Big Sky Love

by Cate Dean

  So was her answering smile. “Once we get you outfitted, I’m assuming you’ll need a horse.”

  “You assume correctly.”

  She shook her head. “I do enjoy that smooth accent, Charlie.” Now he knew she was teasing him with the nickname. He decided to let it pass. “I will provide a horse—but all of this is coming out of your pay.”

  “Naturally.” He raised his eyebrow at her surprise. “I do not accept charity, Miss Maguire. I fully intend to work for what I have been given.”

  If he could impress her with his skill as a horseman, perhaps she would change her opinion of him.

  Myron returned with the requested items, and Charles went to the small, curtained dressing room to change. Kate had even included an undershirt he recognized, similar to the one Ben wore, and clean drawers, so he redressed himself from the skin out. The rough trousers were surprisingly comfortable, as was the plaid collarless shirt.

  He shook his head as he looked down at it, then added the plain waistcoat; never in his life had he expected to wear something as pedestrian as plaid. But now was not the time to put on airs, or play the noble. He had a woman to woo, and a life to get back. It seemed that life was going to be on a wild frontier.

  The boots looked second hand, and Charles shrugged off his distaste at wearing something that had belonged to someone else. Right now, he had no room for squeamish.

  The square of blue and white patterned cloth was foreign to him, so he left it with his clothing, and pushed back the curtain.

  Kate’s eyes widened when he stepped out of the dressing room. “You dress down nice, Charlie.” He refrained from correcting her, pleased at the look in her eyes. “I’ll have Myron wrap up the rest of your clothes, and then we’ll go pick you out a horse.”

  After she handed the pile to Myron, they waited while he wrapped it in thick brown paper and tied a string around it, like a gift. She took the paper wrapped bundle, passing it to Charles. He started for the door—and halted when he saw the display of weapons.

  “I will need one of those.” He pointed to a revolver.

  “No, you won’t.” Kate took his arm.

  He braced his legs, watched her tug at his arm. For a tiny thing, she was surprisingly strong.

  “If I am to be a cowboy, I need a revolver.”

  She rolled her eyes, and shoved her wild hair back over one shoulder.

  “Those blasted penny dreadfuls. You don’t need a weapon, British. They’re dangerous in the wrong hand, and a stray shot will send the cattle into a stampede.”

  “But I—”

  “I said no.”

  He wanted to demand that she purchase one for him—until he remembered that his station meant nothing here. Right now, he was beholden to this bit of a woman, so he let it go.

  “Understood,” he said.

  “That’s good—because you’re not getting one.”

  She flashed him an infuriating smile and headed outside.

  Good lord, he really did like her.

  Charles followed her outside and she turned left, staying on the boardwalk. Ahead of them, at the end of the street, he spotted the huge, well-kept stable. He was anxious to see what her stock looked like, and more anxious to finally prove himself to her.

  Kate led the way inside, and waved at the man shoveling out an empty stall.

  “Hey, Tommy. My new hand is going to pick out a horse. I may be paying you if he doesn’t like the looks of mine.”

  Tommy crossed his arms as he studied Charles. “You know anything about horses?”

  “Quite a bit, actually.”

  “Englishman, are we? A noble?” Charles nodded, doing his best to ignore the surprise on Kate’s face. “You do tend to know your horse flesh. Follow me.”

  He led them through the stable and out to a paddock in the back. Charles moved past him, examining the horses that wandered inside the fence. He already knew which one he wanted.

  “I would like to take a closer look,” he said.

  Tommy nodded, and waved in the direction of the gate. After an answering nod, Charles let himself inside the paddock, touching and murmuring to each horse as he passed. He headed for his target, a huge bay that had obviously not been gelded yet. The stallion pawed at the ground as he approached, and he heard Tommy shout behind him.

  “Not that one—he’ll stomp on you as look at you.”

