Married To Claim The Rancher's Heir

Not impressed by how deeply that affected him, he said, “Let’s get to the point, shall we?”

A sneer of disgust covered her face as she asked, “And exactly what is the point, Mr. Callaway? To see how rude one person can possibly be to another?”

She spoke her mind. He’d give her that. Anna had, too. It had been part of what had drawn him to her. Not drawn this time, he moved back toward his chair. “Ruby,” he said. “If what you are saying is true, that you aren’t here to ask for money.” He paused while turning about and sitting down. “Then I will offer you my hospitality until you’re prepared to return to Kansas City.”

“How kind of you,” she said with more arsenic than a chemist’s cupboard. Smoothing her skirt over her knees as she sat down, she continued, “You can rest assured we will not overstay our welcome. I believe there is an eastbound train stopping near here tomorrow. If it won’t be too much trouble, Ruby and I will merely require a ride to the station in order to board the locomotive.”

Good. The sooner she left, the better they’d all be. “One of my men will give you a ride.”

Her smile was starchy and snide at the same time. “Thank you.”

Needing to be sure she understood fully, he said, “You, a ride. Ruby will be staying here.”

The smile faded as she shook her head.

“Yes, Miss Parker. Ruby, my niece, will be remaining with me, here at the ranch that she will one day inherit.”

“Ruby is also my niece, and I have a lovely home and a flourishing dress shop that she will one day inherit.”

“She won’t need it,” he said.

“Maybe she will want it.”

“That is something she can decide when the time is right.” Not giving her a chance to respond, he continued, “You said you brought her here for me to meet her. Well, I have, and I’ve decided she’s staying here.”

“No, she’s not. Anna entrusted her to me, and I shall honor my sister’s wishes. The same wishes I honored by bringing her here for you to meet.” Settling a solid glare, she continued, “You could have met her anytime over the past few years, if you weren’t so bullheaded.”

That was the pot calling the kettle black, but there was no need for him to point that out. However, he would gladly point out a few very important facts. “You aren’t forgetting that through his will my brother entrusted Ruby to me, are you? I’m not, and I plan to honor his wishes.”

“You didn’t even know she existed.”

Her hands were folded and resting in her lap. Compared with a few moments ago, she was so calm an uneasiness rippled across his shoulders.

“No, I didn’t,” he admitted. “Which is why I’d never met her. However, I know about her now, and as I stated before, because Anna died before Max, his will is the one that holds precedence. If you are questioning that, I can, and will, request a lawyer to examine the wills.”

“A lawyer who is a friend of yours, no doubt.”

She was still too calm. Shrewd. But calm. He had to respect that. Respect her. Despite his misgivings. “If you believe that is unfair, we can travel to Hays. There are several lawyers there as well as a district judge.”

A thoughtful expression tugged her brows together for a brief moment. “That, Mr. Callaway, might be the most brilliant suggestion you’ll ever make. A district judge would settle this once and for all.”

Another ripple crossed his shoulders, and he wasn’t sure why. “Yes, it would.”

“Then I believe that is what we should do.”

He stood. “Be prepared to travel to Hays tomorrow, Miss Parker.”

She stood and, with her nose in the air, nodded. “Ruby and I will be ready.”

“Ruby will remain here at the ranch.”

The way she pinched her lips together said she wanted to disagree, yet she didn’t. Without another word, she walked around the sofa and out the doorway.

His instincts were good, and they told him this wasn’t over. She hadn’t agreed Ruby would remain behind, nor argued the point on purpose. She wasn’t as clever as she thought. Come morning, he’d be prepared.

He walked as far as the doorway and watched her climb the staircase. Her steps were graceful while being purposeful. There, too, he found a bit of admiration for her. She knew he was watching her, yet didn’t let it show. There was more to Miss Janette Parker than he’d first assumed.

She’d soon discover there was more to him, too.

* * *

By the time she reached the top of the staircase, Janette figured there were two burned holes in the back of her borrowed dress. Her skin was most likely singed. Years of pleasing others had taught her how to maintain her composure. It had taken all she’d learned in the past to maintain control downstairs. However, it would also take more than an idle threat to scare her, and the sooner Gabe Callaway learned that, the better off they’d all be.

