“I wouldn’t miss it.” Ian swung back onto the wagon and guided the team toward the house while the women watched him drive away.
Lily wiggled down and skipped into the cabin, leaving Jemma and Maggie alone.
Jemma raised an eyebrow at her friend. “While I get a bandage for that cut on your arm, you can tell me how you came to be in the company of that ‘detestable Scotsman,’ as you so often refer to Mr. MacGregor.”
Maggie glared at Jemma but found the woman’s enthusiastic smile too hard to resist. A grin lifted the corners of her mouth upward. “I’m blaming it on Tully.”
Jemma laughed. “That explains everything.”
Chapter Two
“I can hardly wait to see the house when it’s finished. Does Thane think you’ll be able to move in soon?” Maggie turned to Jemma as they wandered through the open space upstairs that would become bedrooms and a bathroom.
Due to Jemma’s continued abhorrence of the outhouse, Thane had agreed to install not one but two bathrooms in their new house.
“He says we’ll be able to move in before summer arrives. I’m holding him to that promise. I can’t wait to move out of the cramped cabin.” Wistfully, Jemma trailed a hand along a rough board at the top of the staircase.
Maggie playfully poked Jemma with her elbow. “I think you’re most excited about having indoor plumbing, not about the house itself.”
Jemma grinned and nodded her head. “Perhaps, but don’t tell Thane. He’s so pleased about building a big house as a belated wedding gift.”
“Better late than never,” Maggie teased as they walked back downstairs and to the kitchen.
“If I cooked more than I currently do, I might be envious of your kitchen,” Maggie said as they looked over the large space. She could envision it with a big cook stove, a sink with running water, and one of those new refrigerators she’d seen in the latest edition of the Sears & Roebuck Co. Catalog.
“I am anxious to have more room for preparing meals than I have at the cabin.” Jemma glanced around the space with longing in her eye.
Maggie moved toward the door. “That hasn’t kept you from keeping everyone well-fed. I don’t suppose you made crumpets for tea this afternoon?”
“I may have a few I can share.” As the two women stepped outside into the sunshine, Jemma and Thane’s adopted son, Jack, ran up to them, excited to show off the shingles he’d made. “Mama, come see what I did.”
Jemma ran a loving hand over the ten-year-old’s hair and smiled. “Lead the way, Jack.”
He tugged her hand and motioned for Maggie to follow him over to a pile of shingles he’d split.
Both women admired his labors before starting toward the cabin. Jemma turned back to Jack after they’d taken a few steps. “Please tell your father it’s time for tea if he and Ian would care to join us.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Jack ran around the corner of the house to where the men worked.
“Why is Ian here?” Maggie asked as they walked back to the cabin. At Jemma’s curious look, Maggie continued. “He… um… well, doesn’t he have a lumber business to run? Why is he here, working on the house with Thane?”
Jemma opened the cabin door and motioned Maggie inside. “He said he enjoys getting away from the busyness of the mill, out where he can think.” Jemma smiled as she pumped a kettle full of water and set it on the stove to heat. “Personally, I think he enjoys taking tea with us. He’s quite fond of my tarts and scones.”
“That blustering buffoon?” Maggie frowned as she helped Jemma prepare a tea tray. Although she was unfamiliar with the ritual before Thane wed the English lady, Maggie was now well versed in “taking a spot of tea,” as Jemma called it. She thoroughly enjoyed the times she sat with her friend and visited over a cup of tea along with the delicious treats Jemma never failed to offer.
“Blustering buffoon?” Jemma quirked an eyebrow at Maggie. “That’s a new one. Wasn’t he a heathenish rogue last week and a wily reprobate the week before that?”
Jemma’s soft laughter made Maggie shake her head.
“Laugh all you want, but the man is purely and undeniably…”
“Handsome? Charming? Perhaps you meant to say witty.” Ian grinned as he stepped inside the cabin followed by Thane. He walked across the room until he stood close enough to Maggie he could lean down and see the varying shades of brown flickering in her eyes. “I have to assume you spoke of me.”
