Wildfire Creek (7 page)

Once more, Luke took off his hat, this time tossing it on the nearby swing, relieved and thankful Dax hadn’t fought him on this. “I do.”

Dax nodded, clasping Luke’s shoulder. “Good. We’ll talk more tomorrow.”

Bull picked up his cards and glanced around the room, looking for one of the girls to fill his glass. He spotted Ginny as she walked in from the back and waved. The expression of friendly recognition on her face faded as she marched toward the table he shared with several others.

“Where is he?” Ginny’s words were calm, although her hands were fisted on her hips and her eyes sparked.

Bull glanced at the others, then back at Ginny. “Where’s who?”

“You know darn well who I mean. Luke. Where is he?” She looked around the room, hoping to spot him at another table.

“He didn’t come in with us tonight.”

“Coward.” Her mumbled response could just be heard over the noise in the saloon.

“You got a problem with him, Ginny?” Bull asked. He’d never seen her so angry. She’d get irritated with some of the more insistent customers, but over the months, she’d learned to deal with the drunks and obnoxious ones.

“I sure do, and I’m certain he knows it or he would’ve come in tonight.” She blew out a breath and turned toward the bar to grab a bottle of whiskey before walking back to the table. She poured drinks for those who held up their glasses, then set the bottle on the table. “You tell Luke I need to speak with him.” She’d calmed a little, but not much. When no one responded, she added, “You understand?”

Bull kept his face impassive, although he was mighty tempted to grin. Compared to Luke and most of the men, she was a slip of a thing, yet she had no problem holding her own against any of them. He understood Luke’s attraction to her, even if his boss wouldn’t admit it.

“Yes, ma’am, I sure do.”

She brushed a strand of hair from her face and stared down at Bull. “I’d better see him in here soon.” Ginny stalked off, stopping at a couple of other tables and smiling as if nothing unusual had happened.

“Never seen her quite like that,” Ellis said as he sipped his whiskey.

“Don’t bode well for the boss,” Rude added, still keeping his eyes on Ginny. “Wonder what he did.”

“Guess we’ll find out.” Bull picked up his whiskey and tossed it back.

Chapter Four

“Isn’t this close to the spot you took the arrow?” Dax asked, wondering at the location Luke had chosen for the house.

Several of the men gathered in the study with the brothers, discussing Luke’s plans to build a cabin. It was Sunday morning, the sun had only been up for an hour, yet everyone seemed focused and alert.

“It is. I figure no matter where I build, if the Indians want to find me, they will.”

His home would sit about a mile from the main ranch house. Distant enough for privacy, yet close enough to go back and forth with ease.

Dax looked over the materials Luke listed, some of which would need to be ordered, including a cook stove. “Are you planning to stay there this winter?”

“If I can. I’ll travel to Big Pine next week to get some of the supplies. I figure it’ll take less time.” Luke glanced at the other men peering down at the rough sketch he’d drawn. “What do you think?”

“If we start today, there’s a chance it’ll be ready in a month. Three weeks is pushing it. It just depends on how much time we can take away from the herd.” Out of all of them, Bull had the most experience in construction. His father had owned several businesses in Cincinnati, one of which built many of the buildings in the city and along the river bordering the large town. He’d grown up working alongside the men.

“How many men are needed to get it done within three weeks?” Dax asked.

“You give me five men, plus Luke and me, we’ll have it ready in three weeks.” Bull’s eyes never left the drawing as his mind worked through what needed to be accomplished.

“Ellis and Rude, I need you with the herd. Bull, you tell me which five men you want and I’ll speak with them.” Dax picked up the supply list and handed it to Luke. “I guess you plan to head into town tomorrow to get what you need?”

“I do.”

“Have Hank go with you. He’s become friends with Jenks at the lumber mill.”

Luke nodded. Any help with supplies was welcome. “Appears we’ll be ready to start tomorrow then.”

“Hell no. If you want it ready in three weeks, we start today.” Bull started for the door. “I’ll grab the other men. No use wasting any more time.”

Other than the few men already with the herd, everyone else volunteered to ride the short distance to the site and help lay out the foundation. Stakes and rope were used to identify exterior walls, location of the porch, and a stable large enough for Prince and his tack. The house would be two stories, with just the bottom floor finished. Come spring, Luke would build a barn, dig a well, and finish as much as he could of the second floor. For now, his horse would be fine in the three-sided stable, and he’d haul water from the creek, storing it in large barrels.

The men worked until the sun shone bright overhead, taking a break when Rachel and Bernice arrived with food.

“We can’t do much more on the house until we get the wood.” Bull took a drink from his canteen. “There are a few hours left. If you men are still up for it, I think it’d be best to clear a path to the creek from the back of the house.”

“Count me in,” Tat Whalen said as he finished off his fried chicken. He and Johnny Grove had almost died during a stampede the previous spring. They’d become close friends during their recuperation at the ranch.

“Same here.” Johnny stood and stretched his stiff muscles.

