“We’ll see about that.” He turned and stormed from the room, walking into the study, slamming the door behind him.
Ginny took a deep breath and tried to calm her heart from the relentless hammering she’d felt since he’d pointed his gun at her. As she relaxed, his words began to register. Did he mean to force Dax to let her go, return to town, and try to find work elsewhere? No, he wouldn’t…would he? The look on his face told her he might. He’d been as angry as the time she’d suggested his kindness toward her required some form of gratitude. An accusation he’d set her straight on real quick.
She glanced around the kitchen at the items she’d taken from the cupboard, understanding why he’d thought her an intruder. Now he meant to send her away. Well, for now, she had a job to do, and she’d do it the best she could until Rachel and Dax returned.
Ginny disappeared into her room, changed clothes, and grabbed a shawl to ward off the chill she felt, even though the house remained warm from the stoves in several rooms. She’d make a fresh pot of coffee, refill the stoves and fireplace, then start supper. She’d do whatever it took to keep her mind off what Luke intended, and pray his attempts to make her leave failed.
Luke paced the study, stopping at the cupboard where the whiskey sat, calling to him. He pulled it down and poured a good amount into a glass, downing it in one swift motion. His head pounded and fatigue overwhelmed him. He poured another measure of the deep amber liquid into his glass and lowered himself into one of the large leather chairs, stretching his long legs in front of him. Taking slow sips, he pondered what he’d come home to.
He thought of the panicked look on Ginny’s face when he implied he’d do what he could to send her away, and regretted the careless words, even as he wanted her gone. He’d get no peace as long as she worked at the ranch. Whatever drove him to seek a life without entanglements still burned hot within him. It wasn’t that he didn’t find Ginny desirable. Hell, he wanted her with an intensity he’d felt for no other woman. What he didn’t want was to change his life, be tied to one person with all the commitments and responsibilities it implied. He liked his bachelor status, even if he wasn’t the rake some believed.
If he were being honest, Ginny scared him more than anyone he’d ever known. She threatened all he believed about himself and his future. He liked the freedom of coming and going at will, answering to no one except himself and Dax. The Pinkerton assignments provided excitement, and his house near the creek offered peace. His life felt perfect, except for the woman in the other room. He set the empty glass down and closed his eyes, letting exhaustion overtake him.
Luke didn’t know how much time passed before he heard the soft knocking. He rubbed his eyes, stood, and walked to the door, pulling it open. Ginny stood in front of him, a cup of coffee in her hand.
“I thought you might want this.” She held it out to him, a look in her eyes he couldn’t quite decipher.
“Thanks.” He took the cup from a hand that trembled, and started to close the door when she took a step forward.
She looked up at a face devoid of emotion and tried to boost her courage, even as her heart hammered in her chest. “I want to thank you for the coat and dress.” She swallowed and clasped her hands tight in front of her. “They’re wonderful.”
The sincerity in her words shook Luke. It took every ounce of willpower he had to not reach out and pull her to him. “You needed them.” He stepped back, trying to put a safe distance between them.
“You’re right. I did. I used the money I’d saved to buy a coat for Mary, but I will pay you what I owe.”
He locked his eyes on hers. “You owe me nothing, Ginny. Save your money for whatever you want—just don’t offer it to me.”
“Do you mean to send Mary and me away?” she blurted out.
He had started to turn away, then stopped at her question. Is that what he intended?
“What happened to your job at the Rose?”
“Amos couldn’t afford to pay someone who couldn’t…or wouldn’t…” Her voice trailed off as she thought of Belle and the others at the saloon.
She didn’t need to explain. Luke understood what jobs in a saloon included and said a silent thanks Ginny had refused to go along with it.
“The new saloon is pulling a lot of business from the Rose, and the boardinghouse is suffering from people going to the new restaurant. Suzanne would’ve let Mary and me stay, but there’d be no money for necessities. The offer from Rachel and Dax was a miracle.”