  Charles ignored him, focused on the stallion. “Hello, my beauty. You are a fine looking specimen. Shall we get acquainted?” He reached out his hand, and waited. After a long minute, the stallion finally approached him, and sniffed at his open hand. “No treat yet, boy. You will need to earn those.” He gently ran his hand up the front of the stallion’s muzzle, then slowly down the side of his neck, spreading his hand over the withers “You are a strong one, aren’t you?”

  The stallion shivered under his hand, but stood still, as if waiting for his next move. Anticipating a kick from the closest hoof, Charles kept his guard up as he slowly examined each leg, the sway of the horse’s spine, and the state of his coat, ending at his tail. The hair was thick, as glossy as his coat, and he was obviously well cared for.

  “You have a name, boy?”

  Kate answered him, standing in the paddock now. “His name is Lightning, because he’s faster than lightning, and just as hard to catch.” He turned, found Kate leaning against the fence. “I acquired him not long ago. He’s yours, if you can ride him.” She smiled and Charles had a feeling it was not to encourage him. There was a fierceness to her smile, as if she were challenging him. “You’re the first one he’s ever let close enough to touch him. He is broke, before you ask, and he comes with a saddle. Just watch yourself, Charlie—he can change on you faster than a lightning storm.”

  Charles nodded, his focus still on Lightning. “I believe we have an understanding. Don’t we, boy?” The stallion snapped at him, then butted Charles in the shoulder with his nose. “Yes, we do.”

  While Kate watched, one eyebrow raised in obvious surprise, Charles led him inside to settle him. He found that he enjoyed surprising her. The mentioned saddle was Western style, which he expected. What he didn’t expect was a saddle of such quality.

  By the time he had the blanket and saddle on Lightning, Kate had finished with Tommy. She walked over to him, keeping her distance from the stallion.

  “You weren’t lying—you know your way around horses.”

  “I do. I have raised my share over the years, and I have always been selective with the horses I chose for my own stable.” He ran his hand down Lightning’s neck. “He is worth three times whatever you paid for him. That is the amount I will reimburse you, once we settle my debt.”

  “No need, Charlie. I took him from a man who was passing through, on his way to the gold rush. He practically paid me to be rid of Lightning.”

  “I always pay my debts, Miss Maguire. To the pence.”

  She nodded, studying him. “You’re not like most nobles I’ve met. They tend to be overbearing, pompous asses.”

  “I prefer to think of myself as discerning.”

  Kate laughed, and Charles felt himself enjoying the fact that he made her laugh. “You might find discerning a little hard after a long day, Charlie. I’ll give you a couple days to adjust, before I start calling you out. I’ll get Buster saddled, then take you back to the ranch.”

  She was ready sooner than Charles expected, and threw around the heavy saddle as if it weighed nothing. After she swung up, she guided her mare out of the stable.

  “She is a fine looking horse.”

  Kate rubbed Buster between the ears. “Her former owner thought she was male, and refused to change her name when he learned different, much to his disappointment.”

  “Do you make a habit of taking in strays?”

  She tilted her head, and smiled at him. “Yeah. Looks like I do.”

  Before Charles could respond, she slapped her reins and rode out of the yard, heading away from town. He followed her, givin
g Lightning his head. The stallion was skittish, but a firm hand kept him under control. He had already started to accept Charles’ authority. Now it would simply take time for them to get used to one another.

  The sun had almost set when they reached their destination, a two hour ride outside of Starwood. Kate led him through an iron gate, with the name of the ranch across the top. The Willows. Charles knew there had to be a story behind the name; perhaps he could use that to draw her out.

  He had a feeling that his usual techniques would not work with this woman.

  They stopped in front of a huge, beautiful stable. Charles knew pride of ownership when he saw it. Every building they passed, once they rode onto her property, was proof; even the small outbuildings were impeccably maintained.

  Kate dismounted, and gestured for Charles to follow her into the stable.

  “There’s an empty stall down on the right.”

  He found it, and slipped off the saddle and the blanket, taking the time to give Lightning a quick rub down before filling the box next to the door with feed.

