She met his gaze, feeling her heartbeat quicken. "Its my business to know as much as I can about the place. I like to know why Silas did what he did."
"There was good reasons for everything," Cal assured her.
She pressed her back against the tree. Cal was so close now, she caught his scent on the cool, evening air. It was a pleasing mixture of soap and the leather of his brown waistcoat.
Cal leaned a hand against the tree. He shifted his shoulders, moving even closer to her. The conversation had made her feel like she was getting to know the handsome foreman.
Prudence's breathing tightened. She looked up into his eyes and tried to swallow but found it impossible. Common sense told her she should move away from the tree. But she couldn't move. Or was it that she didn't want to move?
"I'm glad you're getting to like the Circle T," Cal murmured. "Because I'm beginning to like being around you."
Her mouth opened slightly. Words hovered on the tip of her tongue. She'd been taken aback by his sudden confession. Maybe he'd been waiting for his chance to say those words. Well, now he'd said them, and there was no taking them back.
"I like you, Cal," she whispered. She meant it as a way of replying to his surprising words. But he seemed to take them to heart almost immediately. Before she knew what was happening, Cal dipped his head and kissed her.
Prudence gasped, feeling the sensation of his lips. Every nerve in her body awoke. She lifted a hand to his shoulder. It wasn't meant to keep him at bay. It was more like she needed something to steady her. Sweet delight swept through her entire being. For a brief moment, she savored the joy. Her mind became an exquisite blank. All she could feel was Cal's powerful physique leaning close and the moist warmth of his kiss.
Then, suddenly, she realized what she was doing. She gasped once more and leaned her head away from Cal ending the kiss. Cal took a step back and peered at Prudence. There was confusion in his eyes. And then something else appeared in his gaze, she told herself.
Shock.
Was he already regretting what he'd done?
Cal ran a hand through his dark hair. "Forgive me, Prudence."
Prudence fussed with some strands of hair which had become loose. Stepping away from the tree, she shook her head. "No need to apologize, Cal," she said breathlessly. The kiss had affected her more than she'd realized.
Cal took a step closer and held out a hand, trying to take her own. She pulled her hands away from him. Cal frowned when he saw her do that. He froze and peered at her, as if waiting to see what she would do next.
"I better get back to the house," Prudence declared. She started to walk along the path in the tall grass. She'd expected he would follow close behind, but he didn't. Giving him once last backward glance, Prudence saw that Cal had leaned back against the tree. He was watching her make her way through the tall grass.
Prudence felt a hollow sensation in her middle. That shouldn't have happened, she told herself as she strode through the tall grass. Now that it had, things were about to get complicated. She asked herself what she was going to do about her friendship with the handsome cowboy. Because that was all it was, right? They were just friends.
Even as she told herself that, she knew it wasn't true. The kiss had changed everything.
Now she knew for certain that Cal Logan had feelings for her.
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
For the next few days Cal kept himself busy on the ranch. He was glad that everyone at the house was making preparations for Hope's birthday celebration on Friday. It gave him a reason to stay out on the spread. He'd also volunteered to go into town a few times and buy supplies. Of course it had been impossible to avoid Prudence completely. There had been some awkward dinners during which he'd endured long silences.
The sudden change between himself and Prudence hadn't gone unnoticed by Hope and Grace. On Wednesday, Grace had cornered Cal as he'd been riding across the yard after breakfast. She'd asked him if everything was alright between himself and Prudence. Before riding off, Cal had politely advised Grace to ask Prudence that question.
After the kiss at the trees, Cal knew he had to put some distance between himself and Prudence. If not for himself, at least for her. The last thing he wanted was to make her feel uncomfortable. More than once this week, he'd told himself it was too late for that. He'd gone and made a fool of himself. And he'd upset her, too. That was the worst part of having given in to the temptation which had swept over him. Being so close to Prudence had awakened something in Cal. Something he'd been trying to deny for many days now.
