Lorraine Heath (21 page)

Rolling to his side, he brought her with him, pressing their bodies together. He ran his fingertips idly up and down her arm. He wanted to thank her, but somehow it seemed inappropriate. So instead, he drew her closer, bringing his arms tightly around her, trying to hold onto the moment as they both drifted off to sleep.

A dark cloud passed before the moon, casting eerie shadows across the landscape. Standing before the window, holding the curtain back, Rebecca stared out into the distance. Jacob had awakened for his late night feeding, and now she couldn’t go back to sleep. The last thing she wanted to do was compare Jake with Brett but she was standing here doing it anyway.

Her father had wanted a bigger, more prestigious barn. It had taken two days for the neighbors and hands to build it. To celebrate its completion, he had ordered the biggest dance ever held in the state. Three bands took turns playing, cattle were slaughtered, beer and whiskey were served all afternoon and evening and far into the night. She had just finished dancing with Jake when Brett had asked her to take a stroll with him. The warmth of Jake’s hand in hers, the sight of his lopsided grin, the smile in his eyes as they’d
circled the dance area were still with her when Brett had slipped his arm around her waist.

They had walked out into the moonless night, away from the lights of the ranch, away from the music, away from the din of people talking and laughing. They had walked until the only thing visible was the star-filled black velvet sky. He had taken her in his strong arms without warning and had kissed her in a way no man had ever kissed her, his tongue plunging deeply, sending ripples of sensations coursing through her body. Then he had laid her down, and his mouth had continued its assault on her senses. He had hesitated not at all in putting his mouth on the flesh he had wanted to taste. She hadn’t even been aware that he had removed their clothes until his mouth had closed around her nipple, tugging at it until it hardened. And then he had placed himself between her thighs, creating sweet sensations, whispering words of love.

He was a smooth, practiced, polished lover. She had fallen in love with his startling blue eyes and his easy smile, his deep voice that constantly caressed, and his hands that turned her body to fire.

But the fire he had ignited had never been like the fire that had burned through her tonight. She had felt everything Jake had done. Nothing had taken her unawares. She had felt every button being released, had felt the gown slowly leaving her body. She had felt his uncertainty and his hesitancy. And his disappointment when his body had reacted against his will. With Jake, the act of love would never be completely smooth. Her clothes would not melt away without her knowledge. No, Jake Burnett was not Brett Meier.

“Are you all right?” a gentle voice asked and she turned. He was standing beside her, wearing his pants, half the buttons done up. She had drifted so far away in thought that she hadn’t heard him leave the bed.

“I’m fine. Jacob woke up and then I couldn’t get back to sleep.”

“Are you sorry?”

She searched his concerned countenance until the meaning
of his question hit her. She placed a hand on his chest.

“No. No, I’m not sorry at all.”

“I know I’m awkward …”

She brought her hand to his lips.

“Jake, how can you have so much confidence when it comes to running a ranch and handling the livestock and so little when it comes to women?”

He sighed. “Reckon cause I’ve never had a ranch or livestock laugh at me.” His eyes held hers. “I know Ethan put the girls up to laughing at me … but there was never one that didn’t … until you.”

She touched his cheek. “I think those girls were probably just jealous.”

“Jealous? Of what?”

She brushed the hair up off his brow. “Your eyes. You have the most beautiful eyes.”

He gave her a sad smile. “There’s nothing beautiful about me, Reb.”

Pressing her hand to his heart, she said, “Here you’re the most considerate, generous person I know, Jake Burnett, and it’s all reflected in your eyes. Don’t you tell me I don’t know beauty when I see it.”

He ran his knuckles down her cheek, speaking softly. “You’re the beautiful one. You could have married anyone.”

“I know,” she said with warmth in her eyes. “Of all the things my father did for me, I’m most grateful he asked you to marry me.” She reached down to unbutton his pants. “I appreciate you not buttoning them all up. Next time, don’t even bother to put them on.”

Groaning, he pressed her back on the bed, managing to slip out of his pants in the process.

T
HE BELL SUSPENDED
above the door emitted a tinny, tinkling sound as Jake entered the general store.

“Be with you in a minute, Jake,” Samuel Abrams said as he turned impatiently back to his waiting customer.

