Even more puzzled than she was before, Meagan thought she might be getting a headache. "How can I do that?"
"By feeding my two boys the worst food they’ve ever eaten.”
"That shouldn't be too difficult," Meagan murmured.
"Meagan," Anne persisted, "I'll make you a deal. If you promise to prepare burnt, tasteless, lumpy meals for the next several weeks, I'll teach you how to cook."
Hopeful eyes stared into twinkling ones. "You'll teach me how to cook?"
Anne nodded. "In no time you'll be able to prepare anything you'd like."
Meagan grinned. "It's a deal." She offered her hand to seal the bargain.
Anne accepted it. ""Wonderful. Let's find you a dress and then we'll start your lessons."
They spent the whole afternoon together. Soon the kitchen was filled with the aroma of cookies, pies and muffins. Meagan had never enjoyed herself more.
"Why didn't you learn to cook before, Meagan?" Anne asked as she transferred the cooled cookies onto a plate.
"No time. I was busy helping Pa with the ranch. Besides, I didn't have anyone to teach me."
"What about before you came to live on the ranch. Didn't your mother teach you how?"
"My ma died when I was born."
"I'm sorry to hear that," Anne said.
Meagan felt a slight tug at her heart. "I have a picture of her. I guess it's all I'll ever have to know her by."
"I'm sorry you had to,"
Meagan interrupted, "I'm fine,” she stated with a shrug of her shoulders, not used to or wanting sympathy for something she couldn’t change. “It's hard to miss someone you never knew."
"I suppose." Anne appeared deep in thought. Several seconds of silence passed before Anne continued their conversation. "Who raised you?"
"My aunt and uncle. They didn’t like me much, so I just tried to stay out of the way. I didn’t know my Pa was even alive until after my Uncle died. My aunt couldn't afford to support me, so I went to live with him when I was thirteen."
"Well, I know when Tom found out he had a daughter, he was thrilled."
Meagan smiled as she recalled her first day with her pa. He was everything she'd dreamed of. Big, handsome and with a heart so kind he instantly made her feel loved and wanted. He hadn’t even been aware of her existence, yet he welcomed her with open arms. "My pa was a good man."
"Was?"
"Is. I mean is, of course." Petrified by her blunder, Meagan stuttered, "it seems like so long since I've seen him." She hated lying to Anne, and added truthfully, "sometimes I get really lonely."
Anne moved in closer. "You'll always be welcome here, with us. You'll never have to feel lonely again."
Tears welled in Meagan's eyes at the further proof of Anne's kindness. "Thank you, Anne."
Anne reached out to her, and Meagan allowed herself to be engulfed in Anne’s warm embrace, feeling for the first time what it might have been like to have a mother's love. If only she could stay here, in this house, forever. She blinked back tears and withdrew. She couldn't allow herself to think about staying on here. It was an impossible dream.
Meagan coughed as smoke swirled around her. "The cookies are burning!"
Anne grabbed a rag and removed the charred cookies. She grinned. "It looks to me like you're going to have to teach me a thing or two about cooking, Meagan. I'm sure you're ham couldn't have been burnt as bad as these cookies."
Meagan examined the dark brown blobs. "Close contest. Very close."
The two women found themselves entertained for the rest of the morning as delightful confections filled the kitchen. Meagan gathered a dozen cookies in a towel. "I saw some children outside earlier. I think I'll find them and share these."
"Good idea." Anne packaged up the rest of the goodies. "I'll take these to some of the ranch hands families. We don't want Cole and Stephen to find out about your cooking lessons."
Meagan followed Anne outside. She hadn't eaten breakfast that morning, and munched on a cookie as she meandered through the yard. She didn't have to go far before she came upon three small children who were absorbed in covering a chipped white fence with a new coat of paint. Meagan approached them. "Hello."
Three enchanting faces looked up at her.
"I baked cookies this morning, and made too many for me to eat. I was wondering if you might like to help me eat them?"
Their faces lit up. Meagan knelt down and waited. The two girls stayed back, eyeing the plate of cookies with interest, but the boy walked up to her.