Leave Ruby here. Not a chance.

Not.

A.

Chance.

Fortified by her own confidence, Janette entered the bedroom. Her heart skipped a beat as her gaze landed on the bed. Lying on her side, Ruby had both arms wrapped around the black-and-white kitten. Her tiny chin was resting on the kitten’s head, and both were sound asleep.

Janette closed the door and quietly crossed the room to undress using only the moonlight shining in through the window. Traveling with a kitten wouldn’t be that difficult. In fact, it would make the trip that much more enjoyable for Ruby.

His suggestion to visit a judge had shocked her at first, but it was a very good idea. No judge would give a child to a man living miles away from the closest town, the closest school. A breath of satisfaction filled her. Upon a visit to the judge, all would be settled, and her duty to Anna and Max complete. She’d never need to see Gabe Callaway again. Ever.

Dressed in her nightgown, Janette was about to fold back the covers on the other side of the bed when a soft knock sounded on the door. She quietly crossed the room and pulled the door open just enough to peek through the crack.

“I brought you some more baking soda and vinegar,” Rosalie said. “You’ll want to put it on your neck again before turning in. The itching could strike again if you don’t.”

“I’d nearly forgotten about it,” Janette admitted, pulling the door wider. “Thank you.”

“Do you need help?”

“No, I can manage.” Janette took the tray from Rosalie’s hands. “But thank you again.”

“All right.” Nodding toward the bed, Rosalie said, “Sleeping like a babe.”

“They both are.”

“That baking soda paste will need to sit on your neck for a while to do any good, so I made you a cup of tea to drink. It’ll help you sleep, too.”

“Thank you very much,” Janette said.

“I’ll see you in the morning, then,” Rosalie said. “Good night.”

“Good night.” Janette carried the tray to the dresser and then returned to close the door. As the hairs on her arms rose, she turned slightly. Gabe was at the end of the hall and didn’t even pretend to appear as if he wasn’t watching her. She closed the door and felt for a key sticking out of the keyhole. There wasn’t one.

She crossed the room and collected the wooden-back chair from near the dressing table and carried it back to the door. After hooking the back of the chair beneath the doorknob, she made her way to the bed, where she crawled beneath the covers and refused, absolutely refused, to allow a single thought about Gabe to enter her mind.

He didn’t. But the itching did. Dang him. How could he have made her forget the poison ivy? She pushed aside the covers, swung her feet over the edge and then made her way to the dresser, where she coated her neck with the baking soda Rosalie had mixed into a paste. Then she carried the cup of tea to the chairs near the window and sat down in one to let the paste do its job.

The tea was warm, sweet and soothing, and she leaned her head against the back of the chair. For as windy as it had been earlier, there was little more than a gentle breeze coming in the window, as well as a few night sounds. Crickets, an owl, the snorts of a horse.

The peacefulness was pleasant. Her home was on a well-traveled road that led to one of the many rail yards in the city. Wagons could be heard rolling up and down at all times of the night. She’d long ago gotten used to it.

She missed home. Mainly sewing. Each time she looked at Ruby, she’d picture a design that would look adorable on her. Over the past few years, she’d sewn several dresses and sent them to Anna, including the one Ruby had worn today and the past several days. The stage stops had barely allowed sleeping time, let alone time for a proper bath and to change clothes. For her, too. Tonight was the first time she’d worn her nightgown since she’d left Kansas City. The few days she’d been in Texas, she’d stayed with Mrs. Potter, the woman who’d taken care of Ruby. Without provisions for guests, the only hotel in town had closed its doors.

Traveling by train would be far more comfortable than the stagecoaches had been, and being home would be absolutely wonderful.

She twisted from the window, and her gaze settled on the bed. She and Ruby could leave from Hays directly after they met with the judge. It would be good to get Ruby settled and into a normal routine.

A yawn stretched Janette’s mouth so wide her ears popped.

