Love on the Ranch

by Ciara Knight

  “I just told you we could take your mother with us on the trail instead of Elizabeth, and you said fine. Then I told you Samuel could cook in a dress, and you said fine. What’s got your thoughts all tangled up in that head of yours?”

  Jeb turned his horse toward the house. “I already thought of Ma cooking, but she’d never agree.”

  Teddy kicked his heels into his mare and followed by Jeb’s side. “What woman would agree to be on the open road with these smelly, ill-mannered, sorry excuse for men for almost two weeks?”

  “Exactly! What’s wrong with that woman?” Jeb shifted in his saddle remembering how much his backside had hurt after their first cattle drive. No way a woman could make that trip, even if only a couple of days.

  Teddy chuckled. “More like what’s right with her? She is perfect like a woman, but strong like a man. It can’t get any better than that.” Teddy dug in and shot ahead, not allowing Jeb the opportunity for rebuttal.

  They rode into the corral and handed their horses off to Samuel. Elizabeth was setting up food outside again on the front porch. It was as good a time as any to convince the men this was a bad idea, so he headed to the creek and found the men washing their faces and hands. “Now I know why they say decent women are dangerous. She’s got all of you prettying yourself up to go slop some beans and bacon.”

  “It’s fried chicken, corn, and biscuits,” Bart said. “I never had so much delicious food in my life.”

  “Don’t get used to it,” Jeb said. “There’s no way to make anything that good on the trip. It’d be best to leave her behind. It’ll be one less mouth we’d have to feed anyway.”

  Charles splashed water on his face, then turned to Jeb. “Without her, we’d starve.”

  Jeb circled the men and hopped to the other side of the creek to face them. “Come on, one of you men can cook decent enough for the trail.”

  “Why don’t you want her to come? You afraid you might marry her on the trail?” Bart elbowed Samuel and they both laughed.

  “Don’t be absurd. I don’t want her going because it’s too dangerous. That’s why this job is for men.”

  “Like what?” Teddy asked.

  “Everything.” Jeb threw his hands up in frustration. The men knew of the dangers. “There are dangers at every turn. Even here. Think about how many men have been injured just herding the cows.”

  Teddy removed his hat, scooped some water out of the creek, and tossed it over his neck. “Sounds like you care.”

  “I care about all my men…employees on the trail,” Jeb argued.

  “I’ll be happy to protect her,” Samuel said with a cross between a chivalrous and decayed-tooth bandit.

  “That’s the problem. All you men will be watching her and not the cattle. You all want to be paid your hundred dollars, we need to get these heads to the camp.” He wanted to tell them that if they did, there would be more money. He’d negotiated an exclusive contract with the fort being built near Wichita Falls. And who knew what else he could negotiate if he delivered? Unfortunately, they were workers, not businessmen, so even if he felt led to explain how this would pay off in time, they wouldn’t care or listen.

  He wasn’t going to get anywhere with the men. He needed to convince Elizabeth, so he jumped over the creek and headed for the house. When he reached the steps, she had disappeared. “Elizabeth?” he called out, but she didn’t answer.

  Ma popped out of a hiding corner and greeted him at the door. “She’s already gone to bed. All the supplies are packed, dinner is ready, and I told her I’d clean up. Best she gets plenty of rest by morning. Don’t you agree?”

  “This is your doing, Mother. I know it is. What I don’t get is why.”

  “Why?” Ma lifted the hem of her skirt and stepped over the threshold, like she was courting someone.

  “Yes. Why?” Jeb followed her along, but his nose caught wind of the greens and potatoes. What spice was that? It was heavy, yet sweet. Intriguing.

  “You’ll have to be more specific, son. I’m not sure what you mean.” Mary put some food into a basket and folded a cloth over it. “I need to get going, so you better talk quick.”

  “You orchestrated Elizabeth going on the drive with us. Why would you do that? Do you not understand how much money is at stake here? It’s our future, not a game. Do you want to be back in a damp shack with rain filtering through broken shingles and your belly so empty the cramps have you bent in half?”

