Love Finds You in Last Chance, California (23 page)

“Sorry, Papa.”

Justin set Toby back on the ground and knelt in front of him. “Did you say ‘Thank you’ to Miss Martha and Uncle Joe for all the nice things they did for you?”

“Uh-huh. I mean, yes, Papa.”

“Good. Now we’re going to clean up and go to dinner. Miss Alex has company, so you be on your best behavior, all right?” He patted the little boy’s back and directed him toward the front door.

“Yes, Papa. I be good.”

A few minutes later Justin lifted Toby into his chair at the far end of the table and took a seat beside him, just across from Alex. Carter Foster sat to her right and Martha hovered over the table, placing the last steaming dish in the center.

Carter sniffed the fragrant aroma of the fried chicken and sighed. “Smells heavenly, Martha. I’m envious of Alexia, having you as a cook.”

Alex glanced at Martha. “She’s the best cook in these parts, if not the entire state. But most important, she’s family.”

“Martha, you’ve been a godsend to the Travers family over the years. They’re blessed to have you with them.”

Martha raised her brows and something resembling the shadow of a smile touched her lips. “Why, thank you.” She passed the plate of chicken then some fresh-baked biscuits and a plate of corn on the cob. Silence prevailed as the hearty meal made its way onto each plate.

Alex set down her corncob and wiped her fingers on a napkin. “Have your ranch and mining claim been keeping you busy, Carter?”

He set down his coffee and nodded. “Very. My herd has grown steadily over the years—so much so that I took a band of geldings to Auburn recently to ship to the cavalry. You know they occasionally ask me for a few extra horses when they’re short. They mentioned you’d not been able to meet your quota after your recent loss.” He hesitated a moment. “They’ve…offered me a contract. I’m sorry, Alexia.”

Alex frowned. “I didn’t realize they’d be making a decision so soon. This is the first time I’ve not delivered an order on time. It would’ve been nice if they’d have let me know before reassigning the contract.” She reached for her mug of coffee. “I’m sorry; my problems aren’t your concern.” She put on a smile and straightened her shoulders. “It’s too bad Uncle Joe couldn’t be here to visit with you. He and Frank are checking on the mares and won’t be in for a couple of hours.”

“I’ll see him another time, but I didn’t come to visit Joe. I hoped you and I might have a little time to ourselves this evening.”

Alex blushed and reached for her mug of coffee, but she was saved from having to respond when Toby dropped his fork with a loud clatter.

Carter turned his gaze on Toby and stared for several seconds before he chuckled softly. “You’re right, young man; we shouldn’t be ignoring you.” He cleared his throat and spoke a little louder. “How old are you, son?”

Toby held up three fingers. “Free. I a big boy.” A sweet grin lit up his face.

Alex beamed at the boy. “And a sweetheart he is, too. His father has done a wonderful job raising him.”

Carter’s cold eyes bored into Justin, but his posture remained relaxed as he leaned his shoulder toward Alex. “Poor little tyke. I understand that he lost his mother. Must be hard for ’im.”

Something in the statement put Justin’s senses on alert, but Alex turned her compassionate gaze from Toby to Carter. “I know what it’s like to lose a mother, and you’re right; it is hard.”

“I’m sure he’ll benefit from your presence, my dear.” Carter laid his hand over hers resting on the table, and it seemed to Justin that she didn’t withdraw it overly fast. Maybe it was the supposed sympathy he’d shown for Toby or the memory of her own loss, but Alex appeared captivated by his charm. Whatever the case, Justin couldn’t stand sitting at the table much longer.

He laid his fork by his plate and pushed to his feet. “Martha, Alex. I hope you’ll excuse me. I have something I need to tend to in the barn.” He laid a hand on Toby’s hair for a moment. “I’ll be back in time to settle Toby into bed.”

Martha picked up a cloth and wiped a dribble from Toby’s chin. “Sorry you can’t sit with us awhile longer, but you do what you have to. Don’t worry none about your boy. He’ll be fine.”

