They glanced at each other and nodded. "I hope we didn't make you too worried, Grace," Katie said in a quiet voice.
Grace felt her heart fill with emotion. She almost choked up when she saw the genuine regret written on each of the children's faces. Grace smiled and then reached across and laid a hand on Katie's arm. For a moment, Grace was lost for words.
"I'm going to speak with Grace for a moment, children," Prudence said and stood. "Help yourself to the biscuits. We'll be back in a minute." Grace wondered how Prudence could sound so at ease with the children. Then she remembered that Prudence had grown up in a house full of siblings.
Grace followed Prudence outside and closed the door behind her. Prudence walked a few yards away from the house and wrapped her arms around herself. Turning, she faced Grace. "It's going to take a while for the children to get used to being on the ranch. It must seem like a different world to them. Especially after what they've been used to."
Grace nodded. "The Circle T is nothing like an orphanage."
Prudence gazed sympathetically at Grace. "I think you're going to have to get used to them running off like that." Prudence laughed quietly. "They'll keep you on your toes."
"Mmmm," Grace muttered.
"I thought you said Tyler was coming this afternoon," Prudence said.
Grace shook her head. "He didn't show up." Grace frowned. "I guess he's busy doing sheriff things."
Prudence grinned. "If you give him a chance, I think he's going to be helpful looking after the children. I saw how enthusiastic he was about spending time with them."
Grace furrowed her brows and then nodded. "At least Tyler believes he can do that."
Prudence tilted her head and squinted at Grace. "Aren't you happy to be with the children?"
Grace sighed. "With Hope in town helping the doctor. And you living here with Cal, I'm all on my own over at the ranch house."
Prudence rested a hand against Grace's arm. "I'm sure you'll do a fine job for however long the children are here."
Grace looked urgently at Prudence. "It could be weeks. Or months."
"That just means more time to get to know them," Prudence said, obviously trying to sound reassuring.
Grace shook her head. "I don't know what I'm doing, Prudence. I feel like I've been thrown in at the deep end. I have no experience looking after children."
"I'll help as much as I can," Prudence said and then looked suddenly thoughtful. Prudence shifted some loose hairs back behind her ear. "Although I won't be able to do as much as I'd like."
Grace saw her friend's brows furrow. "What is it?" she asked Prudence.
Prudence glanced at Grace and looked about to say something. Prudence's eyes moistened with emotion. Grace wondered what could have caused the sudden change.
Suddenly there came a crashing sound from inside the cabin. She heard Katie's voice cry out loud and then Jack's forceful reply. Prudence dashed past Grace and headed for the cabin door. Grace followed behind. Once inside the cabin, she saw that Jack's glass lay shattered on the wooden floor. Water had spilled across the surface in a wide pool.
"I dropped it," Jack explained. He cast a stern glance at Katie and then his lips tightened into a thin line. Grace asked herself what had really happened. Maybe she'd find out once she got Jack and Katie back to the ranch house.
As Prudence kneeled down on the floor and started to pick up the pieces of broken glass, Grace went to her and started to help. She wondered what Prudence had been about to tell her outside in the yard. There was something on Prudence's mind. Whatever it was it meant that Grace wouldn't be able to rely on her friend for as much help as she would have liked. She missed having Prudence around the ranch house. There was nothing like having a friend around to provide help whenever it was needed.
Grace knew she'd just have to get on with the job of making sure Jack and Katie were happy at the Circle T.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Tyler finally arrived at the Circle T just after seven o'clock. The sun was setting and the air was cooler. As he rode into the yard of the Circle T ranch house, Tyler ran the day's events over in his mind.
Since the moment he'd brought young Calvin Monaghan back to his mother, Tyler hadn't stopped working. Calvin's mother had been glad to see her son, of course. But, after her initial relief, she'd made it clear, holding onto Calvin's jacket sleeve as she stood at the door of their home, that she did not approve of Calvin skipping school. Tyler had explained that Calvin had gone wandering down the riverbank.
