by Rita Hestand
Emma sighed heavily, her face turning into an immediate frown. Deke's expression turned to mush the minute the baby began crying. The same hand that had covered Emma's now stretched to ruffle Sammie Jo's curls. "This highchair is pretty worn out; maybe you ought to consider replacing it."
"Oh yes–I've been meaning to. It's on the list."
"List?"
"Of improvements."
He still looked confused so she babbled on. "Oh, there are so many things I need to take care of. Lately I've been working so much, I simply haven't had the time to see to it. I'm not a shopper. You must think me a horrible mother," Emma said turning away from his probing gaze. She found Deke Travers just a little too disconcerting this early in the morning. His fresh scrubbed and cleaned-shaven appearance did things to her equilibrium that she didn't want to think about. And the fact that he was just now buttoning his shirt had her floundering.
"Emma would you relax. You aren't on trial here. As a matter of fact, I think you're a very nice mother. I couldn't help but overhear you reading to her last night. My mother used to read to me. I really liked that."
"I read to her every night." Emma flipped a sausage. "It seems to help her get to sleep."
He nodded. "At first, when I realized what you were doing, I had to peek in. Been a long time since anyone around here did much reading, except the cattleman's journal. But one look on her little face, and I understood. She's enraptured by your voice."
"Understood what?"
"That only a loving mother would read to a child that couldn't understand for an hour and a half."
"You listened–that long?" Emma's mouth flew open.
"No, not exactly." Deke shifted uncomfortably. "I hope you don't think I was snooping but I went out to check on a couple of things and when I came back you were both still wrapped up in that rocker. She was asleep, like a little angel, and you were smiling at her as you read the same story, must have been three times."
"It was her favorite and she was teething. I read to soothe her."
"Don't apologize. I thought it was kinda sweet. Did your mother read to you when you were little?"
"I don't remember. I was too young. Oh but you're wrong about not understanding. Doctors encourage reading even before they are born. They might not understand all the words, but it's the communications," Emma recited Kate's doctor's speech nearly word for word. The endless trips to the doctor with Kate had been a real eye opener for Emma. Little did she know how much she would need the information for herself.
"I'd say you communicate very nicely, Emma. There's something kinda nice about having a woman and a baby in the house."
Their eyes met for only a moment then Deke glanced away and cleared his throat. "Well, I'll have one of the boys look out in the old shed and see if we can find something better than this chair. We must have had some kind of contraption for eating when we were kids."
"Oh please don't bother . . . ."
"It's no bother." His eyes met hers for a long moment, and then he cleared his throat again and looked away. "Don't act like I'm doing you such a favor all the time. I needed a cook. You needed a job. Your gratitude is not what I'm after."
Sausage sizzled in the big iron skillet on the stove and Deke didn't waste any time in moving towards it, flipping it with the spatula she had lain down.
"I thought I'd fix sausage and eggs this morning, since you have an abundance of both and you told me last night the boys always liked them." Emma tried to sound calm, when every nerve in her body seemed to scream at her. God, he was being nice. And she was completely overreacting. He was only her boss, not a vampire about to scoop down upon her neck and bite her. Although the very thought sent a wave of goose-bumps over her skin. She had to quit reacting. She wasn't in the market, she reminded herself, and Deke Travers certainly had no personal interest in her.
"That's a good choice. Smells great. I didn't expect you to be up so early, especially since you have a baby to tend to." Deke watched her carefully.
"That's part of the reason I am up. Sammie Jo goes to bed early but she also gets up early too. I didn't want her waking everyone in the house. She's learning to talk and sometimes it comes out rather high pitched."
Deke moved to get his hat off the back porch table. "She's a cute little critter. Don't worry so much about her." Deke glanced down at the tyke on the floor then at her. "Look. I'm sorry if I snapped at you back on the road yesterday. I guess it's my fault you're so jumpy about her, but not to worry, we all like Sammie Jo and if you need a little extra time to take care of her, we'll certainly understand. The baby just took me by surprise. But we like kids, all of us; we just haven't had any since Rusty was a baby. And it looks like you're going to work out just fine. You certainly know your way around a kitchen. So quit worrying. You aren't on trial here. You should have guessed from the little barbecue last night, everyone here likes you. The boys will appreciate a good breakfast before they start tackling the herd this morning. And that coffee will have them running in here any minute. I've been stuck with that job for the past week, myself, and from the looks on their faces not doing too well, either."
