Wildfire Creek (28 page)

“How long have you owned this place?”

She blinked at his question, feeling embarrassed at being caught staring. “I bought the boardinghouse years ago when the owner wanted to move south.”

“Did it always have a restaurant?” He stretched out his legs and relaxed, letting her warm, rich voice wash over him.

“Only large enough for the boarders. When Splendor began to grow a few years ago, I added space and opened it up to others.” She sipped her coffee, looking over the rim of her cup at Nick, wondering what had happened to his left eye to require the use of a patch. Someday she’d find the courage to ask him. “Have you been in the saloon business long?”

“Too long, I’m afraid. My mother worked in a saloon when she had me.” He held her gaze, watching for the look of pity he’d come to expect when others learned where he’d grown up.

Instead, the corners of Suzanne’s eyes crinkled in amusement. “I guess that would qualify you to run a saloon.” She offered a warm smile—not what he’d expected.

“That’s the same response I got from my partner when I told her.”

“Your partner is a woman?” The information surprised Suzanne. She assumed he’d be partnered with a man.

His mouth tilted up at the stunned look on her face. “And quite a woman at that.”

“Your wife?” Suzanne wished she could yank the question back as soon as it escaped her lips.

Nick almost spit out the coffee in his mouth. “No, not my wife,” he managed to choke out. “It’s business only.”

Suzanne felt an unexpected feeling of relief knowing he wasn’t married. “Never married?”

“Never. I came close a couple of times before realizing I’d make a horrible husband and an even worse father.”

“I find that hard to believe, Mr. Barnett.”

“What kind of life could I offer a woman with me spending most of my days and nights in a saloon? It would take a special woman to want to get tangled up with me.”

Nick looked up and Suzanne turned at the sound of the front door opening. Both stood to greet Ginny as she walked toward them, Suzanne wrapping her in a hug.

“I thought you’d never come for a visit,” she said and dropped her arms.

“This is the first chance I’ve had to get away. Dax and Rachel keep me quite busy.” Ginny turned her head toward Nick. “Good afternoon, Mr. Barnett.”

“Miss Sorensen. It’s a pleasure to see you again.”

“Have you eaten? There’s still plenty left in the kitchen.” Suzanne could see by the look on Ginny’s face she hadn’t. “I’ll be right back.” She walked toward the kitchen, leaving Nick and Ginny alone.

Nick pulled out a chair. “Join us. We were just finishing our coffee.”

She took a seat and clasped her hands in her lap.

“How is your job at the Pelletier place?”

“Busy. It’s much bigger and they have more men than I expected.”

“Must be a lot better than working at the Rose.” He crossed his arms over his chest and sat back.

“In most ways.”

“Oh?”

“Dax and Rachel are wonderful. I’m just not certain it’s the best place for me.”

Nick narrowed his eyes, fixing them on Ginny, wondering what she meant.

“Here you are.” Suzanne set a plate in front of Ginny. “There’s pie when you’re done.”

She inhaled the wonderful aroma of Suzanne’s stew, glad to be eating someone else’s cooking for a change. “It smells great.”

“Same food as always.”

“It’s time for me go. Miss Sorensen, I hope to see you again and learn more about your work for the Pelletiers.”

“I hope to get back into town more often, Mr. Barnett.”

He made a slight bow to Suzanne and left.

Suzanne’s gaze followed Nick, feeling a tug in her chest—unlike anything she’d felt in years.

Ginny finished the last bite and set her fork down, watching Suzanne’s reaction. “Does he come in here to eat often?”

Suzanne swung her head toward Ginny, feeling her face heat. “He rents a room here. So, yes, he takes his meals here every day. Tell me how it’s working out at Rachel’s.”

Ginny explained the work, the rooms provided to them, and the men who worked there, carefully avoiding any mention of Luke. “The days are long. Sometimes I fall into bed without the energy to even slip out of my dress.”

“Mary’s happy?”

“Yes, she loves it there.”

“It sounds perfect.” And it did, except Suzanne didn’t see the sparkle she expected in Ginny’s eyes. “And Luke? I heard he returned from his trip.”

Ginny let her eyes fall to her lap, then looked up. “He has.”

“And he’s not too happy about you living at the ranch.”

“How did you know?”

Suzanne admired Ginny’s determination to provide a life for Mary, build a friendship with Luke, and assert some independence. Few women her age would make the same choice, preferring to find a man to take care of them. Unfortunately, Ginny seemed unaware of the struggle Luke felt between his own need for freedom and the obvious affection he held for her. Suzanne doubted either recognized or accepted the strong feelings each had for the other.

“It’s hard for men to become friends with a woman. No matter their intentions, he’ll eventually want something more, or the struggle will be so great, he’ll decide to walk away.”

“What struggle?” Ginny leaned forward, placing her arms on the table.

“Ginny, it’s obvious he’s attracted to you. He’s also made it clear he isn’t content to settle down. You’re a temptation he doesn’t need.”

Ginny let Suzanne’s words play over in her mind, trying to understand their meaning. She started to speak, then stopped, as if everything had suddenly become clear.

“You think he likes me?” Ginny’s astonishment amused Suzanne.