What Tyler had omitted to mention was that Mary-Lou Webb had fallen into the river while swinging on the tree rope at Sweetheart Bend. Sometimes Tyler knew when it was necessary to be selective with the facts. This was one of those occasions. Tyler had arrived just in time to save Mary-Lou as she was splashing around in the water while Calvin had been getting ready to hurl himself into the river to rescue her.
Calvin was clearly embarrassed and ashamed of himself. Tyler had brought both children back with him and had already delivered Mary-Lou Webb back to her parents' house. Mary-Lou's mother had stared disbelievingly at her bedraggled daughter. She'd demanded an explanation from Tyler but he'd just told her he'd explain things to her some other time. All that mattered was that Mary-Lou was home, safe and sound.
As Tyler watched Mrs Monaghan escort Calvin into the house, he reckoned the infatuation between the boy and Mary-Lou Webb was well and truly over. There would be awkward looks in class, whenever the two of them made it back to the schoolhouse.
After attending to that duty, one thing after another had claimed Tyler's time for the rest of the afternoon. There had been more trouble at the saloon. And a guest had tried to skip town without paying his bill at the hotel. On top of all that, there had been the matter of arranging for the transport of Caleb Black and his outlaws so they could face trial in Austin.
As Tyler tied up his horse on the hitching rail in front of the porch, the ranch house's front door opened. Tyler's heart quickened when he saw Grace emerging. Instantly, though, his enthusiasm faded when he saw the way Grace was looking at him. She looked upset.
"Evening, Grace," Tyler said and touched the front brim of his Stetson.
Grace peered steadily at Tyler. "You missed dinner, I'm afraid." He could hear a disappointed tone in her voice. He knew he'd promised he'd return earlier. But there had been so much to attend to, it had proven impossible to get away from town.
"That's okay. I can get something when I get back to town."
Grace wrapped her arms around herself and sank down onto the porch bench. Tyler sat down next to her. He looked at Grace but she resolutely kept her gaze on the rangeland out front of the house. By the firm set of her jawline and the furrowed ridges of her brows he figured she was concerned about something. He knew what might be causing her to feel like that.
Tyler sighed heavily. "You would not believe what kind of a day I have had." He'd already worked out everything he was going to tell her. He was sure she'd find the tale of Calvin and Mary-Lou entertaining.
Grace turned her head and peered at him. "The children ran away from the ranch house." She said it almost casually.
Tyler's brows lifted in a line. A sudden panic seized him. He twisted in the seat and faced Grace. "You got them back, I take it," he demanded. For a moment, he thought he'd misjudged her reaction to his late arrival. She hadn't just been angry he was late in coming. She'd been genuinely worried that the children had gotten into trouble.
To his relief, Grace nodded. "They ran to Prudence and Cal's place. I found them there." She sighed. "They were fine."
Tyler leaned back and breathed a heavy sigh. "That's good news."
Grace frowned. "They gave me a fright. Just running off like that." She shook her head.
"That's what children do," Tyler suggested, thinking about Calvin and Mary-Lou.
Grace's head whirled round to face him. "All the time? Do you know how dangerous that could be in a place like this?"
Tyler
shrugged. "I don't see how we can stop them. They're probably just excited they've ended up living on a ranch."
"Visiting a ranch," Grace said, correcting Tyler. He peered at Grace and decided he wasn't going to talk about how long the children would be staying at the Circle T. Since he'd met Grace back in the summer, they hadn't had a proper argument about anything. He wasn't about to have one with her now. Especially about the children.
"Cal has been telling Jack all about ranching," Grace said. She smiled. "I think Jack has got it into this head he wants to be a cowboy."
Tyler grinned. "Already? He's only just arrived on the ranch." He lifted a brow. "Maybe Jack has been hearing tall tales at the orphanage. Those dime novels can put silly ideas into a boy's head." Tyler smiled at Grace. "Speaking of young folks getting up to silly things, let me tell you about Calvin Monaghan."
"Who's he?" Grace asked.
