Wildfire Creek (25 page)

The sky began to turn an ominous gray-black as he approached the ranch. He didn’t detect any movement until he approached the barn and saw Hank inside, sitting on a bench, holding something in his hand. He lifted his head and set down what he’d been working on when he saw Luke rein to a stop.

“Wondered when you’d decide to come back.” Hank took Prince’s reins, allowing Luke to brush off the trail mud and stretch. “You don’t look so bad, considering you’ve been gone for weeks.”

“Feels like longer.”

“Go on inside while I take care of Prince. Should be coffee on the stove.”

“Is Bernice inside?” Luke asked.

“She’s resting at our place.” He nodded in the direction of the foreman’s house behind the main house. “Doc says it’ll still be a while before she’s able to get about much. Rachel’s at the clinic, and Dax is out with the rest of the men, tending the herd.”

Luke nodded and headed toward the house. Hank watched him take the steps two at a time and open the front door, glad he’d made the decision to say nothing about Ginny. Better to let Luke find out for himself and decide how he’d handle it.

Ginny grabbed one more piece of wood. She’d made four trips outside to gather as much as she could for the stoves before the snow started. Several days before, Rachel had watched her do the same, noticing the thin cotton dress Ginny wore under the heavy wool coat. She’d rummaged through a trunk, pulling out a pair of trousers and shirt, and handed them to Ginny, explaining they’d be more practical for outside work during the cold weather.

At first, Ginny had balked, not wanting to wear men’s clothing, but Rachel persisted, telling her no one at the ranch would care one way or another. Since then, Ginny had worn them each day she worked outside. They made a big difference against the frigid wind.

Climbing the back steps, she pushed the door open and stepped into the kitchen, kicking the door closed and dropping the wood next to the stove. She removed her gloves and unbuttoned her coat, letting it fall open, then reached up to check supplies in the cupboard. If needed, she’d make a trip to the root cellar before taking off the coat and replacing the trousers with a dress.

Luke shrugged out of his coat at the same time a noise came from the kitchen. He glanced out the front window to see Hank still working in the barn. Bernice was at their place and everyone else was gone. Who the hell was in the house?

He moved toward the kitchen in time to see a man, or boy, reach up into a cupboard and pull something down. In a slow, silent move, he drew his gun from its holster, pointing it at the intruder.

“Hold it right there.”

Ginny froze, not recognizing the deep growl coming from behind her.

“Put your hands up and turn around.”

She did as he asked, her heart pounding, wondering if someone had slipped by Hank to come in the front door. Slowly she turned, raising her eyes to meet those of the man holding a gun on her. Her breath caught at the sight of Luke, his face hard, his mouth in a thin line. She could see the instant recognition dawned. He lowered the gun in a quick motion and slammed it into the holster.

“What the hell are you doing here? And why are you dressed like that?”

She swallowed the hard lump in her throat and took in a shuttering breath, anger replacing the fear she’d felt. “You scared the daylights out of me,” she hissed and pulled the hat off her head, exposing soft brown wisps of hair which had escaped the loose bun.

He held his ground, taking in the sight of her in men’s trousers, a too big shirt haphazardly tucked inside and held together by a wide leather belt. The coat he’d given her covered the ridiculous outfit. He let his gaze wander over her, his eyes softening at the same time his body tightened—a reaction he was powerless to control.

“I asked what you’re doing here, sneaking around the house. Stealing?”

“I am
not
stealing,” she threw back at him. “I work here.”

“What?” His voice took on a hard edge as his eyes narrowed, signaling his disbelief.

“Dax and Rachel hired me to take on Bernice’s job.”

He took a step forward, then thought better of it, crossing his arms over his chest, planting his feet shoulder width apart. Frustration warred with the desire he felt toward her. This was not what he’d expected to come home to—Ginny living at the ranch. It slammed into him that he’d see her every day, obliged to be around her, and forced to fight his constant attraction toward her. His jaw hardened as he processed the implication of her new position. He didn’t like it. Not one bit.

“We’ll see about that.” He turned and stormed from the room, walking into the study, slamming the door behind him.

Ginny took a deep breath and tried to calm her heart from the relentless hammering she’d felt since he’d pointed his gun at her. As she relaxed, his words began to register. Did he mean to force Dax to let her go, return to town, and try to find work elsewhere? No, he wouldn’t…would he? The look on his face told her he might. He’d been as angry as the time she’d suggested his kindness toward her required some form of gratitude. An accusation he’d set her straight on real quick.

