The Rancher Takes a Cook (23 page)

“Hey, girl,” Anna said, holding out a hand
to the puppy. The dog came forward, tail fanning like a flag in a
lazy breeze. As Anna scratched the silky hair between her ears,
Abigail sat and gazed at her with a look of complete adoration.
Something in the chair caught Anna’s eye, and she sat up to get a
better look, wincing at the pain. There lay a sprig of yellow
honeysuckle and a slip of paper. She carefully picked them up and
read the note.
Proverbs 31:10.

Curious, Anna reached for her Bible on the
bedside table and flipped to the verse.
Who can find a virtuous
woman, for her worth is far above rubies.
Her mouth pulled into
a smile and she fingered the flower, inhaling the sweet scent she
had always loved. The note was written in Jacob’s even hand. Did he
think she was worth far more than rubies? She glanced down at the
blanket covering her injury. She wasn’t worth much of anything
lying in bed. If only she could be up and moving again, working in
the kitchen…
helping
. She wanted to be a helpmate to Jacob,
just like the virtuous woman described in Proverbs thirty-one.

Over the next few days, Anna strengthened
and the pain in her leg lessened. She hated staying in bed all the
time, but Jacob always brought her breakfast in the morning and
read a couple of chapters from the Bible while she ate. He stopped
in to visit throughout each afternoon when she wasn’t sleeping, and
at least once a day she would awaken to find a flower and a note on
the seat of the chair. Aunt Lola was also a frequent visitor, and
both Edward and Mr. O’Brien came by a couple of times each day to
offer a cheery word. For the first few days, she slept much of the
time, but as she was able to wean herself from the laudanum, she
was awake more and more.

Jacob wasn’t going out to work with the
cattle. When he wasn’t with her, he tinkered in the barn or did odd
jobs around the house. It was strange. Nothing had kept him from
the livestock before. Was he hanging around because of
her
?
A warmth flooded her chest, but a seed of concern planted itself in
her mind. She didn’t like the idea of being so much trouble that
Jacob couldn’t even do the work he loved. She would just have to
speak with him about it that morning. It was almost breakfast time,
and Jacob would likely be coming up with her tray any minute.

As if he’d read her mind, boot thuds echoed
up the stairway and down the hall, stopping outside Anna’s room.
She reached up to tuck a few wayward strands of hair behind her
ears. It was bad enough she had to lay here in her dressing gown,
but the least she could do was keep her hair styled. As soon as the
pain had subsided enough for her to realize her state of disarray,
Anna had engaged Aunt Lola’s assistance in braiding her long hair
so it didn’t flow loose around her shoulders. Things may be a bit
wilder and more practical in Texas, but she would make sure her
sense of decency held strong.

The light knock on the door brought a smile
to her face. “Come on in.”

The door opened and Jacob peered around the
edge. “You hungry?”

“Starved.” Her stomach flip-flopped like
that of a giddy school girl as Jacob approached. His strong jaw was
freshly shaven and his short brown hair still slicked back since he
hadn’t yet donned his cowboy hat for the day. The royal blue shirt
he wore didn’t disguise the breadth of his shoulders and the
muscles that played across his chest and arms with each of his
movements.

As always, he wore the blue bandanna Anna
had given him for Christmas, and she was struck again by how
closely it matched his eyes. She studied it intently. The fabric
was worn around the edges. She’d need to buy more fabric as soon as
she could get to town. Too bad she didn’t have the material now,
for she certainly had time on her hands.

Jacob placed the tray on the side of the bed
and folded his tall frame into the cushioned chair. “How’re ya
feeling today?”

“Much better. The pain’s not as bad, and I
haven’t had to take the laudanum this morning.” She bowed her head
slightly and chanced a look at him. “Hopefully, I can stop sleeping
so much, like I’ve done for the last few days.”

“Sleep is what you’ve needed, I guess.” He
nodded toward the tray that she hadn’t yet touched. “And food is
what you need now. Eat up so you don’t hurt Aunt Lola’s feelings
again by not finishing her food.”

Anna’s heart sank. “Oh, I’m so sorry. The
food has been wonderful. I just haven’t quite had my normal
appetite.”

