Chapter Six
That evening Heath entered the little sod house singing a rousing rendition of I Shall Not Be Moved. His deep baritone reverberated, bouncing off the earthen walls. The music made Rachel smile. For someone who’d worked all day clearing away the blackened timbers of what had once been her home he seemed extraordinarily happy.
At Sally’s insistence that left no room for discussion, Rachel had gotten back into her borrowed bed. She lay fully dressed on top of the covers, listening to the sounds of life that filled this home.
Pans rattled in the kitchen, doors opened and closed. And Heath sang to beat all. Living, real living, was noisy. Not like the deathly quiet that filled her head.
Despite the loss that sat on her chest and strangled the breath out of her, she had a tiny glimmer of hope.
Soon she could do as she wanted without someone bossing her to death.
Jax padded softly into the little alcove and stuck his cold nose to Rachel’s hand, begging to be loved. One pat on the bed was all the invitation he needed. With one bound, Jax leaped onto the bed and settled beside her. She’d thought it a little odd, and frankly it had hurt her feelings, when Jax left that morning with Heath and Sally. Footsteps sounded.
“I might’ve known,” Heath remarked, entering the small room. “I do think he missed his mistress today.”
She glanced up. “I heard you singing. You have a beautiful voice.”
“Thank you.” His tall muscular frame used up all the space in the small alcove. “How are you feeling?”
“Like I’m ready to get on with living.”
He took the chair beside the bed. “I’m real glad to hear it. I’ve been worried about you. If you don’t mind me asking, what happened to make you change your mind?”
Rachel met his smoky gaze. “Tillie’s visit. We made a pact that we’ll help each other get through these trying times. At her suggestion we made a list of the things I have and thought of what might bring in enough income for me to survive on. Tillie had some wonderful ideas and I can’t wait to start on them. I’m an independent woman, Heath. I was raised to take care of myself. I’m no good at accepting charity.”
“Everyone has to rely on the kindness of others occasionally.” His deep voice filled the small room. “Learning to accept help that is freely given with grace and dignity is as important as giving it.”
“Still, it doesn’t sit well.”
Heath gave her a crooked grin that deepened the lines at the corners of his eyes. “Then I should tell you some news while you’re not up to raising too much fuss.”
Her breath caught in her throat. “What is it?”
“Some of the ranchers up on the rim like me got wind of what I was doing and they came in droves to help rebuild your house.”
Would they be so quick to help if they knew about Jane and her Comanche father, a proud chief? And her father’s lawless activities?
She stiffened. “So you’re saying I not only owe you and Sally, but a whole passel of other people?”
“Afraid so.”
Rachel threw her legs over the side of the bed and sat up. “I appreciate all you’ve done but please let me take care of my own affairs. I can’t sneeze without someone telling me what to do and when. Or how to feel.”
“That’s not it at all. We just want to help. You’ve suffered an enormous blow.”
“There’s a difference in helping and taking over.” She regretted the sharp tone that crept into her voice and it seemed unfair, but she had to make Heath listen to her. “I’m getting up from this bed before I sprout roots and grow to it so don’t try to stop me.”
Heath grinned and raisedboth hands. “I wouldn’t think of interfering with so determined a woman.”
The steam coming out of Rachel’s ears told him she had a bee in her bonnet and wasn’t about to let anyone swat at it but her, even if it stung.
She was sure a pretty thing, especially when she was mad enough to melt lead and make bullets.
And she’d remarked on his singing.
That must mean his plan was working.
It was only a matter of time—if she didn’t kill him after he told her of the latest developments.
He’d been relieved to discover a logical explanation for most of the holes on the Malloy land. Some had been made by coyotes. And those footprints in the ash? Maybe they had been made by a curious cowboy from one of the ranches up on the rim. They must’ve seen the smoke.
Except the crumpled note didn’t fit that theory.
Still, Heath believed in his heart Rachel would be safe or he’d never have decided to build her another house where the old one had stood.
Things were going to work out. He felt that in his bones. He was contemplating the goodness and mercy of the Almighty God when Rachel stood. She grabbed his arm to keep from falling. The room must be spinning again. Her continuing dizziness worried him.
“Here, let me help you.”
“I am not getting back to bed,” she said firmly. “That’s the problem now. I’ve been in bed so long I’ve forgotten how to balance myself.”
Heath slipped an arm around her slim waist. “Far be it from me to say different.”
