by Linda Ford
“Face me like a man,” she muttered. “Stop hiding in the corners.” She swept the floor clean. As effectively swept away a twirl of emotions—anger that Ebner would so slyly threaten them, uncertainty as to whether the feud could be ended as easily as Duke seemed to think, confusion about her feelings toward Duke.
One minute she felt nothing but a sweeping wave of affection and possibility. The next— She shrugged. It was getting harder and harder to think of him as the annoying boy from the past. More and more she saw him as a strong, kind man. Not a Caldwell so much as Duke. “Duke.” She whispered the name several times.
With a sound that was half derisive snort and half chuckle she looked down and realized that she stood in the spot where he had twice kissed her and almost kissed her a third time.
With a sigh full of hopes and dreams, she put away the fork and broom and stepped from the barn. She sniffed the air.
Smoke! She smelled smoke! Her heart practically jumped from her chest. She sniffed again. She wasn’t imagining it. Where did it come from? She turned her head from side to side to find the direction and followed the smell around the side of the barn.
Please, God, let it be some cowboy down by the river, making himself a pot of coffee.
She rounded the corner and her lungs constricted so hard she gasped. The pile of hay she’d discovered yesterday now smoldered. She ran so fast it was as if wings carried her feet forward. If she could stomp it out before flames started—
She beat at the fire with her feet.
Flames burst from the hay and leaped upward, reaching hungry fingers for the barn.
“Fire! Fire!” she screamed as she tossed handfuls of snow toward the flames. She might as well have spit in the fire. The snow merely sizzled and disappeared.
Tools. Water. Help. She raced around the barn. “Fire! Fire!” But would Ma and Pa be sleeping and not hear her? She didn’t have time to run to the house.
She skidded to her knees as she rounded the corner toward the barn door. Grabbing the wall, she righted herself, yanked the door open and grabbed the nearest thing. A broom. She flung around. Where was the shovel? There. She grabbed it, too, and fled back to the fire.
Her arms pumping as if driven by a force outside herself, she shoveled scoop after scoop of snow onto the fire. The flames licked at the wall of the barn. She tossed snow faster and faster. Her teeth clenched so hard her jaw popped a protest. She would not let the barn burn down.
Suddenly a pair of arms moved in unison with hers, only they were tossing buckets of water. She spared a glance to see who had come to help. Duke. She’d never been so glad to see anyone.
Billy trotted around the corner carrying two pails of water, grabbed the empty ones and hurried back to the pump. Duke emptied the water on the wall of the barn. “Let the hay burn itself out. Help Billy bring water.”
She skidded in the slush as she spun around to obey his orders. Billy dashed past her with full pails and she raced to the pump. How had Duke had time to find the spare buckets in the barn? She filled them and returned to toss them against the smoldering wall.
She didn’t slow down as she raced back for more water, again and again, until her lungs ached, her legs quivered and her arms hurt. But she would not give up until the fire was out.
Duke stopped her when she returned. “I think we’ve got it.” He took the buckets from her hands and set them down.
The hay fire had been extinguished. It looked as if Duke had beaten it out. The barn was blackened and wet but it hadn’t burned.
“Billy, go to the house and make sure the Bells are okay. No need for them to come out.”
Duke turned to Rose and pulled her into his arms.
Her knees folded. She clung to him but her arms were so shaky she would have fallen if he hadn’t held her, his arms steady around her. She sobbed into the front of his coat.
“Shh. You’re okay now. Everything is okay.” He pressed his cheek to her head. “You’re safe. That’s all that matters.” His soothing voice calmed her, filled her with a formerly unknown source of strength.
“I...I thought the barn would burn.”
“When I came around the corner and saw the fire and you fighting it alone—” His voice caught and his arms tightened around her.
They clung to each other and in moments her heartbeat returned to normal.
“Thank God you showed up.” She leaned back to stare into his face. “You left a while ago. How did you happen to be here when I needed you?”
He pulled out a checkered hankie and wiped her face. “You’re quite a mess.”
“I suppose I am.” And yet she felt no need to hide from his inspection.
He wiped both cheeks and her forehead then held her in the circle of his arms.
“You’re a little dirty yourself.” She needed his explanation of why he’d been available at just the right moment but her gut warned her that the answer might rob them of this special moment and she was in no hurry for that. She took the handkerchief from him and wiped his face. This wasn’t the first time she’d cleaned his face. Not too many days ago she’d wiped blood from it. But this time was different. Everything between them was different.
His eyes blazed bright blue as she dabbed at the soot and spatters of dirty water.
She finished, folded the handkerchief and tucked it into his pocket. Then she met his look unblinkingly. Somehow she managed to squeeze a thank-you from her throat.
“You’re most welcome.”
His words seemed to come from a distance. But his look didn’t falter. Didn’t release her. And although a faint fluttering came from her throat like a trapped butterfly trying to escape, she didn’t want to turn away from his look.
She opened her heart and soul to him. No matter what came into their lives, she would treasure this moment forever.
He sighed. “Remember how I turned at the top of the hill to wave to you?”