The past month was certainly catching up with her. With all the traveling and worry, she hadn’t slept more than a couple of hours each night. A solid, full night of sleep is exactly what she needed. If she sat here much longer, she’d fall asleep in the chair. She made her way back over to the dresser and held her breath through the process of rinsing away the soda with the vinegar and then gratefully climbed into bed.

* * *

It felt as if she’d barely closed her eyes when a loud clanging had her sitting upright.

The noise continued, and though it didn’t appear to be bothering Ruby, Janette tossed aside the covers and stumbled, somewhat sleepily, to the window. It was still dark outside, but there was a faint hint of color to the sky.

Covering her ears as the clanging continued, she stuck her head out the window. Down the hill were several buildings, barns and whatnots, and on the porch of one stood a man—at least she assumed it was a man—ringing some sort of bell and yelling.

She twisted left and right, sniffing the air. There was no hint of smoke, of a fire, but why else would they be sounding an alarm? Pulling her head inside, she closed the window so the noise wouldn’t wake Ruby before grabbing her dress off the back of the chair. Still groggy, she pressed the dress against the front of her nightgown and made her way to the door. After maneuvering the chair aside, she pulled the door open to peek out and again sniff for the scent of fire. She didn’t detect any smoke, but Gabe was in the hallway, just outside her door.

“Is there a fire?”

“No,” he answered. “Why?”

A sense of relief, or just tiredness, had her leaning her head against the edge of the open door. “Why is that man sounding the fire bell?”

“That’s not a fire bell. It’s the morning wake-up call. Shorty’s letting the hired hands know breakfast will be on the table in less than an hour.”

“Breakfast?” She tried to smother a yawn, but it won out. Once it ended, she leaned heavier against the door. “It can’t be morning already.”

A tiny mew sounded, and the kitten brushed against her ankle before it slipped out the narrow opening of the door.

“It’s morning,” he said, picking up the kitten. “Even this little guy knows it’s time for breakfast.”

“It’s a girl.” Another yawn struck, and lasted as long as the other one had. Shaking her head once it ended, she said, “That kitten’s a girl, not a guy. And it can’t be morning. The sun isn’t up yet.”

He might have chuckled, she wasn’t overly sure. It took all her concentration just to keep her eyes open. One of them anyway.

“Go back to bed, Janette,” he said. “Shorty won’t ring the bell again.”

“You promise?”

“I promise.”

Too tired to really care, she nodded and stumbled back toward the bed.

* * *

Gabe reached to pull the door shut but then pushed it open instead. Dawn had yet to break, but there was enough muted light for him to see her stumble around the bed and then collapse onto the mattress. Whether he liked to believe it or not, he wasn’t completely heartless, and he stepped into the room. The toe of his boot caught on something and he bent down to pick it up. The dress she’d been holding until she’d dropped it while covering a yawn. He tossed it over the nearby chair. Still holding the kitten in one hand, he walked around the bed and used his free hand to carefully flip the covers over the top of her.

She mumbled something as she snuggled her head deeper into the pillow her hands were tucked beneath. He’d seen sleepy people before, but she hadn’t been able to stop yawning or keep her eyes open. For a moment, he’d wondered if she was going to fall asleep leaning against the door.

He reached across her and pulled the covers over Ruby, who was also sleeping soundly, and then carried the kitten out of the room, closing the door behind him.

“They’re exhausted,” he told the kitten. “Texas is a long ways from here and not an easy trip.”

A touch of chagrin rippled over him, but not so much it erased the smile from his face. She’d be mortified when she woke up and realized she’d been walking around in nothing but her nightgown. Walking down the back staircase, he almost laughed at the thought of letting her think there had been enough light for him to see through the thin material she’d been wearing.

Chapter Five

Gabe didn’t reenter the house for hours, and when he did, it was to see if Janette was ready to travel to the train station. He had everything in order for the delivery of the cattle to take place even if he hadn’t yet returned from Hays. Judge Schofield might not be in town. He sincerely hoped that wasn’t the case, but if it was, it could be a week or more before he and Janette returned to the ranch.

Closing the front door, he noted the things sitting on the floor. His traveling bag and one other—Janette’s.

“I’m assuming you’re ready to go?”

