There. She’d said it. She’d fallen in love with Luke. The admission wasn’t so painful as she’d feared.
The only real problem she could foresee was if she tried to do something about it.
“Hey, Debs,” Case said, peeking his head around the doorway. “Where’s Luke?”
“He said he had an errand to run, dearest. I’m certain he’ll be home soon.”
“I sure hope so. I miss him.” Case paused and sniffed the air appreciatively. “Say, is that my birthday cake I smell?”
Deborah smiled. “It should be just about done. Why don’t you help me get it out of the oven?”
Dinner was finished and the table set when she heard the back door swing open.
“Luke?” Case was on his feet and racing toward the hall when Luke stepped into the kitchen.
Case pinned him at the doorway. “Where have you been?”
Luke reached down to ruffle his hair. “It’s a secret.”
Case’s eyes lit up. “A secret? That must mean a present. You bought me a birthday present, didn’t you? What’d you get me?”
“Stop pestering Luke,” Deborah scolded. “Let the poor man come in and sit down.”
Luke strode across the kitchen to stand behind Deborah at the stove. “Mmm, something smells mighty good.”
Even without turning around she could tell Luke was only inches away. His nearness sent her pulse racing. “You two run along and wash up so we can eat while the food’s hot.”
She was relieved, yet strangely disappointed when Luke moved away. She knew she was acting like a lovesick fool, but her hands weren’t quite steady when she carried the pot of stew to the table.
“Ho boy, Debs,” Case said rubbing his hands together. “This looks delicious.” He sat down at the end of the table with Luke seated on his right and his sister on his left. “Let’s say the blessing quick, so we can eat.”
Luke and Case polished off the rabbit stew and corn bread with gratifying speed. Deborah merely picked at her food. She discovered that falling in love killed her appetite.
Over dried-apple cake and coffee, Case and Deborah shared stories of past birthday celebrations with their family in Louisiana. Luke seemed to enjoy the conversation, laughing with them over the memories and prompting them to tell another when they finished.
“What about you, Luke?” Case asked. “Don’t you have any funny stories about your birthday?”
Deborah watched an almost imperceptible flicker of pain flash through Luke’s dark eyes. Then he smiled. “Sorry, Case. I don’t know when my birthday is.”
Case looked as though he might argue, as if such a thing was incomprehensible to the child, then stopped himself. “I don’t guess the exact day matters a bit. I’d be pleased if you’d share mine.”
“Thanks. That’s mighty generous of you.” Luke’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You know that means I get to share your presents, too.”
Case was momentarily taken aback by the suggestion. He seemed to give the matter solemn consideration for an instant, then after darting a quick look at his sister, he said, “That’s okay with me, but I doubt they’ll fit.”
Luke gave a shout of laughter.
Deborah had no idea what her brother said that was so funny as to set Luke off laughing like that. Pretty soon Case started laughing, and that made Luke laugh all the harder. It was so funny to see them laughing that Deborah joined in.
Luke was the first to catch his breath. “With all this talk about presents, I guess you’ll be wanting yours.”
Case bobbed his head. “You bet.”
Luke got up from the table. “Excuse me just a minute. I left your present out in the lean-to.”
While he was gone, Deborah collected the two packages she’d hidden in the corner and placed them on the table in front of Case. Luke reentered the kitchen, carrying a feed sack.
“I think you’d best open this one first,” he said as he placed the sack in Case’s lap. When the sack moved, Case’s eyes nearly popped from his head.
Case hurriedly untied the rope at the top of the sack, and out sprang a small black puppy with a spot of white on his left ear and the tip of his tail, and four white paws. “A dog?” Case looked from Luke to Deborah back to Luke. “A dog? For me?”
Luke nodded.
Case looked to Deborah. “Can I keep it?”
She smiled. “Of course. Luke and I talked about it before he went to get him. We thought every eight-year-old boy ought to have a dog.”
Case drew the wiggling puppy into his arms and rested his head on top of the soft black one. “It’s the best present in the world,” he whispered. He turned to Luke. “Thanks, Luke.”
