She nodded in agreement. “Come in and get a cup of coffee. You can tell me more about our good sheriff.”
They turned toward the kitchen door and saw Cassie.
Caught, she said to Caleb, “I’m sorry. I really didn’t mean to eavesdrop but I couldn’t help but overhear about the sheriff. Please tell us more.”
Caleb cocked an eyebrow at her.
Cassie shrugged. “Let’s face it, Caleb, there’s just nothing between us. No offense, Maggie.”
“None taken.”
“There’s more spark between you two than there is Caleb and me. Why don’t you take your own advice and get married?” She went to the cupboard, got three cups and poured them each a cup of coffee.
“Yes, Maggie,” said Caleb taking the cup from Cassie. “Why don’t you take your own advice?”
Maggie wrapped her hands around her cup. When she finally spoke it was in a whisper. “There are many reasons.” She looked at Caleb. “Maybe someday I’ll be able to explain, but today is not that day. Now, tell us more about the sheriff. What does he look like? Is he tall? Short? Does he have family near?”
Caleb laughed, the mood lightened considerably by Maggie’s questions. “Well, let’s see. He has light brown hair and I have no idea what color his eyes are, so don’t ask. He’s a couple of inches shorter than I am but a few pounds heavier and strong as a bull. I know because I wrestled him at last year’s Fourth of July celebration. As far as I know, his only relatives are his sister, Ruby, and her husband, Ray. They have a little place north of here. I allow them to run their cattle on part of my range.”
“How old is he?” asked Cassie.
Ah, now we’re getting to it, he thought. She wants someone younger, not that he blamed her. That was fine with him, he wanted someone older. Maggie. “He’s younger than me. Probably around thirty or so.”
Cassie finally smiled. In fact, she looked down right relieved. “I can’t wait to meet him.”
Caleb almost laughed, but didn’t want to embarrass her. “Good. I’ll invite him for Sunday dinner. Being a single man, he’s always happy for a home cooked meal.”
* * *
Sunday couldn’t arrive soon enough for Cassie. She spent part of every day, going over her wardrobe, meager as it was, making sure her Sunday go to meeting dress was ironed and ready to put on. Maggie thought she’d seen her iron it on at least two occasions.
When it finally did arrive, she got ready early and spent the rest of the morning pacing in front of the parlor window, watching the road for a sign of horse and rider. After he appeared down the road to the house, she ran back to her room and Maggie was afraid she wasn’t going to come out. The girl was having a terrible case of nerves.
“Cassie, come out,” Maggie shouted though the closed and locked door.
“No.”
“Come on. What’s the matter? You’ve been looking forward to meeting the sheriff for three days.”
“What if he doesn’t like me?” She opened the door. “What will I do then?”
Maggie walked into the room and took the much taller woman into her arms. “Cassie. Don’t worry. I’ll find you a husband and you’ll stay here until I do. But don’t put so much pressure on yourself. You’re a lovely girl, who also happens to be kind and generous.”
“If that’s so, why am I twenty-five and not married yet?”
“Because you’re looking for the right man, for love and besides,” Maggie paused for effect. “The men back in New York are stupid.”
Cassie looked at her and burst into laughter. “That’s right. I’m going to keep thinking like that. I’m a catch and any man would be lucky to have me. I just need to find the right one for me.”
“Okay. Come on now. Let’s go and greet the sheriff.”
Maggie took Cassie’s arm and walked her back to the parlor. Caleb stood there in his Sunday clothes, looking just as good as when she first met him. His dark suit and white shirt emphasized his muscular frame and tan skin. The sun had turned his skin the most delicious caramel, at least to the waist. She’d caught him chopping wood without a shirt and been totally mesmerized. Edgar had never looked like that.
Standing with Caleb was a very handsome man. He had light brown hair as Caleb had said but he didn’t mention that it curled just a bit over his collar or that he had piercing caramel colored eyes. Like Caleb, he wore a black suit and tie. He was a little shorter than Caleb and stockier but not fat. All of him looked like muscle. For a fleeting moment, Maggie wondered what a sheriff did to get so muscular.