“Yes. I believe Luke likes you very much. Too much, given the plans he has to work the ranch and for Pinkerton. He craves his independence. Luke believes he can’t be tied to one woman, no matter how attracted he is to her. Of course, he might change his mind. For now, all he can do is push you away and avoid being around you.”

“If what you say is true, I’m coming between him, Dax, and Rachel.”

“I don’t believe that’s true or Rachel wouldn’t have offered you the job. I’m sure he spends time with Dax on ranch business and working the herd. He may not choose to stay as often for supper, but that’s his choice. Don’t blame yourself for how he decides to deal with your presence there.”

Ginny didn’t respond as she thought through Suzanne’s words, trying to come to some decision about her and Mary’s future. She could stay and continue to be a wedge between the brothers, or begin to search for another solution. The need to look for something else didn’t come as a surprise. She’d already felt her only option was to leave, allowing Luke to feel comfortable and welcome once again. He wouldn’t as long as she and Mary lived at the ranch.

She reached across the table and took Suzanne’s hand, squeezing it lightly. “Thank you.”

“I don’t know as I’ve helped you much.”

“You’ve helped a great deal. Now I must decide what to do.” Ginny pushed her chair back and picked up the empty plate.

“I’ll take it. I’d feel better knowing you’re on your way back. You never know when the next storm will blow in, making the ride impossible.” She took the plate from Ginny’s hand and walked her to the door. “Don’t stay away so long next time.”

Suzanne stood at the door, watching as Ginny climbed up onto the wagon seat.

“I’ll see you soon,” Ginny called as she slapped the reins.

I hope so
, Suzanne thought, and walked back into her quiet restaurant.

“No argument, Rachel. I’m taking you to see Charles tomorrow.” Dax sat next to her at the supper table, watching her pick at food she’d normally devour. He’d always marveled at the uninhibited way his wife ate, sometimes consuming almost twice his portion.

“I can go myself, or have Ginny ride with me. You don’t need to take time from the herd.”

“What good is being an owner if I can’t take my wife to see the doctor?” he asked.

“He’s right,” Luke said, casting a look at Rachel. “He’d be useless to us with his mind on you anyway.”

“I don’t know why you two are making an issue of this. I’m just a little more tired than usual and not as hungry.”

“And you’ve been nauseous the last few days, the same as Bernice when she started getting sick. I have business with Horace Clausen at the bank anyway. I also want to talk with Noah and Gabe, find out if anyone else has spotted a young boy running wild.” He still didn’t quite believe Mary’s story of seeing a boy in the chicken coop. They’d posted a man the last few nights and he’d seen no one. Of course, Hank hadn’t noticed anything missing during that time, either.

Ginny came into the room, carrying the beans she’d prepared, setting them on the table. “Is the meal all right?” She could hear the nervous tremor in her own voice. Luke had stayed away since his return from Denver, deciding to take supper at his own place. Tonight, Dax and Rachel both got on him. He had yet to say a word to Ginny.

“The meat and potatoes are excellent,” Dax said, picking up the bowl of green beans and scooping up a large portion. “Why don’t you join us?”

“Oh, no, but thank you. Mary’s working on the lesson Rachel gave her today. In fact, I’d better go check on her.” She turned toward the kitchen, wanting to get out of the room and away from Luke’s intense stare. He wouldn’t speak to her, yet he’d kept his eyes trained on her since coming in from the barn.

“You know you’re going to have to speak to her at some point.” Dax shot a look at Luke.

Luke grunted, but didn’t respond.

“I had the impression the two of you were friends. Was I wrong?” Rachel asked.

He knew they’d continue to bedevil him about Ginny until he answered. “Sure. We’re friends.” He glanced at Rachel. “She has a job to do here. It’s better if I keep my distance and let her do it.” Luke stood, tossing his napkin on the table. “Thanks for supper. I’ll be back in the morning before you leave for Doc Worthington’s.”

Dax’s curiosity increased as he watched Luke walk away, grab his coat, and disappear out the door. They had no plans to send Ginny back to town, and Luke had no desire to ease the tension between them. He had to admire Ginny, at least she made an effort to speak with him. Dax never thought he’d believe it, but the truth was, Luke didn’t seem to be man enough to meet her halfway.

“Do you think he’d act this way if he had no feelings for her?”

“No, he wouldn’t.” Dax stood and walked toward the front window in time to see Luke ride off. He took the trail skirting the bunkhouse and disappeared, but not before he shot a look over his shoulder at the house. Dax shook his head and turned to Rachel. “There’s nothing we can do. He’s going to have to figure it all out for himself, the same as I had to.”

Luke reined Prince to a stop and reached back into a saddlebag for his gloves. Slamming his hands into them, he picked up the reins and guided Prince toward the house. It wasn’t a narrow trail. The use of the wagon to haul supplies to the site had necessitated cutting back brush and tree limbs, opening a clear path from the ranch house to his place. Some nights the ride seemed to fly by. Tonight it felt as if he’d ridden for hours.

He’d school himself all day to relax around Ginny, treat her the same as before she’d come to the ranch. Nothing had changed between them since he’d left for Denver.