Tyler quirked a brow and leaned a hand against the back of the seat. "He's a ten-year-old boy who lives with his mother and brothers in town." Then Tyler recounted what had happened with Calvin and Mary-Lou Webb. Grace listened attentively, shaking her head from time to time as Tyler described what had happened. Finally, to Tyler's delight, Grace laughed out loud when he got to the part about saving Mary-Lou from the river and returning the drenched girl to her mother.
"Seems like we both had trouble with children today," Grace admitted. She leaned back against the seat. Her long blonde hair settled, gossamer-like, across the back of his hand. The sensation sent waves of delight coursing through his body. He schooled his features, eager that Grace not realize the secret joy he was feeling.
Grace turned her head and looked at Tyler. Her gaze was soft. Sharing the events of his day with her seemed to have eased some of her nervousness. For a moment, Tyler thought to himself that this was what it would be like to return home to Grace after a hard day's work. If he and Grace were truly one, if they were married, this would be a daily occurrence. He realized he liked how it felt to be coming home to Grace. And with children inside the ranch house, it felt almost like coming home to family. It was still a dream, though, he told himself.
Those thoughts triggered memories of the time when Tyler had been living with his uncle and cousins. Tyler felt his muscles become tense. Families weren't always a haven of peace and happiness. But, if the Lord ever granted him a family of his own, Tyler was determined they would live in a home filled with joy.
He saw Grace's eyes narrow slightly. "What are you thinking about?" she asked softly.
Tyler moved closer to Grace. "I was thinking about you," he stated quietly.
Her brows lifted in a delightful way. Her features softened. "Me?"
Tyler lifted a brow. "You know I can hardly stop thinking about you."
Grace's lower lip pouted into an exquisite and tempting fullness. "I don't know anything of the sort, Tyler Smith," she said. By the tone of her voice he could tell his statement had pleased her.
Encouraged, Tyler shifted closer. Lifting his hand to the back of her head, he snaked his fingers through her soft hair. Aware he was doing that, she leaned her head back slightly, lifting her chin. Tyler felt his throat tighten. He dragged in a calming breath and reached out his hand, cupping her chin with his fingers.
Grace's gaze softened as she looked deep into Tyler's eyes. Then he dipped his head and kissed Grace. He heard her draw in a breath and sigh. Her lips were warm and soft. Tyler's heartbeat quickened as he kissed Grace. He felt the heat of her skin against his fingers.
When Tyler finally lifted his head and gazed in wonder at Grace, he saw that her cheeks had flushed a delightful shade of pink. Grace smiled at Tyler. "I missed you today," she murmured.
Tyler sighed. "Seemed like everyone in town wanted me to do something for them today. I just couldn't get away."
Grace curled her fingers around Tyler's hand. "You're here now. That's all that matters. Maybe tomorrow you won't be so busy. You can spend some time with me and the children."
Tyler met Grace's gaze with a blank look.
"What?" Grace asked sitting upright and dropping her hands to he lap.
Tyler cleared his throat. "About tomorrow."
"What about it?"
Tyler placed his hand over Grace's. As if sensing that something bad was coming, Grace tugged her hand loose. "I've got something important I have to do tomorrow."
"More important than being with me and the children?" Grace asked abruptly.
"We have to transport the outlaw gang that took Miss Hardesty. We're taking them to a jail near Austin." Tyler frowned.
"How long is that going to take?" Grace asked.
Tyler hesitated. "The whole day. There and back, we'll be gone from early morning until evening." He knew it wasn't what she wanted to hear, but there was nothing he could do about it. The sooner Black and his gang were in custody, the better.
"I need to get those men out of Testament Creek, Grace," Tyler explained. "You know how the law works. I need to get them to that jail in Austin so I can be sure that they'll get the justice they deserve."
"Miss Hardesty isn't going to be in any fit state to testify for a while," Grace observed. "She won't be able to travel to a court in Austin for weeks."
"Even more reason to make sure Black and his men are locked up. They're causing a whole lot of trouble down at the jailhouse," Tyler said.
Grace looked instantly concerned. "Nothing serious, I hope."
