A Gentle Love (Triple Range Ranch Western Romance Book 1)

by Emily Woods

  The scene before them offered up a lush landscape of fields and mountains, and a soft breeze caressed their cheeks. The midday sun beat down on their heads, but she didn't find the heat oppressive. Rather, it was comforting, much like a cozy blanket would be.

  “Let's head over to that grove of trees, shall we?” she whispered to Maddie. For once, she was glad the girl wasn't vocal. At least this way, they wouldn't give themselves away. They scurried down the hill toward the trees and were delighted to find a small pond in the midst of them.

  “What a delightful spot!” Kate exclaimed, fairly clapping her hands. The pond was surrounded by several fallen trees and looked to be the perfect place for a picnic. “Maybe we can bring some sandwiches here tomorrow if the weather is this nice,” she told Maddie. The girl nodded and then walked toward the pond.

  Kate let her go, watching as she squatted near the edge. The water was clear enough that they could see several fishes swimming about. It didn't look very deep, but Kate still kept a close watch on Maddie. Neither of them could swim, so they would have to be careful.

  Maddie looked at her mother and pointed to her shoes. Kate understood the question, but wondered if this might be an opportunity to see if Maddie would speak.

  “What is it, darling?” she asked. “Are your shoes too tight?”

  Impatiently, Maddie shook her head and then simply sat down and unlaced her tiny boots. Kate sighed and gave up. Maddie would talk when she was ready and not a moment before. She removed her own boots and the two of them waded in a little.

  The water was warmer than she expected, most likely owing to its shallowness, but it was refreshing nonetheless.

  “Remember never to go in here without me,” she warned Maddie. The girl was fascinated with the bugs skittering across the water, pointing at them and smiling. “Maddie, did you hear me? Water can be very dangerous if you can't swim.”

  Maddie eyed her and frowned a little. Possibly she was thinking about her bath or even drinking water. Kate could only guess. “I mean water that is in a lake or a pond like this. Be careful and don't go in without an adult.”

  Maddie shrugged but nodded, eyes returning the myriad of insects and other creatures that abounded in the small body of water.

  This was how one of the hands found them a short time later. She was fairly certain his name was Thomas.

  “Howdy, ma'am,” he said with a grin. “Looks like you found our favorite spot to come after a long hot day.”

  “Is that right?” she said lightly, backing out of the water and pulling Maddie with her. She wasn't afraid of this young man, but she didn't like to be seen in such a position. It wasn't very ladylike. “Do you swim in here?”

  “Nope. It's not deep enough, really. Wouldn't say it's much more than four feet in the middle, unless of course it's rained a whole bunch.”

  They didn't have a towel to dry their feet, and Kate realized that if they stepped out, the young hand would see her bare feet, so she decided not to step out entirely. For a moment, the young man just sat atop his horse and smiled at them, most likely unaware of her discomfort.

  “Thank you for telling us, Thomas. I'll be sure to keep that in mind. I suppose we'll see you up at the house for dinner?”

  He started a little and then must have realized she was dismissing him. He blushed and mumbled something, turning his horse back toward the barn.

  Kate sighed and nearly had to drag Maddie out of the pond. It was clear that she had no desire to leave, but Kate insisted. “We shouldn't stay away too long,” she told her. “Aunt Marge will be wondering what's happened to us.”

  Reluctantly, Maddie followed. Since they had no towel, they had to let the sun dry their feet before slipping their stockings and shoes back on. It would have been nicer to stay barefoot, but of course such a thing would be improper.

  They arrived back at the house in time to help out with some baking. Kate told Marge of their encounter with Thomas, and the older woman laughed.

  “Poor boy,” she said with a chuckle. “He hasn't been around women much in his eighteen years. Probably had no idea why you didn't want to get out of the water. It's a nice pond, but there are lots of mosquitoes and such. The men don't usually stay there more than a few minutes.” She turned to look down at Maddie, a kind smile on her face. “Would you like to help me bake a cake for dessert tonight?”

  The little girl’s face lit up and she nodded enthusiastically.

