Deborah pulled off her apron and hung it next to Luke’s jacket on a wooden peg in the hall. She leaned the handle of her broom against the wall and stepped into the sitting room. Her full skirts whispered across the polished wood floor as she crossed to the silk-covered settee and sat down.
The sitting room was her retreat. She liked to come in here when Case and Luke were busy elsewhere, to be alone with her thoughts.
The settee, a delicately carved mahogany round side table beside it, and the richly patterned oval rug beneath them were all of the rich trappings of her former life that she had brought along. Those few pieces were the only hint of the life that had once been hers.
The elegant furniture looked out of place in the crude log room, but when she sat among the heirlooms, her few connections to her family in Louisiana, she felt a sense of strength and peace. She did her best thinking here.
Not that she came in to lament the changes in her life. The transition from lady to frontier woman had been a difficult one, but well worth the cost. The exchange of her smooth white hands for red hands roughened by hard work was a small price to pay for the rich new life they’d found.
Warm sunlight poured in through the windows. Deborah looked up, smiling at the effect of the cheery yellow calico curtains she and Luke had hung just last night. She’d never made curtains before, but the log room needed something to soften it, and the gathers of fabric did the trick nicely. They gave the room a welcoming feel.
Luke said he would build her some shelves to display knickknacks. She thought she’d place them on the wall between the windows for a finishing touch.
When she looked around, it was difficult to believe this was the same room they’d discovered a month ago. All the hours of backbreaking work, the hours of hauling and scrubbing and polishing, had unearthed a cozy little haven. A home.
She hadn’t realized just how oppressive it had been living under Aunt Mimi’s roof, until she discovered the freedom of their little home in Texas. Neither she nor Case would ever be the same.
Deborah could hear Case out in the yard, playing with their new chickens. From the squawking sound of things, the chickens weren’t enjoying the game. She stood and walked to the window for a look.
Case was standing next to the new chicken coop he and Luke had built, a flailing chicken clamped to his chest, and an ear-to-ear grin on his face while the other chickens flapped wildly at his feet. She laughed at the sight of her brother trying to cuddle a hen.
This was not the same pale, sickly little boy she’d brought from Louisiana. His color had improved steadily over the month they’d been in Texas. The child positively glowed with health. He was stronger and steadier on his feet than she had ever seen him. Not that she should be surprised. With the enormous amount of food he was putting away at mealtimes, he should be growing in leaps and bounds.
She leaned her forehead against the cool pane to watch him play. While all the physical changes in Case were impressive, the change that most delighted her was his new air of self-assurance.
Her brother had always been treated as an invalid. Because of his handicap, he’d never been allowed to do anything for himself. Though she’d acted out of love, Deborah regretted all the years she’d deprived him of opportunities to accomplish anything. By trying to protect him from harming himself, she’d actually done him harm.
Luke had changed all that. Whether with her approval or not, he’d insisted Case be treated as a normal child with normal responsibilities. Though she might not agree with all his methods—a shudder still ran through her every time she thought of the knife incident—she had to admit that the results were amazing.
By allowing Case to do things for himself, to succeed or fail, Luke had given her brother the thing he needed most: confidence.
She watched a moment more before drifting from the window back to the settee. It wasn’t thoughts of Luke’s effect on her brother that brought her to the sitting room this afternoon. It was Luke’s effect on her.
From the very first time she’d met him, Luke had dominated her thoughts, though the direction of the thoughts had altered radically. In the beginning, she’d feared the tall, fierce-looking Indian. Later, when she realized he meant no harm to Case or her, she’d resented his high-handed, self-appointed guardianship. What’s more, she resented Luke’s interference with her brother.
She’d even battled some jealousy when she saw the place Luke held in her brother’s affection. Case had always looked up to her, always believed she’d hung the moon. How could she compete with a powerful Indian who could do everything she could do and more?
Then, slowly, without her even being aware, things began to change. Luke became less of a fearsome intruder and more of a welcome member of the family.
She wasn’t sure just when it happened. One day she’d found herself looking forward to seeing his slow, heart-stopping smile. She wanted to hear his opinions on farming, ranching, and even Case.
