Noah (5 page)

“Miss Kate,” Fannie rushed forward. “This man
says he’s come a long way in answer to an advertisement you placed in his local
paper. I told him you had gone into town, but he insis—”

“It’s all right, Fannie.” Kate smiled at the
woman, grateful for the lit lamps throughout the room. “Thank you for
entertaining our
guest
while I was away.”

He couldn’t be much of a gentleman if he’d
insisted on sitting in a house alone with a woman—even if Fannie was old enough
to be his grandmother.

“Clifford Thomas, ma’am,” the man said, already
on his feet and taking a step toward her. “From Abilene. I apologize for
calling at such a late hour, but I just arrived in town and wanted to meet the
woman I’ve come to marry.” He flashed a smile that would be hard to forget.

Kate’s jaw dropped.

She’d been in Laramie for nearly two years and
in that time the only men who’d paid any attention to her were either already
spoken for or those who frequented the saloons. Well, except for Dell. Since
placing the ad over a month ago, she’d received correspondence from only one
man from Montana, but nothing else. Now, two seemingly respectable suitors had
appeared in one day. That made three.

“You’re an awfully long way away from home, Mr.
Thomas. I wasn’t aware that my ad would reach Texas.”

He wasn’t as tall as Noah and he had dark hair,
but he also looked as if he knew his way around a ranch.

“Well, actually, ma’am, I just finished a drive
up through Colorado and a few of the boys mentioned your advertisement.”

Mr. Thomas’s eyes unexpectedly grew wide and he
glanced from one position over her left shoulder to another position over her
right. She smiled a little, realizing that Levi and Noah must be standing directly
behind her. She could feel them scrutinizing every inch of this man and could
imagine how imposing a backdrop they would be. He looked down at the drawn gun
in her hand and swallowed hard.

“Were y’all expectin’ someone else?”

Kate hastily tucked the gun into her belt and turned
back to look over her shoulder to where Noah stood, eyebrow raised, staring at
the man like a skilled wrangler staring down a wild horse.

“Mr. Thomas, I am Kate Callahan and this is
Levi Redbourne and Noah Deardon.”

Dell and Eamon took that moment to come through
the kitchen and into the living area, both with weapons drawn as well.

Mr. Thomas nodded at each of them, his hands
raised slightly in front of him. “Are all of you here for Miss Callahan’s
hand?”

Everyone just continued to stare at the man,
until finally Noah stepped forward next to Kate.

“Just me,” he said in a rich, deep voice that
sent butterflies sprawling through her belly. She could get used to that sound.

Mr. Thomas looked Noah up and down as she was
sure Noah had already done to him.

“You don’t mind a little friendly competition
now, do ya, friend?” Mr. Thomas asked.

“Not when it’s someone worth competing for.”
Noah looked down and winked at her. Warmth spread over her whole body.

Compete?
For me?
She wasn’t sure she liked the
sound of that.

“Where are you staying, Mr. Thomas?”

“Well, ma’am, as I said before, I just got into
town and I thought I’d be staying here. At the ranch. With my wife. Didn’t make
no other arrangements.”

Eamon coughed behind his hand, which Kate
suspected hid a chuckle.

“Surely, Mr. Thomas, you didn’t think we’d just
march down to the chapel and have Reverend Jones marry us? How could you think
I would make you a part of my life on this ranch without so much as having a
conversation?”

He cleared his throat. “From your ad, I figured
you’d want to get started as soon as possible. It sounded like you needed a bit
of help getting this place in order. I thought we’d spend a few hours talking,
sure, but it’s not like you’re looking to be courted? You put an ad in a newspaper
for a husband, not for a suitor or business partner.”

Kate could not believe her ears. He was a
blamed fool if he didn’t think a woman needed to be courted—by her suitor or
husband, it didn’t matter. She hadn’t been looking for love exactly. She’d
learned from her parents that love grew over time, but respect and
consideration were not negotiable.

“We’ve not exchanged any correspondence nor do
I know anything about you. We haven’t been acquainted for all of five minutes
and, frankly, I find your arrogance off-putting.”

Be polite, Kate.

Maybe placing that ad had been a mistake.

She looked up at Noah, with his broad
shoulders, tousled blond hair, and easy smile.

Maybe not.

