Heart of Texas Volume One (3 page)

But it was more than the memory of his parents' accident that had distressed him. For three or four months now his sister had been asking him about the ghost town. In the beginning he'd answered her questions and hadn't given her curiosity much thought, but when she persisted, he'd asked her a few questions of his own. That was when she mentioned the old roses. Damn fool woman was willing to risk her neck over something as…as unimportant as flowers. If that didn't beat all, he didn't know what did.

Grady
had
warned her plenty, not that it'd done any good. Hell, he couldn't have found the abandoned frontier town again had he tried. The one and only time he'd ever stepped foot in Bitter End, he'd been about fifteen. Grady and the two Patterson brothers had overheard their parents talking about a ghost town somewhere up in the hills. Without their parents' knowledge the boys had decided to go exploring, to find the place for themselves.

Grady and his friends had set out, thinking it all a grand adventure. As he recalled, they'd spent weeks looking, and when they finally stumbled on the ghost town, it'd spooked them so badly they'd never discussed that day again.

Grady didn't believe in ghosts; he wasn't a superstitious man. But the town was haunted by something he'd been too young to name or understand, something he didn't full comprehend even now. An unfamiliar sensation had descended on him that day, and not only him, but the others, too. He remembered the silence that had come over them, how they'd whispered to each other as if they were afraid someone could hear. He remembered a feeling of deep sadness and an ambiguous kind of threat. It hadn't made sense then and made even less sense now.

What mattered was his sister, and Grady didn't want her wandering around in the country alone in search of some half-dead flowers. Especially if it meant she was wandering around in Bitter End.

“Would you care for another helping?” Savannah asked Laredo, breaking into Grady's thoughts.

Laredo planted his hands on his stomach and shook his head. “As delicious as it is, I don't think I could manage another mouthful. As I said earlier, this is one of the best meals I've had in years. I hope your brother appreciates what a fine cook you are.”

Even from across the table Grady could feel Savannah's pleasure at the other man's remark. It
sounded
genuine, but Grady suspected Laredo Smith was a consummate con man, who knew a good thing when he saw it. It was clear to Grady, if no one else, that Laredo Smith was out to take advantage of his sister. Not that he had a raindrop's chance in hell of doing so as long as Grady lived and breathed. The drifter could sweet-talk some other rancher's sister. He'd get nowhere with Savannah; Grady would personally see to that.

“I'll help with the dishes,” Laredo offered.

Grady resisted suggesting that Laredo was laying it on a little thick, but he was already out of Savannah's good graces and she wouldn't appreciate his sarcasm.

“I'll do the dishes later,” Savannah said. “It's more important that I take care of the roses.”

“I could help you with that,” he suggested next, and then, as if qualifying his statement, he added, “My grandmother let me help her.”

“That…that would be lovely.”

Grady couldn't recall the last time he'd seen his sister this flustered.

Like a schoolboy eager to please his teacher, Laredo stood and carried his empty plate to the sink.

Grady couldn't allow this to continue. It was time he set the other man straight. “Before this goes any further, you need to know, Mr. Smith, that there's no work for you here.”

“Excuse me,” Savannah said, her voice rising, “but
I
was the one who hired Laredo.”

“I'll be happy to drive you back into Promise myself,” Grady volunteered, ignoring his sister. “Would
now
be convenient?”

The two men glared at each other.

“Grady,” Savannah protested, but to no avail. He'd tuned her out, unwilling to listen to her arguments.

When she couldn't attract his attention, Savannah tried reaching Laredo. She said his name, but he, too, ignored her, eyes locked with Grady's. The silent battle of wills didn't last long. Slowly Laredo's shoulders relaxed and he nodded. “Now would be fine.”

Grady hadn't expected him to capitulate this easily. If anything, he'd anticipated an argument. Laredo Smith was no fool. The way Savannah had fussed over him at dinner, blushed and made a general idiot of herself, there was no telling how much the drifter could take her for.

