Mary Ellen looked toward where she'd been directing her gaze and raised her eyebrows, her mouth tilting up on the corners. "No, just sit. I have everything ready to set on the table." She looked to the three men. "Hope you're hungry. I made chicken and dumplin's."
The men moved even faster, Joe and the two handsome friends became motivated at the mention of food. They settled into chairs and exchanged looks of surprise that Charlie joined them at the table next to Joe and across from Rafe.
Chapter Seven
It was hard to concentrate on the delicious meal with Charlotte Kennedy across the table from him. Rafe tried his best not to keep looking at her, but it was damn near impossible. Although still a bit pale, she didn't seem as distraught. Back to her calm and distant demeanor, she maintained her attention on her meal and spoke in low tones with Mary Ellen about upcoming work and the household.
When Joe cleared his throat and got her attention, Rafe was grateful. "What all did Winfrow want today?"
She looked to Mary Ellen before replying. "The same, just making trouble as usual." Color rose to her cheeks. "You know that man won't stop until he gets what he wants. Go to any length necessary."
Mary Ellen interrupted and slid a look at both Rafe and Jerrick. "I know you both plan to buy land and settle here. You may as well learn that doing business with Jessup Winfrow is like shaking hands with the devil."
"I am gathering that much," Jerrick replied and took a sip of his coffee. "I plan to travel into town in the next few days and inquire about a farm or small ranch for sale. Joe has told me who to talk to."
"What about you, Rafe?" It shocked him that Charlie asked him directly and used his first name. She seemed to realize what she did and blushed adorably.
"It's okay, Misses Kennedy. You are my boss, I don't mind you calling me by my first name." He met her gaze and she nodded and looked away. "I am not sure what my plans are right now. I am more of the thought to buy land and build myself."
"That's a lot of work, but you're young enough," Joe said and shook his head. "Can't imagine doing that myself. When it comes time for me to move on, I'll get me a small place in town."
"You are not going anywhere, Joe. I need you around here too much," Charlie told him emphatically. "What are you talking such nonsense about?"
"Gettin' too old to be much more than a burden. Every day I get slower. I know my time is comin'. Time for you to hire a new foreman and I can get on."
Charlie and Mary Ellen exchanged looks, the women seeming to communicate without words. Both had matching irritated expressions. Mary Ellen huffed. "You have a home here. Both of us do."
"That's right," Charlie said. "You love your rooms attached to the back of the house. Have a wonderful view of the stables and the horse pasture."
"What about when you get married, Charlie?" In his irritation, Joe sputtered. "You are still young. You and whoever you marry may want to have youngin's. You'll need the space."
Her eyes widened and Mary Ellen giggled, which made Charlie give her a indignant huff. "If I marry, which I don't have any imminent plans to do, you are still going to remain here. End of subject." She lifted her spoon to her mouth and lowered her eyes.
Joe let out a chuckle and looked to Rafe. "This is why she won't have dinner with me. I like to get her all riled up."
When Charlie looked to Joe, there was caring in her gaze, warmth that made his chest ache. She genuinely cared for the older man, and from what he could see, counted on him for strength. Both of the people who lived there and worked for her were more than just hired help. They were her friends, her family.
Jerrick pushed back from the table. "I certainly appreciated the entertainment, Joe. Misses Charlotte, as long as Rafe and I are here, we'll do what we can to protect you from that Winfrow fellow. But you should consider speaking to the sheriff about it."
"If it comes to something more than subliminal threats I will. The sheriff is aware of Winfrow. The two men don't care for each other, which is a good thing. And thank you..."
"Call me, Jerrick, please."
She looked from his friend to Rafe and smiled. "All right, but if I'm to call you by your first names, then do the same. Please call me Charlie."
Rafe wasn't ready to leave, so he accepted coffee when Mary Ellen offered to pour. He knew it was getting late, yet he wanted to spend a few more moments in Charlie's company.
