“Find someone else,” Luke replied firmly.
Little D kicked the ground. “But no one else can get it over the plate!”
“Too bad. Laney needs to rest.”
Laney planted her hands on her hips. “Wait a minute. Who said I was too tired to play ball?”
“It’s obvious,” Luke replied.
“You don’t speak for me, Luke St. John. If I want to pitch for the kids, I will!”
She draped her arm over Little D’s shoulders. “Come on, let’s go.”
Helplessly Luke watched them go. He shook his head. Laney would be stubborn enough to play with the kids just to show him he couldn’t boss her around.
Turning, he headed to the picnic spot and handed the basket to Tarah.
“What are we going to do about that girl, Luke?” she asked, concern edging her voice.
“There’s not much we can do. She’s as stubborn as a mule in a briar patch and kicks twice as hard when anyone tries to help her. I say let her work herself into an early grave. It’ll serve her right.”
“Honestly,” Tarah huffed. “You know full well you don’t mean that. When you want to be reasonable, we’ll talk.”
Luke opened his mouth to let her know just how much he meant what he’d said, but a cry from the ballplayers drew his attention.
“Look at her fly!”
“Run, Laney!”
Luke walked toward the game, shaking his head. That Laney just had to go and hit a home run to prove him wrong. He grinned in spite of himself. Maybe she wasn’t as frail as she appeared after all.
She rounded second base, flashing him a triumphant smile. Just as quickly, the smile faded and she slowed to a walk, her hand pressed against her forehead.
“Laney?”
A look of bewilderment clouded her face, and in a flash, she crumpled to the ground. Luke’s mouth went dry. He broke into a trot and quickly closed the distance between them.
“Little D, go get Sam!” He knelt beside her and took her limp hand in his, breathing a sigh of relief at the steady beat of her pulse. Laney had always been tiny, even for a woman; but lying on the ground, her skin pale, her lashes brushing her cheeks, she looked like a doll. Running a thumb gently across the back of her hand, Luke prayed a silent prayer. Let her be all right, Lord. As much as I’d like to strangle her at times, I couldn’t stand it if something were seriously wrong.
A shadow fell across Laney’s still form. Luke glanced up to find his brother standing over them. “Move out of the way, Luke,” Sam commanded. “Let me take a look.”
Reluctantly Luke released her hand and stepped back.
“She’s exhausted,” Sam announced after a short examination. “But I think that’s all that’s wrong.”
By now the family had encircled the unconscious girl. “That settles it,” Mama Cassidy announced with an air of finality. “Laney is coming home with us. Luke, carry her to the wagon, and we’ll take her home right now.”
“No, Mama,” Tarah said. “She should come home with Anthony and me. Put her in our wagon, Luke.”
Mama Cassidy set her lips into a grim line. “Honey, I know you love Laney, but she wouldn’t get any rest at all with the children running around.”
Luke scooped Laney into his arms, wondering which of the strong-willed women would relent.
A sigh escaped Tarah’s lips. “You’re right of course.” She nodded to Luke. “Take her to Ma and Pa’s wagon. We’ll be over later to check on her.”
Luke glanced down into Laney’s pale face, and his heart lurched. Who would be there to take care of her after he was gone?
Laney snuggled deeper into the fluffy goose feather mattress and sighed. She felt more rested than she had in ages. Her mouth stretched into a wide yawn, then curved into a contented smile. With a start, her eyes flew open. Rest could only mean one thing: She’d slept too long, and Tucker’s dresses wouldn’t be done in time.
Glancing around the familiar room, confusion settled over Laney. What was she doing in Granny Ellen’s room at the ranch, anyhow? Then the memories rushed back to haunt her. She remembered running the bases and feeling fuzzy in the head. A gasp escaped her throat. Horror of horrors! She’d fainted! Like a girl—a weak-kneed, eyelash-batting, dress-wearing girl! She’d never live this down in a million and a half years.
She groaned, picturing the stupid, teasing grin sure to be on Luke’s face the next time she saw him—which wouldn’t be long, since she was at the ranch.