  Ma turned and placed both hands on his shoulders. “Son, you need to let that go. Elizabeth won’t cost us everything. You need to trust her and allow her to help. She’s a strong, capable, beautiful young woman.”

  “Yeah, almost as beautiful as she is opinionated.”

  “At least you admit she’s beautiful,” Ma said with her I-knew-you-liked-her smile.

  Jeb removed his hat and wiped his forehead. “You’re impossible. I don’t know what to do with you. Did you forget about the horror we went through because a man you fell in love with cheated, lied, and stole from you?”

  “Thanks for the reminder,” Ma said with a frown, then took both of his hands in hers. “Listen, for many years, I tried to protect you and me from more pain, but it’s time to let it go.”

  Jeb brushed her hands away. “Who are you?”

  “Stop. I’m just telling you the truth. I fear I’ve turned you into someone who will never trust again.”

  “I trust you.”

  She sighed. “You won’t have me around forever. It’s time for you to move on with your life.

  A shot of panic pierced his chest. “Is there something wrong with you? Is that why you’ve been going off so much since I returned after Christmas?”

  She waved him off. “No, but I’m not getting any younger.”

  The fear settled into the pit of his stomach. “You are not old. You had me when you were but a girl yourself, and you’re healthy.” He decided to try a new tactic. “You know, you’re young enough to ride with us to the camp. It’ll be our first cattle drive together. You and me.”

  The aroma of the biscuits became too much to deny, and he snagged one from the basket. The buttery, melt-in-your-mouth sensation made him rethink his plan.

  “Don’t even try to flatter me into saving you from that beautiful woman up there. I told you I’m delivering a baby at the Kraus place.”

  “Why does it have to be you?” Jeb popped another piece of biscuit in his mouth and almost forgot about his dilemma.

  “It’s the kind thing to do. It’s her first, and her husband died on the way here from Germany.”

  “She’s a pregnant widow running a home on her own?” Jeb shook his head. “When did the world turn so crazy?”

  “No, she’s the daughter of the owner. He’s beside himself with worry since his wife is no longer with him and his sister never had children. She wouldn’t know what to do.”

  He dropped his biscuit. “What? You’re going to be alone with a grown man at his place? No, I forbid it.”

  Ma’s face scrunched into a frightening good imitation of an angry badger. Her hair even appeared to stick up on her head. “You think you can forbid me to do something?”

  He knew he had to choose his next words carefully. Why were women, even his ma, so difficult to deal with? Men were easy. You gave them an order, they followed it, but women? Women had to question, negotiate, and argue about everything. “All I’m saying is that it isn’t safe.”

  “If you had taken the time to meet them when they invited us for a traditional German meal, then you would know how kind and considerate he is. Besides, I’ll be properly chaperoned by his sister. And the gentleman he is, he’ll sleep in the barn. He wouldn’t hear of being in the house while I was there.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “I’ll be safer there then here alone.”

  Teddy hopped up the two bottom steps. “That’s true. And Friedrich Kraus is a good man.”

  “How do you know?” Jeb asked.

  “Met
him several times, and his daughter and sister. They’re good people.” Teddy grabbed a plate and plopped a piece of chicken on it.

  “Fine. But I don’t like it. I don’t like any of this.”

  “You can postpone going to the camp,” Ma said with a knowing smile.

  Teddy dished some green beans onto his plate. “I can lead the drive. I’m ready. Men respect me, and I can handle it. It’s what you signed me on to do. Did it for a year at the Overton Ranch.”

  Jeb didn’t want to insult Teddy, but he wasn’t about to let him lead without him on this drive. “When we arrive, I have to speak to Colonel Richardson about the next order that will be delivered to the fort that will be established. I’ll have to sign the military contract for the cattle. If we get that, then we will have a momentous year.”

  Teddy acquiesced, but they both knew it was more than that. Jeb never let anyone have control over his fate. Not his men, not his ma, and certainly not a strange woman who had traveled all the way from the east to marry him after dropping lie after lie. No matter how beautiful, strong, and amazing a cook she was, Elizabeth McKinnie was dangerous. Too dangerous to ever marry. She was what his pa was to his ma. A distraction. A person who was too alluring to refuse to love, yet he’d managed so far. And he would make sure he continued to keep her at a distance until he could arrange for a new cook and for her to settle somewhere far from his ranch.