“I’m sorry, Mr. Thomas, I know you’ve come a
long way. There is a lot of work to be done. My father purchased a herd of
three-hundred head just before he died. They have been delayed in Denver, but I
am assured they will be delivered in the next couple of weeks. Until then, I
have time to decide what, or who as the case may be, is best for me. And my
ranch.”

“I understand completely, Kate. May I call you
Kate?” He didn’t wait for an answer. “Would you mind terribly if I stayed in
the bunkhouse until you’ve reached your decision?”

“Do you know anything about the cattle
business, Thomas?” Levi asked incredulously before she could respond. “Are you
a kind person? Loyal? No one here knows the answers to any of those questions. You
don’t just expect her to take
your
word for it?”

It was obvious he’d taken a dislike to the man.

“Well, yeah.” Mr. Thomas nodded. “I’m sorry,
who are you exactly?”

“Do you have any credentials? Anyone who can
vouch for you?”

“In Abilene, of course.” His jaw clenched
momentarily before continuing. “Or the trail boss from the drive to Colorado
would—”

“Fannie?” Kate interrupted. The last thing she
needed after the day she’d had was to have a full out brawl in her living room.
It had been a long day and her body just wanted to crawl back into her bed and
sleep for a few days. Unfortunately, running a ranch did not allow for such
luxuries.

She looked over at the older woman who’d been observing
the entire interaction from the doorway into the kitchen. “Do you have any of
that ham or those fried potatoes left from supper?”

Fannie’s eyes grew wide. “I saved what was
remaining, Miss Kate, but not enough to feed five grown men. I’m afraid what’s
there is a might cold.” She turned around and headed back into the kitchen. “I
suppose I could warm some of yesterday’s stew to go along with it.”

“Would you mind terribly, Fannie?” Kate called
after her. “I think these gentlemen all need a little food in their bellies,”
she said this last part more to herself than the cook. She needed the
distraction.

Noah’s stomach grumbled with a month’s lack of good
hearty meals of meat and potatoes, but the food could wait. There was something
about this Clifford Thomas that made him want to punch the man in the nose and
send him right back to Abilene with all of his presumptions and lack of respect.
He watched the man jaw at his food like he was a prince in his palace and lost
his appetite.

He needed air.

He and Levi had been on the road for most of
the day. Then, when they’d arrived in town, he’d witnessed a full on lynching
of the man Levi had told him about—the one who had killed Kate’s father. To top
it all off, he met the woman he’d travelled all this way to marry, only to
discover he wasn’t her only would-be suitor. He was exhausted and looked
forward to a good night’s sleep in a real bed. His head would be clearer in the
morning.

He stood.

“Well, thank you kindly for the supper, Miss
Fannie, and for the pleasure of making your acquaintance, Miss Callahan. I best
be heading out if I’m going to make it back to town in time to get any sleep
tonight.” Luckily, the ranch was only a few miles out of town. He should be
able to make it to the inn he’d seen at the far edge within the hour.

Kate stood as well.

“I hope it wasn’t presumptuous of me, Mr.
Deardon, but I already had Dell put both Levi’s and your things in the
bunkhouse.” She stood, her plate in hand, and walked over to the sink to
deposit her dishes, then turned back to look at him.

“That’s mighty kind of you, ma’am.” He reached
up and tipped the air where the brim of his hat normally rested on his head. “I’d
be much obliged. Thank you.”

“Are you sure you wouldn’t like something to
eat?” she asked, pointing at the large pot of stew warming on the stove.

“I’m real grateful for your hospitality, ma’am.
The horses have been out there tied to the post a might too long. Apollo needs
to be attended to—brushed down and fed.”

“I’ll show him to the stables, Kate,” Levi
said, joining Noah at the door.

“I think I’ll turn in after that, if it’s all
right with you, of course,” Noah said, pulling the door open. “It’s been a long
day.”

She nodded. “Of course.”

He managed a smile before he took a step over
the threshold, then stopped, leaning back through the door to look at her.
“Miss Callahan, it’s been a real pleasure to meet and talk with you. Thank
you.”

He walked out into the yard and over to the
hitching post where Levi’s mule of a horse was tied up next to Apollo and the chestnut
mount Kate had ridden into town.