When was it she first caught herself watching Luke’s handsome face, suddenly alive to every movement of his dark brow or stubborn jaw? When was it that the searching look in his eyes first penetrated to her soul? When did the brush of his arm against her shoulder or the feel of his strong hand in hers begin to ignite sparks?
She couldn’t pinpoint precisely when the changes began, but she had a pretty good idea they’d all started with the reading lessons. Suddenly Luke had no longer been perfect. He had been flesh and blood with very human weaknesses and needs. In the face of Luke’s vulnerability, Deborah had tossed away her fears and reservations, and in the process, she’d lost her heart.
There. She’d said it. She’d fallen in love with Luke. The admission wasn’t so painful as she’d feared.
The only real problem she could foresee was if she tried to do something about it.
“Hey, Debs,” Case said, peeking his head around the doorway. “Where’s Luke?”
“He said he had an errand to run, dearest. I’m certain he’ll be home soon.”
“I sure hope so. I miss him.” Case paused and sniffed the air appreciatively. “Say, is that my birthday cake I smell?”
Deborah smiled. “It should be just about done. Why don’t you help me get it out of the oven?”
Dinner was finished and the table set when she heard the back door swing open.
“Luke?” Case was on his feet and racing toward the hall when Luke stepped into the kitchen.
Case pinned him at the doorway. “Where have you been?”
Luke reached down to ruffle his hair. “It’s a secret.”
Case’s eyes lit up. “A secret? That must mean a present. You bought me a birthday present, didn’t you? What’d you get me?”
“Stop pestering Luke,” Deborah scolded. “Let the poor man come in and sit down.”
Luke strode across the kitchen to stand behind Deborah at the stove. “Mmm, something smells mighty good.”
Even without turning around she could tell Luke was only inches away. His nearness sent her pulse racing. “You two run along and wash up so we can eat while the food’s hot.”
She was relieved, yet strangely disappointed when Luke moved away. She knew she was acting like a lovesick fool, but her hands weren’t quite steady when she carried the pot of stew to the table.
“Ho boy, Debs,” Case said rubbing his hands together. “This looks delicious.” He sat down at the end of the table with Luke seated on his right and his sister on his left. “Let’s say the blessing quick, so we can eat.”
Luke and Case polished off the rabbit stew and corn bread with gratifying speed. Deborah merely picked at her food. She discovered that falling in love killed her appetite.
Over dried-apple cake and coffee, Case and Deborah shared stories of past birthday celebrations with their family in Louisiana. Luke seemed to enjoy the conversation, laughing with them over the memories and prompting them to tell another when they finished.
“What about you, Luke?” Case asked. “Don’t you have any funny stories about your birthday?”
Deborah watched an almost imperceptible flicker of pain flash through Luke’s dark eyes. Then he smiled. “Sorry, Case. I don’t know when my birthday is.”
Case looked as though he might argue, as if such a thing was incomprehensible to the child, then stopped himself. “I don’t guess the exact day matters a bit. I’d be pleased if you’d share mine.”
“Thanks. That’s mighty generous of you.” Luke’s eyes sparkled with mischief. “You know that means I get to share your presents, too.”
Case was momentarily taken aback by the suggestion. He seemed to give the matter solemn consideration for an instant, then after darting a quick look at his sister, he said, “That’s okay with me, but I doubt they’ll fit.”
Luke gave a shout of laughter.
Deborah had no idea what her brother said that was so funny as to set Luke off laughing like that. Pretty soon Case started laughing, and that made Luke laugh all the harder. It was so funny to see them laughing that Deborah joined in.
Luke was the first to catch his breath. “With all this talk about presents, I guess you’ll be wanting yours.”
Case bobbed his head. “You bet.”
Luke got up from the table. “Excuse me just a minute. I left your present out in the lean-to.”
While he was gone, Deborah collected the two packages she’d hidden in the corner and placed them on the table in front of Case. Luke reentered the kitchen, carrying a feed sack.
“I think you’d best open this one first,” he said as he placed the sack in Case’s lap. When the sack moved, Case’s eyes nearly popped from his head.
