Meribeth picked up a soap bar and tied a bow that had come undone. “There are those who think he’ll return to California once he gets his share of the 7 Heart. Some even hope he does. They didn’t take kindly to him leaving when there was a war going on.”
She’d heard that, too. But Houston could do what he wanted as far as she was concerned. If he left, she wouldn’t have to deal with the jumble of emotions she experienced each time they spoke. She had to remind her traitorous heart that he was the one who’d shattered it. She did hope, though, for Calvin’s sake, that he would stay until her brother was on his feet again.
If only Calvin hadn’t asked her to be more cordial when it came to Houston. Being around him was hard enough without having Calvin pestering her, and yet yesterday he’d asked her to take some lemonade out to Houston. Why she’d agreed to do it, she didn’t know. Since Houston had been out felling trees for some odd reason, she’d had to ride all the way to the north pasture and back, taking a big bite out of her afternoon.
Although it didn’t make sense, given Calvin’s warning for her to keep her distance, she’d gotten the impression that his opinion of Houston was changing. That might be, but she’d have to be careful not to spend too much time with him because she was starting to enjoy his company far more than she should.
Stepping into Collingswood & Henderson’s Hardware swept Houston back in time. The familiar smells of axle grease, linseed oil, and kerosene combined, creating a unique scent that filled him with a sense of nostalgia. With the two elderly proprietors busy assisting customers, he was free to explore.
Moving methodically through the shop, he took note of the inventory, from shovels and hayforks to washboards and scrub brushes. He couldn’t resist shoving his hand into a bin of fencing nails. He scooped up a fistful and slowly released them, enjoying the satisfying pings as they struck the sides of the metal container.
The small store, a third the size of his business out in California, offered a fair selection of the basics. If the owners were to rent the vacant building next door, they could double their space and increase their offerings. Their customers wouldn’t be forced to head to Uvalde or San Antonio to get what they needed.
Mr. Henderson finished with his customer and strode over to where Houston stood behind a display of washtubs. “Do my old eyes deceive me, or is that Houston Hart?”
“It’s me, sir.”
“Good to see you again, young man. What can I do for you?”
“Actually, I was hoping I could do something for you. I’ve got some fine oak firewood chopped and wondered if you’d have an interest in offering it to your customers. Calvin Culpepper and I would be willing to give you a nice commission.” Calvin could use the money. From what Houston had discovered in going over Calvin’s books, he’d been fleeced by his erstwhile foreman. Houston was doing everything he could to locate the cheat and see that he was brought to justice. He’d even enlisted Chisholm’s help.
Mr. Henderson shook his head. “I’m sorry we can’t help you out, but Jonas and I aren’t looking to expand our business. In fact, we’ve been searching for a buyer.”
“Really? Has anyone expressed an interest?” The store had the potential to become a lucrative one as Hartville grew. If circumstances were different, he could see himself buying it.
The older gentleman’s smile faded. “Not a single solitary person. Jonas and I decided just last week that if we can’t locate someone by the end of the summer, we’re going to close up shop.”
“I’m sorry to hear that. Hartville won’t be the same without your store.”
“Folks will make do. Many of them have been getting their supplies elsewhere anyhow.” The discouragement in the older man’s voice prompted Houston to do what he could to help.
“I owned a hardware store out in California and faced similar challenges. Perhaps I could offer some suggestions.”
“That’s right kind of you, but Jonas and I don’t have the vim and vigor we once did and are ready to move on. He’s got an invitation to go live with his son up in Dallas, and I want to be near my daughter and her family in Galveston. My second grandchild’s on the way.” Pride lit the man’s eyes.
Although the closure would be a loss for those who lived around Hartville, Houston could understand the pull of family. “I wish you all the best, then.” He bade the man farewell and turned to leave.
“Wait!”
Houston spun around. “Yes?”
“Why don’t you buy the business? You’ve got the experience and the energy.”
“I wish I could, but I’m not in a position to become a merchant again. If my circumstances were to change, I’d let you know, though.”
The only way that would happen would be if he gave up on securing his share of the 7 Heart, but how could he? Ranching his portion was the only way he could show Pa that he was as much a part of the family as his brothers.
He bid the elderly gentleman farewell and left the shop, the bell hanging from the doorknob ringing behind him. The door on the mercantile directly across the street closed, with an answering chime. He recognized the striking woman walking to her horse tied out front immediately. Coralee was particularly fetching in the dark purple dress. It hugged her in all the right places.
She looked up, saw him, and smiled. As quickly as the smile had arrived, it faded, replaced by a firm set to her lips. He’d seen the same thing happen several times over the past few days. It was as though she was genuinely glad to see him but refused to admit it, even to herself. The fact that she was conflicted filled him with hope. Perhaps in time she would trust him enough to let him back into her life. Only then could he tell her why he’d left. For some reason, explaining himself to her had become extremely important.
He took his horse by the reins and strode over to her. “If I’d known you were coming to town, we could have ridden in together.”
“Perhaps.” She shoved the first of two brown paper parcels she carried into one of her saddlebags.
“I’m done, and it looks like you are, too. Care to ride back with me?”
