House On Windridge (9 page)

“I need to get back.” She turned to leave, but Devon reached out to touch her arm. “I meant it, Jess. And I'm starting to think that maybe a resort wouldn't be a bad way to get the ranch back up and running. Hopefully, this small herd we've taken on from the Rocking W will make us a tidy profit and allow us to get a bigger herd next year. You keep praying about it, and so will I.”

Jessica nodded and hurried down the hill to the three-story stone house. She didn't know how to take Devon or his words. He always treated her kindly and always offered her honesty, but today only served to confuse her.

Quietly, she entered the house through the back door, hoping that she'd not have to deal with Kate. Kate would want to know how Jessica had spent her day. Kate would want to know what she and Devon had talked about. And there was little doubt in Jessica's mind that Kate would know they had talked. She'd probably observed them up on the ridge. Everyone would have seen them there. Buck. The ranch hands.

Jessica felt her face grow hot. She had very much enjoyed being with Devon, and she enjoyed their talks. But Devon had another woman in mind to marry, and Jessica knew the heartache of losing a man to another woman. She'd not interfere in Devon's relationships. She'd not ruin his chances at happiness with the woman of his dreams. The woman God had sent to him.

With a heavy heart, Jessica admitted to herself that she was gradually coming to care about Devon. She liked the way he moved, the way he talked. She loved how he played with Ryan and how Ryan's face lit up whenever Devon came into the room. Reluctantly, Jessica began to put her hair back up in a bun. “I'm being so childish and ridiculous,” she muttered.

“Oh, so there you are. Guess who just woke up?” Kate asked, coming down the back stairs with Ryan in her arms.

Jessica had just secured the last hairpin in place. “How's Mama's boy?” Jessica asked, holding her arms out to Ryan.

“Mamamama,” Ryan chattered. “Eat.” He pulled at Jessica's collar, and she knew he wanted to nurse. She'd only managed to wean him a couple weeks earlier, but he nevertheless tried to coerce her into nursing him.

“Mama will take you to the kitchen and get you a big boy's cup,” Jessica told him, gently tousling his nearly hairless head. “Do you suppose this child will ever grow hair?” she asked Kate.

“I've heard it said you were the same way,” Kate said chuckling. “I think you finally achieved those glossy brown curls when you were nearly two.”

“I hope he doesn't take too long,” Jessica replied as she retraced her steps to the kitchen. She thought for a moment she was off the hook until Kate, pouring fresh cold milk into a cup for Ryan, asked, “So, what did you and Devon have to talk about while you enjoyed that beautiful sunset?”

Jessica tried not to act in the leastwise concerned about the question. “We discussed the ranch. It consumes most of our talks. Devon is finally coming around to my way of thinking. He's not nearly so negative about turning this place into a resort ranch.”

“I never thought you'd convince him, but he talked to Buck about it just yesterday. Buck said he actually had some good ideas about what they could do to make this place ready by next year.”

“Next year? But Devon said nothing to me about next year. I figured I'd have to spend most of this one just convincing him to let me do it.”

Ryan drank from the cup, finished the milk, then tried to pound the empty cup against the wall behind his mother. Jessica finally put him down on the floor and turned her attention back to Kate.

“Did he really say next summer?”

Kate smiled and pushed up her glasses. “He did. I take it that surprises you?”

“Indeed it does. He said only that he was starting to see some merit in the idea. I had no idea he was actually working toward a date.”

“Well, he's found some extra capital to sink into the ranch. Then too we have the quilts to sell, and we can always busy ourselves to make more. Besides, Devon doesn't own this ranch—you do. If you want to turn it into a resort, you certainly don't need anyone's permission.”

“Yes, but I want you all to be happy.”

“Devon too?” Kate grinned.

“Of course. You told me I needed to consider his thoughts on the matter, and I have. I respect Devon's opinion. I know all of you understand the ranch better than I do, but nevertheless, I want to learn, and I want to keep everyone's best interests at heart. I've been praying hard about this, Kate. I'm not going to just jump in without thinking.”

Kate reached out and gave Jessica a hug. “I knew you wouldn't. We want you happy though, and if turning this place upside down would do the trick, I have a feeling Devon would start working on plans to figure a way.”

Jessica said nothing but turned instead to see Ryan heading for the stove. “No, Ryan! Hot!” she exclaimed and went quickly to move the boy to another part of the kitchen.

“Why don't you and Ryan go out on the porch and spend some time together?” Kate suggested. “I've already got supper well underway, and there's no need to have you both in here underfoot.”

Jessica laughed. “Just when I started thinking I had become needed and
useful.”

Kate laughed. “Oh, you're needed and useful, all right. Maybe more than you realize.”

