills, the loft began to take shape. Marisol joined Vanessa. Soon, they had to move to the other side of the room.
Paco must have just become aware his beloved observed the work. He grinned at her then misjudged where he stood.
“Whoa!” He tumbled but landed on the bed with a whoosh.
Marisol rushed to him. “Paco, are you all right?” She checked his head and then held his hand.
Travis peered over the boards. “Trust you to land on a mattress. Guess with Marisol to tend you we don’t need to stop work.”
Paco sent a loving gaze to his fiancée. “I am in the best of hands, but I cannot linger here. The air left me but now I can breathe.” He stood and climbed the ladder to the loft.
The loft space was completed by noon but could be reached only with the ladder for the men’s use.
While they ate dinner, Travis pointed his fork at each child. “No climbing until we get the proper stairs done.”
Jack ate as if he hadn’t had food in a week. “Yes, Papa.”
Dorie narrowed her eyes. “You promise we can sleep there tonight?”
Travis shook his head. “No, I can’t promise, but I think we’ll have everything ready by then.”
Billy asked for second helpings. “Sure is good food. Can’t tell you how nice it is to have home cooked food that’s tasty—uh, meanin’ no disrespect, Vanessa.”
She glanced up and grinned. “None taken because I understand and agree. I don’t know if I’ll ever learn to cook this well, but certainly not without Greta here to teach me.”
Greta stood and refilled coffee cups and milk glasses. “I don’t know why you want to learn when I’m here to make your meals. But, if that’s what you wish, I will teach you.”
“I want to learn everything a ranch wife should know.” She sighed and gazed around her. “Although we’re crowded, I love having everyone under one roof—except you three cowboys, and you eat with us.”
Billy patted his stomach. “I’m sure glad we do. Don’t know as I’ve ever had a meal like this. My innards are mighty grateful.”
By bedtime, stairs were ready, complete with a hand rail. Vanessa doubted it was nice enough to be called a banister, but it gave the children something to hold onto while they went up and down. She helped carry bedding up to the new sleeping space and laid out pallets near the fireplace stones. Certainly, the loft was warmer than the bedrooms.
“This is great, huh, Mother?” Jack crawled into his makeshift sleeping bag.
“I’m happy to hear you think so. What do you think, Dorie?”
The little girl wiggled into place. “Millie and I like it.”
“Goodnight, children. I love you and hope you sleep well. Don’t forget to say your prayers.”
When she’d climbed down the stairs, she sighed. She hoped the children were quiet and went to sleep quickly. She didn’t want them disturbing Greta or Marisol.
She peeked into the bedroom to see if the loft ruined the sleeping space below. Marisol was tidying the room.
Vanessa stood in the doorway. “Do you feel closed in with the loft above?”
Marisol smiled at her. “Not at all. You should have seen where I slept at Mrs. Jessup’s. More of a closet than a bedroom. Plus everyone here is so nice and I get to see my Paco each day.”
“We’re happy you’re here. I’ll let you finish here and I’ll join those in the parlor.”
She joined Greta on the couch. The men had moved back the two chairs th
at set by the fireplace as well as three of the kitchen chairs.
Travis sent her a look filled with longing. “Next we build more chairs.”
She missed sitting next to him even though she was grateful to have Greta near. “That sounds good. Perhaps a couple of long benches would work for the table and we could use the chairs here in the parlor.”
He shook his head. “I want everyone to have a decent chair. And we need a longer table. If we don’t have to feed cattle this week, maybe we can get some furniture built.”
She relaxed and let the conversation hum around her. This entire house would fit in the ballroom of her former home yet she was happier here than she’d ever been in her life. For the first time, she felt wanted and safe.
***
Jack pulled Vanessa aside. “Papa doesn’t have a birthday.”
She ruffled her son’s hair. “Everyone has a birthday because that’s the day a person was born.”
“But, Papa doesn’t know when his is. He’s never had a cake or a party or anything. Isn’t that awful?”
“You’re right, it’s terrible. Why don’t we decide today is his birthday? Let’s see, I knitted a scarf for a Christmas gift, but I could give him that.”
A frown formed on Jack’s forehead. “I don’t have anything to give.”
“Maybe you and Dorie could make him a picture with your watercolors. He’d like that.”
“You think so? I can make a picture of Nipper and Scout.”
“That would be perfect. Why don’t you tell Dorie?”
Jack skipped to the stairs and went to find his sister in the loft.
Vanessa consulted Greta. “Travis’ past is very sad. He’s never had a birthday celebration and doesn’t even know when his birthday is. Would you make him a cake for supper so we can have a little party?”
Greta clapped her hands. “Ja, this I will do. You must look in the green trunk and find the watch from your grandfather. That would make a good gift for a fine man.”
“I must have missed it. I’ll look again. That would be perfect and quite a surprise.”
Greta made a shooing motion. “Go and find it and I will mix up cake batter. I must think of a gift to give him from me.”
Montana Sky: Capture Her Heart (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Loving A Rancher Book 6) Page 9
