Читать книгу Chance's Joy - Patricia Thayer - Страница 10

Carrying Katie Rose, Joy walked through the front door of the Kirby house. She glanced around with a gasp. She couldn’t believe this was the same house she’d briefly walked through two days ago.

From the floors to the windows, everything sparkled. In the living room, the sheets had been removed from the furniture, the cobwebs were gone. The scent of lemon teased her nose as she noticed the high gloss on the tables and hardwood floors.

“Oh, my, the cleaning fairies must have been here,” she whispered, amazed at the transformation.

Chance came in behind her, toting baby supplies the hospital sent home with all new mothers. “Ella, our housekeeper, rounded up some of the women from the local church to help get the house ready for you.”

“They sure worked fast.” Joy eyed him closely, wondering if he’d put in a few hours himself.

“Well, once word got around, everyone was curious about the new neighbor.” His expression was impassive. “Especially with you just having had a baby. The ladies also did some baking, and stocked the kitchen with a few staples, just until you can get to the grocery store on your own.”

Joy felt tears well up. “But they don’t even know me.”

“You’re Lil Kirby’s niece,” he said. “Your aunt was well liked around here.”

“I guess so.” Joy wiped away a tear, remembering she had only met her great-aunt once when she was a child. Back when her parents had still been married, and Joy had had a family.

“You okay?” Chance asked.

She sniffed and nodded, suddenly feeling tired. “Just my silly hormones.”

“You need to rest. You had a baby less than forty-eight hours ago.”

Joy caught his silver-eyed gaze. Was it only two days ago that this man had helped her give birth to Katie? If it hadn’t been for his coming to her rescue, she might not be bringing her daughter home today. The thought terrified her. “Did I ever thank you for all your help?”

“Too many times,” he said. “You need to rest. Wait here, I’ll take the baby upstairs, then come back for you.”

Before Joy could reply, Chance took the carrier from Joy and climbed the steps to the second floor, returning seconds later.

“Your turn,” he said as he suddenly swung her up in his arms.

“Wait, you can’t carry me. I’m too heavy.” Feeling herself blush, she could only loop her arms around his neck, immediately feeling his muscles flex under his skin.

“You’re not heavy. Besides, you look about as shaky as a new colt. Right now you need to save your strength so you can take care of Katie. I have orders from both the doctor and Ella to make sure you get some rest. And I don’t mess around when Ella gives orders.”

Joy opened her mouth, but didn’t know how to answer him. He was right, she needed to take care of herself. She was all Katie had. Her body was still sore, and her daughter would soon be awake and wanting to be fed.

But Joy couldn’t let this big, charge-into-her-life cowboy take over. She had to stand on her own. Soon. But right now, it felt too nice to let someone else handle things.

Chance reached the top step without even breathing hard. “I figured since this was the largest room,” he said, “you’d want to move in here.” He carried her down the hall and into the master bedroom. He set her down beside a wrought-iron bed. Next to that was a bassinet. Joy glanced inside and saw Katie sleeping.

“I suggest you take advantage of this quiet time and get some rest.” Chance walked to the door. “I’ll check in on you later.” He left, closing the door behind him.

Joy glanced around the recently cleaned bedroom. The floral wallpaper was old and faded. The sheer curtains in the window had seen better days as had the rug that covered most of the floor. The bassinet was wicker and probably fifty years old. Joy ran her hand over the freshly laundered white eyelet skirt with loving hands as her beautiful daughter slept peacefully in her new bed. “She looks like you, Blake. She has your eyes,” she whispered. Sadness nearly overtook her as she thought of her husband not seeing his child grow up; of Katie not having a father around. But Joy knew one thing for sure. She was going to give her daughter a home and plenty of love.

Now she just had to figure out how she was going to make a living on a cattle ranch.

Two hours later, with orders from Ella to check on the new mother, Chance walked through the back door and into the kitchen. The house was silent, which probably meant that mother and baby were still napping. But they would be hungry soon.

He went to the ancient refrigerator and pulled out a container of homemade chicken soup one of the ladies had made. He poured the liquid into a pan and began heating it up on the small stove. Taking a tray from the pantry, he searched for a bowl in the cupboard, discovering several doors and drawers that needed fixing. The flooring was pretty worn, but it would hold for a while.

He made a mental note of the repairs and wondered when Joy would realize that the ranch was too much for her and sell it to him. She wasn’t going to want to take on running a ranch when she had a baby to care for. If she needed to stay in San Angelo, she could buy a house in town.

He placed the bowl of soup on the tray, along with crackers and a glass of milk and headed upstairs. On the way he glanced around the large house, seeing some other things that needed attention. Nothing he couldn’t handle. But when he bought the ranch, they were all going to have to wait, because his first concern would be the grazing land and enlarging the herd.