"I'm sorry I'm so uptight. It's just been hard these past few months. And I should have told you about Sammie Jo to begin with. In fact I need to tell you ..."
"It'll hold Emma, we'll talk later." He winked.
He was reassuring her, and it took her by surprise. She hadn't expected such understanding, considering she'd practically lied to the man about being Sammie Jo's mother. Of course he didn't know everything yet. And hopefully by the time he did, it wouldn't matter. She'd be gone by then. Although why that thought didn't make her feel better she wasn't sure. "It should be ready soon." She tried to smile. "Do you want to eat now or later?"
Lying didn't set well with Emma. She had the urge to make him sit down and explain the whole thing to him.
If he fired her, what would she do? Where would she go from here? No, for now she'd better just hold her tongue and wait.
Sammie Jo gurgled and Deke winked down at her. "Later. The boys will probably be here as soon as the smell reaches the bunkhouse. Most of them are heavy coffee drinkers, up at the crack of dawn. Comes from the long hours in the saddle I guess."
"And your brothers?"
Deke frowned. "They'll drift in, but don't you worry about them. If they aren't here with the rest of the men, then don't cater to them and fix them a hot breakfast. Jake will be here in a few minutes, but Rusty and Clint sleep in until the last minute. Don't coddle 'em. You start that and you'll be doing it from here on out."
"Oh I won't. I think I mentioned I had brothers too. And I certainly never coddled them." Emma chuckled. "As soon as my old man turned me loose with the spatula I told my brothers if they weren't there when it was ready, they were too late. And it worked."
"Sounds like you know what you're doing. Well, I'll be back soon, I've got a sick cow to check on and then I'll be in." Deke informed her, giving Sammie Jo another glance. "If you need anything Dad's always around the place somewhere."
"What's wrong with her?" Emma glanced up from the stove.
"Who?"
"The sick cow?" she asked not able to keep her concern out of her voice.
"Colic I expect." Her question seemed to take him by surprise. "Several ranchers in the area have complained with the same thing. I think we got a bad load of grain last month. It shouldn't happen again though; I've ordered my grain from a different supplier. Ordinarily we'd have our own grain, but we've had drought problems this year and there simply wasn't enough to go around. If we'd a got that irrigation system in we'd be set, but that's neither here nor there."
"Have you called the vet?" Emma asked.
"Yeah, he'll be out shortly, and I'll probably be close to the house most of the day." He gave her a slight smile, his eyes traveling lazily over her. The smile suddenly faded to a slight frown. "Where'd you say you were from?"
"Up around Greenville. My dad's got a small spread. Not
hing to compare to this."
"I can't imagine you leaving there. That's real pretty country. Wasn't he willing to lend a hand with the kid?"
Emma turned beet red. How could she explain her father to anyone? She didn't understand him herself. "My father doesn't like children, especially girls."
She wanted to slap her hand over her mouth as soon as she'd said that, but it was too late, and Deke had heard every word of it, from the looks of his frown. His gaze traveled over her again and he nodded. "I see. Well, I'll just take a cup of coffee with me out to the barn."
"All right, see you later, then." Emma glanced down at herself and wondered what the frown was all about. Perhaps he expected her to wear a dress. She hadn't given her wardrobe a second thought.
But from the looks of things, Deke had. He shot her a long glance over his shoulder again then headed out the back door.
She had no time to wonder when Sammie Jo spilled her orange juice, Emma quickly wiped it from the floor and set her in the highchair once more, this time locking and tightening the belt. Once she was satisfied, she tipped Sammie Jo's chin upward and looked into her beautiful eyes. "Now you sit still while I get breakfast ready young lady. I have lots of work to do this morning, and we want to make a good impression here, don't we?"
