Linda Ford - Big Sky Homecoming

“There. That will keep it for now.”

“Thanks.” His voice came from a long distance.

“Duke, you must stay awake.”

Why must I? “You’ll stay?” He pulled the words from the fog.

“Until I’m sure you’re okay.”

So long as she was there, he’d be safe. And he let the fog drift closer.

A faint breeze, a sense of aloneness, forced his eyes open. “Rose?”

She stood by the sofa. “Billy, stay with him while I clean up these things. And keep him awake.”

Billy perched on the stool that Rose had vacated and patted Duke’s hand. “You’ll be okay now. Rose fixed you up good. I knowed she would. That’s why I got her to help.”

Duke grunted a time or two to indicate he listened as Billy rattled on and on, but he barely heard a word the man said. His thoughts had followed Rose to the kitchen. Would she leave without saying goodbye? The thought of being alone except for the frightened Billy sent his pulse into a fury.

From the depths of his heart he prayed. God, please convince her to stay.

Chapter Four

Rose stood in the middle of the kitchen, her hand pressed to her throat. What was there about this place, this situation, about Duke, that unraveled her thoughts until she could hardly remember who she was?

She went to the stove and lifted the kettle. It was full of water. A cup of tea would set her to rights. She pushed wood into the stove and stirred up the fire. While she waited for the kettle to boil, she searched for tea. Every cupboard she opened increased the tightness in her head. Would she be accused of snooping? But Mrs. Caldwell was away, so she wouldn’t know. Still, Rose’s sense of intrusion increased.

As did her growing awareness of the vast difference between her as a Bell and Duke, a Caldwell.

She found a canister of tea and a fine china teapot and closed the cupboards firmly and with a sigh of relief.

She warmed the pot, then measured out a handful of tea leaves and added the boiling water.

A good look around the kitchen gave her cause to think that Duke didn’t cook for himself. The place was far too tidy. Did Billy cook for them? Did a housekeeper come in and prepare meals? Or did they go over to the long building down near the barn she took for the cookhouse?

Duke would never make it that far in his present condition.

She poured tea into three matching teacups, put them on a serving tray and carried it to the other room.

Billy jumped up as she entered the room. “I’d of helped if you called.”

“Thank you, Billy, but I managed fine.” She set the tray on the nearest table. “I thought tea might hit the spot.”

Duke pushed himself upright, grimacing.

She hurried to his side. “Lie back.”

“Can’t drink tea lying down.”

She could practically hear his teeth creak from the way he clenched them.

He swung his feet to the floor and gave her a lopsided grin. “I’m fine. Really.”

She stood in front of him, her hands planted on her hips. “About as fine as snow in July.” It was on the tip of her tongue to say being a Caldwell didn’t make him impervious, but the pain and determination in his face made her hold back her words. Instead she almost commended him for the strength he showed.

He lifted his face to her. “I believe I’ll have that tea now. Thank you.” His crooked smile made her grin.

“Yes, sir.” She carried a cup to him and hovered close as he took it. The tea sloshed so wildly, she caught his hands to steady them.

His eyes bored into hers.

A part of herself broke free and seemed to float above her as she looked into his eyes and held his hands. If only...

“You must find it hard to do this.”

“Do what?” His voice settled her wandering mind.

“Coddle me.”

“Am I doing that?” Her words came out soft and sweet, from a place within her she normally saved for family. “Seems to me all I’m doing is helping a neighbor in need.”

“It’s nice we can now be friendly neighbors.”

This was not the time to point out that friendly neighbors did not open gates and let animals out.

Duke lowered his gaze, freeing her from its silent hold. He sipped the tea. “You’re right. This is just what I needed. I’m feeling better already.” He indicated he wanted to put the cup and saucer on the stool at his knees. “I haven’t thanked you for rescuing me. Thank you.” He smiled.

She noticed his eyes looked clearer. He was feeling better. The tea had been a good idea.

“You’re welcome.” She could barely pull away from his gaze. Why did he have this power over her? It had to be the brightness of those blue eyes...

What was she doing? She had to stop this. Resolved to not be trapped by his look, she pulled her gaze away and managed to gather her wits about her. “Do you have a housekeeper coming in to make your meals?”

When he didn’t answer right away, she clarified, “I ask because if you’ve been taking your meals at the cookhouse, I don’t think you’ll make it tonight.”

Billy answered. “The cowboys eat at the cookhouse.” His voice lowered. “They stare at me.”

That didn’t exactly answer her question. What were they doing for meals?

Billy brightened. “I like it best when we go away and have a campfire. Duke knows how to cook lots of things over the fire.”

Her eyebrows rose. “Is that a fact?”

“Yup. He showed me how to do biscuits on a stick.”

Duke leaned his head back on the sofa. “Don’t look so surprised, Rose. I’m a lot handier than you think.”

She forced her expression into blandness when she looked at him. “I doubt you know what I think.”

“I’m guessing you think I’m a useless, spoiled rich kid.”

“Hmm.” Let him believe that. Far better than knowing the truth that she wished she could go camping with them to see him make biscuits on a stick.

His mouth tightened. He closed his eyes as if to hide his hurt from her.

She’d rubbed some ointment on the edges of the wound that should relieve some of the pain, but remnants always crept through. “You should take it easy.”

“What do you call what I’m doing?” His words were lazy but she didn’t miss the edge of pain.

She made up her mind. “There’s no way you are going to make it to the cookhouse. Nor are you in any shape to be cooking over a campfire. If you’ll allow me, I’ll prepare a meal for you.”

That brought his eyes open in a hurry.

“If you don’t object to me doing so,” she added.

“Object? I’d be forever grateful.”

Billy grinned from ear to ear. “Can we eat in the kitchen?” He slanted a look at Duke. “I kind of don’t like the dining room.”

Duke chuckled softly. “I’d enjoy eating in the kitchen, myself.”

“Then it’s decided.” Rose gathered up the teacups and tray and marched back to the kitchen to stare around. She didn’t know where anything was, or what sort of staples a place like this would have, but from peeking in the few cupboards she’d opened looking for the tea, she guessed anything she needed would be available. She’d make something simple that would be easy for Duke to eat.

Ma’s potato soup could never go wrong and Billy’s story of biscuits on a stick helped her decide on biscuits to accompany it.

She found a bin full of potatoes and was removing some when Duke, leaning on Billy’s shoulder, came into the room. She straightened and favored the man with a scolding look. “What happened to the part about taking it easy?”

He pulled out a chair from the table and sat. “There. I’m taking it easy.”

Billy sat beside him. “Duke wanted to watch you cooking. He said there’s nothing prettier than a gal in the kitchen.”