  Chapter Eleven

  Elizabeth loaded another box into the back of the wagon. There was enough food if they were careful and didn’t waste anything. Samuel ran across the corral and grabbed the next box. You shouldn’t be doing that. It’s mighty heavy.”

  Elizabeth stifled a huff, not wanting to alienate her only friends on this adventure. “I’m fine.”

  “You say that, Sis, but I don’t want you getting winded.”

  The look in his loving eyes made her heart soften. The boy was worried about her, just like her real brothers once had. “You promised to keep my secret, remember?”

  “I remember.”

  “And if you run to me every time I have to do something, others are going to wonder why. You really want to help me, though?”

  “Yes’m.” Samuel placed the box into the covered wagon.

  “Then you go back to your job. We are pulling out shortly, and if Mister Clayton finds you helping me, he’ll think I can’t handle my job. That means he’d leave me behind and you’d have to do all the cooking. Is that what you want?”

  “Oh, no ma’am. Not at all.” Samuel scanned the area. “You sure you can handle this?”

  Elizabeth offered her most reassuring smile. “Positive. There are only a few left, and the sun is already cresting the horizon. We need to get on the way.”

  Samuel bowed while walking backwards, as if she were royalty. Of course, these men treated her as such. Cora had been right, the best way to win a man’s heart was with tasty food. Too bad Jeb Clayton didn’t have a heart.

  The first golden rays shot over the horizon and across the land. She enjoyed the sunrises here in Texas. With the flat terrain, it was as if the land went on forever. It didn’t feel cramped or crowded like the small part of her house that had survived the war. She could almost feel God around her again.

  Mary came out of the house with her normal basket in hand to head over to the Krause homestead. “I know you can handle this but stay safe. I didn’t hunt you down to lose you now.”

  Mary wrapped her arms around Elizabeth as if they’d become so close, she could already call her family. But they weren’t family. Elizabeth didn’t have any delusions. She knew Jeb would drop her in Sherman the second they returned. At least this way, she would earn her own money by feeding the men on the trail. The last thing she wanted was to feel indebted to Jeb Clayton.

  “I’ll be fine. I survived the war, I can survive a few days on the trail.” Elizabeth returned the tight squeeze, not wanting to offend the woman. After living with six sisters for so long, she knew some women could get upset over trivial things.

  Mary took a step back and cupped her cheeks. “I can’t wait to have some grandbabies with that beautiful red hair of yours. And those green eyes. Don’t tell Jeb, but I’m hoping for a few granddaughters in the mix.”

  Elizabeth couldn’t help but roll her eyes. “I think you’re getting ahead of yourself.”

  “I’m always right. If you doubt me, ask Jeb.” She slid away with a devious smile and disappeared into the barn for a few minutes before she darted out the doors and rode like a cattle hand into the distance.

  Elizabeth’s eyes shot wide at the realization that Mary didn’t ride sidesaddle. That woman was full of surprises.

  “You ready?” Jeb’s deep voice from the other side of the wagon startled her. He rounded the wagon and tipped his hat. “It’s not too late to change your mind. I’ll give you the hundred dollars promised to each of the men even if you don’t go.”

  “I’m not taking money I don’t earn. Let’s go.”

  He studied her for a second with narrowed eyes and furrowed brow, before he gave a curt nod. “Pull the wagon out front. I’ll be riding ahead with you.”

  Elizabeth tied the canopy tight, lifted her skirts, stepped on the wheel, and hoisted herself up, leaving Jeb with his hand out to help. “You don’t need to watch me like a baby. I’ll be fine.” She lifted the shotgun from the floor and showed it to him.

  “Where’d you get that?”

  “It was Cookie’s. I figured I have to protect the food.”

  Jeb huffed. “Last thing we need is for you to shoot yourself in the foot. Now hand that over.”

