An Unlikely Place for Love

by Ruth Ann Nordin

  “Did she feel guilty?”

  “No.”

  “She was mad at you. She started treating you poorly.”

  He shouldn’t have been startled that she could figure it out so well but he was. “You really do have a gift for perceiving things.”

  She sighed. “I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

  He smiled. “I’ve gotten used to it since your brother is the same way.”

  She returned his smile.

  No other words seemed necessary as they continued to dance.

  Chapter Eleven

  Kate wanted to stay with Chad but forced herself to return to the loft so she could sleep. She was exhausted. She had put the things she bought in town and hid them in the trunk, so they would be ready if she needed them. She hoped she wouldn’t have to use them, but she realized the sooner she got Lacy off her back, the better. As she laid in her bed, she thought about Chad. She already loved him, though she hadn’t known him for long. He’s the one I want to spend the rest of my life with. She sensed that he wanted to be with her as much as she wanted to be with him. She did worry about what he would think once he discovered that she was Billy. She couldn’t hide the secret from him forever, but it was too soon to give up her charade.

  She slept well that night and woke up refreshed. She knew she had to put on her Billy outfit. She had already planned up the excuse as to where Kate would be. She didn’t know how much longer she could pull off her scheme to separate Billy and Kate all the time, but she would have to deal with it one day at a time.

  After she got dressed as Billy, she went to the house. It was strange to talk to Chad as Billy after being with him as Kate, but it was still nice to be alone with him before the other farmhands arrived. She walked into the house and saw that Chad was already making breakfast.

  “Good morning, boss,” she greeted.

  He grinned. “Good morning, Billy. Is Kate with you?”

  “No. She’s still asleep. I think she plans to take a bath in the river when she wakes up. So, what’s on the menu this morning?”

  Chad looked disappointed at the mention that Kate wouldn’t be there that morning. He glanced at her. “I hope oatmeal is alright. I try to make a variety of meals. Did you get the dinner last night that Kate brought out to you?”

  “I did. Thank you for thinking of me.”

  “I hope you don’t mind that I spent so much time with her last night. I didn’t intend to take her away from you. The time just flew by.”

  She smiled. “I’ve known her all of my life. There’s not much new for me to learn about her. You’re welcome to spend as much time as you want with her. I will be taking her to town with me on Saturday, so I’ll get to talk to her then.”

  “I have to warn you that if she’s going to be at the river while Sam, Tim and Jeff are here, don’t tell them where she’s at. If they find out, they’ll claim to check on the cattle.” He looked at her. “They won’t be checking on the cattle.”

  She grimaced. The thought of those creepy men going by the river to see her naked was enough to make her shudder. “I understand.”

  He shook his head. “I should be used to it but it amazes me that sometimes you and Kate really do seem like the same person.”

  If only he knew...She cleared her throat. “What’s on the chore list for today?”

  “Yesterday an effort was made to start building two stalls for the cows, but we didn’t get very far.”

  “I’ll be happy to work on it, but you’ll have to show me what to do.”

  Chad walked over to the table and set the bowls of oatmeal on the table.

  “Do you want me to get milk?” she offered.

  “No. I got it. Oatmeal is easy.” He got the glasses and set them on the table and poured milk into them. He sat across from her. “Before I forget, I wanted to apologize for being so rough on you about your physical strength. I was out of line.”

  “Apologies aren’t necessary.”

  “I have to admit that I’m impressed with the way you’re able to handle the other farmhands.”

  She shrugged. “I’ve always been pretty outgoing. I think I naturally attract people.” She looked at him in interest. “Why don’t you come along to the potluck on Saturday?”

  “Because everyone would feel the need to express their condolences over me losing my wife and how empty the world is without her. Some of them will even tell me their favorite stories about her.”

  “Surely, they realize after a year, it’s time to let it go.”

  “You went there a couple weekends ago. Her mother showed you a tour of the place. Did anyone else talk about her?”

