Wildfire Creek (34 page)

Luke shifted his eyes to Dax. “Just to say hello. Why?”

“No reason. Just wondered.” Dax looked toward the group of men ready to ride. “Let’s go.” He waved them forward, the same way he used to as a general in the Confederate Army.

The deep snow made their work harder than normal. It had been a wise decision to move the herd to within a half-mile of the house and double up on feed they’d hauled out the day before. Today, they’d loaded two wagons, hoping to finish and be back home by early afternoon.

Bull, Travis, and Tat watched them ride out. Everyone had put in long hours the last couple of weeks. Tonight’s supper would be a real treat for all of them.

“Let’s get the tables and benches.” Bull trudged through the snow toward the shed behind the bunkhouse. He’d grabbed a key and used it to open the lock Noah had made, letting the thick chain fall away.

The men gathered the furniture and Bull kicked the shed door closed. It didn’t take long to place the furniture in the house as Rachel directed, then they started on their other chores. They’d just finished when Ginny called them in for dinner. Afterwards, they busied themselves in the barn fixing tack, milking cows, and organizing tools until Dax, Luke, and the rest of the men returned.

“We’ll take care of them.” Bull and Travis reached for Hannibal’s and Prince’s reins.

Dax and Luke trudged up the back steps, the enticing smell of fresh baked bread mingled with roasting meat assaulting them as they entered the house. Neither had eaten anything since breakfast and went on a hunt for whatever Ginny had ready.

When they entered, she didn’t lift her head from where she worked over the sink. Instead, she indicated to a pot on the table with the spoon in her hand. “The stew is still warm, and biscuits are in the tin. I already left a pot for the men, so go ahead and finish what’s there.”

They wasted no time, each taking two servings, emptying the pot.

“I hope you saved room for supper.” Again, she didn’t glance their way, focusing on the job in front of her.

“You don’t have to worry about that.” Dax strolled from the room in search of Rachel, guessing he’d find her resting upstairs.

“Do you need help with anything?” Luke carried the bowls to the sink and washed them out.

“I may need more wood for the stove,” she tilted her head toward the diminishing amount they’d brought in earlier. “I’m going through it faster than I thought. There isn’t much else, other than making sure the fireplace is fed. Oh, and could you check on Mary for me? She should be in the study or someplace where she has a good view of the chicken coop.”

“The chicken coop?”

She shot him a warm smile, catching Luke unprepared. He could live on one of her smiles for days. “She’s determined to catch the boy who’s been stealing our eggs. I told her he might not come back until the storm passes—”

“Which it has,” Luke interjected.

“And that is why she’s keeping watch. You’ll find her all dressed and ready to run outside as soon as she spots him.”

“Then I guess I’d better go look for her. Don’t want her dashing outside without any of us knowing,” Luke said, although he didn’t move from his spot near Ginny. She finished the vegetables and filled the pot with water before grasping the handles to carry it to the stove. “I’ll get it.” He placed his hands next to hers, feeling the warmth and wanting to intertwine his fingers with hers. Instead, she responded by pulling her hands away, gripping the folds of her apron and stepping back.

He set the pot on the stove, tossed more wood into the firebox, then turned to face Ginny. “We should talk about what happened the other day.” He lifted a hand to brush back strands of hair falling loose about her face.

Ginny shivered at the touch of his fingers, not wanting to hear his excuses. It had just been a kiss, nothing of real consequence—at least she’s certain that’s what Belle would say. She’d thought a great deal about her feelings toward Luke, realizing he’d never be able to provide the life she wanted for Mary. His free spirit and charming ways fit a life more suitable to adventure and travel, not the life of someone who dreamed of settling down with a family. He’d work the ranch, fulfill all his obligations to Dax, then when a request came from Pinkerton, be gone for weeks or possibly months. No matter her feelings for him, her life would be better as an independent woman, making her own decisions and not relying on a man such as Luke.

