by Sandy James
He rubbed the back of his neck. “Yeah, we’ll definitely have it done by spring.”
Gideon cocked an eyebrow.
Aware at how forlorn he’d sounded, Drake just shook his head in reply.
“You still plannin’ on headin’ outta town when it’s built?” Gideon asked.
How was he supposed to answer that question? Of course, he’d always planned to find a new long drive. Now that he was sober, he was sure to catch on with some ranch. There would be no reason for him to hang around White Pines.
But Drake had developed feelings for Kayla, and now he wasn’t so sure that the town wouldn’t play a new role in his life.
What could he possibly do to make himself worthy of her?
That would require a bit of thought…
“You’re good at this, you know.” Gideon inclined his head toward the building site. “Damn good.”
“Thanks.”
“Ever thought about leaving cows behind and doin’ this for a living? Lots of people would be willin’ to pay a pretty penny for a good house. More people settlin’ around here every day.” On that intriguing statement, Gideon walked away, a smile on his face.
Drake simply stood there, wondering for the first time if he might have some hope for a new kind of future.
* * *
The next day, Kayla straightened to her full height and groaned. Putting her hand to the small of her back, she rubbed the ache that had developed from all the bending she’d done that day. But a little pain was worth the progress that had been made on her house.
Caleb and Ty had shown up at dawn, followed not long after by the marshal and Jake Curtis, his brother-in-law. The four of them worked with Drake and Gideon, and they’d taken the pieces Drake had made and raised all four outside walls of her house so quickly that she might have missed the construction if she’d blinked. After that, she’d been given the task of pounding nails into floorboards while the men raised a roof over her head.
Now she understood why Drake had spent so much time in the barn. He’d created walls that were easy for the men to put together like an enormous puzzle. Should the men labor as well as they had today, the house would be enclosed in no time. Then Drake could go to work on the interior without having to bow to the weather.
Caleb’s voice came from behind her. “Getting a bit stiff?”
Kayla smiled at his teasing. “I dare say I shall feel all this activity whenever I try to move tomorrow.”
“Yeah, I’m gonna be sore myself. But we did good, didn’t we?”
“You all did wonderfully. I can never thank you enough for your kindness.”
“After what you went through ’cause of me…” He doffed his hat and swiped his forehead with the back of his coat sleeve. “I feel like I owe you.”
“Oh, Caleb. You cannot still feel guilty. You made an honest mistake, that’s all.”
“I married the wrong woman.” Then he let out a laugh. “Well, I s’pose I married the right woman. But you were left alone.”
“Look around here.” She nodded to where the men were taking a break, talking amongst themselves. “Does it appear as though I’m alone?”
A sigh slipped from him. “But—”
Kayla put a gentle hand on his arm. “Do you know what my father used to tell me whenever something unfortunate happened?”
“Unfortunate? You call comin’ all the way to Montana to marry a man to find out he’s fool enough to already get married to another woman unfortunate?”
“Do you know what he said, Caleb?”
He shook his head.
Smiling, she said, “Everything happens for a reason.”
At least she got a grin from him. “What do you think that reason was, Kayla?”
“Why, isn’t it quite obvious?” After savoring his confused expression, she said, “A Kayla and a Caleb should never dare to marry. Those names are far too similar. We would be confused all of the time.”
Throwing his head back, Caleb laughed.
Kayla let her gaze drift to Drake, and she was surprised to see him staring at her and frowning.
When Caleb ended his bout of laughter, he put his hat back on his head. Then he glanced to where she’d been looking. “So that’s the way of it…” He folded his arms over his chest.
How was she supposed to respond to that statement? Trying to hide her feelings for Drake had clearly been an utter failure, at least where Caleb was concerned. From the tone of his voice, she couldn’t tell if he was happy for her or condemning her. Her face heated in response.
He frowned. “Don’t go leapin’ from the fryin’ pan into the fire.”
