by Stella Clark
“Of course,” Kate said agreeably. “I shall do my best.”
“Then I suppose it’s time I introduced you to my men,” he realized as they headed towards the building. Fixing his hat, Cooper cleared his throat and didn’t say anymore until he had opened the door to let her walk through.
The day had flown past them with it already being evening. Dusk had set in and the men were eating the bread and cheese he had left behind for them. There were loud noises everywhere as eight of the men sat around to talk and eat. But as he stepped through, they looked up and noticed their boss had arrived with a new guest. After some nudging, everyone quieted down.
Cooper tipped his hat up. “Evening, men. Make sure to leave some goods for the next shift.” He took a deep breath as he glanced at Kate. The color had since come back into her cheeks. “I’d like to introduce you to the newest resident at the Circle Seven Ranch, Mrs. Kate Potter. My wife.”
He had spent most of the ride home practicing that last bit. His wife. He was married. He had a wife now.
Chaos erupted. Men stomped their feet and clapped their hands and hollered.
“About time, boss!”
“Whooee!”
“Good for you!”
“Where can I get me one of those?”
He waved a hand. “All right, just settle down. She’ll be tending to our meals and the house from here on out. I expect each of you to treat her with respect and listen to her like you listen to me. Is that understood?”
The men nodded, talking amongst themselves as they assured him they’d behave around a lady. Cooper nudged his head at Kate to follow him across the room. There would be plenty of time for her to be introduced to everyone. But mostly he wanted her to know his foreman, Richie Benson.
Just as they passed Wagby on the bench, the man furrowed his brow at Kate. “What kind of wife did you get yourself, boss? This one’s all messed up.”
Cooper stopped, feeling something flare red-hot inside him. His hands in fists, he studied his man carefully. “Did I ask for your opinion, Wagby?”
“No, but look at her. She’s all—”
“She’s my wife,” Cooper repeated himself from earlier, raising his voice slightly. “And you will treat her with respect. I won’t have any talk like that here. If you don’t think you can behave, then you can stay out on the range with the coyotes. Is that understood?”
Wagby glared at him for a moment before grunting. He dropped his head, choosing not to fight this. Cooper almost wished he had. Nothing sounded better than beating the man down to the ground.
Taking a deep breath, he forced himself to rein in the anger. Killing the flare, he took a deep breath. He loosened his fists and glanced quickly at Kate. But he couldn’t read the still expression on her face. Her head had dropped so her chin nearly rested on her chest.
Not knowing what else to say, Cooper shook his head and continued across the room to Richie. Once they were introduced, he took her back to the house and showed her everything he could think of.
“This is all yours,” Cooper reminded her when they returned to the kitchen. “If you need anything, you just let me know. I need to know two days in advance about any trips into town if you want me or my men to go. With time, you’ll be able to handle that on your own. But I want this space to be all yours. As long as you can keep everything running smoothly then we’ll be just fine. I’d appreciate your help and support. So, if you need anything, just—just tell me. Understood?”
Her fingers ran slowly across the mouth of the sink before nodding. “I understand.” She turned to him with a hesitant nod. “Shall I prepare us supper?”
Cooper licked his lips. “Nothing for me tonight. I’m afraid I have to go check on the cattle. Find something for yourself, and I’ll be back in a few hours. I-I want you to get comfortable here and I’d rather not be in the way.”
She opened her mouth to say something but decided against it. Cooper glanced at her one more time, wishing he could find something to say to fix Wagby’s rude comment from earlier. The scar was undeniable. He wondered what had happened. But he knew it wasn’t his business, just like he knew she didn’t deserve to be treated like that. Looks meant little enough about character.
The girl was a pretty one all the same. She had a slim build and those deep blue eyes. Cooper found himself hoping that she would like it here and not run off like his last housekeeper.
Not knowing what else to say, he turned around and left.
Chapter 7
Her heart pounded as she watched Cooper walk out of the house and down the trail. Everything was happening so quickly that she still hadn’t had time to take a deep breath and get a good feel for the place.
As she followed his movements up the path, her hand crept onto her left cheek over the scar. She remembered the searing pain it had once caused her. And she still remembered all the terrible comments people had said upon seeing it.
But what she didn’t remember was someone defending her like that. Usually her family told her not to listen to other people. That was all.
But she wasn’t dumb. She’d tried to leave those mean comments alone and focus on the good people around her.
It was confusing. Somehow she had found herself someone, a man who was now her husband for better or for worse, who didn’t react with aversion towards her scar. He didn’t stare or shy away, and he could even look her in the eye without acting like he was trying to avoid looking at her cheek.
The skin wasn’t as smooth as it should have been. It wasn’t pretty.
But Kate didn’t need to feel pretty. She had been working to let go of that desire for a long time. The one thing she knew she could be was a good wife.
Dropping her hand, Kate turned to study the kitchen. Her kitchen. No Tessie telling her everything was handled. No parents exchanging glances when she couldn’t find a job. No more jokes from her siblings, no more anything.
It was hers.