He'd seen the confusion in her eyes as she'd moved away from him. That had hurt most of all. So, his decision to stay away as much as possible seemed to him like the only solution.
It was Friday morning now. Cal had spent the last few days chiding himself for his impulsiveness. If he'd had any doubt that he knew nothing about the ways of courting, then what had happened out back of the house had confirmed that fact. Cal told himself, over and over, that he should stay well away from courting. It was a mystery to him, and it would most likely remain that way.
The ranch hands had noticed the change in Cal. They'd also heard rumors about Cal and Prudence. That had been enough to get tongues wagging. The ranch hands teased Cal mercilessly, joking with him throughout the long days, wondering if he was sick or something. And, when he'd told them there was nothing physically wrong with him, they just decided that their boss, Cal Logan, was suffering from the pangs of a wounded heart. After that, it seemed it was open season on the foreman of the Circle T. The jokes had come flying in. He knew the men weren't being mean to him. They had to have their fun, and Cal just went along with it.
Cal knew that there'd be feverish activity back at the ranch house. He also knew he might be needed back there. So, around lunchtime he headed back to the house. On arrival, he saw a long table had been set up in the yard in front of the house. About thirty places had been set, enough for all the ranch hands and everyone involved in the running of the house.
The front door of the house was open. As he tied up his horse, Cal heard loud voices and the clatter of plates coming from the kitchen. He smiled when he heard soft, feminine laughter. It sounded like they were enjoying getting ready for the birthday celebration.
He'd been right to assume things would be busy around the big house. When he'd left this morning, cooking for the party had already begun. Now, the aroma of food drifted out across the yard. It made Cal feel instantly hungry.
A figure walked out the front door and Cal froze. Prudence halted on the porch and gazed, wide-eyed at Cal. She was carrying a large dish which was covered with a white cloth. Prudence was dressed in a plain, green cotton gown. Cal figured she looked beautiful.
"Cal," Prudence said softly.
He touched the brim of his Stetson and shifted on his heels. "Thought I'd come and see if there was anything that needs doing."
Prudence glanced down. She looked suddenly awkward, as if she didn't want him around. Cal cleared his throat and wondered if this was his chance to bring up what had happened the other night. More laughter from inside the house made up his mind. He wasn't about to spoil the good mood of the day. It would be selfish to talk about what was happening between himself and Prudence. Hope deserved better than that.
"You could help bring the benches from the bunkhouse," Prudence suggested.
Glancing over at the long table, Cal saw there was still nowhere for folks to sit. "How did the tables get here?" he asked.
"Me, Hope and Grace did it. With a little help from Pedro," Prudence told him. "We figured we'd leave the benches there, for now. Just in case the ranch hands needed somewhere to sit this morning."
"Maybe now is the time to move them. When does the party begin?" he asked.
"In about an hour," she informed him.
Cal nodded. If he didn't get away, this was going to feel like a long hour. Especially if Prudence was this determined to give him the cold shoulder. Well, he deserved it,
he told himself as he started to make his way toward the bunkhouse. He saw Prudence watching carefully as he made his way past her.
Cal glanced back as he passed the barn and saw her laying the plate out on the table. She gave him one long look and then turned her head away. Cal felt something heavy sink in his middle when she did that.
One of the ranch hands, Ray, was in the bunkhouse. He and Cal moved the four benches from the bunkhouse and set them up on either side of the table in the yard. Cal tried to make sure it took a long while to do that. Once he'd finished, he made his way into the house.
There was a whirlwind of activity going on in the kitchen. When he walked into the kitchen all eyes settled on him. The four women stopped what they were doing. Nothing was said, but Cal knew when he wasn't welcome and turned away. He headed into the parlor and shuffled around a while.
Finally, Lucia came into the parlor and handed Cal a bunch of knives and forks and spoons and told him to lay them out on the table. Grateful for something to do, Cal headed out into the yard and spent a long time setting out the places. He felt like he was working in a restaurant. And that was definitely a job he'd never done.