She bolstered her courage and locked her gaze on his. “I don’t see we have anything to talk about. It was just a kiss, a celebration of the news of Rachel being with child—nothing more.” The calm conviction in her voice surprised Ginny. She believed nothing of the sort, yet had to make Luke think she did. His inconsistent actions were a threat to her heart and future.

His eyes narrowed on hers, and seeing the slightest flicker of doubt, he stepped closer. “I see. You felt nothing for me either time I held you, kissed you until your eyes glazed over and you couldn’t catch a breath?” He stroked a finger down her cheek, letting the caress follow her jaw and down the soft column of her neck, feeling her tremor beneath his touch. “You’re certain?”

She held his gaze as long as she could, her heart thundering in her chest, before looking away. Her tongue darted out to moisten her lips as she took a step back, finding herself trapped against the edge of the counter. “Yes, that’s what I’m saying,” she whispered, still not looking at him, knowing her trembling voice gave away the lie.

He moved his finger under her chin, lifting her face and seeing the confused determination in her eyes. “All right. I won’t speak another word about it.”

He leaned down and placed a soft kiss on her lips, then a second before covering her mouth with his, sending a unanticipated wave of heat through him. He felt her hands move to his arms in a steadying motion as he deepened the kiss, feeling her fingers tighten.

His tongue traced the outline of her mouth, then delved inside as she opened for him. He took his time, not rushing the pleasure jolting through him. She shivered in his arms, and he splayed his hands across her back, drawing her tight and feeling her softness against the taut muscles of his chest. She squirmed against him, trying to get closer as her body rubbed sensuously against his, sending waves of fire streaking through him.

He couldn’t remember any woman causing such intense hunger to build within him. Her taste, unique scent, even her soft sighs combined to create a passion new to him. He realized he didn’t want to let her go. The knowledge slammed into him, causing what was left of his sanity to return. He pulled back and took a step away, hearing her soft sigh as her eyes slowly opened, and immediately missing the feel of her against him.

The sound of brisk knocking drew Luke’s attention, even as his gaze remained fixed on hers. “I suppose one of us should answer it,” he said, a tinge of uncertainty in his voice as he turned toward the sound of renewed knocking.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Ginny remained rooted in place, unable to move as intense sensations ripped through her body, clouding her mind. She shook her head and closed her eyes, trying to clear her jumbled thoughts. She didn’t know much about the feelings which swamped her, except that being near Luke posed a clear threat to her heart.

Rachel strolled into the kitchen, holding Mary’s hand and nodding toward the room behind her, a bright smile lighting her face. “Gabe and Noah made it.” The thrill in her words couldn’t be missed. “I don’t know how they got through the snow drifts, but they did. Is there any coffee left?”

Ginny pulled herself together, hating the fact Luke made her feel so vulnerable.

“Yes. I’ll get it.” She grabbed cups and filled them with coffee, glad she’d thought to start a new pot. “Mary, please give these to Mr. Evans and Mr. Brandt.” She watched as her sister disappeared, took a calming breath, and followed her.

“Merry Christmas, Ginny,” Gabe said as Mary handed him a cup.

“Merry Christmas, Sheriff. We weren’t sure you’d be able to get here.”

“Noah and I never had a doubt, right?” Gabe glanced at his friend.

“True enough. Merry Christmas, Ginny.” Noah breathed in the aromas coming from the kitchen, feeling the stirrings of a growl coming from his stomach. He placed a hand over it, but not in time to stifle the familiar sound.

Ginny dashed into the kitchen, emerging a moment later with a platter filled with sliced cold cornbread and pickled vegetables. She set it and small serving plates on the decorated dining room table and glanced at the small gathering, keeping her eyes averted from Luke, who’d watched her since she walked into the room.

“This should hold you until supper is ready, which won’t be long,” she announced before leaving them to finish the final touches to the meal.

“How is she doing?” Gabe asked Rachel, nodding toward the kitchen.

“Ginny is wonderful. I still can’t believe the amount of work she does for us.”

