Heart Of Texas (Historical Romance)

by Constance O'Banyon

  "Not today. It looks to me like you need him to help around here."

  Without another word, he turned and walked away, leaving Casey wondering how he had gotten her to agree to hire him-she hadn't meant to. He had a persuasive way about him, and a gift for turning a situation to his advantage. He was the last person she had wanted on the Spanish Spur, and yet she had just agreed to let him stay.

  Suddenly a calmness settled over her, something she had not felt since her father's death. She was living in the midst of a swirling storm, and the man called Gabe had just become her anchor. Where had that feeling come from? She hardly knew him, and there was certainly no reason to trust him. She wanted to ask Kate if she had done the right thing in hiring him.

  Sam had nailed down the loose steps, removed the front door so he could repair the broken hinges, then hung it back in place. After he had repaired the fence that enclosed the chicken coop, he and a delighted jenny herded the wayward chickens into the enclosure and locked the gate.

  Jenny had objected when Casey informed her that the chickens would not be coming back into the house.

  After the kitchen was cleaned to Casey's satisfaction, she turned her attention to the front room. She and Sam made many trips to the well for clean water so she could scrub the walls and floors. Sam had insisted on cleaning the loft, since he intended to take it for his bedroom. It was almost dark when Casey swished her drying cloth over the last window, satisfied that it was clean enough for her to see her reflection.

  The house had been scrubbed and aired, and it now had the fresh smell of lemon oil. It occurred to her that she had been so busy she had not yet asked Kate about Gabe.

  Sam stood in the doorway with a wide grin on his face, amazed at the change. "We have a home, now that we've wrestled it away from the chickens."

  Casey slid her arm around his waist, and he lifted jenny in his arms. The floors were quite beautiful since the grime had been scrubbed away and the wood had been polished. The three of them stared at what they had accomplished, and it was a poignant moment for them all. If only their father could have been there to share the triumph with them.

  Casey smiled, feeling hope for the first time since their father had died. "We don't have a stick of furniture, and I'm not sure where our next meal is coming from, but we have a home."

  "Your next meal is gonna be with me," Kate said, coming up behind them and staring about her. "This looks good-you did a lot of work."

  "Thank you," Casey said, smiling at the older woman. "I don't believe I could lift a pan to cook tonight."

  "Did I forget to mention that I did all the cookin' for your uncle's cowhands? There used to be anywhere from twelve to twenty wranglers at any given time. Nary a one of them complained of my cookie'."

  "I wanted to ask you about someone I hired. He calls himself Gabe, and he said you knew him." She searched Kate's eyes when she asked, "Did I do right in giving him a job?"

  Kate was happy Gabe had agreed to help them. "Shoot, yes, I know Gabe real well. If you have him on your side, you don't need much else. You can't do better than to have him riding for you." Kate felt a prickle of guilt because she knew more than she was telling. "He'll make you a good hand."

  Casey felt relief. "I wasn't sure."

  Kate walked through the three rooms and came back smiling. "Tomorrow I'll take you to the shed so you can see what furniture is left for you to use." She lifted jenny out of Sam's arms and started off in the direction of her house. "You'd better come on if you want to eat dinner while it's hot. Gabe just rode in, and he's washing up."

  They were all seated around Kate's table when Gabe entered. Casey hadn't realized how tall he was until she saw him standing in Kate's kitchen doorway. He was clean shaven, and his black hair glistened in the lamplight as if he had just washed it and it was still wet. He had rolled his shirtsleeves up to his elbows, and she could see the black hair on his tanned arms.

  Casey had always noticed people's hands. Her father's hands had been those of a gentleman, easy to blister when doing the work required on the wagon train. Kate's were work-worn and callused, showing signs of age. There was strength in Gabe's hands; his fingers were long and tapered, beautiful but masculine at the same time. She wondered what it would feel like to have them brush against her skin.

  She quickly glanced down at her plate, her cheeks flushed. Why did she always have to think about him in that way? It was disturbing to have him look at her with those beautiful, wolfish silver eyes.

  "Looks like you've gone and got yourself hired here at the Spanish Spur," Kate said to Gabe.

