Playing Herd to Get

by Natalie Dean

  Despite the fact that he told himself to walk away, to look away, he couldn’t. Harley’s gaze was all but glued to Adeline’s back as she climbed onto her horse and rode toward the road that would lead her past the town and back to the Redburn house. Just at the curve, she happened to look back and their eyes collided. He should have pulled back but couldn’t. Her horse moved her out of view, and he went back inside.

  The emptiness of the house ate away at him. He had chores to do, more clean-up in the kitchen before the next meal, and even a pile of dirty laundry he needed to haul down from his room so that the washing woman could have easy access when she came next, but he didn’t have the energy to do any of it.

  Instead, Harley stepped out onto the back porch and sat down in one of the old rocking chairs. He moved back and forth as light rain dropped onto the roof. He briefly wondered if Adeline would make it back safely. Had the river swollen to cover the road?

  But he knew the rain and its patterns. This was a lot of rain and enough to warrant moving his cattle, but it wasn’t to the flooding stage…yet.

  Harley forced himself to rock back and forth, emptying his mind of everything but ranch business. But truth be told, now that the cattle were moved, his day had dramatically opened up. He hated that fact.

  Sure, he could scrounge up things to do, go check on the men in the barn with their various tasks, but none of that sounded appealing. None of it made him invigorated like he was most days at work.

  Movement across the yard caught his attention, and he watched as Earl walked from the barn toward the bunkhouse. Retiring already?

  Harley frowned at that and decided to go check on his men anyway. He pulled on a rain slicker and hat and made his way across the wet earth to the barn. His shadow darkened the doorway, and a few of the men looked up from their various chores, smiling his way.

  “Hi-ya, boss,” Johnny said.

  Johnny was his right-hand man and had been with him from almost the moment that Harley had taken over the ranch after his parents’ death. He was a few years older than Harley but a solid worker and still enough of a free spirit to not want to settle down.

  “Howdy,” Harley said. “Thought I’d come see how things are going.” He motioned for Johnny to follow him outside and the man did, dropping the tack he was working on.

  “What is it, boss?” Johnny asked, looking worried.

  “Nothing for you to fret about,” he said with a grin. “You’re my best worker, and I know I don’t have to worry about you.”

  Johnny let out a relieved laugh and nodded. “Glad you’re taking notice.” He was teasing, of course, and the laughter felt good.

  “No, what I came to talk to you about is my new hire.”

  “Earl?” Johnny said, and even the way he said it showed his true feelings.

  “That’d be him.”

  “Boss, gotta be honest here. He’s a fast learner, knew way more than I’d give him credit for, but…”

  When Johnny hesitated Harley prompted him. “Go on. No tattling here; just be honest.”

  “He’s more trouble than he’s worth, if you ask me. He knows what to do, but he doesn’t always do it. Like he’s too good for the work or something.”

  “He’s already left for the day, huh?” Harley asked.

  “Said he wasn’t feeling well, but I doubt that’s the truth. I play a little poker; I can tell when a fella’s lying.”

  “Thanks for letting me know, Johnny. I appreciate it.”

  “’Course, boss.”

  After checking in with the rest of the men, Harley said his goodbyes and headed back up to the main house. He was now in an awkward situation. He had a feeling that Earl wasn’t cut out for his ranch and he wanted to let the kid go immediately…but that begged the question of whether Adeline would think his actions were as a direct result of the kiss he’d observed.

  Even thinking of it now made him gag. How had a kid like that gotten a beautiful and proper woman like Adeline to kiss him? Was it mutual or…?

  He shook his head. He was looking for an excuse to dock the kid. He didn’t like him, that was true, but he needed more if he was going to send him packing. They’d signed a contract after all.

  Resignation weighted his shoulders as he stepped back inside the house. He’d have to observe Earl not meeting his duties and perhaps he’d even have to break the news to Adeline that her sweetheart was no longer employed by him. The thought made him sick, he knew she’d think it was because of the kiss, but he couldn’t keep a hand on who didn’t pull his weight.

  Time would tell what Earl was made of, and perhaps what he and Adeline were to each other. But that was something that Harley didn’t need to be thinking about. No, work needed to take precedence in his mind, and that’s what he would focus on.

  No more images of beguiling blue eyes and damp tendrils of hair framing beautiful features.

  Harley kicked a chair and ran his hands through his hair, gripping and pulling slightly. Adeline Miller needed to be gone from his memory. Now.

  Chapter 11

  “You comin’, boss?” Harley was yanked from his thoughts by a light tug on his arm from Johnny.

  “Huh?”

  “To lunch? We’re going to grab a bite before going back to the ranch—nothing against your cooking.” He grinned widely, and Harley returned it.

  “Uh, no. I’m going to take a walk. See you back at the ranch later.”

  “Sure thing.”

  While it felt like a fool’s errand, Harley picked his way down the path toward the stream, hoping upon hope that he might see Adeline there. Surprisingly, he hadn’t seen her at church that day, and part of him was worried that she’d caught a cold from the dip in weather they’d been experiencing. Just when they’d thought true spring weather was upon them, it had dropped below freezing for a few days.