Tyler shook his head. "No. But I'll feel better once they're gone. If they have to sweat it out in an Austin jail for a few weeks before a trial, then so be it."
Grace nodded thoughtfully. Now that she seemed to understand what was at stake, Grace appeared to accept that Tyler had a job to do.
"Hope came back from the doctor's house tonight," Grace revealed. "She says that Miss Hardesty wants the children to pay her a visit. Hope thinks it's a good idea. It'll raise Miss Hardesty's spirits to see the children." Grace tilted her head. "Although the doctor insists it'll only be a short visit."
"When are you taking the children into town?" Tyler asked.
"Tomorrow," Grace replied.
Tyler felt a sinking sensation in his middle. He knew he would have enjoyed sharing that visit with Grace and the children. But it wasn't to be. Now, the last thing he wanted to be doing on a Saturday was to be riding all the way to Austin with a dozen deputies guarding some outlaws.
As if realizing that his journey to Austin might be dangerous, Grace moved closer to Tyler. "You will be careful, won't you, Tyler? Promise me."
Tyler was quietly gratified by her concern. He forced himself to smile. "I'll have a dozen men helping me. And the outlaws will be tied up. Nothing will go wrong." He leaned closer. "You can trust me on that. Aren't you always telling me how good I am at doing my job?"
Even as she smiled at him, he saw worry hovering at the back of her eyes. He kissed Grace softly.
"You come and see me as soon as you get back," Grace said firmly.
Tyler grinned. "If that's an order, ma'am, I'll make sure I do just that," he said brightly.
Grace stood and reached down a hand to Tyler. "Come on inside and saw hello to the children. They're dying to know what you got up to today."
Tyler stood. Holding Grace's hand felt good. For a long moment, he held her gaze. His heart filled with a warmth which was fast becoming familiar.
This was the woman he loved. The woman he would always love.
Grace released his hand and smiled at him. Then Tyler followed her into the ranch house.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Grace drove the buckboard along Main Street early on Saturday morning. Next to her sat Hope, Jack and Katie. As Grace drove the buckboard past the sheriff's office, she glanced at the door and wondered if Tyler might still be inside. But she knew he would probably have already left for Austin. Worry clutched her heart. She'd spend the entire day thinking about Tyler. Waiting for him to return safely would be excruciating.
Grace pulled the
buckboard to a halt outside the mercantile. Hope got down, followed by Jack and Katie.
Hope held her leather bag containing some of the things she'd need when she went to the doctor's house. "I'll see you all over at the doctor's place," Hope said and smiled at the children.
Jack and Katie nodded. Grace could see the slight trepidation in their eyes. Back at the ranch house, the children had been unusually quiet over the kitchen table during breakfast. They knew they were going to see Miss Hardesty and they were probably wondering what it would be like to visit the doctor.
"Okay. Do you want me to buy you anything while I'm in the mercantile?" Grace asked Hope.
Hope shook her head. "No." She patted her bag. "I have everything I need in here," she added.
Then Hope made her way along the boardwalk. A few passersby glanced with obvious curiosity at Grace, Jack and Katie. Newcomers were still a novelty, Grace reflected. She recalled how it had been when she, Prudence and Hope had arrived earlier in the year. As the new owners of one of the biggest ranches in these parts, the three women had been an object of great curiosity. But, after the events of the summer, it seemed their place in Testament Creek was assured.
Grace smiled at the passersby. Jack and Katie raced to the window of the mercantile and peered inside. She was sure they had plenty of ideas about what they wanted Grace to buy for them.
Grace led the children into the mercantile and spent the next half hour perusing the shelves. She had a list of things which were needed back at the ranch. Working her way through the list, she piled her purchases on the counter. The children seemed more interested in candy than anything else. They inspected the display of large glass jars, pointing at some of them with obvious relish.
With her own shopping complete, Grace finally added one more item. Two small bouquets of flowers. One for Jack and one for Katie. She figured that Miss Hardesty would be delighted if the children brought her flowers.
The Texas Sheriff's Family Blessing (Testament Creek Book 2) Page 7