"Your wife's sister?" Vining put a finger to his lip, a furrow in his brow. "I heard that a bride came looking for Jared. I have to admit I've been a bit curious about it."
His eyes dancing, Barclay planted one foot across his knee. "I'm afraid my sister-in-law is in a bit of trouble. She doesn't want it known that she's here."
"Uh oh." Vining broke out his cigarette makings. "Doesn't sound good."
"No. There is a man in St. Louis she thinks will be very unhappy about her leaving there. I don't imagine he'll think to come here, but just in case, we want to be prepared."
Vining rose and fetched the coffee pot. "She have good reason to fear this fellow?"
"Actually, she does." Barclay accepted the cup Vining offered him. "He sounds like the type who doesn't take no for an answer and isn't above murder to get what he wants. Name is Skelly Bernard. He owns a bank, a private school, and a hotel where Cynara's sister worked. Some other businesses as well."
"Influential and wealthy," Vining said. "Bad combination to buck."
"That's why I thought you should know about the situation." Barclay sipped his coffee. "Hard telling how far he'll go to find Healy, but my guess is pretty far."
"Healy?"
"Cynara's sister. Nice gal." Barclay shook his head and chuckled again. "Sure sent Jared's blood surging when she introduced herself as his wife."
"I bet it did." Vining rolled a cigarette. "Want one?"
"No. I'm giving it up. The smoke bothers Cynara. She lets me light up outdoors, but I figure it's a good time to end bad habits."
"Know what you mean." Vining lit his smoke. "So, what do you want me to do about this Skelly fellow?"
"I know you're always keeping watch on strangers in town, but I'd appreciate it if you'd send word to me about any you think I might need to know about."
"I can do that. You be careful, Barclay. You have a pretty new wife you need to guard."
"You bet I do, and now we have her sister too." Barclay pushed to his feet. "Not to mention three little ones who are getting pretty rambunctious these days."
Vining laughed. "I bet they are. How old are the triplets? Five, six months?"
"Six." Barclay went to the door. "I need to get my brothers married off so they can take a couple of them off my hands."
"Good luck with that. Why don't you hook one of them up with Cynara's sister?"
Barclay laughed. "There's an idea. 'Course, rumor already has her married to Jared, and we need to let that gossip stand until this is over. I'll talk to you later."
Vining waved him off.
Barclay found a bench to sit down on, wait for Cynara, and take note of any strange faces. At this point, he couldn't trust anyone not an established Cutthroat resident.
Finally, he saw her coming up the boardwalk toward him. She didn't look happy.
"Didn't go well?" he asked when she reached him.
"I don't think so. Not being able to tell her everything made it very awkward. I'm sure she felt I lied for Jared's sake." She sat down next to him. "I could only recommend that she trust Jared until he's able to explain what happened."
"I'm not surprised it didn't help. We'll just have to hope this situation ends soon and doesn't ruin things for Jared and Melanie. Shall we go?"
Cynara rose. "Yes. Healy will be on pins and needles until I get there and tell her what happened."
"Plus, there's Jared to talk to," Barclay added, helping her into the buggy.
He didn't look forward to telling his brother the results of their trip to town. Several people asked about Jared's marriage—when did it happen? Why hadn't it been announced? When would they all get to meet the bride? What's the big secret? A few biddies hinted maybe the marriage had been one of those necessary rush arrangements. Their attitude infuriated Barclay. Didn't these people know Jared at all? And Melanie…if she had no more faith in Jared than this, perhaps he'd be better off without her. She'd known him all her life. He couldn't believe she truly preferred Rory Brooks. What woman in their right mind would choose Rory over Jared?
Didn't matter that the news contained nothing Jared wouldn't be expecting. To talk about it would be unpleasant for them both.
Jared tested the rocker again. It still wobbled. He removed it once more from the cradle and studied it, trying to decide if more sanding would help make it sit right on the floor. The other rocker worked fine. The problem had to lie with how he'd attached it to the mechanism that made it rock.