Case hurriedly untied the rope at the top of the sack, and out sprang a small black puppy with a spot of white on his left ear and the tip of his tail, and four white paws. “A dog?” Case looked from Luke to Deborah back to Luke. “A dog? For me?”
Luke nodded.
Case looked to Deborah. “Can I keep it?”
She smiled. “Of course. Luke and I talked about it before he went to get him. We thought every eight-year-old boy ought to have a dog.”
Case drew the wiggling puppy into his arms and rested his head on top of the soft black one. “It’s the best present in the world,” he whispered. He turned to Luke. “Thanks, Luke.”
“What’ll you call him?”
“It’s a him?” Case thought for a moment. “I know, I’ll name him Luke.”
Luke’s amused eyes met hers over the top of Case’s head. “That’s a lovely idea,” Deborah said. “But I wonder if it won’t make it difficult for us to know which Luke you’re talking to.”
Case wrinkled his nose. “I hadn’t thought of that.” He buried his nose in the puppy’s soft fur to think. “Maybe I should name him Blacky or Bootsie.”
“You don’t have to decide tonight.”
“Your sister’s right. Puppy’s gone without a name this long. Another night won’t hurt him.”
The puppy slurped his long pink tongue up the side of Case’s face. “He kissed me. That means he likes me.” He hugged the puppy tighter. “This is the best present I’ve ever had.”
“Looks as if you’ve got two more waiting on you,” Luke said, indicating the two packages on the table.
Case picked up the first, a large flat parcel wrapped in brown paper and tied with string, while balancing the wiggly puppy on his lap. He flashed Luke a knowing grin as he pulled the paper away to expose a pair of pants. “New pants,” he said with an unsuccessful effort to sound pleased and surprised.
“I thought you would like a new pair. They’re canvas, just like Luke’s.”
Case giggled as he thanked her while Luke succumbed to a suspicious fit of coughing. Deborah considered asking them just what was going on, but decided to allow them their private joke.
“Open this.” She handed him a small rectangular package.
Case picked up the box and shook it. His eyes lit up at the nice solid rattle. He pulled off the paper and opened the box lid. “A knife,” he cried, pulling the small folding knife from the box. “A real knife.”
Deborah reached over to catch the puppy lest he fall in Case’s excitement.
Case reverently turned the knife from side to side in his hand, inspecting every inch before opening and closing the blade several dozen times. “Look, Luke.” In the event Luke missed seeing it done, he demonstrated once again how to open and close the three-inch blade.
Luke smiled and nodded his approval. “That’s a fine tool. Seems your sister believes you’re man enough to handle a blade responsibly. It’s up to you to prove her right.”
“I’ll be careful, Debs. You’ll be proud of me.”
She leaned over to press a kiss to the top of his head. “I already am.”
It was late by the time everyone was washed up and they gathered around the stove for the evening’s Bible reading. Deborah read several chapters from Deuteronomy and led them in prayers. “Time for bed.”
Luke cleared his throat. “I’ve got one last present for Case.”
Deborah looked over at him in surprise.
Case’s tired eyes rounded. “What is it, Luke?”
Luke stood up. “Follow me.”
Case followed close at Luke’s heels as he crossed the hall and entered the sitting room. Deborah trailed behind them.
When she first stepped into the sitting room, she didn’t notice anything new. Luke had lit a lamp on the square oak table they kept in the corner, its flickering gold light casting dancing shadows on the log walls. Her eyes inched across the room looking for the surprise.
Her discovery coincided with Case’s delighted shout. He let out a shriek worthy of a Comanche war party. “A ladder! Luke, you got me a ladder.”
Sure enough, leaned against the far wall, connecting the floor to the loft was a sturdy-looking ladder.
Deborah watched while Case mounted the first rung, then gaining his balance, climbed to the second and third, with Luke standing behind him, poised to catch her brother should he lose his balance and fall.
Perched on the fourth rung, with sheer delight written all over his freckled face, Case seemed suddenly to remember his sister and her feelings about climbing. “Isn’t it beautiful?” he asked in an obvious attempt to turn her up sweet. “It looks awfully nice in here, don’t you think?”
She said nothing.
His smile faltered and his little face grew solemn. “Is this okay with you, Debs? Can I keep the ladder even though I’m crippled?”