Jessica picked up the boy and made her way to the front door and out onto the porch. The sky had turned deep lavender with hints of even darker blues to the east. Night was still another hour or so away, but already shadows fell across the hills and valleys. Jessica liked the effect and wished fervently she could draw or paint. It seemed a shame that something so lovely should go by unseen. This thought provoked another. She could always advertise the ranch to artists. Mention the beautiful scenery and lighting. Of course, many people would consider the scenery boring and anything but beautiful. Perhaps that wouldn't be a very productive thing to do. What if someone went home to complain about the falsehood of her advertisement?

As Ryan played happily with Katie's flowerpots, Jessica allowed her thoughts to go back to Devon. She couldn't help it. She didn't want to care about him, at least not in the sense of falling in love and sharing a life with him. She didn't like to think of the rejection that could come in caring for someone, only to have them not care in return.

Still, if she couldn't have him in that capacity, then it was enough to have him here on the ranch full time. He made a good foreman, and she prayed he'd stay on for as long as she kept the ranch. A gray cloud descended over her thoughts. What if he married and brought his wife here to Windridge? Jessica shuddered. She'd not like that at all. And then with Ryan already so attached to Devon, it might create even greater problems. What if Ryan wanted to be with Devon instead of Jessica? What if Devon's new wife attracted Ryan's attention as well?

Jessica shook off the thoughts and tried to remain positive. “I can't be given over to thoughts of what if. There's plenty of other things to worry myself with.”

Ryan babbled on and on about the flowerpots. Some words came out in clarity, and others were purely baby talk. Jessica found herself amazed to see how much the child had grown over the last few weeks. It seemed he'd al
most aged overnight. She didn't like to think of him growing up and not needing her anymore. She didn't like to think about him becoming an adult and moving away. What would she do when he was gone? Who would love her, and whom would she love?

Devon's image came to mind, but Jessica shook her head sadly. “That's not going to happen,” she told herself again. “He has other plans, and they don't include me.”

Ryan perked up at this and toddled back to Jessica. He pounded the flats of his hands on her knees. “Me. Me. Me go. Me go.”

Jessica looked down at him, feeling tears form in her eyes. “I know you will,” she told him sadly. “One day, you will go.”

Chapter 6

I
f we convert those two sitting rooms at the back of the house,” Kate said one evening after dinner, “we could have additional bedrooms for guests.”

“True,” Buck replied, looking to Jessica and Devon for their reactions.

“It might even work better if Ryan and I took those two rooms and let our rooms upstairs be used for guests,” Jessica replied. “I mean, that way the entire second floor would be devoted to guests, and the third floor would still belong to you and Buck.”

“Maybe it would be better to give the third floor to you and Ryan,” Devon said thoughtfully. “After all, Kate needs to be close to the kitchen to get things started up in the morning, and Buck needs to be close to the barn and bunkhouse.”

“I hadn't thought of it that way,” Kate replied. “Those two rooms would be more than enough for Buck and me. In fact, one room would be enough.”

“No, now I wouldn't feel right about it if you and Buck didn't have your own sitting room for privacy,” Jessica said firmly. “Having a house full of strangers will be cause enough to need our own places of refuge.”

“I could give you back the cottage,” Devon offered. “If you and Buck think you'd be more comfortable there, I could move into the bunkhouse.”

“Nonsense,” Kate said shaking her head. “You've already moved once; you might as well stay put.” Jessica wondered what she meant by this statement, but the conversation moved along so quickly that she never had a chance to ask.

“Katie and I would be happy just about any place you put us,” Buck stated. “I think those two sitting rooms are just perfect for us. It would eliminate running up and down all those stairs, and what with my rheumatism acting up from time to time, that would be enough to motivate the move on my part.”

“Buck, you should have told me you were having trouble,” Jessica countered. “I would have seen to it that you and Kate were moved long ago had I known.”

“The exercise does us good,” Kate said. “But I agree with Buck and Devon. Moving us downstairs into those back rooms would be perfect. That way, you and Ryan can have the full run of the third floor. You can set things up differently or keep it the way we have it. Either way, Ryan will have more room to run around, and there's a door to keep him from heading down the stairs when you don't want him to get away from you.”

Jessica laughed. “No doubt he'll figure doors out soon enough.”

“I think we could safely conclude,” Devon said, pointing to a rough drawing he'd made of the house, “that we could have six rooms to offer to guests. We could even offer the bunkhouse's extra beds if someone wanted to come out and truly experience the life of a ranch hand. Those articles Jessica brought from back East said that some folks actually pay money to be abused that way.”

He grinned and poked Buck lightly in the ribs. “A drafty room, work from sunup to sundown, dirt and grit everywhere, and the smell of sweat and horses and cattle—yes Sir,
that's the kind of stuff I want to pay out good money to experience.”