He'd been working on this project for a week now. Fortunately, the triplets didn't need cradles now that they were in cribs. Even so, he wanted to finish it and get onto another project. He had dozens of ideas floating through his head, most of them to do with making life easier for mothers and babies. The triplets tended to dominate life at the ranch.
"Jared?"
He whirled to see Cynara standing in the doorway of his workroom. Surprise kept him rooted to his place on the floor where he'd been laboring. "Hou. Come on in. I'm surprised to see you here."
She cocked her head to one side. "I don't know why. You didn't think I could be interested in your work?"
He shrugged and wiped his hands on a rag. Did she mean it? She'd never ridiculed him the way his brothers did. In fact, now that he thought about it, she'd always been rather supportive. He'd thought she'd simply meant to be kind, as was her way. Perhaps he'd misjudged her. "I'm trying to invent a way for this cradle to rock itself."
"Oh. What a marvelous idea." She walked over and examined it."I can see you've put a lot of work into it. It will be amazing when you finish it. I hope I get the first one when it's ready."
"Sure. Who else would I experiment on but my sister-in-law?" He wiped his hands on a rag, grinning.
"You're welcome to use me anytime." Her change of expression hinted at a new topic."Listen, I wanted to let you know that I, well, I sort of interfered—or tried to—in your situation with Melanie."
His brows drew together. "What did you do?"
"I went to see her today, at Healy's urging. She feels so badly about causing you problems. I told Melanie to be patient with you, that matters weren't always as they appeared to be but that you couldn't tell her about it yet." Cynara leaned back against his worktable and folded her arms across her chest, looking deflated. "I'm afraid she didn't believe me. I'm really sorry."
The heavy weight tightening his chest earlier before he lost himself in his work returned. "Don't worry about it. I've been thinking. If she can't believe in me, then I don't think she's the woman for me."
Cynara pushed away from the table and placed her hands on his shoulders. "Oh, Jared, I hate to hear that." Dropping her arms, she stepped away. "But I had a similar thought myself after I left her today."
He nodded. "If you thought it, then I can't be too far off."
"Healy suggested I go, since she couldn't."
That surprised him. "It was kind of her. I'll thank her."
"She'd like that. She's terribly worried about ruining things for you."
He wiped his hands again and tossed the rag on the bench. "Then I'll go now. Need some coffee anyway."
Walking to the house with Cynara, Jared thought about the times he and Melanie had spent together, remembering things she'd said and done. She talked a lot about herself, her dogs, her dreams. She'd never truly taken any interest in his inventions. She had encouraged him, though. Right girl or wrong, he cared about her and didn't want to lose her friendship.
When they arrived home, Cynara directed him to the sewing room, or as they'd begun calling it lately, the nursery, at least until they could get the children moved upstairs. He poured a cup of coffee and took it with him. Cynara stayed behind. Peeking inside the sewing room, he found Healy changing Vella's diaper.
"If only we had a way to take you little scamps outdoors without exposing you to mosquitoes and chilly breezes," Healy said to the baby, unaware of her eavesdropper. "Course, it's getting a bit late in the season for that. Winter's coming."
; "Maybe they need a glasshouse to play in," Jared commented, leaning against the door jamb.
Healy whirled to face him. "Oh! I didn't know you were there."
"Cynara told me about her visit to Melanie at your request." He shrugged a shoulder."I wanted to thank you."
"I caused the rift between you, so I owed you," Healy replied. "I'm only sorry it didn't seem to work."
"Not your fault." He watched the gentle way she picked Vella up and snuggled her close. She'd make a good mother. Maybe better than Melanie, though she wanted children someday. She'd tried to cuddle Gage once. The boy had pushed her away and cried.
They'd known each other forever, grown up together. He'd thought it natural for them to fall in love and marry when they grew up. Was he wrong?
Chapter Four
Cynara, holding Connor and Vella, followed by Healy with Gage on her hip, entered the nursery to find Jared doing something with an empty tin can by the door.
"What are you doing, Jared?" Cynara halted at the sight of him, almost causing Healy to crash into her.
