by Etta Foster
Richard acted kind enough. What would he do to his own brother?
No one had ever wanted to fight him. But Jacob, he had been in several fights growing up. He was the wrestling champion in their town. No one could beat him.
Yet he could never find the courage to fight his brother.
And he hated it.
Jacob swallowed in his dry throat as he turned back to Louise. She was explaining the weather down in Louisiana. Then the girl’s sister, Luanne, looked at him and grinned.
It was a decent smile. And she had the same green eyes. But there was something sharper about the older girl that threw Jacob off and made him uncomfortable.
Especially when she batted her eyes at him. It was like she was trying to cry. Her actions made no sense and it only annoyed him.
If he could gather the nerve to steal something away from his brother, now was the perfect time to lure Louise away.
Sitting beside her had been the right move. But after that, Jacob wasn’t certain. He scowled down at the table as he tried to think.
“And Jacob?” He glanced up to Louise who was still smiling. “What have you been up to today?”
He hadn’t smiled in a long time.
But now, Jacob found a way to tug the corners of his lips upward and hoped for the best. “I worked, of course.
“A ranch like this requires a lot of work. We hire cowboys often, but it’s slow for us now during the winter. There were horseshoes to take care of and the like.” Glancing at his brother, he wondered if the other man had caught wind of the dig.
But he hadn’t. Richard looked as happy as he ever did.
When his brother opened his mouth to speak up, Jacob cut him off. “You’re in for a treat tonight.
“There should be snow coming in soon. If we’re lucky, it’ll be bright and early in the morning. Maybe we can go for a ride then.”
Luanne peaked over her sister’s head again. “That sounds lovely,” she offered.
As she played with her fingers in her hair, she suddenly stiffened and started tugging at the long blonde strands. They looked like they were in a knot.
“If it’s not too cold,” Louise nodded slowly, “I think that would be nice.”
Richard jumped in. “Riding would be best. Then I could show you around the ranch. There’s not much, but I think you’d like it.”
“You spoke of it often,” Louise beamed. Her eyes had left Jacob to focus on Richard. “A ride sounds like a marvelous idea.”
“You can use a blanket better when you’re on a saddle rather than walking.” Richard grinned.
To Jacob’s dismay, Louise giggled.
“But if you want to walk,” Luanne cleared her throat as she tugged her hand out of her hair and placed it on her lap, “I’ll join you, Jacob.”
Richard had their parents’ attention, the appaloosa, and the ranch.
Jacob was tired of waiting for something good to come his way. Whatever he could do, he vowed, he would aim to make Louise his own instead.
Just as he opened his mouth to focus on Louise again, and not Luanne, Mrs. Pennyworth jumped in.
The woman cleared her throat loudly and stood up. She didn’t like being left out.
“You two ladies must be exhausted,” she clapped her hands. “Let us get you both settled in your rooms, shall we? That way both of you can rest up before supper tonight.
“And gentlemen, I’m sure there are still other responsibilities you should be tending to before the sun sets.”
Richard glanced at him, but Jacob didn’t return the look.
Of course there was work to do. There was always more work to accomplish on a ranch.
If Richard didn’t spend hours poring over letters or bringing back strange beautiful women to the house, then he would know about the work.
The women stood up.
“Thank you,” Louise commended Mrs. Pennyworth. “We would be very grateful to you for any assistance. If you can direct us to the rooms, we can get ourselves situated. I would hate for us to be a bother.”
Mrs. Pennyworth chuckled. “You couldn’t possibly be a bother. This way, now. Down the north hall. Let’s find the room and clean up the second.”
Jacob grudgingly climbed to his feet as the three women disappeared. He listened to them chatter and he wondered if he might grow annoyed by the sound of incessant talk soon.
He liked the quiet
Frustrated that the day was not going his way, Jacob shook his head and started for the door. He could hear Richard following behind him. But for once, Jacob wanted to take the lead.
He swung the door open to the cold and stepped out.
Chapter 8
When Louise woke up in bed, she slowly began to remember where she was.
“Oklahoma. Richard Hanson.” She said the words out loud. They tasted strange on her tongue even as she smiled.
The more she woke up, the more the thrill of being somewhere new grew. It had kept her awake and jittery during the train journey and now she felt ready to face the day.
She sat up and glanced around. It was a quaint little room with a few simple pieces of furniture. There were faded curtains at the window and only a small gathering of dust in the corners.
When Mrs. Pennyworth had presented the two rooms, she had fretted about cleaning the second that had not been prepared. But Louise felt terrible for bringing an unexpected guest. With Luanne out of sorts from traveling, she had agreed to take the smaller of the two rooms.