Joe grumbled about things that needed to be done, wood cut for a new pigpen, mending the fence on the west side of the property and such. All the time Joe spoke he listened and every once in a while commented. The old man looked to Rafe and frowned. "I hope you don't plan to be leavin' too soon. There's still much to be done and I haven't gotten any other responses to the notice I put in town."
It occurred to him how strange that it was so hard to find workers. "I don't understand how can one man stop men from working. Don't they need to feed their families?"
Mary Ellen huffed. "Winfrow has money. He either pays them or threatens them if they try to work here. He wants Charlie to fail. For this ranch not to thrive, so he can swoop in and buy it."
Charlie gave him a pointed look. "I'd rather give it away than sell it to that man." There was vehemence in her voice. "He's never going to have Horseshoe. I'll burn it to the ground first."
It was irrational that one man could hold families back based on threats. "Aren't there any other people around who can stand up for you?"
"The McKade's try," Joe said holding his cup up for Mary Ellen to refill. "They got land of their own to look after, but they make rounds every once in a while. The family owns most of the land on the other side of Winfrow. They are a big bunch, so the coward doesn't bother with them much."
Rafe began to get the picture of what life in Colter Valley was like. For the most part, the townspeople lived a good, peaceful life. The ranchers, however, were part of a hierarchy and dealt with power struggles and competition. Charlie was caught in the middle of what looked to be one man's attempt to become the rancher with the largest land mass and herds. In addition, the man wanted Charlie. She was Jessup Winfrow's ultimate prize.
Now that he had decided to live here, he'd join the game, but his ultimate goal would be for peace within his new community. Unfortunately, it seemed it meant he'd have to find a way to deal with Jessup Winfrow.
Chapter Eight
Mary Ellen felt a physical loss as soon as Jerrick Black left the room. Not that she had any aspirations of ever garnering the attention of a man like him. Admittedly, not only was Jerrick astonishingly handsome, but he was a few years younger than she. Through conversations and such, she'd gathered he was twenty-six.
About to turn thirty, she was past marrying age and although she considered options for marriage, could never bring herself to marrying any of the men who lived in Colter Valley and had shown interest.
Unlike a dazzling beauty like Charlie, she was pretty enough, more pleasant of face. The last three years, she'd garnered men's attention and even a couple marriage proposals. Yet in spite of wanting a family of her own, children and a husband, she'd not been able to bring herself to accept. Her heart was set on romance and in her opinion it was the most important factor for a successful marriage.
The room became too warm and Mary Ellen got to her feet fanning her face with both hands. "It's too hot in here. I'm going to get a bit of fresh air before cleaning up." The three people at the table barely glanced up from their meal as she made her way outside.
The soft chirps of cricket's song filled the air along with the sounds of an owl hooting in the distance as Mary Ellen made her way down the worn path. She'd circle the house as was her usual routine. It gave her an opportunity to not only get fresh air and exercise, but clear her mind as well. Deep in thought she almost screamed when a figure appeared before her, coming from between two trees.
A chuckle stuck in her throat at almost walking up to Jerrick relieving himself. "I'm sorry... you startled me. I thought you'd be at the bunkhouse b
y now."
His light hair shimmered in the twilight, his hazel eyes seeming to darken when meeting hers. "Doin' a bit of walkin' myself. Ate too much of your delicious cookin'.
When his lips curved, she had to force herself to look away. "I'm glad you enjoyed it. One of my favorite things to do is cook and bake."
"It will be hard to leave. A man can get used to eating like this every day." His voice held a gruff edge, while at the same time his Texan accent softening the tones.
She wasn't sure what the appropriate response was, so she changed the subject. The one thing she wasn't ready to think about. The day he'd leave. "It's a beautiful night, isn't it? I just love this time just after sunset."
Jerrick wasn't fooled for an instant, by the twinkle in his eyes. "Yes, ma'am, it is." He held out his arm. "How about I walk with you?"
Butterflies tumbled in her stomach. The idea of walking in the moonlight with him as foreign as walking on water. She couldn't stop her eyes from widening at his coming closer before she assumed her usual casual air as she tended to do when he was near. "Yes, of course. That would be lovely."
