Deanna Tompkins

by Blue Mountain Passion

  Gloria. Meagan decided she didn't like that name.

  Gloria continued her conversation as if Cole hadn't spoken. "All the seamstresses are swamped with orders. After all, the dance is just a few weeks away."

  Meagan sucked in her breath as Cole frowned in her direction. She remained motionless.

  "Can't you just wear something you already have?" he asked, still staring her way.

  "Oh, Cole," Gloria placed her hand on his shoulder, which brought his attention back to the woman. Meagan relaxed. "You don't understand women at all."

  Meagan decided that was an understatement. If Cole thought he could flirt with two women at once, he had another thing coming. With a will of their own Meagan's feet moved forward, and seconds later she stood before Cole with little recollection of how she'd gotten there. "Hello."

  "Meagan." Cole straightened. Blue eyes twinkled at her. His mouth turned up at the ends. "What a pleasant surprise."

  Sometimes he made her so angry, and she didn’t even know why. She turned her attention on Gloria. "I can sew your dress for you," she offered.

  Two pairs of startled eyes stared up at her. Meagan raised her chin a fraction. She could think of no better way to find out Cole's intentions toward this woman than to befriend her.

  "Meagan, what are you doing?"

  Cole's voice held an undercurrent of distrust. Meagan ignored it as she extended her hand to Gloria. "I'm Meagan."

  "Gloria."

  Gloria barely touched her hand, then withdrew it as if she'd been bitten. Not a good start, Meagan thought as she lowered her arm to her side. "I happened to be walking by and heard voices. I was curious to see who was in here and as I approached I overheard your dilemma."

  "Meagan,"

  Meagan chose once again to ignore Cole. "I'm sure you don't want to wear some worn out, old dress, when you could have a brand new one."

  "Meagan,” Cole tried again, “don't you think you should reconsider this?"

  She tossed an annoyed glance Cole's way. "Men just don't understand these things. I certainly wouldn’t want to wear a used dress to such a special event, especially when going with such a handsome escort as Cole.”

  "Meagan," Cole stood. His eyes mocked her. "You could care less about Gloria having a new dress, or of her having a splendid time with me."

  Meagan backed away. "Cole saved my life," she blurted, pleased by Cole's stunned expression. "He was brave, and strong. He rushed through flames, smoke and unbearable heat to save me.

  "Finally." Cole flung his arms above him in an exaggerated motion, "The lady gives the man the credit he deserves."

  Meagan tossed another annoyed glance Cole's way. "I owe him."

  Cole raised his eyebrows.

  Laughter threatened to expose her charade, so she forced her gaze away from Cole and on to Gloria. "I won't charge you a thing, of course."

  Greed shone in Gloria's brown eyes. "Well, if you're sure you can do it. It's a difficult pattern. I might should check..."

  "Oh, I can do it," Meagan declared smoothly. She'd never sewn more than a button on before, and they tended to fall back off within a week.

  "Meagan."

  Innocent eyes met Cole's. "Yes?"

  "Do you sew as well as you cook?"

  Meagan hid her smile behind a cough and claimed with exaggerated sincerity, "even better."

  "Gloria," Cole stated with a decided lack of humor, "you're in for a treat."

  "Then it's settled." Meagan clapped her hands together and smiled at Gloria. "When is the dance?"

  "On Saturday, June 8th."

  "I'll have it ready for you the Thursday before."

  "Don't you need to schedule a fitting?"

  "Oh, of course," Meagan agreed warily. She had no idea how to fit anyone for anything. "We'll need to do that soon, I suppose."

  "I'll stop by sometime next week with the material," Gloria offered.

  “That sounds perfect.” Meagan turned to leave, but as an afterthought called over her shoulder, "dinner will be ready in an hour."

  Cole’s glance didn’t waver from Meagan until she disappeared around the corner. He forced his gaze back to Gloria, but his mind was still on Meagan. Why had she made that offer? She didn't know Gloria. Besides, the little minx might as well have kissed his feet, the way she praised his bravery. Something was amiss.

  "Who is she, Cole?"

  Cole forced his thoughts back to the woman in the room. "What?"

  "How do you know Meagan?"

  "Oh. She’s worked on the ranch for years."