  “Have a good rest, boy.” He rubbed the bay’s forehead. “I’ve a feeling we have a hard day ahead of us.”

  Kate waited for him outside the stable. “You can take Ben’s bunk. The other men will point it out to you.” She took a key out of her pocket and handed it to Charles. “Meet me in front of the stable, before dawn, and have Lightning saddled and ready to head out. Oh,” she paused halfway across the yard. “Make sure you wear one of those bandanas I got you. You’re going to need it.”

  Charles watched her walk across the yard, and up the steps to the main house, the sway of her hips in those trousers giving him the urge to follow her—all the way to her room.

  His first day was already gone. He had six left, but he also had hope. Kate Maguire may not be the type of woman he would choose to spend the rest of his life with, but she was obviously a good woman, and a proud one. He understood pride.

  He had always had too much himself. That pride put him in Adriana’s path, and cursed him.

  Perhaps it was time to let go of some of it.

  With a sigh, he headed toward the building she had pointed out, exhausted. He would do whatever it took to win her over—even if it meant changing who he was.

  This was his second chance. His last chance.

  He would not allow himself to fail this time.

  Three

  KATE PEEKED THROUGH the curtain at the front window, and watched Charles de Witt walk to the bunkhouse. Her heart had done a little flip in her chest the first time she had seen him on the street, ready to defend her without even knowing who she was. He had managed to look masculine in the frilly shirt and velvet jacket—not something most men could carry off.

  Now, wearing the simple clothes of a ranch hand, he was breathtaking. The fact that he knew horses as well as he did only added to his appeal.

  “I must be out of my mind,” she muttered. “I have enough trouble without getting involved with an employee. And a noble to boot.”

  With new resolve, she waited for Charles to go inside, then headed upstairs to her own room. It had been a long, exhausting day, and she was ready to soak in a hot bath, then slip into bed.

  She detoured, heading back down and to the kitchen. She wanted a cup of tea before that bath, or maybe with it.

  Evan Kransky sat at her kitchen table, having a smoke with her father. Kate hid her irritation, and stuck her hands in her pockets so she wouldn’t punch him. He stood when he saw her, and crushed his cigarette in the small dish Pa left on the table.

  “Katherine—”

  “What do you want, Evan?”

  “Just a little of your time, Katherine.”

  “The answer is still no.”

  “Kate.” Harry Maguire, owner of The Willows, and the finest man she’d ever known, shifted in his chair. The pain that twisted his face at the movement made her heart ache. “Hear Evan out. He only wants what’s best for you.”

  Pa had always liked Evan, which made this even harder for her. He’d never see the man Kate knew, the sly, sometimes spiteful man, who would cross lines to get what he wanted.

  Evan had done this on purpose—facing her in front of her father, knowing she’d hold her tongue. The manipulation infuriated her.

  His voice jerked her back to the moment. “You’ll never get the cattle down from the high pasture, Katherine—not on your own. You know it as well as I do. Let me take this burden off your shoulders, buy them from you now, and add them to my herd.”

  “And what is the catch?”

  “We join our properties, like I offered.”

  “By marrying me, you mean.”

  Evan smiled, and a sense of unease filled her. “It makes perfect sense, Katherine. You will have a husband who will protect you, cherish you, and an easy life.”

  “And no freedom, no right to be my own person.”

  “Kate—”

  “No, Pa.” She turned to her father. “This time I’m going to speak my mind.”

  With a sigh, Evan ran one hand through his blonde hair. “Is it such a terrible offer?”

  “The Willows is ours, and it will stay ours.” She finally gave in to her urge and pulled her hand free. “Excuse me, I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”

  She walked around the table, tense, expecting him to come after her. When she risked a glance over her shoulder, she saw the anger flash across his face before he could hide it, though he managed before Pa looked at him. She would have to watch herself; Evan Kransky was not a man who gave up.

