“Is there a fire?”
“No,” he answered. “Why?”
A sense of relief, or just tiredness, had her leaning her head against the edge of the open door. “Why is that man sounding the fire bell?”
“That’s not a fire bell. It’s the morning wake-up call. Shorty’s letting the hired hands know breakfast will be on the table in less than an hour.”
“Breakfast?” She tried to smother a yawn, but it won out. Once it ended, she leaned heavier against the door. “It can’t be morning already.”
A tiny mew sounded, and the kitten brushed against her ankle before it slipped out the narrow opening of the door.
“It’s morning,” he said, picking up the kitten. “Even this little guy knows it’s time for breakfast.”
“It’s a girl.” Another yawn struck, and lasted as long as the other one had. Shaking her head once it ended, she said, “That kitten’s a girl, not a guy. And it can’t be morning. The sun isn’t up yet.”
He might have chuckled, she wasn’t overly sure. It took all her concentration just to keep her eyes open. One of them anyway.
“Go back to bed, Janette,” he said. “Shorty won’t ring the bell again.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
Too tired to really care, she nodded and stumbled back toward the bed.
* * *
Gabe reached to pull the door shut but then pushed it open instead. Dawn had yet to break, but there was enough muted light for him to see her stumble around the bed and then collapse onto the mattress. Whether he liked to believe it or not, he wasn’t completely heartless, and he stepped into the room. The toe of his boot caught on something and he bent down to pick it up. The dress she’d been holding until she’d dropped it while covering a yawn. He tossed it over the nearby chair. Still holding the kitten in one hand, he walked around the bed and used his free hand to carefully flip the covers over the top of her.
She mumbled something as she snuggled her head deeper into the pillow her hands were tucked beneath. He’d seen sleepy people before, but she hadn’t been able to stop yawning or keep her eyes open. For a moment, he’d wondered if she was going to fall asleep leaning against the door.
He reached across her and pulled the covers over Ruby, who was also sleeping soundly, and then carried the kitten out of the room, closing the door behind him.
“They’re exhausted,” he told the kitten. “Texas is a long ways from here and not an easy trip.”
A touch of chagrin rippled over him, but not so much it erased the smile from his face. She’d be mortified when she woke up and realized she’d been walking around in nothing but her nightgown. Walking down the back staircase, he almost laughed at the thought of letting her think there had been enough light for him to see through the thin material she’d been wearing.
Gabe didn’t reenter the house for hours, and when he did, it was to see if Janette was ready to travel to the train station. He had everything in order for the delivery of the cattle to take place even if he hadn’t yet returned from Hays. Judge Schofield might not be in town. He sincerely hoped that wasn’t the case, but if it was, it could be a week or more before he and Janette returned to the ranch.
Closing the front door, he noted the things sitting on the floor. His traveling bag and one other—Janette’s.
“I’m assuming you’re ready to go?”
An odd flutter happened inside him as he glanced up. Janette and Ruby were walking down the stairs. Ruby carried the kitten while Janette carried a small traveling bag. The two of them looked...natural. Like they belonged on that staircase.
“Yes,” he answered, trying to shake the odd inner sensation. “It’s time.”
“We’re ready,” she said.
Gabe wasn’t sure if it was his smugness or his own preplanning that made him want to smile, but either way, he nodded. His plan was in place and pretty well fail-proof. Reaching behind him, he twisted the knob and opened the door.
“Come in, Mrs. Snyder.” As the woman entered the house, he said, “This is Miss Parker and Ruby.” Turning to Janette, he said, “Miss Parker, this is Marietta Snyder. Her husband, Milt, is my foreman, and Mrs. Snyder runs the school for all of the children on the ranch.”
The surprise in Janette’s eyes was just as he’d expected.
“School?” she asked, looking at him. “Ruby isn’t—”
“I’m fully aware she isn’t old enough for school yet,” he said. “But she is old enough to get to know the other children. Mrs. Snyder has agreed to help Rosalie look after Ruby while you and I travel to Hays.” Leaning a bit closer to her, he quietly added, “I figured a distraction might make the parting easier.”
“A distraction?” She drew in a deep breath and leveled a glare on him. “That isn’t necessary, Mr. Callaway.”
“Excuse me, Gabe,” Marietta Snyder said. “Would you mind if Miss Parker and I had a moment alone?”
Marietta didn’t wait for his response, perhaps because she’d already told him she might need a moment to speak with Janette. He merely glanced toward Janette, daring her to deny Marietta’s request.
“Ruby?” Marietta continued, “Would you go with your uncle Gabe and show my daughters your kitty? They’re on the front porch.”
Ruby nodded and Gabe lifted her into his arms. His stomach flipped at the change in Janette’s glare. How it had turned to astonishment. Almost as if she’d expected him to play fair. He didn’t like that. It made a part of him feel as if he was rubbing salt in her wounds. That wasn’t the case. Hays was no place for a child. It was a rowdy town, and he truly had no idea how long they’d be gone.
He carried Ruby out the door and set her down on the porch, where Marietta’s two daughters stood. They were a tad older than Ruby, but still young enough she’d enjoy playing with them.
“Ruby, this is Sara and Beth,” he said, not certain which Snyder girl was which, but figured they’d let Ruby know. “Do you want to show them your kitten?”
She nodded and held out the kitten for the others to see. Sara and Beth came closer, and he stepped aside as the girls engaged Ruby in a conversation. She didn’t appear the least bit shy. Just like her father. Max hadn’t been shy either.
He watched the girls but kept glancing at the door, wondering how long it would take. Second thoughts, those that said perhaps he should have simply told Janette Ruby was remaining behind, kept coming forward. She wouldn’t have liked it, but that’s what he usually did, and few people questioned his orders. Janette was different, though, and he hadn’t been overly sure she’d have obeyed.
After waiting what seemed long enough, he was about to grasp the knob when the door opened. Marietta smiled and nodded as she walked onto the porch. Janette didn’t look his way as she exited. She walked directly over to Ruby and then led her a few steps away. Kneeling down, Janette spoke too quietly for him to hear, but Ruby was nodding and smiling.
“Here, you can put these in