A small giggle escaped Kate’s lips. She covered her mouth, still grinning. It was a larger kitchen, nearly twice the size of her family’s. Though Cooper had mentioned not having much, the man had plenty of supplies and goods.
She got to work cleaning and cooking.
***
Afterwards, Kate went back through the house to have a slower tour on her own. It was a rather bare house without any curtains. But she could work on that. Perhaps a few rugs as well.
Overall, it was a promising home.
“Kate?”
“Oh!” She stepped back in surprise only to run her back into the wall.
Cooper appeared at the bottom of the stairs. His face was in shadow, but she could tell he was frowning. “Are you all right?”
“Yes.” Kate rubbed her head sheepishly as she hurried down the stairs to him. “Yes, I’m fine. I-I didn’t hear you come in. Are you all right?”
He took a step back when she reached him. “Yes, fine,” he answered. “I was wondering where you went. You weren’t … sick, were you?”
“No.” She hesitated, wishing the flush in her cheeks would go away. “Earlier today, I … I’m afraid I don’t travel well. But I’m just fine. And I prepared porridge,” she added quickly. “In case you’re hungry?”
“Huh,” he nodded, seeming to forget he had said he wouldn’t be there for supper. “I could use a bite.”
They sat down at opposite ends of the table. She poured them both a good heaping and then took her seat. Though she picked up her spoon, she waited for him to eat first.
He did. Then he glanced at her. “What’s in this?”
“Mushrooms and dried herbs. Is it all right?”
“Yes, it’s fine. It’s good. It—it has flavor.”
Restraining a laugh, she bit her lip. “I like food best when it has flavor. After your long day, I thought something simple would be best.”
Cooper nodded slowly before taking another spoonful. Then he offered her a smile. “You’re right. Thank you.”
He
had a nice smile. Kate’s heart warmed as she watched him turn back to his food. The man was polite and kind. Already her fears and uncertainties were fading. Though she told herself to be careful, there was something in his eyes that made her curious.
Unable to help herself, she asked him questions. She asked about his ranch and learned how hard he worked. The man was committed to the land, to his cattle, and to his men. When he talked about Oregon, she remembered his long descriptions in his letters. He really loved the home he had established.
“I wasn’t certain,” Cooper confessed that night as they walked to the bedroom, “if it would be proper to have a separate room. There is space, of course, but it’s easier with one and if we ever have guests …”
She understood. Carrying her bag, Kate met his hesitant gaze. “Then we would want to ensure enough space for them. Anything will be fine.”
After another moment of mulling over it, he opened the door and let her in. Seeing one side of the room was empty, she went and set her bag down. Nice and cozy, she decided. Much better than sharing with all of her sisters.
After the long trip, it was hard to imagine sleeping in a bed again. But it was glorious. She slipped away to put on her nightclothes and when she returned he was under the blankets and she could hear his every breath in the darkness. Carefully, Kate slipped in on her side of the bed. Though he kept tossing and turning beside her, the man never touched her or said a word. Eventually, his breathing deepened.
It was going to be a strange life, Kate decided, but hopefully a good one.
***
She spent the following days getting familiar with her new chores. Cooper stuck with her the first day to walk her through how to properly milk cows and handle chickens. He spoke fondly of the creatures and patiently answered her questions.
Though he was hesitant to stand close or touch her, Kate found themselves growing comfortable around one another. He was honest and polite, even kind. In a way, she hoped that he saw them as friends.
After all, he didn’t want love. The man had written her in the beginning explaining that he would never love her. He didn’t believe in love and didn’t want such foolishness to distract them. Besides, he had really brought her here to tend his house and act as a cook for his ranch hands.
Those men made her nervous. But Cooper didn’t.
He started teaching her to ride a horse, and that movement didn’t make her sick like the wagons and stagecoaches.
When he was around in the evenings, Kate eagerly asked him to share his stories about the day. She rarely had one to share, but on occasion she could make him laugh over something that had happened with the chickens or some silly story she had heard once.
And at night, he always tossed and turned. She grew used to it.
Kate became comfortable with her new life on the Circle Seven Ranch. She liked her new life and she liked Cooper.
When she found herself giggling too hard over one of his horse stories, she realized she was in trouble. She thought of his sweet eyes and kindness too often. There was something in her heart that constricted every time she thought of her husband.
Something inside her wouldn’t let her let go of him.
Chapter 8
“You ready?” Cooper studied Kate as she clutched the reins of his Appaloosa horse. The old mare wasn’t good for the long runs out with the cattle anymore and she was slowing down with age, but he hadn’t been willing to part ways with her.
But Kate wanted to learn how to ride, and it was time she went on a ride by herself into town. She hated the wagon, often having to take time afterward so her stomach would settle. He’d heard of folks getting sick on things like that but couldn’t imagine what it was like. He was just glad she did well on a horse.
And she learned fast.
“I think so.” Kate took a deep breath as she gave him a winning smile. It made her face brighten up like the sun. He couldn’t help but smile back.
“You think so? Or you know so?”
