“The cattle and the men. They miss you as much as you miss them.”
He shook his head but didn’t say anything.
“Why don’t you head out with the boys today? I’m back on my feet now, so we’ll be fine here.”
Jacob’s back stiffened. “You tryin’ to run me off?” His words held a hint of defiance and Anna needed to tread carefully.
“No. I love having you here.” She hurried to smooth his ruffled feathers. “I know you love working outside, and you’ve been cooped up here for three weeks. I could certainly understand if you were eager to get back in the saddle.” The words spewed out one on top of the other, until she had to stop and catch her breath.
Jacob’s back remained stiff for another moment, then he finally sighed and allowed his shoulders to slump. “I reckon you’re right.”
Anna released a breath. “I know you’ll feel better when you’re back on a horse.”
Jacob sipped his coffee then placed the cup on the table and faced her. One look at the earnest expression in his eyes stilled her knife, poised over the potato while she waited for him to speak.
“If I go today, you have to promise me you’ll stay in the house. Keep a rifle with you at all times. At the first sign of trouble, fire two shots and we’ll be here in minutes. Do you promise?” His voice rose a bit with the final words, and Anna would have giggled at his overzealous worry if it weren’t for the deep concern in his blue gaze.
Keeping her face relaxed but sincere, Anna set the knife on the table and placed her hand on top of Jacob’s. “I promise.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
Anna hummed the tune, “Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee” as she pulled a loaf of apple cinnamon bread from the oven. The house filled with the aroma of apples and cinnamon baking, a scent that always put her in good spirits. She couldn’t put her finger on the reason, but her skin tingled this morning like it usually did when something special was about to happen. To match her lively mood, she’d even dressed in the sunshine-yellow gown she tended to save for special occasions.
The back door banged shut and Jacob strode in carrying his usual bucket of milk and basket of eggs. “There are two hens setting now. We should have some little biddies soon.” He set his load on the work counter with a thump and hung his hat on the peg by the door, running a hand through his short brown hair. Anna poured a cup of coffee from the pot that had finished brewing and turned to greet him with a warm smile. He offered a grin of his own when she handed over the steaming mug.
“I tell ya, a man could get use to this. Comin’ in to a kitchen smellin’ like the Garden of Eden, and a hot cup of coffee made by the prettiest gal in Texas.”
Heat crept into Anna’s cheeks, but before she could turn away, Jacob set the cup on the counter and hooked an arm around her waist. With a teasing grin he pulled her to his chest and tapped a finger under her chin. “Yep, a man would sure like to get used to this.”
Anna’s breath caught and her heart fluttered like the wings of a hummingbird. His pulse beat strong under her palm on his chest. Every nerve in her body was aware of the strength in his arms as they wrapped around her. She braved a glance at his face and was suspended in the crystal blue of his eyes. She needed to say something, and she finally stammered out the first thought that made itself from her mind to her mouth. “Are you hungry?”
Jacob’s eyes roamed down to her lips. “Very.”
A tingle ran through her body as his blue gaze darkened and his mouth came down to hers. The touch of his lips was warm and strong, and their intensity flooded her even as her own body responded. Anna’s hands crept up to his neck, through his thick locks, and down his strong jaw. Jacob’s arms wrapped tighter around her body, pulling her against him. His hands slipped upward and kneaded her upper back. A little moan escaped from the back of Anna’s throat as every part of her came alive. The sound seemed to quiet something within Jacob, and he pulled back slightly, resting his forehead on hers, faces inches apart. His ragged breathing mingled with hers and Anna’s chest pumped as she struggled to catch her breath.
“Anna.” Her name on his lips was spoken like a prayer.
“Hmmm…” She ran her hands back around his neck and gently fingered the short hair at his nape.
“Go riding with me today.”
She drew back a few inches to scan his eyes. “Go riding?” She was sure the question played on her face. Today was Wednesday, a workday. Didn’t he have work to do out with the cattle?
He rubbed his hands over her back again and pulled her to him so her head rested against his chest. His strong heartbeat hammered next to her cheek. “Just for a few hours. I’ll come back to get you around ten o’clock, and we’ll ride down to the river before it gets too hot. Please?”