No one left, not even Rachel and Bernice. They were as curious as the men about Luke’s plans. Truth was, even though it appeared to be work, helping someone erect a new home brought a satisfaction they didn’t get herding cattle.

Although the front of the house would face the creek, the meandering water would come close to the back walls at one point, making it a short distance for hauling water until Luke dug a well. They finished clearing a wide path to the creek, a spot where the shoreline widened, creating a calm pool a few feet deep, perfect for hauling water or dropping in a fishing line. When done, everyone except Luke and Bull walked toward their horses.

“I almost forgot to tell you. Miss Ginny was looking for you last night.” Bull straightened, holding the sickle he’d been using to cut the brush. “She was
not
a happy woman.”

This got Luke’s full attention. “Did she say anything else?”

“Not a word. I have to tell you, something set her off. None of us had ever seen her so angry.” Bull wiped a sleeve across his brow. “Up to you, but it may be wise to give her a few days to calm down.”

“Thanks. I appreciate the warning.” Luke had no idea what would set Ginny off to the point she would approach Bull. She might be stubborn, but it was rare when she let her good nature and sense of humor be dampened by anger. He’d have to speak with her sometime—it might as well be tomorrow.

“Anything else?” Silas Jenks asked as they loaded the last of the wood Luke needed. They’d brought two wagons, both filled to the point that nothing else would fit.

“No, that’s it. What do I owe you?”

Silas did some quick calculations and named a figure, watching as Luke pulled out the money and handed it to him.

“Pleasure doing business with you, Luke.”

They shook hands before he climbed onto the wagon, waiting for Hank to get settled in the second wagon, then decided he’d make a slight change in plans. He jumped down and walked toward Hank.

“I need to talk with someone before heading back. Why don’t you go on? I’ll catch up when I’m finished.”

Luke shoved his hands in his pockets, not looking forward to the conversation with Ginny, even though he had no idea what bothered her. He figured she’d be working at the boardinghouse at this hour, either cleaning rooms or helping Suzanne prepare dinner. From what he knew, she worked every day for Suzanne and took Sundays off at the Rose, but only because Amos closed the saloon on the Sabbath.

He walked the short distance across the main road to the boardinghouse entrance and pushed open the door, noting Gabe at one of the tables.

“Morning, Gabe. Have you seen Ginny?” He glanced around once more, not seeing either her or Suzanne.

“I believe she’s in the kitchen.” Gabe nodded toward the back as Suzanne approached with a pot of coffee and an extra cup. She set it down in front of Luke and filled it, then topped off Gabe’s.

“Good morning, Luke. Did you come into town to see Ginny?” Suzanne asked.

Irritation bubbled inside him. “Why would you ask?”

Suzanne chuckled. “Might be because she’s been fuming for a few days. Appears something you did set her off. I’ll let her know you’re here, but you’d better be prepared.”

Luke watched her retreat, wishing he had an idea of what he could’ve done.

“Doesn’t sound good.” Gabe sipped his coffee as Suzanne disappeared into the kitchen.

Luke shook his head and picked up his own cup, bringing it to his lips as the kitchen door flew open. Ginny headed straight for him, not glancing at the one other couple in the restaurant.

“We need to talk.” She glared at Luke, not acknowledging Gabe. She nodded toward the back and began to walk away.

“Guess I’d better go,” Luke said to Gabe before setting his cup down and following Ginny.

She walked through the kitchen and toward the back where she and Mary lived, then stopped in the small space near the stairs.

“Where’s Mary?”

“I let her go to school today.” She hadn’t turned to face him.

“Do you want to tell me what’s got you so upset?” Luke asked, touching her shoulder, applying enough pressure so she’d look at him. He didn’t like the fiery look in her eyes as she locked her gaze on his.

“Did you tell Doc Worthington you’d take care of Mary’s medical bill?” She almost spit the words out.

“I—”

“And did you pay Amos for the days I took off?”

“I—”

“Don’t deny it, Luke. I’m certain you did.”

“Look, Ginny, I—”

“How could you do it? I’m not your responsibility and neither is Mary. She’s mine.”

This time Luke stayed quiet, deciding it would be best to let her get it all out before he tried to explain. He set his feet shoulder width apart and crossed his arms, looking down at her with narrowed eyes, waiting.

She blew out a breath and turned away, walking to the end of the hall, then rotating to look at him. “I don’t need your help. I’ve done fine without anyone since our parents died and I won’t start taking charity now—from anyone. The doctor refuses to take anything from me, and Amos won’t discuss it at all.” She paced to within a foot of him. “That leaves you, and I
will
pay you back every cent.”

Luke held his silence a few more moments until he felt certain she’d finished, then dropped his arms to his sides. “I don’t expect you to pay me back.”

“If you don’t want money, what do you want?”

He tilted his head at her, not comprehending what she asked. “I want nothing from you.”

“I don’t believe you. My experience with men may be lacking, but I do know they don’t do something for you unless they want something in return. Well, all you’ll get is money—nothing else.”