The Cowboy Lassos a Bride (Cowboys of Chance Creek)

by Cora Seton

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  Chapter Eleven

  “It’s not fair; you’re stealing all of my friends,” Autumn said when Jake and Luke came to pick up Fila and her things. The shy young woman showed Luke her bags and he began to haul them outside.

  “They won’t be far off,” Jake assured her. “You and Ethan are welcome to come by any time.”

  “It won’t be the same.” Autumn waited until Fila passed by them, carrying a few of her lighter bags. “I’m worried about Fila. Living with Luke? That’s crazy for her. She barely talks to men.”

  “Luke’s a pretty steady guy. They’ll do fine.”

  “I’m not so sure. She hardly leaves the house, you know, and she trusts us. Over at the Double-Bar-K…” She met his gaze. “No offense, Jake, but you and your brothers and Holt can get pretty rough.”

  Jake’s jaw tightened. She was telling the truth. None of them pulled any punches when their ire was up. Sometimes things got loud and out of hand.

  “She’ll have my Mom, Morgan, Hannah and Mia to take care of her. She’ll be fine. I promise.”

  “Well, tell Hannah to stop by soon. I miss her already.”

  “Will do,” Jake said. He went to help load Fila’s things and realized she and Luke had already finished the job. Fila hadn’t been in Chance Creek long enough to accumulate many possessions. The ride back home was quiet, so he was glad it only took a couple of minutes. He left Luke and Fila to carry her things into Luke’s cabin while he went to find Ned.

  He met Mia on the front porch of Ned’s house, wielding a broom and singing along to a song on her iPod. Again he marveled at how young she looked, although she and Fila were about the same age.

  “How’s it going?” he asked when he caught her attention. She pulled the earbuds out of her ears and grinned.

  “Great! Come and look! Tell me if you think Ned will like what I’ve done.”

  Jake followed her inside and stopped dead, blinking at the sight in front of him. All of Ned’s things were still here. They were just… different.

  “Let me guess. Your favorite color is… pink,” Jake said.

  “Scrape that look off your face, cowboy. I know people think pink is too girly, but I love pink. You know why?” Mia grabbed his hand and tugged him farther into the house. “It’s bright. It’s bold. It doesn’t hold back. The color pink stands for unconditional love and that’s my thing, you know? I don’t hold back my feelings or emotions. I’m not cold like so many people are. I don’t judge people. Do you judge people?”

  “Um… I don’t know.”

  She stopped and he nearly bumped into her before he noticed her scrutinizing him. “You do. I can tell. That’s a shortcoming, Jake. You have to let people be people. You have to let them express their true selves and follow their passions—otherwise you’ll just make them miserable.”

  “Okay.” Inside the house he got a full view of the changes she’d made. A hot pink tablecloth covered the table and matched the curtains on the main living room windows. Evidently Mia didn’t have enough curtains to go around, because the rest of the windows on the first floor were still dressed with the ones his mother had provided. There were candles everywhere. All kinds and sizes, short and tall, fat and thin, some in glass holders, some sitting right on the furniture, which Jake doubted was a good idea in a cabin constructed primarily of wood.

  The old comfortable couch had a new pink covering with raised white polka dots. Pink and white striped pillows were plumped in its corners. A bouquet of red and white roses sat in pride of place on the dining room table. Something was cooking, but Jake couldn’t place the smell.

  “What’s in the oven?” he asked. He was afraid to comment on the décor.

  “A quinoa casserole. It’s got spinach and kale and shallots. It’s so good for you! Do you want to stay for supper?”

  “Uh… no! I mean… I have plans with Hannah.”

  “That’s so sweet!” Mia tied a frilly apron around her middle and pulled hot pink oven mitts on her hands. She opened the oven and peered in. “Just another half hour. I hope Ned’s hungry.”

  “I hope he is, too,” Jake said and made a quick escape.

  Luke made an appearance at nine o’clock that evening, tapping on the front door before he let himself in.

  “Is Jake here?” he asked Hannah, hovering just inside the doorway. He looked uneasy.