Gradually, all the preparations were completed. Ranch hands started arriving near the appointed time. Soon the long table was crowded with hungry ranch hands. The women finally completed what they'd spent all morning preparing and emerged with plates of food. There were sighs of satisfaction. Roars of approval echoed around the yard.
At last, the women took their places at the table. Hope sat at the head of the table. It was her party and she was the most important person at the table. Grace insisted that Cal sit next to her on Hope's left. When Cal saw Prudence seated immediately across from him, he figured the next couple of hours might be awkward.
Just like he was used to doing, Cal made sure that he used his plentiful supply of jokes and funny stories. He knew all of the men at the table had heard them all before. But the newcomers laughed, and that was all that mattered. Keeping up the spirits of every one of the guests was his highest priority.
The food was delicious. There was a tasty mixture of dishes he guessed might have been Hope's favorites back in Kansas City. And there were some spicy temptations that had been made by Lucia.
There was wine for everyone as well as some whiskey for later. Cal wasn't used to drinking alcohol, having been brought up to drink only in moderation. Celebrations were the only time he relaxed that personal rule. During the meal, he was glad to see that none of the ranch hands seemed to want to drink to excess. Maybe they were following his example, Cal told himself.
The eating completed, it was time for some speeches. Grace stood first and gave a speech which was heartwarming. Cal could tell that Grace's words meant a lot to Hope.
Then it was Prudence's turn. She glanced across at Cal as she stood. She smiled at Hope. "What can I say that hasn't already been said much more eloquently by Grace?" Prudence began. "I feel very privileged to be here with you today, Hope. It is your twenty-fifth birthday, and that is special enough." Prudence gazed out across the valley. "But to be here with you and with Grace, is truly a miracle. I thank the Lord for all the graces He has bestowed upon us all. He has given us all a new life. A fresh start in a beautiful land."
Prudence glanced at Cal. His heart leaped when the corner of her mouth creased with the smallest of smiles.
She lifted her glass of wine. "Happy Birthday, Hope."
The rest of the guests stood, lifted their glasses and roared their agreement. Hope's eyes moistened with emotion. She forced herself to smile at everyone. Cal could see how much all of this meant to her.
Cal saw Prudence look at him, She lifted her brows and glanced at Hope. Was she asking him to make a speech? Cal dragged in a deep breath and tried to think what he could say. He and Hope were still almost strangers. Grace and Prudence had said everything already. Cal wasn't sure what he could add to their heartfelt words.
Then, Cal felt something hard collide with his leg. A sharp pain shot up his right leg. He flinched and stared across at Prudence.
She had just kicked him!
Prudence tilted her head quickly. Now it was obvious what she expected him to do. Cal reached down beneath the able and rubbed his painful shin. Maybe he'd say just a few brief and very polite words.
He started to stand, gathering his thoughts as he did so. Just as he was about to begin speaking he heard someone at the far end of the table say quietly: "Someone's coming."
Cal saw heads turning toward the west of the ranch. He followed their gaze. His breath caught in his chest. His mouth dropped open and he heard Grace exclaim: "Is that who I think it is?"
Cal peered at the three riders who were entering the yard. At any other time, he might have uttered an oath. But not today. Not at this birthday celebration.
Cal stepped over the long bench and made his way around the table. When he made it to the middle of the yard, he halted and stared up at the lead rider.
"What do you think you're doing here, Largo?" Cal asked.
Rafael Largo tilted his head and peered across at the long table. The astonished faces of the guests stared right back at him.
CHAPTER NINETEEN
How dare Largo come to the ranch, Prudence told herself as she stared across at the three riders. Today of all days.
She watched as Cal took his place, standing right in front of Largo's black stallion. Behind Largo, his two companions struggled to control their nervous horses. Prudence heard some of the ranch hands utter a few quiet complaints. Largo's arrival had completely changed the atmosphere of the party.
"What do you want, Largo?" she heard Cal demand.
