Jace stepped from the bunkhouse to speak to the young cowboys, so she lifted the bar. “Remember, don’t run behind the horses.”
Skip barked a greeting to Eddie, and the pair raced over to the others. Eddie flung himself at Jace, who grinned and took him up in his arms.
She couldn’t read his eyes at this distance, but his smile reached her like the warmth of the summer sun.
When he turned his attention back to the cowboys, she turned hers back to preparing breakfast. A few minutes later, she yelled for them to come and get it.
Cal and Lee didn’t move toward the house as if uncertain the call included them.
“You two as well.” She made sure they heard the invitation.
The five of them sat at one end of the table. Her meal was obviously enjoyed as the men all had second helpings ofeverything. Thanks to the chickens, there were eggs enough to give them a bountiful feed.
Talk soon drifted to the boys reporting on their task. A wildcat attack likely injured the cows, leaving them jittery and unwilling to move, but they were soon persuaded.
“Took us a long time to get them back to the others.”
Lee nodded. “And we found a little landslide had blocked the way to water, so we dug that out.”
Jace smiled at the pair. “Knew something had delayed you. Sounds like you did a good job.”
“You’ll be staying around?” Lee’s tone was cautious.
“For now.” Jace handed Eddie a biscuit. “Why don’t you give this to Skip?” As soon as the boy was out of hearing, he told Lee and Cal about Al’s midnight visit.
“Sure glad you’re all right, ma’am.”
Lee murmured agreement to Cal’s words.
“Someone needs to be here at all times until that man is dealt with.” Jace’s steel-hard tone made her shiver.
“Thank you for the meal, ma’am,” the two of them chorused while they pushed from the table.
As they were about to leave, she mentioned that she expected them back at noon.
They glanced at each other. Then Cal nodded. “’Preciate that.”
After they left, Jace turned to her, his expression gentle. “You don’t have to feed them.”
“Why not? Don’t they need to eat?”
“Yes, but they can cook their own meals in the bunkhouse.”
“How can they do that if they’re working? Who fed them when Chet was alive?”
Jace squirmed. “They did. Mae would only cook for Chet and me. She was clear that she didn’t mean to feed a bunch of hungry, unappreciative cowboys.”
“Jace, is it all right if I include them? I like cooking, and they were grateful.”
“If you’re fine with it, I have no objection.”
“Good. That’s settled.”
He twisted his cup round and round between his palms.
“Do you want more coffee?”
“Uh. No. Excuse me. I need to—” He stumbled over the words and didn’t finish as he rushed to the door. “Thanks for the meal.” His boots clattered across the porch.
