“I guess you can understand why I can’t stay. Why I can’t run the ranch.”
She could not. But arguing with him only made him dig his heels in deeper. She knew the futility of trying to convince a stubborn man to change his mind. What had her father said about that? A smile pulled at her lips as she recalled his words. Never confront head-on. Change direction instead.
A glance at the sky revealed the sun almost at its zenith. “I’ll make dinner. It will be ready in half an hour. Please join us.”
He looked down at her, looked about ready to refuse, and then nodded. “Fine. I’ll be there, but I’ve got things to take care of first.”
He kicked his way through the rubble. Was he looking for something or venting his pain?
She had no way of knowing and whispered a little prayer for his healing before she called Eddie to come with her as she returned to the house to begin preparing the meal.
The full cupboards and well-stocked pantry filled her with joy. How sweet to be so blessed. There was only one snag in this situation—Jace’s refusal to stay. Yes, she understood his reason, but she hadherreasons for needing him to stay. She must come up with a plan to convince him to change his mind.
What if she?—?
Hmm. It just might work.
Chapter Ten
Jace kicked his way through the ashes and debris. He picked up three bits with leather still clinging to them. The tines of the fork stopped him in his tracks. The shattered, scarred remains of the lantern blared accusation at him. The toe of his boot connected with the evidence, and it went sailing, landing with a crash. He turned in the opposite direction and didn’t stop until he reached the fence enclosing the horses.
Sam! He’d plumb forgotten the beast. Poor Sam and the other two horses.
“What kind of man neglected his animals?”The words rang in Chet’s voice.
Not me.Jace returned to the wagon, unhitched the two animals standing patiently in front of it, released Sam from behind, and took them to the water. “I’ll give you some oats.” Except?—
The oat bin had been part of the barn. All that remained was a soggy, spoiled mass.
“You’ll enjoy the fresh grass.” He led them to a decent spot and closed the gate.
His stomach growled, reminding him of the short rations he’dbeen on for the past several days, and he crossed the yard in hurried strides.
Eddie and Skip sat on the porch, the boy’s arm around the dog’s neck. Eddie whispered something to Skip.
Jace smiled. “I once had a dog who was my best friend.” Bub had been mottled gray and brown. A fuzzy little creature with the friendliest face. Jace coughed against the scratchiness in his throat. It was just a dog. Dogs didn’t live long. But it was one more loss to strangle him.
Jerking his attention from the affection between the boy and Skip, Jace clattered up the steps and thudded into the kitchen. The aromas slammed into him, stalling him in the spot. Mae, the housekeeper, had left after Chet’s death, saying it wasn’t the same without him. She made good meals, but seeing Dianne at the stove, one of Mae’s aprons about her waist as she bent over to sniff a bubbling pot, untethered something inside Jace.
Well, that was plain foolish. He hung his hat and washed at the nearby washstand. “Smells yummy in here.”
“It’s nothing special.” She smiled at him. “But I guarantee it’s better than beans.”
He pretended to be hurt. “What’s wrong with beans?”
She waved as if to dismiss the idea. “They’re fine in their place.” A shudder crossed her shoulders. He couldn’t decide if it was fake or real. “Sure wouldn’t want to have to live on them though.”
Nor would he, but he would let her think what she wanted.
Rather than continue this line of conversation, she tipped her head toward the table. “It’s ready. Have a seat.” She called Eddie to come in. Stopped him at the door. “Skip stays outside.” Ignoring Eddie’s protest and Skip’s whine, she helped her son wash his hands, then carried a pot to the table and set it on a trivet. “I would have used a tureen, but I couldn’t find one.”
“This is fine.” When she brought over a stack of fluffy golden biscuits, he swallowed back a flood of saliva.
Eddie sat without waitingfor instruction.
Both Jace and Dianne stood awkwardly, waiting for the other to choose a chair.
“It’s your house. You sit at the head of the table.”