She straightened her shoulders with a short laugh. He liked how there were freckles sprinkled across her face. They popped with her smile. “I know so. I think. I can do it,” she nodded as though she was still convincing herself.
Cooper was already convinced, but he was patient. In the last three months, Kate had proved herself indispensable. There was always food on the tables and the house was always tidy. She’d even organized the mess hall. The animals were tended to and she always had a smile just for him.
The only problem was that she didn’t believe in herself. She doubted her abilities and when she hesitated, she lost her chance. One morning he had been heading out just as five chickens escaped the coop. He stayed behind with her, trying to collect them.
But usually it was fine. Nothing they couldn’t fix together.
He grinned, tugging lightly on the reins. The horse gave him a look, but Kate let out the breath she had been holding. “You’ll be great,” he reminded her. “And if you’re not back by nightfall, I’ll come for you.”
“Promise?”
Chuckling, he nodded. “I promise. Don’t forget those peaches, Kate. Now, off you go.”
With another deep breath, Kate clucked her tongue. His Appaloosa had a sweet spirit and wouldn’t keep a gallop for more than a few seconds. Kate had made plenty of trips to town so far, and just because it was her first one riding a horse, she didn’t need to be so shy.
But he didn’t mind. She was sweet and caring, always ready to help out. There were soups when his men fell ill, and a cake at the end of the month to celebrate their hard work. The home had grown cozier with her homemade rugs and curtains. Kate was a good woman, and he was lucky to have her.
His heart thumped as he watched her go. Her back was straight, and she looked just like a lady. He couldn’t help but grin, a little proud.
They worked well together.
The concerns Cooper once had about marriage had faded away. Working hard during the day, the two of them often came together in the evenings to have a quiet meal to themselves. Quiet meaning they weren’t surrounded by his men. But lately, the two of them always had something to say. He found himself eagerly sharing stories about the ranch and listening curiously as she had her own stories to share.
She had grown up with several siblings, an idea he could hardly imagine.
But when she talked about teasing her siblings and the jokes she used to play with them, he could see that. The young woman had a bright energy to her whenever she talked. Her smile was a sweet one and he was always eager to return home for the night.
The sudden thought of her as a mother struck his mind. She’d know how to raise a couple of good children.
Cooper frowned. He shook his head and returned to the pen for his own horse. He wanted to check on the cattle as he was preparing to send part of his herd to Texas for sale. If he left now, then he could make it back early to ensure Kate had returned safely.
His morning passed quickly before he turned back to the house. He arrived just as she was emptying the last of the saddlebags on the pack horse.
Cooper stepped up, grabbing the bag of flour. “Let me get that for you.”
“Oh!” She didn’t flinch this time but grinned. “I was wondering if I might see you again. Before supper, I mean,” Kate added. “And thank you. I’ll take the horses to the barn, then.”
After he set everything inside, Cooper joined her in the barn. “How was your ride?” he asked.
“Good.” She peeked over the horse’s back to catch his eye. “Pastor Davis asked about you. I think it might be good if we attend church this month. What do you think about tomorrow? Is that too soon?”
His lips quirked. They both liked to attend church, as did half his men. But the ride was far and there was always work to be done. Most of the time, he joined her for an early break to read the Bible together. But every once in a while, they went to church. Especially when their pastor purposefully liked to guilt them.
“That s
hould be fine,” he assured her with a chuckle. It wasn’t funny, but Kate always made him feel light and hopeful. Though he knew it was ridiculous, he liked the way his chest tightened around her. “Church would be a nice break from this.”
She beamed. “Perfect. I’ll iron your shirt after supper.”
Nodding, his eyes skirted towards the mess hall. Richie was waving. Cooper sighed and Kate peered at the sight. “I should go see what’s happening,” Cooper said, finding himself reluctant to leave her side.
“Go on. I’ll see you this evening.”
Cooper went to see Richie. They handled a problem with the planned cattle route and then they stayed out to discuss business, slowly making their way back to the mess hall.
“Suppertime!” Kate called as she rang the triangle. That was a recent installation of hers. Though the boys had first complained about the racket, everyone stopped once they had tasted her cooking.
Cooper walked a little faster as his stomach growled. Watching his men gather around as she set up her food inside, he frowned at them.
“What is this?” He gestured. “Tuck that shirt in. You’re in front of a lady. Who hasn’t washed his hands? Ty, you need to wash your face. Go. Once you’re presentable for my wife, then you can eat. Get!”
“Aw boss,” Ty groaned. “What kind of highfalutin business is this?”
He frowned at Ty, one of the newest ranch hands. “What kind of manners were you raised with, boy? Stand up straight and wash your mouth out for talking like that.”
Most of his men grumbled as they went to wash up. Richie laughed, having washed his hands beside Cooper earlier.
Another one of his men spoke up, shaking his head. “Boy, what a man you’ve become. Soon you’ll be wearing ties every day of the week. Your woman sure has you wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she?”
“What are you talking about?” Cooper frowned, not understanding, as he glanced at his wife.