by Anna Zogg
“Glad to.” With a delicate hand, she dabbed the perspiration on her forehead and cheeks.
“Toby and I’ll finish up here. Why don’t you go up to the house and rest up?”
“Rest?” She blew out a breath. “I need to make dinner. Or supper maybe?” She squinted at the sun.
“Biscuits and coffee would suit me just fine.”
She licked parched lips. “I think I could manage that. Thanks.”
“Thank you. For your help.”
“How long before you come up to the house?”
Cole glanced at the cattle. Before he broke for the day, he wanted to separate the unbranded calves and mothers from the rest of the herd. And keep the bull calves to castrate another day. “Give us a half hour to an hour. You up for that, Toby?”
“Yessir.”
“All right.” Lenora let out a big breath. “I’ll see you both after a bit.”
He tried not to watch as she climbed between the fence rails and walked across the yard. Not for the first time he noticed what a comely woman she was. Even sunburned and covered in dust.
It took him and Toby over an hour to cut out the unbranded calves with their mamas. While Cole squeezed between the herds on his horse, Toby manned the gate and released the ones who were branded. A couple of times, a few cattle made a break for it and barged out with the others. Cole rounded them up again and returned them to the fenced areas.
Tired and starving, he finally called it a day.
“You worked hard today.” He rubbed down his sorrel whose neck was crusty with dried lather. “Tomorrow you get a break, and Nips will get his turn. Maybe even Sheba.”
His gelding snorted like he understood. Cole freed him into the pasture and grinned as his horse rolled in the dirt.
He was just heading up to the house when Toby appeared on the porch, a bar of soap and a towel in his hands.
“Where’re you going?”
“Ma said I need a bath. I’m heading down to the stream.”
“Huh.” More than likely, Cole would end up there, as well. Otherwise, he might not get food.
He paused in the open doorway, waiting for his eyes to adjust to the gloom after the bright sunshine.
Lenora emerged from her bedroom, dressed once again in a white cotton blouse and navy skirt. Pressing a towel to her wet hair, she stopped when she saw him.
“Must be bath night.” He waved in her general direction when he realized he’d been staring.
Her hair, usually pinned into place, hung in long, dark waves.
He clamped his mouth shut and forced himself to look away. “I don’t suppose you have more soap? In case Toby loses his bar in the creek.”
“And a towel?” She moved nearer. “I’m sure a feed sack wouldn’t feel good.”
“No, ma’am.”
She went back into her room and returned with two thin towels. “This is the best I can do.” After setting them on the table, she searched the shelf in the kitchen for soap. “I thought I had another bar around here someplace.” She stood on tiptoes.
“I see it.” He stepped beside her and easily reached the soap that was out of her sight.
They were standing so close, he could count the number of freckles sprinkled across the bridge of her nose. Her brown eyes were lighter than he’d originally thought, with a dark ring encircling the iris. But her lips were the most tempting—soft, moist, parted. That brief and oh-so-tantalizing kiss they’d shared on their wedding day had merely fired his yearning for another. And the next one, he promised himself, wouldn’t be a namby-pamby peck on the lips.
She’s my wife.
The idea startled him anew. And in that moment, he was tempted to take her into his arms and kiss her so roundly that she would swoon.
He straightened his shoulders.
In name only, he reminded himself. He had given his word that he wouldn’t touch her.
Cole was halfway to the stream before he realized that though he clutched the bar of soap, he’d forgotten the towels. However, he wouldn’t risk returning to the house. Not until he lectured himself good and long.
No matter how alluring Lenora Julia Cole was, he would keep his promise. Even if it killed him.
Chapter Fourteen
“‘A good man out of the good treasure of the heart bringeth forth good things,’” Lenora read. “‘And an evil man out of the evil treasure bringeth forth evil things.’”
Cole rested an elbow on the table, growing sleepier by the moment. Not that he wasn’t interested in the topic, but the day had been long. At least they were done branding. He and Toby also had castrated the bull calves while Lenora had worked in the garden.
No doubt there were more chores that needed to be taken care of, but in light of Hackett’s visit almost a week ago, Cole wouldn’t chance leaving her alone again.
When he yawned, she paused and looked up.
“Sorry,” he mumbled.
“I think we’re done for the night.” She pointed to Toby, whose head rested on the table. His sudden twitch proved that he indeed slumbered. Lenora smiled softly at her son.
Nodding in his direction, Cole held up his hand. “Let me.” He rose and lifted the youngster, who seemed barely aware of what was going on.
“Is it time to get up?” Toby mumbled in a groggy voice. Without waiting for an answer, he leaned his head on Cole’s shoulder and appeared to fall back to sleep.
He carried the boy to the ladder. “Hang on.”
Rousing just enough, Toby put his arms around Cole’s neck while he climbed up to the loft. He stayed long enough only to remove the boy’s boots and tuck him under the blankets.
“Did he go back to sleep?” Lenora asked when he returned to the room below.
“I don’t think he even woke up.” Cole stretched, removing a knot from his back. “Tomorrow we’ll take it easier.”