“What exactly do you mean?”
“Drake. He’s a bit of a…rascal.”
She quirked an eyebrow. “Are you saying that I shall be burned, Caleb?”
“His reputation ain’t good.”
The need to defend Drake was irresistible. “He’s changed, you know. In the time he’s been working out here, he’s changed.”
When Caleb continued scowling, it struck her exactly how much he looked like his brother Gideon. “How’s he changed?” he asked.
She tempered her response to preserve a little of Drake’s privacy. “He has given up spirits, and he spends a great deal of time assuring that the farm runs smoothly. There have been hours and hours of him working on building my new home.”
“I see.”
Her gaze caught Caleb’s. “He is not the same man he was months ago. He’s changed.”
After he thought things over for a few moments, he nodded. “For your sake, I hope he has.”
* * *
Drake had a difficult time concentrating on what Matthew was saying as he watched Kayla talking to Caleb. When she put her hand on Caleb’s arm, Drake struggled mightily to keep from marching over there and punching Caleb right in the face.
“Are you listening to a word I’m sayin’?” Annoyance was plain in Matthew’s voice.
“Sorry,” Drake mumbled. Yet he still couldn’t seem to take his eyes off Kayla.
“If she’s hidin’ something,” Matthew said, “I need you to tell me.”
The plea in Matthew’s words got through to Drake, drawing his full attention. “More trouble in town?”
“Not yet. But the last telegraph message was a lot more insistent,” the marshal replied. “The Pinkertons are offering a hefty reward to find this Carolyn Burton.” He snorted his derision. “As if those bastards would ever pay up. But if news gets around town…”
Drake took a threatening step toward Matthew. “You told people there’s a reward?”
“Of course not. How stupid do you think I am?”
Drake relaxed his stance, although Matthew’s knowing, smug expression was inviting a smack upside the head.
“What I’m sayin’,” Matthew continued, “is that whoever wants to find her is dead serious. Word ever gets out about the reward, you might have trouble. People won’t care that our Kayla ain’t the Carolyn they’re lookin’ for.”
God forbid anyone ever finds out she is Carolyn.
Gideon fisted his hands against his hips. “A Pinkerton might just show up in White Pines.”
“Damn it.” Drake’s temper kept rising, and panic was starting to set in.
All talk ceased as Kayla and Caleb joined them.
“Gentlemen.” She bowed her head before favoring them with an enchanting smile. “I would like to thank you for the hard work you’ve done for me.” As her eyes moved from man to man, her smile faded. “Something’s wrong. Is there a problem with the construction?”
Drake took her hand, not caring that the others would see the affection in the gesture. “The Pinkertons are offering a reward to find Carolyn Burton.”
The way the blood drained from her face made him worry that she might swoon.
“I’ll protect you,” Drake whispered.
“It’s past time, Kayla,” Gideon insisted.
“Time?” She knit her brows.
&n
bsp; “To tell us everything. You need more than me and Drew now if you’re gonna stay safe.”
She winced.
Gideon narrowed his eyes. “What are you hidin’ that you ain’t even told us?”
“He’s right,” Drake said with a nod. “Tell them.”
Matthew took his hat off and hit it against his thigh. “My patience is done. What in the hell is goin’ on here?” His eyes drilled into Kayla. “You’re her, ain’t ya? The woman they’re lookin’ for is you.” That accusing stare shifted to Drake. “You damn well shoulda told me. How can I help if I don’t know what in the hell is goin’ on?”
“I… I…” She appeared as frightened as a doe that had scented danger. Then, squeezing Drake’s hand, she squared her shoulders. “I am the woman they seek. Carolyn Burton.”
Matthew slapped his hat back on his head and stomped around in the muddy yard. “Goddammit! I knew it! I just knew it!” Once his tantrum petered out, the marshal came back to put himself in front of her. Using an imposing glare, he put his hands on his hips. “Start talkin’. Now.”
