Luke walked across his land, thinking about where to raise his building and corral. There wasn’t room for many horses, so maybe he could rent some of Sarah’s land to keep them on. They would be close if needed.
He spent the next hour walking around town, trying to find a crew to work on his building, but all of them were booked with other obligations for a long while. Maybe the family building Sarah’s house would be interested. From the work he’d seen before he left for Gabe’s, they’d done a good job.
As he rode out of town, he relished the fact that although there was a blacksmith in town, no one he’d talked to knew of another livery. That would be good for his business. He mentally made a list of things he needed to buy—ropes, curry combs, and other grooming tools, farrier tools, a buggy, buckboard, not to mention whatever he would need for his private quarters. At least he was used to getting by without much. There hadn’t been room in the bunkhouse for things of comfort. Besides, what did a man need with those? He wouldn’t mind a big bed with a thick mattress, and maybe a chair and table, but he didn’t require much else.
He tallied up the cost of the things he still had to buy. Good thing Gabe was giving him some of his older tack, saddles, and a spring wagon that he planned to replace soon. That would help, although he’d probably have to spend quite a bit more time in repairs than if he could afford to buy new gear. Hopefully, the day would come when he could. First, he must find someone to construct his building and a place to live, and then he’d see how much money he had left from what he’d saved all these years.
His thoughts shifted to Sarah, and his gut tightened. He’d missed her. There’d been few times since she’d come to live with Gabe that they’d been parted for so long. Dare he hope she’d missed him too?
As he crested the next hill, he reined Golden Boy to a stop and stared at Sarah’s brand-new house. It rose up from the prairie as bold as an oak. The two-story house wasn’t nearly as large as Gabe’s and Lara’s, but it would suit Sarah well. She’d finally achieved her dream. Would there be room for him in her heart now that she had?
Sarah’s footsteps echoed as she walked through the upstairs rooms of her vacant house. The scent of fresh wood greeted her in each room. Claire squealed, her voice echoing, as she chased Cody around the empty space that would be Sarah’s spare bedroom. The swish of shovels plunging into the dirt outside her kitchen drew her to the back of the house.
She peered down and saw Jack toss some dirt into the growing pile. Though she had nothing to put in it yet, she would soon have a root cellar. Hopefully, her vegetables would thrive enough that she and Claire could enjoy them this winter. Jack set his shovel down and dipped a cup in the bucket of water that sat under a small persimmon tree. He swigged down the water then winced as he stretched. Several days had passed since Dr. Worth had brought him home. Although Jack hadn’t wanted to talk about the incident, he had insisted more than once that he hadn’t been drinking.
All she could do was pray for him. He wouldn’t allow her to tend his wound, instead preferring to ride into town to Dr. Worth’s office. A man had his pride, and she sure didn’t want to step on his, so she’d kept quiet, although she couldn’t help wondering what had happened.
Turning away from the window, she realized the children had left the room. As she walked down the short hall to her own bedroom, her excitement increased. She could hardly wait to get her bed set up and to sleep inside. She still hadn’t decided whether to put a bed for Claire in the same room or in the other bedroom. At least Jack had built gates at the top and bottom of the stairs so she wouldn’t have to worry about the girl falling down them if she woke up at night and left her bed, or if she tried to sneak up them during the day.
Cody pulled Claire back from the open window.
Sarah brushed her hand across his head. “Thank you for keeping a good watch on Claire.”
The boy flashed a smile. “I don’t mind. She reminds me of Missy, but she don’t talk as much.”
Sarah smiled at the mention of Lara’s youngest daughter. Though Claire wasn’t tall enough to do more than touch the windowsill with her fingertips, it wouldn’t be long before Sarah would have to worry about her climbing out of them. How had Lara survived the anxieties of raising four children?
She had help. Gabe, for one. And Sarah had assisted, too.
Missing her friends, she walked to the window and stared out. From up here, she could see clear to Anadarko. Thankfully, the sounds of the town didn’t carry this far.