He pushed open the partly closed door, looked up and froze at the sight before him. Joy was on the bed, but she was awake with her baby suckling at her breast.

He felt the heat rush through his body to his face. “Uh… I’m sorry… I didn’t know….”

Joy glanced up and saw a shocked Chance staring at her. She quickly pulled a receiving blanket over her shoulder, covering herself. “Chance, I didn’t hear you come in,” she said, trying to distract from the awkward moment.

“Ella said you needed something to eat.” He walked into the room, set the tray on the other side of the bed, then started backing up toward the door.

“Were you able to get any rest?”

“Yes, I slept until about fifteen minutes ago.” She glanced down at her daughter. “I guess we were both tired.”

He kept staring at her, then finally spoke, “Well, I should get back to my chores. Is there anything you need before I go?”

“No, you’ve done so much already. I think I can handle things. Thanks for the soup. I was getting a little hungry.”

He leaned against the door frame, his large body taking up most of the space. “It’s important you keep up your strength.”

“I know.”

“Oh, I called the phone company. They’ll be out in the morning. Until then…” He pulled a small cellular phone from his pocket and came back across the room. “Use this. Press one, then Send, and you’ll get the Circle B.”

Joy was touched by his concern. “Thank you again.” Just then Katie started to fuss.

Chance jumped. “I’ll be going,” he said. “I’ll check in later.” And he was out the door.

Joy lifted her tiny daughter to her shoulder and began patting her back. “Well, sweetheart, like it or not, looks like we got ourselves a big cowboy looking out for us.” But for how long? she wondered, knowing the ranch was what he really wanted.

The next morning, Katie was awake at six. She’d slept four straight hours. After feeding her, Joy tried her hand at the first bath. Her daughter wasn’t ready to be submerged in water, but a sponge bath was due.

Joy loved the experience. All the talking and cooing to the baby and that clean powdery smell was so intoxicating. Soon Katie was worn out and went back to sleep. A few minutes to herself, Joy thought. Baby monitor in hand and last night’s bowl of soup a distant memory, she headed downstairs in search of food. She started for the kitchen, and the aroma of bacon assaulted her nose. She thought she was dreaming, until she found Chance standing at her stove.

Looking as if he’d recently showered and shaved, he wore butt-hugging jeans and a blue western shirt over broad shoulders. His sandy hair was lying across his forehead, and she could see the mark of his hat just above his ears.

Realizing what she was doing, she shook her head and stiffened. Didn’t this man have anything else to do? Was he here to badger her again about selling her ranch?

“Aren’t your cows feeling neglected? I mean I don’t want to keep you from your job.” Pulling together her robe, she ran her fingers through her hair. She looked a mess.

“I was out there at five,” he said as he glanced over his shoulder. “Everything’s fine. In fact we have five new calves.”

“Oh, really?” she said, finding she was actually interested in the workings of the ranch. “I bet they’re cute.”

“Cute? I don’t think about calves that way. It’s not wise to get attached to animals who are going to be sold at market.”

“I guess you’re right.” She went to the coffee-maker, unable to resist the smell of the fresh brew. The doctor had assured her one cup a day wouldn’t hurt the baby. Taking a mug from the cabinet, she poured herself some.

“How do you like your eggs?” he asked.

“Look, I appreciate your help, but I don’t need you to take care of me. I can fix my own breakfast.”

“Never turn down a man wanting to cook for you.” A woman’s voice rang out from the pantry.

Joy watched as a tall, sturdily built woman with short gray hair walked to the table. She was dressed in dark jeans and a plaid shirt.

“Hi, I’m Ella, the Circle B’s housekeeper. Sorry to intrude so early.” She smiled at Joy. “We were hoping to have your breakfast ready before you came down.”

Embarrassed, Joy held out her hand. “Hi, I’m Joy. It’s nice to meet you. I’m the one who should be sorry. You and the other ladies have been so kind to me.”

“But good intentions can be overwhelming,” Ella said. “We’ll leave.”

“Oh, please stay,” Joy insisted. “You haven’t even seen the baby.”

The older woman smiled. “Well, I wouldn’t mind hanging around for a peek just in case she wakes up. And Chance here can finish your breakfast. Don’t worry, he’s a good cook, he learned long before he came to the Circle B, and before I could do any damage.”

Joy smiled as soft cooing sounds came over the monitor.

Ella’s eyes lit up. “You sit down and have your coffee and I’ll go check on the baby.”

Reluctantly Joy nodded and sat down at the table. She sipped her coffee and watched Chance work efficiently at the small stove that looked as if it had been purchased some time around the Second World War. “So your mom taught you how to cook?”

He shook his head. “Hardly. My mother died when I was young. My brothers and I pretty much had to fend for ourselves.” He removed the bacon, then cracked an egg on the edge of the skillet and dropped it into the grease. “I figured if I wanted to eat, I’d better learn.”