"Thank you, maam." He grabbed as many cookies as his small, chubby hands could hold and handed them to the girls. "My sisters, they're real shy. Don't talk to strangers much. But me, I'm the oldest, and I talk for them."
"That's a very important job."
"Yep."
He chose several cookies for himself, and took a large bite from one. He wiped a chunk of chocolate from his mouth with the back of his hand and shot a curious glance her way. "Who're you? I've never seen you around before."
"My name is Meagan. I've been staying at the main house. I wasn't feeling well for a while."
"You that lady that got saved from the fire?"
"Yes, I am. How did you hear about that?"
"Gosh, everyone's heard about that. You're practically famous. Not as famous as Cole, though. He saved you."
"Yes he did. You know Cole?"
"Sure. He's nice. He told me I could call him Cole, and not Mr. 'Callister like my pa has to call him."
His chest swelled with pride. Meagan nodded, her tone serious. "That's very impressive. I think he must trust you a whole bunch to put you in charge of painting such a big fence."
"He does. My sisters, here, they listen to me. They know that I got Mr. 'Callister's 'spect."
Meagan eyed the two girls who were busy smearing the chocolate from their hands into the new white paint. "I'm sure they do. What's your name?"
"I'm Toby, and I'm eight. This here is Becca and Nicole, they're six and four. Becca's real name is Rebecca, but we call her Becca. She likes it better."
Meagan couldn't help but feel envious of the parents of such fine children. She had always loved children, and wanted a whole bunch of them someday. Ones like these, she thought, as golden brown eyes stared first at her and then the cookies. All three children had sandy blonde hair and pale skin. Becca and Nicole's hair was long and straight, and had splotches of white in it at the moment. But it was Toby that Meagan found irresistible. His hair curled and formed a halo around his chubby face. When he smiled, two dimples peeked from freckled cheeks, and his eyes sparkled mischievously as he spoke. He had an open, trusting attitude that Meagan couldn't resist.
She held out the plate of cookies once more and waited as Toby passed some to each of his sisters before he once again took his share.
"Looks like you have a ways to go in getting this fence painted."
"Yep. It'll be worth it, though. Ma's birthday's next week, and I'm gonna earn enough from this job to buy her a mighty fine present."
Pride shone in his eyes, and Meagan felt a strange tug at her heart. At his age she'd longed for parents to love. She'd gotten her wish when she came here to live. She’d had her pa, and Bessie. Meagan felt a sudden urge to check on Bessie and make sure she was okay.
"I'll tell you what. I need to say hello to an old friend, and when I get back, how would you like a little free help."
"From you?"
"Yes, from me." Meagan laughed with delight as she studied his astonished expression. "Why not from me?"
"Because you're a lady. And a mighty pretty one. Pretty ladies don't paint fences."
Flattered by the compliment, even from an eight year old, Meagan smiled. "Well, this lady does. I'll be back soon. I promise." As an afterthought, she asked, "you don't happen to know where my dog might be?"
"Sure do," Toby turned his head and pointed. "She's over there, in that cabin."
"That one there?"
"No, the very last one. T
he one with all the clothes hangin' up."
"Thanks." Meagan walked toward the cabin. She turned once to find all three children staring after her. She waved, then turned back, anxious to find Bessie.
She stepped over the clutter in the yard and knocked on the door. As the door opened, she smothered a gasp of dismay. Standing before her was a boy, not more than six or seven, with dark brown hair and hazel eyes. He was filthy from head to foot, wore no shoes or socks and appeared not to have combed his hair or taken a bath in weeks. His clothes were worn, and torn in two places.
Meagan realized she was staring and spoke to the child. "Hello, my name is Meagan. I understand that my dog is here. I've come to see her."
A look of fear crossed the child's face, and Meagan wondered what she'd said to cause such a reaction. Just then Bessie ran from the house and jumped on her. Meagan saved the cookies from flying, then wrestled with Bessie.
"No! Leave her alone. Leave her alone."
Startled, Meagan glanced up just in time to see the child flying at her, his face puckered, his eyes filled with unshed tears. Meagan caught him and held him against her, ignoring the dirty smears he left on her dress.