  "Seems mighty young for that," Gloria observed with a toss of her hair. "What is she doing in your house?"

  "She cooks for us."

  "I thought your mother cooked for you."

  "She did,” Cole agreed. “Now Meagan does."

  "Why?"

  A wide grin split Cole's face. He dropped his arm across Gloria's shoulders. "That," he declared with a chuckle, "is a question even I can't answer."

  Gloria's eyebrows drew together in a slight frown. "I don't understand."

  Cole shook his head. "It doesn't matter." He headed toward the front door. "I've got some things I need to take care of." Cole knew it was rude of him to dismiss Gloria in such a manner, but didn't care. He ignored Gloria's upturned face, shut the door behind her and returned to the parlor to pour himself a shot of whiskey.

  He'd seen Meagan pop out from behind that post. She'd been spying on him. A backward toss of his head shot the whiskey down his throat. He poured himself another. "Maybe," he whispered to himself, "if I get drunk enough, Meagan's cooking will taste good." He plopped into the nearest chair.

  A deep chuckle shook his body. Maybe, he thought, if I get Gloria drunk enough before the dance, she'll think her dress looks good, too. Amused at himself, Cole relaxed back in his chair. He bent his leg and placed his right ankle on his left knee. He stared with contentment into space. He felt happier than he'd felt in days. Things were looking up.

  CHAPTER NINE

  Meagan come quick!" Toby ran through the door, his chubby cheeks red with exertion.

  "What is it Toby?"

  "It's Rose. She's gonna have a baby, only pa says she's in real bad shape. The baby's coming out backwards."

  "Oh dear," Meagan bent to Toby's level. "What can I do to help?"

  "Pa said to get Cole, but he can’t get there for an hour. Cole told me to fetch you."

  "Cole?" Astonished, Meagan asked, "are you sure your pa said Cole could help?"

  "Yep,” Toby confirmed with a quick nod. “He's done it before. But he's in the middle of a crucial situation that requires his attention," Toby said, his brows drawn together in concentration as he struggled to remember word for word what Cole had said to him.

  Meagan blinked in bafflement. Cole wanted her to deliver a baby? She hadn't a clue how to do that.

  "Meagan, hurry up!" Toby jumped up and down in agitation.

  "Toby," Meagan pleaded to the small child, "I don't know how to help Rose."

  "Sure you do. Cole said so. Now, come on." Toby ran from the house.

  Panic rioted within Meagan as she followed him.

  "She's in here." Toby pointed as they reached the stables.

  "Rose is in here?"

  Toby turned a frustrated gaze her way when he realized she'd stopped again. "Meagan, come on," he whined.

  "I'm coming." Moments later Meagan stood in front of Rose and breathed a huge sigh of relief. Rose was soon to give birth to a calf. Meagan knelt beside the distressed mother and analyzed the situation. This, she’d done before. "Toby, does Rose know you?"

  "Uh-huh. She's mine."

  "Good. I want you to sit by her head. Stroke her and talk to her."

  Meagan traded places with Toby’s Pa after casting a confident nod his way and reassured Toby, "Rose is weary. She shouldn't put up much fight." Thirty long, grueling minutes passed as Meagan struggled to maneuver the calf into position. It took every ounce of her strength and concentration
to accomplish the feat. At last, a healthy newborn female calf was born.

  Toby's voice echoed through the stables. "You did it! You did it!"

  Meagan relaxed back on her heels. She almost toppled when Toby flew into her lap. Meagan laughed as she protested, "Toby, I'm a mess. You're going to get your clothes all dirty."

  "I don't care none about that. You saved Rose's life.” He grinned up at her, “I'm a dad."

  "Oh, Toby, sometimes you're quite silly."

  They laughed together, touched noses and hugged. It was a wonderful way to start the day.

  Toby’s pa stepped in closer. “Thanks, Meagan. I’m not sure what I’d have done if something happened to Rose. Toby’s quite fond of her.”

  Meagan brushed a lock of hair back with her forearm, “Glad to be of help,” she replied sincerely. It felt amazing to be doing something she was good at, for a change.

  "Toby, let's go tell your ma about Rose's calf," his Pa invited, holding out his hand to the small boy.

  Meagan watched as Toby grasped his Pa’s hand.

  "Bye, Meagan." Toby turned and flashed a smile her way.

