Gabe had sat down on his bench, talking to the porter. It would be fine with her if he stayed right there all the way to Hays. The air seemed to grow hotter whenever he was near, and that made her heart race, which made it more difficult to breathe. That wasn’t entirely his fault, but she didn’t mind blaming him. Because if she didn’t blame him, didn’t find reasons to dislike him, she might start to like him. At one time, she’d liked Isaac, and that had proved disastrous. That was somewhat of an unreasonable comparison. Gabe wasn’t a con man, which is exactly what Isaac turned out to be, but she had more to lose when it came to Gabe than she’d had with Isaac. Ruby was worth more to her than all the money in the world. That little girl was the only family she had, all she’d ever have, and nothing, nothing whatsoever, would make her forsake that.
Thoughts along those lines swirled inside Janette’s head as the train rattled along, until the sun shining through the windows turned the train car into an oven on wheels. Her attention was then on her neck again. Sweat made her skin burn, and, not caring if it stank or not, she doused herself in vinegar several times and, using water from the canteen, dampened the scarf and then draped it around her neck. She truly couldn’t recall being this miserable and sincerely couldn’t wait to arrive in Hays.
“How are you doing?”
Janette opened her eyes, and her breath caught in her lungs, something that rarely happened. The concern on Gabe’s face was her breaking point. Tears sprang forth, and all her blinking wouldn’t stop them from pouring out.
He sat down beside her. “Let me see.”
Too wretched to care, she merely lifted her chin for him to have easy access to remove the scarf and didn’t protest when he pushed aside her collar.
“It doesn’t look too bad,” he said. “I think the vinegar is helping.”
Evidently, her moment of weakness didn’t need to last long. The tears had dried up as fast as they’d formed. Thank goodness. Her misery, though, was still hanging strong. “It’s so hot in here.”
“It is,” he said, replacing the scarf around her neck. “But the car will fill with smoke if the windows are opened any wider.”
“I know,” she admitted. “That man with the brown hat opened his, and I thought I was going to choke on the smoke.” She normally didn’t let such things bother her, but today, she just couldn’t help it. Letting out a bit of frustration with a long sigh, she added, “Or maybe it was just his cigar smoke.”
Gabe took her hand and pulled on it as he stood. “Come on. Get up.”
“Why? It has to be hotter standing. Heat rises.”
“I know. You won’t be disappointed. Trust me.”
Trust wasn’t something she gave easily, but right now, she was willing to try anything for even a moment of reprieve. Or just to get her mind off her misery. Giving in, she rose and stepped into the aisle behind him. Still holding her hand, Gabe led her forward, single file past the rows of benches. Near the front, he spoke with the porter in a voice too quiet for her to hear, but the porter’s smile made his aged face shine as he nodded.
Gabe once again pulled her forward, pausing only long enough to open the door.
“What are you doing?” she asked, stretching on her tiptoes to speak over his shoulder.
He stepped onto the platform before turning about. “Be careful, there’s not much space,” he shouted next to her ear.
“I can see that,” she shouted in return and held on tighter to his hand while he shifted about to pull the door shut.
“Passengers aren’t allowed out here while the train’s moving,” he shouted. “But Saul said as long as I stayed with you, it would be all right for a few minutes.”
The noise nearly rattled her ears off the sides of her head, but the fresh air, still hot but far fresher, was also cooler than inside the car.
“Grab onto the railing,” Gabe shouted.
The only railing was behind him, and there was barely enough room for both of them to stand, let alone move. He grasped her by the upper arms and started moving. She followed his actions. By shuffling their feet sideways, they managed to shift enough for her to be on his other side. She turned and grasped the metal bar with both hands as soon as the railing was within reach. The ground rolled beneath the small platform at a speed she’d never seen, and the coupling connecting the two cars is what caused most of the clanging, but the wind blowing against her neck as Gabe lifted away her scarf was next to heavenly.