“I can do it. Please.”
He quickly stifled a frustrated groan. Anything he did or said at the present was going to be wrong.
“Tell me what you want, Rachel,” he asked quietly, arms crossed. Waiting.
“I want…I want…” A sob escaped her.
His heart broke. He didn’t have to be a mind reader to know she ached for things to return to normal, to the way they were before even if they weren’t ideal.
He folded his arms around her and drew her close. “I’ve got you, Rachel. Go ahead and cry,” he murmured into her silky hair. “It’ll do you good.”
Jax whined and then threw back his head and let out one of the most mournful howls Heath had ever heard.
Sally came running. “Good heavens! What’s all this racket?” She sent him a glare. “What did you do, Heath?”
“Why do you always assume I’m to blame for whatever goes wrong?”
Sally threw up her hands. “Well, bring her in here.”
Sweeping Rachel up into his arms, he carried her into the next room and gently placed her in the rocker.
Pressing a handkerchief in Rachel’s hand, Sally murmured, “There now. Everything’s going to be all right.”
“I’m sorry to be such a blubbering mess.” Rachel blew her nose. “Sometimes the enormity of it all comes flooding over me and I can’t stop it.”
Heath patted her arm. “You have nothing to apologize for. I’m sure it’s more difficult than anyone knows. It’ll get better. Each day that passes will get a little easier.”
“And don’t forget you’re feeling poorly,” Sally reminded. “You’ve got to get your strength back.”
Huffing and giving Heath a look that said he’d better mind his p’s and q’s, Sally went back to her cooking.
Heath sank into the chair beside Rachel. His gaze tangled with her glistening pale green eyes. Something soft and gentle wound around his heart. He yearned to take care of her.
“I don’t know how you both put up with me,” she murmured.
The barely spoken words were colored with thick emotion and sadness.
“Well, the good thing is that you’ll soon have a place of your own.” He leaned back and stretched his long legs out in front of him. “With all the extra hands we’ll finish the house a lot sooner than we planned. I figure we’ll have it livable in three weeks. Of course, furnishings will be a little sparse until I can get to Colorado City for some.”
Rachel straightened her spine. “Until we get to Colorado City you mean.”
Good grief, he was going to have to watch what he said and remember her blessed independence that she set such store by.
“Yes, of course. I meant to include you,” he said with a grin.
“I don’t have any money so I may have to wait awhile,” she said stiffly.
“I didn’t tell you the best part.” Heath leaned forward until his knees almost touched hers. “Several of the ranchers in the area are aware of you single ladies down here in the canyon alone and are falling all over themselves to help. They’re donating some of their extras. One has a bed, another a cook stove, and one is offering a table and some chairs. I figure that’s enough to get you started.” She hadn’t hit him yet, so he went on. “Of course, I think a few are looking for wives.”
The sight of a fresh batch of tears filling her eyes was almost more than he could stand. He wanted to take her in his arms again, smooth back her silvery blonde hair, and assure her everything was going to be all right.
But she surprised him this time and gave him a watery smile.
“I don’t know what to say. This is all so overwhelming.”
“A thank you will suffice. These ranchers don’t want anything in return. Some things are more important than money, especially out here in the canyon.”
“And you, Mr. Lassiter. What do you want?” Her words were wrapped in soft velvet.
“What’s with this Mr. Lassiter business? What happened to Heath?” he growled.
“I just needed to remind myself not to take advantage of your generosity.”
“As though you could. And I’ll tell you what I want. It’s simple. I only want you to smile and be happy again.” And to be his wife, but he didn’t add that part.
It was better to go slow where that was concerned.
“I don’t think I can do that right now.”
“Then just grant me one request. Don’t call me anything but Heath.”
“I don’t feel comfortable doing that, but if that’s your desire.”
“It is. You’ll get used to it.”
“Then, Heath, I need to ask something.”
From the way she chewed on her bottom lip, it wasn’t easy to get out. Curiosity filled him.
“Ask away.”
“When you were clearing away the debris from my house, did you find a trapdoor by chance?”
“Yes. And I’ll build it back just like it was before.”
“Did you remove anything?”
“I only glanced into it but debris blocked the stairs. Why?”
“Just curious.”
He took her hand. “Rachel, I won’t bother your things or let anyone else.”
Relief flooded her gaze and she squeezed his fingers.
Though curiosity rose, he’d keep his nose out of her affairs.