Luke listened and felt like the worst type of scoundrel for wanting to talk Dax into sending her away. His reasons would be selfish—protecting himself from the intense feelings she produced. He took a deep breath, struggling with the realization he’d have to learn to live with the decision Dax had made.
He walked to the desk, rested his hip against the edge, and took a sip of coffee, making the decision to ride to his place when he heard laughter coming from outside.
The front door flew open and a breathless Mary ran into the study, coming to an abrupt stop when she spotted Luke.
“You remember Mr. Luke, right, Mary?” Ginny asked as her sister continued to stare.
“Hello, Mary. How was school?” Luke asked, trying to ease the apprehension he saw in the little girl’s eyes.
“Miss Rachel came and got me.”
“Because of the snow?”
She nodded, then turned as Rachel came up behind her.
“Well, you’re finally home.” She smiled and walked up to Luke, giving him a hug. “It’s good to have you back.”
“I’m glad to be home.” He shot a quick look at Ginny, once again regretting his reaction to her presence. “Ginny just explained what happened at the Rose.”
“Amos did what he had to, and it certainly turned out well for us. Ginny’s been a blessing.”
Luke pushed away from the desk. “Guess I’d better get going.”
“Won’t you at least wait for Dax and stay for supper?”
“Another time. I’m anxious to see my place. Dax and I can talk tomorrow.”
“Um…Luke…” Rachel began, worry on her face.
“What’s wrong?” A knot formed in his gut.
“Whoever is stealing broke into your place and took food and bedding. Dax and Gabe boarded up the broken window, but the new one he ordered hasn’t come in from Big Pine yet.” She saw the expression on Luke’s face turn from worry to anger and wished Dax had been the one to tell him. “It’s not as bad as it sounds. Other than the window, Dax said whoever did it didn’t damage anything else.”
“Did they take anything besides food and blankets?”
“Dax and Gabe couldn’t tell. You’ll have to look around to see what else is missing. Why don’t you stay and talk with Dax? I can pack up blankets and food, and Dax can follow you over in the wagon after supper.”
“No sense waiting for Dax to return. I can pack up what’s needed and drive the wagon over myself. I’ll bring it back in the morning.” Even as tired as he felt, he needed to see the place and figure out what else had been taken.
“All right. I’ll pack food and bedding while you get the wagon ready.” Rachel walked past Ginny, who hadn’t moved from her spot near the door. Ginny waited for her to disappear into the kitchen before taking a few tentative steps toward Luke.
“Can’t you stay for supper? I’ve made pot roast and a pie. There’ll be nothing for you at your place.”
He looked down at her, a vague sense of regret washing over him. She was right. He had nothing of real value at his place. It was a wooden structure meant to bring him a sense of independence. Although he preferred being close to the creek, his own house had yet to become a real home. An image of Ginny, standing at the sink in his kitchen, flashed across his mind, sending a brief wave of panic through him. He shook it off before it took hold.
“I need to see the house for myself. Rachel will send food along for tonight.” He grabbed his coat and hat, then headed toward the wagon, de
termined to put some distance between him and Ginny. He did want to check the house. What he wanted more was to get as far away as he could from the temptation she posed.
He finished tying Prince to the back of the wagon as Rachel and Ginny approached, their arms full of bedding and supplies.
“There’s meat, biscuits, and pie for tonight. You know, Dax is going to be upset you didn’t stay.” Rachel placed what she’d packed in the wagon and stepped back as Luke climbed up and settled on the seat.
“He’ll understand. I’ll be back early tomorrow.” He picked up the reins, then turned his gaze on Ginny. She hadn’t said a word to him since he’d left the house. He opened his mouth to speak, then stopped, tipping his hat to her before slapping the reins.
“Stubborn man,” Rachel mumbled as she turned toward the house.