  It was warming up again, but he’d expected to see her as he had for the past two weeks. Her back straight, hair done up nicely, and nary a glance to the side or the back. But no, she wasn’t there, and he was concerned.

  As he rounded the last bend toward the stream, he saw that the space at the bank was empty. His heart sunk a little and he kicked a stone to the water’s edge. There was only one thing that made him slightly encouraged though, but he felt guilty just thinking about it.

  It was the fact that he’d very clearly seen Earl spending time with a new young woman. He’d had to take a second look since the young woman had looked very similar to Adeline, but he’d seen almost instantly after that that the woman wasn’t her. She was taller and not nearly as beautiful.

  Feeling abashed for his thoughts, he skipped a few rocks before taking the trail back up. He’d started to wonder if what he’d heard was true. He’d counted them as rumors at first, things he didn’t usually listen to, but now he was wondering if they deserved more credence. He’d seen Earl with the same young woman again this Sunday and no hint of Adeline. Had she been jilted in some way?

  Anger burned in Harley’s gut and his fists clenched. If Earl had hurt her—

  But no, that wasn’t part of what was circulating. What was going around between the men in the areas was that Earl had taken liberties to kiss a woman—Harley had a feeling he knew which woman—and she’d told him to stop in no uncertain terms. If there had been more to the rumor, perhaps Harley would have spoken to Earl, but it seemed as if the whole thing had been a misunderstanding. Or was that only from Earl’s side?

  Harley burned to know the truth, but short of asking Adeline point blank, he wasn’t sure how to go about finding out what had happened.

  Back at the church, he untied his horse and climbed up. On his way home, he stopped by the post office to see about his inquiry for a cook. He’d been on the lookout for one for months now, but as things had increased in busyness for him at the ranch, he’d gotten into the routine of cooking for himself and the men. He wasn’t the best cook, but he did fairly well. Still, he needed help freeing up that side of his life.
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br />   “Howdy, Harley,” the postmaster said.

  “Got anything for me?”

  “Just one letter.” The man handed it over, and Harley accepted it, tearing open the paper to find a response to his advertisement.

  Smiling, he stepped outside and began walking back to his horse while reading the letter. He wasn’t watching where he was going, and soon a quiet voice spoke out just in front of him.

  “Good letter?”

  He stopped, slowly lowering the paper to meet the brilliant blue gaze of Adeline Miller. “Miss Miller.”

  She offered him a soft but tired smile. “Mr. Swinney.”

  “Are you well?” He knew he should have said anything but that, but it had been the first thing to come to mind.

  “I—I am.” She looked down at her fingers covered by delicate lace gloves. “I stayed home from church to help with another woman who was ill. She’s in need of medicine so—”

  “Don’t let me keep you,” he said, stepping to the side of the boardwalk.

  Was it his imagination, or did she look sad that he was letting her go?

  “Th-thank you, Mr. Swinney. I hope things are well at the ranch?” she inquired.

  “They are. Thank you.” He knew he should add more, say something to keep the conversation going, but if she needed to get medicine, he shouldn’t keep her.

  “Well, that’s…good. I—” she pressed her lips together. “Good day.” Dipping her head in an elegant way, he watched as she continued to the general store.

  He climbed up onto his horse and internally yelled at himself. He could have said something more. He could have offered to walk her to the store. He could have offered to get the medicine and bring it back to her. Anything more than what he’d done.

  As his horse made the curve out of town and back toward the ranch, Harley felt a strange ache as the distance between him and Miss Miller grew. It made no sense, and he knew he should fight the feeling, but he was getting tired of fighting.

  Adeline administered a cool compress to the young woman’s forehead just as another one of the women stepped into the doorway.

  “You’ve been here for hours. Let me take over, and you can get some fresh air and rest.”

  Thanking the young woman, Adeline stepped outside into the garden she’d neglected for a few days now. She knew that Penny would chastise her for the weeds that were growing alongside her plants, but human needs superseded those of the plants.

  Even now in the early evening, she felt the tug to walk among the rows and dig her fingers into the earth. She would wait until tomorrow when she was properly rested, but she would find joy in doing the gardening she hadn’t had the chance to do yet.

  The thought of Penny made her crave the older woman’s company and wisdom. Something about seeing Harley in town that day had awakened her heart to him, not that she had actually cut herself off. She had forgotten just how handsome he was. Sure, she would have preferred for him to stay and talk with her, to even have asked after what she was doing now, but he’d heard her plight and given her what he could. Space.

  Though the last thing she wanted was space from him. The notion was foolish. She’d gotten no indication from him that he had interest in her, but she wanted to explain what had happened with Earl. Short of blurting it out in the midst of normal conversation, she didn’t see a way to tell him. Perhaps a letter?

  Adeline returned to the porch and sagged against a pole. What she needed was someone to bounce her ideas off of. Someone with wisdom that would give her an honest opinion.

  Penny. She needed to speak with Penny.

  With determination, Adeline stepped inside and made a beeline for Chance’s office. Knocking once, he beckoned her in, and she made her request.