Her heart was racing again, but she ignored it, thinking instead of the only reprieve she’d had from the heat in hours. Still holding the rail with one hand, she used the other to pull aside her collar to take full advantage of the breeze. She closed her eyes to block out the movement and some of the sound, and let the wind soothe her burning skin.
“Feel better?”
Gabe’s voice startled her enough she had to catch the railing with both hands again. He grabbed her when she’d been jostled, with both hands on her waist. A touch so simple shouldn’t affect her, but it did. Heat, far hotter than anything inside the train, shot up her sides so fast her heart leaped into her throat.
Unable to speak, she nodded and waited for him to remove his hands. He did, but it took a while, and then it took a while longer before her heart returned to her chest.
“I think we should return to our seats,” she said, swallowing hard.
“Are you sure?”
Her heart may have returned to her chest, but it hadn’t stopped racing. It continued to hammer faster than her treadle machine sent a needle through material. Last night, even this morning, she hadn’t found one likable attribute about Gabe and didn’t want to now either. Yet, ever since he’d told her about that terrible snowstorm, she’d, well, felt something for him. Compassion maybe. Empathy. It couldn’t be more than that. That would be utterly impossible. Allowing a man, any man, to sway her in any direction, in any way, would never happen again. She spun about. “Yes.”
The train jolted, making her stumble. There was nothing to hold on to, but her impulse was to reach forward, where her hands connected with his solid chest. He grasped her waist again, and her senses shot out of control again. Her sides now burned hotter than her neck, and her breathing was so shallow she felt dizzy. Gabe was looking at her, directly into her face, and she couldn’t pull her eyes off his no matter how hard she tried.
His eyes were that amazing stormy-gray color, but they also held a gentleness, a tenderness she’d never seen before.
Strange thoughts entered her mind. They included kissing him. That would not, could not, ever happen. Why, then, did an overwhelming desire have her wanting to stretch onto her toes in order to align her lips with his? She’d kissed a man before. Once. And knew what it felt like. So there was no reason whatsoever to want to kiss him so badly her lips tingled.
His hold tightened, pulling her closer, and the sensations that erupted were unique and so amazing a sigh escaped her lips. He leaned closer, and a thrill shot up from her toes. A happiness that was completely foreign filled her as her mind screamed that Gabe was going to kiss her. Kiss her.
She pressed her heels against the floor, bracing for it, preparing for it, but a moment later, confusion clouded her thoughts when his face turned and his cheek barely brushed her.
“You’re right,” he said next to her ear. “We need to go inside.”
Her insides slumped so hard and fast her body would have followed them if he hadn’t been holding her. Catching an ounce of whatever common sense she had left, she put all her twisting and perplexing thoughts into actions. Shuffling sideways, she forced him to do the same. Once the door handle was within reach, she grasped it and pushed the door open. “Yes, we do.”
Thankful she still had full function of the parts of her body that mattered, she walked down the aisle, all the way to her seat, where she sat down. Avoiding Gabe, who was right behind her, she grabbed the canteen and took a lo
ng drink.
He’d stopped next to her bench and was watching her closely, with one brow slightly raised.
Ignoring that, as well as her still-racing heart, she held out a hand. “My scarf, please.”
He took the canteen from her hand and dribbled water on her scarf before handing both the canteen and the scarf to her.
“We’ll arrive in Hays in less than an hour.”
“Wonderful.”
He sat down on his seat. “You might want to fix your hat. The wind...”
She plucked the pin out, shifted her hat and stuck the pin back in place. Without a mirror, it was hard to say if it was even or not, but she was beyond caring about such things. Using a corner of her scarf, she wiped her face before folding the scarf evenly and draping it back around her neck.
Then, drawing a deep breath, she willed her heart and nerves to settle and told her mind to forget, completely forget, what had transpired outside. In fact, nothing had transpired. Nothing at all.
