Love Is Patient Romance Collection

by Vetsch, Erica; McDonough, Vickie; Barton, Janet Lee

  He shook his head. “None of the rest of these yahoos could handle it. They’re good wranglers, but none of them can see the big picture like Joshua can.”

  She stepped away from him, but she had to try one more time, so she turned back. “But won’t the other men resent a new man bossing them around?”

  “I don’t think so. He has a good relationship with every one of them.”

  Joshua stood beside India while Nathan told the hands that he was leaving for a while. When he announced that Joshua would be the foreman while he was gone, not a single man blinked an eye. Joshua was thankful that Nathan had made it easy for him to fit into his boots. The man had everything planned for him.

  After driving Nathan and Martha to the train station in Cactus Corner, Joshua quickly settled into his new job. He followed Nathan’s suggestions when he assigned men to teams and sent them to different parts of the ranch.

  The next morning, he watched the hands leave at early light, wishing he could go with them but understanding the reason Nathan didn’t want India left alone. Then he strode toward the main house. India had told him she would fix his meals while the cook was out with the chuck wagon for roundup.

  He stepped up on the porch, and the tantalizing aroma of sizzling bacon mixed with the fragrance of biscuits made his stomach rumble. Although the grub he’d been eating had been filling, this breakfast held more promise. Before his knuckles connected with the door, it swung open.

  “Come in, Joshua.”

  He hadn’t heard India say his name very many times since he’d come. The throaty musical quality of her voice gave it a special sound that went straight to his heart. “Something sure smells good.”

  She hurried into the kitchen and grabbed a bundle of toweling before lifting the pan of biscuits from the stove. “I’m not as good a cook as Martha is, but I get by.”

  Joshua watched her for a moment. Stray curls fluffed around her face, which held a becoming blush. A longer lock of hair lay down the back of her slender neck. For a moment, he wished he could plant a kiss in that exact spot. He shook his head to clear his thoughts and walked over to the sink. “May I wash up here?”

  After her nod, he lifted the handle and pumped vigorously to fill the pan. If they were going to work closely until Nathan got back, Joshua would have to curb his growing fascination with everything about India. A moist bar of soap sat in a bowl in the window. He used it to lather his hands before plunging them into the water for a rinse. Although he didn’t look toward her, he knew she watched his every move.

  He turned while drying his hands. “Thank you for allowing me to take Nathan’s place while he’s gone.”

  Her eyes widened. She probably hadn’t expected him to bring that up. “You’re welcome.”

  “I won’t do everything exactly as he does, but I’ll do a good job.”

  She lifted her chin. “So Nathan told me.”

  Joshua couldn’t tell if she agreed with her foreman or not. With nothing else to say, he pulled out the chair across from where she stood. Everything within him wanted to pull out her chair first, but he wasn’t sure what she would think about that. He didn’t want to upset her at this juncture.

  Surprisingly, the meal went well. Soon they were exchanging pleasant conversation about the workings of the ranch and what was going on in town. Even though India only went on Sundays lately, she kept up with what was happening.

  About the time Joshua decided to tell her why he was here, she stood and picked up her dishes. “If you have everything under control here, I’m going into town today. It’s been a while since I helped at the orphanage.”

  He quickly stood, too. “That’s fine. Nathan left me with lots of written instructions. It will give me time to study them again.” And also give him time to read all the papers his partner had sent him.

  India couldn’t get out of the room quickly enough. She hadn’t realized that having Joshua share her meals would upset her equilibrium. She enjoyed watching him so much she almost forgot to eat. What was it that pulled her heart toward him while her mind told her to be careful?

  On the way into town, India was glad the horses knew the way without being driven. She spent most of her time going over the breakfast with Joshua. Since he’d been at the ranch, Joshua’s hands had grown some calluses, but he kept them well groomed. Graceful. His hands were graceful as they pulled apart a biscuit and slathered it with butter and mesquite bean jelly at breakfast. And he had perfect table manners, much better than those of most of the cowhands. Perhaps when she returned she should ask him where he came from and why he looked for a job at her ranch. With that resolution, she raised the reins and urged the horses a little faster.