  She nodded. “Yes. Quite a few people did. I see your point. Though it would be more fun if you were there. I know if I don’t take Kate out there, then every available man will be making a trip out here to see her.”

  “Some men in town are decent. I heard Jeff and Tim talking about bringing Todd out to meet her. He’s not bad, though he hangs around a bad group of men.”

  “Perhaps, but he’s boring.” She recalled her past encounter with the man when she was in town. “Besides, he’s also shorter than her. She’s a tall woman and wants a man she can look up to. I mean that figuratively and literally. I would think you would be more her type than anyone else around here.”

  He looked down at his bowl.

  “You know, she’s nothing like Georgia,” she assured him.

  “Yes. I know.”

  She breathed a sigh of relief. She had worried that he would compare her to Georgia and wonder if she would make him miserable as well.

  Tim, Sam and Jeff walked into the kitchen.

  She didn’t hide her surprise. “What are you all doing here so early? Can’t wait to get started on those stalls?” she joked.

  They chuckled.

  Chad quickly ate his breakfast.

  Todd followed them into the kitchen.

  “I remember you,” she stood up and shook his hand. “What brings you out here this fine morning? Did you get excited by the prospect of putting up the stalls too? I must admit, this must be one fun chore to inspire so many people to do it.”

  Todd grinned. “I don’t mind helping out. I have my own farm. But I came to see your sister. Is she around?”

  “She’s still asleep. She’s a night owl. She likes to sleep in.”

  He frowned.

  She shrugged. “You might as well stick around until after lunch anyway. You made the trip out here and I promise that I’m not that dull to be around.”

  “He’s got that right,” Sam agreed. “Lacy is looking forward to seeing you again.”

  She hid her disgust. Instead, she said, “You know how many women I danced with at the last potluck. I will not be tied down to anyone. Seriously, I love my life of roaming around and meeting new and interesting people.”

  “Lacy would like to travel.”

  “No offense, men, but having a woman around would cramp my style. I love them and leave them. I don’t stick around. Now, I’ll leave Lacy alone since she’s your sister. I sure wouldn’t want any of you taking advantage of my sister, so I’ll respect yours.”

  “Oh, Todd here is looking to get married. He wouldn’t mistreat her. He’d marry her.”

  “She couldn’t give up her home. Todd, are you willing to move?”

  Todd considered it. “If she’s as good as they say she is, I’d be willing to. The selection in this town is limited.”

  She didn’t like to hear this.

  “It’ll be interesting to see who wins her heart and the money,” Sam thoughtfully commented.

  Her eyes grew wide. “Are you making a bet on who she’s going to choose?”

  “Sure. We bet on everything.” He turned to Chad, “And we made the bet in town, so it wasn’t gambling on your property.”

  She laughed. “You all are insane. You can’t bet on something like love.”

  “Sure we can.”

  “Alright. Who else is going to go
after my sister?”

  “We all are,” Tim said.

  “How many people are in on this bet?”

  “About half the town.”

  “How much have you got riding on this?” She couldn’t believe they were doing this.

  They told her.

  She frowned. “Is that all you think she is worth? My goodness, men. She’s a lady. She’s not the kind of girl who misbehaves.”

  “Billy,” Chad snapped.

  She glanced at him.

  “In her best interest, I wouldn’t say anything else,” he warned.

  “Oh come on, Chad,” Tim rolled his eyes. “We don’t deflower every virgin we see. We’ll treat Billy’s sister with respect.”

  Her heart pounded nervously in her chest. She didn’t believe him. The fact that she was a virgin made them even more determined to be the one to sleep with her first. Todd was probably the exception. She put on her best “Billy showing off” face and said, “My money is on the boss.”

  The four men laughed.

  “What’s so funny? As far as I can see, he’s got the best chance of anyone in this town,” she told them.

  “You’re a riot, Billy.” Tim slapped her on the back, nearly knocking her over.

