The Texan's Dream (20 page)

Devin didn’t back down. “I’m a friend of the family, and I’ve told her more than once that I might marry her one day—if she grows up proper. I guess that makes me about as close as kin.”

“That makes you nothing of the sort, Mr. O’Toole, and in this part of the country, men who are not kin are not in the habit of bossing women around.” Jonathan reconsidered. “In fact, men who
are
kin tend to hesitate. Miss O’Riley is perfectly capable of making up her own mind as to what she will and will not do.”

“This is none of your concern, sir,” Devin replied.

“You’re wrong. Kara isn’t just my employee, she’s my friend. I respect her far too much to let her be bullied by the likes of you, or by anyone.”

Kara moved to Jonathan’s side. “Thank you all.” She glanced at the guard, drawing strength from the wonderful old men. “I can speak for myself.” She faced Devin. “Stay or go, as you wish, but I won’t be going along.”

Only Jonathan felt her hand tremble as she placed it on his arm. They walked together past a speechless Devin O’Toole.

TWENTY-TWO

KARA TUCKED HER TOES BENEATH THE HEM OF HER gown. She sat in the darkness at the bend in the stairs, hugging her knees for warmth. Garlands hung over the doorways, adding a touch of holiday spirit to the old house, but she still didn’t feel like it could possibly be three days until Christmas.

She’d been told that Jonathan’s grandmother established a tradition years ago. All were welcome at the Catlin Ranch on Christmas Day. A huge meal would be served. Every person who attended brought one small gift. The presents were collected and placed on the chairs around the tables. As everyone sat down, they opened a gift. No one knew who brought what. No one received more than one gift.

Kara could hardly wait. It sounded like great fun. Angela told her the swapping of gifts usually went on the rest of the day. There was even a story of how a poker game lasted until dawn with a two-dollar gift that went as the high stakes.

Memories of life before she came to Texas brought Kara little comfort. Her father allowed no decorations, seeing them as a waste of money. Gifts had to be practical, things needed. In the end, she thought, he had even sent her away because she wasn’t essential.

Kara had a feeling that if she went home, it would be exactly the same. If she married Devin, she’d move to another house along the row. But nothing else would change. She’d always be useful but never be truly needed. Maybe when she left here, she should keep going. Kara hugged herself for warmth and tried to decide.

Well after midnight, she heard the kitchen door open and close. Jonathan was home. She watched him from above. As always, he stopped to remove his spurs and gun belt in the foyer.

When he pulled off his hat, he noticed her. “Morning.” He sounded tired. “You’re up early.”

“I haven’t been able to sleep.” Kara viewed him through the carved staircase railing. “Any luck with your hunting?”

“None. We chased the wind all night. Maybe the trouble is over.” He didn’t sound convinced. “Some think the man who shot Snort and Cooper may have just been a lone rustler who panicked.”

He ran his fingers through his hair but it quickly fell back in disarray. “Did your Devin try to come knocking after dark?”

Kara laughed. She hadn’t missed the twin Colts he’d left for her by the door. “No, and he’s not my Devin. I didn’t really expect him after I heard H. B. tell him any man found sleepwalking around the courtyard would be buried at dawn.”

Jonathan smiled. “I’m glad H. B. scared him off. I hear anger in his words when he talks to you and it grates on my patience.” He raised an eyebrow as if daring her to comment. When she didn‘t, he continued, “For a man who traveled so far to find you, O’Toole hasn’t wasted any time rejoicing.”

“I’ve been thinking about that. Maybe he resents my father sending him.”

“Maybe.” Jonathan shrugged. “But I’d rather you didn’t leave with him. If you really want to go home, ride back on the wagons with Mary Ann, then take the train from Kansas City.”

“I agree. I’m not sure why, but I agree. I’m not returning with him.”

“Are you going back?” He slowly moved up the steps. “I heard you last night after our fight and figured you were packing.” He lowered beside her. “I wouldn’t blame you if you didn’t stay the year.”

“I’m not sure,” she answered honestly.

Jonathan stretched his legs down several steps. “If you’re not leaving with O’Toole, does that mean you’re not marrying him when, and if, he finds the time for such things?”

Kara laughed. “After seeing how he acted yesterday, I wouldn’t marry him if he begged.” And she could never imagine Devin O’Toole begging. “The only thing he’ll be taking home is a cold.”

“Then you’re not engaged?” Jonathan’s voice lowered.

“No,” she answered. “I guess I’m not.”

He shifted. “Then, would you have any objection to stepping out with me tomorrow night, Miss O’Riley? I’ve been told there’s a Christmas barn dance in Brady at Wilson’s barn.”