Justin nodded and strode from the room feeling as though the soles of his feet were on fire. He’d done it again—been tricked by a pretty face. He suddenly realized that despite his resistance, he’d allowed himself to believe that Alex might someday care for him. And as unwilling as he was to admit it, it stung to discover that she was interested in someone else.
Women.
Why’d he think this time might be different?

Disappointment turned bitter in his mouth, and he wanted to choke and spit. He’d keep his distance, be a good employee. Even a friend, if Alex showed she needed one. But he’d not set himself up for the depth of hurt he’d experienced in the past. He’d do the favor Travers had asked of him and then move on. No matter how much his heart yearned for a home, it wouldn’t be here.

One week later, Alex stood at the bottom of the stairs and raised her voice a notch. “Martha? Uncle Joe wants to know if you’re ready. He’s got the horses hitched to the buggy.” Filtered sunlight cast soft beams over the polished wood floor, and not a speck of dust lingered on any of the pine furniture in the entry just off the parlor. Martha had risen early to leave her household spotless before she ventured off to town.

“Yes, dear. Tell Joe I’ll be down in a minute.” Martha’s excited reply drifted from her open bedroom door. “I’m trying to decide which hat to wear. The blue is my favorite, but Alice has never seen the green one. What do you think?” She stepped out of her doorway and leaned over the banister running across the landing at the top of the stairs.

Alex bit her lip to quell the grin that threatened to escape. Martha and her hats. She gazed up at a straw creation perched on the gray hair. “The blue feathers are pretty, but since you haven’t worn the green one, I’d choose it.” She glanced out the front door. “But you’d best hurry. Uncle Joe gets testy when he has to wait.”

“Oh, balderdash. It’s not going to hurt the old coot to sit in the buggy for another five minutes.” Martha pulled the hat off, leaving small tufts of hair sticking up in several directions. She swung on her heel and headed back to her room. “Please let him know I’m on my way. The green will do.”

A few minutes later Martha bustled down the stairs, carrying her canvas grip in one hand and her hat with the other. “Can you fasten the hat pin a little more securely, Alexia?” She set the grip down and turned her back.

Alex secured the hat firmly in place then gave the older woman a quick hug. Martha pulled back, her hands on Alex’s shoulders. “Maybe I should stay home. It’s going to be too much, you taking care of Toby and doing the cooking.” She reached up to undo the hat.

“Nonsense.” Alex picked up the small canvas grip and headed for the front door. “We’ll be fine. Justin will be here for part of the day. I’ve cooked more than a time or two, and I can handle things. Besides, you don’t get to visit Alice very often, and she’s expecting you and Uncle Joe.”

The horses hitched to the buggy in front of the house whinnied and stamped. Martha looked outside to where Joe patiently sat on the front seat. “Perhaps one of the hands can drive me. That way Joe could stay around here.”

Alex laughed and reached for Martha’s hand. “Come on, you old dear. I’m not six years old; I’m a grown woman. Frank is here, and Justin and Davis are both working close by. Now go—or Uncle Joe will unhitch the horses and sit on the porch.”

“Oh my.” Martha rushed for the door, stopped, and then trotted back to plant a kiss on Alex’s cheek. “Thank you, love. I’ll try not to worry.”

“Good.” Alex walked her to the front steps and handed her off to Joe.

He helped Martha into the seat then stepped up and grasped the reins. “We ready to go, ladies? Or do I sit here another hour or two whilst you decide somethin’ else?”

“Oh, pshaw, Joe. You didn’t wait on me no time at all. Let’s get a move on, or we’ll miss havin’ tea with Alice.”

Joe rolled his eyes at Alex and winked. “Git up there, boys. You heard the lady. It’s time to go to tea.” He slapped the long reins against the team’s haunches and clucked, sending them surging forward. “Have yourself a fine day, Alex,” he called back over the sound of the rumbling buggy.

She waved and didn’t suppress a chuckle this time. Those two characters bickered at each other half the time, but truth be told, they were the best of friends. Martha behaved like a big sister to the crotchety old Joe, and while he loved to tease her, Alex knew he’d defend her to the death.

Time to get to work. It would be up to her to prepare lunch for Toby today—and Justin, if he got back from checking the mares in the south pasture. She reached up to rub the gold locket hanging around her neck. “Mother, you would’ve loved Toby.” The precocious little boy was hard to resist—as was his father.

