The Circle Eight: Caleb (31 page)

“I haven’t tamed anything and I didn’t really find Benjy. I knew him as Marcello. Your, uh, brother-in-law and I ended up at this man Garza’s ranch. Caleb recognized his brother and we managed to get away.” She looked at Caleb, who was currently hauling in baskets and burlap sacks from the wagon. “It was a rough time but we made it almost to the Circle Eight before Garza caught up to us.”

The memory of their mad flight, the fear and the blood washed over her. She shivered and Brody put his hand over hers. She almost snatched her hand back but hesitated at the sympathy in his gaze.

“Life sometimes forces us to make hard choices that can haunt us. Liv can talk to you about what she went through.” He glanced at Caleb. “I hope he didn’t do anything stupid to ruin things.”

Brody was a very perceptive man. She wasn’t going to talk to him about what did occur between them that morning. She could barely think about it herself considering how it ended with her marriage proposal rejection.

“I’m glad Benjy made it back to his family. He is a sweet boy.” She needed to change the subject from her relationship with Caleb to something else. Rory wasn’t prepared to talk about her feelings with a virtual stranger.

“I’ve never met him but he was the baby of the family. Liv was near obsessed with finding him. It about killed her we never did.” Brody shook his head. “No matter how many lost were found, she always searched for him. She was like his second mother, did you know that?”

“No, but it doesn’t surprise me. The Grahams seem to be a close family.” It was an understatement and she hoped he didn’t hear the need in her voice.

Brody narrowed his gaze and stared at her intently enough to make her squirm. “I know you.”

Her stomach clenched. “I don’t think so.” She didn’t know what it was about this man that made her nervous, but his question made it worse.

“You’re a smithy from north of here, right? Foster?” He nodded as though he was agreeing with himself then he smiled. “I think you shoed my horse once about seven or eight years ago. You were a bit of a thing, almost swallowed by the apron you wore, but you did the work while your father watched.”

She couldn’t have been more surprised. “I am a smithy.” Rory found herself smiling back at him. “I can’t believe you remember me.”

“How could I forget a lady blacksmith?” He shook his head. “You impressed me. Not too many women swing a hammer like that. How did you meet Caleb anyway?”

Rory finally relaxed, pleased this man remembered her, Rory Foster, as a smithy. She might be an ordinary woman, but she was a damn good blacksmith. When Caleb returned, he stopped and stared at her, then he smiled. This man’s smile made her feel all puddly inside, warm and liquid.

“Don’t flirt with my girl, Brody. You’ve already got your own.” Caleb set down the basket where Hannah pointed and the spell was broken.

Rory looked back at Brody and he raised one brow. “He might get on your nerves now and again, but he’s a good man.”

She knew he was a good man. What she didn’t know was if he was meant to be her man and whether she would she take a chance and find out.

Chapter Eleven

Caleb watched his sister sleep, the baby tucked in beside her. It was a beautiful sight. One that made his ranger heart melt. He had told her the whole story, from finding Rory, to discovering Benjy and their wild escape from Garza. She wept again, to know only the barest of what their brother had gone through.

She insisted that Benjy stay with them, until he wanted to go home. He would leave it up to the boy where he stayed. Although he wasn’t even eleven, he had the right to choose. Hell, he might decide to stay with Rory.

The thought of his lady blacksmith made his gut clench. He thought the time together would help his situation, but it was so damn busy and cramped in the house, there had been no opportunity to do anything but nod good morning.

“You’re thinking about her, aren’t you?” Olivia’s soft question startled him.

Caleb scowled. “She really does have my tail in a twist.”

His sister smiled. “Do you love her?”

“Yes.” No hesitation at all. It surprised both of them.

“What are you going to do about it?” Olivia caressed the top of her son’s sleeping head, the downy soft hair sticking to her fingers. Even now, Stuart was attached to his mother. Caleb wanted to see Rory with their child, and feel the sweet softness of a baby with his mother’s amber eyes.

“Marry her.”

