by Imani King
Logan pretended to growl at the older man’s comment, but Everett’s gaze was already on the young woman. Rubbing the stubble on his face, his expression was one of genuine interest and concern as he tried not to stare at the bruise on her face. “Ma’am,” he said in greeting to her.
Logan sighed when the woman barely spared him a glance before looking around uneasily as if trying to spot an ambush. “I’m taking her to see Val,” he explained shortly. “I’ll catch up with you later.” And with that, he nudged the horse with more vigor than was necessary, pulling them ahead before his friend could comment at all. Normally he’d explain a bit better, but he expected the older man to catch up on what he didn’t say. Everett tended be as astute as he was a hard worker.
He felt the woman relax a little as they moved away but she tensed up again when a few workers in the stable looked up from their work to stare at her. Logan glared at the workers from behind her and they quickly went back to work. Shortly, they reached the main farm house.
“Alright now,” he said as he climbed down. “We just have get Atlanta tied on here and we’re all set to go in.”
The woman got down without any assistance, looking around a little anxiously at her surroundings. The main farm house where Val and her daughters lived was a two story, rectangular structure with four windows on the shorter side.
As she studied the house, Logan studied her, albeit surreptitiously. At the stream, he’d been too busy thinking about her predicament to notice how little she really was. The woman couldn’t be an inch or two above five feet and her body was slim; the type that could easily pass for a child’s. But for her womanly curves and round breasts that showed beneath the knee-length checkered dress she wore, he would have thought her no more than twenty-five at most. And her expressive eyes. Those eyes of hers spoke of her experience and time in this world. She’d seen and weathered a lot, this one.
“This way,” Logan said quickly when she began to turn towards him, wondering perhaps what was taking him so long. Taking up the duffel bag, he headed for the front door of the house.
He pretended not to notice as she made an attempt to straighten out her wind-whipped hair before following him. It had become a little tangled now that it was dry. He had seen her wet it in the river and remembered thinking what beautiful hair she had. But he guessed she had no idea, else she wouldn’t bother straightening it out. He figured all women had some modicum of vanity in them even in distressed situations. He somehow felt glad that this woman hadn’t lost hers despite her circumstances.
Logan rang the bell. “Now Val might come across as a little gruff, but I promise she’s a kind woman—”
He wasn’t allowed to finish.
“Well, don’t you know how to just butter a woman up?” a husky voice came from around the house. In another second, Val appeared. Val Westbrooke was a short woman, and at fifty-two, she was the most respected woman this side of Texas. She was a bit stout but very sturdy, having worked hard beside her husband all her life. As usual, nothing surprised Val and she didn’t bat an eyelash at the company. She only dropped the empty bucket in her hand and stared straight at the woman who had frozen up beside him. “Who’d you bring me, Logan?”
He sighed. Val was never the queen of subtlety. “Miss Val, this young lady was asleep by the stream when I rode up this morning. Close to that glen of taller trees on the southeast side of the meadow, you know?”
Val briefly looked at him with little interest and her gaze turned back to the woman. “And?” She was speaking to him but her direct, dark brown eyes were fixed on the visitor.
“And she finds herself in a bit of a difficult situation, I gather,” Logan continued. “I thought the gentlemanly thing to do would be to bring her here and see if there was something we could do to help her.”
As fierce as Val looked, Logan knew for a fact she was soft at heart. She didn’t disappoint him.
“What’s your name?” she addressed the stranger.
Logan wondered if the woman would resist. Val had a commanding tone, only few people could resist the authority that ran off her in spades.
The woman hesitated only briefly before she answered, “Ari. Ari Jackson.”
“Ari,” Logan pronounced inaudibly….a nice name.
“Is it true you were sleeping on my land?” Val husked.
Logan crinkled his brows. Really, Val could take some lessons in tactfulness.
“I’m sorry,” Ari said quietly, looking thoroughly intimidated.
“That’s not an answer,” Val said, clapping the dirt of her hands before bringing them to her hips. “Yes or no?”
“Yes, Ma’am.”
Val nodded as if Ari had just announced she was bringing lunch. “Where’d you bring that bag from?”
“From my house,” Ari said, briefly meeting the older woman’s gaze before adding. “It—it’s not too far off, I guess.
Val raised a brow. “Not too far off? Texas is the second largest state, my dear. You’ve got to be specific.”
Ari cleared her throat. “In Terlingua, Ma’am.”
“How long ago did you leave?”
“Last night.” Ari tucked her hair behind her ear and gestured to Logan. “I found a spot to sleep by the stream and… he was there when I woke up.”
Logan looked on silently. At the very least, he thought, Val was getting the woman to talk.
Val’s eyes lingered on Ari for a moment as though looking for something. Perhaps, she found it because she suddenly said, “Come on inside, I’ll get you some coffee.” Val pushed the door open.
Logan watched as the woman hesitated. Trying to give her some encouragement, Logan started to go in first, but Val stopped him.
“I invited her in, not you,” she said.
So Logan was left with no choice but to step back.
Val took the duffel bag from him with one hand and laid her other on Ari’s arm to guide her in.