“I suppose so.”
He responded in a light tone. “You don’t have to sound so excited about it. A feller might think you didn’t welcome his company.”
She walked around her horse, stowed the second package in her other saddlebag, and slid the strap through the buckle. She patted her mare’s neck and swung her gaze around to Houston. “Did my brother put you up to this? It’s rather convenient, you showing up in town when I’m here.”
“Of course not. I had business to tend to, and this was the best time to take care of it.”
“I see. Well, I’m ready. Are you?”
“Sure am.” He mounted his gelding.
They got underway. Coralee said little. He didn’t press her but enjoyed the surroundings instead. He’d missed this part of Texas, with its wooded canyons, brilliant blue skies, and stunning sunsets. The lowing of a cow in the nearby field drew his attention. She flicked her tail in an attempt to rid herself of the pesky flies that plagued the herd.
Something seemed to be bothering Coralee, too. If he had to guess, he’d say she was no closer to trusting him than before. So be it. He’d keep doing his best, and in time, both she and Pa might see that he was determined to do a good job.
“Are you glad to be back?”
Her question took him by surprise. “Yes. Why?”
“Being a rancher is quite different from running a hardware store. Are you sure that’s what you want to do? You told me you didn’t enjoy riding herd as much as your brothers, but you certainly seem to enjoy bookwork. You’ve done an awful lot of it for Calvin this past week.”
He’d confessed years ago that his heart wasn’t in tending cattle—once. He wasn’t sure she’d even heard him since she’d said nothing. He’d assumed she wasn’t too happy to find out that he didn’t share his family’s passion. “I’m a Hart. Ranching’s in my blood.”
“Even so, I can’t help b
ut wondering if you’d be happier as a shop owner. I saw you come out of the hardware store. Did you know it’s for sale?”
“I do, but that doesn’t change anything.”
“Perhaps, but you could think about it, couldn’t you?”
“Why all the questions?” Hers had come as a surprise. Had he misinterpreted her silence? Was it possible Coralee could accept him for who he was, even if Pa couldn’t?
“I suppose I’m curious what your life was like after you left. From what I’ve heard, you did well for yourself.”
“It wasn’t always that way. There were lean times, but I found ways to generate income. I felled trees, cut them up, and delivered the firewood during the winter months when mining, building, and the need for supplies slowed.”
“Ah!” She nodded. “You like chopping wood. That’s why you’ve been clearing the north pasture. I wondered. When you’re done, we’ll be set for firewood for years to come.”
As much as he’d like to set her straight, he’d promised to keep Calvin’s perilous financial situation between them. “I’m helping in whatever ways I can, the same as you do.”
The rest of the ride passed quickly, with their conversation taking a lighter turn. Coralee relaxed at last, and they talked the way they had on the many rides they’d enjoyed in their youth. It was as though she’d opened the window to her former self, back when her life was her own and she wasn’t busy putting others’ needs ahead of her own. She worked hard and gave so much of herself. She’d deserved this time away from her duties.
They reached the Culpepper ranch, slipped from their saddles, and stood staring at one another. She was so close he could smell the fruity fragrance of her perfume. His gaze dropped to her lips. If he wasn’t mistaken, hers was focused on his mouth.
Expectancy hung in the air, but he wasn’t about to act until he knew Coralee would welcome his kiss. And that wouldn’t happen until she’d grown to trust him.
She stepped back, handed her reins to a ranch hand, and donned her businesslike manner. “I have to go. Daddy and Calvin need me, and I know you have work to do, as well.”
The curtains that had parted closed, shutting him out once again.
He could be waiting a very long time.
Chapter Eight
Olive cleared the plates after their dinner. Coralee had taken to eating her meals in the kitchen with the cook and Sally of late. It didn’t make sense to create more work for Olive by insisting on using the dining room when she was busy concocting special foods to accommodate Calvin and Daddy’s needs and doing more laundry and ironing than ever before. In addition, she was still preparing meals for some of the war widows and their children when the need arose. Sally was out delivering one of them now.
Houston had been dining with Coralee and the household staff since he’d begun working for Calvin two weeks ago and didn’t seem to mind the informality. She could imagine what those out at El Regalo would have to say about the arrangements. So be it. She didn’t have the time or energy to think about that.
He scraped his chair back from the table. “If you ladies will excuse me, I’ll head to the study.”
As soon as he left, Coralee turned to Olive. “Daddy liked the custard sauce you made today. He ate several bites.”
“I’m glad. He needs to eat.”
“Thanks to you and your excellent cooking, he does.” Not nearly enough, but every bite helped. “I should look in on him and collect Calvin’s dinner dishes.”
Coralee headed for the stairs but paused on the landing. The lantern light pouring from Calvin’s study caught her eye. Houston worked hard all day, first at the 7 Heart and then here at her brother’s ranch. Night after night, he spent hours hunched over Calvin’s desk studying his ledgers dating back several years. Why Houston felt the need to go through so many of them was a mystery. She’d asked him about it a time or two, but he evaded her questions.