  She looked at them in disbelief. “I am serious.”

  They laughed even harder.

  She shook her head. She threw her hands up in the air. She quickly finished her oatmeal and put her bowl and glass in the sink. “Fine. Don’t believe me. But if he proposes, she’ll say yes and you will all see that I’m right. I know my sister, and the boss is her type.” She ignored their continued laughter as she turned to Chad. “Are we ready to get to those stalls?”

  Chad nodded and placed his dishes beside hers. Instead of washing the dishes, he led them to the barn.

  “With all of us working on the stalls, we can get it done in no time,” she said.

  The farmhands grumbled.

  “Or you can go back home. I’m sure Kate wouldn’t mind spending time alone with the boss,” she continued.

  “Of course, we’ll help,” Sam quickly replied.

  “I’ve done it before,” Todd responded. “I don’t mind pitching in.”

  She knew that would get them to do it. If nothing else, she was going to make them work hard that morning. She didn’t appreciate them betting on her as if she were an object. Chad has no idea how much better he is than these animals.

  ***

  As she worked on the stalls with the men, she got satisfaction out of watching them sweat from their labors. They completed both stalls shortly before lunch. As they took a break to wait for Chad to make sandwiches, she sat with Tim, Sam, Jeff and Todd and talked with them in her usual easy going manner.

  Right before lunch, Todd’s farmhand came out and told him that he needed to take care of a minor emergency at his own farm. Todd looked disappointed to miss his chance to see Kate.

  “Don’t worry about it, pal,” Sam said, smiling. “You can meet her this weekend. She’ll be coming out to the potluck.”

  “Tell her I said hi,” he told her.

  “I will,” she replied. Todd wasn’t a bad man. She would have to keep her eyes out for a woman to fix him up with.

  During lunch, Chad was out doing his usual chores while she sat with them and ate.

  “When are we going to get a chance to see Kate?” Tim asked. “I find it hard to believe she sleeps in until noon.”

  “Oh, she’s already been up for awhile.” She glanced at them in disbelief. “You mean to tell me you missed her again? She headed on out to the river to take a bath. Didn’t you see her leave?”

  They looked stunned.

  Did they believe her?

  “She’s as quiet as a mouse,” Sam finally said.

  “She doesn’t wish to disrupt our work,” she commented, relieved that they accepted her lie. “She’s very thoughtful that way.”

  “We’ll have to show her our work when she gets back,” Tim said. “She was interested in it yesterday. I’m sure she’ll want to see the finished product.”

  “She enjoys a man who knows how to work hard. The harder he works, the better. That’s why I think she’ll be impressed with Chad. He’s always doing something.”

  “Does she want children?”

  “Sure she does. What woman doesn’t?”

  They glanced at each other and smiled.

  “What?” she asked, wondering why they were looking at each other with mischief in their eyes.

  “Nothing,” Sam quickly responded.

  She frowned.

  Chad walked into the house with the pail of milk. He set it on the counter and filled up the bottles.

  She stared in shock as the men wolfed down their sandwiches and gulped their milk in a hurry. Then they excused themselves and ran out of the house.

  “Did they get scared that they’d have to do more work?” Chad mused.

  She glanced at him in interest. He actually made a joke. She smiled. “I think you finally scared them off.”

  He rolled his eyes. “Hardly. They’re not intimidated by me.”

  She finished her sandwich and stood up. “What do you want me to do next?”

  “Aren’t you exhausted? You worked harder than they did this morning.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t mind. Do you want me to practice my lassoing skills on the cattle?”

  He nodded. “That’s probably a good idea. Now that you can lasso them, you can go by yourself.”

  “How do you know I can finally do that?” She raised an eyebrow at him. “Have you been keeping tabs on me?”

  He grinned. “On Sunday, I was curious where you took Reliable and saw you succeed at the task. I didn’t want to say anything in case I made you nervous. Sometimes, we do our best work when no one is watching.”