She was still trying to convince herself of that when the whistle blew. Finally. Her first stop would be a lawyer’s office. The urgency to get things settled and her and Ruby as far away from Gabe as possible was much stronger now.
* * *
Gabe was in the midst of an inner battle when the train jerked, hissed and screeched. Stopping a locomotive was no smoother than getting one moving. He could relate to that. His thoughts weren’t rolling along very smoothly either. He’d almost kissed Janette. If his senses hadn’t returned when they had, he would have kissed her. Kissed her long and hard. Holding her hand had been one thing, so had grasping her waist to keep her falling off the platform, but kissing her? That would have been completely uncalled for. He knew better than that. Knew far better than to do something so downright foolish.
Others started collecting their possessions, and Gabe followed suit. Gathering his bag and the now-empty food basket, he reached over and took the vinegar bottle and canteen from her seat without looking at Janette. Once the items were secured in the basket, he filled his lungs with hot air and braced himself. She had him twisted in knots. One minute she made him so mad he saw red, the next minute he wanted to kiss the daylights out of her.
Hell, that wasn’t knots. She’d turned him crazy. Or close to. And that had to change.
Clamping his back teeth together, he asked, “Ready?”
Her eyes never met his as she nodded and rose, picking up her bag in the process. He motioned for her to go first and then followed her down the aisle. Purposefully keeping his eyes far ahead of both of them. On the doorway.
Hays had only ever just been a town to him. One he had to visit when the need arose, but today, he’d never been so happy to arrive. Stepping off the last step, he gestured for her to walk along the depot platform.
The streets looked the same as always. The hard-packed dirt roads were filled with buggies, wagons and men on horseback. Buildings, with wooden awnings to protect the windows from the sun, wind and rain, were built along the main road as well as several side streets. Some were tall, two stories, and others, short and squat. Houses, no two alike, were built farther out, and a few had trees in their yards. All in all, it looked like most every other town in this part of the state.
“Gabe. Mr. Callaway.”
He turned, and, seeing Ron approaching, Gabe glanced over his shoulder to make sure Janette had stopped to wait for him. She had. Turning his attention back to the young man, he waited.
“I just wanted to say it was good to see you again, and to let you know that I was serious when I said I might be back this way,” Ron said. “If my ma is doing fine.”
“I was serious, too,” Gabe answered. “Milt’s still the foreman. He’s the one you’ll check in with.” Offering his hand, he continued, “I hope your mother is doing well. You’ll be welcomed whenever you can arrive.”
“Thank you,” Ron said, shaking his hand. “I sincerely appreciate it.”
Recalling the conversation he’d had with Janette, Gabe shook his head. “You have yourself to thank, Ron. You were honest when you arrived at the Triple C and honest when you left. Stay that way, and you’ll be welcome wherever you go.”
“I’ll remember that.” Ron then looked at Janette and tipped his hat. “I hope you feel better soon, ma’am.”
“Thank you.”
Gabe bit the inside of his lip at the sound of her voice. It didn’t grate his nerves, it was just the opposite, and that was something he needed to get over. Right quick.
Ron turned to leave, and, recalling the young man had said he’d been hungry for years, Gabe reached out and grasped his arm. “Hold on a minute.” He set the bag and basket down and dug in his pocket to retrieve his wallet. He pulled out a few bills and handed them to Ron.
Shaking his head, Ron said, “I didn’t—”
“I know you didn’t. This is in case your mother needs something,” Gabe said.
Ron was hesitant, yet yearning filled his eyes.
“We can call it an advance on future wages,” Gabe said.
Ron nodded and took the money. “I’ll be back. I’ll pay you back. I promise.”
Gabe nodded and picked up his bag and the basket as Ron headed toward the depot entrance. He then turned around to find Janette looking at him curiously. Not about to listen to another set of her questions, he merely said, “The hotel’s this way.”
She didn’t say a word as they walked but hung close to his side. He told himself not to touch her, not even place a hand on her back to guide her as they crossed the road. The faster they got this business done, the better off he’d be. In several ways.