Despite her resolve to avoid being with him any more than necessary, she found herself looking forward to their interactions. Things had changed on their ride back from town the week before. She’d resisted talking with him as long as possible, but she enjoyed learning about people, hearing their stories. If she was honest with herself, she’d felt a burning need to know what Houston’s life out West had been like and why it had held such appeal.
Their conversation had proven to be enlightening. Although he’d enjoyed running his hardware store in California, he’d quickly dismissed the possibility of buying one right here in Hartville. It seemed he had it in his head that if he was to fit into his family, he had to be a rancher here at home.
Considering the fact that GW Hart lived and breathed cattle, Houston’s way of thinking made sense. His father had always been a taskmaster, expecting those who worked for him to put in a hard day’s work. She could only imagine how much more he demanded from his sons. Houston was certainly pushing himself, beginning his day before the sun was up and keeping the lamp burning late into the night.
If they were as close as they used to be, she would have no qualms about expressing her concerns. But they weren’t. He was the master of his plans, and although she didn’t like to think about it, they could change at any time. If things didn’t work out for him here, he was liable to return to California. Even though her resistance was weakening, she had to keep her distance, or she could end up getting hurt all over again.
She grabbed the railing with one hand and shoved the other in her pocket. A piece of paper crinkled, bringing her to a stop. How could she have forgotten?
Reversing course, she dashed down the steps and made straight for Calvin’s office. She rapped on the door frame. “Houston?”
He looked up from the ledgers spread before him, a sea of figures that must swim before his tired eyes. “Yes?”
“This came for you today.” She approached the desk and held out the envelope from the telegraph company. “The delivery boy brought it right after lunch. He said it’s from California. I’d intended to ride out and give it to you, but I got busy with Daddy’s exercises, and it slipped my mind. I’m sorry.”
He took the envelope and pulled out the telegram. His shoulders sagged as he read it. He tossed the paper on the desk, leaned back, and gripped the horseshoe-shaped arms of Calvin’s captain’s chair so tightly that his knuckles turned white.
Her chest tightened. “It’s bad news, isn’t it?”
“It’s from Peter, my partner out West. He wasn’t able to come up with the money to buy the hardware store from me before I left, so he was going to run it himself. But he’s changed his mind. A buyer has made a ridiculously low offer, and he plans to sell it unless…”
Unless he went back? Despite the heat of the summer’s day, a chill raced through her.
He rested his hands in his lap and twiddled his thumbs. His gaze flitted over the pages of figures spread before him. He spoke more to himself than to her. “I can’t believe Peter would do something like this. I’ll have to figure out how to handle it. I might have to—”
A crash came from above.
“Daddy!”
Coralee took off, mounting the stairs two at a time. She reached her father’s room and found him moaning and thrashing about. She raced to his beside, kicked aside the pieces of his broken water glass, and rested her hands on his shoulders, exerting firm but gentle pressure.
“No, Daddy!” She dragged in a breath and forced herself to remain calm even though her heart was slamming against her ribs. “It’s all right. I’m here. Everything’s fine. Lie back before you hurt yourself.”
He fought against her, batting at her arms and muttering.
She felt a hand in the middle of her back. Houston.
“What can I do to help?”
“I’m not sure.” Her mind was reeling, but she forced herself to think. “You could h–hold him while I get his medicine.”
“You’ll need to move.”
“Yes. Of course.” She stepped to the side so Houston could take h
er place, picked up the bottle of laudanum, and pawed through the numerous items on the bedside table.
He grabbed Daddy’s arms and held them. Daddy arched his back and twisted his torso. His groans grew louder and more insistent. Houston glanced at her over his shoulder. “What are you looking for?”
“The spoon.” She continued her search, moving every item and sloshing water out of the washbasin in her haste. She dropped a cloth on the worst of the spill. “I’ve got to find it. Where could it be?”
“Take a breath, Corrie. It’s here somewhere.”
“I wonder if he knocked it off, too.” She dropped to her hands and knees.
“Careful! The glass.”
She made contact with a shard, sending pain shooting through the fleshy area below her thumb. She stood, yanked out the sliver, and tossed it aside. Blood flowed from the small cut. She pulled the handkerchief from her sleeve, wound it around her hand as quickly as possible, using her teeth to secure one end, and tied a knot. Daddy’s cries rang out as she worked.
“Calvin has a spoon. I’ll get his.” She ran from Daddy’s room into her brother’s. Despite the commotion down the hall, he was sound asleep, no doubt due to the hefty dose of laudanum she’d had to give him after he’d twisted the wrong way earlier. If only she could get Daddy settled.
She sprinted back to her father’s room, spoon in one hand, medicine bottle in the other. Daddy continued to flail. He’d taken to kicking at his bedclothes, too. If they didn’t calm him, he was liable to hurt himself.
Taking the cork stopper of the bottle between her teeth, she pulled until it popped out. She poured the brown liquid, wrinkling her nose at the strong alcohol scent.
She slipped in beside Houston, who was holding Daddy’s arms and pressing him into the mattress. He continued to fight, jerking his head from side to side. She took his chin in one hand, doing her best to keep him from moving, and held the spoon with the other.
Seven Brides for Seven Texans Romance Collection Page 29