Wildfire Creek (11 page)

“You’ll be back before supper.” It wasn’t a question.

“Of course.” She stepped closer and looked at the paperwork on the desk. She wished he’d allow her to help with the bookkeeping. He’d refused so far. She longed to be useful at something other than planning meals and making sure the housekeeper did her job. Perhaps someday, if she married and had children, she’d feel different. For now, she needed more.

“I want you home before dark.”

She walked around the desk, leaned down, and kissed his cheek. “I’ll be back before you’ve had a chance to miss me.” She left without a backward glance, eager to get started and wanting to leave before he came up with another excuse or request.

King watched his daughter close the door, already feeling a slight tinge of regret at her riding out alone. It had been a long time, but memories of his niece and her accident years before still haunted him. He’d been busy, eager to close another business transaction. She’d asked permission to ride alone to town and he’d agreed without thought for the time of day or weather. It never occurred to him he’d never see Francine again. He’d promised his sister if anything ever happened to her and her husband, he’d take care of their daughter. King had failed miserably and still berated himself for his lack of judgment.

He put his hands on the desk and pushed up from his chair, walking to the window as Abby rode out of the barn. She glanced his way, saw him standing there, and waved. Panic seized his chest and he had the strongest urge to ride after her. Instead, he walked to a nearby table, grabbed a glass, and poured a drink, tossing it down his throat in one quick movement.

King needed to focus on finding her a suitable match. He’d arranged the last shindig in order to invite several potential suitors to the ranch. Of course, neither Abby nor the young gentlemen had any idea the reason behind the party. Although several indicated an interest in his daughter, three asking him if they’d be allowed to call on her, she’d refused to see any of them. He suspected she wouldn’t spurn the attention of one young man in particular who had not been invited, nor would he be if King had his way. Gil Murton might be a hard worker and an honest man, but his lack of wealth and social standing would never be worthy of Abigail Tolbert.

“Come on, Willie,” Abby urged. “Can’t you move any faster?” she whispered under her breath, trying to press the animal on.

The person she sought hadn’t come to their party, even though she’d made an extra trip to town to deliver his invitation. She’d been disappointed to find his place closed up tight. Even the store he’d opened a few months before was being run by a young man she’d never met, and he wouldn’t tell her anything other than his boss was away for a couple days.

She hoped to find him today. Even though it sat at the other end of the main street through town, Abby could hear the church bells chime twelve o’clock. Her destination was at this end and she could already see the smoke from the livery forge. She rounded the corner by the lumber mill, passed the tack and saddle shop, his other business, and reined Willie to a stop in front of the livery. She could see him inside, heating a piece of metal, then pounding it to the desired thickness. Abby sat there, mesmerized by his strong form. He’d taken off his shirt and the muscles of his back were damp with perspiration. She drew in a deep breath and dismounted, hoping he’d take time to talk with her.

She took a few steps inside, feeling the heat coming at her in waves as the breeze fanned it about. A bucket a few feet away caught her attention and she walked over to pick it up. It appeared more oversized than most she’d seen and Abby wondered if it would be used for a special purpose. She fingered the metal rings, knowing Noah had made them. Her own thoughts encompassed her to such a degree, she didn’t notice the pounding had ceased or that Noah had walked up behind her.

“Something I can do for you, Miss Tolbert?”

She jumped, dropping the bucket, a hand flying to her heart as she turned around. “You startled me.”

She began to bend down toward the bucket when a large hand moved in front of her and grasped the handle. Abby straightened and looked up into the face of the man she’d come to love. She didn’t believe he felt the same, and she knew her father would never approve, but God help her, she couldn’t stay away.

Noah watched her face turn from alarm to embarrassment to discomfort. He could stare at Abby’s face all day, every day, and never tire of it. Wisps of fiery red hair framed her cream-colored skin, highlighting the splattering of freckles he found so attractive. She may seem frail and waiflike, but something in Noah told him she’d be no man’s doormat.

Her discomfort grew as he stood in front of her, saying nothing more. “I, uh…came to town to see you, Mr. Brandt.” She felt like an idiot. How long had she known him and she caught herself stumbling over her words?

“Noah,” he said. They’d agreed to call each other by their first names months before. For some reason, though, both had a hard time doing it.

“Noah.” Her voice sounded breathless, as if she were winded. Abby reminded herself of why she’d come to see him. “You didn’t come to the party. Didn’t you get the invitation I left with your man at the saddle shop?”

He set the bucket down and looked at her, his face impassive. “Yes, I got it. I had work to do.”

He noticed the bright light in her eyes dim a little and regretted being so blunt. One of them had to face the truth. No matter how he felt and regardless of what he saw in her eyes each time he looked into them, King Tolbert would never allow Abby to marry a blacksmith.

“I heard your father invited several people from Big Pine.” Men of means from what the Tolbert ranch hands had said.

