She bristled like a cat stroked the wrong way. She ducked her head and stared at her plate but her lips pressed together in protest.
Eddie was right about it being foolish but hearing it from the other man’s lips made Seth want to protest. Why didn’t he teach his sister what she needed to know? It would surely make it safer for everyone on the ranch. He guessed from Jayne’s expression that she had no intention of abandoning her plan, despite her brother’s direct order.
“Would you ask the blessing, dear?” Linette said, ending the tension between brother and sister.
Eddie prayed and then food was passed around. Fried pork and eggs, fried potatoes, fresh biscuits and syrup and plenty of milk.
Seth helped himself. “I heard you were a good cook, Mrs. Gardiner. This certainly proves it.”
“Thank you. The girls are learning to cook, too. If you were around longer, you would get a chance to evaluate their progress.”
He pretended a great deal of shock. “I hope their cooking lessons aren’t as deadly as their shooting lessons.”
Beside him Jayne choked. He had the pleasure of patting her on the back. At first, he got a bit of satisfaction out of her discomfort but after the second pat, he had an urge to pull her into his arms, rub her back and assure her she would be safe because he would personally see to it. Instead, he dropped his hands to his lap. He didn’t need one more person in his life to be responsible for.
After she stopped coughing and wiped her eyes, she turned and gave him a look fit to cure leather. “I could have choked to death.”
He felt suddenly remorseful. “I’m sorry. It was a careless remark.”
She nodded. “Then consider us even. I didn’t mean to hurt you even as you didn’t mean to hurt me.”
He wondered if she referred to the choking incident or the words he’d spoken the previous day. But it didn’t matter which. He was leaving today and would prefer to go with no ill feelings left behind. He nodded. “Agreed.”
Conversation around the table turned to more general things—plans for the day, who was going where, what needed to be done.
His nerves tensed when Eddie asked Jayne what her plans were.
“I wanted to explore a bit more.”
Seth relaxed. It sounded like a safe activity. He’d be in no mortal danger as he rode away. And may God have mercy on any strangers riding nearby if Jayne meant to continue with her plans.
Again he wondered why Eddie didn’t simply give her a few lessons. Surely that would soon satisfy her.
When the meal ended, Eddie pushed from the table. Seth pushed back, too.
“Thank you for your hospitality. I’ll be on my way now.”
Linette favored him with a sweet smile. “We understand but you’re always welcome at Eden Valley Ranch.”
That’s when he recognized the name Gardiner. Eddie Gardiner and his wife were well spoken of in the western ranches. “I’ve heard of this place.”
“You have?” Linette asked. “I hope it’s been good things.”
Eddie wrapped his arm about his wife’s shoulders. “What else would he hear?”
“It’s been good,” Seth assured them. “You’re known to offer hospitality to all, regardless of race or social status. People say Mrs. Gardiner nurses the sick, helps the poor and Eddie here is considered a man of honor and integrity.”
“That’s lovely,” Sybil said.
“We’re honored,” Eddie added.
Seth leaned back on his heels and grinned. “I heard a tale about feeding a starving Indian family and outrunning wolves. Is it true?”
Linette and Eddie grinned at each other.
Jayne answered his question. “It’s true. My brother refused to hang an Indian who tried to steal a cow to feed his starving family. Instead, he took him meat. On the way back, wolves attacked them and Linette helped beat them off.” She jammed her fists on her hips. “I intend to become just as brave and proficient.”
Linette reached out and squeezed Jayne’s hand. “And you shall.”
Eddie opened his mouth but Linette jabbed her elbow into his ribs and he closed it without speaking. Had he been about to reissue his orders to Jayne?
Instead, he said to Seth, “I’ll take you to the barn. Your horse is there.”
“I’ll go with you,” Jayne said and no one argued otherwise. Certainly not Seth who looked forward to a private goodbye. “Wait a moment.” Jayne turned aside and brought him his shirt and pants, neatly folded as if they’d come from the best Chinese laundry.
“You washed them?”
Mercy didn’t wait for Jayne to answer. “She washed them, mended them and ironed them. Your clothes could not be in better hands.” Her dark eyes challenged him as if informing him that Jayne had many admirable qualities.
He wasn’t about to argue. No doubt she did, but shooting wasn’t one of them any more than was being bullheaded about it.
“Thank you. I didn’t expect this.”
She tipped her head to one side and lifted one shoulder. “I doubt you expected to be shot by a woman, either.”
He choked on a startled laugh.
Mercy and Sybil chuckled.
“Jayne, there’s to be no more shooting.” Eddie sounded like he was used to giving orders and having them obeyed.
As the three of them traipsed down the hill, he heard Jayne whisper beside him, “You can’t order me around.” No doubt she hadn’t meant for anyone to hear her. Seth worried that things might get a little tense between her and her brother if they kept up the way they were.
Grady shouted from the doorway. “Papa, I’m coming, too.”
Eddie turned to wait for him. “You two go ahead.”
Jayne and Seth continued onward. He shoved the barn door open, and a cowboy nodded a greeting as he saddled a horse.
Seth found his horse in a nearby stall and grabbed his saddle and bridle that hung in the tack room. He noticed they’d been cleaned until they shone. He hadn’t expected that kind of service.
The animal, too, had been groomed until his coat shone. Someone certainly knew how to look after things.
As he lifted the saddle into place, his leg spasmed painfully. It was only a gunshot wound, he reminded himself. Not much more than a flesh wound. Nothing to slow him down.
He led the horse through the door, Jayne at his side.
“I hope you arrive in good time, that the man is still tending your pa and that he is much improved.”
He smiled down at her. “Thanks. I can’t say it’s been fun but it’s been unusual meeting you.”
She chuckled. “I dare say it’s the most unusual meeting either of us has had.”
He nodded, suddenly reluctant to leave. Like that made any sense. But something about Jayne pulled at his thoughts. Of course she did. The woman needed someone to keep an eye on her and make sure she didn’t get herself into more trouble.
He chomped down on his molars. It would have to be someone other than himself because he’d had more than his share of trying to take care of people who didn’t bother to take care of themselves.
“You stay out of trouble, hear?” He swung up into the saddle. “Don’t go shooting any more cowboys.”
A stubborn look crossed her