  "I wish you would tell Miss Hamilton that I'm respectable," he said, smiling at Casey. "I wouldn't be surprised if she's afraid I'll run off with her cattle. I didn't make a very good first impression on her, did I, Miss Hamilton?"

  "You did help us get our wagon out of the river," she reminded him.

  Kate saw the blush on Casey's cheeks and smiled to herself. No female was immune to that handsome devil's charms. "I never knowed him to steal cattle, but there's many a young lady whose hearts he's stole."

  Gabe made no comment as he took the empty chair beside Kate, but he gave her a sharp glance. "Something smells mighty good," he said, chang ing the subject.

  "Tastes good, too," Kate remarked without modesty. She looked at Sam. "Your uncle Bob used to say I was the best cook in Texas, and that's saying a lot."

  Sam was staring with hungry eyes at the bowl of mashed potatoes heaped high and fluffy. "My sister's a good cook," he said loyally. "She can cook about anything."

  Casey met Gabe's gaze. "Did you have a productive day, sir?"

  He liked the sound of her soft Southern accent. He liked the way her red-gold hair curled about her face. He liked the blue of her eyes; he was certain that he could spend hours looking into them. This was the first time he had seen her in good light, and he was particularly fond of the soft sprinkle of freckles across 'her nose. If there was a more beautiful female in this world, he had never met her. Her lips were pink and full, just right for a man to kiss.

  "Yes, ma'am, I did," he said, turning away from dangerous thoughts. "I rounded up about twenty strays and herded them into the east pasture. There may be about a hundred head yet to round up. I'm going to have to have help with them."

  Casey shook her head. "I can't hire anyone else. You know that."

  Kate passed Gabe the platter of meat. "There ain't no one going to work for the Spanish Spur, and you know it."

  He met Casey's blue-eyed gaze. "I know of two men who would be willing to work for you with the understanding that they wouldn't be paid until you sell the cattle."

  "How much is cattle going for now, Gabe?" Kate wanted to know.

  "Four dollars a head if we sell them here in Texas-thirty dollars a head if we drive them to the railhead. Of course, we would have to have at least five hundred head to make a drive pay, and you don't have near that many." He looked at Casey. "I can't very well round them up alone. And Sam is too inexperienced to be much help until I can teach him what to do."

  "You mentioned two men who would be willing to work for us," she said, feeling overwhelmed by their situation. "Will you ask them to come to the Spanish Spur so I can talk to them?"

  "Miss Hamilton, there is one fact I forgot to mention. You may not want to hire them when I tell you that they are Comanche."

  She stared at him in disbelief and uncertainty. "Indians!"

  Sam grinned. "I've never been close to an Indian before. When we were on the trail, I caught a glimpse of some on a hill, but they never came where I could see them up close."

  Casey laid her fork aside and placed her hands in her lap so no one would see them tremble. "Aren't they dangerous?"

  Gabe's gaze dropped to his plate so she could not see his expression. "If they were, I wouldn't be recommending them to you."

  Casey glanced at her brother. The thought of having Indians on the ranch frightened her, but she decided to let her brother make the decis
ion, since he was trying so hard to be a man. "What do you think, Sam?"

  His brow furrowed. "Papa always said the only yardstick to measure a man's worth was integrity." He spoke directly to Gabe. "Do these men have integrity?"

  "I would have to say they do." He looked as if he would have said more, but he shook his head. "I would, and have, trusted them with my life. Yes, I would say they have integrity."

  "It's your decision, Sam," Casey told him.

  "We need help, and if Gabe says they are all right, then that's good enough for me."

  Gabe saw the uncertainty in Casey's eyes, and he expected her to object. "And what about you, Miss Hamilton?"

  "My brother has already made the decision. He is head of our family."

  Gabe's lips met in a firm line. He knew she made all the important decisions, but she was trying to give Sam confidence, and he admired her for that. "I'll send word to them in the morning. It'll take a couple of weeks for them to get here."

  Casey looked into Gabe's eyes, and then hurriedly lowered her gaze. He was the most disturbing man she had ever been around. "My family would like to thank you... for everything."