“I'll get my saddle.”

“No!”

Savannah's cry caught them both off guard. Grady's attention flew to her, as did Laredo's.

Her face was red and her hands had tightened into fists. “If you two had listened to me earlier, I could have cleared this up immediately.” She exhaled a long shaky breath. “I was the one who hired Laredo.”

“And I said I don't need anyone just now,” Grady countered brusquely.

“I didn't say I hired him to help you, Grady. Laredo Smith is working for me.”

L
AREDO SAT ON THE THIN
mattress and nursed his aching ribs. They hurt a little less now that the aspirin had had time to take effect. Without asking, Savannah had handed him the pills after dinner, as if she knew intuitively how uncomfortable he'd been. She continued to fascinate him, but it was abundantly clear that her big brother wasn't keen on Laredo hanging around her. Not that Laredo blamed him. If Savannah was his sister, he'd keep a close eye on her, too.

Following dinner, they'd transplanted the old roses she'd found that day. Afterward she'd proudly walked him through the flower garden, telling him the names of various plants, describing their characteristics. She grew azaleas, rhododendrons and many others, some of which he'd never seen before. A hedge of sunflowers separated the flowers from a small herb garden. And then there were her roses.

As she led him down the narrow pathways of her rose garden, she stopped to tell him about each one. It was almost, he thought fancifully, as if she were introducing him to her children. Little pieces of her heart, planted and nourished in fertile ground. From the way her roses flourished, she'd obviously lavished them with love and care.

The rows of old roses were what impressed him most—but no less than Savannah's knowledge of their histories. She was able to tell him where each one had come from and when it was first grown. Gesturing in her enthusiasm, she lost her large straw hat; Laredo stooped to pick it up. She smiled as he returned it, but didn't interrupt her history of the Highway 290 Pink Buttons—small roses with double blossoms. Found in this part of Texas, she told him proudly. Her voice was full of reverence as she spoke of the inherent beauty of the old roses, their perfect scent, their ability to survive.

When they'd finished walking around the garden, she wrote out a list of tasks she had in mind for him. Laredo listened carefully, had her show him where he'd find the supplies he'd need and promised to get started first thing in the morning. He was eager to prove she hadn't made a mistake by hiring him, and that her trust in him had been well placed.
Saying
it was one thing, but the proof was in the results.

In the morning, as soon as he finished dealing with his truck, he planned to be in that rose garden working his fool head off. It wasn't wrangling, wasn't what he knew best, but if he treated the roses with the same respect and appreciation he did a good quarter horse, then he'd do fine.

“Cowboy, you got everything you need?” A froggy male voice cut into Laredo's musings, startling him. He swiveled around to find an older man standing just inside the large bunkhouse. Two rows of beds lined the floor—like an army barracks; at the other end was a door leading to the foreman's private room.

“Wiley Rogers,” the foreman said.

“Laredo Smith. And yes, thanks, I'm fine for now. I have some stuff in my truck—clothes and such—but I can get those in the morning.” He stood and moved toward the man. They exchanged brusque handshakes.

Rogers had to be sixty if he was a day, with legs bowed from too many years in the saddle. “Hear you're workin' for Savannah,” he said with a friendly smile.

Laredo nodded.

The foreman chuckled and rubbed his unshaven jaw, eyeing Laredo carefully. Whatever his opinion, he was keeping it to himself. “If that don't beat all,” he muttered, still grinning. “Never thought I'd see the day…”

“Beg your pardon?”

“It's nothing,” Wiley said. After a moment's reflection he revised his statement. “Actually it
is
something, but you wouldn't understand. Nice meetin' you, Laredo. You need anything else, just give me a holler.”

“Thanks, I will.” He sat back down on the bed as Wiley retired to his room and closed the door.

Once the lights were out, Laredo lay on his back and stared up at the ceiling, waiting for sleep to claim him. He should've been dead to the world by now. He was exhausted. And for the first time in days the pain in his side had dulled. His belly was full and he had employment, of sorts. He didn't know how long Savannah would find enough tasks to keep him busy, but he didn't imagine this job would last more than a week or two.