She glanced from her brother’s worried look to Luke’s thunderous glare. It didn’t take a genius to read his mind. He was angry. If she wasn’t in love with the man, she might actually be afraid. With his powerful arms folded across his chest and his feet set apart in a fighting stance, he was every inch a fierce warrior ready for battle.
Still, she refused to be intimidated. “Case, I wonder if you would excuse us for just a moment. There’s something I need to discuss with Luke.”
Slowly, mournfully, Case backed down the ladder and head downcast, shuffled from the room.
Luke didn’t move. Not so much as a blink. Deborah felt her previously strong limbs melt to jelly. So much for not being intimidated.
It was only the knowledge that her cause was just that gave her the courage to cross to him. She stood twelve inches from him, close enough to get a bird’s-eye view of his unyielding expression. She doubted she could talk to him like this. Perhaps she should try Case’s ploy.
“Did you make the ladder?”
“I did.” He didn’t appear to be softening.
She ran her fingertips along the satiny smooth railing of polished oak. “I should have guessed. The craftsmanship is excellent.”
The compliment elicited no reaction. Not even a flicker in those dark eyes.
She inched closer to study him. How did he stand so still? “Are you breathing?” she asked suspiciously.
Deborah detected the tiniest movement, a muscle twitching in his square jaw. “You said there was something you wanted to discuss?” he asked flatly.
Despite his dampening response, she held her ground. “Yes, I did. I wanted to talk about the ladder. Were you aware that I’d told Case he was forbidden to climb to the loft? That I felt it was dangerous for a child in his condition?”
“I was.”
He was practically breathing fire. When it came to Case, Luke was truly terrifying and for some odd reason, it delighted her. She bit back a grin. “I believe a weak child, unsteady on his feet, has no place climbing a ladder.”
Luke was silent.
“But that is what I wanted to discuss with you. You see, Case isn’t a weak child anymore. Just today, when I watched him from the window I noticed how strong he’s become. It’s a miracle. He’s confident and full of energy, just as a normal eight-year-old boy should be.”
The direction of the conversation seemed to take Luke by surprise. His defensive posture softened. The avenging gleam in his dark eyes faded. “So what does that have to do with the ladder?”
Deborah gave in to the urge to touch him, to gentle him. She reached out a hand and rested it on his bronze forearm. “I realize that the circumstances have completely changed,” she said. “I no longer believe a ladder to be a hazard. The climbing will help build his balance and leg strength, and I’m sure a boy of eight would enjoy having a space of his own.” She smiled up at Luke. “I think building Case the ladder was a good idea.”
Luke looked baffled. “So why are we having this discussion?”
She withdrew her hand. “Because I disagree with your methods. You gave Case the ladder with the full knowledge that it was against my will. If you thought I was wrong, you should have come to me first, instead of going around me.”
“Would you have listened to me?”
A smile lifted the corners of her mouth as she met his eyes and held them. “Yes,” she said honestly. “Over the past few weeks, I’ve come to appreciate your wisdom on a great many things, especially on rearing a young boy. I know you love Case and want the best for him, and I value your opinions.”
“Thank you.”
“Your insight on the nature of boys is a good balance to my overprotectiveness,” she continued. “Together I think we can do a fine job of raising Case. I’d like you to help me.”
The dazzling warmth of Luke’s sudden smile made her knees wobble. “I’d like that.”
As they stood there, separated by mere inches, Deborah felt the atmosphere shift. The warmth mirrored in his dark eyes suddenly burned hotter. He reached out, gently cupping her shoulders in his hands.
Drawn by an irresistible force, Deborah moved toward him, lifting her face to his. As he lowered his mouth to hers, her eyes fluttered shut. Her heart raced in anticipation of his kiss.
“Are you kissing her, Luke?” Case asked, hobbling up beside them with the puppy in his arms. “Does that mean we can keep the ladder?”
They split apart at the untimely intrusion. Ashamed at being discovered in Luke’s arms, Deborah took two steps backward and concentrated on smoothing her skirts.
She noted Luke’s voice wasn’t quite steady as he answered Case. “Yes, Case. You can keep the ladder.”