“Don’t yell at her,” Drake ordered. “She’s innocent in all this.”
“She ain’t innocent of lyin’ to me.”
“I simply wasn’t sure whom I could trust,” Kayla said.
“You can trust me,” the marshal said with a decisive nod. “Start with who’s hiring the Pinkertons.”
The hand holding Drake’s was tightly clenched, and it was clear she didn’t want to open up.
He leaned closer and whispered, “It’s time, darlin’.”
She gave him a curt nod and then fixed her attention on Matthew. “I believe the person offering the reward is Chantal Carrington.”
Matthew knit his brows. “That name sounds familiar.”
“Her late husband was quite wealthy. His family owns Mid-Atlantic Bank.”
Gideon let out a low whistle.
“Why do you think it’s her?” the marshal asked.
“I was engaged to her son. She…objected. Immensely.”
Matthew shook his head. “Doesn’t explain why she’s after you like a hound on a fox.”
“It’s a long story.”
“Then start tellin’ it.”
Kayla took a steadying breath, and her courage might have fled had Drake not stepped close enough to her that their arms brushed. Drawing strength from him, she launched into the story. The more she explained what had happened, the more she realized that things with Chantal Carrington were probably going to come to a head soon. The woman seemed desperate to be sure that Kayla was forever removed from her son’s life. Didn’t she realize that Kayla wanted nothing to do with the man or his money? She considered sending a telegraph to tell her so, but it was clear Chantal would never give up.
Was Gregory forcing Chantal’s hand, demanding the resources to find Kayla? Kayla wondered what he thought when she’d suddenly disappeared. Did he think she’d changed her mind? Chantal, no doubt, used Kayla’s hasty leave-taking to her strategic advantage.
Perhaps Gregory hadn’t given up on Kayla after all… That would explain Chantal’s pursuit.
Papa’s murder. That had to be why Chantal would hunt her down. Kayla had witnessed her father’s murder. Clearly, Chantal had figured that out. Kayla could implicate her and her man-servant and send them to the gallows.
Didn’t she realize that Kayla didn’t have the courage nor the connections to accuse a Carrington? She’d resigned herself to the fact that her father’s murderer would never see justice.
Drake squeezed Kayla close against his side as she finished explaining things to the men. It dawned on her that should she ever see Gregory again, the man would pale in comparison to the handsome cowboy she now loved.
“I assumed that my coming to Montana and changing my name would end her vendetta,” Kayla explained. “It would appear that I was dead wrong.”
Gideon moved closer, putting his rather intimidating height right in front of her. “You shoulda told us everything, Kayla.”
“I’m sorry, Gideon. I will pack my things and leave so that you, Drake, and Drew are no longer in danger. Perhaps California—”
A roar came from Drake. “The hell you will! You’re here and you’re stayin’ here.”
All the men nodded vigorously.
Tears stung her eyes as she glanced from Drake to Gideon and then to Matthew. Even Jake Curtis, who barely knew her, had the same resolute expression.
They were going to protect her.
“Thank you.” Her voice caught, making the words whispered squeaks. “Thank you all.”
Every head suddenly turned to the sound of a horse trotting up the muddy slope.
When Kayla recognized the face, she let out a joyous cry. “Drew! You’re home!”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Kayla broke away from Drake, hiked up her skirts, and ran to Drew. She was so focused on him that she was a bit startled to suddenly realize there was a woman riding behind him.
Clearly uncomfortable hugging the back of the saddle, the woman wiggled around until Drew turned his head to say, “Brigit, it seems as though you are ready for our journey to end.”
Her reply was muffled by a brown knit scarf that was wrapped around her head and face.
“Perhaps I can convince you to dismount?” he asked with laughter in his voice.
The humor warmed Kayla’s heart, and having him back felt wonderful. “I’m so happy you’re home!” She reached up to help the woman dismount. Once on her feet, she was a good head taller than Kayla. “Did Drew say your name is Brigit?”