  Elizabeth tapped the reins, and the horses pulled the wagon forward. “You best get in your saddle or we’ll all be leaving you behind.”

  The cattle were rounded up on the edge of the land, and she bounced and shifted in her seat all the way to the front. It had been years since she’d driven a wagon, and her pa had only let her do it a few times when her ma wasn’t around to scold him for the unladylike activity. And then once, when she’d driven the bodies to the cemetery to bury their own men during the war.

  Her breath caught with the memory as if to keep the stench of death from her lungs. Jeb joined her, and they settled into a slow pace. It would be a long day, and they wouldn’t break until lunch.

  The Texas terrain scorched by the sun was merciless on the path ahead of them. By the time the sun reached high in the sky, she thought she’d die of heat stroke. With her bonnet pulled over her head and her chin down, she managed to keep her eyes ahead through narrow slits. The dust settled onto her mouth, cheeks, ears, and eyes, but she managed to hold onto the reins.

  Jeb whistled and did a motion over his head with his hand. “Lunch,” he shouted at her. She pulled up next to the spring and settled the chuckwagon under the partial shade of a few trees. The moist ground and overflowing creak indicated there had been significant rain in the area.

  Men watered the horses and tended the cattle, but she didn’t have time to watch. In a matter of minutes, she made a fire, heated beans, and slapped some meat down for the men. It wasn’t anything special, but the fried pies she’d made this morning would be a great surprise.

  Jeb returned, sopping his brow and shoving the cloth into his pants. “Smells good.”

  That was the kindest words he’d said to her since she’d arrived. “Sorry it isn’t more, but I knew I needed to keep things simple on the trail. Lots of dried fruit, syrup, beans, meat, and such.”

  “It’s more than the men are used to. I’m sure they will be much obliged for the meal at all. We’ll get moving again after they eat quick.” He took the plate she’d scooped some beans onto and slapped some meat alongside them. “How you holding up?”

  It wasn’t a fair question. If she admitted that her back spasms were making her want to double over, and the pounding against the solid wood bench caused her bottom to be sore, then he’d think she was too weak to handle her job. “I’m great. It’s only been a few hours.”
She offered a tooth-bearing smile and plated more food to hand off as the men approached. It was a saving grace she was in the shade. The sun had become her enemy. Worse, it would be in front of them now instead of behind. She couldn’t imagine driving into the sun. When it had popped overhead, it had become brutal enough. And it was only late spring.

  The men rested in the shade, and she kicked dirt over the flames to put out the fire to kill the heat. Then she settled on the ground next to Teddy to eat. With the heat and being tired, she didn’t have much of an appetite, but she knew she had to force enough down to give herself energy.

  “Move’em out!” Jeb yelled before Elizabeth could manage to choke down five bites. She’d had a big breakfast, though.

  She wasn’t sure how far they’d traveled over the morning, but the land looked more isolated. And she guessed it would look even more so later.

  The men were in their saddles with new horses they’d exchanged out, and they were moving the cattle along by the time she pulled the wagon from the damp earth.

  The smell of beans and meat was replaced with sand and dust within only a matter of minutes. Based on the sun’s movement, she guessed they drove into the sun for three solid hours. Her lips cracked and bled, her fingers ached, and her stomach rumbled. When she thought she couldn’t manage the journey any longer, she closed her eyes and prayed. Prayed for the strength to do a man’s job.

  A whistle sounded, and she looked ahead to find another water source. The afternoon sun had scorched the men, the cattle, and the horses, but it hadn’t dried up the land. A small but beautiful creek became her beacon of hope.

  Jeb rode up next to her, hopped off his horse, and removed the few crates of fixings from the back before she could even get down from the wagon. “You should rest. I’ll water your horses.”

  “You water my horses and change them out at the remuda. I’ll start fixing supper.” She’d picked up some of the cowboy lingo. She only hoped she’d said it correctly. Based on what she’d learned so far, the remuda was where they fed, watered, and kept the horses the men swapped out during the drive. Before he had a chance to respond, she snatched the crate from him and forced her knees not to buckle under the extra weight.