CHAPTER TWENTY
Whaddaya mean you’re goin’ out of town?” Blake asked in surprise from the buckboard seat as he stared down into Henry’s face. He and Belle had just arrived in Eden, having gone into town for supplies. Exhausted, she sat next to him in silence after exchanging pleasantries with Henry. Three busy days at the ranch had passed in the blink of an eye, and the roundup was scheduled to begin the following morning. As much as Belle had taken to Gunner, and to riding in a Western saddle, Blake wondered if her interest in the ranch would wane as soon as the novelty wore off.
Henry lifted a hand and shaded his eyes against the morning sun. A wagon rattled by in the street behind him. Shouting and laughter came from Poor Fred’s Saloon even though it wasn’t yet seven in the morning. “Exactly what I said. I have business I need to straighten out in Denver. Tomorrow morning, I’m starting for Santa Fe to catch the train.”
“Can’t it wait?” Blake tipped his head toward Belle, who was a bit rumpled in her three-day-old clothes. She’d given him a mean eye earlier when he told her the cattle didn’t care if she looked presentable, so not to fuss. She’d been unusually quiet on the wagon ride in. Is she missing the amenities of the hotel—or Mr. Atkins? Does she regret her decision to stay?
Nicole had ridden her horse alongside the wagon, but as soon as they were within a mile of town, she’d taken off to who knew where. The rest of the sisters had yet to make a showing out at the ranch, each day sending a note explaining why their arrival had been delayed. One day, Lavinia had had a headache and didn’t want to suffer through the ride out, and another day, they were catching up on their correspondence and writing letters home to friends. That sounded suspect. Were Mavis and the other three put off after one glimpse of the ranch? Had the house been too rustic? The men too rough? The whole idea of the cattle ranch operation too daunting? He didn’t know what to expect when he saw them.
Henry frowned. “Unfortunately, it can’t wait.”
“What is it?”
“Just business. I’m not at liberty to say.”
Strange. Blake knew of nothing that would take precedence over John’s daughters in the attorney’s thoughts and business. Whatever put that frown on his face meant trouble. But Henry wasn’t going to spill his guts here in front of Belle, or he would have already. Blake would corner him later, when they were alone. Maybe it had to do with the search for the girls’ guardians, Vernon and Velma Crowdaire. Perhaps he didn’t want to say anything and upset Belle.
“Have you forgotten we’re starting the foundation next week?” Blake asked. “Fall is just around the corner, Henry. If we want to be finished before the onset of winter, we need to get moving. That doesn’t leave much time.”
“You’ll have to deal with it.”
“Fine, then. I’ll watch over construction as well as bring in a thousand head of beef shorthanded. That’s not asking much. You run off to Timbuktu or wherever it is you have to go,” he said with a short tone of his own.
I can’t handle all the sisters. Belle has been taxing enough with all her questions and suggestions—and almost getting kicked by a steer, smashed in the head by the beam Tank was carrying on his shoulder, and scalded by trying to pick up a hot coffeepot. And yet, she hasn’t complained about a single thing. Actually, if I admit it, I’m a bit impressed.
He sighed. “Any news on Praig? Clint bring him in?”
Henry shook his head. “Nothing. It’s like he disappeared into thin air. Perhaps he realizes what will happen when you get hold of him. Maybe he’s gone for good.”
“I don’t think so.” Pushed by agitation inside, Blake rested his foot on the brake.
“Look, Blake, in the midst of the events of the last three days, I actually forgot about breaking ground on the house. Perhaps I can put the trip off one week, if you think that might help.”
“A week would help a great deal. I’d appreciate that.”
“I’m not making any promises just yet,” Henry went on. “But it might be doable.”
Belle flicked a piece of dust from her shirttail. “In Mavis’s last note, she mentioned a small boy at the hotel who’s sick. How is he, Henry? Are they staying in town long? I saw them, if indeed it’s them, from the window as they got off the stagecoach.”
Henry’s face seemed to tighten even more.
What is going on? Belle wouldn’t have picked up on the change in Henry’s usual mannerisms, but Blake sure did.
“One question at a time, Belle,” Henry said, annoyance back in his tone. “That would be Johnny Smith. He’s doing better. He and his mother, Elizabeth, are from—out of town. I don’t know if they’re planning on staying in Eden, since I just met her myself. The doctor isn’t sure what made the boy sick, but today he’s doing much better.”