  “India, there you are.” Jody arrived at the orphanage at the same time. “We’ve been missing you.” She glanced in the back of the wagon. “What did you bring today?”

  “Martha has been making beef jerky. The older kids like to chew on it while they do their lessons.” India went around to the back and picked up a small barrel.

  Jody looked in a wooden crate that sat beside it. “Has she been making more clothes for the babies?”

  India nodded. “You know Martha. She doesn’t waste a minute.” She hoped maybe she and Jody would be the only ones to help today.

  When they walked into the large main room of the orphanage, her hopes were dashed. Anika leaned over the top of a large wooden barrel. Elaine watched her, jiggling a baby on her hip.

  Anika rose, bringing a pretty frock with her. “This mission barrel has some nice things in it.” She held the dress up to Elaine. “I believe this would fit you.”

  Elaine’s face turned red. “I don’t usually take anything from the mission barrels.”

  Anika placed her hands on her hips, one of them still holding the garment. “And why not? These things are for the orphanage, and you work here. It’s way too large for any of the girls and too grown-up of a style, as well.”

  India set the small barrel on the table and joined them. “I agree. Its color would look good with your hair.”

  She reached out and took the baby and pulled her into a hug. “Aren’t you just growing so much?” She planted a kiss on a chubby cheek, and the little girl laughed out loud.

  While they worked, the four women took turns holding the youngest orphan, tickling her and cooing to her. Just as India feared, it didn’t take long for the questions to start.

  Anika stood folding the clothes from the barrel and separating them by size on one of the tables. “So how is your new ranch hand working out?”

  Before India could think of how to answer, Jody added, “Have you found out his name yet?”

  “Joshua.” At least that was an easy question. “Joshua Dillinger.”

  Even Elaine was curious. “He’s still there, isn’t he? I thought I saw him in town yesterday.”

  India took a deep breath, willing her body not to betray her, but it did. “Yes, he went to town for supplies.” She could feel a flush creeping up her neck and cheeks.

  All pretense of working stopped as they crowded around her, bombarding her with questions and comments. Maybe staying on the ranch might have been a good idea. As soon as she could do so gracefully, she’d leave.

  After Joshua read all of Nathan’s instructions and the papers from the law firm, he decided that now would be a good time to check on the finances of the ranch. All the other hands were out on roundup, and India should be gone most of the day. He stowed his personal papers in his trunk and hurried to the house.

  India kept the ledger in the top right drawer of her desk. Joshua pulled it out and started making his way through the entries for last year. Although he used an accountant for the law firm, he had helped his father keep the books for the ranch in Texas. It didn’t take him long to figure out exactly how they did their accounting.

  When he reached January of this year, Joshua heard the wagon stop in front of the house. He should have noticed it sooner, but when he was concentrating on somethi
ng, he had learned to block out distractions. In all the noise of a city, that was important.

  Joshua looked out the window to discover India stepping up on the porch. He quickly shut the ledger and pushed it into the drawer. By the time she entered the front door, he was halfway across the office, trying to walk quietly. Maybe he could slip out if she went upstairs or toward the kitchen.

  She must have heard him, because she jerked open the office door. “Joshua Dillinger, what are you doing in here?”

  Her question hung in the air like a diamondback rattlesnake about to strike.

  Chapter 5

  The air in the office tingled with suppressed tension, making it hard to breathe. India stared at Joshua. Why had she trusted him? Because Nathan does. She ignored the quiet voice that whispered in her mind.

  “I asked you a question.” She bit out the words, then hesitated only a split second. “But I have another one for you. Why aren’t you out with the roundup?”

