Chance Of A Lifetime (13 page)

“We’re going to take a minute to thank the Lord for the food and friends gathered today.

“Lord, I thank You for each person here today. Every one of them has things they need to be attending to, but they’ve taken the time to come and help me and Hattie and Miz

Willow build a bigger barn. Thank You for the food on the tables. We ask that You bless it so we have the strength to finish our work today. You’ve provided graciously for us, and we ask You to shed Your blessings on the people here today. In Your name. Amen.”

The smell of savory meat mixed with the earthy fragrance of baked cinnamon as the men gathered around to fill their plates. Daisy couldn’t remember ever seeing so much food, much less watching it all disappear so quickly. After the men hunkered down, their plates piled high with food, the women and children swarmed around the tables.

“Here, Jamie.” Daisy returned to find Bryce sitting with her son. Jamie nibbled on a chicken leg while Bryce attacked a mound of mashed potatoes. Daisy sat down and put Jamie’s plate in easy reach. “How’re them taters, Bryce?”

“Good.” Bryce barely stopped eating long enough to grunt his approval.

“‘Ood.” Jamie nodded, waving his piece of chicken.

Daisy’s heart twisted.
Jamie used to copycat me like that. Now he’s apin’ Bryce. Lord, why do I feel as though that’s a loss? Bryce has become so important to my son, but he’ll be gone all too soon. What am I to do?

“I’ve put the axes and saws in the back of the wagon.” Logan sauntered into the cabin two days later and tried to peek in the lunch basket the women had packed.

Daisy chuckled when Hattie swatted his hand away.

“I have the horses hitched.” Bryce came in behind his brother. “What’s the holdup? We’ve got to get going if we’re going to chop enough before dark.”

“Here you go.” Daisy handed the basket to Bryce while Logan wolfed down a leftover biscuit.

“Thanks, Daisy.” Bryce’s rugged smile made it difficult for Daisy not to stare.

“Yore welcome.” She stepped back. “A man needs plenty in his belly so’s he cain get a lot done.”

“Me man!” Jamie scooched over and jabbed his chest. “I go?”

No. Not a chance. Not even with two Chances. They’ll be fellin’ deadwood—ain’t safe for any child, much less my son! Jist the thought of that two-man saw makes me wanna hold Jamie close and never let him go
.

Daisy bit back the words, knowing how hurt Jamie would be if she explained it like that. She scrambled to concoct a reason to refuse.

“Of course you’re a man,” Logan proclaimed.

Oh no. He’s going to say yes. Logan’ll let Jamie tag along, and then summat terrible’ll happen
. Daisy chewed the inside of her lip.
A deadwood branch cain fall, a blade might be left unattended, a shift in the wind so a felled tree goes the wrong way … And I cain’t think up an excuse to tell them all no. What do I do? I cain’t let him go!

She saw Bryce bending over to talk to Jamie.
No, Bryce! You’ve let Jamie do so many things already. I was wrong about the eggs and the leaves but not this. Don’t take Jamie where he cain’t be safe. You must have the sense to know this won’t end well. Don’t make me let loose the words that will shame my son afore you and yore brother
.

“Not today, buddy.”

Thankee, Bryce
. Daisy took a calming breath.
Jamie’ll be safe. I was so worried
.

Bryce squatted down to look Jamie in the eye. “We need you to stay here and keep watch on things for us. We’re chopping enough wood to fill the whole wagon before we bring it back. The pieces’ll be so long.” He spread his arms wide. “We’ll have to make ‘em smaller tomorrow. Then you’ll be right there with us. Fair enough?”

More than fair. You found a way to protect my son and still make him part of the task
.

“‘Kay.” Jamie puffed out his chest. “‘Morra I holp.”

“But today yore going to holp yore mama!” Daisy gathered him in her arms. “We’ve got lots of thangs to get done afore Logan and Bryce come back!” She smiled at Bryce, hoping he understood that she meant to thank him for protecting Jamie but not treating him like a baby. He was so good with her and Jamie.
Yep. Bryce Chance jist has a way of makin’ a body feel special
.

Bryce pitched a forkful of hay into one of the new stalls. Logan was setting up tack.

“I think we should keep the cattle in the old half and the horses in the new,” Bryce planned aloud.

“Makes sense to have the horses on hand,” Logan agreed. “Seemed like everyone I talked with is preparing for a rough winter.”

“Heard about Otis Nye’s bones, did you?” Bryce grinned.

“And how spring came early.” Logan grabbed a pitchfork and started spreading hay around. They’d transfer the animals the next day. “Ed Trevor mentioned something about the hounds having thick coats.”

“I heard the same thing. That reminds me.” Bryce leaned on his pitchfork. “After we get the animals settled in tomorrow morning, I need to go to the Trevor place. Has a runt no one’s spoken for. All the others have homes lined up.”

Logan shrugged. “If it’s made it this long, I think it’s got a good chance of growing.”

“Not with winter coming on fast.” Bryce shook his head. “He won’t have enough meat on his bones to get through the cold.”

“That’s rough,” Logan commiserated. “How did it happen that Ed got in such a late litter?”

“Happens sometimes.” Bryce thought a moment. “Ed said something about her being one of his older breeders.”

“What are you going to do with the pup?” Logan asked.

“I won’t know until I see it. Might be it just needs some extra attention and some cow’s milk to fatten it up. It’s worked before. Ed has too many dogs to spend that much time on a runt. Maybe I can take it off his hands.”

“Oh?”

Something about Logan’s tone raised Bryce’s hackles. “You got something to say?”

“How are you going to manage a pup on your five-day, cross-country train trek?” Logan drummed his fingers against one of the new walls.