She clasped her hands in front of her, trying to decide how best to word her response. Winning him over would be hard. He was also more stubborn than any five men she’d ever known. Of course, she’d known virtually no men, except those in town and her father. She’d gone to boarding school in Philadelphia, been surrounded by other girls her age, and had never once been courted. Since coming home, she’d had no desire to be courted, except by one man…the one standing before her.

“He did. A couple of ranchers, a banker, and a lawyer, all quite boring and, well…quite taken with themselves.” She glanced up at him, a slight smile curving the corners of her mouth.

“Boring, huh?” Relief he shouldn’t be feeling washed over Noah.

“The rancher from England had some interesting stories, but he had to be as old as Father.”

She crinkled her nose and walked past Noah toward the forge. On one wall he hung his finished work, which always fascinated her. She looked over a few pieces before turning back to him. “Is the saddle shop doing well?”

He watched her move from one object to another. He wished she’d leave, give him some relief from the desire he felt whenever she came around. Didn’t she understand he was not the right man for her, could never give her the life she deserved?

“I’m sorry. What did you say?” He’d been lost in his own thoughts, but her curious stare caught his attention.

“The saddle shop… Is it doing well?” She tilted her head to one side, wondering what had captured his interest.

“Yes, it is. The mining tools sell good, as does the tack. Some days it does better than the livery.” His voiced reflected his pride in the store.

“Who is the young man working for you?”

Noah’s eyes narrowed on hers and he wondered if perhaps Abby might be attracted to Toby. “Toby Archer. He came in with the same group of settlers as Ginny and her sister.”

“Oh. I never saw him before I stopped by to invite you to our party.”

“Would you like me to introduce you, Abby?” He hoped she’d say no, because even though Toby didn’t come from wealth, he had a cleaner soul than Noah. “He isn’t married.”

Her eyes shot to his as color began to creep up her neck. “What makes you think I care one way or another about him being married? I have no interest in him or anyone else, except…” She clamped her mouth shut.

“Except?” Noah prodded.

“Hello, Abby, Noah.”

They both turned at the sound of Rachel’s voice. Abby was glad for the interruption, but Noah wished he’d been able to hear her response.

“Hello, Rachel. I’m so glad you were able to attend the party.” Abby had made several friends since coming back home, and even though Rachel was several years older and married, she considered her one of the closest.

“I had a wonderful time, as did Dax.” She looked at Noah. “We missed you there.”

He cleared his throat, feeling as if he’d been cornered. “Gabe and I were working on finishing my cabin. It took longer than I thought.” Truth was, he’d never intended to go to the party and neither had Gabe, each for separate reasons. Noah wanted to distance himself from Abby, especially once he’d learned the purpose of the party had been to introduce her to prospective suitors. Gabe just didn’t like King Tolbert, even if most considered him to be the most powerful rancher in the area.

“You’re building a cabin?” Abby’s head snapped toward Noah.

“On the land I got from Dax and Luke.”

“For saving our lives,” Rachel added. She’d always be grateful for Noah’s quick actions that day.

Abby’s gaze stayed fixed on Noah, whose eyes were trained on the ground. He never mentioned what he’d done at the Frey ranch and didn’t comment when others brought it up. It seemed as if he wanted to forget it and move on, the same as his service during the war. He never discussed what he’d done as a sharpshooter in the Union Army, but Abby believed the experience weighed on him.

“Would you have time to join me for dinner?” Rachel asked Abby.

“I’d love to.” She glanced up at Noah. “It was good to see you, Mr. Brandt. Perhaps someday you’ll show me your cabin.”

He stifled a groan. “Perhaps.”

Noah watched as the women locked arms and walked across the street toward the boardinghouse. If Abby ever made it out to see his cabin, he believed it would be over her father’s dead body—or his.

“Good afternoon, ladies,” Suzanne greeted as Rachel and Abby walked in, giving each a warm hug. “How was the party, Abby?”

“Very nice. I wish you could’ve come.”

“You know how it is with the restaurant. Ginny works at the Rose on Saturdays, so it was just me.”

“Next time we’ll plan it so you can come.” Abby had known Suzanne for years. As a little girl, she’d follow her around the boardinghouse kitchen. Then her father made the decision to send her to boarding school in Philadelphia. Suzanne had become a surrogate mother after Abby’s had passed away years before.

“Two specials?” Suzanne asked.

“That would be perfect,” Rachel replied as she slipped off her coat. Although the sky remained clear, the temperature had dipped over the last week. “How is Noah doing?”

Abby glanced out the window and across the street at the livery. “You know more about him than I do,” she sighed. “He’s always polite and friendly, but…” She let the words fade when she caught a glimpse of him moving toward the forge.

“You would like him to notice you?”

The question brought Abby’s gaze back to her friend as heat crept up her face. “Well, yes,” she answered, embarrassed to say it out loud. She clasped her hands in her lap and lowered her eyes.

“Noah is one of the finest men I’ve had the privilege to know. I can see why you’d find him attractive.”

“You can?” Abby’s eyes had grown wide at Rachel’s comment.