A grin to rival the Deschutes canyon split Mrs. Vasquez’s face. “I bring you peach pie. You like?”
“Oh, I’m fine. I’m not really hungry right now, thank you.” Sharyah’s stomach rumbled a revelation of her lie just as Cade sauntered up to them. He cocked one eyebrow and took in the plate she’d heaped high with food and barely touched before he turned to Mrs. Vasquez.
“Evening, Mrs. Vasquez.” He fingered the brim of his hat.
The woman gave him a chiding look. “Juanita, por favor! Juanita!” She thrust a plate, laden with the largest slice of pie Sharyah had seen in a long time, into her free hand and another into Cade’s. A young girl by her side held out a tray filled with steaming mugs of coffee, and only when Cade had taken one and Mrs. Vasquez had noted Sharyah’s lack of a free hand, did the woman seem satisfied. “Take! Eat! Be happy!” And with that she threw her hands into the air and rushed off hollering a string of Spanish at a little boy walking the top post of the corral like a balance beam.
Cade watched the woman for a moment, then turned back to Sharyah with a grin. “I do believe you were running from me, Miss Jordan.”
Sharyah swallowed. To admit the truth would only inflate his ego more. But to deny it would be an outright lie. “I do believe you were chasing me, Mr. Bennett.” She cocked one brow at him.
A light of amusement dancing in his eyes, he cupped his chin and looked down at her. “It’s about time I started, don’t you think?”
Her cheeks tingled with warmth and she studied the darkness around her feet. She worked her teeth over one lip and held her silence.
He gestured to a make-shift table of lumber balanced on a barrel where Jason and Nicki were already seated. “Will you join me?”
“Actually, I’m very—”
Jason and Nicki noticed them and waved them over.
Sharyah sighed and angled him a look. She couldn’t very well escape now without being very rude.
He studied her. “I promise to be on my best behavior.”
Humor quirked her lips. “That’s not saying much.”
His head tipped back on a laugh before he led the way to the table and held out one of the chairs so she could be seated next to Nicki. He took the seat across the way, next to Jason.
Nicki looked tired, but oh so happy. Her hands curled around a steaming mug of tea, rested on the table as she smiled a greeting at them and spoke to Sharyah. “I’m so glad you woke up in time to get some food.”
“Everything has been simply delicious. Thank you. How are you feeling?”
A chuckle escaped as Nicki twisted the mug in circles. “When I had Sawyer, I did everything myself. This time, Mama won’t let me lift a finger. I’m doing just fine.”
“She’s going to go inside to sleep in just a moment.” Jason gave Nick a pointed look.
Nicki opened her mouth, her shoulders tensing in obvious protest, but Sharyah cut her off before she could speak. “Where is the baby?”
Apparently deciding to let the matter with Jason drop, Nicki gestured to a woman about Sharyah’s age the next table down. The baby lay along her forearms, her tiny head cupped in gentle hands. Next to the woman sat a young man with sandy blond hair and a quiet sincerity. “Tilly is our neighbor. She also works for us.”
Tilly studied the baby, but the young man’s eyes never left Tilly’s face. Sharyah smiled softly, her focus flickering to Cade. His gaze captured hers and refused to release it, even when he took a slow sip of his coffee.
Sharyah bit the inside of her lip as her heart launched into a crazy erratic flip. She turned to concentrate on her plate but after only a moment glanced back up. He was still watching her, a serious, thoughtful tilt to his head, his pie seemingly forgotten as his gaze roamed her face.
He must be trying to decide how to word an apology. If she just let him say it she could be done with this tension between them. He would move on, and all could return to normal.
Brandon’s sleepy voice broke the spell as he touched her hand. “Miss Jordan?”
Relieved to have something to distract her from those alluring blue eyes, she smiled at the boy. “Brandon! Hi. Are you hungry?” She brushed the hair back off his forehead.
“I sure am!”
She chuckled. “Well, let’s go get you a plate and some food then.”
“I’ll help him.” Jason stood. “You finish.” He gestured to her still almost-full plate.