“Might be a bit of a problem,” Bryce admitted.

“You could stay through the winter.” Logan got the words out in a rush.

“I’ve been away from the ranch for six months already. You want me to sleep out in the barn through a mountain winter?”

“I have it on good authority that this is a mighty fine barn! You could use the tack room so the smell won’t get to you. We both know that the animals will put off enough heat to keep the place warm.”

“For the sake of a little dog?” Bryce shook his head. “You can feed the thing without me.”

“I was thinking you might have other reasons to stay.” Logan waggled his brows. “I saw you eating lunch with Daisy the other day. She’s a fine woman.”

“Yes, she is.” Bryce set to work again and avoided his brother’s piercing gaze. “But that doesn’t amount to a hill o’ beans. She’s dead set on rebuilding the home and life she and her son lost. Even if I stayed the winter, I would eventually go back to Chance Ranch. Daisy’s already lost too much to give up anything more.”

“I see you’ve given this some thought, but did you think about all she stands to gain? You two seem to enjoy each other’s company, and you get on well with Jamie.”

“He’s a great kid.” Bryce chewed the inside of his cheek. “But I can’t leave Chance Ranch shorthanded this winter to pursue a woman who has other plans.”

“Are you so sure she wouldn’t give up those plans?”

“She’s a good friend, Logan, but she’s a mother first,” Bryce tried to explain. “Jamie’s welfare is the only thing she’s interested in.”

“So how come she smiles at you like that and brings you water and makes sure we have something for dessert every night, if it’s not because she likes you and noticed your sweet tooth?”

“She’s a thoughtful woman.” Bryce tried not to let Logan’s words sink in. False hopes never made a man anything but wrong.

“Hattie’s of the opinion that Daisy’s thinking, all right.” Logan paused meaningfully. “On you.”

“You talked to Hattie about this?” Bryce practically bellowed the words.

“She brought up how much time Daisy spent with you while we were gone,” Logan said casually, “and we’ve both kept an eye on the pair of you. Hattie thinks you two have something, and I agree.”

Could that be true? Is Daisy interested in me the way I’m attracted to her? There were those times when we touched—she seemed flustered. Could there be room enough in her heart for a new husband? I care for Jamie a great deal, and I’d treat him as my own son. Would Daisy be willing to come with me to California?

“I can see the questions rolling about in your head, Bryce.” Logan stared at him long and hard. “Are you willing to give up a winter to find the answers?”

Daisy looked up as Bryce entered the cabin. The determined set of his jaw as he strode across the room sent a chill down her spine. She rested her lacework in her lap and waited. Whatever it was he had to say, it must be important. Could something be wrong with the new barn? Then he stopped in front of her.

“Daisy Thales, I’ve made a decision.” The intensity of his gaze stirred something deep within her.

“What is it, Bryce?”

“I’m staying through the winter.”

What? No! How am I going to guard my heart against this man iff ‘n I cain’t be shore he’s leavin’? We’ll be snowbound more often than not. He’ll be here every time I turn around. What would make him change his mind? Why is he telling me and not Miz Willow and Hattie? What is he waiting for me to say?

Her breath caught at a possible answer.
He … he wouldn’t be staying for me? Yes, I’m attracted to him—but does he feel the same way? About me? Plump, plain me with a son by another man? Only one way to find out
.

“What made you change yore mind?” She tried to keep her voice steady and light but failed miserably.

“You.” He stepped forward and took her hand in his. Heat coursed through her fingers. “My mind’s made up; I plan to court you, Daisy.”

“Me?” The word came out as a squeak. She shook her head in disbelief, and his grip tightened as though he wouldn’t let go.

“Don’t say anything now. It’s beginning stages yet, but I figured you deserved fair warning.” He gave her palm a final squeeze. “Good night.”

Daisy watched, dumbfounded, as he left. She stared down at her hand, still tingling from the warmth of his. She leaned back before she registered Hattie and Miz Willow staring avidly.
At least Jamie’s already fast asleep!

She opened her mouth, realized she had no idea what to say, and cleared her throat instead.
I cain’t believe it. I got no choice but to believe it. I don’t even have time to work it through in my head ‘cuz the man didn’t have the sense God gave a flea. He tromped in, made his declaration in front of Miz Willow and Hattie, and took off. What am I supposed to say?

“Well?” Hattie prompted, leaning forward in anticipation.

“Well, what?” Daisy picked up a piece of lacework to keep her hands busy.

“Put that stitchin’ down, missy,” Miz Willow ordered. “You’ve got some thinking to do, and yore gonna need some wise counsel.”

I ain’t ready for counsel
, Daisy rebelled.
I don’t know what to say! How cain you not see that?

“Daisy?” Hattie caught her attention. “Do you not have any thoughts on what Bryce jist said?”

“I’ve got too many,” Daisy moaned, burying her face in her hands. “And not a-one of ‘em makes a lick of sense!”

“Then let’s make sense out of it,” Hattie declared firmly. “Now, puttin’ aside the fact that Bryce surprised you, we have to remember that it’s what he said that’s important. Not the time or way he chose to say it.”

“He could’ve spoke to me in private,” Daisy muttered.
At least then I’d have my wits about me before I had to talk it over
.

“That probably would’ve been best,” Miz Willow agreed. Her blue eyes crinkled with amusement. “But then Hattie and I would’ve been left out of the fun!”

“Never you mind ‘bout that.” Hattie swatted away Miz Willow’s entertained cackle. “We ain’t gonna tell anybody yore business, Daisy. What’s important is whether or not yore interested in that buck.” She eyed Daisy shrewdly. “I think you are, but yore the only one as knows for shore.”