The Halsey Brothers Series

by Paty Jager

  She yanked her hand back and faced forward. “You think I’d allow my family to force me to marry someone who didn’t want me?”

  “No. I didn’t mean…” Hank sighed deep and long. What was wrong? He couldn’t seem to say the right words. “I would be honored to marry you, but not until I’ve covered my costs of this operation and can provide for a family.”

  “Honored?” She huffed and turned her body to face the opposite side of the wagon.

  Now what? He slumped his shoulders forward and concentrated on driving the horses. He didn’t have a clue what he’d said or done wrong but the icy chill coming off Kelda’s back didn’t bode well for the rest of the trip. He peered at her back. She was the first woman to have him thinking about marriage, but he couldn’t add one more person to depend on this venture working. Her family would be paid whether the trees went to the mill or not, but his family would be out money if he failed.

  With blurry vision Kelda stared at the trees passing by. She pressed her eyes closed forcing the tears to recede. The cold seemed to seep through her cape and chill her to her bones. Why would Hank kiss her like he did then say he’d be honored to marry her? The way his eyes darkened and smoldered when he looked at her and kissed her was more than honor wasn’t it? She knew she’d never marry another. He had captured her body and heart during this trip.

  “Hvor langt til leiren?” Lars asked from behind her.

  She shifted, putting her back to Hank and peered back at Lars. He’d asked how long of a trip. It looked like he already realized it would take most of the day as he pulled a blanket out of his pack.

  “Vi vil ankomme av mørket.” Kelda gave him a slight smile. They had many hours to travel yet and would get to the camp about dark.

  “Mange Takk.” He curled up in the back, drawing the blanket around him and closing his eyes.

  She shivered, wishing she had a blanket. The day had turned gray and cold. The winter weather had hung on longer than usual.

  “Come here.” Hank’s soft deep voice warmed her ear as his arm curled around her shoulders, shifting her next to him. “We’ll stay warmer if we cuddle.”

  She wanted to push away, but the warmth she immediately felt softened her resolve, and she snuggled against his side.

  “I’m sorry.” He kissed her temple. “I don’t always say things the way I mean them.” He kept his voice low, his chin resting on her head. Kelda didn’t want to ruin the moment and remained quiet.

  “I promise I won’t ignore you when we return to the camp, but we’ll need to keep our kisses private.”

  She tried to pull out of his arm, but he held her tight.

  “Don’t get upset. Hear me out.” He shifted, meshing them even closer. “I don’t want your brothers hassling you for consorting with the boss. I might do more than dock their wages if I came to your aide.”

  She had to agree to that. Her brothers would tease her mercilessly, and she wouldn’t want them getting into a brawl with Hank. Far needed them in the woods.

  “And I don’t want to make your life uncomfortable around the other men. I see how they respect you and would hate to have you lose that respect.”

  She nodded. Her respect came from how she conducted herself in the woods not in the kitchen or as a woman. If they started seeing her as a women she had no doubt their esteem of her would fall down several notches.

  “That’s not to say I won’t steal a kiss now and then, because there’s no way I can see you every day and not crave a taste.” He captured her lips in a soft tender kiss that warmed her better than a roaring fire. Hank topped the kiss off with two more short sweet kisses. “I feel a whole lot warmer now. How about you?”

  Kelda nodded and smiled, peering into his eyes. She thought his disregard was him being fickle but he was only trying to save her from torment and ridicule.

  Movement in the back of the wagon reminded her they weren’t alone. “What about Lars, if he mentions our kissing?” she whispered while tucking her head in the crook of Hank’s arm.

  “I figure you can ask him to keep this quiet. With the way you grab a man’s affections, you should be able to persuade him to keep our secret.”

  She sat up and stared at him. “What do you mean ‘grab a man’s affections’?”

  The smile in his eyes told her he wasn’t saying it with any malice.

  Hank shook his head. “You don’t see it, but when you smile at a man he falls all over himself to help you. “

  “Nei.” This wasn’t so.

  “Yes. The clerk at the hotel, the waiters, Lars, even Mr. Eccles.” Hank drew her back against his side. “Sweetheart, you capture the attention of every man you come across.”