“I can clean it myself,” she had offered. “I don’t mind. Cleaning helps me to settle my thoughts.”
The housekeeper had reluctantly turned over a duster. It was strange, the idea of a housekeeper. Louise remembered spending a few minutes in bed trying to imagine having grown up with one like the Hanson men had.
Certainly, in running a ranch they needed all the help they could get. To share the house with someone who wasn’t family left a silly knot in her stomach.
But then she laughed. She had just spent the previous night in a house with people who were not her family. Shaking her head, Louise decided it was time to climb out of bed.
She sorted through her bags to get dressed and cleaned up. Louise wanted to put a little more effort into her outfit since she had the time to look her best.
Humming, she straightened the wrinkles in her dress and stepped out of her room. Only then did she realize she must have risen much too early.
The hallway was still dark.
A sheepish grin spread to her face. She was so used to rising first thing in the morning to read the paper that it was still a habit.
Louise glanced at the room where her sister slept. For a moment, she considered waking Luanne. But recalling how grumpy her sister could be, she decided against that idea.
A small thump sounded down the other direction of the hall.
It came from the kitchen.
When she rounded the corner, she found Mrs. Pennyworth humming quietly to herself as she built a fire. Before there was time to even open her mouth, the housekeeper had turned around.
“Good morning,” Mrs. Pennyworth chimed softly. “Another early riser?”
Louise couldn’t help but return the woman’s smile. “I’m glad I’m not alone then. Can I help you?”
Shaking her head, Mrs. Pennyworth gestured to a chair. “You can go ahead and rest there, if you like.”
But Louise wasn’t the type of person to be waited on hand and foot. As long as she had limbs, her parents had told her, she could do something.
Louise straightened her shoulders and ignored Mrs. Pennyworth’s invitation as she grabbed the poker to check on the flames.
“What shall we make this morning?” she asked as the woman gave her a studious look.
Perhaps it was a test, Louise pondered. Then she wondered if she had passed. Being in a new place like this made her think of her days back in the schoolhouse where she was always seeking to learn something new.
Working at home for
the last couple of years hadn’t done much for her education, however, and she realized she craved the opportunity to stretch herself. Her skills, her talents, her interests. If only someone would give her a chance.
Mrs. Pennyworth handed her a pot.
“Porridge will be sufficient,” the woman announced. “You know all about porridge, yes?”
That made Louise chuckle. “From every angle and every temperature, ma’am. My mother taught me everything she knows, bless her heart. I’d be a fool not to put the knowledge to use.”
Mrs. Pennyworth smiled at her. “You already proved your knowledge last night at the supper table. You’ll have to teach me about those recipes you mentioned. Does your sister like to cook as well?” she added.
Getting situated on a small stool, Louise hesitated. “I’m afraid I don’t well know. Luanne is a tough book to read. She likes having something to do, but her favorite activity is to complain.”
“Ah,” Mrs. Pennyworth nodded knowingly as she said, “I never had brothers or sisters myself. But I’ve raised these boys long enough to know when something is bothering them. When she’s ready to talk, then she’ll talk.”
“I hope so,” she mused. “What of the brothers? Are Richard and Jacob always on their best behavior?”
It was meant to be a joke. But when Mrs. Pennyworth inhaled loudly, Louise paused in concern.
“They are boys,” the housekeeper glanced over with a careworn smile.
Louise knew the look. It was the expression of a mother caring for her family and doing her best- particularly when they didn’t listen, and she knew how futile it was even while she tried her best.
Louise nodded, offering an ear. “Yes?”
“With no one to turn to when their parents passed, it made sense that they would turn towards each other,” Mrs. Pennyworth articulated gently. “However, I’m not certain that it ever happened.
“They’ve had a complicated relationship between love and hate. Richard would rather ignore a problem and Jacob would rather tear it to bits. I want the best for them, of course. I know what good men they can be.”
When the woman hesitated again, Louise nodded. “What is it?” she asked. “There’s something more you want to say. A warning, I presume?”
The housekeeper paused. “You’re a smart girl. I would only suggest that you would do well not to get trapped in the middle between them. The last thing to do so was a wagon.”
Louise glanced at the pot. “What happened?”
“We bought a new wagon.”
Mrs. Pennyworth measured the brown sugar and then brought it over. The two women worked quietly as Louise thought about the woman’s warning.
It reminded her of the one her mother had given to her before leaving on her journey.
“Your father isn’t a terrible man,” her mother had said. “Remember that. For everyone has more than one side. You have your passion, your words, and your brain. We’re all different. No one stays the same.”
