Heart of Gold (3 page)

Her eyes flicked up to meet Charlie’s intense gaze. Abruptly, she realized how close they were and that she was touching his face. If she leaned a bit closer, their lips would meet… Charlie’s chin dipped and Opal panicked, scrambling backward.

Her feet got caught in her skirt and she landed hard on her rump.

Charlie’s lips twitched. Laughing at her again? What must he think of her? “You all right?”

“Fine,” she snapped, untangling her skirt and standing to move to the opposite side of the campfire.

Had she really thought Charlie was
safe
? The way her pulse raced and her heart galloped indicated he was anything
but
safe.

Thankfully, he looked away and shrugged back into his shirt, giving her a moment to compose herself.

Not long enough.

“You want to sneak off and change out of your dress?” He indicated the dark stain across the front of her gown. “I’ll fetch your satchel for you.”

“That’s not necessary,” she said quickly. There weren’t any other dresses in her satchel, for one thing. “I’ll be fine until we reach Father’s ranch tomorrow.”

Her dress might be fine, but would she? What was she supposed to say when she saw her father again after all this time?

~~~~

Chapter Three

The sun was just starting its afternoon descent when they reached the Circle B. Riding into the yard between barn and house with Opal behind him felt much different than Charlie had thought it would.

He felt different.

Waking up on the hard, cold ground, he’d thought she would complain. But she’d simply helped them fold the bedrolls and eaten the hardtack he’d given to her without a word.

He liked Opal. Really liked her. Liked the way she’d bossed him and the boys around. When she’d touched his shoulder—for those moments she’d been close enough to kiss—his gut had tightened into a hard little knot. He’d wanted to kiss her.

Yes, he liked her. Too much.

The feelings she’d resurrected in him felt too similar to what he’d experienced when he’d courted Edith all those years ago. Made him remember those lost dreams of having a wife and giving his nephew Carl some young cousins to play with…

But Charlie needed to keep his focus.

Frank had been making noises about Charlie taking on a partnership in the Circle B, but so far Charlie hadn’t pushed the issue. Now the boss’s daughter had his head spinning in circles, thinking things he shouldn’t be thinking.

One thing he knew, even if he did decide to find a wife, it wouldn’t be someone like Opal Bright.

When she left, after she realized there was no extra cash to be had, he could go back to his regular, solitary existence. He just needed to keep his head on straight until then. He was happy with the way things were. Wasn’t he?

“We made it,” he said softly as they neared the house. “Your Pa’ll be happy to see you.”

Her breath puffed hot on the back of his neck. He thought she’d whispered something, but couldn’t be sure what.

Just then, Frank stepped out on the wide plank porch spread across the back of the house, a crutch underneath one arm.

Opal’s hands clenched on Charlie’s midsection. He pulled up the horse near the porch and hopped off, then reached for his passenger.

Her hands trembled on his chest as her feet touched the ground.

“What happened? Opal, are you hurt?”

Frank was off the porch, reaching for his daughter, limp barely noticeable in his hurry to get to his offspring. He must’ve noticed the rust-colored stain across the front of her dress.

Opal avoided Frank’s embrace but allowed him to take her hands.

Charlie watched the older man’s face pinch.

“I’m fine, Father,” she said stiffly. “Charlie was hurt, not me.”

Frank’s gaze jumped to his foreman. “What? You ran into trouble? You’d better git in here and explain.”

“You mind if I wash a little of this trail dust off first?”

“Land sakes,” Gertie, Frank’s housekeeper, called out, stepping out onto the porch. “Let the youngsters catch their breath before you start interrogating them, you old coot. Miss Opal, I’m sure you want to change into a clean dress.”

“I’m afraid I’ll need to borrow something to wear,” Opal said quietly, shooting an inscrutable glance at Charlie as she passed by.

“Miss Opal, here’s your… erm… hatbox.” Erick rushed forward and pushed a yowling, spitting box into Opal’s hands.

She snatched it and held it close to her midsection, and started murmuring to the animal inside while joining Gertie on the porch.

“Come along, dearie. Let’s get you settled.” Gertie took charge of Opal, leading her inside.

Frank gave Charlie the same look his daughter had and ordered, “Git washed up and meet me in the study.”

A short time later, Charlie gave his report to a frowning Frank.

The lines on Frank’s face grew deeper as Charlie described Opal’s proclamation in town and the resulting mayhem.

“I don’t know what’s happened to my little girl. Her letters have grown increasingly demanding—”

At that moment, Opal entered the study.

Rather, it appeared she was shoved from behind and the door snapped closed behind her. Probably Gertie’s doing.

Her flushed cheeks and the way her lips pinched made it clear she’d heard Frank’s words. Charlie quelled a strange urge to defend her. Somehow between meeting her at the train yesterday and her ministrations last night, her selfishness didn’t seem as pronounced. But it wasn’t his place to interfere. She was Frank’s daughter.

“Opal,” Frank greeted her. “Was the room to your liking? It has a good view of the mountains, especially in the mornings.”

“It’s fine.” She glanced at Charlie as she moved to the sofa. “How is your shoulder?”

“Mighty fine, Miss.” Ached a little, but that was expected.

She settled on the sofa, smoothing the skirt of a dress she must’ve borrowed from Gertie. The sprigged calico was much simpler than her traveling dress had been, but it suited her.

“What happened to your luggage?” Frank asked.

Opal glanced Charlie’s way again, only for a second. “Perhaps we could have some privacy to discuss family issues?”

Charlie started for the door, but froze at Frank’s, “Hold on.”

Frank’s gaze stayed on Opal. “Charlie’s like a son to me. He runs most things around here. He’s going to be my partner soon. I’d like him to stay.”

Charlie watched Opal’s lips thin at her father’s words, but her rail-straight back didn’t slump. Her attitude since Charlie had met her made it obvious she still held some resentment for being sent away to her aunt. Charlie couldn’t tell if Frank referring to him as a son made Opal feel worse. He didn’t like thinking it did.

“I didn’t pack any more gowns because I do not plan to stay for long.”

Frank’s face blanched, but Opal went on, “To be perfectly honest, I don’t own any other fine gowns.” She spoke coolly, as if the words meant nothing to her, but Charlie saw the clenched hands in her lap.

“Your aunt’s last letter said she’d ordered a bunch to be made for you. What happened to them?”

“I sold them.”

Charlie let an inadvertent whistle through his teeth. He could see Opal’s words had stunned Frank.

“I have no need of all those fine gowns, when a few serviceable dresses will do.”

To her credit, Opal didn’t act ashamed of her actions. Her pert chin was raised and her eyes flashed fire.

Frank’s face turned an alarming shade of red. “Might I ask what you’ve done with the money from the gowns-and the stipend-I’ve sent?”

“It’s gone to a very good cause. Although Aunt Jennie and I don’t exactly see eye-to-eye on it—”

“Your aunt is supposed to be guiding you and she lets you do this—”

Charlie started to interrupt, but a cry rang out and the door burst open.

“Pa!”

A small figure rushed into the room and threw himself at Charlie, who’d had enough practice to catch the towheaded boy.

“Carl. I’ve only been gone three days.” Charlie ruffled the boy’s hair, love and desperation to do right by the boy welling inside him like it always did.

“I missed you, though!”

“I missed you, too. Say ‘hi’ to Mr. Frank’s daughter, Miss Opal.”

Charlie turned the boy bodily toward the sofa and Opal, who’d gone white.

“You’re pretty, Miss Opal. My name’s Carl.”

Opal took his nephew’s outstretched hand and said thickly, “Thank you.” She scooted off the sofa and made toward the door. “I’m-sorry. I need to be excused.”

“I’m starved!” Carl exclaimed, oblivious to the tension in the room as only a boy could be. “I’m goin’ to see if Gertie needs help setting the table.” He disappeared after Opal.

“You sure that’s how you wanted that to go?” Charlie asked, eyeing his mentor and friend.

Frank sank down into the chair behind his desk, rubbing his injured thigh. “I was hoping for more of a reconciliation. Maybe, after all this time, it’s too much to ask. I don’t know my own daughter any more.”

Charlie remembered the open way Opal had shared about the orphanage last night. Something told him she did want more than money from her father, even if she wouldn’t admit it.

“Maybe she’s still upset from last night.” Charlie tried to appease his boss. “She’ll probably come around in a couple of days.”

“If she’ll stay that long.” Frank sighed. “Her aunt’s letters say Opal’s not goin’ to parties and doin’ other things with other gals like she should be. Jennie doesn’t know where she disappears to.”

Charlie could guess, but wasn’t sure it was his place to tell about Opal’s involvement with the orphanage that seemed to mean so much to her.

On the other hand, he’d never seen Frank so defeated. Then the older man seemed to find his resolve and looked back up, piercing Charlie with his gaze. “I need you to find a way to keep her on the Circle B. Make her want to stay. No matter what it takes.”

Charlie choked on the breath he was drawing. How could he keep his distance from his boss’s intriguing daughter and make Frank happy?

But how could he deny Frank anything when his boss had given him a chance and changed Charlie’s life?

After supper, Charlie found Opal on the swing under the big oak tree behind the house. The sun hovered just above the horizon, turning the sky a vibrant, deep blue with purple edges.

He approached from the side and she didn’t seem to hear his boots crunching in the grass, so he cleared his throat.

She jumped and turned her face away, but not before he saw the silver tracks running down her cheek.

The cheerful greeting he’d planned died on his lips. “Are you all right?”