Anna remained quiet for a few moments, relishing the warm protection of being wrapped in Jacob’s arms. At last, she stepped back and gave him a contented smile. “Okay. Now, you’d better get out of here so I can finish breakfast.”
Jacob left with the men after breakfast, but true to his word, he marched in the front door promptly at ten. Anna was in her room upstairs, putting the finishing touches on her hair, when Abigail’s soft whine and tail thumping on the floor boards signaled his return even before the front door closed. She’d tried a new hairstyle today, something other than the simple braid wrapped in a knot on her head that was her typical look. Today, a few curls framed her face while the rest of her mane was pulled into two braids that met in a low twist, offset on her neck.
Satisfied her hair was as good as it was going to get, she took one last speculative gaze in the mirror, eyes running over her yellow gown. She pulled the delicate gold cross and chain from under her neckline and straightened it, then headed downstairs.
Jacob was waiting at the bottom for her and Anna’s heart skipped a beat at the sight of him. He was so tall, and his forest green shirt stretched across broad, muscled shoulders that contoured into a trim waist. His blue eyes held a twinkle as they followed her down the stairs. When she was almost at the bottom, he reached for her hand, halting her progress. His lips were warm as they placed a gentle kiss on her fingers, but his eyes never wavered from her own. A shiver ran through her body at the contact, but she kept a smile planted on her face.
Jacob guided her down the remaining stairs then tucked her hand under his arm. “M’ Lady, your steed awaits,” he said, with a flourish of his free hand.
Anna turned on her best Southern Belle drawl and gave him a coy smile, batting her eyelids. “Why, thank you, kind sir.”
He chuckled and released her hand as she reached for her bonnet on the peg by the door.
“Let me just tell Aunt Lola you’re stealing me away.”
As they rode away from the house, a gentle breeze flapped the edge of her bonnet. Lifting her face to the sunshine, she released a contented sigh and stroked Bandita’s neck. The mare bobbed her head, pulling at the bit in frustration at their slow pace. Anna shook her head at the mare’s antics and gave her a final pat. “You ready to move out, girl?” She looked to Jacob and their gazes met. He had the beginnings of a grin on his face. “You mind if we jog for a ways?”
He nodded. “Fine with me, but just for a bit. You need to take it easy with your leg.”
She arched an eyebrow at him. “I’ll be fine.”
As she squeezed her legs to push the mare into a jog, however, the familiar burning sensation pierced the outside of her thigh. But the pain didn’t stop her enjoyment as Bandita’s stride evened out into a ground-covering gait. It seemed like they had just begun when Jacob called them back to a walk. As they rode on, Jacob pointed out the changes to the landscape over the past few months and added in a story about the herd of deer the men had surprised one day last week.
“There were five or six does, each with a fawn, and the buck had a pretty good sized rack on him. They must have smelled us coming because they were running when we first found them. They sure were a sight to behold.” His tone held re
verence.
The familiar gushing of the river water sounded even before they emerged from the wide trail through the woods. As soon as she reached the river’s bank, she slid off her horse, careful not to land on her bad leg, and stepped to the edge of the water. The breeze was stronger here, so she loosened her bonnet strings, allowing it to fall down her back so the wind could tickle her face and hair. The grass on either side of the water was always green no matter how hot the sun, and a few birds twittered to each other in the trees across the water.
* * *
Jacob stepped up beside Anna as she stood on the edge of the river bank. “It feels like heaven, doesn’t it?” He spoke softly, not wanting to interrupt the spell of the beauty around them.
She turned to look at him and her hazel eyes glimmered more than usual. “I’ve missed this place.”
His body moved of its own accord, taking a step toward her and reaching out a hand to stroke her cheek. The time had come, but how could he put into words what he wanted to tell her? He was a simple cowboy, definitely not an eloquent suitor. He took a deep breath. God, help me to find the right words. An image of his father popped into Jacob’s mind, speaking a phrase he’d heard many times. Son, just say what you mean.
“Anna.”