“And takes care of her sister,” Uncle Charles interjected. “Who, from what I hear, is a handful.” He winked at his niece, knowing how much Rachel had grown to love Mary.

“Oh, she’s not too bad now, but something tells me she’s going to be as she grows older,” Rachel replied.

“Is there anything we can help with before supper?” Noah asked, never comfortable standing around, doing nothing.

Rachel watched Noah nibble on the cornbread. The customs of the frontier differed significantly from those of the east. At her parent’s home in Boston, a guest would never be allowed to help. Here, offers to lend a hand were frequent and accepted.

“Let me check with Ginny to see if she needs anything.” Rachel stepped into the kitchen as Ginny drained the potatoes. Several covered dishes sat on the work counter, ready to be taken into the dining room, plus mince and apple pies, and the almond sponge cake Ginny made using her mother’s recipe. It seemed like enough to feed an army, which was around the number of people who’d be crammed into the dining and living rooms for supper.

“Noah asked if you needed any help.”

“Does he need something to fill his time?” Ginny asked, wiping an arm across her damp brow.

“Yes, I believe he does.” Rachel’s mouth curved into a tired smile.

“Why don’t you lie down for a bit? I’ll have Noah help me with the goose and roast, then come and get you when we’re ready.”

“Absolutely not. We have guests, and I won’t miss a moment of the day.” Rachel straightened, knowing if Ginny noticed her fatigue, others might also. “I’ll get Noah.” She didn’t have to walk far as Noah came up to her the moment she left the kitchen. “She could use your help.”

He nodded and stepped past her. “What shall I do?” he asked Ginny, marveling at all the dishes and pies sitting around the room.

Luke watched Noah join Ginny in the kitchen, a knot forming in his chest. His body still thrummed from holding her and feeling her passionate response. The thought of another man in a closed room with her felt wrong, yet he had no hold on her, and knew Noah would cross no lines of propriety.

Even if he denied it, the whole town knew Noah’s feelings toward Abigail Tolbert, and believed she felt the same. Did they think the same of him and Ginny? From their behavior, the ranch hands seemed to believe Luke as smitten as Noah. Was he? He took a breath, knowing his feelings had become too strong to ignore. He didn’t know if he loved her, but he sure as hell wanted her, and not just for one night. Fear gripped him as he accepted that once he had her, he’d never be able to let her go.

“You staying here now?” Gabe’s question jerked him to the conversation they had been having about the raids.

“Uh…yes. I’ve closed up the house. If all goes as we hope, we’ll lay our sights on the thieves real soon.”

A knock had them turning toward the front door as it opened and Bull walked in, followed by all the men.

“Are we early?” Bull asked, a wide grin on his face.

“We were wondering where you all were.” Dax shook his hand, as well as those of the other men, tossing out Christmas greetings, offering whiskey or coffee to each.

The room boomed with the sound of men’s voices, laughing and relishing a celebration meant to take them through the anticipated long winter. Bull spotted Mary standing next to Rachel, eyes wide in a sea of adults. He knelt before her and took in the new red dress she wore.

“Your dress sure is pretty, Mary.”

She moved her eyes to him and smiled. “Ginny made it for me.”

“Well, she did a real good job.”

He stood, turning at muffled sounds coming from the kitchen, then saw the door swing open and Noah emerge, carrying two large bowls. Bull followed him into the kitchen and within no time, the tables were covered with platters and serving dishes full of white butter beans, red cabbage, potatoes, lima beans, peaches, bread, sliced venison, and hearty chunks of roast beef.

“Looks to be time for everyone to find a seat,” Rachel said.

They’d squeezed the two extra tables as close as they could to the existing table. Ginny had made decorations for all three, placing an abundance of candles on each.

Bull brought the last dish out, a large platter containing the goose he’d shot and Ginny had prepared, surrounded by brandied fruit. He stood behind an empty chair, then waited for Dax to seat Rachel as Luke pulled out Ginny’s chair.