A boy who was no older than six stood before the counter longingly eyeing a glass container filled with confections. Jake watched as he tentatively moved four small fingers towards the glass, shot a glance to the man standing before Samuel, and then withdrew his fingers. If Jake had been allowed into town when he was a boy, he had no doubt he would have stood looking at the jar of candy as intently as the small boy standing there now, and he knew he would not have been allowed to have any. He hunkered down beside the boy. “Want one?”

The boy smiled shyly. “Nay, me da says they’re not for buying—just for lookin’. But if I owned me a store, I’d sell everythin’ in it.”

“Is that your father?” Jake asked, nodding towards the man at the counter.

“Aye. He’s a blacksmith. You know what a blacksmith is?”

Jake smiled at the pride reflected in the tiny face. “Yes. Are you settling here?”

The boy shrugged, the corners of his mouth turning down. “Don’t know. Me da says they got too many smiths here. Da said ‘twould be better here, but it ain’t. I never been so hungry in me ‘ole life.”

Jake’s heart ached for the boy. “Where did you come from?”

“Ireland. We came over on a big boat. I was sick the ‘ole time. ‘Twas no fun at all. Da had to pay extra to bring his smithy tools and now he can’t find work. Me mum used to work in people’s houses but there ain’t no fancy folks here what needs a servant. I’m thinking ‘twould have been better to stay in Ireland.”

Jake’s interest perked up at the news that his mother worked in people’s houses. “What did your mother do in those houses?”

The boy shrugged. “Worked.”

Jake held out a hand. “I’m Jake Burnett.”

The boy put his small hand in Jake’s, and it was swallowed up. “Sean O’Hennessy.”

“I’m happy to meet you, Sean O’Hennessy.”

“Damn it, man! I got five hungry children. I’m only asking for a little credit—”

Jake kept talking to Sean, trying to keep him from hearing his father’s argument.

“You’ve got no job and no prospects. I’m sorry, Mr. O’Hennessy, but where do you think I’d be if I gave credit to everyone that asked?”

“Look, man. I’ll sweep your store, I’ll haul your boxes—”

“I’ve already got a boy that comes in to do that. I wish I could help. But you’ve just told me you spent the last of your money getting your wagon fixed, which sounds to me like you’re planning on moving on. Where would that leave me?”

“I wouldna leave without paying you, man!” O’Hennessy bellowed.

“So you say.” Samuel Abrams reached in a drawer and brought out a handful of crumpled papers. “These men all said the same thing. I’m sorry.”

“Mr. O’Hennessy?”

The man glaring at Jake was well-muscled from years of working with iron, sledging a hammer atop an anvil. His red hair was almost nonexistent except for a patch that circled
just above his neck. Jake thought it was worn thin from constant rubbing. In the few moments he had been observing the man, he had run his hands across his shiny pate no less than a dozen times. Jake extended a hand. “My name’s Jake Burnett.”

Brian O’Hennessy studied the hand extended to him, then he studied Jake’s eyes. He liked what he saw and shoved his hand out. “Brian O’Hennessy.”

“Your son tells me you’re a blacksmith.”

“That I am, man. And a damn good one when I got the work to do.”

“Your son also tells me your wife used to take care of people’s homes.”

“That she did. Cleaning, scrubbing, watching babies, whatever was required.”

“I own a ranch a few miles south of here. I could use a blacksmith. It’s damn inconvenient having to come into town when I need a horse shod or a tool mended. For a while, until I get my herd to market, I could only give you and your family room and board. If you’re interested, the job is yours.”

Brian rubbed the top of his head. Room and board wouldn’t make him a rich man, but it would keep his children dry and their bellies filled.

“Yes, sir, I’m interested.”

“I also have a three-month-old son. Do you think your wife would be interested in caring for my house and son a few hours each morning? I’d pay her for it.”

“She would.”

Jake could barely contain his excitement. “Then we’ve got a bargain,” he said, extending his hand again. “Where are you staying?”

“In a wagon, south end of town.”

“I’ll pick you up in two hours.”

Jake handed a piece of paper to Samuel. “I’ll be back to pick these things up in an hour. Put Mr. O’Hennessy’s supplies on my account, too, will you, Sam?”

“Sure thing, Jake.”

Jake reached into a glass jar, careful not to take from the
one that had been deemed for looking at only, and withdrew five sarsaparilla sticks. “And these, too.”