She nodded. She’d experienced a pang at having to bid him goodbye and had barely been able to lift her hand to wave.
Duke continued. “I noticed someone in the distance riding away in a hurry. I was almost certain it was Ebner. If it was, I knew he’d been up to mischief so I decided to hang about until I could be certain you were safe.” He pulled her to his chest and cupped his hand to her head as if to anchor her there. “Thank God I did.”
She knew he meant it as a prayer.
“He’s determined to get us out by fair means or foul.” She spoke into his coat so her words were muffled. “But why? What does he hope to gain if your father no longer wants our land?”
Duke eased her back. “I need to look into this.”
Her knees weakened again as she thought of Duke confronting Ebner. “Maybe you should wait until your father returns.”
“I will handle it.” His voice had grown hard, his eyes brittle. “Don’t you think I’m capable?”
She touched his face. “I think you can do anything you set your mind to. But Ebner won’t fight fair.” She pressed her palm to his cheek, wanting to wrap her arms around him and keep him safe in her embrace. “I just want you to be careful.”
He smiled. “I will.” He took her hand and escorted her to the house.
Ma and Pa hovered around her. “Are you okay? Billy said you put out a fire.”
Between them, she and Duke explained what had happened and assured her parents that there was no damage to anyone or anything.
“You must come in and have tea,” Ma said.
“Thank you, but we have to be on our way.”
Billy didn’t wait for Duke to say anything else but stepped outside and caught up the horses.
Rose followed Duke out the door. “You be careful and be safe.”
He nodded, his expression serious. “You, too.” Then he swung into h
is saddle and the pair galloped away.
Rose waited for Duke to turn and wave as he reached the top of the hill. She waved back though she wanted to call to him to return.
She pressed her hands to her chest as if she could stop the painful beat of her heart. But it was futile.
She knew she would worry endlessly until she knew the outcome of Duke’s intention to confront Ebner.
She’d had enough experience with the man to know Duke might as well step on a hornets’ nest and not expect to get stung.
* * *
The ride home did nothing to cool Duke’s anger. It coiled and twisted inside him like a trapped wildcat. If Ebner wasn’t fifty pounds heavier than him and mean as a crazed wolf, Duke would be tempted to thrash him.
But he would not resort to dealing with this physically. He was a Caldwell. He had the authority to speak his mind and expect Ebner to pay attention.
He took his horse to the barn and left Billy with instructions to care for both horses, then go to the house and wait for him. Then he went in search of Ebner.
The foreman was strangely absent. None of the cowboys could testify to his whereabouts. Duke’s teeth clenched so hard his jaw hurt. Whether Ebner was away or avoiding him, it didn’t matter. Duke intended to speak to him at the first opportunity.
He lounged in the barn knowing the man would have to take care of his horse when he returned.
His patience was finally rewarded as Ebner led his horse inside.
Duke waited until Ebner had unsaddled the horse and turned him into a stall before he unwound from the shadows. “Howdy!” He had the pleasure of seeing Ebner start.
The man scowled at him. “You taken to playing hide and go seek?”
“Nope. Just doing my job.”
Ebner snorted. “That’s an outright fib. You been hanging around with that Bell bunch again. Everyone knows it. What do you think your pappy is going to say when he finds out?”
Anger clawed at the top of Duke’s head and his pulse thundered in the cut on his forehead at the way Ebner continued to call Father pappy. It sounded so mocking. So disrespectful.
“You’re right. I was at the Bells’.” He calmed his voice. “Fortunate for them I was. They had a fire and I was able to help put it out.”
Ebner’s scowl deepened though Duke would have thought it impossible. “Yeah? Do any damage?”
“None to speak of.”
The man grunted.
“It was deliberately started.” Duke narrowed his eyes, making his look serve as a silent challenge.
“Now ain’t that too bad.”
“I saw you riding away just before the fire was discovered.”
Ebner took a step toward Duke, his fists knotted at his sides. “You accusing me?”
“You deny it?”
Ebner gave a laugh that made Duke’s nerves twitch. “Just doing my job.” He leaned threateningly close. “Something you fail to do.”
Duke held his ground and met the man’s look without flinching. In fact, if Father or Grandfather could see how impassive he appeared, they would be proud. “I don’t know what orders my father gave you but I’m convinced he told you to end the harassment. Furthermore, I’m guessing he has no real idea what you’ve been doing.”
Ebner snorted.
Duke took it for derision but he wasn’t about to enter into an argument. “Whether he did or not is immaterial at the moment. I am in charge here and I will not tolerate such actions from anyone on the ranch payroll. I no longer need your services here. Pack your bags and leave.”
Ebner leaned back on his heels and laughed, driving what felt like spikes into Duke’s brain. What kind of reaction was that to being fired?
Ebner’s laughter choked off as he leaned forward, almost nose to nose with Duke. “Sonny boy, you didn’t hire me and you sure as guns ain’t gonna fire me. And when your pappy returns you’ll find out just how in charge you are of anything.” Laughing again, he strode from the barn. “Fire me? Not a chance.”
Duke’s lungs emptied in a whoosh. He had thought Ebner might resort to some of his dirty tricks, perhaps even physical violence. He’d never have guessed Ebner would refuse to quit.