“Yes, Jacob.” The sound of his name on her lips warmed his insides.
He placed a hand on each of her arms. “I want this to be your place, our place…always.” She stared at him with a question in her eyes and he tried again. “I’ve always loved the ranch, from the beginning it’s been a part of me. I never thought I’d find a woman who felt the same way.” He brushed a wayward curl out of her eyes. “I didn’t realize there was someone as special as you out there. And frankly, it took me a while to accept just how perfect you are.” The corners of her mouth turned up, but her amber eyes remained locked on his. “And it took me a while to realize how much I love you. But I know it now, so I just have one question for you. Miss Anna Stewart, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
Anna’s eyes softened and her voice was low and sweet as she spoke. “I’d love to.”
Jacob let out the breath he’d been holding and allowed a grin to spread across his face. His eyes drifted down to her lips. He could taste their sweetness already. He gave her a teasing grin and murmured, “Now that’s settled.” He lowered his mouth for a taste.
By jingo, she was sweeter than he remembered. Her arms around his neck spread a wave of desire through him and he pulled her closer. After just a few moments, he forced himself to break their seal, resting his forehead on hers. This woman was too irresistible to trust himself for long, but soon she would be his.
“So what do you think, should we go see the preacher this afternoon?” he said in a low, teasing voice.
Anna leaned back, her eyes forming wide circles. “Today?” she squeaked.
Jacob chuckled and pulled her back into his arms, tucking her head under his chin. She fit so perfectly there. “Right this minute, if you’ll say yes.” He stroked her back, enjoying her softness under his hand. “But if not today, you just tell me when.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
The next few days kept Anna busy, with the garden in full production and so much work to do, canning and preserving food for the winter months. Everything was different now. It would be her own family she prepared for. She was a little like the woman in Proverbs chapter thirty-one who riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household.
“I don’t know what kind of day you have planned, Anna.” Mr. O’Brien’s voice broke through her thoughts as they all sat at the breakfast table one morning. “But Aunt Lola and I are heading over to the Wallace Farm this afternoon and wondered if you’d like to come along? I need to take them a load of beef in trade for grain for the horses.”
A bubble of excitement built inside Anna. She longed to see Ginny again and tell her about the wedding. It didn’t take long for the bubble to burst, though. So much work waited for her, both in the kitchen and the garden outside. She only had a week and a half before the wedding and needed to get things done.
She gave him a gracious smile. “I’d love to, but I have so much to do here. I need to get started on things. Please give Virginia my apologies for not attending with you. I’ll send a basket with you, though.”
“Oh, come now,” he said with a wave of his hand. “What do you have that can’t wait until tomorrow? And we’ll be back in plenty of time to start supper.”
Anna wavered in indecision for a moment, but another voice broke into the conversation.
“She’d love to go with you.” Anna’s head whipped around to the source of the voice, and Jacob eyed her with a stubborn set to his jaw.
“Wonderful.” Mr. O’Brien beamed. “It’s all settled then. We’ll leave right after lunch.”
Anna hustled through as many chores as she could during the morning hours, and by the time she settled into the wagon seat after lunch, she was exhausted.
When they arrived in the Wallace farmyard, Mr. O’Brien pulled the wagon to a halt beside a small building not much bigger than a large outhouse. Anna and Aunt Lola strolled toward the cabin in search of Ginny, while the men unloaded the brown paper-wrapped packages of salted beef from the wagon and stored them in the building. When the wagon was empty, they would load sacks of grain back into it from the Wallaces’ barn.
Anna’s knock on the door was answered by a pint-sized version of Ginny, complete with the head full of blonde curls, heart shaped face, and laughing eyes. The little girl’s porcelain skin had a few extra decorations, though, by way of red smears around her mouth and cheeks. Probably strawberry preserves, judging by the shade of crimson.
“Hi, Katie. Is your mama inside with Lilly?” Anna bent down to be at eye level with the four-year-old.
Katie’s thumb slipped into her mouth and she nodded.
“Can we come in and visit for a while? I’d love to see how good a big sister you are.”