  She waved, then watched him disappear from sight. She felt a strong urge to find Cole, and tell him the good news. Two weeks had passed since she'd confessed what she knew about Tony, and Cole seemed more relaxed and friendly with each passing day. She left the stables and headed toward the corrals. Maybe she and Cole could work things out, after all.

  "Hold her down," Cole ordered as sweat poured from his brow. Adrenaline flowed through his veins. It kept him awake and alert. He hadn't slept more than four or five hours a night for the last week. He'd hired thirty extra men, organized the foremen from the six sections and worked beside them from dawn to dusk. He was exhausted.

  No sooner had he branded one calf than a roper delivered another. Each one protested the separation from their mothers as they kicked and squealed. Two flankers took the calf from the roper and held it in place. Cole grabbed the branding iron from the fire pit, verified it was red hot and burned the McAllister brand into the calves hip.

  It was hard, hot work. Long days. They'd been at it since six this morning. Cole brushed the sweat from his brow and glanced up at the sky. It was nearing noon. Minutes later the bell sounded in the cookhouse. They'd break thirty minutes for lunch, then work until dark. This routine would continue for two or three more days, until every newborn calf was branded.

  Cole started toward the cookhouse, but changed directions when he saw Meagan. "Hi. How did it go this morning?"

  Pride shone in her eyes. "Both mother and baby are fine."

  He rested his arm across her shoulders and led her towards the house. "I knew I'd sent Toby the right girl."

  Meagan grinned up at him. "It was great." She felt herself flush. "I know it's just a calf, but I feel like I did something special today."

  Cole grinned down at her. "You did. I'm sure Toby thought so as well."

  Her laughter filled the air. "It was funny. Toby started jumping up and down and hugging me. I'm sure his pa thought us both a bit crazy."

  "A few minutes ago I thought myself too tired to eat," Cole claimed with renewed energy. A wide grin split his face. "All this cheerfulness has whet my appetite." Doubt deepened his voice. "Is there anything decent to eat at the house?"

  "I think your mother has some leftover roast. I could make you a sandwich."

  "Um..." Cole thought long and hard before he committed to another of Meagan's meals. "That sounds good."

  Meagan walked beside Cole, back to the house. Minutes later she served him lunch.

  Cole breathed a deep sigh of relief when it arrived without anything black, lumpy, charred or soggy anywhere on it. "This looks great, Meagan."

  "It's just a sandwich."

  He didn't swallow before he stuffed a second bite into his mouth. "It's the best sandwich ever."

  Meagan sat beside him, elbows on the table, her chin in the palm of her hands. "Isn't there anything else I can do to help you?"

  Cole shook his head. His mouth was too full to speak.

  "But I'm bored," Meagan complained with a pout. "Other than today I haven't done a useful thing all week. I haven't even been able to cook for you."

  "Not a big loss."

  Meagan frowned at him, then continued doggedly, "everyone's been so busy I haven't had a soul to talk to. Your mother runs this home so well I can't even find a thing to dust."

  "Meagan, I've told you before.."

  "I know what you told me." Meagan mimicked his words with a grimace. "You are a lady, not a man. You can't wear men's clothing and ride astride a horse all day. It just isn't done."

  Cole grinned. "I'm glad to see you listen so well."

  With a quick twist of her body Meagan stood before him, fists clenched at her sides. "I may have listened, but I don't agree. Pa always let me help."

  "I'm not your pa."

  "It's not fair." She stomped her foot.

  "Maybe not. But it's the way it is." Cole stood, popped the last bite of his sandwich into his mouth and turned away. "Got to go."

  "Cole McAllister, you get back here and finish this conversation."

  "I finished this conversation a week ago, Meagan."

  "You pig-headed, stubborn, son-of-a"

  Cole turned back. "Watch it, Meagan. Don't force me to take you over my knee."

  Rage brightened her cheeks. "How dare you! I'm a grown woman."

  "As soon as you begin acting like a woman, I'll treat you like one."

  "Ohhhh."

  Cole couldn't disguise his amusement. Meagan’s cheeks were flushed in anger, her entire body tense, yet not a word left her lips. "I've never known you to be so quiet before, Meagan."

