Claiming the Cowboy's Heart (12 page)

Cookie waited until he’d savored a bite of one.

“Mmm. Jayne was right. These are the best I’ve ever tasted.”

She beamed at him. “Pshaw, they’re nothing. I make them by the dozens every day.”

“And the cowboys eat them by the dozens,” Jayne said, earning her a beaming smile from Cookie.

“They certainly do.” Seeing he’d finished the first roll, Cookie offered him another.

“Thanks. Don’t mind if I do.”

She let him enjoy the roll then leaned forward. “You from these parts?”

“My pa lives in Corncrib, Montana.”

“I do believe someone mentioned that. Didn’t Eddie arrange to have something delivered there?”

“I guess he did.” Her reminder put his thoughts back on track. He had responsibilities. He must teach Jayne how to shoot so he could get to his pa. He gulped the rest of his food. “Thank you for the coffee and delicious rolls. ‘Preciate them. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to teach Jayne how to shoot a gun.”

“My goodness. You’ve taken on quite a job from what Mercy says.” Cookie turned to Jayne. “No offense but she says you’re not the best shot she’s ever seen.”

Jayne made a protesting noise. “I’m learning.”

Seth hobbled to the door. The warmth of Cookie’s welcome and the homey atmosphere reminded him of a time when he belonged in a happy family. A time that had come crashing to an end all because Frank cared more about a little fun with Sarah than he did about his own safety. Or Sarah’s. It had left Seth with regrets and guilt that chewed at his insides at the most inopportune times. It had also left him with the task of keeping Ma and Pa safe. He’d failed on Ma’s behalf but he wouldn’t fail his pa. He must get back to Corncrib and make sure Pa was safe.

* * *

Jayne jumped to her feet to follow Seth. He seemed in an awful hurry. Guess he was anxious to see her learn to shoot so he could leave. “Thank you, Cookie.”

“Come again. Anytime.”

Outside, she saw Seth at the corral fence beside the barn. Grady talked to him and waved his arms in animated conversation.

Seth nodded and Grady turned toward the barn. He called, “Kitty, kitty.”

Within seconds, four cats raced out and tangled around Seth’s legs.

Grady picked up one of Smokey’s littermates and said something to Seth.

Seth nodded, backed up to the fence, rested his crutch at his side and took the kitten Grady offered. When he glanced up and saw her standing there, he smiled.

She caught up her skirts and trotted across the yard to his side. When she reached out a hand to stroke the purring cat he held, their hands brushed and warmth jolted up her arms, zapped through her heart. What was there about this man that made her forget her hard-learned lessons? Made her aware of emotions she’d never before experienced?

His hand grew still. Distractedly, she realized hers had, too.

Grady offered her a cat. “This is Smokey’s sister, Sandy.”

She gratefully took the cat, glad of something to divert her foolish thoughts. “Sandy? But she’s gray.”

“She likes to dig in the dirt. Billy said we couldn’t call her Dirt so we decided on Sandy.”

“I see.” She glanced at Seth, saw a reflection of shared humor. As her heart clattered against her ribs, she ducked her head. Something about his strong hands softly cradling a half-grown cat threatened the barriers in her heart.

Grady patted the cat in Seth’s arms. “Her name is Mouse.”

“Mouse?” Jayne laughed. “Odd name for a cat, don’t you think?”

Seth chuckled. “I expect they had a good reason for their choice.”

“When she gets a mouse she won’t let anyone near her,” Grady said.

Billy came toward them. “You coming to play, Grady?”

Grady called a hasty “Goodbye” and ran to join his friend.

As Jayne and Seth studied each other her heart ticked an uncertain beat. He had strong hands. A gentle heart. He was a man worthy of trust.

He lowered the cat to the ground and slowly brought his gaze to her. But after a second it shifted past her. He scrubbed at the back of his neck, tilting his hat so it concealed his eyes.

Had he done it on purpose? Had the moment burgeoned with possibility for him as well as her? What was she thinking? There was no place for possibilities between them. She clung to the cat in her arms. Thankfully, it didn’t appear to mind her tight grasp.

“Are you ready for another lesson?” he asked.

