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Kent looked up from where he crouched on the ground but instead of his gaze landing on Hannah, it flew right to Alice and she swallowed hard, feeling the intensity of his stare seep deep inside her.
Before he’d left for school, he’d looked at her like that. He’d made her feel more important and more beautiful than a princess. Every wrong thing he’d ever done to her or their family had been discussed, and he’d begged her to forgive him. He’d never kissed her, saying they had to wait until he returned. He didn’t want her to remember him as a childish fancy, but as a woman. Which she would be when he returned.
Now, she was most certainly a woman and all those feelings she’d harbored for so long wanted release. And as if he knew her thoughts, he yanked his bandana back up to cover his face.
She hurled a growl at him. “Stop worrying about your scar and care for the dog!”
He narrowed his eyes, his chest rising and falling quickly, as if he—too—was struggling to take a full breath. “I am caring for this poor dog. He’s malnourished and has need of a nursing mother. Alice, are there any puppies on Johlman Ranch right now?”
Was he considering replacing Hannah’s dog? That was absurd. “We have one, but she’s about to wean them.” She reserved her judgement until he spoke. If he was as churned up inside as she, he wouldn’t be able to think clearly.
“That’s perfectly fine. I think we should take this little guy out there and see if the mother will accept him for a week until he can get his strength back. If not, you may have to feed him with a bottle. Can you do that if I show you how?”
Feed a puppy with a bottle? She’d fed lambs before, but never other animals. “I’m sure I could.” Pa would never allow him to stay there long enough to do such a thing. She wouldn’t hope for time like that.
“Good. Blake needs that dog. He’s planning to train him to help with his job. I was told he was bred to be able to smell things better than the average dog.” She shrugged. “All I know is that the poor little guy was fine but got sick and I’m at my wit’s end with trying to care for him.”
“I hate to take you away from your visit, Alice, but I need to return to the ranch. We’ll tie Blaze to the back of my wagon and I’ll give you a ride home.”
Alice glanced between her sister and Kent, who gingerly lifted the little puppy and headed for his waiting wagon, cradling it in his strong arms.
Hannah hugged her close. “Use your time wisely.” She gave an extra squeeze.
“It’s good to see Blaze doing so well.” Kent’s voice right behind her made Alice startle.
“Yes, he’s practically fine today.” If only she were just as fine.
“Good.” He quickly fixed her reins on the side of his wagon and held out his hand to help her up into the seat. He glanced over his shoulder. “I’ll send the bill over next time I’m in town.”
Hannah laughed. “Just send it with Alice. I still expect a visit soon.”
Alice felt heat rush up her cheeks. What in the world would they talk about for an hour? Especially when she’d told him just the day before that she’d wanted nothing from him but war.
* * *
Kent itchedto yank the bandana down. On the other side of that retched cloth, he could inhale deeply and pull into himself the scent he’d longed for. Five years and he could still recall the soft smell of Lily of the Valley that seemed to caress Alice’s skin even in the dead of winter. Yet, the flower itself didn’t do his heart justice. He wanted to experience what he’d missed.
Alice.
She’d changed greatly while he’d been away, though certainly so had he. She’d been quiet and agreeable to a fault then. Submissive and pleasant, caring and naïve, he’d wanted nothing more than to protect her from every vice the world might decide to show her. He’d wanted to keep her happy and carefree.
Something had changed in his absence, pulling that youthfulness from her. Now, she sat next to him, a woman, with the same willowy hands as before but now thin with work, not leisure. She held her back straight, not out of propriety but out of stoicism. A coldness toward him masked her features that tore his heart more than the gash on his face ever had.
She clenched her small fist, reminding him of the time he’d tormented her in school. The very first day she’d arrived at the school in Belle Fourche. Young and timid, she’d clung to her sister like a duckling follows its mother. He’d been too stupid and youthful back then to know to keep his mouth shut. Plus, she was a Johlman, and Douglases always hated Johlmans.
He’d teased her mercilessly that first day, thinking Pa would slap him on the back and tell him what a great man he was. During the course of the day, he’d called her a bat, clinging to her sister and blind to everyone else. He’d seen the tears well in her eyes and felt his heart sting for the barest of moments before he went on with his torment. Finally, he’d drawn tears. Real, huge, clear tears. He’d learned that day that sobs could be completely silent.
His crimes came with severe punishment, though. Her two older brothers were near his age and, though they’d had their own concerns that day, hadn’t missed his exploits. They’d cornered him coming out of the privy and dragged him into the cornfield. His own brother had to drag him out and home. He hadn’t said anything directly to her between that time and when he met her again later, but he’d given her enough quelling looks to keep her frightened of him until he’d finished school.
That’s when everything changed. After he’d been pulled from school early by his pa, he’d missed seeing her grow. He’d come to Johlman ranch, looking for missing cattle and been surprised to find the kitten had grown up when he wasn’t looking. Her beauty had taken away his breath and his avarice for her family’s land.
She took a heavy breath next to him, obviously uncomfortable with the situation. He’d thought the plan to be a sound one until now. Sitting next to her and enjoying her company for the ride back to her ranch was a gift. He had thought no further into the future than that. But he would have to see to the puppy daily and being at the ranch next to him would make seeing him easier. He’d have to seeAlicedaily.
“You can pull down that silly mask and take a deep breath, for heaven’s sake,” she snapped. “It’s not as if I haven’t seen it.”
He cringed. She had, twice now, seen the dark scar running down his cheek. The one he tried to hide and kept his bandana in place unless he was anywhere but a dark barn. Which was why he favored being in the barn to anywhere else presently.
“I’d rather keep it on, thank you,” he managed through the thickness in his throat. Lands, he’d missed her voice. How was he going to live next door to her, wanting to be near her, yet forcing himself to stay away? She was worth diamonds and gold. He was now straw and coal.
