“I see.” He rubbed his hand across his eyes. “I don’t want your ranch and I don’t want to take Daisy from you. I’m hoping that I can buy some land close by. As for Daisy, well, I just want to be a part of her life.” He heard her deep sigh.
“I know. But, Jacob, no one knows you are Daisy’s brother so how are we going to explain why you are reading her a bedtime story?”
He hadn’t thought about that. She was right. It would look strange if the new man on the ranch was suddenly reading to Daisy every night. “You’re right. Forget I mentioned it.”
“No, let’s give it some thought. Maybe we can come up with something.”
Jacob wished he could see her better. Maybe if he moved closer to her he would be able to see her expression and know what she might be thinking.
Just as he took a step toward Lilly, Willow called from the kitchen door, “Lilly! Dinner’s ready.”
She called back. “Be right there.”
He knew she needed to get back to the house. “Go on, Lilly. We can talk more tomorrow.”
“Good night, Jacob.”
“Good night.”
He walked to his room. His conversation with Lilly ran through his mind. She’d commented on him wanting to be with Daisy more, but had avoided talking about the ranch and her fear that he wanted it. What would he have to do to convince her?
Jacob thought for several long minutes. He’d been putting money away. Perhaps now was a good time to look for a place of his own. After all, now that he had a sister living here, shouldn’t he stay here, too? Would Lilly realize he didn’t want her ranch if he had a farm or ranch of his own?
* * *
“Willow, I’m going to run out to the barn for a few minutes.” Lilly pulled her hat off the hook and hurried outside. The cool morning breeze brushed her hair across her forehead.
She’d prayed for a solution to Jacob’s problem. He wanted to read to Daisy, but it would look funny if he came to the house. Lilly entered the warmth of the barn with a smile. She’d come up with the perfect solution.
“Good morning, Miss Lilly. Do you want me to saddle your horse for you?” Caleb asked.
“Not this morning, thank you. Is Jacob around?” She searched the barn but saw no sign of him.
“No, he headed out early this morning to take care of the Pony Express horses.” Caleb went back to oiling the saddle he’d been working on when she’d entered the barn.
Lilly decided she didn’t want to wait for Jacob to come back and if she went to the pasture where he was, they could talk without anyone overhearing them. “I believe I will take my horse for a little ride this morning.”
Caleb started to put his rag off to the side but she stopped him.
“I can saddle the horse, Caleb. You keep working, I’m sure Sam will be by shortly to check on your progress.” Lilly knew that Sam expected his men to do as he said and in a timely manner.
As she worked, Lilly realized that Sam didn’t come around as much as he had in the past. The only thing that had changed was Jacob’s arrival as the new Pony Express stock tender. Was he the reason Sam no longer came around? Lilly realized that she hadn’t told Sam about Willow, or even confided in him that she’d hired the nanny.
Jacob’s arrival had changed things on the ranch. After her father had died, Sam had made sure to talk to her every day. That stopped the day Jacob arrived. Lilly wondered why as she pulled herself into the saddle.
“If Willow calls for me, will you let her know I’ll be back shortly?” she asked Caleb.
He nodded. “Yes, I’ll tell her.”
Lilly noticed that his eyes lit up at the thought of talking to Willow. “Thanks.” She walked the horse out of the barn, but as soon as they were clear of the yard, Lilly gave the mare her head.
It felt good to gallop the mare toward the pasture. She’d missed these quiet moments. Lilly allowed her mind to think. She knew that the men would be leaving on the cattle drive the next day. Had Sam had time to hire the extra men he’d mentioned? In the past he’d come to the house and given her an update, so why hadn’t he this time? She decided she’d find Sam after breakfast and have a nice long talk with him.
Jacob was closing the gate when Lilly arrived at the back pasture corral. His brown eyes searched hers as he waited to see why she’d come. “Good morning,” he said, untying the reins to his mount.
“Good morning. I can’t stay long but I think I have a solution to our little problem.” Lilly smiled down at him.
“Which little problem?” he asked as he pulled up into the saddle.
Lilly frowned. “We have more than one?”
“You tell me.” Jacob laughed and turned his horse to face her.
She blew her bangs out of her eyes. “I’m talking about you spending more time with Daisy.”
He waved his hand. “It was a stupid idea to want to read her a bedtime story.”
“No, it wasn’t. I’ve been thinking. The men will be leaving for the cattle drive tomorrow and you and Caleb will begin having your meals at the house. How about after supper you read to Daisy?” Lilly leaned on the pommel of her saddle and smiled at him.
“What about after they come back?”
His gaze searched hers, leaving Lilly feeling flushed. “Well, by then Daisy will be so happy that you are reading and eating with us that I’m sure she won’t want you to stop and since you are family, I don’t see why you have to.”
Jacob grinned. “I know that I’m her family and you know that I’m her family, but no one else at the ranch knows.”
“Yes, but now that Willow and the baby are in the house, it’s not like you and I will be alone and it will be natural for everyone to continue with the routine that we set up while the men are away.” She sat back in the saddle. Her horse stomped its hooves, as if to tell her it was time to go now.
“Thank you.”