Throwing back the rose-colored coverlet, she stiffened in resolution. There was no way she’d stand for Luke’s insults. Besides, she had a ton of work to do, and she couldn’t very well finish those dresses while lying abed.
The sun shone bright outside, so Laney figured she hadn’t slept too long. If the family was still at the picnic, she could sneak out and get back to the soddy before anyone could stop her and insist she eat supper or spend the night.
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, and her brows lifted in surprise. When had she changed into a nightdress? Mama Cassidy probably changed her. They must have assumed she would sleep all night. Laney hated to hurt anyone’s feelings, but she couldn’t take the time to stay here and be pampered, although she had to admit it would have been nice.
Now where were her britches? Hands on her hips, she glanced around the room.
It was a conspiracy! They had brought her here against her wishes and hid all of her clothes so she couldn’t go anywhere.
She stomped across to the door and jerked it open. Her scream mingled with Mama Cassidy’s as they came face-to-face at the threshold.
“Honestly, Laney, you nearly scared the life right out of me! What are you doing out of bed, anyway?”
“I’m sorry, Mama Cassidy. I didn’t know anyone was home from the picnic.” Laney waved toward the bedroom. “I need to get home, but I can’t find my clothes.”
“The picnic?” Cassidy’s face lit with amusement. “Laney honey, you’ve been sleeping for two days. It’s Tuesday afternoon.”
“Tuesday?” That just couldn’t be! She’d lost two whole days of work!
“I was just getting ready to wake you so you could eat something.”
“Oh Mama Cassidy! I have to get home. I have so much work to do. Please tell me where my clothes are.”
“Nonsense.” Taking her by her upper arm, Cassidy steered Laney back toward the bed. “You get back under those covers, and I’m going to go warm up some venison stew and biscuits for you.”
An upraised hand silenced Laney’s protests. “Don’t worry about the gowns. Granny and Tarah are working on the two you need to finish this week, and the others can wait until you get home next week.”
“Next week! Tarah has plenty to do without taking on my work, too. What is she thinking?”
“She’s thinking that the girl she’s loved and cared for all these years is so stubborn that instead of asking her family for help, she worked herself sick.”
Ashamed, Laney fixed her gaze on her broken fingernails. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled. “I didn’t mean to worry anyone.” Without more protest, Laney allowed herself to be tucked into bed. Mama Cassidy sat beside her and adjusted the coverlet around her shoulders.
“I know you didn’t, honey. But after all these years as part of this family, you should know we’d do anything to help one of our own. Your dreams are our dreams, too. We’re all so proud of you.”
Tears pricked Laney’s eyes. How she loved this family! Luke was an idiot to even consider leaving.
Cassidy patted Laney’s hand. “You just stay right here and rest while I go get you something to eat.”
Unable to argue, Laney nodded. She watched Mama Cassidy leave the room and closed her eyes, drinking in the scents of lemon verbena combined with liniment, which always seemed to cling to Granny Ellen.
She snuggled back down into the comfort of the fluffy mattress and coverlet and closed her eyes. Immediately the image of Luke standing over her, asking her to ma
rry him, came back to her mind as vividly as if the dance was just yesterday. Before she could push the memory aside, the feel of his arms and the touch of his lips flooded back to torment her.
“Lukey,” she whispered. “Why did I have to go and fall in love with a man itching to move out west? We could have been so happy together raising a passel of young’uns right in the middle of this big family. Why can’t you just be content with what you’ve been given?”
Hot tears escaped her closed eyes and slipped down her cheeks. With an angry swipe, she brushed them away. First she’d fainted; now she was crying for no good reason! Loving Luke had turned her into just the sort of woman she’d always held in contempt.
She released a resolute sigh. The fact was, tears or no, she couldn’t help loving Luke. And whether she wanted to or not, she would go on loving him forever.
Chapter 5
Laney entered her soddy, a smile spread across her face. A contented sigh escaped her lips. Home.