As soon as he found out what was wrong with the truck and had it repaired, he'd hit the road. In hindsight, Earl Chesterton had done him a favor by firing him. Although it sure as hell dented his ego to lose that job, especially under those circumstances. His jaw tightened every time he thought about being accused of theft.

But he was determined to look at this as a blessing in disguise—what his grandmother would have called it. Finding himself unexpectedly jobless was just the incentive he needed to head back to Oklahoma and pursue his dream of breeding and selling quarter horses. After talking about it for years, he was actually going to do it. With the bitterness of being fired from the Triple C Ranch came the sweetness of this chance to live his dream. Even knowing it would mean years of sacrifice, the thought of being his own boss and living on his own land excited Laredo.

Intent on sleeping, he closed his eyes and tried to empty his mind. To his surprise a vivid image of Savannah appeared, clear as anything. He studied her a long while, this warm gentle woman who'd come so fortuitously into his life. She was a comfortable person, and she possessed a kind heart. He liked Savannah Weston, but then it was impossible
not
to like her. In fact—even more than that—he found himself attracted to her. Strongly attracted.

It was years since a woman had captivated him the way Savannah had. She wasn't like other women he'd known, He'd never felt relaxed or easy around the opposite sex, but Savannah brought out his every protective instinct. She was shy but genuine, and he liked that. He liked that a lot. Pretty, too, without being flashy. He sensed that despite her quiet unassuming manner she had courage and strength. She reminded him a bit of the frontier women he'd read about who'd helped tame the territory of Texas. Especially with those long dresses she wore.

Her brother, on the other hand, was another matter. Hard-headed, stubborn, suspicious. Laredo had taken exception to the way Grady spoke to his sister, but it wasn't his place to get involved in their family affairs.

No, sir.

He'd work here while there was work to be had, get his truck back in good running order, then head for Oklahoma as soon as he could arrange it.

That would be the best thing for everyone. For the Westons and for him.

 

A
S SHE
'
D PLANNED DAYS BEFORE
, Savannah drove into town the next morning. Her errand list seemed endless. Hardware store, library, the grocery. Finally she was hurrying toward the post office. Her last stop. She realized that the urgency to get back to the ranch had more to do with seeing Laredo again than with any task that waited for her.
Anyone would think you were a schoolgirl!
But she couldn't help the way her heart reacted to the man.

The dinner she planned for that night was Grady's favorite— chicken-fried steak, cream gravy and fresh green beans. A peace offering. He'd barely had a word for her all morning, but then he wasn't communicative at the best of times. Still, there was no mistaking his anger. She'd felt his gaze following her in the kitchen this morning as she'd moved about, preparing breakfast. They'd carefully avoided each other's eyes. Savannah seldom defied her brother, but Grady had left her no option.

Because she'd stood her ground, Laredo was staying. For some reason that made her happier than anything had in years.

Savannah purposely saved the post office until last, hoping Caroline Daniels, the postmistress, would have time to chat. Dovie Boyd, who owned the antique store and the Victorian Tea Room, was just leaving when Savannah pulled into the parking lot. They exchanged cheerful waves.

The interior of the post office was blessedly cool, and Savannah glanced toward the front counter, relieved to see no other patrons. Deciding to pick up her mail first, she found her post-box key and inserted it into the lock. The metal door swung open to reveal Caroline's nose and brown eyes.

“Is it true?” the postmistress demanded.

“True?” Savannah blinked back her surprise at discovering Caroline's face thrust at her through the small opening.

“I thought I was your best friend.”

“You are,” Savannah said.

“Then one would think you'd have told me about a handsome stranger working at the Yellow Rose.”

Savannah felt color explode in her face. Apparently word of her hiring Laredo had already spread through town. In less than twenty-four hours, too! How, she didn't know—didn't even want to know. This was the problem with living in a small town. Nothing was private. Unnerved, she closed the small door and twisted the key, locking it.