No sooner did she slip her hand through his arm did she become a tongue-tied imbecile. Not one thought, even worse did any word, form in her mind. Every sense except touch disappeared. The warmth under her hand sent a trail of heat straight into her chest. Her breath quickened and she hoped not to embarrass herself by fainting or stumbling at the lack of oxygen to her brain.
"Montana is very different from Texas. The trees taller, the grass greener. Not to mention the mountains," Jerrick told her, his voice soft, yet deep at the same time. "But at night, when I look up at the sky, it doesn't seem so very far."
"Why did you leave? Sounds like you miss home."
He inhaled and let it out slowly. "I do at times wonder why I left. I suppose it's that I have nothing to hold me there. No one to return to. Its where I grew up, but not where I belong."
Mary Ellen understood. She'd moved to live with Charlie and Daniel after all her siblings married, leaving her to care for their mother, their father long since gone. After her mother died, although she had sisters, nieces and nephews, it was not enough to keep her in Billings.
She had felt a strange stirring to go and find her own destiny. "I came here to start again, to see what other possibilities were available to me. But unlike you, at times, I wonder if I should have remained in Billings. I should be helping my siblings look after their broods."
"So you are the only one not married then?" He stopped and looked to her, his gaze moving over her face. At once Mary Ellen wished it were darker so he'd not see the coloring of her cheeks.
"I am the one who never married. Four of us. Two brothers and one sister, all married with children now."
He guided her to continue walking and they rounded the front of the house walking beside the fencing. Finally she began to relax, her breathing returning to normal. Jerrick patted her hand with his free one and she wondered if it was meant to say he understood why she remain single.
Although pretty enough, not a woman someone like him would marry. A sharp sadness made her want to pull her hand away and hurry back inside, but she forced her steps onward, keeping up with his slow yet wide strides.
He spoke without looking at her. "I find it hard to believe you managed to remain here in Colter Valley and not find a husband. If that is what you want, of course."
Confused, she wasn't sure how to respond. His comment was contradictory to what she'd assumed. How had they arrived at this subject? Why was he asking her these questions? His curious nature was making her uncomfortable. She didn't want to admit out loud what he had to suspect. She was not a raving beauty, if marriage proposals came, they were more out of necessity than desire.
"I've always wanted a family. But some things are not meant to be." She deftly redirected the conversation. "I can help you with your plans to purchase property. It occurred to me earlier that John Harrison, a widower who owns a small ranch just west of here is selling and moving back east to live with his daughter. He and his wife lived here in Colter Valley for over twenty years. Laura died just a couple months ago."
"Is that so?" His lips curved. "That is good news indeed. Would you kindly accompany me to see this gentleman tomorrow?"
Caught off guard she stumbled forward and he caught her by the forearms. She put her hand out to catch herself, laying the flat palm against his chest. Jerrick inhaled sharply, his lips parting and eyes flying to her face. His immediate reaction shocked her and Mary Ellen drew back.
"Don't." Jerrick took her hand and replaced it on his chest. Without words, he communicated how much he needed the touch.
Mary Ellen wanted to fall against him, instead she slid her gaze from where her hand lay against his chest up to his face. He watched her with interest, his eyes darkening with what she could only construe as awareness.
"May I kiss you, Mary Ellen?"
The question so caught her off guard that she yanked her hand away and gasped. "What?"
He leaned forward, closer. "You heard me."
What was the proper reply? Yes, of course, she wanted him to kiss her. There was little she wanted more than for his lips to touch hers. Yet she wasn't sure what he'd think if she blurted out a resounding yes.
"You think too much." Jerrick took her shoulders and his mouth covered hers. Mary Ellen closed her eyes and for a brief moment everything except Jerrick was gone.
Charlie looked up from the chair where she sat musing about the past day's events as Mary Ellen walked in. There was a strange look about her, as if she were in a daze. Her friend held her head cocked sideways, and her eyes were glazed over. Without hesitation, Charlie rushed to her. "Mary Ellen?"