  “If you are going into town tomorrow morning, could you perhaps get a message to Penny Brown for me?”

  “Absolutely,” Chance said, leaning back in his chair. “I can do that. And, while I have you here, dare I ask if you’ve thought more about my offer?”

  She grimaced. “I know you’ve taken on many matches since your aunt's death and I’m sorry to say that I’m one of the more difficult ones.”

  “Oh, no that’s not what—”

  “It’s all right,” she interrupted his apology. “I’m just wondering if I’m more of a burden here? Do you need me to make a decision tonight or perhaps I could talk with you after I speak with Penny tomorrow?”

  Chance leaned forward. “That would be more than fine. I just want to make sure I’m doing right by you. And right by what my aunt set out to accomplish.”

  “I understand. Thank you.”

  He nodded, and she left his office, but she felt only moderately better. She needed to know what her future held, but she had a strange feeling that that reality revolved around Harley Swinney. But if he wasn’t paying her any mind, was she supposed to ignore her feelings and move on?

  Again, the answer her worries got was to have patience and to talk to Penny. She could do that. She would have to do that tomorrow. Until then, she was going to bed early to be truly rested for their talk and a long day of gardening. Hopefully, after that, answers would be in abundance.

  Adeline woke early due to her early bedtime, and she washed her face and hands, had a quick breakfast, and set out into the garden just as the first rays of true sunlight shone on the green plants.

  By the time the sun was fully up, she’d already made great progress, enough to allow herself a small break in the shade of the large tree at the back of the garden space. She leaned up against its rough bark and took a long draught of water from the bucket she’d brought out with her.

  “There you are,” Penny said, moving to sit next to her.

  “Do you want to sit on the porch?”

  “Out here suits you and it suits me. I think the tree will enjoy the company too.”

  Adeline laughed at this. “I think that, with as long as they live and as much as they’ve seen, they’d prefer to be left out of the troubles of humankind.”

  Penny grinned. “Perhaps. Or perhaps it is interesting to them. Either way, tell me what it is that troubles you. Chance came to see me this morning.”

  Adeline was surprised at her words. “So he told you I was in need of someone to talk too?”

  “He did, but he is also concerned about you.”

  “Do you mean he wants me to get out of his hair?” She smiled to soften her words. “I do feel bad. He’s offered many times to find me another match but…”

  “That is the curious thing to me, my dear. You are young, beautiful, and there are many eligible men in this town. Why are you not matched to one?”

  Adeline realized she hadn’t shared news in quite a while. She filled Penny in on what had happened between her and Harley and then Earl ending with the chance encounter with Mr. Swinney the day previous.

  “You fancy Mr. Swinney, Mr. Peters kissed you without permission, and you don’t want Mr. Redburn to match you with someone else?”

  “When you put it like that, I sound like an awful, fickle woman.”

  “Hardly,” Penny said, grasping her hand. “To me, you sound like a woman who is in love, was caught in a misinterpreted moment, and now doesn’t know what to do.”

  “I can’t be in love if the man I care for won’t even talk to me.”

  “Not true; he asked you how you were.”

  She conceded that point. “But he saw Earl and I and—”

  “Dear, did you tell him what actually happened?”

  Adeline’s silence answered Penny’s question.

  “Did you try to ask to see him again yesterday?”

  Again, no response.

  “It would seem to me that clear communication at this point would be best for both parties.”

  “But how? Do I show up to his ranch and ask to explain why he caught me kissing a man he’d hired?” That sounded awful and with the potential for much embarrassment.

  “I think you can ask to speak with him, perhaps a
fter church next week? You’ll have privacy but not be alone if you go off a ways from the rest of the church. Tell him what happened, how you feel, and leave it to him to respond.”

  Adeline’s eyes grew wide.

  “He may not respond in kind that day, but he will think it over. I’ve known men like Harley, and they need time to think things through. Give him the courtesy of having all of the facts as he does this thinking.”

  Adeline considered her friend’s advice. She wanted a chance to talk with him. She also wanted the chance to explain that Earl had taken advantage of her in the moment. Then Penny said something else that gave her an idea.

  “Just remember, my friend.” Adeline met her gaze. “Harley is a man with a mission. His focus is his ranch and, while he may fancy you—as it sounds from what you’ve said—he will put the ranch first as it is his job. Men gain a lot of confidence from their jobs. Just be sure to acknowledge that, whether in your own heart or out loud to him. Whatever it takes so that he knows you aren’t expecting him to shirk his duties, but that you still desire his company.” Penny’s face lightened into a smile. “I think it would be a wonderful match and good for both of you, but the Good Lord must do His work to make it happen.”

  Adeline nodded, accepting her friend's words, but something else began brewing in the back of her mind. A way that her writing and her care for Harley could come together. Perhaps to make a perfect union, not only in matrimony, but in business too.

  Chapter 12

  The next Sunday came around and found Adeline jittery with nerves. She’d talked with Penny multiple times during that week, working on what she would say and how she could broach the subject. Penny had even agreed to help her get Harley away from others if need be, but now that the day had come, Adeline wasn’t sure she could go through with it.