“Why yes, thank you kindly, ma’am,” he replied, holding out his cup. She poured the steaming coffee, not looking at him. He took a sip and gestured to her forehead. “You, ah, you got a little somethin’—”
“Oh dear, what? What is it?” She brought a tentative hand up to investigate.
“Just a little dirt, is all.”
“Oh goodness.” She hurriedly dipped the corner of her apron in the nearby water bucket and rubbed it vigorously across her brow. She glanced surreptitiously at her mother’s back, muttering to herself: “‘Go wash up, Katherine. Make yourself presentable, Katherine.’” She sat down next to him in a huff, face close, eyes imploring. “Did I get it? Is it gone?”
Jacob stared. The setting sun poured its golden rays into her eyes until they were nearly on fire with slashes of chestnut and amber and copper. Soft, dark lashes. Straight nose. Skin shimmering, full of rosy life. There were laugh lines around her eyes where the sun hadn’t had a chance to make its mark. His mouth tilted up. She must always be smiling.
“Is it gone?” she repeated in an urgent whisper.
Jacob blinked and cleared his throat. “Ah, yeah, almost. Here, let me,” he said and took the corner of her apron, gently smoothing out the last smudge on her temple. “There. Right as rain.”
“Thanks,” she murmured, and turned away, once again drawing the cloak of reserve around her shoulders.
“Any time,” he said, smiling into his coffee.
“Don’t you look comfortable.”
Jacob started, cursing as hot coffee sloshed all over his hand. His mood darkened. Of course. Andrew stood looming behind him, arms crossed, a dark glower on his face.
“Mind if I have a word, Munroe?” he asked tersely.
“You can have as many words as you like, Thompson,” Jacob said, taking out a handkerchief to clean off his hand.
“Preferably without a lady present.”
Jacob looked up at him from the corner of his eye. “And what kind of words might you be sayin’ that aren’t fit for this fine lady’s company?”
Andrew’s face darkened further. “Business.”
“I can leave,” Kate said quietly as she started to rise.
“No need, Miss McGrath,” Jacob said, putting a hand on her shoulder and guiding her back to her seat. He hid a sardonic grin when he saw a muscle jerk in Andrew’s jaw at the gesture. “We’ll spare you our … business.”
Andrew just turned on his heel and stalked off.
Jacob set down his cup and stood, carefully folding his soiled handkerchief and tucking it in his vest pocket. He tipped his hat to Kate. “If you’ll excuse me, Miss McGrath.”
“Of course,” she replied quietly. “It seems … important.”
He rolled his eyes. “Everythin’ with Andrew seems important.”
Her lips pursed to hide a smile. “Quite true.”
Jacob followed Andrew out into the prairie. He didn’t like being summoned like a dog by this Southerner, interrupting what had been a nice moment. Where was the respect? He was lead scout, after all. Who did this upstart think he was, coming on this train with no experience, waltzing around with all the arrogance a man could fit in his body. The only reason Jacob was out here was to spare Kate what was looking to be a tense conversation. He had no desire to cool down his simmering anger. Maybe he’d teach Andrew a thing or two about who’s boss.
Andrew finally stopped and Jacob sauntered up beside him, taking his good old time. “You know, I was quite comfortable back there,” Jacob said, stretching, faking a yawn.
“Oh, I bet you were.”
“What’s that supposed to mean, Thompson?”
Andrew turned on him fiercely. “I saw you with her. Starin’ at her. Touchin’ her.”
“Oh, you mean Kate?” Jacob shrugged, feigning nonchalance. “What was I supposed to do, turn down an offer to get close to a pretty girl?” Jacob felt a twinge of guilt talking about Kate that way. But oh, how he wanted to get under Andrew’s skin. And boy, was it working. A vein stood out on his temple, and his face had turned completely red. Andrew clenched his fists at his sides and looked away, back at the McGraths. Jacob glanced over his shoulder. Kate watched them curiously. He smiled and waved, and she gave a small wave in return. Jacob glanced at Andrew, enjoying the visible effort it took for him to rein in his anger.That’s right, Andrew, she’s watching you. What are you gonna do now?
“You don’t belong here, Jacob,” Andrew spat out viciously, “so why don’t you pack up and leave her alone.” He took a menacing step forward, his fist half-cocked by his side.