Lilly nodded. “You’re welcome. I better get back, I told Willow I wouldn’t be but a minute. I thought you were at the barn and then Caleb said you were out here, so I’ve been gone longer than planned or expected.” She knew she was rambling, but for some odd reason, Lilly felt butterflies in her stomach.
She turned the horse and headed back to the barn. That was odd, Lilly thought as she rubbed her fluttering stomach. Jacob had never made her feel skittish before. Was it because that was the first time they’d ever been alone? Or was it because she’d opened up her home to a man and she’d never done that before.
Whatever it was, Lilly vowed that it wasn’t because she found Jacob handsome and kind. Nope, she wasn’t allowing him or any other man into her heart. She had a sister and ranch to protect.
So why did she find herself looking forward to when the other men would be leaving on the cattle drive?
Chapter Fourteen
Jacob and Caleb watched as the men drove the cattle off the ranch. The young man sighed, drawing Jacob’s attention. Jacob turned his horse and headed back to the barn.
“I sure would have liked to have gone with them,” Caleb said beside him.
A smile touched Jacob’s lips. “Not me. Sleeping on the cold ground at night and eating cattle dust all day isn’t my idea of fun. It’s hard work.”
Caleb sulked in his saddle. “Yeah, but the other men would respect me.”
Jacob stopped. “You would think that’s true, but it’s not.”
The young man looked puzzled but didn’t argue.
“Do you want to know how to earn their respect?” Jacob pulled his horse to a stop.
Caleb nodded. His face said that he dreaded the answer.
“Work hard at what you’ve been asked to do. Your job is to keep things running smoothly in the barn and any odd jobs that Sam or Lilly ask you to do. Isn’t that right?” He pushed his hat back farther
on his head.
“Yep.” Caleb studied him, waiting.
“And Sam has given you the added chores of taking care of all the cattle that were left behind.”
Caleb nodded, looking gloomy.
“Well, instead of feeling sorry for yourself, do the jobs given to you and do the best that you can do. Make sure that every head of cattle on this place is taken care of and that the barn is in tiptop shape when Sam returns. If there is anything extra you can do for the men while they are gone, do that, too. Then they will see that you are a hard worker and will start treating you like one of them.” Jacob waited for Caleb’s nod and then proceeded to the barn.
He worried about Caleb’s silence as they rode together. Had he pushed the boy too far? Asked too much of him?
When the barn was in sight, Caleb said, “You’re right. There are a lot of things I can do to help the men out.”
“Such as?”
“Well, they will have to sleep on the cold hard ground, right?”
Jacob nodded.
“I suspect they’d enjoy clean sheets and a soft pillow when they get home.” A grin split his lips. “And I’ll clean up the bunkhouse so that it shines. Cook will appreciate that.”
Jacob couldn’t contain his grin. Thankfully Caleb had taken his words to heart and planned on earning the men’s respect. “Now that’s the way to go about it.”
Lilly called from the front porch, “Jacob, Caleb. When you get your horses taken care of come on up to the house, please.”
Jacob waved to her to let her know he’d heard her.
“What do you think she wants?” Caleb asked as he slid off the back of his horse.
Jacob swung out of the saddle. “Don’t know. But, she wants us both so it can’t be all bad. Right?”
Caleb shrugged. “Oh, well, at least I’ll get to see Miss Willow.” He grinned and then started leading the horse into the barn.
He had to talk to the boy. Jacob sighed and followed. He led his horse to its stall. “Caleb, don’t you think Willow is a mite too old for you?”
“How old do you think she is?” His young voice went a little off-key on the last two words.
Jacob smiled and thanked the Lord those awkward days were behind him. “I’d say she’s at least five years older than you, possibly more. Plus, she has a baby. Are you ready to start a family?”
Caleb seemed to consider his words as the two of them unsaddled their horses and put them away. “No, I’d not considered the baby.”
“So the age difference doesn’t bother you but her having a baby does?” Jacob closed the stall door and shook his head.
“I don’t think age should matter. If two people really care about each other, age isn’t important,” Caleb said with conviction.
Jacob laughed. “Is that right?”
“Yep, look at you and Miss Lilly. I bet she’s a lot younger than you.”
The laugh died. “There is nothing between Lilly and I.”
“No?” Caleb wiggled his eyebrows. “You sure?”
“Of course I’m sure.” Jacob frowned at the boy.
Caleb was the one to laugh this time. “If you say so.” He took off at a run toward the house.
“I do say so,” Jacob yelled after him.
More laughter filled the morning air.
Where did Caleb get the idea that he was interested in Lilly? Had he seen them the other night talking alone at dusk? Or even worse, had Jacob said or done something to give him cause to suspect they might enjoy each other’s company?
Jacob worried that others might read too much into his and Lilly’s relationship. He made a mental note to keep things between him and Lilly on the unromantic side. After all, she’d just break his heart and leave him.
Lilly met him on the front porch. “I thought you might like breakfast since the men headed out so early,” she said in way of greeting.
“That’s very nice of you, but we ate earlier. Cook made a batch of biscuits before they headed out.”