“Indeed.” Maggie swept her skirts aside, as though he’d sullied them with his presence. She turned her back to him as she set cups and saucers on a tray. When she started to lift it, Ian nudged her aside and easily hefted the heavy tray, carrying it to the low table in front of the sofa.
Before Maggie could think of an insult to put Ian in his place, Lily opened her bedroom door. The child walked into the room, dragging her toes and rubbing sleep from her eyes.
Thane picked her up and kissed her cheek. “Did you have a nice nap, honey?”
“Yes, I did, Daddy. May I please have tea?” Lily wrapped one arm around Thane’s neck as she stared at the tea tray across the open room.
Thane glanced at Jemma and she nodded her head. She reached out for Lily and took her from Thane, brushing the child’s curls away from her face and kissing her rosy cheek. “You may have tea, poppet, as long as you don’t fuss when I add milk.”
“Okay.” Lily squirmed to get down. As soon as her feet touched the floor, she ran over to Ian and wrapped both arms around his leg. “May I sit with you for tea?”
“I wouldn’t have it any other way,” Ian said, lifting the little girl in his arms. She giggled when he tossed her in the air. “Where shall we sit?”
“In my chair, please.” Lily pointed to the padded rocking chair near the fireplace.
“Verra well, lass.” Ian carried her over to the chair and waited for Jemma and Maggie to sit on the sofa before he took a seat. Lily wiggled and jiggled as she sat on his lap, sipping a cup of milk laced with just enough tea to turn it a light shade of tan. Ian drank his tea and helped himself to a crumpet, liberally spread with jam.
The men discussed progress on the house and a delivery date for the next load of lumber while the women daintily ate their crumpets and sipped their tea. Ian watched Maggie take a tiny bite and dab her lips with a napkin.
It was a wonder the female species didn’t starve to death, the way they picked at their food with such ladylike perfection.
Amused, he turned his attention back to Thane and helped himself to a custard tart. Warmth curled through him when Lily cuddled against his chest as she ate a tart and bounced her feet.
The child rarely sat still while she was awake. In the months she’d been on the ranch, she’d enchanted every single ranch hand on the place with her rosebud smiles and lively antics.
Ian wasn’t any more immune to the child’s charms than he was to Maggie’s. His gaze continued to drift to the woman as he visited with his friends. Her long, dark lashes fanned her cheeks when she glanced down at the plate on her lap. He fought the urge to brush his fingers over her creamy skin.
Lest he yield to the desire, he suddenly stood. Everyone stared at him. “I didn’t realize how late it’s getting in the day. I need to get back to the lumberyard.” Although that much was true, he had a capable manager overseeing his operations. He could be gone for a week and business would proceed as usual.
No, the real reason he needed to go was that if he stayed any longer, he wasn’t certain he’d be able to leave Maggie alone.
“Must you leave already?” Lily hugged him around his neck, dropping crumbs down the collar of his shirt. For one of the little girl’s hugs, though, he’d suffer the discomfort.
“I must, Lily, love.” Ian tweaked her nose and made her smile. “You’ll see me at church on Sunday, if not before.”
“Okay.” Lily kissed his cheek and ran over to the sofa as soon as Ian set her down. “Are you leaving, too, Aunt Maggie?”
“Well, I…”
“It would be my pleasure.” Ian wanted to punch his friend. The last thing he needed was to spend an hour with Maggie beside him on the ride back to town. “I’ll just go harness the team to the wagon.”
“I’ll help you,” Thane said, following him out the door.
Jemma and Maggie watched them leave then picked up the tea things and carried the dishes to the sink. To keep her out from underfoot, Jemma asked Lily to take a tart out to Jack where he worked on the shingles. He hadn’t wanted to stop to join them for tea, so Thane allowed him to continue his work.
Once the little girl skipped out the door and over to where her brother worked, Jemma grinned at Maggie. “Perhaps you can explain to Ian why you find him to be such a… a… What was it you called him?”
“Oh, never you mind!” Maggie snapped a dishtowel at Jemma. Giggles overtook them both. “I’d rather walk back to town than ride with that brute, but it appears you and Thane aren’t giving me much choice in the matter.”