  “Nei. It is only my size. They have never seen such a tall strong woman.”

  He chuckled, rumbling his chest under her ear. “That might be what draws their attention first, but it’s your infectious smile that chains their affection.” He kissed her temple. “I know. It’s what hypnotized me.”

  “Really?” Kelda smiled, thinking he’d noticed her smile and liked it. But what he said…she’d have to pay more attention. She smiled because she liked people and enjoyed a happy life.

  “Yes. Your smile, your eyes, your disposition. Woman, you set your gaff in me and I’m not going to struggle to get away.”

  She laughed and snuggled closer. Her hand strayed out from under the cape and slipped between the buttons on his jacket. The heat and muscle of his stomach under the flannel shirt he wore warmed her like adding pitch kindling to a fire. Hank sucked in air and his muscles flexed under her hand.

  They rode like this until Hank started up the grade to Sumpter. She pulled back and glanced over her shoulder. Lars was sitting up. He smiled and winked. She would have to speak to him before they arrived at the camp.

  Entering Sumpter, Zeke walked out of the mercantile and waved at them.

  “Come to the house and warm up before you head to the camp,” he said, holding the lead horse. “Maeve will have my hide if you continue on and don’t dote on the baby.”

  Hank glanced her way. “Do you mind?”

  “I could use a cup of tea to warm up.” Kelda peered at Zeke. “We’d love to come see the baby.”

  Zeke led the horses to his house, and they all unloaded and introduced Lars to Maeve and Zeke.

  Lars and Hank went with Zeke to the barn to give the horses a rest from the weather. Kelda followed Maeve into a lovely two-story house.

  “Your home is beautiful,” she said, running her fingers over a piano that resembled one she’d seen in a traveling acting troupe’s wagon.

  “Thank you. Before I became with child, Zeke and I hadn’t planned to stay in any place for very long, but once we knew a child would be born it seemed best to buy a home and stay in one place.” Maeve led her into a cheery kitchen with bright colored curtains of yellow gingham.

  “I’ve never lived in a house. We’ve been in logging camps my whole life.” Once the words were out she wished she hadn’t uttered them.

  “Did you lack for love or food?” Maeve asked.

  “Nei. We had plenty of both.”

  Maeve patted her hand. “Then you had the most important things. Sit.”

  Kelda sat and Maeve placed five cups and saucers on the table and a plate of fancy bread.

  “The bread looks wonderful.” Kelda didn’t realize how hungry she was until the aroma of the bread wafted to her.

  “I can’t take credit. I’m a lousy cook, but Rachel and Aileen take pity on me and bring me baked goods.” Maeve tilted her head to one side. “Your assistant, Lars, I can’t believe Hank is going to let you work side by side with that good looking man.”

  Kelda stared at the woman as her ears burned. “Why would Hank care?”

  “Oh, don’t you even try.” Maeve laughed. “We’ve all seen the way the two of you look at one another.”

  “What’s so funny?” Zeke asked, entering the kitchen with Hank and Lars behind him.

  Keld
a sent a pleading look toward Maeve.

  Chapter 16

  Hank entered the warmth of the house. His gaze landed on the stricken expression on Kelda’s face. He crossed the room and placed a hand on her shoulder. “What’s wrong?”

  “N-nothing.” Her gaze flew to Maeve.

  “We were just visiting and I brought up a subject that she couldn’t deny.” Maeve picked up the coffee pot, pouring coffee in three cups and then tea in the cup in front of Kelda and the one in front of her chair.

  Hank took the seat beside Kelda. “What can’t you deny?”

  Kelda shook her head and held the tea cup in front of her lips. Lips he wanted to kiss and take away her discomfort.

  “The attraction between the two of you,” Maeve said and laughed as Kelda spit tea.

  Hank handed Kelda a napkin and patted her back as she coughed. He glared at Maeve. The woman had been a burr under his saddle since he met her. She had a good heart but said things knowing full well they caused discomfort.

  Zeke leaned back in his chair, his arms crossed, and smiling like he’d just been dealt a full house.