She glanced around the kitchen at the items she’d taken from the cupboard, understanding why he’d thought her an intruder. Now he meant to send her away. Well, for now, she had a job to do, and she’d do it the best she could until Rachel and Dax returned.

Ginny disappeared into her room, changed clothes, and grabbed a shawl to ward off the chill she felt, even though the house remained warm from the stoves in several rooms. She’d make a fresh pot of coffee, refill the stoves and fireplace, then start supper. She’d do whatever it took to keep her mind off what Luke intended, and pray his attempts to make her leave failed.

Luke paced the study, stopping at the cupboard where the whiskey sat, calling to him. He pulled it down and poured a good amount into a glass, downing it in one swift motion. His head pounded and fatigue overwhelmed him. He poured another measure of the deep amber liquid into his glass and lowered himself into one of the large leather chairs, stretching his long legs in front of him. Taking slow sips, he pondered what he’d come home to.

He thought of the panicked look on Ginny’s face when he implied he’d do what he could to send her away, and regretted the careless words, even as he wanted her gone. He’d get no peace as long as she worked at the ranch. Whatever drove him to seek a life without entanglements still burned hot within him. It wasn’t that he didn’t find Ginny desirable. Hell, he wanted her with an intensity he’d felt for no other woman. What he didn’t want was to change his life, be tied to one person with all the commitments and responsibilities it implied. He liked his bachelor status, even if he wasn’t the rake some believed.

If he were being honest, Ginny scared him more than anyone he’d ever known. She threatened all he believed about himself and his future. He liked the freedom of coming and going at will, answering to no one except himself and Dax. The Pinkerton assignments provided excitement, and his house near the creek offered peace. His life felt perfect, except for the woman in the other room. He set the empty glass down and closed his eyes, letting exhaustion overtake him.

Luke didn’t know how much time passed before he heard the soft knocking. He rubbed his eyes, stood, and walked to the door, pulling it open. Ginny stood in front of him, a cup of coffee in her hand.

“I thought you might want this.” She held it out to him, a look in her eyes he couldn’t quite decipher.

“Thanks.” He took the cup from a hand that trembled, and started to close the door when she took a step forward.

She looked up at a face devoid of emotion and tried to boost her courage, even as her heart hammered in her chest. “I want to thank you for the coat and dress.” She swallowed and clasped her hands tight in front of her. “They’re wonderful.”

The sincerity in her words shook Luke. It took every ounce of willpower he had to not reach out and pull her to him. “You needed them.” He stepped back, trying to put a safe distance between them.

“You’re right. I did. I used the money I’d saved to buy a coat for Mary, but I will pay you what I owe.”

He locked his eyes on hers. “You owe me
nothing
, Ginny. Save your money for whatever you want—just don’t offer it to me.”

“Do you mean to send Mary and me away?” she blurted out.

He had started to turn away, then stopped at her question. Is that what he intended?

“What happened to your job at the Rose?”

“Amos couldn’t afford to pay someone who couldn’t…or wouldn’t…” Her voice trailed off as she thought of Belle and the others at the saloon.

She didn’t need to explain. Luke understood what jobs in a saloon included and said a silent thanks Ginny had refused to go along with it.

“The new saloon is pulling a lot of business from the Rose, and the boardinghouse is suffering from people going to the new restaurant. Suzanne would’ve let Mary and me stay, but there’d be no money for necessities. The offer from Rachel and Dax was a miracle.”

Luke listened and felt like the worst type of scoundrel for wanting to talk Dax into sending her away. His reasons would be selfish—protecting himself from the intense feelings she produced. He took a deep breath, struggling with the realization he’d have to learn to live with the decision Dax had made.

He walked to the desk, rested his hip against the edge, and took a sip of coffee, making the decision to ride to his place when he heard laughter coming from outside.

The front door flew open and a breathless Mary ran into the study, coming to an abrupt stop when she spotted Luke.

“You remember Mr. Luke, right, Mary?” Ginny asked as her sister continued to stare.

“Hello, Mary. How was school?” Luke asked, trying to ease the apprehension he saw in the little girl’s eyes.

“Miss Rachel came and got me.”

“Because of the snow?”

She nodded, then turned as Rachel came up behind her.

“Well, you’re finally home.” She smiled and walked up to Luke, giving him a hug. “It’s good to have you back.”

“I’m glad to be home.” He shot a quick look at Ginny, once again regretting his reaction to her presence. “Ginny just explained what happened at the Rose.”

“Amos did what he had to, and it certainly turned out well for us. Ginny’s been a blessing.”

Luke pushed away from the desk. “Guess I’d better get going.”

“Won’t you at least wait for Dax and stay for supper?”