  “I’m here,” Jake said before Hannah could respond. He’d been up in his bedroom doing some paperwork while Hannah put her feet up on the couch. Now he clattered down the stairs. “What’s wrong?”

  “It’s Fila. She’s crying.”

  Hannah sat up. “Crying? What did you do to her?”

  “I didn’t do anything,” Luke said. “I just put on a movie for us to watch. It’s really awkward sitting there with nothing to say.”

  “What movie?” Jake asked as Hannah went to get her coat.

  “Jarhead.”

  “A war movie?” Hannah twirled around. “Seriously? You asked her to watch a war movie?”

  Luke looked stricken. “I didn’t think…”

  “No, you didn’t.” Jake put his hands on his hips.

  “We’ve got nothing in common,” Luke was saying as Hannah slammed out the door. Did the Matheson men ever think, she wondered as she stalked toward Luke’s cabin. On the way, she passed Ned’s place and was startled when he called out, “Anything wrong?”

  “Ned?” She peered through the darkness. “What are you doing out there without the lights on?”

  “Just thinking.” He came down the steps from the porch to join her. He paced beside her as she continued on her way. “Kind of hard on the eyes inside my place just now.”

  Hannah stifled a giggle. “Jake told me about Mia’s decorating spree.”

  “Think I might have hurt her feelings,” he said. “Didn’t mean to. That’s just a lot of pink to spring on a man. My reaction was a little… abrupt.”

  “Oh, no.”

  “What’s wrong with Fila?” At her look of surprise he said, “I saw Luke hightailing it toward your house a few minutes ago. Figured something happened to upset her and he couldn’t take her tears.”

  “You’re right. He tried to watch Jarhead with her.”

  “Idiot.” Ned picked up the pace. “You don’t show that kind of thing to a woman—not one like Fila.”

  “What do you know about it?” The words popped out before she could think them through. Ned stopped short.

  “I know more than people give me credit for.”

  “Okay, okay. Didn’t mean to touch a nerve.”

  “Yeah, well. You did.” He didn’t explain further. Just resumed walking. Hannah followed him.

  When they reached Luke’s cabin all was quiet inside. The lights were on and a fire blazed in the fireplace. Plates had been scraped and left by the sink but there was no evidence that anyone had cooked. Hannah got the feeling they’d eaten frozen dinners. There was no sign of Fila.

  “Fila?” Hannah called. “Are you here?”

  They moved quickly through the main floor but it was obvious she wasn’t downstairs. Hannah climbed to the second story thinking Ned would stay behind, but he followed close on her heels. This cabin was laid out exactly the same way as Jake’s, so she approached the guest room door and knocked.

  “Fila? It’s Hannah. Can I come in?”

  After a long moment, she heard something that might have been an invitation to enter. She turned the door handle and opened it slowly. “Fila?” The young woman was huddled on the bed, pressed up against the headboard. “Are you okay?” She quickly moved to Fila’s side and pulled her close, instinctively wanting to give her comfort. “It’s all right. I’m here. Nothing is going to hurt you.”

  When Ned entered the room she shooed him away vigorously, but he didn’t leave. He came to stand next to the bed, his hands in his jeans pockets. Hannah ignored him. She stroked Fila’s hair and let her sob against her shoulder.

  “What’s wrong
?” she asked, thinking if she could get Fila to talk about it, she might settle down.

  “I can’t do this,” Fila cried. “I can’t… I just feel… I’m too…” Her sobs deepened until her body was wracked with them. Hannah gathered her closer, wishing she could somehow prevent Fila from ever being hurt or scared again. She didn’t know everything that had happened to the woman in her time in Afghanistan, but she could only imagine how scared and alone she must have been. Had all that fear she’d held inside for a decade overwhelmed her now that she was out of danger? Was it a matter of crying it out or did she need more help? Professional help, maybe.

  Hannah tugged the comforter up around the two of them to make a kind of nest and rocked Fila in her arms. She wished Ned would go away. He was a reminder to Fila of everything that made the world frightening to her. Didn’t he realize that?

