The corners of her mouth twitched upward, but then she seemed to catch herself and glanced away.
Charlie slipped Jack a bite of cornbread. “We like adventure.”
Ben swallowed a spoonful of beans. “I can see that.” He sipped his coffee. “I’d like to hear more about why your sister wants to be a rancher.”
Cora dragged her fork through her rice. “Not much left to tell. Other than the fact that I have no intention of giving up land that too many of my family members worked and died for.” She sat tall, chin lifted.
He’d work together with her on that if she’d let him.
Charlie chimed in. “I bet if the Comanche knew Ben was our friend, he wouldn’t have to worry about them attacking him.”
Ben blinked at the abrupt change in topic.
“That’s not so.” Cora’s voice cut sharp. “And don’t you count on them showing us any special favor. None of us should risk our lives on it.”
The boy’s shoulders drooped.
“Count on what?” Ben quirked his eyebrows upward. “Do they consider you as a friend because of Charl?—”
“There’s no ‘they’ about it.” Cora straightened. “The Comanche have dozens of different bands. And then there’s the Kiowa.”
“But you’ve got to tell Ben what happened?—”
“That’s a story for a different day.” Cora stood. The blade of her voice softened. “Come put your plate in the wash pan and take Jack with you to check on the horses.”
“All right.” Charlie scuffed his toe, got his plate, and whistled for Jack to follow.
Wagging his white-tipped tail, the puppy padded behind him into the hall.
Ben swallowed the last of his coffee. Maybe he’d best leave, too, and wait a day or so before pushing for an agreement regarding the livestock. Only, he didn’t. “I’m serious about my offer to help round up the cattle.”
She set down the empty plate she’d picked up. “I appreciate?—”
“You’ve mentioned that.” The word grated on his nerves. He’d seen the extent of her appreciation. “Although since I don’tknow the area well, I could hire a ranch hand. Someone familiar with the frontier. It’s been a year since the war ended. No telling how many beeves you’ve lost already to thirst, wolves, or greedy ranchers taking more than their share. There’s no time to waste.”
Cora dusted her hands on her apron. “I thank you for your offer.” Her frown settled deep.
Here came the objection.
“I’ve been mulling over a different idea.” She scooped up her plate and his, carrying them to the sink. “In the next county, Mr. Charles Goodnight has amassed a large herd, and so has Mr. Oliver Loving. From what I’ve heard, they’re fair men. I could contact them and propose a deal. They could have a percentage of my family’s cattle for rounding them up and driving them to market with their own.”
Ben’s foot beat a rhythm against his chair leg. Not a bad plan if the men could be trusted. He should encourage it. He could volunteer to contact the men and negotiate the deal. Maybe he could fulfill his commitment earlier than expected. Stay on a little longer to further strengthen the outbuildings… Then leave Cora and Charlie on their own? Not hardly. “Goodnight and Loving might be good men, but their own cattle would be their top priority. If you want to make a real go of the ranch?—”
“If they’re not interested, I could ask Dr. LeBeau for advice. He knows a bit about ranch?—”
“I’m sure the good doctor knows a little bit about everything.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“It means he ought to stick with doctoring. He barely knows anything about that.”
She mumbled something beneath her breath.
“What did you say?” His pulse throbbed in his temple, amplifying the dull ache behind his eyes that started about noon every day. Why was he letting all of this get to him?
She clasped her hands in front of her. A dishrag dangled against her apron. Her face colored. “Nothing.”
“I’d like to know.”