  Kate watched as her aunt gave Maddie instructions and a lump rose in her throat. The scene was very similar to one that had played out less than three months ago when her own mother had Maddie baking cookies with her in their kitchen back home.

  Unexpectedly, tears rose in her eyes and she had to excuse herself. In the bedroom, she sat down heavily and allowed the tears to fall. Her heart ached over the loss of her parents and without meaning to, she found herself calling out to God.

  “Why did You let them die? They were all I had left! Why did You have to take them from me?”

  She didn't mean to pray, but her guard was down. Her heart was heavy and weariness overtook her. She was so tired of crying and feeling sad. The lack of sleep over the past several days finally caught up with her, and before she had another conscious thought, her head fell back against the pillow and she closed her eyes. Within a minute, she was fast asleep.

  Chapter 7

  Over the next few days, Kate managed to get a decent amount of sleep each night and was starting to feel more like herself. The warm sun and fresh air put color on both her and Maddie's cheeks. In the city, such a thing would be frowned upon, but out here, no one seemed to care much about an ivory complexion.

  Marge made a comment that brought a smile to Kate's face.

  “You two look happy. The sun is doing you some good, I think.”

  “I agree,” Kate replied, looking over to where Maddie was busy with a coloring book and a set of crayons, a gift from Luke when he’d gone into town the day before. She'd fussed at the gift, declaring it too extravagant, but Luke had merely shrugged.

  “Don't have that much to spend my money on, and I wanted to make her happy,” he'd said.

  She couldn't argue with that, and so had resolved to do him a favor or two when she had the opportunity to repay him for his kindness, if not in deed then at least in attitude. She would be more gracious toward him, kinder, for after her initial infatuation had faded, she’d regarded him cautiously. More and more now, it was becoming apparent that he didn’t deserve such treatment.

  The time on the ranch was starting to improve their overall health, both mental and physical, so Kate wasn’t surprised when, one evening after dinner, Marge approached Kate with a question.

  “I was wondering if I could give Maddie some chores, nothing heavy mind you, just feeding the animals or some such. It’s not that I can’t do it, but work is good for a body.”

  Kate thought it was a good idea, especially given her daughter's fondness for the creatures.

  “What were you thinking?” she asked her aunt.

  “Oh, maybe spread some corn for the chickens, grain for the horses. It's good to be with animals. They offer comfort that people can't. I sure thank the good Lord for making them.”

  The comment irritated her a little, but Kate said nothing. Despite her spontaneous prayer the other day, she was still resolved to resist anything from God. “She does love them,” she said instead. “Especially the horses.”

  “Well, then, it's settled! Maddie, would you like to feed the horses and chickens?” she called out. Maddie nearly dropped her crayons in excitement as she bounded up from where she was sitting. Her little head bounced up and down in excitement and her mouth opened.

  For a fraction of a second, Kate lived in the hope that she would speak, but only a small noise of joy escaped. No words. Still, she decided to take it as progress. She would do herself no favors by dwelling on the negative.

  “Well, then. Let's go out together and I'll show you how it's do
ne,” Marge said, extending her hand to the little girl.

  Kate trailed after them as they walked toward the barn. Marge showed her where to get grain for the horses and corn for the chickens. Maddie loved every minute of it and squealed in delight when the horses shook their heads over the stall. Since it was evening, the men were all in their bunkhouse, playing games, reading books or writing letters. Only a few were capable of reading and writing, so it was mostly cards and checkers that passed their time.

  A few of the men were out for an evening stroll and spied the women on their way to the barn. To Kate’s disappointment, Luke was not among them.

  The men made a fuss over Maddie, praising her for the simple things she did. She glowed under their compliments, and Kate couldn't stop smiling. Still, she wished that Luke were there. Summoning up her courage, she decided to ask after him.

  “Where's your boss tonight?” she asked the nearest hand, working to keep her voice light. “Riding the range looking for more calves in need of healing?”

