Not the Marrying Kind (22 page)

“By the way, I’m not firing you yet,” she
told him, glancing toward the old bunkhouse.

“You’re not?”

“Not until you’ve helped me clean out those
bunks. Ranch hands aren’t usually too good at keeping their
sleeping quarters clean. There’s a lot of trash that’s piled up.
There’s old bedding too. Some can probably be washed up. Most of it
will likely need to be thrown out.”

Much of what she mentioned sounded like
woman’s work, but he had no objection to lending a helping hand.
The more opportunities he had to spend with Kat, the more chances
he’d have to steer her in the direction he wanted her to go.
Namely, choosing to marry Cody instead of Reverend Kendrick.

“What do you say we get started?” Joshua
pushed himself away from the corral fence and set off for the
bunkhouse.

“Sounds good.” Kat’s smile was genuine, but
then her expression turned stern. “Just don’t forget. As soon as
we’re through, you’re fired again.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

* * * *

“Can I ask you something, Joshua?” Most of
Kat’s earlier anger had dissipated now. Hard work had a way of
calming her temper. But it did nothing to take away her curiosity.
She leaned against her push broom and waited.

“Shoot.”

“Why would Judge Morse think he’s heard your
name before?” She studied Joshua’s face, watching for even the
slightest sign of nervousness or anxiousness. She saw none.

“No idea.” He shrugged and returned to the
job she’d assigned him—stripping blankets and linens from the
bunks.

“Are you in some kind of trouble? You’re not
running away or anything like that, are you?” She held her breath,
and again, watched his expression closely. Again, she saw nothing
to indicate any guilt.

“No, ma’am. I’ve committed no crimes.” He
straightened and the lines around his eyes crinkled a bit as a grin
spread across his face. “Can’t say I’ve never done anything wrong
in my life. I’m like every other fellow. I’ve made my share of
mistakes, but to answer your question straight out, no, ma’am. I’m
not in any trouble with the law.”

Kat smiled. “I didn’t think you were.”

“Now, can I ask you a question in return,
Miss Kat?”

“I’m not in any trouble either,” she said
with a laugh.

“Well, I’m glad to hear it, but that wasn’t
exactly what was on my mind.”

“Go ahead. You can ask me anything.” She
pushed the broom forward, stirring up clouds of thick dust.

“I was just wondering, has that preacher man
got around to asking you yet, Miss Kat?”

She coughed and gripped the push broom
tighter as she swept years of litter and debris from the floor of
the bunkhouse. They’d been working now for several hours, and she
could use a rest. Joshua’s question provided a welcome relief.

“Has he proposed? Is that what you mean?”
She leaned the broom against the wall, then stepped to the nearest
bunk and sat down on the edge. Cleaning up the messes humans made
had to be even worse than cleaning up after horses or cattle. She
wasn’t accustomed to such a strenuous task. Originally, she’d
intended to have Benjamin help her, but he’d climbed into the wagon
early that morning along with her folks and Emily Sue. Mama,
understandably concerned over Pa’s health, insisted on driving into
Denver to have him thoroughly checked out by a physician there.

“Yes, ma’am, that’s what I was wondering,
whether or not he’d got down on one knee.”

The vision his words sparked sent a chill
down her spine. “No, he hasn’t proposed.”
Thank God!

“Well, then, I suppose there’s still reason
to hope.” Grinning, he sat down on the next bunk.

“Hope? For what? Hope that he gets struck by
lightning?” Kat’s hand flew to her mouth. “I’m sorry. That was
cruel for me to say. I wouldn’t wish something so awful on anyone.
Not even Reverend Kendrick.” She waited, fearful that God’s justice
might hurl a bolt her way. Even the thick stone walls of the
bunkhouse wouldn’t protect her from His vengeance. Fortunately, no
sudden storms arose.

“Tell me this,” Joshua said, stretching his
long legs out in front of him. “Is it Reverend Kendrick you’re so
dead set against, or is it just the whole business of marriage? I
thought women all wanted to get married.”

“Not me.” She reached up and unfastened the
ribbon holding her long hair off her neck. Clumps of dust and bits
of hay fell to the floor when she gave her head a shake. Nimbly,
her fingers braided the coppery tresses. “I’m happy the way I am. I
love this ranch, Joshua, and there’s nothing I want more than to
stay right here. I want things to go on the way they always have,
but things change.”