By the hurt look on Belle’s face, Henry’s tone had cut her to the quick.
Henry’s face softened. “They had been staying at the hotel, but his mother took a room at the boardinghouse. I imagine they’ll be there for a time.”
Belle perked up. “That’s good news. From what I’ve seen, Eden needs all the women it can get.”
A voice called out, “Belle!”
Giddy happiness slammed Belle when she saw Mavis and Lavinia rushing toward the buckboard. She stood up and put out her hand, which Henry took to assist her down. After three days on the ranch—and her pride in tatters—she’d learned there was no shame in asking for help. She was drained and dirty. She was going straight to the hotel for a hot bath and planned to soak until the water turned to ice.
She and Mavis fell into each other’s arms. Her sisters were such a welcome sight—especially after all the hours with snippy Nicole. None of them had been away from one another overnight until Mavis had married and Katie had gone to the normal school. Could I really leave them here and return to Philadelphia in six months?
That sentiment was pushed away when Mavis looked her up and down with a critical eye.
“Belle. You look awful.”
Belle couldn’t stop herself; she glanced back at Blake. It was the same thing she’d been telling him all morning. He shrugged and looked away.
“I know I do! I can’t wait to sink into a tub of bubbles up to my chin. And wash my hair. I love a nice white-vinegar-and-chamomile tea rinse. It’s going to feel so nice after days of sun and wind.” She reached up and felt the tangled mess. “The weather has punished it horribly. After I’m finished, I’ll have a steaming cup of tea and a double order of toast and jam.” She rubbed her backside, not caring if the men saw her. “My bottom and legs ache horribly from riding astride. You just wait. It’s nothing like sidesaddle. I’m actually looking forward to tightening my corset and donning a dress.”
Lavinia hooked her arm through Belle’s, and Mavis did the same on the other side. They started toward the hotel, but Belle stopped, pulling them to a halt. She turned back to the wagon.
“Blake, how long does loading supplies take? I don’t want to hold you up.” From beneath the brim of his Stetson, his intense gaze made her senses spring to life. Her sore muscles and mussed hair weren’t the only things that had taken a beating out at the ranch. So had her sanity. “Or . . . or do you need my help?” she asked tentatively. Please say no. “I did come into town in place of KT and told you I’d do anything you needed.”
“You riding back with me?”
“You know I am.”
“Thought you may have changed your mind when you got back to Eden.”
She threw back her shoulders.
He chuckled. “I can handle the supplies on my own. Take some time off. Get your bath. As a matter of fact, stay in town and rest up.”
The thought was tempting, but she forced herself to reply, “Nope. I said I’m going back to the ranch with you, and I am. But as long as I’m here, I’d like to take advantage of a few . . . things, if you don’t mind. Will you possibly be busy for two hours?”
His mouth twitched. “Stay two days. I don’t mind.”
Henry shrugged. “I wouldn’t turn that down, Belle.”
“I can’t. The roundup is set to begin in the morning. I intend to be there. Just tell me how long you’ll be loading and whatnot, and I’ll find the wagon wherever you are. I won’t be late.”
She didn’t miss the amused look on Henry’s face. He seemed to have gotten over whatever had caused his mood swing. She’d never seen him like that before, but then, she’d only known him four days.
“Fine, then,” Blake said in that voice that had a hint of lazy attraction. “How’s eleven sound? That give you enough time to—”
“Plenty.” An overwhelming sense of happiness welled up inside Belle. There’d been challenges the last few days, that was for sure. Dodging puddles on the streets of Philadelphia was nothing compared to the constant dangers of life on the ranch. Or the dispiriting realization that Nicole is ten times better at every chore than I could ever dream of being. Still, as she’d watched how tirelessly Blake worked at everything from rehanging a gate to caring for Moses, she’d developed an admiration for the life and business he’d built with her father. She didn’t really have the words to describe their partnership or what they were to each other. Family didn’t quite seem right yet. And neither, she realized during their talk at the gravesites, did brother. Whether Blake was giving her instructions, haranguing her about being careful around the horses, or praising her for a simple deed any child could do, she felt something she wasn’t yet sure about. But she was eager to see where it led.