Jacob’s eyes narrowed at his tone. “Hey, if you don’t feel up for the work, go ahead and take a rest. I can handle it.”
Andrew’s jaw clenched, his dark eyes glittering. “I’ll go left.”
“Suit yourself,” Jacob said and turned on his heel.
He left a wave of excitement and relief in his wake as the travelers jumped into a flurry of activity, taking stock of their supplies, making lists of what they needed, and debating on what they were willing to partwith in order to trade at the fort. Everyone vibrated with anticipation, like the moments before a lightning strike, a pulsing energy throbbing through the air. A person couldn’t help but get caught up in the thrill.
“Jacob, me lad, how are you doin’ this fine day?”
Jacob smiled in genuine warmth as he strode into the McGrath camp and clasped Aaron in a vigorous handshake. “Oh, can’t complain, Mr. McGrath.”
“Ach, please lad, call me Aaron. I don’t pretend to be superior over the fine men who are gettin’ us safely across this country.” Aaron’s green eyes sparkled with friendship.
“It’s an honor, sir, really. I’m just doin’ my job.”
“And a fine job you’re doin’. Come and sit yourself down for a while. Coffee?” he asked, and then called out without pause, “Edie, don’t we have some coffee for the lad?”
Steaming cup in hand, Jacob settled his broad frame by the fire and sighed contentedly. Somehow, the McGraths always made him feel like he was coming home.
Ian and Danny ambled in moments later, one brother tall and dark, the other slim and as red-haired as their father, and soon they were all talking excitedly about their upcoming stop at Fort Kearney. The brothers were abuzz with questions. How many soldiers were stationed there? How big was it? Did he think any Indians would be there? Jacob tried as best he could to answer, and before he knew it, Edith handed him a plate of flapjacks and bacon.
Guilt twinged in his gut. Seb was still out hunting, and he really should talk with the last few families in his rounds. He shrugged. Let Andrew do it. That Georgia boy needed to earn his keep somehow. And how could he leave the warmth of the McGrath fire? There was just something about this family. Even out in the middle of nowhere, they brought home with them. Peace and contentment emanated from their hearts and enveloped his in delicious acceptance. It was a taste ofsomething missing in his life, a love he had lost when his mother and brother had died and his father’s will had been buried in the cold mud beside them. Jacob gazed at their friendly faces, seeing the gentle touch of Edith’s hand on her sons’ shoulders, the look of warm affection Aaron gave his wife in return for a cup of coffee, the fierce bond of friendship between the two brothers despite their differences. Someday. Someday he would have what they had.
A thought struck him so suddenly that he blurted it out without thinking. “Where’s Kate?”
Danny’s head shot up, a quizzical frown creasing his forehead. “Good question, Jake.” His head swiveled, searching. “She was with us when we went to tend the stock.”
“I’m surprised you don’t know, Daniel,” Edith said. “The two of you can usually point straight at each other across twenty miles.” She ruffled Danny’s hair affectionately.
“Ma, stop it!” He scowled, carefully smoothing his hair back in place.
“She probably got caught up talkin’ to Sadie,” Ian said.
“Who’s Sadie?” Jacob asked. He couldn’t remember anyone with that name on the train.
“Her horse,” Danny clarified.
Jacob smiled ruefully and shook his head. Of course, he should have known. She rode with incredible skill, as if she and her horse had one mind, working in perfect sync, powerful and graceful all at once. That only came from a deep connection fostered over years. He’d seen that connection when they’d teamed up to rope that ornery steer. And then Jacob remembered how her legs had looked in those denim pants. He swallowed.
“Speak of the devil!” Aaron called out. “Your ears must be burnin’, lass! We were just talkin’ about you.”
Jacob thought he could feel his own ears burning. Good thing Aaron couldn’t read his mind. He watched Kate as she waltzed up to the fire,tangled chestnut braid bouncing happily over her shoulder and swaying past her waist, a wide-brimmed hat hanging down her back by the leather strap around her tanned throat. Her eyes sparkled in russet and gold amid a haze of freckles scattered across her cheekbones. He swallowed again.Hot dang.
She planted a kiss on top of her father’s flaming head. “All good things, I hope.”
“Only your penchant for talking with animals,” Ian quipped with a smile.
She gave her brother a swat. “The better Sadie and I know each other, the better she’ll listen to me when I need her to.” She sighed and rubbed the back of her hand across her brow, leaving a streak of dirt in its wake.
Jacob’s mouth tugged up at the corners, but he didn’t say anything. She hadn’t noticed him yet. He was thoroughly enjoying watching her so at ease, her usually reserved demeanor cast off like an unnecessary cloak here around her family’s fire.
“Sorry I’m late, Ma,” Kate said. “What can I do?”
“First things first, young lady. You go and wash up and make yourself presentable,” Edith said sternly. “Then you can see if Mr. Munroe wants another cup of coffee.”
Kate whipped her head around so fast that the end of her braid swatted Danny in the face. Jacob watched in amusement as her eyes widened and the beginnings of a blush rose in her cheeks. Putting on his most charming smile, he tipped his hat and said, “Evenin’, Miss McGrath.”
Her blush deepened and she nodded stiffly in return. “Evenin’, Mr. Munroe,” she said, barely above a whisper. She turned on her heel and walked quickly around the side of the wagon, back ramrod straight. She reappeared a few minutes later, her hair freshly plaited, smoothing an apron over her blue checkered dress. If he squinted, Jacob could just make out the dirt she had failed to eradicate from her brow. He held back a smile. She grabbed the coffee pot and marched up to him, face set in determination. “Would you like some more coffee?”