“It must be hard to think about leaving this
place.”

“It’s the only home I’ve ever known.”

“Well, maybe things will work out, Kat. Life
is full of surprises, you know.”

“I don’t think so.”

“And like I’ve told you before, maybe
marriage wouldn’t be so bad, really…if you married the right
man.”

Her head jerked up.

“I mean,” he continued, “obviously Kendrick
isn’t anybody you’d want to spend your life with, but there are
other men besides him. What if another man came along and took an
interest in you? What if another man wanted you for his wife?”

Kat kept her eye on him as she got to her
feet. Joshua kept his eye on her, too. Even when she crossed the
narrow room to retrieve the push broom, his gaze followed her.

“We need to finish up in here,” she said,
turning away, her throat suddenly dry and dusty. But her thoughts
wouldn’t turn away so easily. As she and Joshua worked side-by-side
for the next few hours, she glanced at him now and then. Every
time, he was looking back…looking at her as though he very much
liked what he saw.

Maybe marriage wouldn’t be so bad,
really.

* * * *

Joshua whistled as he scrubbed the walls of
the bunkhouse. From time to time, he looked over his shoulder, and
as often as not, Kat was staring at him, her mouth open, her pretty
eyes wide. He’d caught her by surprise with his remarks about
marriage, had given her something to think about besides marrying
the town’s minister. From the way she’d reacted, it had apparently
never occurred to her that she could choose her own husband. Her
father might want her to tie the knot with that preacher man, but
he’d come around and accept whatever man his daughter married. So
long as she had a husband who could provide well for her, Kat could
count on her father’s blessing. Joshua felt certain of it.

He smiled back at Kat, then returned to his
work. For now, he’d said enough. He’d planted a seed inside that
pretty little head of hers. In time, it would take root and
grow.

Later, as the afternoon sun began to lower
in the sky, Joshua stepped out of the bunkhouse and peered off
toward the west. They’d finished their work. Kat was gathering up
their supplies now. “Well, ma’am, if you’re sure that’s all for the
day, I reckon I’ll be getting on back to the cabin.” He grimaced.
“I imagine Cody’s probably cooked up a bowl of grits again. Sure
wish that cousin of mine would fix something else, but he’s got to
have his grits. Grits and gravy.” Joshua chuckled. “That’s the
usual fare around his place. Now, sometimes he does fix beans, but
they’re nothing to brag about.” He sighed and rubbed his belly.
“That was a fine spread you and your mother served up on Sunday. It
sure would be nice to have another real meal like that. I’d give a
week’s wages for a decent, home-cooked dinner.” He frowned,
suddenly thinking back to the morning. “Well, that is, I’d give a
week’s wages if I were still working. I forgot, you’re getting
ready to fire me. I guess what I ought to say is that I’d
give—”

Kat didn’t give him a chance to say anything
else.

“You know you’re always welcome for dinner,”
she said, leaning forward. Joshua got the feeling if it weren’t for
the push broom in her hands, she’d probably be falling flat on her
face about now. He’d given her plenty to think about, for sure.

“Oh, no, Miss Kat, I wasn’t angling for an
invite, if that’s what you’re thinking.” He waved the thought away.
“I was just thinking out loud, that’s all.” With a hefty sigh, he
put his hat on. “Well, back to the grits and gravy.”

Broom in hand, she followed after him. “I
could cook a dinner and send it out to the cabin for you. For you
and your cousin, too. How does that sound?”

“Now, Miss Kat, you don’t need to go to any
trouble on my part.”

“It’s really no trouble. No trouble at all,”
she repeated.

“You’re sure about that?” He squinted at
her. “Besides, you were awful mad at me earlier. You’re about to
fire me, remember?”

She scraped the toe of her boot in the dirt.
“Well, yeah, but I don’t have any choice about that. Needless to
say, Pa’s not going to let me keep running the ranch after what
happened yesterday morning. He’s made that clear. And, yeah, I was
pretty sore at you earlier, but I’m over it now.” A light blush
colored her fair cheeks. “That’s how I am. Sometimes my temper gets
the best of me, and I sort of blow up, but then I calm down again
afterward.” She lifted her chin and smiled at him. “That’s another
reason why I’d like to fix dinner for you. It would make me feel
better, you know. For the way I acted earlier.”