Chapter Three
Ari stepped inside the house, feeling as uncertain as she’d ever felt in her life. The inside of the house was a simple enough place, as simple as the outside. A faint smell of cooking reached her nose from an area to the right, no doubt from the morning’s early breakfast. Ari felt glad she’d eaten Logan’s breakfast lest she embarrassed herself here and now.
“Have a seat,” Val instructed, waving a hand towards a chair and heaving Ari’s bag along the wall.
Ari sat at the dinner table off the living room where Val indicated. She couldn’t deny she felt a certain sense of peace, of stability in this woman’s presence, but she still felt largely uncertain about her fate. What would happen now? Dare she hope for help on this woman-run ranch or was she going to be treated like a thief and reported to the police.
He’s going to find me!
Ari tried to breathe as she watched Val place a couple of mugs on the table. Defensively, her fingers curled against the edge of the table.
“So tell me, Ari, what do you plan on doing?”
“Doing?” she asked somewhat stupidly. It wasn’t the question she’d expected.
“Apparently, you were headed somewhere,” the woman tilted her head towards the duffel bag. “Got family somewhere? Acquaintances you are going to live with?”
“I…” Ari licked her lips when she realized she couldn’t lie to this stern woman. She shook her head tiredly. “Not in this area, no.”
“Did you get lost?”
Ari shifted uncomfortably in her seat. “Honestly, it was dark and I was just running…” Realizing what she said, Ari clamped her mouth shut, but it was too late.
Val Westbrooke was as an intimidating woman. “You were running?” she asked, both brows almost into her hairline.
Ari said nothing. She stared into the now empty mugs and started when she heard Val say, “Speak up.”
There was such command in those two words that her lips obeyed instantly, “It was dark out so I just tried to get as far as I could, based on what little I could
see. I didn’t mean to walk into your property.”
Val crossed her arms. “Are you on the run from the law?”
“No, Ma’am.”
“Would you tell the truth if you were?”
Ari winced but gave a weak nod. “I’m really not out to cause any trouble, I swear. I just—I couldn’t take it anymore…” She looked down at her lap and grew quiet.
A few minutes passed. Still, the older woman hadn’t said a word.
Slowly, Ari lifted her head.
Val sat staring pensively at the door which from which they’d recently entered. “Logan Cartwright!” Val said suddenly and sharply.
The door opened instantly. The rogue had never left. He’d apparently been listening on their conversation.
Ari stifled a chuckle. She’d felt he didn’t want to leave her alone with the woman, not because he didn’t trust her, but because, she guessed, he felt responsible for her. Truth be told, she hadn’t wanted him to leave neither. She was amused that instead of leaving, he had camped out at the door and his boss had caught him.
“Miss Val?” he said, even though his eyes were on Ari.
Ari’s gaze fell back to the table.
“I’d like you to put Atlanta back in the stables, please,” she heard Val tell him quietly.
“I already have one of the boys doing that,” Logan responded.
Ari could hear the grumble in his voice, causing her to look up at him.
“Good, then ask Amber how many I’m feeding supper tonight.” Val gave him a decidedly pointed look.
Ari realized he couldn’t ignore it. He left so reluctantly that Ari felt like laughing despite her situation.
Val waited a few seconds and then took the seat opposite Ari and folded her hands on the table.
This action reminded Ari once more that she wasn’t off the hot seat just yet.
Val let a moment pass before speaking. “It ain’t hard to see what you’ve been through, little one. And your business is your business, but I’ve got to look out for me and mine, you understand?” Her tone was certain, leaving no room for doubt that this woman meant what she said and said what she meant.
Ari nodded.
“Now if it’s true what he said and you really need help, then you’ve got to be clear with me. No lying. I can’t help you if you’re not straight with me, and I don’t waste my time with do-nothing liars.”
Ari nodded again.
Val took a breath and let it out slowly. “Husband or parent?”
Ari closed her eyes as the shame and pain washed over her anew. “Husband.”
“How long?”
“Two years.”
“It’s been bad the whole time?”
“No, not at first.”
“Does he know you’re gone?”
Ari took a shaky breath. “I’m sure he’s noticed by now.”
“He’ll be looking for you.”
Another nod.
“Go on, take a drink.” Val nudged the mug closer and poured warm coffee from a jug.
Ari took a good swig, trying to let the warmth calm her nerves.
Val thought for a moment then asked, “What’s his name?”
“Dan. Daniel Jackson.”
Val frowned a bit. “How far were you willing to go?”
“Far away,” Ari wanted to say but only said, “As far as I could,” and then added, “Until I found someone who would rent me a room. Give me some work, I don’t know. I wasn’t really thinking when I made a break for it.” She could hear the weakness in her own voice and she hated it. Hadn’t she promised herself she wouldn’t be this way anymore? Just because this older woman was in her own home and she wasn’t didn’t mean she had to be so timid about everything. Ari took in a deep breath and straightened her shoulders. “I,” she started again, firmly this time around, “am a good person. I’m a hard worker. I can do most chores. And I know I’m…” She pointed to the bruise on her face, “I’m better than—” Her voice cracked and she hid behind the back of her hand as tears quickly welled up in her eyes. “I’m better than this.”