Claire shrieked and grabbed Sarah’s skirts at the same time a rider on a palomino caught her attention. The man had been staring at her house, and now he trotted toward it. She sucked in a gasp and leaned out the window to get a closer view. “Luke!”
Cody squeezed in beside her. “Luke’s back?” The boy waved. “Hey, Luke!”
Sarah could barely speak for the joy racing through her. “Go tell your pa.” She picked up Claire and hurried toward the stairs. What would Luke think of her ward? Surely Gabe or Lara would have told him about Claire. Had he brought the clothing and things she’d asked Lara if she could borrow?
She slowed her steps as she made her way down the stairs and looked around her parlor. She could hardly believe this was her home, and she couldn’t wait to show it to Luke. He’d been the one she’d confided in first when she decided it was time to leave the Coulters’ home. She rushed out onto the porch and waved.
Luke kicked his horse into a lope and quickly closed the gap between them. He jumped off before the horse completely stopped, jogged up the steps, and stood in front of her, grinning.
She smiled, so glad to see him again. Except for Jo, she’d never had a friend as dear as Luke. “Welcome to my home.”
“It’s beautiful. I stopped on the hill and was admiring it when I saw you in the window. You did it, Sarah.”
“I did.” She beamed at him.
He lifted his hand and jiggled Claire’s. “So this must be Miss Claire.” He tipped his hat. “A pleasure to meet you. I’m Luke.”
Instead of leaning her head on Sarah’s shoulder as she often did when meeting a stranger, Claire stared at Luke with wide eyes. He shook her hand, and a smile broke loose on the girl’s face.
“Still the charmer, I see.”
He straightened and strutted around on her porch like a proud rooster. “What’s not to like?”
Sarah chuckled at his goofy antics.
Quick footsteps sounded at the side of the house, and Cody and Jack appeared.
“Luke!” Cody raced up the stairs and flung himself at Luke. Good thing Luke noticed and caught the eager boy, spinning him around.
Jack, covered in dirt, stayed at the bottom of the stairs.
Luke carried Cody and trotted down then slapped his friend on the shoulder. “You’re a smart man staying off Sarah’s spankin’ new steps with all that dirt on you.”
Jack nodded and glanced down at his filthy pants and boots. “I’m not about to be the one who dirties them first. I don’t want a broom to my backside.”
Sarah laughed. “I don’t even have my broom yet, but I do thank you for your thoughtfulness.”
Luke set Cody down and shook Jack’s shoulder. “You digging a well or something?”
“A root cellar.” He slanted a teasing look at Luke. “We could use another pair of hands.”
Luke leaned against the stair railing. “I don’t mind helping, but I have a few things to do first.” He flicked a glance at Sarah. “I got a trunk full of stuff that Lara sent for you and that little gal.”
Sarah gasped. “A whole trunk?”
“Yep. I need a wagon to haul it out here.” He straightened, and a proud expression made his handsome face even more comely. “And I’ve got news of my own. I bought a lot in town. Gonna open a livery.”
Sarah moved down the steps and set Claire on the ground then gave Luke a hug from the side. “That’s wonderful.” And she meant it. Although she’d been upset when he first showed up in El Re
no because she thought he’d followed her, she realized now that she wanted to have at least someone she knew living near her. She dearly missed the Coulters and their children, and having Luke close meant she didn’t have to say good-bye again. She’d been surprised at how much she’d missed him.
He hugged her back, holding on longer than was proper, gazing down at her with an expression that made her mouth go dry. When Jack cleared his throat, Luke stepped away. Sarah searched for something to say to rid the moment of its awkwardness. “How is Gabe doing?”
“Good. He’s walking around on crutches now and scowling because he can’t tend to all the things he thinks he needs to. I don’t know why he’s so worried about the ranch. He’s got a good, responsible crew. While I was there, I worked more with my own horses than Gabe’s.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t stay longer.” Jack dropped down to sit on one of the steps, and Cody joined him. Claire backed up to the lowest step but missed, landing on the ground, eliciting quiet chuckles from the adults.