  After some minutes Hannah began to get frightened herself. Fila’s sobs weren’t abating at all. She was getting louder, if anything. Verging on hysteria. Hannah held her closer as if her arms could form a protective cage that could somehow bring her back to herself.

  Suddenly Ned yanked the comforter away. “Time to stop,” he announced.

  Fila shrieked and Hannah jumped. “Ned!”

  “No. This isn’t helping her. Fila—stop!” His voice was like a slap, loud and sharp.

  “What the hell?” Hannah scrambled to her knees. She placed herself between Fila and Ned, ready to do battle against him if it was necessary. What was he thinking, being so harsh at a time like this? Fila needed care and comfort, not tough love. “Get out of here. You’re scaring her!”

  Ned paced around the bed to the other side and crouched to bend over Fila. “Am I scaring you? Really?” He straightened, holding up his hands so she could see them. “I don’t have any weapons. You’ve got a friend with you.” He pointed to Hannah. “So am I scaring you?”

  Fila gaped at him. She was a mess, her long black hair tangled and plastered with tears to her face, her beautiful eyes red-rimmed from crying.

  “You can’t live in memories. You can’t stay where you’ve been. You’ve got to be here!” He slapped a hand down on the mattress and both women jumped. “You think you’re helping her, Hannah, but you’re not. You’re teaching Fila to be a victim. That’s not what she needs.”

  “Ned Matheson, you get the hell out of here!” Hannah yelled and launched herself at him. Of all the times for him to interfere. And of all the ways. He thought yelling at Fila would do her any good? He was a fool. She braced her hands against his chest and pushed him away with all her strength.

  “Okay. I’m going.” He didn’t even look at Hannah as he set her physically aside. Instead he directed all of his words to Fila. “But I’m not going far and I won’t let your friends turn you into a weakling. You’re a fighter, Fila. Remember that. You beat those sons of bitches with your brain when they outnumbered and outgunned you. You made it here. You got free. Don’t lock yourself up again inside these walls. Get back on your feet and get out there.”

  He turned and stalked from the room. Hannah rushed back to Fila’s side and tried to gather her back into her arms. “I’m so sorry. I’ll keep him away from you.”

  “No,” Fila said, her tears gone. She extricated herself from Hannah’s embrace, stood up and smoothed the hair back from her eyes with a shaky hand. “He’s right.” She hugged her arms to her chest. “I can’t stop fighting. Not now.” She took a deep breath. “I’m going to wash my face. Please tell Luke he can come home.”

  “Did Ned come over here?” Mia let herself into Jake’s cabin without knocking first. Jake didn’t mind. He and Luke were sitting uncomfortably in the living room as the minutes ticked past and there was no word from Hannah.

  “No. Isn’t he with you?”

  “No. He went out for minute and then never came back. I got bored waiting for him.” She looked from one brother to the other. “Who died?”

  “No one. Fila’s upset.” Luke was looking intently at Mia, Jake saw, the puppy love evident in his eyes.

  “Maybe I should go help,” Mia said.

  “No!” Luke snapped. “I mean, Hannah’s already gone to see her. You’ll just… overwhelm her.”

  Jake bit back a chuckle at Luke’s tone.

  “I guess.” Mia trailed over and sat on the couch beside Luke. Jake’s mouth quirked as color flooded into his younger brother’s cheeks. Luke was acting like a schoolboy with his first crush. His brother didn’t have quite the history with the ladies that he had, but he was no slouch. He should have a better command of his emotions than that.

  Still he could see the attraction. Mia was petite, cute, lively, with hair that a man would like to wrap around his wrists and pull to get her a little closer. She was much too young and inexperienced for him, but she might suit Luke just fine.

  If Ned didn’t want her. Somehow he didn’t think Ned did want her, or he wouldn’t have disappeared and left her time enough to wander over and get distracted by his younger brother. Ned would fight fiercely to keep hold of any woman he really wanted. He was the kind of man who kept tabs on what he felt was his.

  Mia sighed. “What’s there to do around here?”

  “We could watch a movie,” Luke said eagerly. “Do you like Jarhead?”