Largo was dressed in an elegant dark gray suit. His black hair was slicked back and shone in the mid-afternoon light. Largo smiled at Cal. "I heard it was the fine lady's birthday, and I came to offer my best wishes," Largo said.
Prudence gasped. The man was audacious, that was for sure. After the way he'd treated the three of them when they'd visited his ranch, she found it astonishing that he thought he could just invite himself to the Circle T.
"What makes you think you're welcome here?" Cal asked sharply. Prudence could hear the tension in Cal's voice.
"We're neighbors," Largo said. "I thought that, after our recent misunderstanding, this might prove to be a good opportunity for me to show the high regard I have for my delightful neighbors." As Largo finished saying those words he smiled across at where Prudence, Hope and Grace were sitting.
Largo gestured to the two riders behind him. He snapped his fingers and the men quickly dismounted. It was now that Prudence noticed that upon each horse was hung a large leather bag. The men unbuckled the bags. One man lifted out a large parcel wrapped in brightly colored paper. The other man carefully pulled out a bouquet of flowers. The men paused, clearly awaiting a further signal from Largo.
Prudence heard Hope gasp. She turned and saw her friend's eyes were wide with surprise.
Some of the ranch hands were beginning to get restless. As far as a birthday celebration went, Largo paying a call was about the worst thing which could have happened.
Cal peered at the two men. "I'm not sure that's a good idea, Largo," he said. "This is a private celebration. Friends only." Cal uttered those last words with a firmness meant to warn Largo.
Largo seemed unaffected by Cal's tone, or his words. "I can only say how much I regret our recent disagreement. If I did cause any distress to those fine ladies, I can only express my deepest apologies." He pointed to the two men holding gifts. "Allow me at least to show my sincerity by presenting these humble tokens to Hope."
Indignation mixed with a powerful desire to protect her friend rose within Prudence. She started to stand, intending to go across to Largo and order him off the Circle T. She felt a hand on her arm and turned.
Hope was smiling at Prudence. "Don't go to him," Hope said softly.
Prudence looked with consternation at Hope. "Why not?" she murmured quietly.
<
br /> Hope sighed. "Today is a special day. You told me how important it is to forgive. Perhaps today is a day for doing that." Prudence started to speak but Hope squeezed her arm gently. "I know you only want the best for me. But it is my birthday." She looked across at Largo. "And he seems to have gone to some trouble on my behalf."
Prudence stared at Hope for a long moment. She wanted to persuade Hope that this wasn't the right thing to do. She agreed that forgiveness was important, but she was also torn by a need to make sure Hope had a happy day.
Prudence sighed and nodded her head. "If that's what you want."
Hope nodded. She stood and started to walk toward Largo. Instinctively, Prudence rose and followed behind her friend. Grace moved quickly to walk alongside Prudence.
Cal frowned when he saw the three women walking toward Largo. Prudence saw Cal's jaw tighten with frustration. He didn't try to stop Hope. Even if he didn't understand what she was doing, he wasn't going to do anything to make things worse.
Largo took the flowers and the parcel from the two men. He presented them to Hope. "Please accept these as birthday gifts and tokens of my best wishes to you on this very special day."
Prudence felt something crawl up her spine as she listened to Largo's smoothly liquid voice.
Largo bowed his head as Hope took the gifts. She inhaled the scent of the flowers and handed them to Grace. Then Hope gently opened the wrapped parcel. She gasped with delight and drew out an ornately-patterned shawl made of what looked like silk. Prudence reluctantly admitted to herself that it was beautiful.
Hope examined the shawl, teasing the fabric with her fingertips. She seemed genuinely pleased with the gift. "Thank you, Señor Largo," she said to him.
Prudence glanced at Cal. He didn't look at all happy about what he was witnessing. His shoulders were tense. His gaze steady.
Hope gestured toward the table. "Please. Won't you join us at the table."
Largo grinned. "I'd be delighted."
The Texas Cowboy’s Courtship (Testament Creek Book 1) Page 10