Safe in His Arms

EIGHT





The Stanton ranch was well tended and expansive. Daniel glanced around at the trim fences and barns as they passed under the wooden sign proclaiming it the Stars Above Ranch. Several dogs barked and chased chipmunks in a field to the right of the house, but the main noise came from the laughter and voices drifting from the brightly lit barn closest to the house. He was eager to meet the family.

Daniel had heard the story from other cowpokes on the payroll. Margaret had fancied herself in love with Nate Stanton until his father had brought home a proxy bride for his son. That had been three years ago, and Margaret had withdrawn even more since then. Daniel wanted a look at the only man who had caught Margaret’s eye. She despised him, so why did he even care about what kind of man she found attractive? Though for a moment, when she lifted her face for his kiss, he’d thought there might be some hope for him.

“Nice place,” he told Margaret. What had possessed him to kiss her? All her earlier warmth was replaced with a wall of ice he found impossible to melt. It was as though she was determined to pretend she hadn’t wanted him to kiss her.

But that kiss.

He glanced at her from the corner of his eye when she didn’t answer his comment. His first sight of her tonight had been overwhelming. That glorious hair was loose, and he wanted to plunge his hands into those shining curls. How would it feel beneath his fingers? It looked heavy yet silky. He clenched his fists against the need to touch Margaret’s hair now. He must be loco to let a woman get to him like this. Especially when he was only here to do a job and get out.

Daniel halted the buggy at the hitching post and got down. He tied up the horse, then went around to help Margaret, but she had already clambered to the ground by herself. She was the most aggravating woman. It was as though she was afraid to let herself be a woman. He offered her his arm. She shot him a look of disdain from eyes as clear as glass but took his arm anyway.

He led her inside the barn. Women dressed in their finery and men tricked out in their best vests spun by in a reel. Laughter floated on the air, and Daniel felt himself relax. Margaret would get over her snit, and they would have fun. Maybe he should apologize. But he didn’t feel sorry for that kiss. Not one bit. The only thing he was sorry about was that it had put the wall between them again.

“Margaret!” A young woman waved from near the dessert table. Blond and pretty, her roundness announced the imminent arrival of a baby.

“Lucy!” Margaret waved back and started toward the woman.

This must be their hostess. Daniel followed Margaret’s figure through the throng. A man stood beside Lucy, obviously her husband by the way he looked at her. Pride and worry warred for possession of his face.

That had to be Nate. Daniel looked him over. Strong and handsome, he supposed, though he was no judge of what women found attractive. The gray eyes under his sandy hair radiated good humor and contentment. One thing was certain—he adored his wife even after several years of marriage.

Margaret and Daniel reached the other couple, and Lucy hugged Margaret with enthusiasm. “I’ve been watching for you,” she said. “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve been meaning to get over here, but you know how it is on a ranch. Never enough time to get everything done.” Margaret linked arms with Lucy.

“You amaze me, Margaret. I’m not much use other than in the house.”

Nate grinned down at his wife. “I’m not complaining.” He turned to Daniel and thrust out his hand. “Nate Stanton. You must be the new foreman at Triple T I’ve heard so much about.”

“That would be me. Daniel Cutler.”

“Where are you from, Mr. Cutler?” Lucy put in.

“Call me Daniel.” He could sense the way Margaret grew still as though his answer mattered to her.

He smiled at Lucy and spilled out the story he’d rehearsed. “Born and raised in Texas, ma’am. My pa owned a bank in Austin, and I worked with him until about five years ago when I had a hankerin’ to do something other than work in an office.” He just prayed she wouldn’t ask any more questions. Since he’d become a believer, he hated falsehood. He didn’t want to lie, but he’d avoid the rest of the story if he could.

Instead of more questions, Lucy turned and directed a question at Margaret. “It must be wonderful to have some help.”

Daniel couldn’t hold back a grin. “Not so you’d notice, Miss Lucy. She wants to see the back of me in the worst way.”

Lucy’s blue eyes widened and she stared at Margaret. Margaret flushed and glared at Daniel. He grinned back at her. See how she liked being on the defensive. He had to admit, he rather enjoyed getting her back up. Those eyes of hers flashed like green fire, and the color came into her face when she was angry or upset. It was a bit like watching fireworks, and he’d always loved a show like that.

“We don’t need a foreman,” Margaret said. “I can handle the work.”

“Sure, you can handle it, but why should you?” Nate asked. “It’s hard work even for a man.”

“And I’m a weak female, right?” Margaret glared at Nate, and he held up a hand.

“Whoa,” he said. “I meant no disrespect. You can work any man I know under the table, Margaret.”

She gave a shamefaced smile. “I’m sorry. I’m a little prickly tonight. It’s this ridiculous dress. I feel like I must look like a little girl playing dress-up.”

“You look wonderful,” Lucy said. “Truly. You know I wouldn’t lie to you. Your dance card is going to be full.”

“I’ve been trying to convince her of that since we left the Triple T,” Daniel said.

Lucy smiled at him. “Maybe if you danced with her, she could believe it.”

“Don’t talk about me as if I weren’t here.” Margaret planted her hands on her hips.