A mischievous twinkle flashed in Jacob’s
eyes. “Don’t worry yourself overmuch. I’ve been finishing off what
you couldn’t eat. Just didn’t want to make the cook feel bad.” He
leaned back a bit and rubbed a hand over his flat stomach.

It took her a moment to absorb his words,
then a giggle snuck out before she could catch it. “Well in that
case, you might as well help me eat now instead of making me dine
by myself.” She pushed the plate with biscuits and strips of bacon
in Jacob’s direction. “I’ll be doing good to finish the hotcakes
with everything she’s piled here. You eat these.”

Jacob eyed the food for a second as if
debating the sincerity of her words. He finally looked at Anna with
a raised eyebrow then gave a slight shrug and leaned forward to
pick up a piece of bacon. “I wouldn’t want to make you eat by
yourself.” He popped it in his mouth.

Anna nibbled the hotcake, watching Jacob out
of the corner of her eye. There was something intimate and
comfortable about eating from the same tray. But why was she shy in
his presence? She had to say something to break through her
awkwardness. “Jacob.”

“Yep.” Elbows resting on his long legs, he
raised his eyes to meet her gaze and the familiar tightening
squeezed her chest at their blue intensity.

“You, um, haven’t gone out with the cattle
in a few days. Is there something wrong?”

Jacob studied her for a few moments, all
traces of laughter gone from his face, then looked down at the
biscuit in his hands. “I thought I’d stay close for a few
days…until things get back to normal.”

Anna leaned forward and laid a hand on his
arm. “I hope you’re not staying here because of me. I love having
you around, but I don’t want to be any trouble for you.”

Jacob stared at her hand on his arm as if
deep in thought then lifted his gaze to look at Anna’s face. A
sheen of moisture covered the usually clear blue of his eyes. His
voice was low and intense. “I…
We
almost lost you. When you
were unconscious and I was racing to get you to the house so you
could be doctored, I prayed God would keep you alive. I promised I
would never let anything like that happen to you again. I’m just
trying to keep my promise.”

Anna’s heart tightened at the pain in his
eyes. “Jacob, God doesn’t expect you to sit here and watch over me.
That’s
His
job.”

He nodded, dropping his gaze back down to
Anna’s hand that still rested on his arm. “I know.”

He sat staring at her hand for a long
moment, then his Adam’s apple bobbed and he seemed to recover
himself. He leaned back in the chair and let Anna’s hand slide down
his arm and into the palm of his large, work-roughened hand. Anna
relished the warmth of his skin.

“You finish eating now while I go talk to Pa
for a few minutes before he heads to town. Anything you want him to
bring back for you?”

Anna’s eyes trailed to the bandanna around
Jacob’s neck. “There is something. If you’ll get me a piece of
paper, I’ll write down a list for my aunt to gather for me at the
store.”

Jacob nodded and kissed her palm, sending a
shiver up Anna’s arms. Rising, he smiled with both brows raised.
Something about the quirk of his mouth spoke a promise Anna
couldn’t quite discern. “I’ll be right back.”

* * *

The week had seemed like at least a month,
but Anna was finally up and moving on the crutches the doctor
brought her. She was determined to make it downstairs, but still
didn’t have the strength or stamina to sit upright in a chair for
very long. So she settled for arranging herself on the sofa in the
den in time for the family to gather after dinner and listen to Mr.
O’Brien read from the Bible.

It was wonderful to be sitting, in a dress,
not a dressing gown, with her adopted family all around. Mr.
O’Brien, nestled in his overstuffed chair, read from the book of
First Samuel while Aunt Lola rocked and crocheted next to him. The
steady rhythm soothed the tension in her nerves and reminded Anna
of early memories of her own Mama. Jacob inhabited his usual chair
between the sofa and the fireplace and wiped down several bridles
as he listened to the reading. He was always so industrious. Since
Anna sat on the sofa with her leg propped across the extra seat.
Edward had brought in a chair from the dining room and sat stroking
Abigail’s head. She gazed at him with her devoted-dog eyes.

Each person in this menagerie was so near
and dear to her heart. Anna’s eyes stung at the love that
threatened to overwhelm her chest. At a gentle touch on her
shoulder, she glanced at Jacob.