~~~~

Chapter Four

Opal wiped her eyes, embarrassed Charlie had caught her crying. As a girl, she’d shed so many tears over her father that she thought surely there weren’t any more. Apparently, she’d been wrong.

“I’m fine.” She winced as the words snapped from her lips. She hadn’t meant to be cruel, just wanted to be left alone. She’d slipped away after supper purposely, knowing her father wouldn’t be able to make it far from the house with an injured leg. He must’ve sent Charlie to find her.

It had been more difficult than she’d expected to sit through supper. Watching her father interact with Charlie and the boy Carl and Gertie, but not really being a part of their camaraderie, well, it hurt. Her father had attempted to ask her some questions about her life back in Omaha, but it was obvious Frank didn’t know her anymore after their long separation.

Even Charlie must have sensed the awkwardness, because he had tried to draw her into conversation, but she’d barely been able to force down a few bites of the meal before excusing herself.

Obviously, she didn’t belong in their little ranch family.

The whole thing had made Opal feel much the same as her first meal at Aunt Jennie’s fancy table at age six: out of place.

Her father had even called Charlie his son, piercing Opal’s heart. Obviously, her father had forgotten all about her after he’d sent her away.

That moment had dashed the secret hopes she’d been harboring since she’d left Omaha. Hopes that her father did want her to stay. That he’d really loved her even though he’d sent her away…

“You don’t seem fine,” Charlie said, touching her forearm lightly and drawing her out of her thoughts. He knelt next to her.

“You wanna talk about it?”

She shook her head. Her disappointment was too private to share. Besides, she didn’t trust the attraction between them. And Charlie was her father’s man. He would probably go running right back to “the boss” with news of Opal’s hurt feelings and she couldn’t bear the humiliation.

What she needed to do was get back to Omaha and get things settled there. Marry Grover so she could keep the orphanage from closing.