"What is it honey. What's wrong?" His tiny body shook with silent sobs. He didn't speak. Meagan lifted his chin with two fingers. "What have I done to make you cry."
"My doggy. Leave my doggy alone. She's mine. I love her." As quickly as he'd jumped on her, he pulled away and clung to Bessie. Bessie allowed him to pull and tug on her, and even nudged closer so she could lick the small child's face, clearing a spot of dirt from his cheek in the process.
"This is my dog," Meagan began, but hesitated when she noticed his lips begin to quiver again. It was obvious he'd become attached to Bessie. Bessie had been a large part of her life for years, a friend no one could take away. Now, as she watched this boy with Bessie, Meagan realized that he had developed the same bond. Bessie appeared to be in perfect health, and well fed. No matter what condition the poor child was in, it was obvious that Bessie was being well cared for.
She couldn't separate them. She'd been blessed with a new friend today in Anne. Meagan decided that it was now her turn to give this boy a friend he could depend on. "I think Bessie has taken a liking to you. I bet she'd like to stay with you. That is, if you think it would be okay?"
His face lit up. Meagan felt happy and sad at the same time. She was doing the right thing, but her insides felt as if they were being jerked from her body. She offered the boy her remaining cookies, and after a long, thoughtful pause he reached out and snatched the cookies then disappeared into the house. Meagan knelt and accepted Bessie’s wet kiss on her cheek, then encouraged her dog to follow the small boy inside. Seconds passed as Meagan waited, part of her hoping Bessie would come bounding out and back into her arms. She didn’t. Meagan ignored the single tear that rolled down her cheek and made her way back to Toby and the girls.
They stopped what they were doing long enough to determine she was empty handed, then resumed their duties. All of them, that is, except Toby, who stood, hands on his hips, waiting to see if she was as good as her word.
Meagan bent down to his level. "Well, boss, I'm ready to work. What do you want me to do?"
He nodded his approval and began issuing orders. In no time Meagan found herself absorbed in her task. She enjoyed the children's laughter. She had no idea how much time had passed when a shadow crossed her path. She glanced up to find Cole standing above her.
"Hello, Meagan."
She stood and straightened her dress.
Cole grinned, his eyes raking up and down her, obviously noting her new attire.
She felt heat flood her cheeks and forced her gaze from him to the fence. "What do you think? Toby's been working me hard, but I think we're making progress." She chanced another glance Cole’s way. He was still grinning.
"Toby," Cole bent down to the boys level. "You're doing a mighty fine job on that fence. In fact, I'm so pleased, I'm going to double your pay. When you're finished I'll pay you a dollar."
"A whole dollar! Wow!" Toby's entire body wiggled with excitement. "I can't wait to tell Pa." He ran off without another word, and without putting the paint away.
"When you're done." Cole yelled after the retreating boy, stepping aside to avoid being avalanched by two running girls. Laughing, his eyes collided with Meagan's.
Her heart rushed to her throat. Cole towered over her, his shoulders so broad and muscles so taut they almost seemed to defy his shirt, leaving little to the imagination. His dark black hair curled at the ends, and blue eyes, blue as a summer's sky, twinkled with amusement as they studied her. Meagan realized she was staring at him and looked away. She'd dealt with men for most of her life. Why this particular man made her feel like she was still an awkward fourteen year old was beyond her.
"You have paint on your nose."
Cole reached his hand toward her, but Meagan backed away. She brought a finger to her nose. "I guess I look a mess."
Cole smiled. "You look adorable." He caught a strand of her hair between his fingers. "I think I prefer blonde to white."
Meagan realized she had paint not only on her nose, but in her hair and on her arms. She even had a drop on her boot. "I guess I'd better get cleaned up."
Cole dropped his arm. "I think you were having more fun than the kids." His dimple peeked at her as he grinned. "I wasn't sure who was going to win the paint duel."
"You saw that?"
He nodded. "I saw that." His dimple deepened.
Meagan couldn't suppress a grin. "I couldn't allow Toby to drop paint on my head without some sort of retribution." She couldn't stop staring at him.