It took two seconds to realize he meant shooting lessons. If she needed anything to pull her back to rational thinking, this was it. His only interest in her was teaching her to shoot correctly so he could leave. After all, he had a father that needed and deserved his attention.

“I need to get my gun.”

“I’ll go with you.” Side by side they climbed the hill.

She purposely slowed her steps so he didn’t have to hurry on his crutch. Back at the house, she rushed to her room and got the bag containing her gun and joined him outdoors. They returned to the clearing where they’d been the day before.

“I think you need to practice shooting without bullets until you can keep your eyes open.” He sat on a nearby log as she assumed her stance. “Walk me through each step so I know you remember.”

She did. He obviously didn’t plan to steady her arm or offer any assistance today. Fine. She needed to do this on her own.

“Now aim and fire.”

She did, determined to keep her eyes open. It shouldn’t be difficult. After all, there was no bullet in the gun.

She squeezed the trigger. It clicked into place.

And even though there was no explosion, she blinked.

He sighed. “You need to keep your eyes open.”

“I know.” And not just to shoot a gun. She needed to keep them open to the dangers of a man like Seth. A strong, protective man who tempted her to abandon her quest for independence. A gentle man who made her long for the kind of protection he would provide.

Yes, she had to keep her eyes wide open in that regard. She did not want or need protection. Besides, he had no intention of staying around to provide it.

Determination firmly in place, she lifted the gun and repeated the procedure.

She would keep her eyes open.

Widening her eyes in preparation, she pulled the trigger.
Click.
“Did I do it?”

He sighed. “Almost.”

Chapter Eight

J
ayne glanced at the position of the sun. It was growing late and they’d need to return to the ranch.

She’d practiced shooting a number of times but failed to keep her eyes open a single time. Oh, she’d tried. She’d widened her eyes until they felt like they might pop from her head. When that didn’t work, she’d narrowed them to slits. She’d even tried closing one and then the other.

“I give up.” Jayne let out a long sigh, letting her arm fall to her side, the gun still clamped in her hand.

“Really?” Did he have to sound so relieved? Though it surely wasn’t his intention, his tone merely served to renew her resolve.

“No. I won’t give up.”

“Kind of figured that.” His resignation scratched along her nerves.

“You don’t have to feel obligated to teach me.” No doubt, he was getting annoyed at her failure.

“I never accept defeat.”

She snorted. “I guess there is always a first time.” She stowed her gun away. “It’s dinnertime. We should get back to the house.”

He picked up his crutch and stood. But he didn’t move.

She grew aware of his waiting and glanced in his direction.

He smiled. The lift of the corners of his mouth had the power to lift her heart. “Jayne, you can do it. I believe it’s important for you to do this. So I will continue to help you until we’re both satisfied.”

She lowered her gaze in order to keep her thoughts clear. “Why does it matter to you, anyway?” Against her will, she stole a look at him to see his reaction.

He shrugged. “Maybe because I don’t like to see people fail.”

No longer concerned about her silly reaction, she wondered at the meaning behind his words and looked straight into his face. She studied him a full thirty seconds. Watched a chain of emotions flash through his eyes. Determination, kindness, concern and something so deep and heart-filled it made her lose her breath.

He brushed his knuckles across her jaw. “This is a wild, untamed land. You should know how to defend yourself should the occasion arise.” Then, as if realizing what he’d done, he shifted away and started toward the ranch.

His touch had sucked the air from her lungs. Left her struggling to think straight.

She realized he’d moved on and hurried to catch up. As they returned to the ranch, Jayne had little to say.

She said little all throughout the meal, as well, content to listen to the others. Her thoughts went round and round. She had only one thing in mind in her dealings with Seth—learn to use a gun. And yet…

And yet.
Those two words encapsulated her problem. Despite her resolve, despite understanding Seth only cared because of his sense of responsibility, despite everything, there was something about him that left her confused and dizzy.

She joined the others in cleaning the kitchen after the meal. Whatever she said to add to the flow of conversation must have made sense because no one commented.

“I’ll show you how to do that pattern,” Sybil said to Linette when the dishes were done. She was showing Linette how to knit a sweater for the expected baby.