"Giving you a way to hear if the babies are awake or crying when you're upstairs." He gave the nail he'd just pounded in a last tap with the hammer and stepped back. A tin can, the open end sticking out, clung to the wall next to the door. A wire ran up the wall from the back of the can and vanished into a tiny hole in the ceiling molding.
Cynara moved closer. "Sounds marvelous, but how does it work?"
"Where does that wire go?" Healy peered upward.
"Upstairs. You stay here. I'll go up and demonstrate." He headed for the door.
Gone before they could stop him, the sisters stared at each other, then broke into laughter.
"He's gone 'round the bend," Healy said, nuzzling Gage, who gurgled happily.
"No, I haven't." A tinny voice came out of nowhere.
Healy gasped and glanced around.
Cynara laughed. "That's Jared. I bet he's talking into the can."
"How?" Healy went over to inspect the tin "speaker." When Gage reached for it, she moved back.
"Sound waves," Jared said. "I read about some experiments in the Helena paper and decided to try it. Your voice causes the bottom of the can to vibrate. The vibrations travel up the wire to the other one upstairs, allowing whoever's nearby to hear what you say. Or to hear a baby cry."
Healy shook her head in amazement. "Your voice comes out strange, like you're a long, long way off."
"It's spectacular, Jared." Cynara leaned close and said, "You've invented another marvel."
"Thank you. Barclay may kill me for drilling a hole in the ceiling, but I had to so the wire would stay taut and straight. The can I'm speaking into is in the hallway. I'm coming down now."
"Isn't that something?" Cynara said.
Healy gave her head a shake. "Amazing. He's brilliant."
"Tell him." Cynara pinned a clean diaper onto Vella. "Barclay and Chase tend to make fun of Jared's creations. He needs encouragement."
Finished changing Gage, Healy put him in his crib. "I'll do that. I'd like to see what else he's done."
Jared sauntered into the room. "Come to my workshop sometime."
"Where is it?" Healy hoped he hadn't heard what Cynara said.
Jared made a disgusted face. "Right now, it's a converted horse stall in the stable." His excitement waned and she could see he hated his poor working conditions. "But I'm building one into my house."
Healy placed Connor on the changing table and gazed at Jared over her shoulder. "You're building a house?"
"He sure is." Cynara gave him a chiding look."He doesn't let anyone see it, though."
"You and Healy can. Just remember, it isn't finished, so don't expect too much."
Healy grinned, while Connor chewed on her knuckle. He was teething. "Can I come tomorrow? How do I find it?"
"I'll take you there in the morning."A pleased expression crossed his face. "If you want."
"Perfect. After breakfast?" Healy positioned a clean diaper underneath the baby, ready to pin it in place.
Jared nodded. "Sounds fine."
Breakfast the next morning became a boisterous affair thanks to Jared's high spirits. He let the others assume he was recovering from losing Melanie, though he knew better. In truth, his mood surprised him as well. He hadn't planned on showing anyone his house until he'd finished it. Somehow, Healy's praise the day before and her interest in his creations had prompted him to change his mind. He hoped he didn't regret it.
Cynara had always been supportive of his inventions, but Healy's enthusiasm meant more, and he couldn't really say why. It felt good having someone excited about his projects. Yet, that didn't fully explain his feelings, and, now, he realized spending time with Healy could exacerbate his situation.
Stuffing the last bit of a biscuit into his mouth, he watched Healy tease Oysters about the length of his hair. It reached down his back to his shoulder blades. Today, Oysters wore it tied at the neck. Barclay offered to cut it for him and received a curse in return.
"Honest, Oysters," she said, "I like longish hair on a man. It actually adds to his masculinity, I think. It wouldn't work for just any man, but it does for you."
Chase let out a wolf whistle and got the same response from Oysters that Barclay had.
"What about me?" Jared asked, looking at Healy who sat next to him. "Think I'd look good with long hair?"
"Ha!" Chase gave his opinion and got to his feet.
Jared wondered why he'd asked such a thing anyway. He didn't care that much what folks, even family, thought of his looks.