Sammie Jo grabbed her juice, and banged the edge of it against the highchair, "Cack-cack."
"Oh, okay, maybe just one." Emma smiled and handed her a cracker assured that it would keep her satisfied all of two seconds. She was learning.
A couple of the men from the bunkhouse wandered in from the back door and began helping themselves to the coffee.
"Miss Emma, Sammie Jo," Sandy, the cow boss acknowledged with a big smile on his face.
"We couldn't help ourselves Miss Emma, the coffee smelled too good." Little Jim the camp cook declared.
"Help yourselves boys, breakfast is only a few minutes away. Coffee will be ready every morning, just come on in and wash up."
Their expressions reassured her that her culinary skills hadn't failed her. Although why she worried she didn't know. The one thing she knew she could handle was cooking. She'd been cooking since she was big enough to reach the counter. Her own father had been the hardest man in the state to please when it came to coffee and Emma had spent a whole summer learning how to perfect it to his pleasure. She'd succeeded but all she got for her effort was a grunt, and an unthankful remark.
"Took you long enough to figure it out, girl." Her father's words echoed in her head.
Emma didn't want to think about her father right now. She was miles from home and he could no longer hurt her. Besides, she had toughened under his roof. She was a survivor. He had unknowingly taught her to survive on her own, and she had to admit she was proud of herself.
One of the men sauntered over to Sammie Jo and started playing with her. Sammie Jo giggled joyfully. She loved company.
"Let me give you a hand, Emma." Cal Travers wandered into the kitchen, and upon seeing the crowd rushed to help set the long table extended almost to the back porch.
"Thanks, Mr. Travers." Emma wiped her floured hands on her apron and took the biscuits from the oven. Every man there stared at the biscuits as if they'd never seen anything like it.
"Is something wrong?" Emma asked startled by their stares as she placed the biscuits in the center of the table.
"Wrong, hell no–I mean, heck no, ma'am. We just ain't seen such fine lookin' food in a long time." Little Jim remarked. "Why I ain't seen biscuits rise like that since my ma was alive."
Emma blushed at the compliment, unsure of what to do or say next, so she went back to her task. "Well sit down and help yourselves boys, I've got sausage and eggs coming and the gravy is on the way too," Emma said, happy that they appreciated her efforts. It was strange what a lift a compliment could be. Yes, she smiled to herself; her job was pretty secured here if their expressions were any sign.
"You're gonna spoil 'em rotten, Emma." Cal Travers sided up to her and whispered.
"They do a hard day's work, they deserve a good meal. And it's a joy to cook for men that appreciate it," Emma replied.
"You sound as though you've cooked for some that didn't."
"At least one, yes," Emma answered going to the gravy and pouring it into a big bowl.
She chanced a glance at Cal who seemed to consider her remark a moment, then she took the gravy to the table, thankful that he didn't pry any further. It would do no good to rehash old problems, especially with her new bosses.
*****
Deke smelled the biscuits baking all the way out to the barn. His mouth watered. He nodded. He'd done right by hiring Emma. He knew that much. The woman could cook. She was a ranch woman too, and that was in her favor. He hadn't had to tell her much of anything. She caught on right away to what he expected without questions.
He liked her quiet, self-assured attitude. He liked her.
He gulped down the coffee quickly then cleaned out a stall. He didn't like what he set himself up to doing, but he didn't have much choice, the way he saw it. His brothers needed settling down. They needed a taste of responsibility. With Emma they'd get more than a taste of it.
He moved Too Bit, one of his heartiest heifers into the last stall in the barn and checked her over, thoroughly. Rubbing her belly, he nodded.
"You'll be okay once the doc gets you something for that belly, Too Bit. And I won't be doing that to you again. I promise."
Dammit, if the crops hadn't burnt up in the hot Texas sun, this wouldn't have happened, but Deke always managed to roll with the punches. Everyone had to. At least that's what his father kept telling him. Sometimes he wondered.