“What about the rangers?” Her question wasn’t unexpected and for once, he was prepared with an answer.

He had done a lot of thinking the last three days. The entire experience had reminded him what was important in life—family, home, love and all the moments they brought. He’d been chasing his own shadow for four years and never catching it.

The truth was his shadow had been waiting for him on the Circle Eight. Being a ranger had been an experience he wouldn’t trade, but Caleb was ready to come home.

“I’m going to give it up. Stay on the ranch, maybe build a house for us.”

“Good. I like her. She’s strong too.” Olivia raised one brow. “Why is she avoiding you?”

Caleb sighed. “I did something stupid and I need to fix it.”

“Then why are you sitting here with me? Find her and fix it.” His sister smiled. “I want to my son to grow up with lots of cousins.”

“But I haven’t seen you since Christmas and—”

“Shut up and do what I tell you to.” Olivia shooed him with her hand. “Get out.”

Caleb shook his head and chuckled. “You won’t ever change, will you?”

“I’m allowed to boss you around. You’re my little brother.” She snickered and pointed at the door. “Now get.”

He got to his feet and bent down to kiss her forehead. “Love you, Liv. Don’t tell anyone I told you that.”

She smiled and touched his arm. “Love you too, Caleb. Good luck.” She yawned and closed her eyes, snuggling up with her baby again.

Caleb went in search of his quarry but she was elusive. He couldn’t find her at all. They were leaving for the Circle Eight in a few hours and he was running out of time. When Hannah asked him to load the empty baskets into the wagon, he snapped.

“Jesus Christ, Hannah, am I a goddamn pack horse? They’re empty. Why can’t you girls put them in there yourself?” He wanted to cram the words back in his mouth as soon as they escaped.

Hannah’s eyes widened and Meredith ducked behind her mother’s legs. “That was unnecessary.”

“I’m sorry. I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’ve been looking for Rory and she’s missing.” His chance with Aurora was slipping through his fingers. When they got back to the ranch, it would be his every last chance. What if she still refused to marry him? He was a little nauseated to think he had thrown it away because of his foolishness.

“She went for a walk with Benjy. He decided to stay with Liv and Brody for a month.” Hannah took Meredith’s hand. “I’m going back in the house. When you’re ready to be polite, you can join us and finish packing the wagon.” She walked back into the house, her head held high.

Caleb refused to blush but it was hard. He deserved a dressing down but it didn’t mean he had to enjoy it. Hannah wasn’t his mother but she was the female head of the family and she took her responsibility seriously. Cussing in front of one of the twins and yelling at Hannah was a mistake and he knew it.

Elizabeth walked past him with an empty basket on each arm. She raised one brow at him. “I heard you have a filthy mouth. Meredith is going to shock her Pa when we get back.”

Caleb cursed under his breath. “I didn’t mean to do it.”

“Children that age absorb everything that touches their ears. She’ll be cussing like her uncle in no time.” She set the baskets in the front of the wagon beneath the seat. “You mad at Rory?”

“No, I’m mad at myself. I need to talk to Rory.”

Elizabeth put her hand on his arm. “Be patient and tell her how you feel. Women don’t need fancy talk or displays of manliness. We need honesty, love and respect.”

He stared at his younger sister, wondering how he missed her growing up. “You’re a woman already. How did that happen?”

She snorted. “A lot has changed since you ran off to be a ranger.”

Elizabeth left him standing there, feeling more foolish than he thought possible. The women were going to make his head pop off, or possibly explode. He needed to be calm when he finally talked to Rory or he could make another stupid mistake. Hannah was right, he should help load the wagon and then hope what he planned at the ranch would be enough to convince Rory he loved her.

His future depended on it.

Within an hour, everyone was ready to leave. Rory still avoided him but at least she was there, returning to his family’s ranch. He had a chance to woo her if he made the right choices. Benjy stood between the house and the wagon, hands in his pockets, looking at the ground.

Everyone waited to see if he would stay with Olivia or change his mind. Caleb tried not to stare although everyone else was doing the same thing. Averting their gaze and trying not to let him see them looking at him. It was the wrong thing to do.