Upon further inspection of the room, warmth flooded her cheeks. The house was twice as clean as it had been when she’d left for church the previous Sunday. It didn’t take much for Laney to picture Granny clucking and shaking her head while she picked up the clutter.
Shaking off the embarrassment, Laney moved across the room, determined to get in as much work as possible before nightfall—the time she’d promised Mama Cassidy and Tarah that she would stop working, eat a bite of food, and head to bed for a full night’s sleep. When her gaze reached the corner of the room where she had set up her work area, her mouth dropped open. Shelves stood before her, reaching from the ceiling to the earthen floor. She tested the smooth wood with her fingertips, marveling at its softness. Her dress goods were folded and arranged on shelves according to fabric. Smaller shelves contained other necessary items such as thread and shears.
“Do you like it?”
Laney spun around, her hand pressed against her heart. “Luke, do you have to sneak up on a person?”
A grin split his face. “Sorry.” He inclined his head toward the shelves. “What do you think?”
“What do I think?” She clasped her hands together to keep from making a fool of herself by clapping with delight. “It’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen. Who made it?”
Luke’s face reddened, and his Adam’s apple bobbed in his neck.
Laney’s eyes widened. “You did this?”
“Yeah,” he mumbled, then cleared his throat. “Where do you want Granny’s trunk?”
“Luke, I don’t know what to say. I’m so grateful, I—” She stopped short as her mind registered his last question at the same time she noticed the oak trunk at his feet. “What do you mean, where do I want Granny’s trunk?”
“You didn’t expect her to come with just the clothes on her back, did you?” Luke’s lips twitched with amusement.
“Luke, what are you talking about? Why is Granny coming?”
He studied her face for a moment, bewilderment registering in his own expression. Then he threw back his head and howled with laughter. “They didn’t tell you!”
A sense of dread tightened Laney’s stomach. “Tell me what? Stop that cackling this minute, or so help me, I’ll flatten you.”
“Granny is coming tomorrow to stay with you.”
Weakness settled in Laney’s knees. She grabbed a nearby chair and sat before she lost the ability to stand. “Tell me you’re joking,” she whispered.
“‘Fraid not,” he drawled. “And it’s your own fault for making yourself sick.”
“How long is she staying? A week?” That sounded fair. After all, Laney had shared her room for a week.
Again, Luke’s lips twitched. “Guess again.”
“Two?” Laney gulped.
“Laney, Granny’s moving in—lock, stock, and barrel.”
A groan escaped Laney’s throat. “Think it would make a difference if I promise to eat and sleep more?”
“Not a chance. You know Granny; she’s convinced that you need her, and she’s going to stay here no matter what.” He hoisted the trunk across his back. “Where to?” he asked, groaning under the weight.
“Oh, who cares?” she replied, giving him a distracted wave. “Anywhere you can find a spot for it is fine.” What difference did it make? This was no longer her home. Granny would move in and take over completely. Laney might as well move back in with Tarah and Anthony for all the freedom she’d have now.
Luke deposited the trunk in a spare corner, then turned. “It might not be so bad. Personally I feel a lot better knowing Granny’s going to be here to look after you.”
Laney’s ire rose. She stood, stretching to her full height. “I don’t need anyone looking after me. I can take care of myself.”
With a smirk, Luke headed toward the door, then turned and faced her. “I guess I could remind you where you just spent the last week—and why; but knowing you, you’d deny the whole thing just to try to prove a point. Regardless, you’d best get used to the idea. Granny’s moving in, and there’s nothing you can do about it.”
He turned his back and ducked through the doorway. Laney stomped across the room, intending to slam the door behind him; but when she peeked out, she realized he wasn’t finished unloading the wagon.
Granny had brought all of her bedding, as well.
“Move back so I can get it through the door. Oh.” Luke pulled a bottle out of his pocket. “Granny’s liniment.”
Tears of condemnation sprang to Laney’s eyes. “I’m rotten to the core, Luke. Here I have been thinking about Granny invading my house and taking away my privacy, and really she’s the one sacrificing her comfort for me. She’ll ache all the time, what with the arthritis in her hip. And you know I’ll have to fight her to take my bed and let me take the floor.”