“Savannah!” came Caroline's muffled voice.

Reluctantly Savannah unlocked the box and opened the door. “Who told you?” She withdrew the few envelopes from the box and thrust them into her bag.

“Ellie Frasier, and she said he's cute, too.”

“Ellie met him?” Savannah asked. Ellie was the daughter of John Frasier, owner of the feed store. She was young and pretty, and she had a lively fun-loving personality. More than once Savannah had hoped Grady would notice her, seeing as he made weekly trips to Frasier's for grain and such. Savannah had hinted a couple of times that he needn't rush home—that maybe he could invite Ellie out for coffee or a cold beer. Her suggestions had met with a glare and a low growl that said he didn't take kindly to her matchmaking efforts.

“So, is he as cute as Ellie says?”

Savannah's blush deepened and she raised her hand to her face. “I…I wouldn't know.”

Caroline's chuckle was full of disbelief. “Okay, if you won't answer that, then tell me his name.”

No harm there. “Laredo Smith.”

“So you were able to talk Grady into hiring another hand. Where'd he happen to meet Laredo.”

This was where the story got difficult. “Grady didn't exactly…hire Laredo.”

The brown eyes staring at her from the back of her mailbox darkened perceptibly. “What do you mean?”

Savannah sighed. She might as well explain it once and for all and be done with it. “Laredo isn't working for Grady. I'm the one who hired him.”

“You?” Those same eyes narrowed. “Meet me up front.”

While Savannah had hoped to discuss the events of the day before with Caroline, she'd wanted to bring up the subject of Laredo in her own time. She certainly hadn't expected an inquisition, especially this soon. But lately Caroline had been encouraging her to get out more, mingle. Savannah decided to accept her friend's advice the day Caroline took it herself.

“You've got that look again,” Caroline teased when Savannah approached the counter.

“What look?”

“The one that says you're…you know, perturbed.”

“Well, I am.” As far as Savannah was concerned she had every right to feel perturbed, annoyed and downright peeved. The entire town was discussing her life, or soon would be, particularly when it became common knowledge that Laredo Smith worked for her and not Grady. She absolutely deplored gossip and refused to partake in it. She'd never pry into anyone's personal business. Why, she'd been Caroline's best friend for ages, and not once had she asked who'd fathered five-year-old Maggie. If Caroline felt inclined to tell her, then she would, but Savannah would rather die than ask.

“Get over it, Savannah. It isn't every day a handsome stranger wanders into town.”

“Laredo didn't exactly wander into Promise.” She supposed she'd have to tell Caroline the truth. That'd be preferable to having her hear wild rumors later on.

“I know. His truck broke down. It's the transmission, and with parts and labor it'll be close to fifteen hundred dollars. Plus it's going to take at least ten days for the parts to come in.”

Good grief, Caroline knew more about Laredo than she did! “Who told you all that?” Silly question when the answer was obvious. Wiley had mentioned that he was going to help Laredo tow his truck into Powell's Garage that morning. Paul Powell's wife, Louise, did the paperwork and was a known talker. Apparently she'd been at the garage when Wiley and Laredo arrived. To complicate matters, Wiley tended to have a loose tongue himself. Savannah had the sudden urge to sit down with an entire pitcher of iced tea, only she had the feeling that all the iced tea in the world wasn't going to make anything better.

Caroline watched her closely. In a gentler tone of voice she asked, “You hired him yourself?”

“Yes. I've been looking for someone to help me with the garden and—and now that I'm starting to get more orders for my roses, well, it makes sense to hire some help.” She could have managed very well on her own, though, and Caroline knew it.

“You like him, don't you, Savannah?”

“Of course I like Laredo. He's kind and thoughtful and…” She couldn't continue. “Grady was just awful! Oh, Caroline, I was mortified.” She brought one hand to her mouth, remembering the confrontation between the two men after dinner.