“What’ll you call him?”
“It’s a him?” Case thought for a moment. “I know, I’ll name him Luke.”
Luke’s amused eyes met hers over the top of Case’s head. “That’s a lovely idea,” Deborah said. “But I wonder if it won’t make it difficult for us to know which Luke you’re talking to.”
Case wrinkled his nose. “I hadn’t thought of that.” He buried his nose in the puppy’s soft fur to think. “Maybe I should name him Blacky or Bootsie.”
“You don’t have to decide tonight.”
“Your sister’s right. Puppy’s gone without a name this long. Another night won’t hurt him.”
The puppy slurped his long pink tongue up the side of Case’s face. “He kissed me. That means he likes me.” He hugged the puppy tighter. “This is the best present I’ve ever had.”
“Looks as if you’ve got two more waiting on you,” Luke said, indicating the two packages on the table.
Case picked up the first, a large flat parcel wrapped in brown paper and tied with string, while balancing the wiggly puppy on his lap. He flashed Luke a knowing grin as he pulled the paper away to expose a pair of pants. “New pants,” he said with an unsuccessful effort to sound pleased and surprised.
“I thought you would like a new pair. They’re canvas, just like Luke’s.”
Case giggled as he thanked her while Luke succumbed to a suspicious fit of coughing. Deborah considered asking them just what was going on, but decided to allow them their private joke.
“Open this.” She handed him a small rectangular package.
Case picked up the box and shook it. His eyes lit up at the nice solid rattle. He pulled off the paper and opened the box lid. “A knife,” he cried, pulling the small folding knife from the box. “A real knife.”
Deborah reached over to catch the puppy lest he fall in Case’s excitement.
Case reverently turned the knife from side to side in his hand, inspecting every inch before opening and closing the blade several dozen times. “Look, Luke.” In the event Luke missed seeing it done, he demonstrated once again how to open and close the three-inch blade.
Luke smiled and nodded his approval. “That’s a fine tool. Seems your sister believes you’re man enough to handle a blade responsibly. It’s up to you to prove her right.”
“I’ll be careful, Debs. You’ll be proud of me.”
She leaned over to press a kiss to the top of his head. “I already am.”
It was late by the time everyone was washed up and they gathered around the stove for the evening’s Bible reading. Deborah read several chapters from Deuteronomy and led them in prayers. “Time for bed.”
Luke cleared his throat. “I’ve got one last present for Case.”
Deborah looked over at him in surprise.
Case’s tired eyes rounded. “What is it, Luke?”
Luke stood up. “Follow me.”
Case followed close at Luke’s heels as he crossed the hall and entered the sitting room. Deborah trailed behind them.
When she first stepped into the sitting room, she didn’t notice anything new. Luke had lit a lamp on the square oak table they kept in the corner, its flickering gold light casting dancing shadows on the log walls. Her eyes inched across the room looking for the surprise.
Her discovery coincided with Case’s delighted shout. He let out a shriek worthy of a Comanche war party. “A ladder! Luke, you got me a ladder.”
Sure enough, leaned against the far wall, connecting the floor to the loft was a sturdy-looking ladder.
Deborah watched while Case mounted the first rung, then gaining his balance, climbed to the second and third, with Luke standing behind him, poised to catch her brother should he lose his balance and fall.
Perched on the fourth rung, with sheer delight written all over his freckled face, Case seemed suddenly to remember his sister and her feelings about climbing. “Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked in an obvious attempt to turn her up sweet. “It looks awfully nice in here, don’t you think?”
She said nothing.
His smile faltered and his little face grew solemn. “Is this okay with you, Debs? Can I keep the ladder even though I’m crippled?”
She glanced from her brother’s worried look to Luke’s thunderous glare. It didn’t take a genius to read his mind. He was angry. If she wasn’t in love with the man, she might actually be afraid. With his powerful arms folded across his chest and his feet set apart in a fighting stance, he was every inch a fierce warrior ready for battle.