  Her question came out with a little more bite than she intended. The calf that had gotten sick the other day had made an incredible recovery. Luke didn't take any credit for it, but merely said, “It was in God's hands.”

  More and more, she was realizing that he was much more devout than she'd first believed.

  “Don't make fun, ma'am,” John said to her gently. “That man has a gift with animals, make no mistake.”

  She knew that was true and pasted a smile on her face. “Yes, of course. I didn't mean anything by it. I was just wondering. He seems to work very hard.” In her effort not to sound too interested in the man, she'd actually sounded sarcastic. Now she tried to cover up both by expressing her concern.

  “That's true, but it keeps him going. Everyone needs something.” John seemed to be about Luke's age, but he had the wisdom of a much older person. He was definitely a great friend of Luke's, so Kate would be hard-pressed to get any private information out of him. Still, she tried.

  “Have you worked together for a long time?” she asked innocently. She still wasn't sure what she thought about him, but wanted to gather more information. She hadn't entirely dismissed the idea that there was something going on between him and her aunt, but it did seem less likely by the day.

  “‘Bout four years now. I was here when he first came. That was the day God smiled on us, let me tell you.”

  “Why do you say that?” She already knew the answer, but wanted to keep him talking.

  John scratched his chin and frowned a little. “After Mr. Tanner passed, things fell apart. Luke picked up the pieces and then some. He understands the business and the animals. I don't know where we all would be now if he hadn't come.”

  “So, you've been here longer, but you don't mind that he's your boss now? And he's younger than you as well, isn't he?”

  John's frown deepened. “Nah, I don't mind, and yep, he's younger, but it don't bother me none. God gave us all gifts. I'm strong enough to work all day long. Luke's strong too, but it's his brains that are his real strength.”

  Strange that she hadn't thought of him that way, but if what her aunt and John were saying was accurate, Luke possessed more intelligence than she'd given him credit for. Not that it mattered to her. He would never be anything more than her aunt's partner.

  That was what she told herself.

  “Where's Cindy?”

  The question nearly knocked the wind out of her completely. Kate stared at her daughter, her mouth falling open. She shook her head a little to make sure this wasn't a dream. “What did you say, darling?” she asked, her voice trembling. “What did you say?”

  “Cindy. I can't find her.” Maddie's face was all screwed up like she was about to cry. “I think I left her in the barn.” She was so distraught that she didn’t even realize she’d broken her silence of nearly two months.

  Kate pulled Maddie into her arms and held back a sob. “Oh, dearest girl,” she murmured. Her heart raced at the sweet words coming out of her daughter's mouth, but then she pulled back and looked full in her face. “I will help you find her. Let's go ask Aunt Marge for a lantern.”

  Her aunt was just as joyful to find out the little girl had uttered her first words in months, but then took Maddie’s concern very seriously. “We'll each take a lantern and look for her,” she promised.

  Although Maddie was being brave, Kate could tell she wanted to cry. The doll was her only belonging from before. However, despite their exhaustive search, they couldn't find it anywhere. The horses didn't appreciate having their quiet disrupted and let it be known by making noises that brought the men running. When they came in and found out what the problem was, each one offered to help out, Luke included.

  After nearly half an hour, Kate had to admit defeat. “I'm sorry, love, but it's too dark. We'll come out again in the morning.”

  “But she'll be scared,” Maddie whimpered. “Out here all alone in the dark. She'll think I don't love her anymore.”

  Luke had been standing nearby, and Kate saw his eyes widen in surprise at Maddie's words. He squatted down beside her and held out a hand. She worried for a moment that he was going to fuss over her talking. Kate herself hadn’t mentioned it for fear of breaking the spell.

  “How about we pray for her? Do you want to do that?” he asked.

  Maddie nodded and took his hand. Kate watched in amazement as Luke prayed that they would find the doll safe and sound. When he finished, she tried to thank him, but stumbled over her words.

  “You—I'm—uh, thank you. That was...kind, but do you really think...?”

  “God loves Maddie and doesn't want her to be upset,” he replied easily. “Everything happens for a reason, even though we might not see it at the time.”