Luke reached forward and captured Laney’s hand. “The last thing you are is rotten to the core, honey. And I know exactly how you feel. As much as I love our family and thank God for them, sometimes it can feel like you’re being smothered.”
Laney nodded, still inwardly berating herself for her pathetic lack of loyalty to the family who took her in and loved her as though she were one of their own. She barely noticed when Luke stepped closer, until he was so close she had to look up to meet his gaze.
“Now that you understand how I feel, won’t you change your mind and come west with me? We’ll have the wide-open range and all the freedom we could possibly want.”
Laney glowered, shocked beyond words at the very suggestion. When she recovered her voice, she gave it to him with both barrels blazing. “Luke St. John, how can you even suggest I leave these wonderful people after all they’ve done for me?”
Luke’s jaw dropped open. “Six seconds ago, you were ready to throw poor Granny out on her ear to have your privacy, and now they’re too wonderful to leave behind?” He grabbed his Stetson from the table and headed toward the door. “You’re crazy!”
Laney stormed after him, but he was already in the wagon before she reached the threshold. “Oh yeah?” she called after him. “Well, you’re…you’re—” Rats! He was already driving away. She reared back and slammed the door as hard as she could. Gaining little satisfaction, she kicked at the closest chair.
As pain laced her toes, bringing her back to her senses, Laney felt the heat creep to her cheeks. She had to stop letting Luke rile her so much. Especially after Anthony had just preached a sermon yesterday about a person not sinning even when they are mad as all get-out. And she hardly ever got mad at anyone besides Luke. So he pretty much was the only reason she’d sinned in the first place. She knew she had to stop allowing Luke to goad her into getting so angry. Of course, he would be gone in a few months, and that would be the end of that.
Sobered by the last thought, Laney felt her shoulders slump. During the past week, each conversation she had shared with Luke inevitably steered toward the topic of his heading to Oregon. Laney couldn’t stop the despair from flooding her at the memory of his gre
en eyes shining with excitement as he spoke of raising his herd and leaving a legacy for his children. His children. Pain knifed through Laney. Children he would share with another woman. White-hot hatred flared inside her toward that other woman—the nameless, faceless woman who would share Luke’s dream and win his love away from Laney.
Suddenly she hurried to her bed and knelt. She planted her elbows on the mattress and closed her eyes. Unable to bring herself to talk aloud in the empty room, she silently petitioned God.
I know You’re up there looking out for me, God, just like You have ever since I was just a tyke. I want to thank You again for not letting me grow up with that drunken, no-good pa of mine.
I haven’t asked for much all these years since I received Your Son, Jesus, as my Lord and Savior. I know I don’t have the right to ask for more than You’ve already given me. But I thought seeing as how it’s been so many years, and I haven’t asked for anything up to now, maybe You wouldn’t mind doing me a little favor. I was wondering if You could sorta fix it so Luke decides to stick around these parts. And just so You know, if it don’t happen, I won’t hold it against You.
Well, she’d done all she could. Now it was up to Luke and God. She had work to do.
Luke paced the hallway outside of Pa’s bedroom door. Panic gripped him at the groans of pain coming from beyond the walls.
“I brought you some coffee.”
He turned. His adopted sister, Emily, approached and handed him a steaming mug.
He took the cup gratefully and leaned against the wall. Another moan escaped through the walls. Luke’s stomach knotted even tighter, and he shook his head.
“You can’t blame yourself, Luke.” Emily’s own expression was filled with pain at the sounds of agony coming from their pa’s room.
“I should have insisted on getting rid of that old bull last year. It’s almost like Ol’ Angus knew he was about to be sold and wanted to punish Pa for it.”
“Oh Luke. Don’t be silly. Ol’ Angus just got through that fence at the wrong time, and Pa took the punishment for it. It was an accident. Just be glad you were there to take him down before he could kill Pa. God sent you along at the right time.”
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