“You really need to get a new horse,” Noah told
his cousin with amusement. “When you’re not riding the train, you need a mount
that will get you out to some of these towns without worrying your pony is
going to up and die on you.”

“Mock all you want, but this little fella got
me all the way to Oregon to collect you, now didn’t he? And back.”

“That he did. Just don’t say I didn’t warn
you.”

“I know,” Levi relented. “If my brothers saw
what I was riding, I’d never hear the end of it. Especially from Cole. He’s been
working with a new stallion, imported from overseas and bought at auction. Mama
says he’s even riding bareback.”

Noah took Apollo and Kate’s chestnut horse by
the reins, the wagon still attached, and followed Levi toward the barn. After backing
the buckboard into the corner, next to what looked like a winter sleigh, he unhitched
the team, then he and Levi led all three mounts to the stable where they
discovered a couple of stalls had already been cleaned and swept out for them.

“Here, I’ll take her.” One of the ranch hands
appeared behind them, reaching out for the reins on Kate’s mare. “It’s nice to
see you again, Mr. Redbourne,” he said with a nod, then turned to Noah. “Name’s
Virg.”

Noah handed him the requested reins.

“Noah.”

“Mr. Walker told me you might be staying a
while. Let me know if you need anything.” He tipped his hat and headed to
another stall to take care of the mare.

“Thank you,” Noah called after him.

A large stack of fresh straw mounded in one of
the empty stalls. He grabbed a pitchfork off the wall and took several large
measures of the bedding, tossing it into Apollo’s stall.

Silence passed between the men for a number of
minutes before Noah started to whistle. The ranch and its owner were a lot to
take in. After a few more minutes, Levi finally peeked over the stall, his arms
perched on the short partition separating them, his chin resting on his hands.

“So, what do you think of Miss Kate Callahan?”
he asked.

Noah had noted a barrel of oats and a scoop in
the corner next to the work table and stepped over to retrieve them. How could
he tell his cousin that Kate was already more than he’d ever dreamed she would
be, that not only was she the most beautiful woman he’d ever had the pleasure
of meeting, but he’d thoroughly enjoyed her company?

He wasn’t worried as much about Mr. Thomas and the
man’s ill manners as he was about the others that would surely start arriving.
He couldn’t allow himself to fall for a woman who may never be his. He’d
married for the wrong reasons the first time, and the next time would be the
last time. It had to be right.

“I can see why you were tempted to settle down,”
he said coolly as he lifted the saddle from Apollo’s back and hung it over the partition
next to Levi. “She’s pretty and no nonsense. I like that.” He unhooked the
brush that hung just outside of the stall and proceeded to groom the gelding’s
sleek grey coat and long black mane. “How many men do you think will answer her
ad?”

“I don’t know. Maybe a dozen or so. It only got
through to two different newspapers. One in Colorado and the other in Montana.
Why?”

“I just need to know what I’m up against and
how quickly I need to win her over.”

“You like her. Don’t you?”

Noah could not stop the smile that cracked
through. “It’s too early to tell, but if I am going to have a fighting chance,
I need to get to know her better. And the ranch. I’ll ride out first thing
tomorrow and get a good look at the herds, the pastures, and the outbuildings.”

Usually, a ranch this size would have at least
a dozen hands, but the foreman, Dell, had told him that only three had agreed
to stay on after Mr. Callahan died—Virg, Oscar, and Cal, if he remembered
correctly.

“I’d like to speak with Dell and make note of
any repairs that need to be made. Also, I heard the clerk at the telegraph
office mention that there are several thousands of acres for sale out this way
and I would like to look at buying some.”

“Whoa, slow down there, Noah. You’re going to
hurt yourself with all that planning.” Levi moved out in front of the tack room
and leaned back against one of the beams, his ankles crossed, and his arms
folded.

Noah laughed. “It’s not worth doing if you
don’t do it right.” He stepped out of the stall and latched it shut, placing
the pitchfork back on its proper hook. “Granddad was very generous with our
inheritance and I want to put it to good use.”

“I wouldn’t know about that…yet,” Levi said,
shaking his head. “I’m not too worried about it, though. If it doesn’t happen in
time and I don’t get the money, would it really be that bad? It’s not as if my
family struggles. Financially, I mean.”