He handed them to Sean. “Share these with your brothers and sisters, okay?”

Sean’s eyes widened at the unexpected gift. “Yes, sir, I will.”

Jake opened the door and the little bell tinkled. He turned back. “Oh, Mr. O’Hennessy. I’d appreciate it if you and your family wouldn’t say anything to my wife about your wife coming to help out in the morning. I want to surprise Reb.”

“We’ll keep quiet.”

Jake walked out the door, his smile broad.

“Now, that’s a good man,” Brian O’Hennessy commented to the air.

“Won’t find one finer, not in these parts,” Samuel said. Then he gave Brian a hard stare. “But he wouldn’t have given you credit either.”

Brian had taken an instant liking to Jake, but still he was surprised to see such a beauty run out of the house and fling herself into Jake’s arms as soon as he jumped down off the wagon. He didn’t know why, but he just hadn’t envisioned Jake Burnett with a woman who could take a man’s breath away.

Jake lowered Rebecca to the ground before releasing his lips from hers. “I hired a blacksmith.”

“A blacksmith. Do you honestly think we have enough work here to keep a blacksmith busy?”

“We will in time. And until then he’ll help out with odd jobs.”

Her eyes narrowed.

“Hell, I don’t even know if he’ll stay, but he’s got five hungry kids and at least here they won’t be hungry.”

He slipped his arm protectively around her. “Come on, I’ll introduce you.”

As soon as Jake turned towards the O’Hennessy wagon, a mad scramble began as Brian tried to get his family into some sort of condition to meet people. He lined them up
by age, then rearranged them by height, rearranged them by sex, and started to rearrange them again before his wife shoved him aside.

“The man’s not the king, Bri. I’ll not have you behaving like a fool. Line up,” she said and the children rearranged themselves by age. “That’s how it’s done,” she said, giving her husband a curt nod.

Rebecca had studied the activity, and she stifled her laughter. She supposed she’d be nervous under the circumstances as well.

“Brian, this is my wife, Rebecca. Reb, this here’s Brian.”

Brian removed his hat, his shiny pate reflecting the setting sun. “Ma’am. ‘Tis a pleasure to meet you to be sure. You don’t know how much we appreciate your fine husband givin’ us a chance here.”

“Believe it or not, Brian, I probably do. Jake was saying just the other night how much simpler life would be if we had a blacksmith living on the ranch.” Jake pinched her waist and she shot a conspiratorial glance his way.

“Well … did he now? ‘Tis interesting how life works, is it not? Now I’d like to introduce you to the pride and joys of my life. This is my wife, Maura.”

The tiny woman with the bright red hair and hazel eyes took a quick curtsy.” ‘Tis glad we are to be here.”

Rebecca suddenly felt as though she had stepped back in time to her first encounter with Carrie. Now she fully understood how her friend had felt.

“It’ll be nice to have a woman around, Maura. As you’ll soon learn, we are in rare supply here.”

“And these are our children,” Brian said. “Our eldest son, Kevin. He’s nineteen. He’ll be helping me. He’s learning the trade, he is.”

Kevin took a small step forward and gave a slight nod of his head.

“My daughter, Arlene.”

When Kevin stepped back, Arlene stepped forward and curtsied. At seventeen, she was unaware of her attraction. Like her brothers, her hazel eyes changed with her moods,
turning a speckled green when she was happy.

Patrick, age fourteen, stepped forward next, followed by Neil age ten, and lastly Sean, who produced half a sarsaparilla stick out of his pocket. His face gleamed as he tilted his head back to look up at Jake.

“Saved half o’mine, I did.”

Jake tousled the boy’s hair. “We’ll get more next time we go into town.”

“And this one,” Brian said, patting his wife’s stomach, “I’m hoping is a girl.”

“Bri!” Maura slapped his hand away. “You’ll bring us bad luck, you will.”

Frank had been unloading Jake’s wagon during the introductions, not paying much attention. But as he started to turn towards the house with a sack of flour he saw the girl curtsy. The girl? He almost dropped the load he was carrying. Why the hell hadn’t Jake told him there was a woman among the lot? Her hair was pulled back, but most of it had worked its way free and was framing her face like the sparks from the sun. He dropped the bag of flour and ambled towards the wagon of newcomers. It’d be impolite not to introduce himself.