The woman mumbled something against the layers of scarf covering her face as she tried to unwrap herself from the burden.
Kayla pitched in to help, wondering if Brigit was as unaccustomed to the Montana cold as she had been when winter arrived.
When the knit scarf was nothing but a bundle in her arms, the woman smiled. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Brigit. Brigit Ryan.”
Her accent was thick with Irish brogue, something Kayla had loved to hear from the shopkeepers in the New York markets. The accent had always sounded enchanting to her, and she loved it when Brigit started speaking to Drew.
“Master Andrew,” she said, “I be needin’ a place to freshen up.” She nodded toward the group of men. “Ye’ll be needin’ to talk to Master Gideon to let him know ye brung me along.”
Drew nodded. “He won’t object. We had already discussed having you in our employ before Gideon left Missoula.”
Kayla shifted her gaze from Drew to Brigit and then back again. Her stomach had fallen to her feet, because she was fairly sure she knew exactly what job Drew had offered to Brigit.
Mine.
“Employ?” she asked, not at all surprised the word ended on a squeak.
Clearly picking up on the tension, Brigit frowned. “I will leave ye two to speak in private.” On that, she headed toward the house fast enough to confirm Kayla’s suspicion that Brigit wasn’t happy with the cold.
Kayla walked at Drew’s side as he led his horse Rusty to the barn. “I assume that you have brought Brigit to keep your home. Has my work been unsatisfactory?” She’d been so focused on getting her own house that she hadn’t truly considered that living in a separate residence might affect her relationship with Drew and Gideon.
Drew nodded and kept walking. “You shouldn’t be at all surprised by this…change. After all”—he glanced over his shoulder toward her house—“you will have plenty to tend to caring for your own home. You would be hard-pressed remaining as our housekeeper as well.”
“I would be quite fine handling both homes,” she insisted. As they got closer to the barn, Kayla hurried ahead to open the door so Drew could lead his horse inside. Then she closed the door behind them.
He looped the reins over the door of an empty stall and began to uncinch the saddle. “What about meals? You intend to cook for two homes?”
She dismissed that question with a wave of her hand. “Of course not.�
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As he hefted the saddle off the horse’s back, Drew chuckled. “So then you planned to cook for us and dine with us three times a day?”
“I… Well, I…” She let out a sigh. “I hadn’t considered all the implications of having my own home.”
He opened the stall door and led his horse inside. Then he removed the bridle. “I shall return soon to brush you.” He stepped outside the stall, plucked a flake from a bale of hay, and dropped it into the stall. “For now, enjoy your hay.” After a pat on the horse’s thick neck, he slipped into the aisle and then closed the door firmly behind him. He wiped his hands on his jacket and wrinkled his nose. “I am in dire need of a warm bath.”
“I shall be happy to heat the water,” Kayla offered. “I imagine you are weary from traveling.”
Grabbing her hand, Drew threaded it to his arm. “That I am. But for now, I wish to see the progress on your home.”
“I dare say Brigit would appreciate a warm bath as well. Perhaps Gideon, too.” Her gaze went to Drake, who was talking to Gideon. After the hard day of work he’d put in, there was no doubt he would appreciate getting cleaned up. “Perhaps we should install a larger tub so everyone can bathe in unison as I have heard they do in Japan.”
“I don’t think we need to resort to communal bathing. I am quite sure Brigit will help you prepare the baths, Kayla.”
“She is surely tired.”
Drew let out a laugh. “Even if she were, she would never allow you to have to go through the effort required for preparing four baths.”
“Five.”
“Why five?”
Kayla shot him a smile. “After all that work, I will be so sweaty that I shall need a bath more than any of you do.”
She’d missed the sound of his laugh and the way he liked to tweak her nose. “Please don’t fret, my dear. I am quite sure that once Brigit settles in, the two of you will find a way to share the necessary women’s chores both here and in your new home.”