An odd flutter happened inside him as he glanced up. Janette and Ruby were walking down the stairs. Ruby carried the kitten while Janette carried a small traveling bag. The two of them looked...natural. Like they belonged on that staircase.

“Yes,” he answered, trying to shake the odd inner sensation. “It’s time.”

“We’re ready,” she said.

Gabe wasn’t sure if it was his smugness or his own preplanning that made him want to smile, but either way, he nodded. His plan was in place and pretty well fail-proof. Reaching behind him, he twisted the knob and opened the door.

“Come in, Mrs. Snyder.” As the woman entered the house, he said, “This is Miss Parker and Ruby.” Turning to Janette, he said, “Miss Parker, this is Marietta Snyder. Her husband, Milt, is my foreman, and Mrs. Snyder runs the school for all of the children on the ranch.”

The surprise in Janette’s eyes was just as he’d expected.

“School?” she asked, looking at him. “Ruby isn’t—”

“I’m fully aware she isn’t old enough for school yet,” he said. “But she is old enough to get to know the other children. Mrs. Snyder has agreed to help Rosalie look after Ruby while you and I travel to Hays.” Leaning a bit closer to her, he quietly added, “I figured a distraction might make the parting easier.”

“A distraction?” She drew in a deep breath and leveled a glare on him. “That isn’t necessary, Mr. Callaway.”

“Excuse me, Gabe,” Marietta Snyder said. “Would you mind if Miss Parker and I had a moment alone?”

Marietta didn’t wait for his response, perhaps because she’d already told him she might need a moment to speak with Janette. He merely glanced toward Janette, daring her to deny Marietta’s request.

“Ruby?” Marietta continued, “Would you go with your uncle Gabe and show my daughters your kitty? They’re on the front porch.”

Ruby nodded and Gabe lifted her into his arms. His stomach flipped at the change in Janette’s glare. How it had turned to astonishment. Almost as if she’d expected him to play fair. He didn’t like that. It made a part of him feel as if he was rubbing salt in her wounds. That wasn’t the case. Hays was no place for a child. It was a rowdy town, and he truly had no idea how long they’d be gone.

He carried Ruby out the door and set her down on the porch, where Marietta’s two daughters stood. They were a tad older than Ruby, but still young enough she’d enjoy playing with them.

“Ruby, this is Sara and Beth,” he said, not certain which Snyder girl was which, but figured they’d let Ruby know. “Do you want to show them your kitten?”

She nodded and held out the kitten for the others to see. Sara and Beth came closer, and he stepped aside as the girls engaged Ruby in a conversation. She didn’t appear the least bit shy. Just like her father. Max hadn’t been shy either.

He watched the girls but kept glancing at the door, wondering how long it would take. Second thoughts, those that said perhaps he should have simply told Janette Ruby was remaining behind, kept coming forward. She wouldn’t have liked it, but that’s what he usually did, and few people questioned his orders. Janette was different, though, and he hadn’t been overly sure she’d have obeyed.

After waiting what seemed long enough, he was about to grasp the knob when the door opened. Marietta smiled and nodded as she walked onto the porch. Janette didn’t look his way as she exited. She walked directly over to Ruby and then led her a few steps away. Kneeling down, Janette spoke too quietly for him to hear, but Ruby was nodding and smiling.

“Here, you can put these in the wagon,” Rosalie said, pulling his attention off Ruby and Janette. “I packed plenty of food, so share with the others on the train.”

“Always do.” He took the traveling bags and the food basket from Rosalie. By the time he’d loaded them in the back of the wagon, Janette was walking down the steps.

She didn’t say a word, but the scowl on her face told him what she thought of him at that moment. He stepped forward to help her as she started to climb into the wagon.

As he took her hand, second thoughts hit him. “You can take a moment to say goodbye,” he said. “We aren’t in a hurry.”

She climbed up and let go of his hand. “I’ve already said goodbye,” she said, twisting her skirt about as she sat down on the seat. “Dragging it out will only make it harder on Ruby.”

