Daniel could hear the desperation in her voice and her face was tense as creases lined her forehead.
“I’m sorry, but you can’t stay here,” he said flatly, handing the letter back to her. “My father didn’t say anything about this to me.”
He noticed she suddenly looked shaken, but there was no way for him to have a stranger living here, let alone a woman. If she had been a man, then Daniel might have put him to work as hired help for his foreman. But a woman … no.
His father had a kind heart and helped almost everybody, but he would never allow anyone to stay at the ranch unless it was for a close friend.
“But, your father welcomed me and I am skilled in many things. I can sew, clean and help around the ranch or with your son.” Her stance changed as she started to plead with him persistently.
“I already have hired ranch hands,” he insisted and looked down at her. “I have a housekeeper and I don’t need any more hired hands.”
He saw her frown and listened as she boldly said, “Your son was hungry and wet earlier and needed attention. No one was here to help. Surely I could help with your son?”
“My son is none of your business,” he bit out as he felt anger well up. He didn’t know whether he was angry out of guilt for not looking after Matthew in the morning or whether he knew she was right.
“How did you even get inside?” He paused and noted her eyes begin to water. “Is that your skill? Breaking into people’s homes?”
The frown on her face darkened and her jaw dropped in utter shock. “What are you implying? I don’t do such things,” she took a deep breath and shook her head in anger. “If you had looked after your own son properly, there would have been no need for me to come into your house. Anyone could have walked in; the kitchen door was unlocked.”
Stunned, he was speechless. Was this her way of trying to convince him to let her stay? If so, she was not going to get very far. He might have considered it because the letter was from his father, but she was very outspoken.
“Dr. Grant, when one makes a promise, should they not keep it?” she challenged. Her voice held anger, but her eyes were damp. He could not look away from her eyes, those dark coffee-colored eyes.
“I made no such promise,” he returned, lowering his voice, feeling bad for shouting at her, “I am not my father. I’m sorry, I cannot help you.”
He saw her bite her lip. “Alright, I understand,” she said softly and forced a small smile. “I’ll leave, but please, just let me stay for one night.” She swallowed and looked up at him, “I won’t be a bother and can help with your son while I’m here.”
Her eyes met his gaze, and he was taken aback by her sudden change in demeanor. He didn’t know why, but something about her eyes mesmerized him. He cleared his throat, considering.
“Fine, just one night. You can use the guest room, the one to the far left,” he looked at her from head to toe, noting her slender frame. “Tend to Matthew, then please get ready for dinner.” He turned and left the nursery. His footsteps resonated against the floors throughout the house until he left by the front door.
***
Daniel entered one of the empty single cabins in search of his ranch foreman. Why did he agree to let her stay at the ranch for the night? Was it a good idea to leave Matthew with her—a stranger to him?
He let out a deep sigh, knowing his father would have allowed it. There was something about her that made him feel something he couldn’t name, something forgotten, and without reason it angered him. Seeing her with Matthew brought back memories of his wife, her kindness, tenderness and love. He didn’t know what to think anymore and wondered if God had answered his challenge from last night. Although he may have been a bit tipsy, he had been angry and remembered every word he uttered to God.
Daniel found his ranch foreman, Jimmy Ruxton, at the barn amongst the sacks of animal feed. He wore his signature plaid shirt, red neckerchief, long brown trousers, and high brown boots. Jimmy had been working as foreman of the ranch for as long as Daniel could remember and knew the ranch better than anyone.
“Hi Jimmy,” Daniel said as he tucked in his shirt. “Is my horse ready?”
“Yep,” Jimmy pulled out a bag of animal feed. “Make sure you bring Spark back before the end of the day. He needs to eat, too, you know. You brought him back a little late yesterday.”
“Yeah, I’m sorry about that.” Daniel shifted his hat, “I need to check on the clinic. See if it’s still in one piece.”
“Right, yeah,” Jimmy chuckled and hefted the animal feed over one shoulder. “That Alistair of yours is a real piece of work. Just like I always told your father too, he’s a ten-cent man and can’t see further than his own nose.”
There was no love lost between Alistair and Jimmy; they didn’t get on well. Alistair was a middle-aged man who had worked at the clinic with Daniel’s father and now worked with Daniel.
Daniel laughed and patted Jimmy on the back, “You may be right, but he knows his medicine.”
For a man of fifty-five, Daniel thought Jimmy was stronger than an ox and didn’t know what he’d do if Jimmy ever decided not to stick around.
“I saw you have a visitor,” Jimmy lifted a speculative eyebrow. “A pretty one, at that. Are you finally getting an extra hand?”
Daniel shook his head, “Nope. My father promised her something. She leaves tomorrow.” Daniel cleared his throat and wondered if that was the right decision. Should he let her stay? It was what his father had promised her, but why did his father never say anything about it?
“I see,” Jimmy said dubiously, “Are you sure you want to let her leave? After all, an extra hand for Elizabeth couldn’t hurt.”