Ginny watched Luke disappear into the fading light. She had such conflicting feelings about him. She’d worried every day he’d been away, had been glad he’d returned in one piece, and disappointed in his reaction to her being at the ranch. Although it shouldn’t have surprised her. As much as he seemed to want her friendship, his actions toward her said much more than his words. He would tolerate her working at the ranch for the sake of peace between him and Dax. She knew if it were up to him, she and Mary would be gone, shuttled back to town without any regret.
She followed Rachel into the house, making up her mind she’d stay until Bernice recovered, then find a job in town. Before Rachel offered her the job, she’d been considering another possibility, one that would provide her with more than enough money to support her and Mary, and allow her to save for the house. It would take more time to think it through, and she’d have to discuss it with at least one other person, but with Luke back, the idea made more sense. By the end of winter, after the last storm, she’d make her decision. For now, all she needed to do was stay out of Luke’s way.
Chapter Eighteen
Walking around, Luke surveyed the damage, noting a couple other missing items. It could’ve been worse—might have been if Dax and Gabe hadn’t discovered what happened and boarded up the place.
He made up his mind he’d build shutters for the windows and get Noah to make locks. He’d heard Gil Murton had a way with dogs. Not many people bred them, believing they weren’t of much value on a ranch. Gil felt different. It’d been said he could train a dog to do anything. Luke wanted a dog to guard his place when he was away.
Luke unpacked the wagon, unwrapping the cold meat and biscuits, and pulled up a chair in front of the stove in his bedroom—the only one he’d had time to light. Even cold, the roast tasted mighty good. He finished it and the biscuits before unwrapping the pie. As much as he liked Bernice’s cooking, Ginny’s pie had to be one of the best he’d ever eaten.
Luke stoked the fire, tossing more wood inside the stove before closing the door. He fell back on the bed, not bothering to remove anything except his boots, then rested the crook of his arm over his eyes. An image of Ginny standing on the porch, tossing a look at him over her shoulder, a broad smile on her face flashed across his mind. He could feel his body tighten at the fantasy being created. As he drifted off, he briefly wondered if the image might be more real than he wanted to believe.
Early the next morning, Luke pulled the wagon to a stop next to the barn and jumped down. The storm had dumped at least a foot of snow during the night, making the short trip from his place to the ranch house more hazardous. The wind had picked up, blowing frigid air across the drifts, which came to three feet in some places. There’d be a lot more on the ground before spring replaced winter.
He spotted Bull coming out of the bunkhouse and nodded in acknowledgment, getting a dubious look in return as the ranch hand walked up next to him.
Bull grabbed Prince’s saddle and blanket from the back of the wagon, tossing them over a rail of one of the stalls, and turned toward Luke. “Dax had a few harsh words about you not staying around long enough to talk with him yesterday.”
“I had to check the damage at my place.” Luke tried not to read too much into Bull’s warning. He knew Dax would get over his initial irritation.
“Who do you think is doing it?” Bull asked.
“It’s got to be Indians. Who else would be up in those mountains this time of year?”
“Dax, Gabe, and I visited Running Bear while you were gone. He told Dax no one from his village has disappeared.” Bull told him of finding the arrowheads and Noah’s biscuit tin.
“Then it’s another tribe or a band of renegades. Doesn’t matter. I just want to stop them.” Luke explained his plan to build shutters and talk to Gil Murton about a dog.
“I’ve heard the same about Murton. It’s said he’s equally as good with horses. Too bad he’s got his own place because he’d be a good addition to the ranch.” Bull grabbed his own tack and started for the corral in back.
Just what I need, Luke thought as he strode toward the house, another young, single ranch hand to draw Ginny’s attention. He stopped and shook his head, wondering where that had come from. He didn’t care a whit if Ginny found one of the wranglers attractive, as long as it didn’t affect her work. And if she fell in love, it would suit him just fine. He didn’t need visions of her clouding his mind and keeping him awake at night. The sooner she met someone, the sooner he’d find peace and get on with his life.
Luke trudged up the front steps, wondering why the thought of Ginny with another man left a hole in his chest. He let the thought pass as the front door swung open, Dax standing in the opening.
