He removed his hat, closed his eyes, and bowed his head.
Lord, please watch over my father, strengthen him, and heal him. Please let me make it there in time. If it be Your will. Be with my mother and Evelyn. And Lord, watch over Cora and Charlie. Help her to understand. Open the doors, make a wayfor us to marry. Please, she’s the woman I want to spend the rest of my life with.
With wobbly hopes, he found his horse and headed home to the ranch.
As soon as Ben rode through the palisade gate, Charlie ran out to greet him, with Jack yelping at his heels.
Ben halted his gelding halfway across the yard and climbed out of the saddle.
“You’re back.” Charlie beamed and threw his arm around Ben’s waist. The arm in the sling bumped against Ben’s gun belt. “You’re gone too much.”
“I’ve missed you, partner.” Ben squeezed the boy close. How would Charlie handle the announcement that Ben had to head east and be gone for who knows how long?
One ear bent, Jack pawed at Ben’s leg.
Charlie scooped the dog up and held him out to Ben. “Jack wants to say hello too.”
“Howdy, Jack.” Ben scuffed his hand across the pup’s head, then brought him up to his shoulder and gave him a good pet.
“Did you save us a bull?” Charlie scanned the road beyond the gate. “Cora said you might bring some longhorns back. I’m ready to help. I’ve got to practice for the next trail ride, you know.” He puffed out his chest.
“The bull’s at the stockyard, along with five heifers. Tomorrow morning, you and I will ride into town to fetch them.” One of the last duties he’d have time to perform before he caught the next east-bound stage, two days from now.
“I get to wrangle cattle.” Charlie jumped up and down. “I can’t wait. I’ve got a rope. I’ll go tell Cora.”
Ben laid a hand on Charlie’s shoulder and scanned the porch and yard. “Where is your sister?” He’d expected her to come running, or maybe at least quickstep off the porch with a big smile aimed his way. The scene had played in his imagination for the last two days. The hug, a kiss, with the promise of more tender ones to follow after Charlie’s bedtime. And the way her eyes would light up in welcome before she even reached him?—
“She’s not been feeling the best.” Charlie wiggled. “But I bet she’ll be all better now that you’re home. I’ll go tell her.”
“Wait,” Ben called after him. If Cora was anywhere near the house, she’d heard the commotion. She knew he was home. Maybe she was feeling poorly, or maybe she wanted a private welcome. “You can help me out by taking care of Cooper.” Ben patted the gelding’s neck. “He needs a good brushing and a rubdown. He worked hard on the trail helping me get the rest of the cattle to Mr. Goodnight. I’ll check on your sister.”
Charlie blew out a breath. “All right.” He perked up. “I’ll give my horse a good brushing too. Get her ready for the trail tomorrow.”
“Sounds good, partner.” Ben patted the boy’s back, then retrieved his saddlebags before heading toward the house. How was he supposed to leave these two? He’d have to see if Mr. Franklin would be willing to hire on full-time for a couple of months. A couple of months? Only the Lord knew how long he’d be gone. And if his father died? Ben shuddered and stuck one hand in his pocket while the other steadied the bags over his shoulder. His father and he had talked so little since his return from war. Sure, they’d spoken every night at the dinner table or in passing. But Ben couldn’t recall the last time they’d really talked.
He’d have to work at least a little while at the paper to earn money to pay Mr. Franklin. But he couldn’t allow himself to gettrapped there. He had Cora and Charlie to look after, and they needed a husband and a father, not a bank note or a bag of coins.
Heart heavy, he stepped onto the back stoop. With the late-July heat, the entrance door to the hallway stood wide open. A fly buzzed past as Ben entered.
Hands stuffed in her apron pockets, Cora met him at the threshold of the kitchen, lips tight and hair coiled in a braid at the back of her head. Not a speck of welcome in her demeanor. Maybe she’d been worried about him.
His heart thumped. “Good news. Goodnight took all of our cattle, except for the four and the bull.” He slid his saddlebags to the floor. “He’s going to charge us less commission too.” He drew her into his arms. That would bring a smile to her face. He needed to hold her close, visit with her, enjoy a good meal, before he broke the news about his father.
Her arms came around him slowly, halfheartedly, but when he sought to draw back a step to look into her eyes, she buried her face in his shoulder and held on as if a flood might sweep her away.
“I’ve missed you too.” He brushed his lips against her hair. That was the problem, wasn’t it? That she’d missed him? And she had no idea he had to leave again, and for much longer. He tightened his hold on her, and they swayed there in the hallway for several minutes.Lord, give me the strength and wisdom to know what to do.“I love you, Cora,” he whispered. “You are the girl of my heart.”
A jolt seemed to ripple through her. She pulled away, eyes moist.
His knees jellified. “What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” She swiped her cheek.
“It’s not nothing.” He touched her shoulder. What if she’d reconsidered his loss of the cattle? Or maybe LeBeau had bothered her? “I want to know what’s wrong.”
“I was going to try to wait until after dinner. I know you’re hungry.”
“My appetite is quickly evaporating.” He reached for her hand. “Why don’t we sit down at the table, and we’ll?—”