  “Evan.” Pa broke the silence, probably to distract Evan before he did something stupid. “I’d like your advice on this new feed I’ve been hearing about.”

  “Of course, Harry.” Evan shot her a pointed glance before he sat.

  Kate took advantage of Pa’s distraction and practically ran out of the kitchen. She pushed open the swinging door—and halted when she saw Charles next to the open front door. By the look on his face, she knew he’d heard everything. The concern in his dark blue eyes spread through her, and rang some serious warning bells.

  “Are you all right, Miss Maguire?” She silently thanked him for keeping his voice low.

  “Fine. What are you doing here?”

  He smiled, and her heart did a bigger flip. Why did he have to be so damned handsome?

  “I was informed that Ben’s bunk and position had already been filled, and to get my British ass out. I am quoting directly.”

  “What the hell? Come with me.”

  She stomped outside and down the stairs. She knew exactly who had spouted that idiocy at Charles.

  “Mike!” He pushed off the wall of the bunkhouse, his shoulders stiff. “I want an explanation. Why did you shove my newest hand out of the bunk I assigned him?”

  Mike raised his eyebrows. “You actually hired this pouf? I thought he was joking.”

  “Once you’ve seen him with the horses, you’ll understand exactly why I hired him.” She crossed her arms. “And what’s this about already having a replacement for Ben?”

  Mike slouched, and she knew she wasn’t going to like his answer. “I might have mentioned it to Evan Kransky, and he—”

  “I will not have anyone Evan recommends anywhere on my property. Are we clear?”

  “Yeah. I just thought—”

  “Stop it. I pay you to be my foreman, not make my decisions for me. Are we understanding each other?”

  “Yeah. Sorry, Kate. I thought I’d take it off your shoulders.”

  She let out a sigh. “Thanks, Mike. I’ll let you know if I need you to take on my burdens.”

  Before he could make her feel guilty for wanting to run her own ranch, she turned away and stalked back toward the house. Charles stepped into her path, and she tried to walk around him. He closed his hand over her left arm. Gently, but firmly.

  “If there is anything I can do for you, all you need to do is ask.”

  She looked up at him, and her heart di
d a bigger flip.

  He may be British, and a nose-in-the-air noble, but he really seems to be sincere about helping.

  “Thanks for the offer, but I’ll be fine. Evan Kransky’s been asking me to marry him since we were twelve.” She flashed him a smile—one she hoped looked more genuine than it felt. “It’s been a running joke for years.”

  “From what I overheard, he owns the ranch adjoining yours.”

  Kate sighed. “Our fathers were friends, once upon a time. They bought the land together, and split it down the middle. I’m sure they hoped one day Evan and I would marry. But Evan turned out to be the pompous ass I thought you were.”

  Charles smiled at her. She wanted to stand on tiptoe, and kiss those full lips, to see if they were soft as they looked. Good lord—she had it bad, and she had stay away.

  He was her employee, for heaven’s sake.

  “—hear me, Miss Maguire?”

  “Yeah. Sorry—it’s been a long day.”

  An odd expression crossed Charles’ face; before she could ask what was wrong, his face cleared, and he lowered his hand. “Good evening to you, then, Miss Maguire. I hope your sleep is restful. I will see you in the morning.”

  She watched him walk past Mike and into the bunkhouse. Once he was inside, she moved until the bunkhouse was out of sight, and sagged against the nearest tree, her hands shaking. This time, Evan’s pushing seemed more—desperate. Showing up unannounced, trying to pull Pa in like that. She knew it would reach this point eventually. She’d hoped it would take longer.

  Part of her suspected that the sabotage on the ranch had been his doing. She didn’t want to acknowledge that, and she had no proof, but it was time to step up. She was going to have to let her people know that they weren’t unfortunate accidents, and let them help her with this problem.

  It was time to stop trying to do all of it on her own.

  Four

  CHARLES WOKE IN the dark room, with a new sense of purpose, and a new direction.

  After learning more about Kate’s situation, he knew how he would draw her in.