“You get to experience it for free,” Jessica chided.

“But when we're back on our feet, I expect to be paid,” Devon replied, looking at her in a way that made Jessica's pulse quicken. Oh, but he was handsome. She loved the way the summer sun had lightened his hair and tanned his face.

“I doubt that will happen for awhile. Every dime we make is going to have to go back into making the ranch successful again.”

“I wasn't necessarily talking about being paid in money,” Devon said, his lips curling into a grin.

Buck snorted, and Kate turned away, but not before Jessica saw her smiling. They were all so conspiratorial in their teasing, and sometimes Jessica felt oddly left out. She had come onto the scene after they were all good friends, and sometimes it made her feel very uncomfortable. Like they all knew a good joke and refused to tell her.

“Well, it's getting late,” Buck said, getting up from his chair. “I suspect Katie and I should retire for the evening. You two going to church in the morning?”

“Planning on it. I figured to drive Jessica and Ryan. You two need a lift?”

“No,” Buck answered. “I figure on preaching a bit myself. Those ranch hands of ours need to get some religion now and then. What with the fact that it'll soon be time to herd those prime steers of ours to market, I figure on giving them a couple of pointers on staying out of trouble.”

Kate joined Buck, leaving Devon and Jessica alone in the front parlor. “See you both tomorrow. I figure on frying up a mess of chicken for the hands and for us as well. Anything else you're hungry for?”

Devon grinned. “How about some of your famous raspberry cream cake?”

Jessica threw Kate a quizzical look. “I don't think I've ever had that. Do you mean to tell me I've been here almost a year and never once had the opportunity to taste your ‘famous' raspberry cream cake?”

Kate laughed. “It's only famous to Devon. But sure, I'll fix us up some. The raspberries came on real good this year. I'll bet those bushes down by the main springs are still bearing fruit.

“Maybe Jess and I could pick some for you after church tomorrow,” Devon offered.

“Maybe you could just speak for yourself,” Jessica added in mock ire.

“You two can work it out,” Kate replied as Buck slipped his arm around her waist. “I'll see you tomorrow.”

When they'd gone, Jessica turned back to find Devon still grinning at her. “What?”

“I don't know what you mean.”

“You're looking at me oddly,” Jessica replied. She liked the way he was looking at her but refused to allow herself to show it. Devon's weekly trips into Cottonwood Falls had convinced her that he had a girlfriend in town. She tried not to think about it, but it bothered her nevertheless.

Devon chuckled and got up from his chair. “How about a stroll to the ridge? The moon is full, and the air warm.”

“I can't,” Jessica replied nervously. She was desperately afraid of being alone for too long with Devon. Just thinking about the ride into town for church caused her stomach to do flips.

“Why not?”

“Well, I should stay close to the house in case Ryan needs me.”

“Guess that makes sense. So how about just coming out on the porch with me? The upstairs windows are open. You'll be able to hear him if he cries.”

Jessica realized that she'd either have to be rude and refuse or go along with the plan. “All right. Maybe for a little bit. Then I need to go to bed.”

He nodded and allowed her to lead the way to the front door. Neither one said another word until they were out on the porch. Devon and Buck had made some wonderful chairs and a couple benches, and it was to one of the latter that Devon motioned Jessica to follow him.

Nervously licking her lips, Jessica joined Devon on the bench. She put herself at the far edge of the seat, hoping Devon would take the hint and sit at the opposite end. He didn't, however, choosing instead to position himself right in the middle of the bench.

“It's a fine night,” he said. Suddenly he jumped up. “Say, wait here. I have a surprise.”

Jessica couldn't imagine what he had in mind, but she obediently nodded and watched as he bounded down the porch steps and disappeared around the side of the house. When he returned, he was carrying a guitar.

“I didn't know you played,” she said in complete surprise.

“I just got started last winter. I've been taking lessons in town from Old Mr. Wiedermeier. That man can pick up anything and make music with it.”

Jessica smiled as she wondered if it was this, and not a woman, that had been taking Devon to town on Friday evenings. It made her heart a little lighter, and she suddenly found herself quite eager to hear Devon play.

He began tuning the strings, strumming one and then another, then comparing the two to each other. When he finally had all six in agreeable harmony, he began strumming out a melody that Jessica instantly recognized.

“Why that sounds like ‘O Worship the King.' ”

Devon laughed. “That's good. It's supposed to.” He played a few more
bars.

“Do you sing as well?”

“I don't know about how
well
I do it, but I do sing.” He didn't wait for her to ask but instead began to harmonize with the guitar. Devon's rich baritone rang out against the stillness of the night and stirred Jessica's heart. How lovely to sit on the porch in the warmth of late summer and listen to Devon sing. She could easily picture herself doing this for many years to come. Seeing it in her mind, she imagined herself married to Devon with four or five children gathered round them. It made a pleasant image to carry in her heart.