  Joshua shifted position, almost as if he relaxed. He took so long answering, she figured he was formulating something believable without revealing his true colors.

  “Aren’t you going to answer me?” She thrust fisted hands against her hips and added heat to her glare.

  “India”—he left off the usual Miss—“Nathan didn’t want me to leave you unguarded while all the men are gone. He told me that he stays here during most of the roundup, too.”

  Well, that much was true, but India hadn’t realized Nathan thought she needed guarding. “I can take care of myself.” She stretched as tall as she could and took a deep breath.

  “Of course you can.” A tentative smile lit his face. “I’m not trying to say you can’t, but you have to admit the ranch headquarters are rather isolated. Plenty of outlaws might take advantage of that fact. The success of the Circle C is well-known in this part of the country, which could make you a target.”

  “We’re getting away from the subject of my first question.” India crossed her arms and gave him her fiercest stare.

  Joshua strode toward two leather chairs that sat near the windows. He pointed at one. “Sit down and we’ll talk. I’ve been needing to tell you some things anyway.” The man sure was bossy. She didn’t want to give him the impression that he was in control, but she did perch on the edge of the chair, without uncrossing her arms. “Go ahead.” A nod accompanied her terse order.

  When he dropped into the other chair, he relaxed against the back. “You don’t remember who I am, do you?”

  Where is he going with this discussion? “Should I?”

  Joshua leaned forward with his forearms on his thighs and clasped his hands. “I visited the ranch when you were nine and I was twelve.”

  What he said triggered a long-forgotten scene. “Joshua … Dillinger.” The words came out in a whisper.

  India dropped her hands to her lap and closed her eyes to bring up the memory she had often revisited for a few years after his family left. When had she stopped dreaming about the boy who joined her when she rode like the wind across the dusty plains of the ranch? His high spirits almost matched hers.

  “No wonder the name sounded familiar.” She opened her eyes and looked at him in a new way, studying the black curls that now fell across his forehead.

  Her attention moved to his eyes. India should have recognized those eyes that had shared in her fun so long ago. Maybe it was because Joshua was now so serious. She remembered him as a happy boy, who laughed a lot. Where had that daring boy gone?

  “So why did you come to my ranch looking for work?” She needed to get to the bottom of why he was here … in this room.

  Her gaze traveled around, trying to see if anything was out of place. She couldn’t find anything that looked disturbed. She hoped he would have an explanation she could accept.

  Joshua stood and shoved his hands into the back pockets of his dungarees. She’d seen him do that several times since he’d been on the ranch.

  “I didn’t really come looking for a job, but when Nathan assumed I did, I took the opportunity.”

  Why did he need an opportunity? India wasn’t sure she liked the sound of this, and she didn’t like him hovering above her or nosing through her business. She needed to let him know that she was still boss of this ranch. She stood and crossed her arms again.

  He cleared his throat. “I received a letter from your father’s lawyer.”

  “Daddy has been dead for over a year.”

  He nodded. “I know. His lawyer forgot to mail it any sooner, and it went to my dad in Texas. He forwarded it to my law offices in San Francisco.”

  “You’re a lawyer?” This was getting complicated. “Then why would you want to work on a ranch?”

  Joshua raked one hand through his hair, forcing his curls away from his face. “Your father wanted me to make sure you could run the ranch on your own. Besides, I’ve enjoyed revisiting the things I grew up doing.”

  “You didn’t think I could run the ranch!” India stomped over to her desk and leaned against the front of it. “What were you looking for in this office?”

  Almost as if he were mimicking her, he crossed his arms. “I wanted to see if you were in any financial trouble.”

  She stood up in his face. “How were you going to find out?” When he didn’t say anything, the answer slid into her mind. “You looked at my books, didn’t you?”

  India knew she was almost screeching, but she didn’t remember when she had been so angry. The look on his face was all the answer she needed. “Let me tell you something, Joshua Dillinger.” She thumped her forefinger against his muscled chest. “I do not need a cowboy—lawyer—or whatever you are sashaying in here trying to take over my ranch. I was running it before my father died, and I can run it now.”

