City Girl (30 page)

“Do you miss New York?” he asked.

“Just some of the people. I like Texas.”

“What brought you here?”

“I applied for a job as a nanny, but then it was taken when I got here.”

“I think Cash told us you work at the hotel.”

“I did until Katy got hurt.”

“What will you do when she gets back on her feet?”

“Go back to the hotel.”

Dakota glanced her way and wondered if he caught a note of sadness.

“How do you like having Russ and Holly as landlords?”

“They're wonderful. I love the children too.”

“I haven't seen much of the baby, but that Jonah is a keeper.”

“Yes, he is. He can't wait for the day when his legs are long enough to ride the bike like his sister does.”

“Isn't that just like a little boy?”

“What's that?”

“To wish his childhood away.”

“You sound as though you speak from experience.”

“I do.”

“What was your wish?”

“To be a Texas Ranger.”

“But then you gave it up.”

Dakota smiled. “You haven't met Darvi. If you met her, you'd understand.”

A wave of such longing swept over Reagan that she almost gasped. The thought of having someone speak like that of her, his voice sounding so caring and intimate, was almost more than she could take in. It was nothing short of relief to see the gate to the ranch come into view.

“My feet are starting to hurt,” Reagan said honestly. “I hope you don't mind if I ride the rest of the way, Dakota.”

“Not at all. Just leave your package with me.”

“Thank you. And thank you for walking me.”

“My pleasure.”

Reagan was off just a heartbeat later, her mind gearing up to get back to work. Dakota didn't waste any time, but he did follow more slowly. He didn't want to tarry too long since Slater was leaving later in the day, but suddenly he had much on his mind.

“You'll take care of yourself and get out of this bed as soon as possible, right?” Slater asked quietly as he leaned close to the woman who had helped raise him, knowing he needed to leave very soon.

“I will if you'll take care of Libby and that baby.”

“I'll do it.”

“Send word as soon as he's born.”

Slater smiled. “What if it's a she?”

“I never had one of those to chase,” she said, her voice almost wistful. “I'm not sure I'd know what to do.”

“Well, we'll bring him or her as soon as we can so you can find out.”

Slater gave her a warm hug, his heart squeezing with love.

He made his way from the room, his thoughts in a quandary. His wife needed him, and he very much wanted to be with her, but Katy's joy at seeing him had been impossible to miss.

His horse was saddled and waiting for him out front, but the only people he could see standing in the yard were his brothers. A swift check in the kitchen told him Reagan was elsewhere, so he tried upstairs. When he still didn't find her, he checked the kitchen again and found her coming from the pantry.

“Thank you for everything,” he began.

“Oh, you're welcome. Did you get the food I wrapped for you?”

“Yes, ma'am. I appreciate it very much.”

Reagan smiled. “Have a good trip.”

“Thank you, Reagan, and I do mean thank you for everything.”

Not wanting to be made over, Reagan only nodded and gave a little wave when he turned and went on his way.

Outside his brothers waited, and Slater found it hard to leave them as well. He made his goodbye a brief one, but the older brothers stood in the yard for a time.

“I sure hope that baby doesn't come before he gets back.”

“It doesn't sound like that will happen.”

“But he looked a little anxious.”

“I thought he did too.”

The two looked at each other.

“When are you pulling out?” Cash asked.

“I'll go Friday. Darvi isn't looking for me too soon.”

“I'm glad you're staying. It'll do Katy's heart good.”

“From what I can see, you and Reagan are about all she needs.”

Cash shook his head. “When I think of how panicked I was when she showed up at the door...” Another shake accompanied this. “I could not have done this without her.”

“Any word from the folks?”

“No. I'm not certain they're home. I know Mother would have been in touch if she'd gotten my letter.”

“Yes. She would have.”

The conversation dwindled to a comfortable silence as they both watched Slater and his horse ride out of sight. Neither man needing any further words, they both turned for the house.

Reagan was working hard in the kitchen when Cash came down the next morning. She had scrambled eggs, a large pot of coffee brewing, and also hot biscuits and sausage staying warm in the oven.

“It smells good in here,” Cash commented.

“Are you hungry?” Reagan asked with a smile, turning as Cash approached.