She looked over at Cassie. The girl was mesmerized. When she looked back at the sheriff, he seemed to be just as affected by Cassie. Well, how about that? Maggie was making matches and wasn’t even trying. Of course, the one match she was trying to make wasn’t working out at all. Maybe she was losing her touch.
Caleb cleared his throat. “Robert, may I introduce, Mrs. Maggie Selby and Miss Cassandra Jones.”
Robert stepped forward. “Mrs. Selby,” he said taking Maggie’s outstretched hand.
“Yes. Pleased to make your acquaintance, Sheriff.”
“I’m not on duty, please call me Robert.”
“Very well, Robert.” She moved closer to Cassie, hoping to magically give the girl some support. “This is Cassie.”
Robert held out his hand. “You must be Maggie’s sister.”
Cassis shook her head but her eyes never left his. “No. Actually, we’re not related. It just looks that way.”
He looked over at Caleb. “How did you get two such lovely women to be staying in your home?”
“Maggie is a matchmaker. She was supposed to be bringing me a bride.” Caleb said it with a bit of a smirk, that only Maggie would recognize.
“And Miss Jones?” Robert still hadn’t let go of Cassie’s hand though Maggie was sure neither of them realized it.
“I…I was…am a client of Maggie’s.”
“Then there is no one waiting for you back home?”
“No,” whispered Cassie.
Caleb cleared his throat and Cassie got her wits about her and extracted her hand from Robert’s. Both of them reddened upon realization that they’d been holding hands.
“Let’s sit shall we. I’ll see about getting some refreshments. Cassie, would you help me please?” asked Maggie.
“Certainly.”
After they were out of the room and out of earshot, Cassie turned to Maggie, grabbed her by the arm and gushed. “Did you see him? Isn’t he the most handsome man you’ve ever seen?”
“He is attractive,” responded Maggie.
“Do you think he likes me?”
“It appeared he was as taken with you as you were with him.”
They reached the kitchen and Maggie got four cups out of the cupboard. “Get the coffee pot would you, please?”
Cassie picked up a dishtowel and grabbed the handle of the coffee pot.
When they got back to the parlor, Caleb and Robert were sitting in the arm chairs quietly talking.
“Gentlemen,” said Maggie, as she and Cassie entered the room. “Coffee is served.” She handed each man a cup and Cassie poured the coffee. Then she and Maggie sat on the sofa with theirs.
“I was just telling Robert about Martin Butler.”
“Caleb is definitely right to be concerned. This isn’t the first complaint I’ve had about Butler. He’s actually becoming quite the nuisance. Maggie isn’t the only woman he’s harassing. There was a woman named Beatrice Merryweather, that he wouldn’t leave alone. She came here as his mail order bride but changed her mind. According to her, he misrepresented himself and she refused to marry him. He refused to take no for an answer and followed her everywhere, demanding she marry him. He began “courting’ her. Brought her gifts. That started innocent enough. Flowers, candy, ribbons for her hair. Then he got bolder, giving her lingerie and such. It might not have been so bad but he always made sure to do it in public and embarrassed her greatly. I finally had to put him in jail fo
r a night while Miss Merryweather boarded a train for San Francisco.”
“Well, thank the Lord for that. She hadn’t written me to tell me what happened. I thought she’d married him and then left. This is much better. At least Beatrice will have the chance for a fresh start.”
“She said she had a cousin in San Francisco she could stay with, so I figure she’ll be alright,” said Robert.
“That’s all well and good for Miss Merryweather,” said Caleb, “but how do we keep him from Maggie. I don’t want to have to kill him, Robert, but I will if I have to.”
“I’ll have a talk with him. Get him to see things from the perspective of the law. You do what you need to do in order to keep your family safe.”
Caleb nodded.
Maggie didn’t like where the conversation had gone. As much as she disliked Martin Butler she felt he was harmless and surely didn’t want him dead.
