Chapter 27
Hope looked down at her sleeping patient’s face. What had she agreed to? Kade took up most of the overly large bed in his room. He hadn’t moved an inch since Declan had undressed him and pulled the sheets over those bronze shoulders. She’d waited in the hall until Declan had opened the door and motioned her in.
“Sleep’s his friend.”
“Not really,” Hope said. “The doctor warned about him sleeping too deeply. That’s why he wants him wakened every two hours.”
Declan nodded. “You go get some coffee. I’ll take the first shift.”
Hope smiled gratefully at the man watching his brother sleep. She placed her hand on Declan’s arm. “He’ll be okay. The doctor said bedrest for at least two days.” She focused on Declan’s face. “Are we up to this, Declan? One day, maybe. But two?”
Declan grinned. “Don’t forget, Hope. We’ve got reinforcements.”
“Gran?”
“Oh, yeah. Kade will listen to her when he won’t anyone else.”
“Declan,” she paused, knowing the timing wasn’t right but the desire to know overriding logic, “do you know Kade’s story?”
“I do,” he said softly. “But it’s not mine to tell.” His voice lowered to a whisper. “He gave his heart to a woman, and she betrayed him. That’s why he’s so suspicious, untrusting, and cautious. He hates a liar, even lies of omission.”
Hope’s face paled.
Declan squinted at her. “Are you okay, Hope?”
“Yes,” she said shakily. “Guess I really do need that coffee.” And trying to smile reassuringly, eased from the room. Out in the hall, Hope leaned against the wall. Lies of omission. Did that include concealing her past? Of course, it did. She was a fool to think Kade would understand. Sooner or later, he’d succeed in finding the right town to send a background inquiry. Wyoming wasn’t that populated. All he had to do was check school records, and voila, incarcerated Hope would appear on paper. She had to leave before that happened, before her feelings ran any deeper, and before she’d see the hate and disgust appear in Kade’s eyes. Hope blocked out the voice in her head and pushed away from the wall.
She’d given Kade her word. She’d stay and see him through the next few weeks. Then she’d find some excuse to leave. She was good at excuses. Wasn’t she making up one already by telling herself she felt nothing more than admiration for the iron-willed rancher?
Squaring her slight shoulders, Hope paused at the kitchen door, surveying the room. Gran caught her eye and smiled. Seated at the ample kitchen table, shoveling food in his mouth as quick as he could chew and swallow, was the rock thrower. Mark sat beside him, effectively blocking any exit, a dirty plate in front of him and a coffee mug in hand.
“Sit down, Hope. You look as if you’re the one hurt.”
Hope gratefully eased onto the chair facing the boy.
His chewing and swallowing stopped as if food lodged in his throat. Slowly, he rose to his feet, and giving the rest of his breakfast a rueful look, pushed back his chair.
“I thank you for the breakfast, Ma’am. Best I be leaving now.”
Gran took one step toward him. “Sit down, Jesse. Finish your breakfast. More pancakes are ready. Sorry it took so long to get you fed. We’ll call it breakfast/lunch. It would have been ready long ago if a certain little miss hadn’t found the honey jar. I swear she had honey everywhere possible. She sure squealed when I stuck her in the tub and washed her hair.”
“Well, heck,” Mark chuckled. “She tried to help, licking her hands and arms before you could wipe the honey away.”
“There’s plenty more batter, so holler out if you want more ‘cakes.” Gran smiled at Jesse, seeing his eye devour the fluffy pancakes before they hit his plate.
Jesse started to protest, then glancing from his plate to the pancakes, did as told.
“Well, since you’ve gone to the trouble, guess I could make do with a few more.”
“Few, hell, boy, you’ve ate more than a lumberjack after a long day chopping down trees.”
“Mark,” Gran admonished, sliding several pancakes on Jesse’s plate. “I like nothing more than to see my cooking appreciated.”
“You never tell me that,” Mark said sulkily. “You just tell me it’s time to remove my big feet from under your table and get to work.”
Gran’s eyes twinkled, flashing a message just to Mark. Hope noticed the byplay and smiled to herself. So, Gran and Mark had more going than foreman and matriarch. Good for them.
“Did I hear you say your name is Jesse?” Hope asked the wary boy.
“Yes, Ma’am.”
“Are you from around here, Jesse?”
“No, Ma’am.”
He was lying. Hope regarded the other two adults in the room, seeing the same conclusion on their faces.
An uneasy silence fell over the table. Gran placed a steaming mug in front of Hope and slid onto a vacant chair.
“These are mighty fine pancakes,” Jesse mumbled to his plate.
“Like them, do you? Is it them or my homemade syrup? That’s my grandmother’s recipe.”
“It’s delicious,” Jesse said reverently, and proving his point, reached for the syrup pitcher.
“I raised my boys on pancakes and homemade syrup. You can see how strapping they are.”
Jesse concentrated on his plate.
“You know, Jesse,” Hope spoke up, “we don’t blame you for Kade’s injury.”
“Like hell we don’t,” Mark shot out. “Who do you think threw that rock?”
“No,” Hope said patiently. “Jesse threw it, but I don’t think he meant to actually hit Kade.”
Mark barked his disbelief.
Jesse raised his eyes to Hope. “I didn’t, Ma’am. I surely didn’t. I was scared, and before I knew it, my arm flew back and out came that rock. When I heard it thunk, I knew I’d done a terrible thing. Is he going to be okay?”
“He is,” Hope reassured him. “However, he won’t be able to do much for several days. So, of course, you’ll be wanting to help out here any way you can, knowing you feel responsible.”
“Huh?” Both Mark and Jesse responded.
Hope looked to Gran for backup.
Gran gave her a conspiratorial wink. “Absolutely. There’s plenty a young, strong man like you can do. Of course, you’ll get room and board.” She went on decisively, “You’ll stay here at the house. We’ve got extra bedrooms. And you’ll put your,” Gran glanced down at the ragged sneakers, “uh, your boots under this table for all meals.”
“Now just a minute, Ida. I don’t think that’s a good . . .”
“Yes?” Gran’s steely look halted any further words.
“Nothing,” Mark mumbled.
“Didn’t think so. Now, where was I?”
“Putting my—my boots,” Jesse said quietly.
“Right. Seeing as to how you don’t have boots, I’ll ask Declan to take you in to town and get you fixed up. We don’t let our hands work around horses without proper footwear.”
“I’ll be a hand? Here at the Double K? Mr. McKune’s ranch?”
“None other,” Gran said proudly.
“Boots?”
“Yes. Now finish up. We’ve all got work waiting,” she narrowed her eyes at Mark.
The foreman slowly got to his feet. “Ida, you’re taking a lot on yourself. Kade not even out of the woods, and you’re making decisions. Decisions he’ll likely not agree to.”
Jesse’s eyes widened, shadowed with disappointment.
“He’s right. Mr. McKune will be mad, having me around after he’s up on his feet.” Jesse’s shoulders slumped in defeat and acceptance. He was only too used to taking the blows life handed him. He should have known it was too good to be true.
“Nonsense. Kade made it clear he expected you to stick around. Isn’t that right, Mark?”
“Y-e-s.”
“Then it’s settled. Eat up and go into the bathroom to wash. As soon as Declan’s shift is over, you’ll be going to town. And, Jesse, I expect a good day’s work out of you.”
Jesse nodded a smile of disbelief on his face. “I’ll work hard. Real hard.”