“I’m sure we could all use the rest.” She flexed her wrist as though it bothered her.
Cole pointed. “That still giving you trouble?”
She shrugged and pushed back her sleeve. “I might’ve strained it when I lifted a full bucket of water. But the bruising is nearly gone.”
“Let me look.” He took her wrist in his hands before considering the foolishness. For four days, he’d been careful to guard his thoughts and actions. How quickly he could forget his resolve.
With care, he felt along the bones. Like she said, the swelling had gone down quite a bit, and the bruising was all but faded.
“Does it hurt here?” He pressed gently.
She hissed. “Yes.”
“You might’ve reinjured it a little.” He stepped back. “Want me to get that liniment?”
She appeared as though she would agree, then shook her head. “I’ll just wrap a cool cloth around it.” Before he could excuse himself for the night, she asked, “Would you like a cup of coffee? We could set a while on the porch.”
“Sure.” As soon as the word left his mouth, he chastised himself for agreeing so quickly.
Since the wedding day, he had not stopped beating himself up for making such a hasty decision. It would do no good at this point.
What’s done is done. Still.
While he stood on the porch and waited for her to join him, he looked out across the landscape. With the moon hiding behind the clouds, darkness shrouded everything.
Were Jeb Hackett and his men out there? Watching? No doubt the outlaw knew about their marriage by now. How would he retaliate? Or perhaps he would leave Lenora alone as she hoped.
Regardless, Cole still had a job to do. His marriage had not changed his plans to solve the mystery and find the money if possible—only rerouted them for a bit. Now that he had finished the branding and castrating, he was ready to turn
his energies back to the investigation.
Lenora had once said that her husband’s body was found northwest of the ranch. Hackett’s place was northeast. So where had Amos been heading? Cole would stake his reputation on the gang having some rendezvous point. Or a hiding place. Coupled with the campfire evidence, it was likely the men holed up somewhere not far from this ranch.
“Here you are.” Lenora held a cup toward him while she gripped one of her own.
“Much obliged.” The strong coffee seemed the perfect temperature.
Instead of sitting on her rocking chair, she remained standing beside him, looking out into the night. The gentle glow of the lanterns from inside the house spilled onto the porch, creating a haven of soft light.
He threw her a sidelong glance. “How’re you holding up?”
She smiled. “Good.” After a tentative sip, she cradled the cup. “Actually, very good. You?”
“Haven’t worked this hard since...” Pausing, he sought to recall. He thought about a posse chase he had once led through Missouri. Ten days of pushing hard with little rest. Though mind-numbing and rump-bruising, it had not been as physically demanding as what he had done the last four days.
“Since...?” she prodded.
“Actually, I might’ve imagined laboring this hard as a kid, but I can’t recall any particular event. For a couple years, my pa hired on as a ranch hand. I helped.”
She turned, leaning against the porch rail. “There’s something different about working for yourself though, isn’t there?”
“Hadn’t thought about it before, but you’re right.” He faced her.
In the darkness, tiny stars danced in her eyes. The peace of the night wrapped around him. But instead of getting sleepier, he felt like his senses heightened.
She took a sip of her drink. “I wanted to thank you—again—for agreeing to my outrageous proposal. And tell you that I’d do it all over again if I had to.”
“We haven’t been married a week. You don’t know what I’ll be like in a month or two.”
“Yes, I do.” She took a deep breath and hurried on. “You’d still be a man of your word. A gentleman. A good role model for Toby. A man that I...” She sucked on her lower lip.
Admired?
He shifted in discomfort as he imagined what she almost said. Truth was, Lenora deserved a man who would love and cherish her. Not someone like him who had too much of his father’s blood running through his veins. He wasn’t good enough for her. Certainly he didn’t merit her admiration.
In the darkness, he could barely make out her more subtle expressions. He spoke softly. “I hope I don’t disappoint you in the future.”
She ducked her head as though studying her coffee. “I doubt you will.”
Not true. The day he completed his mission—taking down the Hackett gang—was the day he would ride out of her life. To keep his oath to the US Marshals Service would require him breaking his bargain with her.
She sighed, ever so quietly, as though working up the courage to ask him something. “Tell me about Andrew.”
Cole straightened. That was not what he was expecting. He struggled to answer. “Not much to tell. I was pretty young when...” He took a hurried drink of his coffee as he contemplated how to continue. “Guess he was much like Toby. Bright. Inquisitive. Loved to follow me around.”
And that’s how they’d ended up behind the mercantile. Cole had told his kid brother to go home, but he wouldn’t listen. Finally, he had given up.
“I don’t want to hear of you taking that shortcut again.” His mother’s voice rang in his memory. Why hadn’t Cole listened?
As he looked back, he realized the mercantile had acquired a bad reputation. Ma didn’t want them anywhere near that place. Hence the warning to avoid taking a shortcut behind it.
The silence wore on, but Cole didn’t know what else to say.
“You blame yourself for his death, don’t you?” Lenora’s soft voice came out of the darkness.
His jaw tightened.