Healy studied Jared. Jared could almost read her thoughts by the varying hues of her irises. Her eyes brightened when her interest piqued. They twinkled a brighter blue when she laughed, and when troubled or sad, they darkened to a bluish-slate tinge.
She leaned back to see the rear of his head. To tease her, he turned to face her, preventing her from seeing his hair.
"Oh, you," she said, swatting his shoulder.
Jared laughed. "I'm sorry." He turned to let her see whatever she wanted.
Healy ran her fingers through the ends of his hair. A shiver scooted down his back, and he jerked.
She snatched her hand away. "Sorry."
To be honest, he'd liked it. He wanted to tell her she could do that anytime she wanted but bit his tongue instead. "No problem."
The moment broken, she turned to Cynara. "How soon do you think you can go see Jared's house?"
Cynara pursed her lips and shook her head. "You'd better go without me. I have diapers to wash, a letter to finish, and I'm worried about leaving the triplets that long."
Jared turned away to hide his disappointment. Matters would have been easier with her along to help distract him.
"Are you sure?" Healy asked.
"Positive. Go have fun." Cynara rose and left the kitchen.
Deciding he may as well get it over with, Jared stood. "Ready, Healy?"
"I am."
He helped her from her seat and led her to the back door. Outside at the hitching post stood three horses, Jared's gelding, a bay mare and a spotted mare.
"This little lady here is for you," Jared said, patting the appaloosa on her rump.
"She's beautiful. I adore appaloosas." Healy proved her claim by hugging the mare's neck. "What's her name?"
"I don't know as she has one." Jared turned and called out to a young man sitting on a hay bale near the rear of the house. "Roy, this mare been named yet?"
"Nope." The boy stood as if waiting to be dismissed.
"Thanks," Jared told him. "You can go now. Take the bay with you. Cynara's not coming."
Roy tipped his hat and disappeared around the back of the house with the mare.
"Looks like you get the honors," Jared said to Healy.
"You mean, I can name her?"
"That's right. What'll it be?" Jared asked.
She pursed her lips and moved to the mare's muzzle. "What would you like, sweetheart? Spot is to
o obvious. How about Polka Dot?"
The mare whiffled.
"Polka Dot it is," Jared announced. "Have you practiced mounting up without a sidesaddle?"
"Yes. Roy helped me." Wearing a split-skirt borrowed from Cynara, she demonstrated her new skills by climbing onto the horse like a regular bronc buster, except more gracefully. She looked wonderful.
They'd ridden for fifteen minutes, far enough to leave the ranch complex behind, when Healy's eyes sparkled with pleasure. "This country is so beautiful. Look at all this green."
"Isn't Missouri green?" he asked.
"Oh, yes. It has lots of trees, but not so many conifers like these. And no towering mountains. I love it here."
Jared's heart lurched. "Does that mean you're going to stay instead of going back to St. Louis?"
Her smile faded. "I don't know. I suppose it depends on what happens with Skelly. But I don't think I'd mind putting down roots in Montana."
He couldn't say why that pleased him. He liked Healy. Liked her a lot. Maybe too much.
What about Melanie? He couldn't let himself forget her. She was his girl.
For the next half-hour, they rode along the creek wherever the willows thinned enough to allow them to get close. They crossed a smaller stream that flowed into Crow Creek and continued until they came upon a beaver pond. A pair of beavers busily worked on a house in the middle of the water.
"Oh, look," Healy cried. "Are those beavers?"
"Sure are. I haven't seen any around here for years. Indians trapped the last ones. They take the pelts to the trader in exchange for liquor. Nice to see a couple returning. I hope they have kits."
"You mean babies?"
"Yep." Jared grinned. "You're a real greenhorn, aren’t you?"
"I suppose you could call me that." Her tone indicated she didn't much like it. "I've never seen a beaver before."
She let her horse graze as they sat there watching the beavers. Jared followed her example. "Would you like to stop here for a picnic? Oysters packed us some sandwiches."
Healy looked around the perimeter of the huge meadow they'd been traveling through. "Where is your house? I've been enjoying the ride so much I forgot where we were going."
Jared (Bachelors And Babies Book 7) Page 5