“I heard you’d gotten back. I would’ve felt better about it if you’d stuck around for supper.” Dax stepped aside, noticing Luke’s grim expression. He wondered whether it had to do with the thefts at his place or their new cook.
“Rachel told me what happened at the house. I needed to see the damage for myself.” He walked into the study and tossed his hat on the desk before sitting. “Thanks for taking care of boarding the windows up.”
“Gabe helped. I saw you talking with Bull. Did he tell you of our visit to Running Bear’s camp?”
“He did. Doesn’t make sense that it’s not someone with his village or another tribe. Perhaps it’s a brave who had a disagreement with Running Bear, the same as Long Feather.” He scrubbed a hand over his face and glanced outside, noticing Ginny coming out of the chicken coop with a basket in her hand, wearing the trousers he’d seen her in the day before. She didn’t walk back to the house. His gaze followed her as she stopped next to Travis, pointed to something and laughed. Travis laughed with her, causing a knot to form deep in Luke’s stomach.
“She going to be a problem?” Dax asked.
“Who?” Luke’s eyes never left her and Travis. They continued talking before she nodded toward the house and walked away.
“Ginny. Is her working here going to be a problem?”
Luke turned his attention back to Dax. He’d been wondering the same since he’d found her in the kitchen, dressed in men’s clothing. “Why is she wearing trousers and a man’s hat? Doesn’t she have enough clothes of her own?”
Dax stared at him, wondering why men who’d met their match in a woman continued to deny their feelings. Not too long ago he’d done the same with Rachel, and Luke had been the one to set him straight. He’d keep his mouth shut about it—for now.
“The weather. Some days it’s too cold and windy to walk outside. All she owns are thin cotton dresses, except for the wool coat and dress some anonymous person sent her from Big Pine.” Dax cast a knowing look at Luke. “Rachel found the pants and shirt in a box and thought they’d fit. I’m guessing they belonged to Pat Hanes.” Pat owned the ranch before them, fought alongside the brothers as a Texas Ranger, and died from an outlaw’s bullet. He’d left the ranch to Dax and Luke. “Now answer my question. Is Ginny living here going to be a problem for you?”
Luke grabbed his hat, shoved it tight on his head, and walked to the door. “I’m heading out to the herd.”
; “You’ll stay for supper tonight.” It wasn’t a question.
Luke glared at Dax, nodded, then left without another word.
Dax leaned back in his chair, watching as Luke mounted Prince and took off toward the north pasture. His brother might come across as relaxed and charming with a slow temper, but Dax knew the other side of him. He could be coiled as tight as a piano wire and as angry as a frustrated bull, but no one would notice—except Dax. Luke had an uncanny ability to hide how he felt about a situation and continue toward the goal he had in mind. A skill which served him well as a spy for the Confederacy and an agent for Pinkerton. However, Dax doubted it would help him much with Ginny.
Noah pointed his pistol into the air and fired off one shot. “Stop before I put a bullet in you,” he yelled as the slim figure disappeared into the trees. He knew the threat wouldn’t stop the thief, just as he knew he’d never shoot someone in the back.
He’d spent a long day at the livery before stopping by Suzanne’s to pick up the food he’d ordered for his cabin. The heavy snow made his trek to the cabin long and cold. He knew each day would get worse until winter turned to spring, then summer. Darkness cloaked the trail the last several hundred yards, and if it weren’t for the lantern, he wouldn’t have suspected anything. At least until he’d gone inside.
Noah saw the light, jumped off Tempest, and ran toward the front door, kicking it open. A crash from the kitchen was followed by flames from a broken lantern. He glanced out a window to see the intruder running away from the cabin, then worked to douse the fire, accepting there’d be no finding the thief tonight.
He let out a muffled curse before slamming the gun into its holster. He wished he’d gotten a better look at the thief. “Short and slender” wasn’t much to go on. He hadn’t even gotten a good look at the clothes.
Wildfire Creek (Redemption Mountain Historical Western Romance Book 2) Page 17