“No, we are not.” Jemma smiled at Maggie as she rinsed off the teacups and set them on the counter for Maggie to dry. “He really is a nice man, Maggie. I don’t know why you dislike him.”
“He’s conceited, arrogant and…”
“Quite handsome, tall, strong, and funny.” Jemma supplied, winking at Maggie. “I agree, those are all detestable traits, indeed.”
Maggie glared at her friend as she finished drying the last cup and wiped her hands on the dishtowel. “I really do need to get home and since he’s heading to Baker City anyway, I suppose it would be silly not to ride along.”
“Completely ridiculous,” Jemma agreed, wrapping her arm around Maggie’s waist and squeezing it gently. “By the way, I forgot to tell you how many wonderful compliments I received on the dress you made me for Easter at services last Sunday. It’s every bit as lovely as anything Madame Beauchene has created. You could be a famous dressmaker, Maggie. Why do you stay here in Baker City?”
“Because it’s where Daniel brought me to build a new life.” The pain of memories tugged at Maggie’s heart. “Besides, Thane and Tully have been my family since Daniel died. Now, you and the children are, too. Why would I want to be anywhere else? Baker City is my home.”
“You’ve become like a dear sister to me.” Jemma sniffled and brushed at a tear then offered Maggie a watery smile. “Even if you are blind to the fact that Ian is quite smitten with you.”
“That’s his problem, not mine. I’ve told Thane a hundred times, I won’t ever wed again. I wish the two of you would stop trying to push me in the direction of that man. The only reason he shows the slightest interest in me is because I’m the lone single female in the county who isn’t besotted with him.”
Jemma laughed as they stepped outside. Ian drove the wagon to the end of the walk and stopped, waiting for Maggie. “If you want to get rid of him, maybe you should give him a little attention.”
Maggie rolled her eyes then bent down to pick up Lily as the little girl ran up to her with Sir Rigsly, their curly-haired retriever, following close behind her.
“Are you leaving, Aunt Maggie?”
“Yes, sweetheart, but I’ll see you another day. You mind your mama and daddy.”
“Yep!” Lily pecked her cheek with a kiss then reached out for Jemma to take her.
Lily’s giggles floated around them as Jemma swung her around in a circle. She settled the little girl on her hip then turned her focus back to Maggie. “Just think about what I said.”
“We’ll see.” Maggie frowned at Ian as he jumped down from the wagon and offered her his hand. She turned to Thane as he approached with Jack. She ruffled the boy’s hair and patted his shoulder before giving Thane a hug.
“Be nice to Ian, Mags. He’s just trying to be kind.” Thane’s whispered words made her stiffen and draw back. She glowered at him before brushing away his hand and climbing up to the seat of the wagon without assistance.
Ian bowed to Jemma, kissed Lily’s cheek, then shook hands with both Jack and Thane. He climbed onto the far side of the seat. “Let me know if you need another load of lumber before next week.”
“We will, Ian. Thanks for all your help today.” Thane waved as Ian guided the horses across the ranch yard and down the lane to the road.
Ian lifted a hand in acknowledgement as they drove away. A quick glance at Maggie confirmed her irritation at having to ride with him back to town. From her board-straight posture to the stubborn tilt of her chin, he knew it would be a long, long ride to Baker City if he expected her to converse politely with him.
Determined to leave her alone, he kept his thoughts to himself and drove in silence.
“Maggie Dalton! Where in tarnation have you been the live-long day?”
Ian lifted his gaze and watched the sheriff ride his horse toward the lumber wagon with a look of thunder creasing his brow. He reined the horse so close to the side of the wagon, Ian could see the tense set of the man’s jaw as he stared at Maggie, waiting for a response.
When she failed to offer one, Tully Barrett turned to Ian and tipped his head. “MacGregor.”
“Sheriff.”
Tully gave him a long, worrying glance but Ian refused to let it bother him as he met the sheriff’s cool glare.
The lawman was everything a woman could want in a husband — handsome, strong, tall, confident, and rugged. Tully possessed just enough softness around the edges for the female persuasion to find him irresistible.