Sarah gazed at the people she loved—each one in a different way. They made this house a home. And the place would be lonely when they left, but she couldn’t dwell on that. It would steal the joy of finally having her own place. “I’ll ask Mr. Peterson if we can borrow his buckboard. Some of the things I ordered for the house are at the depot. I’ve been waiting to get them until the men were done with the inside.”
“If he says yes, I’ll drive you.” Luke glanced behind him. “Do you have a corral built yet?”
“No. We’ve been concentrating on the house. With the weather dry, I thought we’d best get a root cellar dug so Sarah would have a place to store her vegetables. Next we’re building a small barn and corral. Mr. Peterson and Amos have been hauling wood for the barn from the depot while me and the twins dig the cellar. It’s almost done, although we’ll need to shore it up some.”
Luke flicked a finger toward his eyebrow. “What happened to you?”
Jack shrugged. “Nothin’ much.”
Luke stared at him for a moment then turned his gaze on Sarah. “You have a real nice place here.”
“Thank you.” His opinion meant a lot.
Luke rubbed his hand across his jaw. “Do you know if the Petersons have plans to work somewhere else when they’re done here?”
Sarah nodded. “I believe they do.”
Luke sighed and looked down.
“What’s wrong?” Jack asked.
“I can’t find anyone who isn’t already committed for months to build my livery.”
“You and me can do it.” Jack waved a dirty hand in the air. “After I finish here.”
Luke’s expression brightened. “I thought you were heading back home to Gabe’s soon.”
“Eventually, but if I have a friend who needs my help, how can I turn my back on him?”
Luke grinned and slapped Jack’s shoulder, creating a cloud of dust. “Thanks. I appreciate it. I think I’ll talk with Mr. Peterson and see if he can help me figure out how much lumber I need to purchase.”
“Good idea. I’d best get back to work.” Jack rose. “Cody, you want to help dig for a bit?”
The boy jumped up. “Sure, Pa.”
Claire struggled to stand and looked up at Jack and jabbered something. Sarah lifted her up and tickled her tummy. “Oh no. You’re not going with them. You’re helping me. One dirty child is enough.”
When Jack and Cody left, Luke gazed at Sarah. “Have you had any luck finding Claire’s family?”
“No, but I can’t say that I’m sorry. This little gal has sneaked in and wound herself around my heart.” She tickled Claire again and then looked at Luke. The longing expression on his face made her heart lurch, before he blinked and his ever-present smile returned.
“I don’t doubt it. She’s a pretty little gal. In spite of her blue eyes, she looks part Indian. Don’t you think?”
“I do, and maybe that’s one of the reasons I’ve become so attached to her. Who else could love a part-Indian orphan more than me?”
Luke stared at her so long, she felt the need to squirm, but she held still. “Lots of folks could. I could.”
His meaning went deep, all the way to her heart. He had no qualms about raising a half-breed child, but she knew that most men wouldn’t feel the same. Too many white people resented the Indians for their fight to hang on to the land the government had promised would be theirs for eternity. Maybe now that most of the Indian lands had been opened to settlement, those prejudices might change.
Suddenly Sarah felt a warm, wet sensation on her hip. “Oh!” She set Claire away from her. “Someone needs a dry diaper.”
Luke chuckled. “I’ll leave that task to you and go talk to Peterson about borrowing his wagon.”
She watched him stride away, tall and confident. Luke McNeil was a good man, and there was no denying that she was happy he was back.
Chapter 17
Sarah straightened, pushing her fist into her lower back to relieve the ache she’d gotten from bending too long. While Claire napped, she wanted to weed and water the garden. Claire enjoyed helping her, but the little girl tended to pull up the vegetable seedlings along with the weeds.
Sarah pushed back her straw hat and gazed up at the gray sky. The clouds blocked a bit of the sun’s heat, but due to the humid promise of rain hanging heavy in the air, the bodice of her dress was damp with sweat. Cooler weather couldn’t come fast enough.