“Really, I can—”
He waved her off. “Nonsense. It’s fine. Come on young man.” He settled a hand at the boy’s neck, but stopped by Nicki’s side. “Nick, please…”
Nicki sighed and stood also. “I am being sent to bed like a little child, it seems.” She lowered her brow in mock anger, but the fatigue in her stance betrayed her.
Jason touched her cheek and dropped a quick wink. “Now I know where Sawyer gets that stubborn look.”
She batted his shoulder. “Oh, I do need to find Sawyer. I’ll be back in a moment.”
“Oh, no you don’t.” Jason took her elbow and halted her. “I will have Tilly bring Sawyer in just as soon as I get this young man a plate. And Haven too.” He turned her gently toward the door. “Go.”
“Aye! So bossy.” Nicki tossed another pretend glower over her shoulder even as she complied. Jason shook his head, glancing at Sharyah with a chuckle, then took Brandon to the food table.
Sharyah couldn’t hide her amusement at the exchange.
Cade didn’t waste a moment as Jason walked away. “Sharyah, I need to say something to you.”
She sighed. “Cade, you don’t have to say anything. I know already and it’s alright.”
His brow furrowed. “You know what?”
Her mouth dropped open. He was going to make her say it? Fine. “Cade I know that you will never—”
Cade’s face paled as his attention snagged somewhere behind her.
“What is it?” She turned to see who he was looking at, then froze.
A rider emerged from the shadow of the barn, and trotted to the corral, then swung down and looped his reins around the top pole.
Her mouth dropped open and joy welled in her heart. “It’s your father.” No one had seen Smith since he rode out of town the very hour of his wife’s funeral.
“I can see that.”
Smith Bennett stood, hands on hips, next to his mount, scanning the festivities. By the way his gaze moved methodically from one group of people to another, Sharyah could tell he was searching for a familiar face in all the hubbub.
Sharyah rose from her seat and started toward him, then paused when Cade didn’t join her. “Aren’t you coming?”
Cade rubbed one hand over his jaw, then finally stood and trailed after her toward his father.
Smith noticed them when they were almost to him and his eyes lit up with pleasure. “Sharyah!” He pulled her into an embrace. “How are you, girl?”
She grinned and squeezed him hard then set him at arm’s length. “I’m fine. How are you?” She arched her brows and knew by the slight tick in his jaw that he knew she meant more than just his physical well-being.
He swallowed. “I’m gonna make it.” He nodded. “Gonna make it.” Then his gaze transferred to his son, and Sharyah had to blink away tears as the two men stood and stared, each the spitting image of the other. Hats pushed back at a familiar angle. Hands resting on narrow hips. Even the cock of their shoulders tilted the same direction.
Smith’s throat worked. And Cade’s eyes held a sheen of moisture that matched his father’s own, but neither man spoke. Finally Cade held out one hand. “Pa. Good to see you.”
Smith took his hand and pulled him into a fierce embrace. “I’m sorry, son. I’m so sorry.”
Cade swallowed hard and clapped him on the back. “You’re here. All’s well.”
Smith, shook his head. “I shouldn’t have—”
Stepping back, Cade ran one hand down his face. “You’d just had a terrible blow.”
“That doesn�
��t excuse me running off on you like that. Leaving the ranch for you to deal with all on your own.”
Cade nodded his forgiveness and gripped his father’s shoulders. “What are you doing here? How did you find me?”
“Looking for you. Rocky told me you were here. Said he got a telegram from you saying not to worry and that you and Sharyah were here with Jason. But there must have been some sort of trouble he hadn’t heard about yet. Was there?”
“He didn’t get a telegram from Sheriff Collier saying Shar had been killed?”
Smith took a step back, astonishment sending his eyebrows into his hair. “No.”
Cade glanced at Sharyah, and the depth of emotion in his eyes nearly took her breath away. “Someone tried to kill her, so I got her out of town, hoping that whoever tried would think they succeeded. We just got here today about noon.” He turned back to his father. “That’s interesting that no one telegraphed them.”
Smith nodded and rubbed his jaw. “Yes. It is.”
Sharyah frowned. “Why is that so strange?”