He considered his options. He could ask the sheriff to intervene, but Ebner could argue that Father had left him in charge, not Duke. It would be his word against Ebner’s. No doubt the sheriff would walk away after giving them a warning to mind their manners until Mr. Caldwell returned to settle the matter.
Duke didn’t see what he could do in the meantime.
But one thing was certain. He’d be staying close to the ranch where he could keep an eye on Ebner’s comings and goings.
More than that, he would stay away from the Bells rather than risk incurring any more of Ebner’s vengeance.
Rose would understand the need for caution.
Already he missed her.
Chapter Sixteen
Rose knew she wouldn’t see Duke again on Sunday. He’d been there most of the day and had returned to put out the fire. He needed to get home and deal with Ebner. But when the next three days passed without any sign of him, she grew troubled. A dozen possibilities raced through her mind.
Had Ebner hurt him?
Had the cut on his forehead gotten infected? She reasoned that it had appeared fine when she’d last seen him but that didn’t calm her worries. Perhaps he’d reopened it fighting the fire. But wouldn’t he come for help if he needed it? Or send Billy?
Unless Ebner prevented it. There she was, back to her first worry. Ebner was a real danger. She could recount any number of things he’d done to the Bells but she wouldn’t. No point in bringing up any more reason to fret.
God, keep him safe. The prayer had been her constant companion the past three days.
Maybe Billy was sick or injured and Duke needed to stay and attend him. She should ride over to check but when she mentioned it to Ma and Pa they both ordered her to stay away from the ranch.
“Ebner is a dangerous man.” Pa’s voice was firm.
“Yes, Pa.” She knew it was true and had no wish to confront him.
But she would not confess aloud her most worrisome fear. Could it be that Duke had decided he didn’t care to spend time with her? Had he returned home, looked at the thirteenth-century castle and realized how important it was to have a history?
She told herself that couldn’t be the case. He’d been sincere when he’d said he viewed her as Rose, nothing more, nothing less. He’d convinced her she was enough for him. He’d sealed his words with a kiss. She believed him with her whole heart.
Or was she so eager for acceptance that she saw only what she wanted to see?
Oh, for goodness’ sake. Was she losing her mind? She smiled. Not a chance. She knew herself and she was discovering new strengths every day.
What she needed was something to occupy herself in a constructive manner. She went to the cupboard and looked inside. A bit of lace and some fancy red paper gave her an idea. She’d make him a valentine. One that expressed her feelings and hopefully made up for the mean-spirited one she’d given him when they were children.
She spent the next two days cutting and shaping the card just right. Then she read poem after poem in Ma’s book, looking for the right one.
“Why not simply write what you want to say?” Ma asked.
“I couldn’t.” If she used a poem written by another and he was cold toward her, she could more easily shrug it off than if he dismissed a poem she’d composed for him alone.
But after searching for endless hours, she still hadn’t found anything that suited her.
That night she sat on her bed and started putting her thoughts to paper. Rose. A flower. Symbol of Valentine’s Day. Symbol of love. But was it? And why the rose? Why not, say...a dandelion? She
chuckled and began to compose a poem. Well, not quite a poem but as close as she could get.
Saturday morning she hurried through her chores, anxious to get to town. Surely she’d see Duke there.
“You go without us,” Ma said. “Us old folks enjoy a lazy Saturday at home.”
Rose knew the “lazy Saturday” would include preparing the Sunday meal and baking goodies of one sort or another, but she gratefully went to town on her own. Ma and Pa would keep an eye on things while she was away. She wished it gave her more comfort than it did. Part of her felt they would be safer if they were with her, but they’d made their preference known and she had to obey.
In Bar Crossing she glanced up and down the street at the numerous wagons and riders on horseback, as well as the pedestrians on the board sidewalks. But none had the familiar blond hair and confident swagger of Duke Caldwell. Her heart shrank an inch.
She delivered the goods she’d brought to town, then hurried to the store. Perhaps he’d be there. Again nothing but deadening disappointment.
She almost decided against visiting Lilly but knew her sister would worry if she didn’t stop. Besides, if she was honest with herself, she needed Lilly to comfort her.
The sleigh bounced across the uneven snow as she drove up to Lilly’s house. She stopped, jumped down and hurried toward the door.
“Rose.” A harsh whisper sent her heart into a gallop. She glanced around.
“Duke? What are you doing here?” He was pressed against the corner of the house, his hat pulled low. His gaze darted to the street.
“Duke?” Such strange behavior.
“Come here.” He slipped out of sight and she followed. Her nerves twitched and she glanced over her shoulder, but saw nothing to cause such caution on his part.
He pulled her into a corner formed between the shed and the fence, sheltered by a bare-limbed tree.
“Duke, what on earth—”
“I can’t be too careful.” He quickly relayed the events of Sunday afternoon. “Ebner refuses to be fired. I have to wait until my father returns. I’ve sent him a message but I don’t know if he’ll take me seriously or not. In the meantime, I must stay away from you. I don’t want to add fuel to Ebner’s anger.”