Jacob now felt uneasy in Lilly’s presence. When would the two of them ever feel anything but awkward around each other?
She giggled. “That didn’t stop Caleb from accepting my offer of pancakes, bacon and hot coffee.”
Jacob felt a smile tug at his lips. “No, I reckon it didn’t.” He told himself that perhaps he should go inside and keep an eye on the boy. “I suppose I wouldn’t mind having a cup of coffee, if you can spare it.”
“Good. I have something I want to ask you.” She opened the door and slipped inside.
He followed her to the kitchen, where Caleb was happily devouring a plate full of fluffy pancakes. “You should try these, Jacob. Miss Willow can sure cook.”
Willow stood beside the stove with a smile on her face. “Thank you, Caleb.”
Jacob pulled out a chair and sat down. His gaze moved to the clock on the sideboard and he realized there would be another Pony Express rider passing through in about an hour. Hopefully Lilly would ask her question and then he’d be able to get back to work.
Lilly walked over to the coffeepot, poured cups for herself and Jacob, then returned to the table. “Jacob, I wanted to ask you if you’d like to help me with the garden. My stepmother always cared for the garden and with Willow here to take care of Daisy, I was hoping to try my hand at raising a few vegetables.”
Caleb froze in place with his fork suspended halfway to his mouth and looked from Jacob to Lilly. His eyes sparkled with laughter.
“I’ll be happy to help, if I can,” Jacob answered as he tried to ignore Caleb. That boy was going to embarrass them all, if he didn’t hurry up and get out of there.
* * *
The next morning, Lilly chewed on the end of her pencil, struggling to remember the things to put on her list. The next few weeks, months even, would be too busy for unplanned trips to town, so her list of needed items must be thorough and complete. If she could just remember that one elusive thing. She should have written it down. She was wasting valuable time—time she could spend away from the house doing chores that had been neglected while she cared for Daisy.
Her excitement grew as she dreamed of the vegetable garden she had planned. It would be the best for miles around. She intended to get all kinds of seeds and whatever plants she could find. Why, if they planted enough, maybe Daisy could have a small vegetable stand in town one or two Saturdays.
Lilly could hardly wait to plant things near the house to make it look better. Plants. Fertilizer. Excitedly she wrote the item on her list. That’s what she’d been missing. Fertilizer.
She folded the list and put it in her apron pocket, which hung by the door, then reached for the bag she’d packed earlier.
If she thought of anything else while cooking supper, she’d jot it down, but right now she had an appointment with clear blue skies and fresh air.
She met Jacob near the barn entrance and couldn’t help the smile tilting up the corners of her mouth. He pulled a wagon behind him, loaded with shovels, hoes, rope and buckets. He had on a straw hat and his shirt hung open, revealing a white undershirt and suspenders. “You have plans involving dirt and sweat or something?” she teased.
Evidently, his spirit of adventure and hard work matched her own if the twinkling in those dark eyes and the lopsided grin were evidence. “Or something.” His voice held a hint of questioning. “I’m not sure what the boss lady has lined up for me today, but I plan to meet the challenge.”
“Are you sure I’m not taking you away from your Pony Express job?”
“Not at all. No rider expected today. I am at your service, little lady.”
“Then let’s hike on down to the pond.” Lilly set off at a fast clip.
“Whoa! Hold on there.” Jacob grabbed her arm to slow her down.
The war
mth of his touch took her breath away. Or was it just the excitement of getting started. “Yes?”
“I need to know what you’re planning to do so I can make sure we have all the tools we’ll need. We don’t want to waste time making trips back to the barn for items we can take now.”
Lilly grimaced at the wait, but knew he was right. “Well, I want to uproot some of the flowering shrubs and place them in front of the porch.” She knew that would put a stop to little boys climbing on the railing and jumping to the yard, like the ones last week with one of the nannies. “And I’d like to move several vines of blackberries up near the chicken coop. I know some of them will die, but if we move enough of them we should get a good crop. I like for Daisy to pick berries but don’t like her being so far from the house. And her mother had such a talent for growing things.”
“She did?”
Lilly heard the interest in Jacob’s voice, then she remembered that Daisy and Jacob had the same mother. This was something good she could share with him. “Yes, Gertie could grow some of the finest vegetables and the flowers...oh, my, each year was better than the one before. Why, the sunflowers were over Papa’s head.”
His voice sounded thoughtful. “Maybe that’s why I love growing things. I could have inherited it from her.”
“You love planting?” Lilly didn’t know a man around who enjoyed planting as much as she did. This was something else she could admire about Jacob Young.
“I always had a garden back in Wyoming. We had so many mouths to feed and money was scarce at times. There’s nothing quite like planting a seed and watching it triple in yield.”
“Like the story in the Bible about sowing one bad thing but reaping many sorrows,” Lilly said, shrugging. “Or something to that effect.”
One thing she truly was sorry about was the lack of spiritual training she’d had. Her dad had read the Bible often, just not to her, and Gertie had cared more for dime novels than she had the Bible. Occasionally Lilly and Daisy attended the church in Orange Grove and that’s where she’d heard an inspiring sermon on reaping what you sowed.
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