Considering they would pass a couple of hotels once they started up the boardwalk on that side of the street, he said, “There are a few hotels in town. I always stay at the Hays House. It’s not only the cleanest, it’s the safest.”
“Safest?”
He nodded. “The rooms have doors that lock.”
“Oh.”
Two blocks later, they entered the Hays House.
“Well, I’ll be. If it ain’t Gabriel Callaway himself.”
“Hello, Sy,” Gabe replied to the bald-headed man behind the desk. “I see you’re still above ground.”
“You bet your blue ba—bells I am,” Sy responded, his cheeks turning pink as he set eyes on Janette.
“I’ll need two rooms, one for myself and one for Miss Parker.” With a wave of his hand, Gabe added, “Miss Parker, this is Sylvester Samuelson. His son and daughter-in-law own this fine establishment, and Sy’s job is to irritate the customers so they’ll never come back.”
“There he goes, trying to tarnish my good name,” Sy said, winking at Janette.
“Never fear, Mr. Samuelson,” she said with a friendly tone. “I can see through his tales. I’m sure your customers can’t wait to return just to see your smiling face.”
“Where did you find her?” Sy asked. “She got a sister? A bit older and grayer?”
Gabe wasn’t sure how to answer, knowing the question would remind her of Anna.
She giggled before saying, “I’m afraid I don’t.”
“Sign here, Gabe,” Sy said, after yet another wink of his sparkling blue eyes directed at Janette. “And here’s your keys. Rooms seven and eight, the end of the hall.” Nodding toward Janette, he added, “They’re the nicest rooms.”
“I’m sure they are.” Stepping forward, she said, “I’ll sign for my own room and pay for it.”
Sy frowned and cast a questioning gaze his way. Gabe shrugged and handed her the pen. He could insist upon paying. It might be considered the gentlemanly thing to do, but it would be a waste of time and energy because Janette would argue.
“How much is it?” she asked.
“Well, it’s two dollars a night,” Sy said. “We usually settle up when folks check out.”
“I prefer to pay in advance,” she said, handing over two bills.
“Just the one night, then?”
Sy had directed the question to him, so Gabe nodded. “Hope so. Gotta get back to the ranch. I’ll pay when I check out as usual.”
“Good enough. The meal tonight will be pork roast and applesauce.” Sy pointed toward the arched doorway while grinning at Janette. “Right in there in an hour or so. Been smelling it all day.”
“It smells wonderful,” Janette said, collecting one of the keys.
Gabe grabbed the other key and followed her toward the stairs built against the back wall. Despite her friendliness with Sy, she was all business, and he needed to be, too.
Taking the first two stairs in one step to catch up with her, he said, “I’ll go make sure the judge is in town while you get settled in.” Judge Schofield lived on the north edge of town, but the sheriff’s office was across the street from the Hays House and David Barnes would know if the judge was in town or not. Barnes had been the sheriff for a couple of years, and he and Schofield knew where each other was at all times. Barnes would also know how long of a docket the judge had this week. An appointment today might be too much to hope for, but an opening tomorrow wouldn’t be. First thing in the morning would give them time to catch the westbound train afterward.
He didn’t like being away from the ranch for any longer than necessary. Nor did he want to spend any more time with Janette than necessary.
They’d reached the end of the hall, and he waited for her to unlock her door. Handing her the food basket, he took a quick peek inside her room, just for safety reasons. “Here’s the vinegar. I’ll ask Sy to have some fresh water sent up.”
“Thank you,” she said, taking the basket and stepping into her room.
The door shut before he could say, “You’re welcome,” which was just as well. He had things to do. People to see. After unlocking the door next to hers, he entered and set his bag on the bed, where he pulled out the envelope holding Max’s will, and then left the room.
He stopped long enough to ask Sy to have water sent up to both rooms before walking out the door.
Married to Claim the Rancher's Heir Page 9