  “Huh. I’ll have to keep an eye out for you.” He really was aware of what happened on his property.

  He chuckled.

  “Well, I’m glad you’ll be here to watch after Kate. I will take a sandwich out to her, if you’d like.”

  “Alright.”

  She grabbed an extra sandwich and left. She quickly made her way to the sheep building where she gave the sandwich to the sheepdog to eat. Then she went to the barn where her temporary lodging was. She gritted her teeth when she saw the men walking back from the river. Her eyes narrowed and she clenched her fists in anger. That’s it. I’m going to make them work so hard that they will be begging to go home. She quickly got dressed in a pink shirt and wore a blue skirt. She brushed her long flowing hair and climbed down the loft ladder.

  She checked outside the barn and saw that the men were out of sight. She shook her head, still angry, and went to the house where she saw Chad washing dishes. She forced her anger aside so she could be pleasant to him. “Hello.” She smiled at him.

  He looked up from the sink and returned her smile. “Did you have a good night’s sleep?”

  She nodded. “Yes. I confess that I stayed up for a good portion of the night to read. I didn’t realize I slept in as late as I did.” She wanted to run over to him and kiss him but refrained. It was still too soon to act on her strong feelings for him. “I enjoyed going out to the fields and dancing with you last night. I can’t remember the last time I had so much fun.”

  “Me neither.”

  “Are we going to do more dancing tonight? I really liked it.”

  He looked at her and smiled. “We can dance again.”

  She liked to have any excuse to touch him. Having his strong arms around her was better than she thought it would be when she saw him without his shirt on.

  They talked for twenty minutes before she glanced out the window and saw that the three men had reappeared.

  He followed her gaze and sighed. “They’ve been asking about you all morning,” he warned her.

  She grimaced. “I can only hope going to town on Saturday will get them off my back. They don’t come out on the weekends, do they?”

>   “They haven’t up to this point but you never know. You’re hard to resist.”

  “As long as you think so,” she told him.

  He blushed.

  “Well, it’ll be interesting to see how much they’ll do to impress me,” she thoughtfully stated. It still disgusted her that they went to the river in hopes of seeing her naked. Turning back to Chad, she asked, “Will you stay near me this afternoon? I don’t want to be alone with them. I don’t trust them.”

  “Billy is out with the cattle, so he’s not around. I’ll be with you,” he said.

  She kissed him on the cheek. “You are my knight in shining armor.”

  He shrugged. “It’s not like I don’t want to be with you. My motives are selfish.”

  He does love me. She smiled again. “You’re a good man, Chad.”

  They left the house and the three men frowned at the sight of her with him.

  “Billy told us you wanted someone to help you lift something,” Tim lied to her. “We couldn’t find you anywhere.”

  “Why would my brother send three of you to lift an item for me when one man could easily do the task?” She decided to play along. She didn’t want Chad to know what they were really doing since he would be greatly upset by it.

  “We figured that you would pick which one of us you wanted to do the task. Strength is my middle name.”

  “I don’t have anything for you to lift,” she replied.

  “Then why would Billy say you did?”

  “I don’t know. Ask him.” She gritted her teeth. How dare they imply that Billy lied? That’s it. It’s time to get tough. “Well, I’m looking forward to watching you this afternoon. I do admire a man who can be a hard worker.”

  “We do our best at everything we do,” Sam assured her, nearly shoving Tim and Jeff aside so he could be closer to her.

  Tim and Jeff pushed him aside and stood on either side of her.

  “There are a lot of short men in this town,” she noted as she looked at them.

  “What we lack in height, we make up for in other areas,” Jeff assured her.

  She smiled despite her inward shudder. Like I would let any of you touch me. “Perhaps, but height does have its advantages. But we shouldn’t stand around idly. I’m sure Chad has more work for you gentlemen. The more work a man does, the more impressed I am.” She looked at Chad and waited for him to give instructions on what to do.