“Are you sure you should leave the ranch?”

“I can’t hide here forever. Besides, dances don’t come along in this part of the country very often. It would be a shame to miss one. I’d like to take you, if you’re willing.” His words were deliberate as if he’d practiced the order carefully.

Kara stood and curtsied. “I’d love to go, Mr. Catlin.”

His long frame rose more slowly. “Thank you.”

Before she could say anything else, H. B. stomped into the foyer with Snort close behind him. Kara glanced at her dressing gown and hurried to her room before anyone noticed her.

Jonathan thought he heard her laugh with excitement and wondered if this were the first time she’d been asked by a man to step out. For some odd reason, he hoped it was.

“Well?” H. B. met Jonathan at the bottom of the stairs. “Did you ask her?”

“I asked her.”

“What’d she say?” Snort leaned in close to listen. “One day’s notice to a dance don’t seem like much.”

“We ain’t got much time,” H. B. announced. “She’ll be packed and on her way if he don’t get to asking.”

“She said yes.” Jonathan watched the two men do a silent jig. Anyone would think they were the ones going out by the way they acted.

H. B. sobered. “Now there ain’t but one thing to do.”

“What’s that?” Jonathan asked.

“I got to ride into Brady and convince Wilson he’s having a dance come sundown tomorrow.”

Kara spent the day working on the books. Mary Ann joined her and, surprisingly, turned out to be a great help. Mary Ann showed her ways Kara hadn’t been taught in school that made the accounting make sense.

They stopped for tea at three. Devin and Newton joined them in the kitchen. Though his cold was worse, Devin seemed in a better mood, saying he’d decided to accept Catlin’s offer to stay a few days.

Kara relaxed a little, not wanting to fight with Devin. They talked of news from home while Newton entertained Mary Ann.

Devin showed an interest in the house so Kara gave him a tour. To her surprise he seemed very interested in the study where she worked and was still asking her questions about bookkeeping when they came down the back stairway, crossed through what Angela called a mud room and returned to the kitchen.

H. B. and Luther had disappeared, but Snort was there, acting as guard, even with his shoulder bound. He mumbled something about Mary Ann leaving with Newton to show her children a jack rabbit they kept in the barn as a pet.

While Kara finished the tea, Devin complained about the food, the snoring in the bunkhouse, the cold and, finally, about not leaving Texas. He stated flatly that he would talk Karina into going with him as soon as his head cleared enough for him to think.

“You could leave today, Devin. If you wish.” Kara tried to keep her voice calm. “I just can’t go with you and whether your head is clear or muddled, my answer will not change.”

“I’m not leaving without you, Karina.” He huffed up and stormed toward the kitchen door. “I’ll be taking you with me when I go.” His words echoed along with the sound of the door slamming.

“Temper?” Snort mumbled over his mug.

Kara laughed. “My father always said it would get him into trouble.”

“I wouldn’t doubt that.”

Angela interrupted the conversation by plopping a huge box down on the counter.

“I have these shawls,” she began as if nothing of interest to her had occurred all morning. “From my mother and grandmother. They came all the way from Mexico City.”

She opened the box. Rich colors covered the table. “Gideon told me women always wore these kind of things to parties. I don’t have any use for them. You and Mrs. Adams are each welcome to borrow one for tonight. I understand our Newton has asked the widow to the dance.”

Kara was amazed at Angela’s generosity. True, she had nothing to wear, but she’d never had new clothes for dances. Now, she had a rainbow to choose from. Reds, blues, golds, greens. All with long fringe and beautiful handwork woven in intricate patterns.

When Kara hugged Angela, she thought the tall old maid might cry.

“Come with us,” Kara begged. “The dance will be great fun.”

“I can’t,” Angela answered. “I have to stay.”

She said the words she must have said all her adult life, never having left the ranch after dark. But this time there was no sadness in her voice. There was someone who’d be staying with her.

* * *

An hour before sunset, Kara walked onto the porch wearing one of Angela’s beautiful shawls. She felt like a queen with the bright colors flowing around her. Snort, Cooper and Angela watched from the windows as Kara waited. Everyone else, including Newton and Mary Ann, had left a few hours ago with decorations and food. But Jonathan had asked her to stay and ride in with him.

As Gideon pulled a buggy from the barn, Jonathan appeared from around the side of the house. He almost took her breath away. Unlike the cowhands, he hadn’t just worn clean work clothes. His trousers, coat and vest were black, the coat cut long, the vest snug. Shiny black, square-toed boots shone from beneath his pants. He was every bit a man she might imagine coming to call on her in her dreams.