  Her throat clogged with tears of frustration, but she didn’t want him to see them. He might think she was weak. She whirled and started toward the door.

  Joshua’s strong hands closed around her shoulders, halting her progress. “Please, India, listen to me.” When she stopped her headlong plunge away from him, he moved around in front of her. With one finger, he lifted her chin until she was staring into his eyes, which held a look of tenderness. “I’m not trying to take over your ranch. I just wanted to know if you needed my help. Because of the close ties our dads shared, I thought I owed your dad that much.”

  India couldn’t stop the two tears trailing slowly down her cheeks.

  “Oh, India, I didn’t mean to hurt you.” Without thinking, Joshua pulled her against his chest, enclosing her in his arms. “I really only wanted to help.”

  He felt her relax against him, and more tears stained his shirt, but he didn’t care. He stroked her back and murmured soothing words against her hair. Why didn’t he tell her sooner who he was and why he was here? Maybe she would have been able to accept his presence. He whispered prayers for her while she continued to sob in his arms.

  A long time later, she finally stopped crying and pulled away, mopping her face with both hands. “I’m sorry I broke down.” She moved toward the front windows and stared out. “I’ve had to be strong ever since Daddy died. I haven’t really cried.” She turned a rueful expression toward him that arrowed straight to his heart.

  Joshua leaned against the front of her desk and crossed his ankles. “I didn’t want to add to your pain, but I’m glad you finally cried. That’s the only way to release your grief.”

  She swiped at her eyes. “I imagine I look a mess. Sorry your shirt’s wet.”

  “You could never look a mess.” He wasn’t sure he uttered the words out loud until her eyes widened. “You’re a very beautiful woman, not at all like the pigtailed hellion who rode like the wind. I just miss all your freckles.”

  India burst out laughing. “I don’t…. What do we do now?”

  He stood up and walked toward her. “What do you want to do?”

  This time when she crossed her arms, the gesture looked defensive, not defiant as she had been earlier.
“I’m not sure. I suppose you looked at the ledger.”

  He wished he could take her in his arms again. “I’m not going to lie to you. I did go over all of last year’s pages. I was just getting to this year when you arrived. So far everything looked good to me. Has this year been good, too?”

  She nodded. “We’re doing fine.”

  “If you want me to leave, I will.” But I don’t want to. “Will you let me stay until Nathan comes back? I’d feel better if you would.”

  He could think of other things that would make him feel better, too, not the least of which was tasting her trembling lips. When had he moved from being fascinated by her to longing to make their relationship something permanent? How could that ever work out with her in Arizona and him in San Francisco?

  Chapter 6

  Joshua finished cleaning up and headed out of the bunkhouse. With the men coming back from roundup today, he had expected Cook to prepare the evening meal, but India insisted on taking over for him. She said that Martha usually did supper after roundup to give Cook time to clean out the chuck wagon. Joshua would miss his evening meals alone with India. Over the last two days, they had spent a lot of time catching up on each other’s lives. All he learned about her fascinated him, except the side of her that had to be in control of everything. She sounded as if she feared losing everyone’s respect if she let down her guard even a bit. This troubled him.

  He knew she went to church regularly, but where was her trust in God if she had to have such tight control of everything—the ranch, her emotions, her grief? Maybe they would have to have a serious talk about spiritual matters. Joshua wasn’t looking forward to upsetting her, but he feared that kind of discussion would.

  After stepping up on the porch of the cookhouse, Joshua reached for the handle but didn’t need it. The door swung inward of its own accord, and the tantalizing aroma of rich beef stew wafted around him, causing his mouth to water. India was a woman of many talents.

  He spied her in the other end of the large room, just outside the kitchen, and hurried toward her. “I’ll help you serve the men.”