  She stomped her foot again, this time even harder. "Cole McAllister, I'm going to do what I do best. I'm going to go out there," she pointed, "and rope cattle." She sped past him.

  He chased after her as she flung open the front door. "Oh no, you're not."

  “Yes, I am,” Meagan declared as she darted quickly from the house, and nearly stampeded Gloria.

  "Oh, good heavens, you frightened me." Gloria’s gaze rested on Meagan’s disheveled appearance before shooting a caustic glance Cole’s way.

  Meagan caught a glimpse of Cole from the corner of her eye and turned to flee, but before she could she felt Cole's large hands wrap around her upper arms. She struggled a few seconds before realizing Gloria was staring at her, open mouthed. She stopped fighting. "I was just... well Cole didn't want me to... I thought him quite stubborn... so I." Meagan struggled to twist from Cole's grasp but he didn't loosen his grip.

  "Meagan stutters when she’s upset," Cole explained.

  Pleased by his loud grunt as her shoe connected with his shin, Meagan took advantage of the split second slack in Cole’s grip to escape. Once free, she stood rooted, wondering what to do next.

  "Your timing is perfect, Gloria,” Cole intervened, “Meagan was just complaining that she was quite bored."

  "Oh?" A finely arched brow raised in doubt. "It appears to me that Meagan was being well entertained, even before I arrived."

  Meagan wondered how she was going to talk her way out of this one. "It's not what you're thinking, Gloria."

  "What is Gloria thinking, Meagan?"

  Cole's taunt infuriated her. "Don't you have to get back to work, Cole? I'm sure those cows are missing your company more than I."

  Cole gave her a wicked wink before turning to Gloria. "Meagan's right, I do need to go. I’m sure Meagan will keep you well entertained while I work."

  Meagan wanted to throw something at him. She glared at Gloria. "Would you like to come in and have a cold drink?"

  Gloria’s expression clearly said no, but she answered, "I suppose so."

  Meagan didn't spare the woman another glance until she handed her a glass of lemonade. "I assume you came to visit Cole."

  "Actually, no," Gloria reached down and picked up a box.

  "What's that?
"

  "I brought my material. I came to be fitted for my gown."

  “Oh, of course,” Meagan wondered exactly what it was that a fitting entailed.

  "Here it is." Gloria pulled out a glorious piece of cobalt blue silk embroidered with tiny periwinkle roses.

  "You'll look fabulous in this," Meagan declared truthfully, reaching out to touch the material.

  "I know." Gloria patted the cushion next to her. “Why don’t you sit here, beside me, so we can talk.”

  Meagan sat, though she was still more interested in the fabric than in Gloria’s conversation.

  "Meagan, what is your relationship to Cole."

  "No relationship."

  "I don't mean blood relationship, Meagan."

  Meagan arched her brow. "Oh?"

  Gloria smiled and shook her head. "You imagine yourself in love with him, don't you?"

  "No!" Meagan snapped her mouth shut to halt further protest. Her relationship, or lack of one, was not Gloria's concern.

  "Of course you do." Gloria tossed her skirt with her fingertips. "I can't blame you. Cole is quite a catch."

  Meagan didn't like where this conversation was heading. "Cole and I are just friends. Not even friends, really, more like acquaintances."

  "Silly girl. Every unattached woman within a hundred miles wants to snag one of the McAllister brothers. I expect you're no different."

  Meagan sputtered, but no words escaped. Gloria's intrusive questions were unwelcome, yet too close to the truth to deny.

  "I'm sure I don't need to tell you that you have no chance with Cole."

  Meagan opened her mouth to deny any interest in Cole, but closed it as Gloria's words sunk in. She didn't bother to hide her bafflement. "Why?"

  "Surely you jest." Gloria tilted her long, slender neck back and let out a light laugh. "Meagan, dear, look at you."

  Meagan avoided the temptation to jerk away as Gloria grasped her hands and raised them up. "Look at your hands. Your fingernails are chipped and torn, you have calluses, blisters and," Gloria glanced up with a look of disdain, "stains under your nails."

  Meagan studied her hands. Her nails were cut short, unlike Gloria's long, rounded nails. Yet they weren't all that jagged, and her calluses had faded to the point they were almost invisible. She'd scrubbed her nails after helping Toby with Rose's calf, so that was as clean as they were going to get.