“That’s a great idea, Miss Lucy.” Daniel grinned, then gripped Margaret’s arm and pulled her toward the dance floor as the fiddler struck up a square dance. He winked at her, and Margaret began to smile. His heart leapt at the way she was looking at him. She might not want to admit she was attracted to him, but he could see it in her face.

They stomped and spun their way around the floor. Margaret was laughing up at him as she dipped and twirled. They were both breathless by the time the dance ended. He led her to a secluded alcove. “Wait here and I’ll get us something to drink.” She nodded, and he went across the room to the refreshment table. He glanced back and frowned when he saw several men heading her direction.

Lucy was sitting in a chair beside the table. “Hello again. Did Margaret run you off already?”

“No, I’m getting us something to drink.”

She patted the chair beside her. “Sit down a minute. I want to talk to you.”

Daniel arched his eyebrows. Now she had him curious. He settled on the edge of the chair she’d indicated.

“Nate told me not to interfere, but Margaret is my best friend, and I don’t want to see her hurt.”

“I won’t hurt her.” Daniel was a little tired of his motives always being called into question, first by Lewis and now by Lucy. Usually people took him at face value, and he didn’t like this constant suspicion.

“She’s more fragile than she appears,” Lucy said. “She puts up a brave front, but she’s really a little girl looking for love. Are you a Christian, Daniel?”

“Yes, I am.” Not many people cared about that, and his respect and liking for Lucy Stanton grew.

Lucy’s face lit in relief. “Then maybe you can guide Margaret. She needs to know God’s unconditional love. She’s a believer, but she can’t seem to grasp the fact that God is the only one we can turn to for that love. I think her father’s high expectations have made her doubt his love for her. And the loss of her mother when she was a child added to her self-doubt. Nate’s choice didn’t help things.”

He leaned forward. “I heard a little about that. What more can you tell me?”

“The entire town thought Nate would marry Margaret. He escorted her to a few shindigs, and I think he even thought he would eventually marry her since she knew ranching. Anyone with half an eye can see Margaret would be a hardworking wife. Then I came along, and things changed. I always regretted the way Margaret was hurt. Since then she’s rejected any man’s attempt to escort her anywhere. Not that many have tried since she’s so prickly.” Lucy frowned. “Here comes Nate. I’d better shut up.” She laughed and winked at Daniel.

Nate came toward them with a young man with red hair, somewhere in age between hay and grass. He had a girl of about six with curly blond hair by the hand, and he carried a little boy of about two who had his daddy’s sandy hair and gray eyes. “I don’t think you’ve met the rest of the family. This is Jed and Eileen, Lucy’s brother and sister. And the little guy is William, our son.”

Daniel shook Jed’s hand and teased Eileen for a few minutes, then went back to the refreshment table. By the time he got back to Margaret with punch, she was surrounded by men.

Calvin was coaxing her to dance, and another man asked if he could get her some refreshments. The wave of jealousy that swept over him caught him off guard. He’d better watch his heart. He shouldered his way past the men and handed her the punch.

“Sorry, men, the lady is taken,” he told them. Was that relief on Margaret’s face? He smiled at her and she smiled back. Elation raced through him. Why had he thought it fun to make her angry? Her smile warmed him like the first hot day of summer.

The men dispersed with a few grumbles, and Calvin glared at him. “Sorry if I was overbearing,” Daniel told her.

“You’re not a bit sorry. You men get like a bull defending his territory.”

“Guilty. Maybe I’m staking my claim to you.” He nearly bit his tongue, but the words were out. What claim did he have on her? She would never look twice at him.

Her eyes widened, and she seemed as though she wanted to say something, but then her white teeth clamped against her lip, and she looked away. Her stiff manner came back, and Daniel sighed. He’d messed it up again. This relationship stuff was hard to fathom. One step forward and two steps back. He was much more comfortable with his horse or the cattle.

His pocket watch read eight. This party had to be over in time for the meeting. He glanced around the crowd and straightened when he saw a familiar figure. What was Golda doing here? If the townspeople got wind of what was going on, his job would be even harder.

“I’ll be right back,” he told Margaret. He put his drink on the floor next to her and hurried toward where he’d last seen Golda.

He stepped outside and looked around, and a small hand grabbed his arm.

He collided with a small figure. “Golda, what are you doing here?”

She wore a blue dress that showed her curves. “I thought I’d enjoy myself tonight. You have a problem with that?”

“Someone is going to ask where you’re from and what you’re doing here.”

She tossed back her golden head. “And I’ll tell them I’m visiting.” Her eyes glittered. “I saw you dancing with that redhead.” She leaned closer. “You’d better not be thinking of throwing me over for another woman. I might have to have a little chat with her.”

She pulled something from her pocket, and he saw the glint of her gun. Though it was small, she knew how to use it—and had in the past. “You leave Margaret alone.”

She stepped close enough to run her hand up his shirt. Her perfume was overpowering. “Don’t make me mad. Frank is beginning to question if this plan is a good one. You haven’t sent word about which bank to hit next, and he’s getting antsy.”

He caught her hand and pushed it off him, then stepped away. “I’m doing my job and Frank knows it.” But she could easily put doubts in her brother’s mind. She was quite good at it. “I just got here. I need a little time to figure everything out. Frank was the one who moved in too soon.”

“He doesn’t trust you.”

“You mean you don’t trust me.”

If he didn’t get out of here, he was going to say something he’d regret.