Still, she refused to be intimidated. “Case, I wonder if you would excuse us for just a moment. There’s something I need to discuss with Luke.”
Slowly, mournfully, Case backed down the ladder and head downcast, shuffled from the room.
Luke didn’t move. Not so much as a blink. Deborah felt her previously strong limbs melt to jelly. So much for not being intimidated.
It was only the knowledge that her cause was just that gave her the courage to cross to him. She stood twelve inches from him, close enough to get a bird’s-eye view of his unyielding expression. She doubted she could talk to him like this. Perhaps she should try Case’s ploy.
“Did you make the ladder?”
“I did.” He didn’t appear to be softening.
She ran her fingertips along the satiny smooth railing of polished oak. “I should have guessed. The craftsmanship is excellent.”
The compliment elicited no reaction. Not even a flicker in those dark eyes.
She inched closer to study him. How did he stand so still? “Are you breathing?” she asked suspiciously.
Deborah detected the tiniest movement, a muscle twitching in his square jaw. “You said there was something you wanted to discuss?” he asked flatly.
Despite his dampening response, she held her ground. “Yes, I did. I wanted to talk about the ladder. Were you aware that I’d told Case he was forbidden to climb to the loft? That I felt it was dangerous for a child in his condition?”
“I was.”
He was practically breathing fire. When it came to Case, Luke was truly terrifying and for some odd reason, it delighted her. She bit back a grin. “I believe a weak child, unsteady on his feet, has no place climbing a ladder.”
Luke was silent.
“But that is what I wanted to discuss with you. You see, Case isn’t a weak child anymore. Just today, when I watched him from the window I noticed how strong he’s become. It’s a miracle. He’s confident and full of energy, just as a normal eight-year-old boy should be.”
The direction of the conversation seemed to take Luke by surprise. His defensive posture softened. The avenging gleam in his dark eyes faded. “So what does that have to do with the ladder?”
Deborah gave in to the urge to touch him, to gentle him. She reached out a hand and rested it on his bronze forearm. “I realize that the circumstances have completely changed,” she said. “I no longer believe a ladder to be a hazard. The climbing will help build his balance and leg strength, and I’m sure a boy of eight would enjoy having a space of his own.” She smiled up at Luke. “I think building Case the ladder was a good idea.”
Luke looked baffled. “So why are we having this discussion?”
She withdrew her hand. “Because I disagree with your methods. You gave Case the ladder with the full knowledge that it was against my will. If you thought I was wrong, you should have come to me first, instead of going around me.”
“Would you have listened to me?”
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she met his eyes and held them. “Yes,” she said honestly. “Over the past few weeks, I’ve come to appreciate your wisdom on a great many things, especially on rearing a young boy. I know you love Case and want the best for him, and I value your opinions.”
“Thank you.”
“Your insight on the nature of boys is a good balance to my overprotectiveness,” she continued. “Together I think we can do a fine job of raising Case. I’d like you to help me.”
The dazzling warmth of Luke’s sudden smile made her knees wobble. “I’d like that.”
As they stood there, separated by mere inches, Deborah felt the atmosphere shift. The warmth mirrored in his dark eyes suddenly burned hotter. He reached out, gently cupping her shoulders in his hands.
Drawn by an irresistible force, Deborah moved toward him, lifting her face to his. As he lowered his mouth to hers, her eyes fluttered shut. Her heart raced in anticipation of his kiss.
“Are you kissing her, Luke?” Case asked, hobbling up beside them with the puppy in his arms. “Does that mean we can keep the ladder?”
They split apart at the untimely intrusion. Ashamed at being discovered in Luke’s arms, Deborah took two steps backward and concentrated on smoothing her skirts.
She noted Luke’s voice wasn’t quite steady as he answered Case. “Yes, Case. You can keep the ladder.”
CHAPTER 14
Luke waited until he heard Deborah rattle the bolt on the back door before setting out. He rechecked his rifle, making certain it was loaded, and slid his knife into the sheath on his leg.