"Yes?" It took several blinks before her eyes leveled on Charlie's. "What is it?"
"That is precisely what I was about to ask you. Are you ill? You have this strange look about you. Did something happen?" Charlie looked past her to the doorway. "Something scare you?"
"No, nothing like that. It's just been a strange day."
Something was off. Mary Ellen never lied, but at the moment she did. Her face flushed with color, she turned away toward the kitchen. "I best get the dishes washed."
"Stop right there," Charlie rounded her, blocking her path. "I already cleaned up." She leaned forward and narrowed her eyes. "What happened outside?" A sneaky suspicion it had to do with Jerrick Black tingled at her senses.
It was apparent the man made the usually sensible Mary Ellen flustered. She'd tried to hide it, but after living with her for several years, it was obvious to her. Charlie was willing to bet, Joe suspected Mary Ellen was smitten with Jerrick as well.
Mary Ellen's hands went to her hair and she patted it into place. "Honestly, Charlie, I don't know what to tell you. Nothing happened other than a simple walk for fresh air. Jerrick accompanied me and we spoke of his love for Texas."
"Ah," Charlie said with a smile. "So that's it. Is that all that happened?"
Shoulders back and spine straight Mary Ellen gave her a withering look. "That is all I wish to speak of, yes."
Charlie matched her stance. "Well, well, aren't we mysterious all of a sudden." She decided to stop bullying her and moved out of her way. "Fine, don't share, just don't expect me to share any secret I may have in the future."
With a soft chuckle Mary Ellen shook her head. "All right I will tell you, but only because I have to share this otherwise, I may burst." Taking both of Charlie's hands, Mary Ellen pulled her to the chairs. "Sit. Let me tell you what happened."
"He kissed me!" Mary Ellen covered her face with both hands. "It was wonderful."
Charlie's eyes widened and she smiled broadly. "Oh my goodness."
The sound of their laughter wafted through the open window. Charlie looked up just as a shadow crossed and she hoped it wasn't either Rafe or Jerrick.
Chapter Nine
A few days later, Rafe spent the morning cleaning out the stables. For it only being M
ay, the weather was quite warm. Rafe walked from the stable and stood just outside the doorway. He was of half a mind to go in search of Charlie. Speak to her about herbage for her headaches. Once again she'd missed dinner the night before because of it. Meanwhile Jerrick and Mary Ellen had exchanged conspicuous glances throughout the dinner, leading him to believe his friend was very interested in the pretty woman.
He went to a rain barrel and scooped out a bucket of water to use to wash his hands and face. Just as he dried off, he saw her.
In her garden, she kneeled on a small mat wearing a wide brimmed hat and simple dress, she weeded and tended to her vegetable garden. He headed there, not sure what he'd say once he arrived.
Bent over her work, Charlie didn't look up when he approached, but by the stiffening of her shoulders, she was aware someone neared.
"Good morning, Charlie," he said and crouched down to her level. "The garden looks good."
Her eyes moved to his face and then away. "Good morning, Rafe. It gives me something to do and a good excuse to get fresh air. A cold spell may still come and ruin these young plants, so I'm ensuring to provide enough barrier by mounding earth around them."
"Are you feeling better?" He asked noting she looked a bit pale, but not unwell.
That they could speak so casually felt right. He'd not been able to shake the feeling of her hand between his when he'd held it to help her calm after Winfrow's visit. And now, next to her outdoors on the pretty, late morning he wished to remain as long as possible.
Charlie straightened and rolled her shoulders. Her smile was bright. "Yes, thank goodness. The headache was not as bad as the last one."
"Good, I remember one of the herbs my mother used was Valerian root, she mixed it in a tincture with lemon grass. Do you have those here in this region?"
She considered his words. "I can see how that would work. There is a woman in town, Mrs. Delworth, she owns an apothecary. She gets herbs, spices, and such from everywhere. I will check with her right away. Thank you so much." Her gaze met his and for a moment neither spoke.
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