Scratching at a trickle, she bent down and finished weeding the row of turnips. Next she needed to water. Though she’d had the foresight to plant her garden between the house and the river, today she wished it was closer to the water. By the time she finished her chores, she’d be ready for a nap but Claire would be awake.
Cody trotted toward her covered in grime. He must have rubbed his nose with his dirty hands, because the end of it was black. “Johnny came back to help with the cellar. Pa said it was too crowded and for me to see if you needed help. Can I weed the garden with you?”
“You look like you already have.” She chuckled. He’d need several dips in the river to wash off all that dirt.
He glanced down at his pants. “I digged a lot. I put the dirt that came out of the cellar into buckets so it can be moved to some other place. Pa’s cuttin’ wood so he can shore it up.”
She wiped her hands on her apron. “Tell you what. Let’s clean you off, then could you go into the house, quiet as a mouse, and see if Claire is still napping?”
A big smile brightened his features, and his head bobbed. “I can pretend to be an In’jun and sneak up on her.”
Her smile dipped. Where had he learned about Indians sneaking up on people? Probably from Drew. Lara’s younger son was quite a handful and loved playing make-believe. With the edge of her apron, she wiped the smudge off his nose and cleaned his hands as best as she could without water. “Why don’t you just be Cody and see if you can tiptoe up the stairs without waking Claire?”
“Aww … that’s not as much fun.”
She ruffled his hair. “Go on. Then when you get back, you can help me water the garden.”
“All right.” He spun and raced for the house.
“Make sure you close the gate at the top of the stairs so Claire doesn’t fall if she wakes up and goes wandering.” Thankfully, there was precious little in the house that she could get into at the moment.
He waved a hand but didn’t slow down.
She grabbed the bucket and hurried toward the river. She had a feeling that if Claire wasn’t yet awake, she would be soon. At the river’s edge, she filled her bucket three-fourths of the way then lugged it back to her garden. She’d just emptied it on her row of chard when Cody ran out of the house and hopped down the stairs.
“She’s still sleeping, Sarah,” he yelled as he ran.
Oh, what Sarah wouldn’t give for some of his energy. As he reached her side, a buggy crested the hill and drove toward the house. Who could that be?
She glanced d
own at her dirty apron. At least it hid her sweaty bodice, but it was filthy from her kneeling in the dirt and attempting to clean up Cody. Ah well, there wasn’t much she could do about it.
The driver must have seen her, because he turned the horse toward her. From the Petersons’ camp, she could hear their dog barking at the approaching buggy. She was glad the dog stayed at their camp and didn’t charge her visitor.
“Who’s that?” Cody reached up and took her hand.
“I’m not—” Her heart lurched. Stephen Barlow? She’d almost forgotten about him in the chaos that followed finding Claire and finishing the house. She pasted on a smile as she realized she’d never gotten back to him about the employment he’d offered. Now that she had Claire, she doubted the offer would still stand. She wasn’t sure how that made her feel. She liked Phillip and would be happy to try to help the lonely boy, but she could never replace his mother—and she sincerely hoped his father knew that.
“Good afternoon, Miss Worley.” Mr. Barlow pulled the buggy to a halt. He stepped down then lifted Phillip to the ground. The boy grinned and waved, and Sarah waved back.
Cody gazed up at her with an expression of awe. “He’s got a boy like me. Can I play with him?”
“We’ll have to ask Mr. Barlow.”
Stephen eyed Cody as if unsure he wanted his son socializing with such a dirty urchin.
“Cody has been helping with the root cellar today, so I hope you’ll excuse the state of his clothing.” And mine. Mr. Barlow probably thought she looked as grimy as the boy.
“What’s a root cellar? Can I see it, Papa?”
Mr. Barlow twisted his lips to one side. “You may look at it, but do not go inside. Aunt Esther will pitch a conniption fit if you return home all dirty.”
“Yes, sir.” Phillip walked toward Cody with eyes filled with anticipation.
“Cody, this is Phillip. Why don’t you show him the cellar, but remember what his father and yours said. Don’t go inside, especially if the men aren’t there.”
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