No, better than her dreams. Far better.

He offered his hand. “Shall we go?”

Kara fought down a giggle. This must be in one of her fantasies. A handsome man, a carriage, and a red shawl.

He helped her into the buggy. When they circled the courtyard, she caught a glimpse of Devin on the bunkhouse porch. He didn’t look happy.

Jonathan must have read her mind, for he said, “Several of the hands invited O’Toole to ride in with them. He refused, saying he’d better stay home and nurse his cold. He swears the medicine Luther gave him makes him sleep.” Jonathan laughed. “I wouldn’t be surprised if it did,” he mumbled to himself.

Kara guessed she should probably feel guilty about leaving poor Devin, but she didn’t want anything to spoil this one night. She leaned back into the leather of the buggy and smiled, planning to enjoy every minute.

Jonathan drove without saying anything, but she could feel the warmth of his body next to hers. They watched the sun spread out along the horizon as they neared town. The wind blew low, stirring tumbleweeds across the land so that the round clumps of twigs looked like they were dancing.

Jonathan finally broke the silence. “This land grows on you, doesn’t it?”

“That it does.”

“When I first took over, all I could think about was getting the ranch running so I could sell it and move on. But now, I’m not so sure. Of late I worry about whether I’ll have the money at the end of the year to have the ranch in the black.”

“You might stay if you’re in the black and the ranch becomes truly yours?”

“I don’t know,” he answered. “I think it would take more to make me set down roots, but the land does have a pull on a man. They say if you ever live beside the ocean, then move, you miss the sound of it the rest of your life. This land is like that.”

“I’ll miss the sunsets and the silence and maybe, sometimes, the wind.”

“If you leave,” he said as he pulled the wagon among others, “I’ll miss
you.
”

He stepped out and turned to offer his hand. Their eyes met. His simple statement surprised her, but his blue gaze was true and steady.

He placed her hand on his arm, and they walked into the dance.

The barn was just that, a barn. The floor had been swept, the hay freshly stacked, but the smell of manure hung faintly in the air. Garland draped the rafters and mistletoe dangled in the archways. A long table stood at one end to hold desserts, and a three-man band warmed up at the other end.

People of all ages greeted one another. Though cordial to Jonathan, Kara wouldn’t go so far as to say they were friendly. Snort had already warned her that some thought the trouble between the Catlins and Wellses lay more with the Catlins than old man Wells. But tonight was a night for dancing, not feuds.

Jonathan politely introduced her to the few he knew and told her the little he’d heard of the history of the town.

A group of six soldiers, who said they were camped nearby, entered almost shyly as though asking for permission to join the party.

They were welcomed mostly by Pappy Price who, with five unmarried, but healthy-looking daughters, was always glad to see young men who earned steady pay-checks.

Newton walked over with Mary Ann at his side. “Everything all right, Boss?” he asked, smiling.

Jonathan nodded. “A fine job.”

Mary Ann leaned close to Kara. “I have to talk to you later,” she whispered, but no urgency filled her tone.

The music began, and Newton pulled Mary Ann onto the floor. Jonathan stood rooted by Kara’s side.

After a while, he asked, “Do you know how to dance?”

“I could dance before I started school. There wasn’t much to do at church socials but dance.”

To her surprise, he frowned.

“But you can’t,” she whispered. “Can you?”

His lack of response was answer enough.

“Then why did you ask me here, Jonathan?” She tugged at his arm.

“I thought you’d like to come.”

Kara slid her hand down his arm to his fingers and tugged again, pulling him behind the stacks of hay framing the dance floor.

She stared directly up at him, wanting to understand his logic. “You invited me here when you didn’t dance?”

“I guess I didn’t think the whole thing out.” Jonathan tried not to laugh at himself. “It
seemed
like a good plan. I just wanted to do something right after the mess of things I made a few nights ago.”

“Something right?” She watched him closely.

“Whether you go back to your home or stay, I want you to know that you deserve to be treated far better than Devin O’Toole treats you. You’re a woman who deserves to be asked proper, whether to a dance or to marry.”

He hadn’t moved a fraction of an inch toward her, but Kara felt as if he held her tightly with his words.

Moving her hand along his shoulder, Kara stepped closer. She lifted his hand in hers. “I’ll teach you to dance,” she whispered. “It’s really not all that difficult.”

Jonathan stepped away and removed his gun belt. He placed it on the hay well out of the way. Then, he slowly removed her shawl and tied it around her waist. “If we’re going to dance, we might as well be comfortable.”