“Well, now that’s solved. I believe Fran has dinner ready for us in the dining room. Shall we?”
Caleb took Maggie’s arm and escorted her while Robert did the same with Cassie.
Rachel, Fran, Maria and Tom joined them in the dining room, while the cowboys ate in the kitchen. Even if they’d wanted to eat with the men, there wasn’t room. The table simply wouldn’t hold them all. In this case, Maggie wanted their meal to be a little more formal since they had a guest. She wouldn’t have sat in the kitchen even if it had held them all.
She sat Cassie next to Robert with Caleb at the head of the table and Rachel on his left. Maggie put herself on Caleb’s right followed by Maria, Fran and then Tom at the other end of the table. It didn’t occur to her until they sat to eat that she’d put couples together, including her and Caleb. Why had she done that? She had to get out of here. She was too close and getting closer by the day.
“Maggie. Maggie!” Caleb snapped his fingers.
She blinked and shook her head bringing her back to the present. “I’m sorry. What were you saying?”
“It doesn’t matter. What were you thinking? You were far away from here.”
“Nothing really. We can talk later.”
He cocked his head to one side, his eyes narrowed in question, but he let it go. “Alright. But know this. I won’t forget and we will talk.”
She gave him a curt nod.
“Papa. May I be excused?” Rachel had finished her dinner and was ready to go play.
“Yes, but go put on your play clothes before you go outside.” He looked down his nose at her. “Promise.”
She crossed her heart and said, “Yes, Papa. I promise.”
“Alright. Skedaddle.” He swatted her little bottom as she turned and ran from the room.
“She’s turning into quite the little lady. Ruth would be proud,” said Robert.
“Thanks. She can still be a little hellion when she’s a mind to,” smiled Caleb. “Reminds me of her mother.”
It was like a cold bucket of water hit her square in the face. Caleb still loved his wife. Even if she changed her mind about marrying again, he wouldn’t love her. The realization that she even contemplated marriage surprised and scared her. Now that Fran was here to cook and Maria did most of the cleaning and the laundry, there wasn’t really a reason for Maggie to stay. Except one. A big one. She’d given her word and her word was her bond. She couldn’t back out.
She put her fork down. For some reason her appetite was gone.
CHAPTER 5
Caleb didn’t forget. He wanted to talk to Maggie almost as soon as the sheriff had left. Luckily for her so did Cassie and she didn’t wait to get Maggie alone.
“Maggie, I think Robert liked me. He asked if he could call on me and I told him, yes. Is that alright?”
“Of course. I’m glad for you.”
“You aren’t mad that I won’t be marrying Caleb?” Cassie whispered. She looked warily at Caleb who was chomping at the bit waiting to talk to Maggie.
“Goodness, no. I want my ladies to be happy. Anyone could see that you and Caleb aren’t right for each other.”
Maggie locked arms with her. “Come to the parlor and tell me everything you talked about.”
Caleb frowned and gave her an ‘I’ll get you later’ look but didn’t say anything. Instead he went to his bedroom and changed into his work clothes. He stopped by the parlor on the way outside. “If you want me I’ll be out at the corral. We’re breaking some new horses. You might find it interesting if you’d like to come and watch.”
“We just might do that,” said Maggie. “It would be good to get outside on such a fine day.” Actually, she was kind of excited to watch Caleb work. Seeing his muscles move and flex gave her shivers and heated her in all the right places.
“Later, then.” He said it pointedly. Maggie knew he wasn’t talking about the horses or corral. He meant to talk about what was troubling her. She’d gotten a small reprieve, that’s all. What was bothering her was the thought of bringing another girl out as a bride for him. She didn’t want to talk to him about that. The ugly truth was she didn’t want to find a bride. Perhaps it would be best to simply stop trying. She thought of the other brides he’d turned down and was nearly struck dumb by what she’d done. With the exception of Cassie, whom she really thought he’d like, she’d sent him candidates she knew he’d reject. They were not what he was asking for at all. She knew then that she’d fallen in love with Caleb Black. Consciously or not, she’d been sabotaging her own efforts to find him a bride. She wanted him for herself, except it scared her silly. How could she want a man when the one she’d had treated her so badly? What was the matter with her?