"No," Cole agreed. "Threatening him with a brush full of paint seemed little determent, though."
Meagan laughed. "He didn't seem the least concerned, did he?"
"I haven't heard you laugh in a long time."
Meagan's gaze never wavered from Cole's. She felt short of breath. "I guess I haven't had much reason to laugh around you," she confessed, startled by her own honesty.
"Meagan, I..." Cole paused and rubbed his hand across his eyes.
"Yes?" Meagan encouraged, her heart quickening.
Cole dropped his arm. "We need to talk."
Meagan's eyes never left his. "It's a bit late for that, isn't it?"
"No." Cole reached out and touched her cheek. "It's never too late to make a wrong, right." His finger tip traced her lips. Meagan turned her head, fearing the sensations that his touch created within her. He moved in closer, his breath against her skin sent tingles down her spine. She leaned into him. His hand caressed her, running up her back to the nape of her neck. His thumb moved along her jaw to her chin, where he placed just enough pressure to tilt her head up. His breath caressed her lips.
Meagan jerked away and hid her trembling hands in the folds of her skirt. She spurted out the first random thought that came to mind. "I hope you don't mind my helping Toby.”
"Meagan," Cole reached for her, "come here."
His gaze was hot, searching. Meagan took two steps backwards and continued her one sided conversation. "After Bessie, I needed something to cheer me up. It worked too, why in no time I..."
His passionate gaze dimmed. "What about Bessie?"
"I met the boy who was taking care of Bessie today."
"That's Jeremy." Cole crossed his arms. "He saw Bessie when I was walking her the day after the fire, and was so enamored by her that I agreed to let him take care of her until you got better. I'm sorry if that upset you."
"It wasn't him caring for her that upset me. I gave Bessie to him today."
Cole's eyes widened in surprise. "What! You almost got yourself killed going after that mutt. Why in the world would you give her away?"
Meagan bristled at him calling Bessie a mutt. "Why should I explain anything to you. You'd never understand anyway," she accused. Bessie was much more than a mutt.
"Meagan, I know how much you love Bessie." Cole
shook his head. "When you do something as irrational as giving her away, how can you expect me to understand?"
Meagan's anger faded. "You should have seen his little face crumple when he thought I was going to take her away. I couldn't do that to him."
Cole flashed a guilty glance her way. "Meagan, I didn't mean for that to happen. I just thought it would be nice for the boy to care for the dog. Good for him, you know."
"I know." Meagan felt the threat of tears and turned away. She felt Cole's hand on her shoulder.
"I could get him another dog. The Samuel's family has a whole litter of puppies that..."
"It wouldn't be the same." Meagan felt a sudden urge to back into Cole's arms and allow him to comfort her. She shrugged it off and took several steps away from him. "Jeremy's become attached to Bessie. Any other dog would just be second best. I know it would be for me." Meagan pivoted and faced Cole. "I'm glad Bessie can make Jeremy happy. I'll miss her, that's all."
"I know you will. I'm sorry, Meagan."
Meagan shook her head. "I'm not. To see a smile on that sad little face made the sacrifice worthwhile."
Cole's eyes bore into hers. "I've never known anyone to do something so unselfish before."
His words washed over her like a caress. He was proud of her. Meagan allowed her gaze to travel over his face. He made no attempt to hide his desire as he moved closer.
"Why does Jeremy live in such unclean conditions?"
Cole straightened. "Meagan, you have an irritating way of talking when you shouldn't."
"Why does he?" Meagan persisted.
Cole raked his fingers through his hair. "He's one of eight children. His mother died giving birth to him, and his pa doesn't seem to have the time or the inclination to care for Jeremy or the other children. We do our best, but Jeremy's pa is a proud, stubborn man. We make sure they have a place to live and money for food."
Nodding, Meagan mumbled, "thanks." Her mind wandered back to her fourteenth birthday party. Cole's cruel words had hurt, but right now it didn't seem to matter quite so much. She'd allowed her pain to turn to anger, and it had grown stronger with each passing year. Now, she began to question those feelings. Cole appeared to have a warm, giving nature.
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