Joy shook her head. “I’m dreaming. A man who can cook.”

He glanced at her again. “I didn’t say I liked to do it on a regular basis, but I figured you needed something to eat.”

“I’m feeling much better this morning. In fact, I just gave Katie a bath and plan on heading to the shower myself. Just as soon as I finish breakfast.”

Chance scooped the eggs onto a plate and carried it to table. “Then dig in.” He returned with toast, then sat down with some coffee.

Joy started on the bacon. “You aren’t having anything?”

“I ate hours ago.” He took a sip from his mug.

She felt weird. Most of her life she’d had to fend for herself. Now she had a rugged cowboy who wouldn’t go away. But she couldn’t let him hang around. He was only being nice because he wanted her home. “Don’t feel like you have to stay. Really, Chance, I appreciate everything, but I feel I’ve been taking you away from your work.”

“It’s not roundup yet, so I have the time. I understand if you want to be alone.” He stood. “But you should have someone around for awhile. Your closest neighbor is five miles up the road. So if not me, let Ella stay, at least while you take a shower.” He poured his coffee into the old chipped sink, and set his mug on the counter. “Don’t be too proud to accept help.” He walked to the door.

Joy felt like a heel. She almost called him back. But she couldn’t. She had to do this on her own. She had to prove to herself and to the Spencers that she could raise her child. And having a man around only reminded her of what she’d lost and what she would never have again.

Someone who cared for her. Someone to love.

Chance rode Ace hard, all the way to the outskirts of the ranch to Mustang Valley. He needed to vent his frustration. As they came to the edge of the creek that ran through a grove of trees, he pulled on the reins to slow the animal. The horse danced along the shore, eager for a well-deserved drink.

Angry with himself, Chance climbed down and dropped the reins to the ground, knowing Ace would stay put. Pulling off his gloves, he crouched and cupped his hand in the water and drank until he’d cooled off some. But it didn’t work and wouldn’t any time soon. Not until he stopped seeing red. Every time he thought about Joy Spencer he saw red.

Then there was a whole slew of feelings she stirred in him. Just looking at her pretty face and her long blond hair wild and sassy, made desire surge through him. Damn, he couldn’t think of her that way, she’d just had a baby. But his thoughts went to yesterday when he walked into the bedroom and found Joy nursing. The picture of the tiny infant suckling at her creamy breast had kept him tossing and turning all night.

With a string of curses, he marched to the shade tree and leaned against the huge oak. A breeze brushed his face as his gaze traveled over the lush valley, and calmness moved through him. Although the rain had been light this year, it had been enough to keep things growing. But was there enough grazing land to enlarge the herd? There could be if he could get the Kirby Ranch.

He pulled off his hat and smoothed back his damp hair. Closing his eyes, he tried to push away the fear that plagued him. Why couldn’t he have this one thing? Why couldn’t he have something that was his? Hadn’t he worked hard enough? Hadn’t he paid enough?

Suddenly ugly memories of his childhood surfaced. He’d never been able to put away the past. His life on the small family ranch; how his daddy tried to make a go of it. He also remembered how many times Jack Randell failed. Too many.

Even as a boy, Chance had known his dad had always looked for the easy way out. Hard work had been foreign to him. He couldn’t even keep the ranch that he inherited from his daddy from going under. Couldn’t keep it long enough to hand it down to his sons. With the drought and sinking cattle prices, Jack ended up owing everyone. Then, while other ranchers were selling off their herds, things were only getting better for the Randells. But as the sheriff soon learned, Jack had been rustling cattle.

At fourteen, Chance should have been able to look up to his father, instead he felt nothing but shame. By the time their daddy had been sentenced to prison, the ranch was gone, and the three boys were on their own. The brothers were shunned by everyone, and years later, some people still couldn’t forgive any Randell, even if the sons had been innocent.

It had taken a long time, but Chance had built a name for himself, a good name as a rancher and as a horse breeder. But that didn’t mean everyone had forgotten who his father was. They probably never would.

Chance opened his eyes and looked toward the far end of the valley. About fifty yards away, he spied the familiar herd of mustangs. About a dozen of them wandered cautiously toward the edge of the stream. A mare guarded her new spring colt as the proud buckskin stallion led the group.

Most of the ponies were a mixed breed now, but the Spanish bloodline was rich through these remaining few. A lot of people thought the mustangs were a nuisance, but Hank had taught Chance and his brothers to respect the animals.

Chance had always felt a connection to the horses. He loved to watch these wild creatures. How hard they fought to be free, and finally banded together to keep safe. This valley was a refuge for the mustangs, and a comforting reminder for him that it was home for all misfits, including him and his brothers.

He belonged here. This was where he felt at home. And with the Kirby Ranch he would be able to fulfill his dream of his own place. Now he just had to convince one stubborn city woman to sell.