“For once we agree on something.” He walked around the wagon and grabbed the brake block from behind the front wheel before climbing onto the seat. The kitten escaped Ruby’s hold, and as all three girls squealed and started chasing it along the porch, he flayed the reins over the horses.

He steered the horses through the ranch yard and then onto the road that would soon turn north and take them to the train stop. “Ruby will be fine,” he said when the silence made his spine tingle.

“Do you always find someone to do your dirty work?”

He glanced her way, expecting a glare. Instead all he saw was her profile as she stared straight ahead. She was wearing the same dress as yesterday, the one with lace all around her neck, but she’d wrapped a scarf around her neck, to prevent further irritation no doubt. The bottom edge of her face was still covered in a red rash.

Knowing full well she was referring to Marietta convincing her to let Ruby stay behind, he answered honestly. “No, I usually do whatever needs doing myself, but this time I figured you’d argue and we might miss the train.”

She pinched her lips together and closed her eyes.

“Figured right, didn’t I?”

Her sideways glance was cute enough, saucy enough to make him laugh. Not chuckle, but laugh like he hadn’t in some time.

She huffed out a breath. “I do not find the situation funny, Mr. Callaway.”

“Neither do I, Miss Parker. I’m just happy I won.”

“You may have won this battle, Mr. Callaway, but the war isn’t over.”

He laughed again. “You say that like a true solider, Miss Parker.”

“My father served in the Plains Calvary,” she said, sitting up a bit straighter. “He was a captain and in charge of a regiment of troops across the western part of Kansas.”

The name that immediately appeared in his mind had him asking, “Captain Jonathan Parker?”

“Yes, Captain Jonathan Parker was my father. As I’m sure Anna told you.”

“No, she didn’t,” he said.

She eyed him critically. “She didn’t?”

“No, but I knew your father. Met him on more than one occasion when I was young. He made the first deal for Triple C beef cattle to be delivered to Fort Wallace with my father. I continued to sell cattle to the fort until it was decommissioned last year.”

She was looking at him oddly, as if she didn’t believe what he was saying.

He had no reason to lie but did give a quick nod. “We were all saddened by the news of his death, especially my father. They’d been good friends.”

With a shake of her head, she asked, “Anna never mentioned him to you?”

“Not that I recall.”

“Then what did you two talk about?”

He shrugged, not really able to recall that either. “A blizzard hit shortly after Anna arrived at the ranch. I was busy making sure our losses were minimal to do much talking.”

“What losses?”

That winter, that blizzard had changed many things. Not only in his life. Ranchers and settlers all around them were devastated. Max’s deserting him during that time had left a burning pile of anger in his stomach, and it flared again. It wasn’t as hot or raw, but it appeared, and made him draw a breath to combat it. “Cattle. Most of our cattle were on open range for the winter, and when the snow finally stopped falling, it was up to our bellies. The men’s and the cattle’s. The wind blew drifts taller than the buildings. We had a he—a heck of a time just getting from the barns to the house, let alone getting hay out to the pastures.”

“What did you do?”

“We shoveled,” he answered. “Shoveled and shoveled. But we still lost a lot of beef.” Carcasses had littered the ground, and in many ways, he was still recouping from that blizzard. That winter. Max’s desertion. Some of the other ranchers who had been in the area hadn’t been as lucky as he. They’d lost everything, called it quits and moved on. Without even bothering to clean up the mess left behind.

The hand she’d pressed to her chest made her appear genuinely concerned. “Do you get a lot of snow here in the winter?”

“Normally, no. I’d never seen anything like it and hope to never see it again. We grow more hay now and other crops for winter feed and have fenced in the winter grazing pastures so the cattle aren’t so widespread.” Recalling all that had happened, he added, “It wasn’t just the snow, it was cold. Way below freezing. Cattle froze to death right where they stood. It wasn’t just here either. That blizzard swept from Canada to Texas.”

“My heavens. I don’t recall hearing about a blizzard like that.”

“It didn’t reach that far east. Didn’t hit Kansas City. I suspect it would have been reported in the newspapers, but maybe not.” Nodding in the direction ahead of them, where the windmill that filled the water tower for trains was becoming visible, he said, “The train froze to the track.”

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