He’d seemed to be warming up to her until the evening Carter came to call. She frowned, trying to remember if anything untoward had happened that day. Justin had stabled Carter’s horse and joined the group for dinner. He’d been silent through most of the meal, even though Carter had gone out of his way to be charming and pleasant. In fact, even Martha had thawed toward their guest.

So what was Justin’s problem? She walked to the kitchen and pulled open a cupboard. Maybe some of Martha’s bread and a slab of meat for a sandwich would do, with some fried onions and potatoes on the side. She’d have to make a trip to the cellar for the vegetables.

She shook her head. Men were beyond her understanding, especially the ones who kept to themselves. She narrowed her eyes and her hand stilled in its work cutting slices of bread. Carter hadn’t put out an effort to speak to Justin, come to think on it. Could Carter be jealous? She’d didn’t want to think of that possibility.

She sawed at the bread, not paying close attention to the blade. “Ouch!” She dropped the knife and stared at the blood dripping from a cut in her finger. “I can’t believe I did that.”

A tap sounded at the open front door. “Anyone here?” Justin’s deep voice vibrated through the entry and back to the kitchen.

“Come in.” Alex stared at the deep cut, walked to the basin, and pumped the handle. A gush of water flowed over the cut, spreading it open to reveal a patch of white beneath the blood. A faint feeling settled over her, and the room darkened and spun. She tried to grab for the counter but instead caught air and felt herself sinking toward the floor.

“Whoa, there.” A pair of strong hands clasped her under her arms and lifted her off her feet. “You’re bleeding. Alex…Alexia! Don’t faint on me!”

The dizziness faded, and she heard Justin’s strong heartbeat beneath the light cotton shirt where her ear lay cradled against his chest. “I’m—I’m all right.” She struggled weakly and felt his arms tighten around her.

“No, you’re not. Now hold still so I can take a look at your hand.” He gently deposited her in a nearby chair and reached for a towel. He held it under the dribbling waterspout and pulled the handle down. “What’d you do?”

Alex couldn’t tell if the dizziness had been from his embrace or from the cut. She sat up straight and tried to control her trembling voice. “I cut my hand while slicing the bread. I–I’ve never fainted before.”

“You would’ve hit the floor in another second. You faint at the sight of blood?” He knelt beside her and held her hand, his touch making her arm tingle. “Let me take a look.” The damp towel mopped at the blood and he kept pressure on it for another few moments. “Hmm…it’s pretty deep.”

“Not usually.”

“Huh?” He looked up, confusion written across the face that was only inches from hers.

“I don’t faint at the sight of blood—not even my own. It was strange. I looked at the cut while it was under water and it spread open. I guess I thought I saw the bone. For a second I thought I’d severed my finger.” She waved her other hand in the air. “The room started to spin.” She laughed in embarrassment. “It’s silly.”

Justin kept pressure on the towel around her hand and looked right into her eyes. “No, it’s not silly at all.”

Alex caught her breath. His eyes were clear and direct. They seemed to pull her in, drawing her closer. Her heart began to pound and she felt sure the dizziness would overwhelm her again—but for an entirely different reason this time.

Justin cleared his throat and his eyes dropped. “Well, now. I think we’d better get some salve on this and wrap it tight. You might have a scar if it’s not stitched. You want me to drive you in to see the doc?”

Alex pulled her hand out of his grasp and held the towel with her other hand. “No. I’m sure salve and wrapping will be fine. Thank you.” She leaned back in the chair and closed her eyes, not wanting to meet that compelling gaze again. She chided herself for acting like a young schoolgirl smitten with her first crush. The man likely hadn’t felt a thing as he’d leaned close—except maybe sympathy and a little amusement that a woman who claimed to be capable of running a ranch would get woozy over a cut. “If you don’t mind helping. I don’t think I can wrap it by myself.”

Justin found the supplies and wrapped the cut without a word. Finally, he pushed to his feet and stood staring down at her with concerned eyes. “If you think you’ll be all right, I’d best check on Toby. He should be waking from his nap.”