  "You are welcome, Miss Hamilton," he said, tak ing the platter of meat Kate had been holding for him. "Sam, how would you like to ride out with me tomorrow?"

  "I would, sir. I really would." His voice deepened with excitement, and he glanced at Casey for permission. "Is it all right with you if I go?"

  "Yes. Of course." She frowned thoughtfully. "We have only the team horses, and they have never had a saddle on them."

  "When I was rounding up strays, I found three horses with the Spanish Spur brand on them. I would imagine they are workhorses. But Sam can ride my horse, and I'll ride one of the others, since they may be a bit wild from running free for so long."

  Excitement flushed Sam's face as Gabe handed him the platter of meat. "I love fried chicken, Miss Kate. It's my favorite!"

  A sudden whimper came from jenny, and she scooted off her chair and threw herself into Casey's arms. "My chicken, she cooked my chicken!" the child cried, burying her face against her sister's chest.

  Casey looked apologetically at Kate as she hugged the child to her. "Chickens are raised for their eggs and to eat, jenny-they can't be pets."

  The child only sobbed harder. Casey stood up with her sister in her arms and moved back from the table. "I am so sorry, but she's really upset. If you will excuse me, I need to explain this to her so she will understand. Please eat without us."

  Kate nodded, looking distressed. "I should have knowed that child was attached to those chickens. I'm real sorry."

  Gabe watched Casey walk away, speaking quietly to her sister. Something caught in his throat and twisted in his belly. It was clear to him that Casey was the one who kept the family together and kept their spirits up. But in the dark of night, when Casey was alone, who was there to comfort her? He had realized last night when he found her at the house that she was deeply distressed about their situation. And she had reason to be. It wouldn't be long before Cyrus came calling, and then she would know what real trouble was.

  Although Sam wanted to eat the chicken, it seemed to stick in his throat. "I'd better go help my sister. Jenny can be a problem sometimes."

  Gabe stood up, suddenly losing his appetite. "Excuse me, Kate. I think I may know how to settle this."

  Kate blinked her eyes and shook her head. "I can't eat that fried chicken, either."

  Casey sat on Kate's porch step and pushed the hair out of jenny's face. "Chickens don't make good pets, sweetheart. They can't love you back. Remember how you and Sam had to chase them this afternoon, and how they tried to avoid you? They don't want to be your friend."

  The child laid her head against her sister's shoulder and wiped her eyes. "I wanted them to like me."

  Sam stood on the step, feeling helpless but wanting to help Casey. "She's right about them, Jenny. They don't make good pets. They're raised for food."

  His comment brought a fresh burst of tears from jenny.

  Gabe moved off the porch and knelt down beside them. "Do you like dogs, jenny?"

  The child raised her head, her little face creased in a frown. "I never had one. But Mr. Fletcher back in Virginia had one, and he'd let me pet it sometimes. And Letty Marton had one on the wagon train, but she wouldn't let me pet it at all."

  "Let's ask your sister if you can have a dog. And if you can, I'll see if I can find one for you. Would you like that?"

  Gabe was taken totally .by surprise when the child propelled herself into his arms. "I want a puppy of my very own. Can you get it now?"

  Casey smiled at Gabe, who looked like he didn't know quite what to do with the bundle of energy that hung around his neck. He smiled when she planted a kiss on his cheek. Casey wished at that moment that she were in jenny's place. She would love to - She dipped her head and blushed.

  "I like you so very much, Gabe. Really I do." She pulled back and frowned. "Even if you wouldn't let me put a flower in your hair that day when I got lost."

  Laughter rolled out of Gabe. This child was enchanting, and he had never known anyone as precocious as she was. She made such outlandish statements, and she made him smile. "What do you say, Casey-can jenny have a pup if I find her one?"

  Casey's heart softened at the sight of her sister in Gabe's arms. When his gaze met hers, she was hit by a sensation that felt something like falling over a cliff. "I think that would be very nice, Mr.... Gabe."

  "No. Not mister just Gabe," he reminded her.