“It’s not a trivial amount, Levi. You could do
a lot of good with the money Granddad left you. However, you are still quite a
ways off from the ‘end of your twenty-fifth year.’ You’ll be fine.”

Liam Deardon had believed that unmarried men
over the age of twenty-five were a menace to society. Thus, he had been very
specific in his will that each portion of his grandchildren’s inheritance was
dependent upon them getting married before their twenty-sixth birthday.

Noah hadn’t felt deserving of the sizeable sum
he’d received after he’d wed Persephone Whittaker and had been very reluctant
to spend any of it until he was good and married to a woman he loved. If that
woman was Kate, all the better.

“Not that far off? I’m twenty-three.”

The horse in the next stall nickered quietly
and stuck his head out over the short gate wall to say hello.

Noah laughed and reached into his saddle bag
for another apple. He’d spotted a whole bushel at the livery in town and had
purchased some of them from the liveryman when he’d rented the buckboard this
evening.

“Yes, you’re a right old man.” He held up the
lantern and placed the apple on his open palm. When the light-colored steed had
finished eating the treat, Noah rubbed the mount’s neck and face. “What a
beautiful horse. I’ve never seen one like him.”

“And you probably won’t. Around here anyway,”
Levi said as he came closer.

“What do you mean?”

“Well, not that I’ve seen one as well-mannered
as this,” he reached up and scratched behind the horse’s jaw, “but if you ask
me, that’s an Arabian.”

“How do you know?”

“You remember when I told you about my kid
brother, Cole’s, new horse. Well, he saw one of these at auction just before I
left for Oregon. It was just a colt, but Cole fell in love. He was a sleek,
black color. Although, this one is lighter, he has the same characteristics as
Cole’s. He looks like a cross between a Quarter Horse and a mustang. See here,”
Levi pointed to the bulge on the horse’s forehead. “He’s an Arabian all right.”

“Is he one of Kate’s?” Noah had worked with a
lot of horses—mustangs mostly, but this one seemed special somehow.

“I’ve never seen him before. It’s more likely,
he belongs to Thomas.”

“What’s a drover on a cattle run doing with a
horse like that?” Noah asked, wheels turning wildly in his head.

“I don’t know, but it can’t be something good.”

Noah’d had a bad feeling about the man from the
start. Now, that warning was amplified tenfold.

“Shhhh.” Levi placed a finger over his mouth as
he pushed himself away from the beam in front of the tack room and leaned up
against the front door, peering out into the dark.

Voices carried into the stable from the yard.
Noah immediately recognized the Irish lilt of Kate’s speech. He peeked around
the opposite side of the stable door to see Dell, Mr. Thomas, and Miss Callahan
walking toward the bunkhouse.

He forced the sharp pang in his belly away as
he pulled back out of sight—not that they would be able to see him in this
light anyway.

“You
do
like her,” Levi taunted.

“Did you suspect it would be any different?”
Noah shook his head. “Aren’t you the one who brought me all the way out here
because you knew she was the kind of woman any man in his right mind would
want?”

“Of course, I knew. I’m just glad to hear
you’re in your right mind.” Levi chuckled.

Now that the horses had been taken care of,
Noah was ready to turn in for the night. He had already made a mental list of
things he needed to do in the morning—return the buckboard he’d rented from the
livery, ride the perimeter of the property, and observe the current workings of
the ranch. If he was going to make a difference here, he needed to know what he
was up against. Of course, he wouldn’t be good for anything tomorrow if he didn’t
get a decent night’s sleep.

“Goodnight, Kate. Mr. Thomas.” The foreman’s
distant voice faded as he headed for the bunkhouse.

Noah stuck his ear to the door. He didn’t want
to eavesdrop, but his gut told him not to leave this Thomas fella alone in the
dark with Kate. He took a deep breath, debating whether or not he should wait
for them to finish their conversation, but decided better of it. He stepped out
into the yard and strode toward the bunkhouse, Levi at his heels.

“Why, Mr. Deardon.” Kate looked up at him as if
she were surprised to see him. “Is everything all right?” The moonlight spilled
down the side of her face, adding a child-like quality to her features. She was
even more beautiful than he’d remembered.

It took a moment before he realized he hadn’t
responded. He cleared his throat, heat collecting under his collar.