Cade shrugged. “I’m not sure why Collier wouldn’t have immediately telegraphed your family. It just seems odd.” He rubbed his jaw and then hooked his hands on his hips. “I did tell him that I was leaving town, so maybe he thought I was headed to Shiloh to let them know Sharyah had passed on.”
A cold shiver traversed Sharyah’s spine.
Smith nodded. “Could be.”
Cade looked at her the worry still lingering in his gaze. “Judge Green could also have told Collier that you were alright.”
Sharyah sighed in relief. “Of course. That’s probably what happened.”
An awkward silence stretched for a moment. Both men shuffled their feet as though unable to think of anything to say.
Sharyah’s heart went out to them. These men who had lost so much, yet neither who seemed to know how to comfort the other. “Uh, we were just eating, Smith, you must be famished. Would you care to join us?” She stretched her hand back towards the table they had just vacated.
Smith scratched the stubble on his cheek, eyeing Cade thoughtfully. He reached to adjust his hat and gave her a soft smile. “Well now, can’t say I’d mind if I do.”
Cade piled up a little mound of dust with one boot. “You two go on ahead. I’ll take care of your horse for you Pa.”Stepping past his father he gathered the reins in one hand and led the horse towards the barn.
Smith’s shoulders sagged perceptibly, as though the weight of the world had just landed there.
Sharyah gave him what she hoped was an understanding smile.
“Can’t say as I’m surprised, but I’d hoped things would be a little easier between the two of us.”
Sharyah fiddled with the lace at her wrists. The man had ridden off within an hour after his wife’s funeral and now he wanted his son to welcome him as though nothing had changed? “I’m sure he just needs a little time. There’s Jason.” She pointed to her cousin just emerging from the low door of the soddy. “Why don’t you go and talk to him and I’ll go in and see about Cade?”
Smith sighed. For moment he eyed the door of the barn where Cade had disappeared, then with a slow nod he headed towards Jason.
Sharyah watched until her cousin exclaimed in surprise and pulled Smith into a manly hug, then with a sigh of her own she headed into the barn.
14
Cade jerked the cinch loose and yanked the saddle towards his chest. Marching across the room he flung the saddle onto a saddle rack against the wall, then leaned his fists into the planks and dropped his head between his arms. Fury coursed through him in trembling waves and he gritted his teeth. Six months he’d been gone. Six months! And now he waltzed back into his life with an apology and the hope that everything would be the same?
With a guttural cry, he sent his fist into the wall. He flinched and examined the split skin of his knuckles. No matter. The pain eased some of his frustration. He turned back towards the horse, snatching up the curry comb on his way, and began to wipe down the animal with sure swift strokes. The horse’s withers flinched and he eased up the pressure.
“Sorry boy.” He patted the horse on its flank. “Shouldn’t be taking my frustration with him out on you.”
Behind him a floorboard creaked.
He glanced over his shoulder. Sharyah stood in the soft golden glow from the lamp hanging overhead. Her eyes were large and luminous with concern. She didn’t speak. Merely stood there waiting.
He returned his attention to the horse giving it a few more strokes. Finally he dropped the curry comb back on its shelf, led the horse to a stall, and forked in a pile of hay. The latch clicking shut was loud in the silence. He faced her, leaning against the gate arms folded across his chest. He didn’t know what to say. He had no words. With a soft huff of breath he rubbed his chin against one shoulder and looked away.
Her skirts rustled as she stepped closer. “Cade?”
He met her gaze. “He’s been gone six months, Shar.” He bit his lip, hating the sound of vulnerability in his tone.
She tilted her head, her eyes softening even more. “I know.” She took another step closer. “It was very hard for you when he left so suddenly, wasn’t it?”
His jaw pulsed and he chided himself for even allowing that much exposure. He should be able to handle this without getting all emotional. Still… “I don’t know if I can–”
Another step and she stood right by his side. Her skirts brushed against his legs, and the floral scent of her wafted up to him. He shouldn’t be noticing such things at a time like this. He rubbed the back of his neck and looked down at her.
She laid one small hand on his forearm. “You can do this. Your mother would want you to forgive him.”