He moved from the lean-to to the barn in the dark, his booted feet silent on the packed earth. Horse shifted in her stall as he approached. He didn’t light the lantern to saddle her, preferring the cover of darkness.
He led Horse through the yard, not mounting until they were outside the fence. There, he swung up into the saddle and headed out. He figured he’d follow the pattern he’d set patrolling when Deborah and Case first arrived. He’d head to the southwestern point of the land and go from there.
A strong breeze rolled across the grassy plains and stirred Luke’s hair. Smelled like rain. He glanced up to see clouds moving in over the full moon. They’d be looking at a pretty good storm come morning.
He and Horse loped along, Luke’s eyes alert for any sign of danger. His sixth sense had been working overtime since he’d run into that drunk in town. He couldn’t say why, he had no recollection of the man, but Luke knew instinctively he meant trouble.
Luke was accustomed to trouble. Over the years, it’d become as natural as breathing. What he wasn’t accustomed to was having someone to protect, someone he loved, whose safety meant more to him than his own.
A picture of Deborah filled his mind. As long as he lived, he’d never forget the look on her face tonight as she told him she valued his opinions. There was such admiration, such—dare he hope?—love in her eyes, he’d been brought to his knees. He was so unworthy, he didn’t deserve her slightest consideration.
But he loved her, and he believed she loved him. It felt so right to pull her into his embrace. He knew she wanted his kiss as much as he needed to kiss her.
Luke started at a sharp rustling in the brush on his left, his hand flying instinctively to his gun. When a fox darted from the cover of the grasses, Luke released a long breath. The fox had caught him unaware because he’d allowed his focus to drift from the job at hand.
A careless man didn’t live long, certainly not long enough to protect the people he loved. He pushed the picture of Deborah in his arms to the recesses of his mind to savor later. Right now he needed to be one hundred percent alert.
Luke raised his collar against the chill wind as he made his way back to the lean-to. It was
still dark and with the thick cover of clouds overhead, he suspected dawn would bring little additional light.
The hours he’d spent in the saddle left him tired, but satisfied. He’d found no sign of trouble.
He lifted the latch on the door of the lean-to and silently pushing the door open, stepped inside. He placed his rifle against the plank wall, within easy reach. He walked to the pallet and started to sit down to pull off his boots, only to halt at the last minute when he noticed two good-sized lumps under the covers.
Luke eased the blanket up for a better look. Case and his new dog were curled up, sound asleep in the middle of the pallet. The puppy lifted his head at the intrusion, sniffed at Luke, then nuzzled up next to Case and closed his eyes to sleep.
Luke grinned. Case and the dog were fast friends already. Every boy ought to have a dog, the presence of another living creature to assure he was never alone. Someone to love him, good times or bad.
Luke picked up his saddlebag from the crate that served as a table, and using it as a pillow, he lay down on the ground beside the pallet to sleep. He folded his arms across his chest and closed his weary eyes.
Outside the wind howled. Luke levered up on his elbow, smoothed the blanket up tight around Case, and lay back to sleep.
“Hey, Luke.”
Luke’s eyes flew open.
Case’s freckled face was so close, Luke couldn’t focus on it. “Where you been?”
It was too early to engage in such a cheerful conversation. Luke closed his eyes and rolled over on his side. “Out.”
Undaunted, Case lay across him, peeking around Luke’s shoulder to ask, “Why are you sleeping on the ground?”
Luke didn’t bother to open his eyes. “Because somebody was in my bed.”
“Oh.” Case giggled guiltily. “We came looking for you last night.”
By now the puppy had wiggled around to Luke’s head and proceeded to lick his face. Luke batted at the dog, covering his face with his arm. “You’ve found me,” Luke mumbled, “so why don’t you and your buddy get on into the house and let me sleep?”
“Buddy? Say, Luke, that’s a great name for my dog. Buddy. Hey, look, he likes the name. He wagged his tail when I said it.”
The Brides of the Old West: Five Romantic Adventures from the American Frontier Page 65