She turned toward him, her gaze searching his face. “My husband...” She shook her head as she clutched her cup with both hands. “I mean my first husband did things I felt responsible for.”
Was she talking about Amos’s thieving? Cole couldn’t say anything about it, knowing that to ask would reveal he knew a lot more than he should.
She chewed her lip as she gazed into the dark night. “I nagged. Trying to change him, I suppose. And I prayed. Oh, how I prayed. But Amos kept right on...” Her lips pursed.
“What are you saying?”
She blew out a breath. “I finally reached the point where the guilt got to be too much. And one day...” She opened her mouth but didn’t continue right away. “One day, it was like God knocked me off my high horse. I saw so clearly that Amos’s behavior wasn’t my responsibility.” Her gaze met his. “I guess I’m trying to tell you not to blame yourself for Andrew’s actions.”
“Now hold on.” Cole held up one hand. “It was my duty to watch him that day. I shouldn’t have—”
“If he was about Toby’s age, then he had a mind of his own. Lately I’ve been learning that about my son. I can’t control him any more than you could’ve controlled your brother.” She set her cup down before drawing closer. Her wistful expression silenced Cole’s next protest. “I’m trying to help you not be so hard on yourself.”
Still not convinced, he clamped his jaw.
Her gentle hand on his arm distracted him from his black thoughts. “I didn’t mean to pry. I just...” She pressed her lips together. “I recognize some of the burden you’ve been carrying around for years. The Lord knows how long I did.”
She blew out another breath, as though finished with that topic, and turned again to the darkened landscape.
Slowly Cole unclenched his fingers from around the coffee cup. He might have dented it, he’d been gripping it so hard.
“I should probably get to bed,” she announced in a bright tone as she set down her cup. “Lots to do tomorrow. Now that Porky’s producing so much milk, I have to churn butter almost every day.”
“About tomorrow,” he began, trying to figure out how to word his plans without alerting her of the secondary reason. “I want to take off early to do some scouting around the ranch.”
She twitched. “Why?”
“Because...well, Toby and I ran across evidence of poaching. I’d like to investigate that more.”
Her widening eyes glittered. “You will be careful, won’t you?”
“Always. But I’m more concerned about leaving you alone.” He half sat on the rail. “Please keep Toby close. And Blister. Until I come back. I should only be gone three, maybe four hours at the most.”
She spoke slowly. “And if you’re gone longer?”
“Then I’ll likely be hauling a body to town to show the sheriff.” He’d meant it as a joke, but Lenora sucked in a quick breath.
She wrapped one arm about the porch column, her body tight with stress. “Don’t expect help from the sheriff. He’s...” She paused to gulp. “He’s friends with Eli. Close friends.”
He pretended ignorance. “And Eli is...?”
“Jeb’s father.” Her tone grew bitter as she clutched the column with both hands. “The man who owns ten thousand cattle and countless souls.”
He covered her fingers with his. “At least he’ll never own yours.”
For endless moments, she studied him.
How easy it would be to slide his arms about her—to comfort her. Or to comfort himself? For once in his adult life, he saw so clearly the life he was missing because of his choices. But couldn’t he change the course of his future? Right now?
Before he did something regrettable, Cole brushed by her. “Thanks for the coffee.” He set the empty cup i
nside and with a quickening step strode toward the barn.
Lenora, no doubt, stared after him. Straightening his shoulders, he made certain not to look back. The sooner he solved the bank robbery and arrested Jeb Hackett, the better.
Cole clenched his jaw, forcing himself to continue to walk away as one question hammered his mind—how could he hope to keep his promise to stay for six months if he couldn’t keep his promise to want a real marriage from her?
He had to get away from Lenora Cole. Away from the burgeoning feelings that entangled his mind. And heart.
* * *
A dozen times, Lenora peeked out the door to see if Cole’s outline crested the horizon. Her heart pounded when she thought she spotted him. But no. It was only a cattle’s form, bobbing in the distance. Or a deer. Or the teasing wisp of a cloud.
What time had he left that morning? She kept guessing, trying to determine when he would return.
By late morning, she stood in the center of the room, twisting her hands in her apron. What if he didn’t come back? She’d never thought to check if his horses were still in the back pasture. But would it matter? Perhaps he’d left them in her care and would someday return to claim them.
“It’s my fault he’s gone.”
Last night, she had thought they were growing closer. Yet she had pushed him into confessing his guilt about Andrew’s death. He had seemed to accept her words, evidenced by the fact that he had lingered on the porch afterward.
And when he had touched her hand...
Closing her eyes, Lenora relived the tenderness of that moment. She had so wanted him to take her in his arms. The way his breathing had slowed and his eyes hooded told her he was tempted.
And I wanted him to.
A foolish desire. Hadn’t he given his word that he wouldn’t kiss her? Yet she enticed him to break his oath.
She needed to pull back. Give him space.
How many times had she caught a faraway look in his eyes—because he longed to move on? Because he regretted his rash decision?
She stared out the window. “How could I have been so selfish to trap him into a marriage he didn’t want?”