  Although she was still devastated, Maddie went to bed obediently. She cried silently into her pillow, and Kate smoothed her hair back, whispering and softly singing to her until she fell asleep. Kate leaned back against her own pillow and tried to sort out her thoughts about Luke...and about God.

  It was on the tip of her tongue to bargain with God that if they found the doll in the morning, she would consider opening up her heart again, but she didn't want to make promises she was scared to keep. For now, she would just hope.

  Before it was even fully light, Kate was up and dressed. She rushed to the barn, desperate to find her daughter's beloved doll. However, before she got there, she spied Luke bent over something. He was scrubbing at the object in his hand and then frowning. He worked the brush into the bar of lye that rested beside him and then went to work again. As she drew closer, the familiar sight of Cindy appeared. However, she was not quite the same as the last time Kate had seen her.

  “Good morning,” she said softly.

  He jumped a little, then glanced in her direction. “Morning.”

  “I see you found her.”

  He didn't reply, but grunted a little, his attention back on the doll.

  “Is it very bad?”

  Heaving a sigh, he held the doll up for her inspection. It was definitely dirty, but worse, there were a few places where the stitching had come loose. Someone, presumably Luke, had attempted some repairs, but the result was rather pathetic. Refraining from any criticism, Kate held her hand out and then proceeded to inspect the seams after he handed it over.

  “It was much worse when I found it,” he said defensively. “A lot dirtier.”

  “Where was it?” she asked softly. “In the barn?”

  Now he grimaced a little. “Behind one of the horses, in the...manure.”

  She wasn't sure whether to laugh or cry. Leaning forward, she gave the doll a little sniff. “Doesn't smell too bad,” she observed.

  “Not anymore,” he agreed. “Been working at it for a quarter of an hour or more.” His face indicated that the task had not been easy.

  Kate was beyond impressed at the fervor of his administrations. “And you tried to repair her as well? This is your work?”

  Frownin
g, he turned toward his horse and began to stroke its muzzle. “Yeah. Not too handy with sewing, though.”

  “May I?”

  He handed her some thread and a needle. She picked out his stitches first and then proceeded to sew up the doll and its dress. After a few minutes, Cindy began to look quite respectable again.

  “Don't know if it'll ever be fully clean again. Horse must have stepped on it and ground in the...dirt.”

  Kate bit back a grin. “Yes, so it seems. Well, Maddie will be thrilled that you found her. I am too.” In that moment, a picture of Luke scrounging around in the horse's waste filled her brain. What a humbling experience that would have been. She didn't think he was an especially proud man, but to do this for a little girl, for her little girl...well, she was nearly speechless. Her only concern was that Maddie would only see how the doll had been damaged, not the effort that had been made to retrieve it.

  However, she needn't have worried. Upon seeing her beloved doll, Maddie hurled herself forward like a mother seeing her long-lost child. Clutching the doll to her chest, she exclaimed over and over again. “Cindy! Cindy!” And then, much to their delight, she started scolding the doll. “Naughty dolly! How could you run away like that?”

  The hands all laughed, as did Marge and Kate. Thankfully, Maddie didn't blame anyone for the condition of the doll. “Look what happened! You tore your dress! That's what you get for running away,” she continued scolding, to which everyone laughed even more. Maddie didn't care. She had Cindy back, and that was all that mattered to her.

  Chapter 8

  Kate glanced over at Luke to see him smiling and laughing along with the others. All previous thoughts regarding keeping her distance faded as warmth spread through her limbs and her knees weakened. At first, she wondered if she were becoming ill. The only other time she'd felt like this, her body had been raging with a fever.

  Pressing a cool hand to her forehead, she realized this was no sickness, at least, not the kind that could be healed with broth and rest. Never in her life had she felt this way. Her first marriage had been arranged by her parents for the sake of their business. Emotions hadn't played a role. She'd been willing to do her part to save her family, but she didn't know that Roland would be so cold. Although the expectation of love had been low, she'd thought at least there would be friendship or companionship. There had been nothing of the sort.