She had to admit it. She was wrong and needed to get out of the way for his happiness. She’d have Sally choose some candidates based on the criteria that Caleb had put in his original letter. Before he’d known Maggie, before they’d corresponded with each other, before she’d fallen in love with the funny, witty, gentle yet strong man in his letters.
Since they’d met she’d only fallen deeper. The only thing keeping her away from him was fear that he could turn into Edgar. Irrational or not, the fear was real. Even though she knew in her heart that wasn’t possible. There was no way he could be like Edgar and love Rachel as he did. He was such a good father. He deserved to have more children. He wanted more children and she couldn’t give those to him, even if she’d been foolish enough to change her mind and marry him. It wouldn’t be fair to him.
She’d tell him she was leaving tomorrow. Fran could make them a nice picnic and he’d take her to the summer pasture he’d wanted to show her. Though she suspected it was only so he could get her alone. Perhaps that’s what she wanted, too. Would it really be so bad to take some memories to warm the cold, lonely nights ahead?
If she slept with him would he think he’d won? Would he think her wanton? Was she? Would he believe that she would marry him now that they’d made love? She had to be completely open and above board, make him understand it would make no difference. It was just…he made her feel what she’d never felt before. Desire. Her heart thundered every time he was near. When he touched her, it skipped a beat and as much as she tried not to, she always sounded breathless when he was close and they were alone.
Even after all these weeks, she still felt the same. And it scared her to death.
* * *
Later that afternoon, she and Cassie went down to the corrals. Caleb was mounting one of the new horses. This one had a red coat on its front half and was mostly white with spots on it on its rear end. An appaloosa he’d called it. He had several in the small herd of horses he kept.
Almost as soon as he sat on the saddle, the horse started bucking, trying to dislodge the load from his back. It kicked out its back legs and threw its back up and forward. Caleb hung on with his legs, every muscle outlined beneath snug denim pants and by a rope around the animals middle that he’d wound his hand into. Muscles along his back flexed with each kick of the horse. Sweat dampened his shirt and Maggie held her breath during the terrify
ing and blessedly short spectacle.
It seemed like hours yet it was only seconds before the animal quieted and Caleb cantered around the perimeter of the corral several times to make sure the horse was broke to the saddle.
Maggie had never seen anything so spectacular as watching him tame the horse.
He rode over to where she and Cassie stood, their arms draped over the top rail of the corral. One of the cowboys ran up and took the horse by the bridle while Caleb dismounted.
“Well, what did you ladies think?”
“Very exciting,” said Cassie.
“Very frightening,” said Maggie. “What if you’d gotten thrown off? You could have been trampled or broken your neck and died.”
Caleb took off his gloves and swatted them back and forth across his thigh. Clouds of dust rose with each swat.
He broke into a big grin. “Were you worried about me?”
She raised her chin a notch. “No more than I would have been for any other cowboy. It’s dangerous.”
He shrugged. “It’s part of running a ranch. There are a lot of things about this life that are dangerous. It’s why we try to live our lives to the fullest. Grabbing for what joy we can whenever it comes our way.” He ran a single finger along her jaw. “You’re my joy, Maggie,” he whispered for her ears alone.
* * *
Cassie and Maggie sat in the parlor as they did every night after supper. Maggie with her needlepoint and Cassie knitting. Caleb took Rachel to bed to read her a story but would return shortly.
“Cassie, I want you to go to bed earlier tonight than usual. I need to speak to Caleb privately.”
“Sure. I can leave now if you’d like. I got a new book when we were in Golden last Saturday and I’ve been dying to start it.”
“No need to hurry. How is it going with you and Robert? I know he’s been out to the ranch at least three times in the last two weeks.”
Cassie’s cheeks turned pink. “We can’t see each other as often as we’d like, but we’re doing the best we can. I think he’s going to ask me to marry him.”
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