  Lars stared at Kelda. Then started talking to her in Norwegian. They carried on a short conversation that ended with Lars agreeing. “Ja.”

  “What’s that about?” Hank asked, beginning to wonder if hiring a man she could so easily talk with and keep him excluded was a good idea.

  “What you wanted me to discuss with him.” Her eyes pleaded with him to…what?

  “Ah.” Hank turned his attention to the couple watching and hanging on their every word. “Where’s the baby?” Might as well get their attention focused on something else.

  “Brendan is napping.” Maeve shoved the plate of bread toward Lars, Kelda, and finally Hank.

  “So you decided on a name.” Hank had wondered when the newest Halsey would be named.

  Zeke picked up Maeve’s hand. “We decided to name him after the other man Maeve loved. Her father.”

  “I didn’t get to have him in my life for very long, but I plan to be in Brendan’s a lifetime.” Tears glistened in his sister-in-law’s eyes.

  “That is a wonderful tribute. I know Far can’t wait for the boys to marry and give him grandchildren,” Kelda said, not looking up from her cup of tea. “Of course the boys need to get out of the woods and find a woman for that to happen.”

  The wistfulness in her voice surprised Hank. Why would she wish her brothers out of the woods?

  “They’re going to have a tough time finding wives around here. Women are scarce.” Zeke winked at Maeve. “I was lucky Maeve was prickly or she’d have been snapped up.”

  They all laughed and settled into small talk about the area.

  “We need to get going. The road to the camp is hard enough to travel without doing it in the dark.” Hank rose and held Kelda’s chair, continuing his gentlemanly treatment that he started in Baker City. He wanted her to remember he saw her as a woman and not a logger. Something that, if he had his way, she would never do again.

  “We’ve kept you too long.” Maeve took Kelda’s hand. “Come see me or Rachel any time. We enjoy the company.”

  Kelda’s eyes widened in surprise, she glanced at Hank. “I-I’ll see what I can do. Thank you.”

  Hank helped Kelda into her cape. “Thank you for the coffee and conversation,” he said, moving Kelda toward the door that Zeke held open. Lars shook Zeke’s hand and exited.

  Zeke slapped Hank on the shoulder. “Ethan and Gil will be happy to see you. They want their wives back.”

  Kelda stopped. “Oh, I’m so sorry for this inconvenience. “ She turned to Hank. “What can I do to make it up to them?”

  “We’ll think of something. Come on. Tonight will be the last meal they have to prepare. You and Lars can take over at breakfast tomorrow.” Hank placed a proprietary hand against Kelda’s back propelling her toward the barn. Lars already had the horses hitched to the wagon.

  “Thank you,” Hank said as he helped Kelda onto the seat.

  Lars smiled and jumped into the back.

  Hank climbed up beside Kelda, sliding his body against hers. He started the horses in motion and looked at the house. Maeve and Zeke stood on the porch waving. He nudged Kelda, and they both waved as well as Lars.

  “I like your family,” Kelda said, snuggling tighter to his side.

  “I’m glad. They seem to like you as well.” He peered over his shoulder at Lars watching them. “So what did Lars have to say about us?”

  Kelda straightened a little. “He thought we were married. I explained we weren’t and didn’t want our families pushing something we aren’t sure of yet.” She peered into his eyes. “He said he’d not say anything as long as you treat me right.”

  Hank should have been angry by the man’s words but they only validated his belief every man she smiled at fell under Kelda’s spell. He’d be damn lucky to be the one who captured her heart and kept her.

  “It’s going to be hard to only touch you when others aren’t present.” He kissed her scarf covered head. Why was she so hard to put out of his mind? He’d never felt this protective about any of the other girls or women he kissed. He’d been randy and would have liked to bed them, but he’d taken those urges to the women that didn’t form attachments—the prostitutes in Baker City. With Kelda, he wanted to love her thoroughly.

  He jerked straight and stared forward. He couldn’t be in love with her. You’ve been thinking marriage since meeting her. She shifted next to him, sliding her arm through his and hugging it. His heart thudded. Was it from panic or the thrill?