He nodded. “I know.” Her eyes were still big and full of concern as she studied his face. He allowed a small smile and tapped the end of her nose. “Don’t worry about me. I’m going to be fine. His arrival just gave me a bit of a surprise, is all.”
Her head tilted. “You sure?”
“Yeah.” He nodded.
“Alright then. I’m just going to—” She gestured in the direction of the bunkhouse— “Head back to my room. I’ll see you in the morning.”
He swallowed, not wanting to lose the soothing comfort of her presence. Besides, their earlier conversation had been interrupted by the arrival of his father. She turned to go, but he grasped her hand, stilling her. “We never finished our conversation.” Purposely, he laced his fingers through hers.
Her gaze darted to their hands before she asked, “O-our conversation?”
He tipped his head towards the doors enjoying the feel of her small, smooth fingers intertwined with his own. “Out at the table.”
“Oh.”She fidgeted, then sighed. “Cade I know that you feel – that you have—” her face paled and she tried to pull away but he tightened his grip just enough to let her know he wanted her to stay.
She gave a little huff and angled him a look.
He swallowed, allowing his thumb to caress the soft skin along the back of her hand. Her eyes, dark and full of soft emotion, drew him a step nearer. His heart knocked on the walls of his chest. She didn’t know the first thing about what he was feeling.
Sharyah cringed inwardly, somehow unable to form the words that would let Cade know she understood he didn’t want to hurt her. She tried again, “I know that you—”
“—You know that I’ve finally realized I’m in love with you?”
Her mind stuttered to a standstill and her gaze flew to his. “Excuse me?”
He tugged her closer and wrapped a tendril of her hair around his first finger. “That I must be an idiot for taking so long to recognize it, and that I don’t want to live another moment without making sure you know?”
“Ah…” From somewhere far away a breathy, high-pitched squeak of disbelief rang out. Other than that, no reply made itself available. Her mind seemed to have been scrubbed clean of all thought. All thought except one. She
needed space and she needed it now.
She scrambled away from him, pulling her hand free. Lifting her skirts, she made her escape toward the bunkhouse.
Jason stood, excused himself from the table, and strode over to meet the young woman who had just returned from taking the toddler and the baby into the soddy.
Smith grinned. He’d always had a niggling worry about that young man but it appeared the good Lord had changed his heart. Jason had grown into a man to ride the river with.
Smith glanced back to the barn. Sharyah had disappeared in there almost ten minutes ago and he wondered if she would have any success in talking Cade into forgiving him. He sighed. Grief was a wearisome thing. For several weeks before Bren had passed on, he’d known down deep in his heart that things didn’t look good, but he hadn’t been able to bring himself to discuss it with anyone, much less his son whom he could see was barely hanging onto his own sanity. Then that morning when the doc had come out, and he’d seen the look of sorrow and dread in his eyes, something inside him had simply broken open. It had taken him six months eating dust behind a herd of cattle. Six months of hardscrabble living with cowboys who resented him because he refused to drink with them, afraid that if he started, he’d never stop. Six months of running from the only place he’d ever known true happiness and still his grief rode just beneath the surface, ready at any moment, any little drop of a hat, to bubble over. But his son was all he had left. It was time. Time to face life without his beloved Bren and move on. A task he was sure to fail. But one he must attempt. He couldn’t shirk it any longer.
He dropped his head toward the table and massaged the weary muscles along the back of his neck.
A plump woman, her hair streaked with the evidence of her age, stopped beside him and set a thick slice of apple pie drizzled with cream in front of him.
“I bring you coffee, Señior?”
He smiled his appreciation and nodded. “That’d be right fine, ma’am.”
He watched her for a moment as she made her way toward the fire, where he could see the coffee pot keeping warm on a rock to one side, and wracked his brain trying to remember the last thing Bren had done for him. That morning she’d died, there had been a bowl of pie ingredients half mixed together still sitting on the side board in the kitchen. Neither he nor Cade had been able to bring themselves to throw it out. Now he wondered how long the bowl had sat there before someone had dealt with its contents. A soft touch to his shoulder and a steaming mug of coffee appeared next to his plate.
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