She didn't see his hesitation as she spun his way. Since she was a good deal shorter, all she noticed was the blood on his chin.

“Are you cut?” she said moving closer, her face showing concern. “Your chin is bleeding.”

“Oh, is it still bleeding?” His hand came up. “I nicked myself while shaving.”

His voice conveying it was nothing, Cash walked toward the mirror that hung over the washbasin to inspect his chin.

Reagan stayed where she was, but it was happening again. Her heart had an odd feeling around it, as though someone were squeezing it hard. It hurt her to breathe deeply, and she had the funny feeling she might need to cry. Since she never cried, this was very foreign to her, but she thought if she didn't stop thinking about him being hurt, she would weep on the spot.

“Do you want anything?” Reagan asked in a voice she didn't recognize. She cleared her throat in an effort to hide the squeak.

Cash turned to her.

“No, it's fine. Thank you. I already washed it off.”

When Reagan didn't answer, Cash watched her for a moment, his brow showing that he was somewhat puzzled. Reagan quickly schooled her features and went back to work on the meal. Cash spoke again, but she did not turn.

“If my lazybones brother ever gets out of bed, tell him I'm headed out for a quick check on the stock.”

Reagan only nodded, and Cash felt he needed to add, “I'll grab a plate when I get back in.”

“I'll leave it for you in the oven.”

“Thank you.”

Reagan didn't see that her hands were shaking until after she heard the door close on his exit.

What is the matter with me? I'm going to drop something or burn myself if I keep this up! He said he was fine. Men cut themselves shaving every day.

But Reagan was not convinced. She was still feeling upset about the whole episode even as she put a full plate of food in the oven for her employer and took a tray to Katy. She did so hoping the older woman was in a chatty mood. She would welcome anything that would get her mind off the way her heart was acting.

She had to buy new dresses,
Cash thought as he heeled his mount a little harder.
As if she didn't look good enough the way she was, she's now decked out in flowers and gingham. And that yellow dress next to her hair. I could barely take my eyes off her face.

Cash refused to let his mind go any further. He rode his horse across the flats of his land, praying and trying hard to clear his thinking. He had known that Reagan was headed to buy clothing, but he didn't think she would find anything quite so attractive.

“Katy shops in that same store, and she never looks like that,” Cash muttered, his mind missing the obvious.

The rancher had come out to check on some fence line and the stock and now forced his mind to those tasks. As he was riding out, he had passed his foreman, who said he would join him soon. In the distance Cash could see him on the way.

Brad's horse covered the distance in an easy gait, and Cash waited in the saddle for him to arrive. The two addressed ideas to repair some fences, and Brad filled him in as to his plans for the next few weeks.

Cash rode back to the ranch house, confident that his foreman had things under control. As to his own control, that was yet to be seen. Reagan had made her view of marriage very clear. He knew she wasn't against men in general, but she certainly wouldn't welcome the warm thoughts he'd had about her earlier. If he continued to feel the way he did, his intentions would be more than honorable, but no more welcome.

Giving his horse a break even as his stomach rumbled with hunger, Cash made his way slowly back to the house, asking God to help his confused heart.

“Good morning,” Dakota greeted Katy as he came into her room and found both women inside.

“Have you eaten?” Katy asked, some of her mothering ways coming to the surface.

Dakota looked to Reagan.

“Have you ever known such a woman for wanting to feed a man? Does she constantly try to put food into you all day?”

Reagan laughed but also added, “There is food in the kitchen. Did you find it?”

“I found a plate in the oven.”

Reagan's mouth opened a little, but she wasn't sure what to say. That had been Cash's food. Neither Dakota nor Katy seemed to notice her thoughtful face, and just as soon as she had an opportunity, she made her way from Katy's room to the kitchen, but it was too late. Cash was scooping the remains of the pan onto a plate.

“I'm sorry,” Reagan began.

“For what?”

“Dakota ate your food. I just found out.”

Cash smiled. “If Dak ate it, then why are you apologizing?”

“Because I should have put two plates in the oven. Are those eggs even warm?”

“They're fine.”

“So you've tried them?” Reagan pressed him.

“Not yet.”

“So how do you know?”

“I know I'm hungry enough to eat anything.”