The little girl’s eyes lit, and her head bobbed again. Anna chuckled, rose to her feet, and followed the child through the doorway, Aunt Lola on her heels.
“Ginny?” Anna called through the house as they trailed Katie toward the direction of the bedrooms.
“Anna? Is that you?” Ginny appeared through one of the doorways carrying a chubby baby on her hip. “And Aunt Lola. I’m so glad you’ve both come. Please come into the parlor and have a seat. Just give me a second to get cleaned up. Seems like I’m always changing diapers these days.” She gave them both a wry grin, but her enthusiasm bubbled too close to the surface to be overshadowed. “Can I get you both a glass of lemonade? It’s so hot for tea, but I can heat a kettle if that’s what you’d prefer.”
“Lemonade sounds perfect.” Anna reached for baby Lilly and giggled at the way the little one ogled her with big blue eyes. “I declare, Ginny. She’s gained ten pounds since I saw her last month.”
Ginny flashed a proud smile, as she poured the golden liquid into mugs. “That little one loves to eat, for sure.”
They settled into an easy chatter as Aunt Lola asked about the baby’s health. Anna listened as her mind spun. How could she bring up her own news? She shouldn’t have worried.
Aunt Lola turned to Anna with a gentle nudge of her elbow. “Well, bonnie lass, are ya goin’ ta tell her or am I gonna have to?”
Ginny gasped. “Anna Stewart, are you holding out on me?” She leaned forward to perch on the edge of her chair.
Heat crept all the way up to her ears and her gaze dropped to the liquid swirling in her cup.
“Out with it.” Ginny was never one for patience.
“Well.” Anna stirred her lemonade. “It seems Jacob has asked me to marry him.”
Ginny erupted in a squeal and leaped from her chair to hug Anna. “Oh, my friend. I am so happy for you!”
Anna giggled as she squeezed Ginny back. For some reason, she was self-conscious with Aunt Lola looking on.
The older woman’s e
yes held their usual twinkle, though, and her mouth broke into a toothy grin. “It’s about time that boy got around to doin’ somethin’ good for him. I was beginnin’ to think he was going to let this little lady slip away.”
Anna’s face heated from the teasing, but if she were honest with herself, she couldn’t deny a little bit of pleasure from the attention. After a moment, she was able to turn the conversation toward the new things Ginny’s little ones were into. The young mother’s face lit up even more, if that were possible, as she went into detail about how Lilly was developing and what a great big sister Katie was. Ginny’s bubbly personality had a way of brightening their home in a way that was infectious, and her two little girls were delightful. Anna spent much of the time playing with baby Lilly, and she couldn’t help but yearn for her own little bundle of joy to love.
By the time Mr. O’Brien drove the wagon out of the yard with both Aunt Lola and Anna on the seat beside him, Anna’s spirits were so high she couldn’t keep from humming a tune under her breath.
“From the sound of things, you ladies must have enjoyed yourselves.” Mr. O’Brien chuckled.
Anna’s cheeks warmed, but Aunt Lola spoke up in her thick Irish brogue. “That Ginny is such a sweet, happy thing. You can just see the love of God bubbling out of her. And those young’uns are precious.”
“They are that.” Mr. O’Brien glanced at Anna, his cheeks twitching. “It’ll be nice to have our own little ones running around the house soon.”
Anna wanted to melt into the wooden seat.
“Oh hush, Marty. You’re embarrassing the girl.” Aunt Lola patted Anna’s knee.
But Mr. O’Brien didn’t appear to pay attention. He reined in the horses and pointed to a brown spec in the distance. A cow? No, it seemed to be too short and stocky to be one of the longhorns. A buffalo? They didn’t usually wander this far east.
“What is it?”
Silence answered her for a long moment as they all stared at the creature clomping toward them. The horses fidgeted. Aunt Lola gasped, and Mr. O’Brien reached under the seat and pulled out a long rifle. What in the world? She turned back toward the animal in the distance. And then her blood ran cold. A large brown bear lumbered toward them, and it had picked up speed, now in a full-out, ground-covering run.
The Rancher Takes a Cook Page 18