  Jake rolled his eyes. “Didn’t you leave that at your place? Where Fila’s upset?”

  Luke deflated. “Yeah. Right.”

  “Actually, I love military movies. Soldiers are hot.” Mia brightened. “I’ll go grab my laptop and we can stream it. I’ll make some popcorn, too.” She popped up off the sofa and was out the door in a minute. Luke trailed after her happily. Jake shook his head. He was only two years older than Luke. How come his brother seemed so young?

  Because he wasn’t the one trying to head up the ranch, Jake mused. He had always craved the responsibility of that position without considering its downside—the long hours, the stress of having to get everything right, the worry that was digging lines into his face around his mouth and eyes. Someday he’d end up as haggard as his father.

  Jake smiled at the thought. If he did, it meant that he’d have a number of solid ranching years behind him and that’s all he’d ever asked for.

  The door opened again and Hannah came in.

  “Everything all right?”

  “Yes, actually.” She looked bemused.

  “What?”

  “Ned.” She shrugged. “He… surprised me.”

  “Really?” Jake sat up. “How?”

  “I was making everything worse, but Ned knew exactly the right thing to say.”

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  Chapter Twelve

  The days passed all too quickly. Hannah and Jake fell into a rhythm of playing house that was more pleasant than she might have imagined. She began to get up much earlier than she ever had before so they could talk over their plans for the day before Jake headed out to do his chores. He liked to follow her around as she spiffed up the place and she liked that too, since he unconsciously helped her, picking clothes up off the floor in the bedroom, drying the dishes in the kitchen and keeping her company, if nothing else. As they worked, they kept up a constant stream of talk. Jake quizzed her about the animals in her and Bella’s care, asking about their injuries and illnesses and what they were doing to help. He was surprised to hear how much she assisted Bella with the animals and interested to know she could stitch up an incision and give shots. She questioned him about his duties around the ranch. It fascinated her that Jake, his father and brothers knew what to do each day when so many chores vied for their attention. She learned that Jake knew all kinds of things about tending minor wounds and injuries among his cattle. He promised to fetch her the next time a medical emergency occurred.

  Hannah remembered what Jake had said the first night they were together: that her mind was sexy. Now she knew what he meant. Jake’s body would always turn her on, but it was this mental connection, this ability to fire up each other’s curiosity that would make
him hard to leave.

  Once he left to do his chores, she showered, dressed and started a load of laundry before Holt appeared at her door. As much as she hated his early morning visits, she appreciated that at least she didn’t have to hunt him down. He never asked her outright if she’d slept with Jake the night before, just gave her a hard look as he pushed into the house and nodded his head when a blush crept up her neck.

  “You’re getting the hang of it now,” he said as he swept a look around the first floor one morning. “Neat as a pin. It isn’t so difficult, is it?”

  Hannah repressed an urge to punch him. It was one thing to appreciate her own labors. It was another thing altogether to deal with his condescending insistence that everything about the house was her job. She didn’t tell him that Jake cleaned up right alongside her in case Holt would count it against her. In fact, she didn’t answer him at all.

  “Evan Mortimer was by last night,” he went on, not expecting her to. Nine days into this routine, they had it down pat.

  “Really? What did he want?” He’d surprised her into the comment. She tried to maintain an icy silence on these morning visits to demonstrate to Holt how inappropriate they were, but she was rarely successful. Holt was a master at jolting her out of her calm.

  “Seems Jake’s not the only one interested in a bison herd. Evan is, too. Of course when you’re a billionaire you can piss your money away any way you want to.”

  “Why’d he come to see you?”

  “Because I have a bison.”

  Hannah’s eyebrows shot up.

  “We have a bison,” Holt amended. “Evan is interested in a joint venture.”

  “With Jake and me?”

  “With the Double-Bar-K. Which I own.” Holt frowned. “I’m not dead yet.”

  Too bad. “Of course not. So what do you think about the idea?”

  “I think it’s a bunch of tomfoolery! But money has always got its uses. If Mortimer wants to invest, I can at least think about it.”

  “Jake would certainly be pleased.”

  “What about you?”