The last of her bravado fell and she let herself cry. This time, it wasn’t the fearful cry of wishing the blows would stop or the yelling would abate. The tears she shed in front of this woman she had never met before were those she had only allowed herself to shed very quietly in the dark of her room for fear of more beating. The grief and shame that had been buried in the pit of her soul and never allowed to escape finally spilled out of her. Then when she felt a warm hand rest gently on hers, she buried her head in her arms and wept harder.
The tears took their sweet time coming and she couldn’t stop them. When she finally began to settle down, her sleeve was a mess.
Val got a washrag and wet it under the water pump before handing it to her. “Clean up your face,” she said gently.
Ari did and pressed the damp material against her burning eyes. “I think I was rude to him.” It was the first thing she thought to say in this embarrassing situation she found herself in.
Val inquired without words.
“That man, Logan,” Ari said with a sniffle. “I didn’t trust him and I snapped at him when he tried to ask about me.”
“You didn’t tell him any of this?”
Ari shook her head. “I didn’t even tell him my name. And he was kind enough to give me his food.” She closed her eyes shamefully, remembering. “I hadn’t eaten since dinner last night and after he hit me again… he went to bed and I got ill. My stomach’s been empty since.” She sighed deeply, regretfully. “Logan offered me his food and his coffee. And all I did was snap at him.”
Val nodded, eyes going soft with some fondness. “He’s a good man, Logan is. Has a wicked sense of humor as you must have noticed, but he does good hard work, and he cares a lot about people.” Respect rippled in the woman’s voice as she spoke about the man, Logan Cartwright, and something more.
Ari couldn’t detect what the other feeling was but she couldn’t quite dispute the woman’s words. She thought attributing her to a fish and a rabbit could count as a very wicked sense of humor. The rippling of his muscles beneath his shirt, which she couldn’t help but notice attested to the fact that he really was a hard worker and well, he had brought her here, hadn’t he? He must care a lot about people too. “I really ought to thank him.”
“Yes you do that,” Val said, getting to her feet. “If I’d allowed him, he would be by the door ready to receive your gratitude,” she added ruefully. “And you had best figure out what your next move is. Running around aimlessly looking like this would be senseless, not to mention dangerous.”
“Do you—do you know of anywhere I could find work?”
Val turned back to her. “Can you cook?”
“Yes.”
“And clean house, I imagine?”
She nodded.
“You ever worked on a farm before?”
“My father owned a farm. Of course, he did most of the heavy lifting but my sister and I helped with the cattle, goats and chickens growing up.” She looked over toward the window closest to the stables. “I’ve had some experience with horses, too.”
Val was quiet for several moments, deep in thought. Finally, she gave a short nod and said, “We’ve got room for you if you’re willing to work.”
Ari looked back at her, not daring to hope.
“I mostly do the housekeeping around here as I got six others to do the work outside. But I’d say we give it a couple of weeks to see if it works well for you, for everyone. You can earn your room for now and if everyone’s happy, then I’ll see about paying you.”
Now, for the first time in a long time, Ari beamed with true gladness. She clasped her hands together, and gazed up at the older woman worshipfully. “Thank you! Oh, thank you so much! I’ll work as hard as I ever did before and then some!”
Val waved her hand carelessly, “Alright, alright. Don’t get ahead of yourself and start making promises you can’t keep. I’ll see for mys
elf how you do. We’ll get you situated for tonight and you can start first thing tomorrow.”
“You won’t regret this,” Ari said, unable to hold the words in.
Val looked out the window. “Once Logan comes back, I’ll have him help get your room set up.”
“Does he live here, too?”
“That’s right. But he sleeps with Everett in the bunk house. Have you met Everett, yet?”
“Everett?”
“Slicked back hair with short sides, forest green eyes, muscular…”
“Ah, I saw him as we were riding up. I wasn’t very polite to him either, I’m afraid.”
“Sounds like you have left a trail of disgruntled men, then,” Val said with a smile and then stopped smiling.
Ari gave a small laugh, trying to diffuse the situation. “I do that, don’t I?” she said with a laugh that to her, sounded forced.
“There’s no excuse for a man to hit a lady,” Val said firmly and with that, she dismissed the matter.
Ari felt grateful for this woman’s altruism. She vowed to work hard to earn her keep.
Val looked out the window again, “There’s one of my girls.” She opened the window and leaned her head out. “Khloe! Where’s Faye?”
Ari heard a young woman’s voice answer but couldn’t make out the words.
“Tell her to come inside a minute. You see Logan out there?”
Another reply.
“I’m sure he’ll be back soon anyway, never mind.” Val brought her head back in. “You’ll have time to say hello to everyone soon.”
In no time, there were footfalls on the front porch and the screen opened as a girl appeared with the most luscious hair Ari had seen in a long time. The pile of ash brown hair was piled on top of her head with a scarf. The girl couldn’t be more than twenty, five years younger than Ari herself. She wasn’t much taller than Val and there was some resemblance.
“This is my youngest daughter here, Faye,” Val said in introduction.
Ari got up and extended her hand. “Hi, I’m Ari.”