“What can Mercy and I do to help?” Jayne needed something to keep her hands and her mind busy.

“Yes, what can we do?” Mercy gave her a look ripe with curiosity.

It wasn’t like they didn’t help out around the place. But Mercy must have wondered at Jayne’s haste to get a job.

Linette suggested they could wash the windows and Jayne hastened to start the task, though there wasn’t any need for her sense of urgency.

Not until Seth hobbled down the hall and out the front door did her actions slow to normal. Hopefully he would find Eddie or Roper or one of the other cowboys and amuse himself the rest of the afternoon. Jayne did not want another shooting lesson today.

As soon as the last window was done and the rags they’d used were hung to dry, Jayne grabbed Mercy’s arm and hustled her out the door.

“Where are we going?” Mercy asked.

“Walking. Exploring.” She didn’t care where they went or what they did so long as it wasn’t with Seth. All morning she had struggled to remember she didn’t need or want anyone to take care of her.

“Okay.” Mercy trotted along at her side. “Any place in particular?”

“Just out.” She tucked her arm through Mercy’s. “What have you been doing with yourself?”

“Would you believe Cookie has been teaching me how to make cinnamon rolls?”

“Really? Maybe I should come along and learn, too. Are they difficult?”

“Not with Cookie supervising. But aren’t you pretty busy with Seth?”

“He’ll be on his way soon.” The reminder brought her thoughts back to their proper place. They both had plans and goals that did not include each other.

He’d leave to take care of his pa and she’d be in a position to take care of herself. Shouldn’t the idea make her feel better?

“How are your shooting lessons coming?” Mercy asked as they walked.

Jayne admitted she struggled to keep her eyes open and Mercy laughed.

The two of them spent a pleasant two hours wandering along the road that led to Edendale then returned in time to help Linette with the evening meal.

And Jayne succeeded in paying no more attention to Seth than she would to any visiting cowboy.

The next day was Sunday. Sybil came to Jayne’s room as she prepared for church, and sat down on the edge of the bed.

Sybil had already put on her golden dress and brushed her hair into a tidy roll about her head.

Jayne eyed her up and down. “You look ready to walk into the finest church in London.”

“I’m ready to go to church here.” Without hesitation she added, “You’re spending a lot of time with Seth, aren’t you?”

“He thinks he needs to teach me to shoot properly so I don’t hurt another unsuspecting cowboy.”

“It’s more than that, I think.” Sybil took the hairbrush from Jayne and indicated she should sit on the stool.

Sybil began to brush Jayne’s hair.

“That feels good.” Jayne welcomed a chance to change the direction of conversation Sybil had started.

“We did this for each other every day on the boat trip. I miss it.”

Jayne closed her eyes and let the brushing soothe her. “I miss it, too.”

“I don’t want to see you hurt.”

“Is it that badly tangled?” She knew that wasn’t what Sybil meant. Had she seen how Jayne reacted to Seth even when she vowed she wouldn’t notice his presence? But Sybil didn’t need to worry. Jayne understood the boundaries of her time with Seth. He would teach her to shoot then move on. And she would stand tall, strong and confident in her ability to take care of herself.

Why just this morning at breakfast, hadn’t she sat at his side, cool and detached, her determination to remember that Seth was only a temporary visitor firmly in place? But when their arms brushed as they reached for something, she had almost jumped off her chair.

Maybe the church service would arm her with strength.

Sybil stopped brushing and scooted around to look straight into Jayne’s eyes. “He’s just a cowboy. He isn’t the sort of man you need.” She pressed her palms to Jayne’s shoulders to stop her protest. “He won’t give you what you want.”

“How do you know what I want?”

“You’re a city girl. You couldn’t fit into a cowboy’s way of life.” Sybil resumed brushing Jayne’s hair as if the matter was settled.

Sybil was right. She’d never be the strong adventurous type who welcomed the challenge of ranch life. Or whatever a cowboy like Seth did. The connection she imagined between them was simply that—imagination. And, she realized with blinding clarity, the hungry cry of a needy heart. She would not be needy any longer. Strength and resolve returned. Jayne Gardiner meant to be independent, self-sufficient, armed and ready to face any and every challenge life tossed in her path.

* * *