If Clint hadn't run off last summer for the rodeo, they might have gotten the irrigation system in for their crops. Yeah, Clint and that good for nothing Steve. If only Clint wouldn't listen to Steve so much. But Steve could be pretty persuasive with all the big money he was winning in the Rodeo. And then there was Rusty. He hadn't been much good since he fell for that Jennifer gal. At least that wasn't serious. Deke doubted Jennifer could be faithful to her own shadow yet. She was in her prime and knew it. Rusty would be better off with a gal like Emma, steady, independent, a ranch woman. He'd start considering Rusty's wife next.
But Deke's mind wasn't on Too Bit or the ranch this morning, although he did care about them both. No, today his mind was on a certain young woman who remained a mystery. Emma looked and acted as though she could handle just about anything anyone might throw her way, except–that baby flustered her. Motherhood didn't seem to come natural to her. He wondered if that were commonplace? Did all young mothers get flustered by their own children that easily? He'd seen a case or two of it in his stock through the years, but never in humans. He might never be sure of that one, because he knew very little about the subject and aimed to keep it that way.
Maybe it was because Emma didn't have a steady man behind her to reassure her. Yeah, that might explain a lot of things.
And why would a little gal like Emma wear such clothes? Not that there was a darn thing wrong with jeans and T-shirts, but her jeans fit kinda baggy like, as though she weren't accustomed to showing off her figure. Who had raised her to be so unaware of her own natural beauty?
She was a fine looking woman. "Damn good looking." He blurted. Why, she couldn't be past twenty-three or four. She was little but sturdy and healthy looking. She had beautiful white teeth and olive skin, fine bones, great hair–and God he'd better quit thinking along those lines. That's what got him into trouble the last time. Not keeping his mind on his business. Women and lying just seemed to go together, even with Emma. He knew to stay clear of women; they just weren't to be trusted. How he let himself fall for that little gal in Sweetwater was beyond him now. Well he wouldn't be a fool again.
Besides, Emma wasn't for him, she was going to be his sister-in-law and he'd better get used to the idea now. Those were the things that Clint should be appreciating. Clint talked more than usual last night. Could be
Emma brought out the best in him. Just like Abby had at one time, but then Clint hadn't been interested in his neighbor as a girlfriend, no they were just good friends. At least they used to be.
Maybe it was the way Emma dressed that drove her husband off? And maybe he shouldn't be worrying about her husband or the way she dressed. It might be understandable though, but still, Emma seemed to have a lot going for her other than just good looks. Trouble was, a lot of men didn't look that deep.
Had the snake even had the decency to marry her? Deke doubted they had married since Emma was so dead set against talking about him, and there was no ring on her finger either. Not even a white ring around the finger, like she had been wearing one and just took it off. Bile burned in Deke's throat as he thought about the rattlesnake that had gotten Emma pregnant and left her. What kind of man was he?
Her clothes, and how she dressed weren't his business he told himself, but how would she ever get Clint to look at her as a prospect if she didn't wear something a little more feminine? Evidently that family of hers hadn't appreciated her; she blushed every time he threw her a compliment. Yeah, Emma must have had it pretty rough.
What could he say to her? He'd embarrass her and run her clean off the property if he even mentioned her clothes. No, he supposed Emma was the kind of gal that needed a reason to fancy herself up. He'd think on that a while.
Most men had to be baited, he reckoned. Clint was too blind to see past his nose. If he couldn't see how taken their neighbor was with him, he had to be blind. He needed bait, and Emma wasn't furnishing much, even though he had seen past the clothes real fast. Of course he was older.
Clint liked her, Deke acknowledged as he closed the stall gate. Clint had spent time with her last night, joking, cutting up and trying to impress. Emma had responded with short sweet smiles at him too.
Emma was obviously a practical woman. Damn, that could be a problem. Not to mention the baby. Or the fact that his brother was about as marriage shy as they come. He'd never envisioned such details just to marry a brother off. There was more to matchmaking than finding the right woman, and he didn't have the time to fool with it. Well, he'd just let nature take its course and see how things went first. Then if there was no progress he'd have to help it along. Somehow!