“Well, if you’re really sure…”

“I insist.” She set the push broom against
the stone wall of the bunkhouse, then closed the door and locked
it. “We’re done here for the day, anyway. You go on back to the
cabin, and I’ll bring dinner out later.” Kat glanced toward the
sky. “About sundown. How does that sound?”

“Why, it sounds right nice. Now, I’ll gladly
pay you for your time and trouble, Miss Kat.”

“Don’t be silly. I want to do this. Cooking
a meal for you and Cody will make me feel better.” She stared down
at her boots again. “I’m really sorry about that temper
tantrum.”

“Am I still fired?” He held his breath.

Kat’s head came up, and she laughed.
“Yes.”

“Can’t blame a fellow for trying.” He put on
his hat and headed for his horse. Kat waved as he rode away.

“See you later,” she called after him.

He waved his hat but didn’t turn back to
face her lest she see the huge grin spreading across his face.
Hook, line, and sinker, she’d taken the bait…and swallowed.

* * * *

Two hours later, Kat stood on the back porch
of the McIntyres’ farmhouse. Frantic, she pounded on the door.

“Lucille, you have to help me!”

When the door swung open, Kat nearly fell
into the kitchen. She caught herself and reached for her friend’s
hands.

“Kat, whatever is wrong now? You look
flustered.” Lucille drew her farther into the kitchen, then
extricated her hands from Kat’s iron-like grip. “You’re all gussied
up.” She eyed her with obvious amusement. “What’s going on?”

“Pa’s rules, remember. I have to look like a
lady in the evenings.” She’d chosen a lovely calico frock with
muslin underskirting. For once, she actually felt pleased to dress
in a more feminine manner. Tiers of ruffles cascaded down the back
of the skirt, giving Kat’s figure a satisfying, womanly appearance.
Thank the Lord little Emily Sue hadn’t been there to see her
admiring her shape.

“Oh, yes. I’d forgotten. But what are you
doing here?”

“I need your help.” Kat grabbed her friend’s
hands again. “I’ve got myself in a bit of a fix.”

Lucille nodded. “Of course, just tell me
what you need me to do.”

“I knew I could count on you.” Kat breathed
out a sigh. “It’s Mr. Barron,” she continued, quickly shaking her
head at the girl’s concerned expression. “He’s fine. There’s
nothing wrong with him.” Absolutely nothing at all, she thought
silently. “The problem is he’s asked me to fix him a bite to eat. I
guess he and his cousin are awfully busy with some project or
another. I’m not sure exactly what, but, well, two men living out
there in that cabin,” she said with an offhand laugh, “probably
don’t know much about cooking.”

“Neither do you,” replied Lucille, stepping
back and giving Kat a curious look. “Why on earth would that man
come to you for a decent meal?” She laughed aloud. “What a
thought.”

“He doesn’t know that I can’t cook.”

“Obviously. If he knew, he would never have
suggested it.”

“Listen, Lucille, I don’t have much time. I
promised I’d have dinner ready by sundown, and it’s already after
five.” She swallowed back her embarrassment. “Just so you know, I
did try. I floured up some chops, added a bit of salt and pepper,
and I thought I had everything perfect. But I must have had the
fire too hot. The chops burned to a crisp, and meanwhile, while I
was trying to put out the fire, the potatoes got ruined. I tried,
but I couldn’t get them mashed, and I pulled up some carrots from
the garden, but —”

“It’s too early for carrots.”

“Yeah, I know.” Kat hung her head.

“In other words, you ruined the whole meal,
and now you’ve got nothing to deliver.”

“Exactly.”

“You could have just said that and got right
to the point.”

“Will you help me, Lucille? Please?”

“I suppose I could.” She looked flushed. “I
mean, the man does deserve a decent meal, and he’d probably be most
grateful to anyone who took the time—”

“Speaking of time,” Kat interrupted, “we
don’t have much of that, so can we get busy, please?” She suspected
Lucille might be entertaining a few thoughts of her own about the
handsome fellow. Best to nip that little idea right in the bud.

“You’re right.” Lucille took Kat’s arm and
led her toward the kitchen cupboard. “We’ll fry up a chicken, fix
some gravy, and we’ll make a batch of biscuits, too.”

“And potatoes?”

“Yes, of course, Men do like their potatoes,
I know.” She took an apron down from a peg, then tossed another to
Kat.