  Jenny leaped out of Gabe's arms and ran into the house so she could tell Kate about her good fortune, and Sam trailed along after her, glad about her happier mood.

  Gabe stood and leaned against the porch post. "Do you think she will ever eat fried chicken again?"

  "Knowing my sister like I do, I doubt she will." She gave a deep sigh. "Jenny can sometimes be a real trial.-"

  "I imagine you were much like her as a child."

  "Papa said I was very much like her." She clasped her hands in her lap. "Jenny never knew our mother, since she died the night Jenny was born. So I probably indulge her more than I should. But Papa said you can't spoil a child with love."

  "That's probably true. And then you have Sam, who wants to be a man so he can take care of both of you."

  "Yes." She glanced up at him with a worried frown. "He's just a boy, and yet he has so much to worry about."

  He had never known a woman like Casey. She was soft and gentle with her family, but she could turn into a raging storm if she thought her brother or sister was threatened in any way. She had something that he had never seen in a woman-she had forbearance and patience. "And you guide both Samuel and jenny in the right direction."

  She was quiet for a moment, pondering her answer. "I do try, but sometimes..." She fell into silence and met his gaze. He was so near she could see the pores in his skin, feel the heat of his body. His broad shoulders looked inviting, and she wanted to lay her head there and have him make her troubles go away.

  "Most of the time I don't even know what I'm doing, so it's difficult to guide my brother and sister."

  He offered her his hand. She hesitated only for a moment before she allowed him to draw her up beside him. Her breath caught in her throat, and her heart pounded erratically. Something was happening to her, and she didn't know what it was. There had been beaux who had come calling back in Virginia, and one of them had even stolen a quick kiss, but none of them had stirred her as deeply as this man did when he merely touched her.

  "Thank you," she said, withdrawing her hand from his and rushing up the steps and into the house.

  Gabe stood there in the darkness for a long moment, the soft, sweet scent of her still lingering in the air. He was treading ground that he had never trodden before, and that little gal was beginning to get under his skin. He watched a shadow move across the moon like a bad omen. Casey was going to need him in the days to come.

  Gabe had been away from
the ranch most of the morning. He dismounted, struggling with a wiggly white pup that was trying to climb up his shoulder and lick his face. He smiled as he carried it into the barn, threw a blanket down in the tack room, placed the pup on it, and partially closed the door so the little scamp wouldn't escape.

  When Gabe walked to the ranch house, he heard voices coming from the backyard. He went around the corner to find Sam sitting in a chair while Casey trimmed his hair. Since they hadn't noticed him, he was able to observe them in a private moment. He heard the loving exchange between brother and sister and became more aware of the closeness they shared.

  He found himself wishing he could be a part of this family. But that was not possible.

  His gaze, as always, went to Casey. She wore a yellow print gown that made the red of her hair seem alive. Her scissors snipped at the hair over Sam's ear while jenny sat on an overturned bucket with a book on her lap.

  "Now, Jenny," Casey urged, "read me the next page. And don't skip any words, because I'll know if you do."

  The little imp traced her small finger across the page. "`The boy... ran to...'" She glanced up. "Casey, I can't read this. It's too hard."

  "Go back to the beginning .of the page and try again. We don't give up when things are difficult, Jenny. We try harder."

  The child nodded and started over again. "'The boy... ran to his h... house.'"

  "That's enough. You can read two pages tomorrow."

  "Why do I have to read? It's hard, and I like it better when you read to me. Besides, Milly, on the wagon train, said I'm too young to be reading."

  Casey turned her attention to her sister. "You did start reading young, but you were ready to learn. And Sam and I don't want you to grow up without an education."

  "Who made you and Sam read?"

  "We went to school. But they don't have a school here. I already asked Kate. So you will have to be satisfied with me as your teacher."

  "You'd better listen to her," Sam said, adding his support to Casey.

  "If your hair had gotten any longer, I could have braided it, Sam," Casey remarked, putting the comb in her mouth and holding up a long strand. With a last snip, she nodded in satisfaction. "Now you look presentable again." She tilted his chin up and smiled. "You are very handsome, Samuel. When you grow up all the girls are going to come after you."