His brows pinched, shadowing his blue gaze.
“Does your leg hurt?” He mouthed the words so he didn’t interrupt
the story of Samuel inspecting Jesse’s sons to find the future
king.

Anna flashed him what she hoped was a
convincing smile and shook her head slightly. The truth was, the
pain in her leg was getting worse the longer she sat there. She’d
probably overdone it a bit for today.

Once again, Jacob seemed to read her mind.
As soon as there was a break in the story, he stretched and yawned
dramatically. “I reckon I’m a bit tired tonight. Do you mind if we
stop there so I can check the animals before turning in early?”

Aunt Lola ‘harrumphed.’ “Don’t know how you
could be tired from hangin’ around the house all day. But Anna, on
the other hand, has been up more than she ought. Reckon it’s time
for her to be turnin’ in.” Setting her needlework back in the
basket beside the rocking chair, Aunt Lola pushed to her feet.
“Come on, lassie. Let’s be gettin’ ya upstairs.”

* * *

Two weeks later, Anna sat across from Jacob
in the kitchen, her hands busy peeling potatoes for breakfast.
She’d made Aunt Lola promise to sleep in this morning and allow
Anna to resume cooking duties on her own.

As her knife flew around the potato almost
of its own accord, Anna eyed Jacob. He’d been awfully quiet this
morning…almost moody. Right now, he held a coffee cup in hand and
stared out the kitchen window to some far distant place. He was
going stir crazy missing the cattle and the cowboys, the life he
loved. He hadn’t said a word about it, though, so Anna wasn’t
altogether sure if
he
knew what was making him so gloomy. Of
course, maybe he didn’t mention it because he didn’t want Anna to
feel bad. If that was the case, then she needed to say something
now
. Anna took a deep breath. “I think they miss you as much
as you miss them.”

Jacob turned to look at her as if he’d just
realized she was in the room. “What?”

“The cattle and the men. They miss you as
much as you miss them.”

He shook his head but didn’t say
anything.

“Why don’t you head out with the boys today?
I’m back on my feet now, so we’ll be fine here.”

Jacob’s back stiffened. “You tryin’ to run
me off?” His words held a hint of defiance and Anna needed to tread
carefully.

“No. I love having you here.” She hurried to
smooth his ruffled feathers. “I know you love working outside, and
you’ve been cooped up here for three weeks. I could certainly
understand if you were eager to get back in the saddle.” The words
spewed out one on top of the other, until she had to stop and catch
her breath.

Jacob’s back remained stiff for another
moment, then he finally sighed and allowed his shoulders to slump.
“I reckon you’re right.”

Anna released a breath. “I know you’ll feel
better when you’re back on a horse.”

Jacob sipped his coffee then placed the cup
on the table and faced her. One look at the earnest expression in
his eyes stilled her knife, poised over the potato while she waited
for him to speak.

“If I go today, you have to promise me
you’ll stay
in the house.
Keep a rifle with you at all
times. At the first sign of trouble, fire two shots and we’ll be
here in minutes. Do you promise?” His voice rose a bit with the
final words, and Anna would have giggled at his overzealous worry
if it weren’t for the deep concern in his blue gaze.

Keeping her face relaxed but sincere, Anna
set the knife on the table and placed her hand on top of Jacob’s.
“I promise.”

Anna hummed the tune, “Joyful, Joyful, We
Adore Thee
”
as she pulled a loaf of apple cinnamon bread
from the oven. The house filled with the aroma of apples and
cinnamon baking, a scent that always put her in good spirits. She
couldn’t put her finger on the reason, but her skin tingled this
morning like it usually did when something special was about to
happen. To match her lively mood, she’d even dressed in the
sunshine-yellow gown she tended to save for special occasions.

The back door banged shut and Jacob strode
in carrying his usual bucket of milk and basket of eggs. “There are
two hens setting now. We should have some little biddies soon.” He
set his load on the work counter with a thump and hung his hat on
the peg by the door, running a hand through his short brown hair.
Anna poured a cup of coffee from the pot that had finished brewing
and turned to greet him with a warm smile. He offered a grin of his
own when she handed over the steaming mug.

“I tell ya, a man could get use to this.
Comin’ in to a kitchen smellin’ like the Garden of Eden, and a hot
cup of coffee made by the prettiest gal in Texas.”