“Benjy, you still fixing to stay with Liv and Brody?” Caleb asked what everyone was thinking.

He nodded. “I don’t have anything to wear though.”

Brody shrugged. “I’m sure we can fix that. Neighbors have been throwing clothes at us to make into baby duds for Stuart. Hannah taught Liv how to sew real good. We’ll have clothes for you in no time at all.”

“Okay. I’ll stay.” Benjy toed the ground with his boot. He wore Matt’s old clothes, but the shoes on his feet had been provided by that bastard Garza. He couldn’t let his brother continue to wear them.

Before he could change his mind, Caleb took off his boots and handed them to his brother. “Keep these. Burn the ones on your feet.”

Benjy glanced down and started, as though he realized what he had been wearing. He sat down and yanked off the old shoes then pulled on Caleb’s. Brody took the rejected footwear and tossed them in the side yard.

“We’ll build a fire tonight so you can finish that.” Brody held out his hand and helped Benjy to his feet.

“Thanks.” Benjy’s mouth nearly turned up into a smile. That was the first sign he was beginning to heal. The tension in the air dissipated and the good-byes began. Rory stayed by the wagon, speaking quietly to Benjy. A good-bye from one survivor to another. The boy had a special place in his heart for the blacksmith, but Caleb didn’t blame him one bit.

Olivia stood on the porch with the baby, kissing and hugging everyone in turn. Eva wept openly for having to leave baby Stuart so soon, but she promised to return next month. Catherine stood by looking bored, while Elizabeth and Rebecca cooed all over the baby before they climbed in the wagon. Hannah let the girls plant sloppy kisses all over Stuart, their baby cousin, before herding them away.

Caleb kissed Olivia’s forehead, then her son’s. “Take care of him. He’s fragile.”

“Don’t worry, Caleb.” She smiled, a mature wife and mother, so unlike the hellacious bossy wench he’d grown up with.

Caleb shook Brody’s hand. “Send word if you need anything.”

Brody laughed. “You can stay and wash the diapers.”

“No, thanks. Too many of bad memories of those.” He chuckled at his brother-in-law’s sour expression. Being a father came with shitty diapers and no sleep, along with the joy of holding the baby.

Caleb walked to the wagon, making sure all the ladies climbed into the wagon safely before turning to Benjy. This was the hard part, saying good-bye after only having him back for two weeks.

“If you want to come home, let Brody know. He can send word to us or bring you back. Are you sure you want to stay?” Caleb secretly hoped his brother would say he changed his mind.

“Yep. I want to be with Liv for now.” Benjy stuffed his hands in his pockets again. “Don’t be mad.”

“I ain’t mad. Not even a little.” Caleb pulled his brother into a quick hug then let him loose before he wiggled away. “I’ll see you soon. I promise.”

“Okay. Bye, Caleb.”

Caleb climbed into the wagon, he didn’t look back at Benjy but he did glance at Rory. She stared off into the distance, not bothering to even blink at him. He would change her mind no matter what. As they pulled out of the yard, he glanced back at his brother and Benjy raised his hand in salute. This time, there were no dark times ahead. This time only good things waited, he wouldn’t accept anything less.

The ride back to the Circle Eight was more sober than the ride to the Armstrong farm. The twins were subdued, choosing to whisper to each other rather than chatter with their aunts and mother. Caleb’s sisters were quiet, dozing or simply watching the trees go by.

Everyone noted Benjy’s absence either by look or word. Rory had known the boy a short time, but his silent presence was one she missed. They spoke of the future before she left. He was a brave boy, choosing to stay with his sister, away from the rest of his family. Rory was proud of him although the parting was bittersweet. She would miss him.

Hell, she would miss all of them. Being with the Graham women had been lovely, more than she had ever expected. Her mother hadn’t been an affectionate woman, but she’d been a good mother. Rory never knew how much fun she would have with sisters. They laughed, bickered, argued, talked and loved, all at the same time. She wanted to keep them.