Ian wondered how Tully remained single. His bachelor status most likely had something to do with the fact the man had his sights set on Maggie, even if she didn’t seem aware of his intentions.
Tired of the stare-down with the sheriff, Ian cleared his throat. “Since Mistress Dalton seems to have lost the ability to speak, I’ll inform you she spent the day with Thane and Jemma out at the ranch.” Ian forced a smile to his face when both Tully and Maggie glared at him.
“Is that right?” Tully asked, turning his focus from Ian to Maggie.
“It truly isn’t any of your concern, Tully,” Maggie said, refusing to look him in the eye. “You know my shop is closed on Mondays. I wanted to get out and enjoy this beautiful spring day.”
Tully removed his hat and slapped it on his leg, dislodging a puff of dust before settling it back on his head. “You dang near scared me half to death is what you did, woman!”
Maggie jumped at the roaring tone of Tully’s voice. People walking down the boardwalk stopped to stare at them.
“Tully, hush!” Maggie reached out and clapped a hand over his mouth. “We can discuss this later.”
Tully grabbed her hand. “No! We’ll discuss it now. I ought to haul your backside down to the jail for stealing my horse!”
Maggie brushed a hand down the front of her split skirt, drawing both Ian and Tully’s gaze to her leg. “I didn’t steal him. I borrowed him.”
“I don’t care what you call it, I told you a dozen times to stay away from Loco. He’s too crazy for you to ride.” Tully noticed the blood stain on the sleeve of her blouse. “He didn’t hurt you, did he?”
“Of course not, you ninny. As I’ve told you many times, I can ride any horse I can saddle. Once again, I proved you wrong.” Maggie raised her chin and dared Tully to disagree with her.
“You didn’t prove me wrong.” Tully shook a warning finger in Maggie’s face. “With annoying frequency, you continually prove that you’re stubborn and hard-headed. I won’t tell you again, Mags. Stay away from Loco. I mean it. If I catch you trying to ride him again, I’ll paddle your butt.”
Maggie gasped, shocked by the threat and Tully’s coarse words. Her cheeks flushed a becoming shade of pink and she spluttered with indignation. “I’ll thank you, Sheriff, to refrain from speaking in such a manner. It’s uncivilized and rude.”
“I don’t rightly care what you think it is. What did you think
would happen when I found Loco outside the barn, dragging his reins with your saddle on his back?” Tully released a troubled sigh. “When are you gonna quit making me worry about you? It’s due to your tomfoolery that I’m starting to get gray hair. I’m entirely too young and handsome for that to happen.”
Ian chuckled and Maggie turned a loathing glance his way. “I don’t see how this is any of your concern, Mr. MacGregor.”
“It’s not, other than finding you walking down the road halfway to the Jordan place and giving you a ride there and home again.” Ian leaned toward Maggie. “If that’s all the gratitude you can muster, I ought to charge for my services.”
Tully grinned approvingly at Ian and both men laughed while Maggie crossed her arms over her chest and huffed in irritation.
“Stop this wagon and I’ll get out right this minute.” Maggie started to stand but Ian grabbed her arm and pulled her down beside him before she fell off the high seat.
“Sit down, Mistress Dalton. I don’t need you tumbling off and then blaming me for your stupidity.”
“Stupidity? I’ll… you just… Oh!”
Before Ian or Tully could stop her, Maggie stood to her feet, grabbed Tully’s arm and swung herself behind him on his horse then slid off the other side.
“Mags!” Tully called to her as she stomped off in the direction of her shop and apartment.
“That is one contrary woman.” Ian watched until she rounded a corner and disappeared.
Tully glanced at Ian. “Yeah, she is, but she’s got a good heart beneath that barbed exterior.”
“Perhaps, but I have the distinct feeling she doesn’t intend to let anyone find out. She puts me in mind of the thistles that grow around here, like they do in Scotland. A thing of beauty, but prickly enough a man is compelled to leave them alone.”
Instead of laughing, as Ian expected him to do, Tully frowned then guided his horse down a side street.
Thimbles and Thistles: (Sweet Historical Western Romance) (Baker City Brides Book 2) Page 2
