“A man can’t stay in bed forever.” His lips edged upward into a not-so-warm smile.
He was probably still displeased she’d sent a doctor to examine him. “You’re feeling better?”
“Yes.” He grabbed the bucket handle before she could. “Allow me. I’ve already fed the horses and given them the leftover water from the night.” A whisper of a grunt rumbled in his throat as he lifted.
The man was still recovering his strength. “Charlie and I can take care of the horses. I don’t want to put you to any trouble.”
“A good cavalryman cares for his horse before himself.” He carried the bucket to his rented bay mare, who munched on the contents of a feed sack near the grooming area. “Charlie does a great job, but I figure it’s time I pitched in.”
His shirt hung looser on him than it had thirteen days ago when he’d ridden into the ranch. But he was still a man who’d hook her gaze across a room and hold it.
The horse nickered and dipped its mouth to the cool drink fresh from the well.
Cora fumbled with her hands. “I’m thankful your health has improved, Mr. McKenzie.”
“The name is Ben.” He shot her a glare and grabbed an empty bucket. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he poured half the water into the second container. “When I’m up to it, I’m going to ride the bay into town and return her to the livery stable. I didn’t intend to rent her so long.”
“I hadn’t thought of the expense. Charlie and I could ride in tomorrow and do it for you. Then, when you’re well enough to leave, I can give you a ride in the wagon to the stagecoach.”
“What do you mean, ‘leave’?” His voice turned sharp as he set the second bucket in front of Charlie’s horse and pivoted toward her.
“When you’re ready to head back to Philadelphia. I figure it might be another couple of weeks. But when the time comes, I’ll give you a rid?—”
“I have no intention of leaving Miss Scott until I’ve helped securely establish this ranch.” He planted his feet wide and folded his arms. “That’s a matter of months. Maybe even through winter.”
She gaped at him. “That’s out of the question. I’ve decided to go with my original idea of how to repay you. I’ll advertise the land and sell up to half the ranch. I’ll send you the money. I give my word on my brother’s grave, I’ll repay you every penny.”
He snorted. “I’m not going anywhere. I made a commitment to Jeb, and I plan to keep it.”
“You’ve kept it.” Her voice wavered. She could not have this man hanging around for months weaving himself into their lives. What if he became like some grafted branch it’d tear the tree apart to remove? “You saved us from Mr. Coffin. And I am eternally grateful.”
“Are you, now?” Eyes flashing, he stepped toward her. “By my recollection, eternity ended about eight days ago, when youoffered me the medicine, and my sickness momentarily got the better of me.”
Sickness? Not exactly her word for it. “You have been very kind to us.”
“But that doesn’t matter, does it?”
“I don’t want to offend you, Mr. McKenzie.”
“You already have. By avoiding me every day since then. You can’t even look me in the eye.”
She glared into those hazel globes now and bit back a sluice worth of words that threatened to burst forth. “I’ll pay you back for the land.”
“I don’t want to be paid back.”
“I’ll find a buyer. I’m thinking that Dr. Arthur LeBeau might be interested?—
“I’m sure he’s interested.” His lip curled.
“What is that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing.” He laid his forearm across the bay’s back. “Has the good doctor expressed interest in the land?”
“Not specifically. But he has means, and he already has some land in the northwestern part of the county. I believe he’d?—”
“I’ve changed my mind.” He smacked his hands together. “You offered to sign over half of the land to me, and I accept.”
“That was before, and you said no.”