Louise hadn’t thought it sounded much like a warning then, but looking back, she realized that her mother’s tone had been more serious before softening so the woman could give her one final tight hug.
Her nose scrunched up at the memory. How had she not noticed?
It was then that Louise resolved to be better.
Now there she was, working alongside Mrs. Pennyworth, and hopefully making a delicious meal. She nodded thoughtfully before turning to the other woman.
“I have no intention of hurting anyone,” she said assuredly. “I would never come between the brothers.”
Mrs. Pennyworth offered a smile, but it looked much grimmer than she had expected. “You don’t seem like you would try. I’m glad to hear, dear. But I’m worried we might be too late for that.”
Louise sat and studied Mrs. Pennyworth’s features.
The housekeeper looked rather concerned, her gray hair frizzy around her temples and her brow furrowed. There was a tight line around her lips as though she was holding back more words.
Louise wondered if she had misunderstood. Or perhaps she had misstepped already. She thought back to yesterday with her arrival, and tried to consider what she had missed.
There had been the introductions. Then she had rested for a few hours. Supper had brought everyone together again, where she had spoken to everyone around the table. Louise had wanted to make everyone feel included, after all.
She wasn’t certain there had been time to cause any contention.
A knock jerked her from her thoughts.
Louise found Richard standing in the doorway from the hall. He was rapping his knuckles against the frame before he dropped his arms when their eyes met. Richard grinned at her and gave her a nod.
“You’re up early,” he told her.
She beamed. “As are you. Were you outside?” Her eyes caught on his boots that were covered with snow.
Nodding, he straightened up. “Jacob and I have been up for over an hour. Cows need to be milked and the sheep get antsy. The sun is just rising over the valley.
“I thought we could go for a morning ride, if you’re interested?”
There was something about the news that he woke up early that made her heart light. And then realizing what he was asking made her heart skip another beat.
Her trip here was going to send her heart crazy, Louise realized, if this happened every time she talked to Richard.
“It’s so cold outside,” Mrs. Pennyworth said in disbelief as Louise turned to her with a hopeful grin. “But it is beautiful,” she added with a chuckle. “Don’t worry. I can handle the rest of this.”
Louise clasped her hands together as she stood. “Are you certain? I hate to leave you.”
But the housekeeper shook her head and waved a hand towards Richard. “Go on, you two. Richard will give you the grand tour, I’m sure. Dress warm, that’s all I’m asking. Both of you,” she added pointedly to the young man.
“Yes, ma’am,” Richard chuckled.
“Thank you,” Louise leaned towards Mrs. Pennyworth. “And I appreciate our conversation. I will keep your concerns in mind.”
The woman took her arm and squeezed it. “Don’t mind me, I’m just an old woman. Richard adores you, and I’m very hopeful.
“For all I know, I’m only imagining things. Have yourself some fun. There will be tea and coffee when you return.”
“I have an extra scarf you can use,” Richard volunteered when Louise turned to him. “Don’t worry, I won’t keep you too long. Jacob is saddling up the second horse now.”
Louise accepted the scarf as she followed him to the back door. “That’s kind of him. Did Jacob want to join us?”
“No,” Richard shook his head. “There are a few projects he wants to work on. But perhaps we can all take a ride this afternoon. We’ll see how the day goes. Here, allow me to help you with your coat. Did you want an extra pair of mittens?”
It took her a few minutes to get bundled up in her winter gear. But soon, Louise was packed warmly in her coat and she followed Richard out.
The cold hit her like a wall, stealing the breath from her lungs.
But it was beautiful.
The sun brought colors streaming through the sky and the snow on the ground shone before them. Louise grinned at the sight before turning to Richard. He gave her a wink and led her off to their adventure.
Chapter 9
It was nearly Christmas Eve and Richard could hardly believe his luck.
He had just helped Louise Moreau up onto his appaloosa horse and they made a spectacular picture. Especially with the pretty young woman wearing his scarf. He stepped back to admire the sight.
“You look like a natural,” he assured her when she bit her lip.
Her face flushed. “Are you certain it’s all right? I haven’t ridden a horse in so long, and if he is your own creature, I hate to separate the two of you.”
A voice rose up from behind him. “She’s riding your horse? Your most prized possessio
n?” Richard turned to see Jacob standing in the doorway with his arms crossed.
It was his turn for his face to turn red.
Richard knew he had been a little particular as a kid and wanted things a certain way.
The horse he named Shakespeare was a special gift from his parents just three years before their passing. He was a thing of beauty and he took special care of the animal.