  The horses turned down the road to the camp. Hank cleared his throat. “You better sit up in case anyone happens along.”

  She sighed, squeezed his arm, and sat straighter, sliding over allowing the cold air to slip between them.

  Regret washed over him the moment the cold air circled his body. He could make it so they didn’t have to hide their closeness. All he had to do was ask her to marry him and explain it would be a long engagement. He shook his head. No, he wouldn’t have her commit to him. There were too many things that could go wrong. He could end up losing everything if the logs weren’t delivered to Stoddard on time. He wasn’t going to risk Kelda’s happiness. If he offered marriage and all hell broke loose he wouldn’t have the means to support her or a family. He’d be back living off the family mine and mill. It wouldn’t be a bad living, but he’d be a failure and that wouldn’t be fair to saddle Kelda with a disgruntled husband.

  The evening descended in a gradual gray to dusk by the time they arrived at the camp. A line of men stood outside the cookhouse waiting to wash.

  Karl walked over to the wagon a scowl marred his face. “This looks like another logger not a cook.”

  Kelda shoved his head with the heel of her hand and said something to Lars. The man laughed and replied, making Karl squirm even more.

  “I’m missing the joke,” Hank said, again wondering about the language connection between the cook and Kelda. He knew her family spoke Norwegian when others weren’t present but they spoke only English around him, until now.

  “Nei joke. I told Lars what Karl said and he said if he needed to fall a tree to prove he could cook so be it.” Her eyes sparkled with merriment and Hank became caught up in their glow.

  The wagon wiggled and he continued to peer into her eyes.

  “You two going to come eat or sit and stare all night.” Karl’s gruff voice broke the trance, and Hank motioned to Kelda.

  “Go ahead and get down, I’m going to take care of the horses.”

  Kelda nodded and climbed down from the wagon, aware that more than just Karl watched. She made it halfway when hands grasped her waist and set her feet on the ground. She turned and Lars winked at her.

  “Mange takk,” she said and glanced at Hank. He gave Lars a brief nod and slapped the horses with the reins. So that’s how it would be. Lars, the married man, would look after her while Hank kept his distance. She wasn’t sure sh
e liked that arrangement.

  The men stood back from the door allowing her and Lars to enter first. Aileen and Darcy were setting platters of biscuits on the long tables.

  “You’re back!” Darcy practically skipped across the floor. “And what a lovely dress and cape.” She hugged Kelda tight and stepped back, tipping her head to look at Lars. “This is the assistant cook?”

  Kelda shook her head. “Cook. I’ll be the assistant. That way I can have more time for Mor. How is she?” She scanned the room but it was empty.

  Aileen came forward and hugged her. “She’s been a bit under the weather today. Yer da is in with her now.”

  “Could you show Lars the supply room and the kitchen? I’ll go see how she is.” Kelda unbuttoned the cape and headed for her parents’ room. “Oh, he speaks very little English,” she tossed over her shoulder.

  She knocked lightly and entered the room. Mor appeared even smaller and paler than she remembered. Far sat on a chair next to the bed. He looked her direction. His gaze traveled the length of her and his brows raised.

  “Where did you find those fancy clothes?”

  Kelda’s cheeks heated as she knelt by the bed. “Hank bought them for me. How is Mor?”

  Far’s large hand cupped her cheek. He held her face where he could peer into her eyes. “What favor did you do for the boss that he bought you a dress?” The underlying growl of disapproval turned her burning cheeks to ice.

  “Nothing. He said they were an early birthday present. We went to dinner at a fancy restaurant, and Hank wanted me to be dressed appropriately.” She sat back on her heels. “Far, how can you ask me such a question? You and Mor have raised me proper.”

  Tears welled in her father’s eyes. “Ja. You are our good girl. I’m sorry. Your mother is getting weaker and remembers little. It is breaking my heart to see her this way.”

  Kelda drew Far into an embrace. She knew the day would come when she would take care of her parents as they had taken care of her, but she had hoped for more years of good health. “I brought back a cook, not an assistant, so I can spend more time with Mor.” She inhaled. “And so I can relieve the boys once a week.”