“I don't think I've ever seen such a look of contentment on your face, Miss Jessica,” Devon drawled.

Jessica realized she'd just been caught daydreaming. “I was just thinking about something.”

Devon put the guitar aside and moved closer to Jessica. “I've been doing some thinking too. There's something I want to say to you.”

Just then, the sound of Ryan crying reached Jessica's ears. “Oh, that's Ryan. I guess I'd better go.”

Devon looked at her with such an expression of frustration and disappointment that Jessica very nearly sat back down. But her own nervousness held her fast. “I'll see you in the morning,” she paused as if trying to decide whether or not she should say the rest, “and we can talk on the way to church.”

With that she hurried upstairs, anxious and curious about what Devon might have had to tell her. Perhaps she was wrong about his trips into town. Maybe there was more than just the guitar lesson. Maybe her earlier feelings of Devon meeting up with a lady friend were more on target than she wanted to imagine.

By the time she'd reached Ryan, he'd fallen back to sleep and lay contentedly sucking his thumb. Jessica tidied his covers, gently touched his cheek with her fingers, and went back to her own room.

“There's something I want to say to you,” Devon had said. The words were still ringing in her ears.

What could he possibly need to say?

❧

Devon knew nothing but frustration that Sunday morning. He'd barely slept a wink the night before, and now the horses were uncooperative as he tried to ready the buckboard wagon. He knew it wouldn't be nearly as comfortable for Jessica and Ryan, but there were supplies he'd been unable to bring home on Friday night, and he'd need this opportunity to get them safely home before he headed to Kansas City with the sale cattle.

He kept rethinking what he'd nearly said to Jessica the night before. It should have been simple. Jessica was a widow going on two years, and by her own declaration she'd never loved her husband. It seemed more than enough time to put the past behind her and deal with Devon's interests.

“Say, after church you might want to ask Joe Riley if he still wants to buy
that acreage on the western boundaries of Windridge,” Buck said as he came into the barn. He saw the difficulty Devon was having and immediately went to work to see the task completed.

“I'll do that,” Devon said absentmindedly. “I'll ask Jessica if she's still of a mind to sell. You know how angry she gets when we try to second-guess her.”

“Still, she's a good-hearted woman,” Buck replied.

“Yeah, I know that well enough,” Devon muttered.

“You ain't gonna let that little gal get away from you, are you? There's plenty of fellows down at that church who'd give their right arms to be able to spend time with Jessie the way you do.”

“For all the good it does.”

“You feeling sorry for yourself, Son?” Buck questioned. “That doesn't hardly seem like you.”

“Not sure I even know what's like me anymore,” Devon admitted. He took hold of the horses' harnesses and led the two matched geldings from the barn. “I wouldn't have been of a mind to turn this place into a dude ranch ten months ago, but look at me now.”

“You just see the wisdom in it,” Buck replied. “Besides, ranching and courting are two different things. I know you have feelings for Jessie. Why not just tell her and let the chips fall where they will?”

“I tried to say something last night, but—”

“Here we are,” Jessica announced, coming down the steps with Kate and Ryan directly behind her. Jessica stashed a small bag of necessities behind the wagon seat, then beamed Devon a smile that nearly broke his heart. How could a woman look so pretty and not even realize what she did to a fellow? She had a face like an angel. Long dark lashes, delicately arched brows. A straight little nose that turned up ever so slightly at the end, and lips so full and red that Devon was hard-pressed not to steal a kiss.

“We're all ready. Say, why are we taking the buckboard?” Jessica asked, letting Buck help her up onto the seat. She reached down and lifted Ryan from Kate's arms.

“Devon's picking up some supplies that came in on Friday. He didn't have the wagon with him when he went into town Friday night, so he secured them at the train station until he could pick them up today.”

“No doubt someone will frown on his toting home necessities on the Lord's Day,” Kate murmured. “But if we don't get some flour and sugar soon, not to mention coffee, we'll have a mutiny on our hands.”

“No one will think anything about it,” Devon said, climbing up to sit beside Jessica. The buckboard seat was very narrow and pushed the two people very close together. Devon could smell her perfume. “If they have a problem with it, they can answer to me.” With that he smacked the reins against the backs of the geldings.

The trip into town passed by before Devon and Jessica could get past discussing how they were going to renovate the house for their guests. Jessica had all manner of thoughts on the matter, and it seemed she and Kate had made some definite decisions. Each room would have a color theme with quilts and curtains to match. And guests would share breakfast together, which meant the extra extensions for the dining-room table would have to be located and additional chairs ordered to match the existing ones.