| |
KATE PEEKED THROUGH the curtain at the front window, and watched Charles de Witt walk to the bunkhouse. Her heart had done a little flip in her chest the first time she had seen him on the street, ready to defend her without even knowing who she was. He had managed to look masculine in the frilly shirt and velvet jacket—not something most men could carry off.
Now, wearing the simple clothes of a ranch hand, he was breathtaking. The fact that he knew horses as well as he did only added to his appeal.
“I must be out of my mind,” she muttered. “I have enough trouble without getting involved with an employee. And a noble to boot.”
With new resolve, she waited for Charles to go inside, then headed upstairs to her own room. It had been a long, exhausting day, and she was ready to soak in a hot bath, then slip into bed.
She detoured, heading back down and to the kitchen. She wanted a cup of tea before that bath, or maybe with it.
Evan Kransky sat at her kitchen table, having a smoke with her father. Kate hid her irritation, and stuck her hands in her pockets so she wouldn’t punch him. He stood when he saw her, and crushed his cigarette in the small dish Pa left on the table.
“Katherine—”
“What do you want, Evan?”
“Just a little of your time, Katherine.”
“The answer is still no.”
“Kate.” Harry Maguire, owner of The Willows, and the finest man she’d ever known, shifted in his chair. The pain that twisted his face at the movement made her heart ache. “Hear Evan out. He only wants what’s best for you.”
Pa had always liked Evan, which made this even harder for her. He’d never see the man Kate knew, the sly, sometimes spiteful man, who would cross lines to get what he wanted.
Evan had done this on purpose—facing her in front of her father, knowing she’d hold her tongue. The manipulation infuriated her.
His voice jerked her back to the moment. “You’ll never get the cattle down from the high pasture, Katherine—not on your own. You know it as well as I do. Let me take this burden off your shoulders, buy them from you now, and add them to my herd.”
“And what is the catch?”
“We join our properties, like I offered.”
“By marrying me, you mean.”
Evan smiled, and a sense of unease filled her. “It makes perfect sense, Katherine. You will have a husband who will protect you, cherish you, and an easy life.”
“And no freedom, no right to be my own person.”
“Kate—”
“No, Pa.” She turned to her father. “This time I’m going to speak my mind.”
With a sigh, Evan ran one hand through his blonde hair. “Is it such a terrible offer?”
“The Willows is ours, and it will stay ours.” She finally gave in to her urge and pulled her hand free. “Excuse me, I’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
She walked around the table, tense, expecting him to come after her. When she risked a glance over her shoulder, she saw the anger flash across his face before he could hide it, though he managed before Pa looked at him. She would have to watch herself; Evan Kransky was not a man who gave up.
“Evan.” Pa broke the silence, probably to distract Evan before he did something stupid. “I’d like your advice on this new feed I’ve been hearing about.”
“Of course, Harry.” Evan shot her a pointed glance before he sat.
Kate took advantage of Pa’s distraction and practically ran out of the kitchen. She pushed open the swinging door—and halted when she saw Charles next to the open front door. By the look on his face, she knew he’d heard everything. The concern in his dark blue eyes spread through her, and rang some serious warning bells.
“Are you all right, Miss Maguire?” She silently thanked him for keeping his voice low.
“Fine. What are you doing here?”
He smiled, and her heart did a bigger flip. Why did he have to be so damned handsome?
“I was informed that Ben’s bunk and position had already been filled, and to get my British ass out. I am quoting directly.”
“What the hell? Come with me.”
She stomped outside and down the stairs. She knew exactly who had spouted that idiocy at Charles.
“Mike!” He pushed off the wall of the bunkhouse, his shoulders stiff. “I want an explanation. Why did you shove my newest hand out of the bunk I assigned him?”
Mike raised his eyebrows. “You actually hired this pouf? I thought he was joking.”
“Once you’ve seen him with the horses, you’ll understand exactly why I hired him.” She crossed her arms. “And what’s this about already having a replacement for Ben?”
Mike slouched, and she knew she wasn’t going to like his answer. “I might have mentioned it to Evan Kransky, and he—”
“I will not have anyone Evan recommends anywhere on my property. Are we clear?”
“Yeah. I just thought—”
“Stop it. I pay you to be my foreman, not make my decisions for me. Are we understanding each other?”
“Yeah. Sorry, Kate. I thought I’d take it off your shoulders.”
She let out a sigh. “Thanks, Mike. I’ll let you know if I need you to take on my burdens.”
Before he could make her feel guilty for wanting to run her own ranch, she turned away and stalked back toward the house. Charles stepped into her path, and she tried to walk around him. He closed his hand over her left arm. Gently, but firmly.
“If there is anything I can do for you, all you need to do is ask.”
She looked up at him, and her heart did a bigger flip.
He may be British, and a nose-in-the-air noble, but he really seems to be sincere about helping.
“Thanks for the offer, but I’ll be fine. Evan Kransky’s been asking me to marry him since we were twelve.” She flashed him a smile—one she hoped looked more genuine than it felt. “It’s been a running joke for years.”
“From what I overheard, he owns the ranch adjoining yours.”
Kate sighed. “Our fathers were friends, once upon a time. They bought the land together, and split it down the middle. I’m sure they hoped one day Evan and I would marry. But Evan turned out to be the pompous ass I thought you were.”
Charles smiled at her. She wanted to stand on tiptoe, and kiss those full lips, to see if they were soft as they looked. Good lord—she had it bad, and she had stay away.
He was her employee, for heaven’s sake.
“—hear me, Miss Maguire?”
“Yeah. Sorry—it’s been a long day.”
An odd expression crossed Charles’ face; before she could ask what was wrong, his face cleared, and he lowered his hand. “Good evening to you, then, Miss Maguire. I hope your sleep is restful. I will see you in the morning.”
She watched him walk past Mike and into the bunkhouse. Once he was inside, she moved until the bunkhouse was out of sight, and sagged against the nearest tree, her hands shaking. This time, Evan’s pushing seemed more—desperate. Showing up unannounced, trying to pull Pa in like that. She knew it would reach this point eventually. She’d hoped it would take longer.
Part of her suspected that the sabotage on the ranch had been his doing. She didn’t want to acknowledge that, and she had no proof, but it was time to step up. She was going to have to let her people know that they weren’t unfortunate accidents, and let them help her with this problem.
It was time to stop trying to do all of it on her own.