Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
“Mercy me, what a day,” Margaret said.
She eyed George. His head came up, and he let out a soft “woof.”
“You need to be walked.”
“I’ll do it,” Braxton said. He stood, stretched, and made his way around the table where he and Phoebe were working. He smiled at her. “Want to come along?”
She stared at him a moment. He’d never invited her along before. She could use the break. “Yes, thank you for asking.” Phoebe left her chair. “Are you taking him to the park?”
“Of course. He likes it there,” Braxton said. “I’m not sure how long you’re going to last in those.” He gave her shoes a pointed look.
She stared at them and sighed. “I don’t have a warm pair of boots.” She looked away, her cheeks heating. It was bad enough he’d paid her rent for her. Even though it was a blessing, to tell him she couldn’t afford boots and new stockings was too much.
“It’s all right. We don’t have to walk him long,” he said. “But he does need to take care of business and get some exercise.”
“I could always return to the office while you walk him,” she suggested.
“All right.” He went to the coat rack, donned his hat and coat, and pulled on his gloves. “Do you at least have a scarf?” he asked.
“I’m afraid I forgot it this morning,” she told him, her cheeks heating all over again.
He gave her a curt nod and looked at the sisters. “Can Phoebe borrow a scarf from one of you ladies?”
“You can have mine, dear,” Margaret offered. She hurried to the coat rack, grabbed a scarf, and wrapped it around Phoebe’s neck. “There, it even matches your coat!”
Phoebe gave her a crooked smile. She knew it was Josie’s scarf. Not that it mattered. She’d seen the sisters put on each other’s scarves, hats, and gloves before, each one borrowing from another. Well, except for maybe the hat George had used as a chew toy.
“Thank you, Margaret. It’s very kind of you.” Phoebe touched the scarf, smiled, and turned to Braxton.
“I’ll fetch George’s leash.” He disappeared into the back. When he returned, they headed out.
The park was beautiful with all the snow, and Phoebe followed one of the many trails stamped out by passing feet throughout the day. “It’s not so bad,” she said, trailing behind Braxton and George.
Braxton stopped and waited for her to catch up. “No, it’s not, but you’ll let me know if your feet get too cold.”
“Yes, thank you.” She gave him a shy smile as he started off again.
George trotted happily beside him, clearly pleased to be out. People made comments as they passed. Some tipped their hats, while others kept their eyes fixed on George. Phoebe had to admit he was a beautiful dog and a fine conversation piece.
“Would you like some chestnuts?” Braxton offered.
“Chestnuts?” Phoebe looked around and spotted a man with a cart selling roasted chestnuts. Her eyes lit up. “That would be wonderful, thank you!”
He bought them a bag and handed it to her with a light smile. “I take it you like chestnuts?”
She caught his amused tone and nodded. “I always have. They were a real treat growing up. When Mother could…” She cut herself off, embarrassed.
“Afford them,” he finished.
“Yes.” She looked away and popped one in her mouth. It was wonderful. “Thank you for buying some.”
“Are you hungry?” he asked as she took two more.
“Is it that obvious?” She popped them both into her mouth and chewed. She was famished.
“Consider this a snack. As soon as we’re done walking George, we’ll return him and get some lunch. Besides, I think we’ve done all we can for today. The sisters can’t possibly mess things up at this point.”
She almost choked on her chestnut. “No, I suppose not.” She covered her mouth and giggled. “But they do have a way of tearing apart what’s already been fixed, don’t they?”
He laughed. “They mean well, but it’s obvious Miss O’Malley is who makes everything work. She must be very organized to work for them. When is she due back? Have they told you?”
“All I know is sometime after Christmas. She’s to see the brides wed, and there are six of them. Who knows how long that’s going to take? I imagine some married right away, while others are waiting until Christmas Eve or even Christmas. I haven’t bothered to ask for many details.”
He smiled and nodded. “Getting married on Christmas,” he said, more to himself than to her. “I suppose that would make it special.”
“Yes, very,” she agreed.
She wanted to reach for more chestnuts but didn’t want him to think she planned to eat the whole bag, though it was true.
They walked George a while longer, and Braxton took him off leash for a time, throwing snowballs for him.
George jumped into a snowdrift and began to dig, then happily trotted over with a stick.
They played fetch for a few moments before Phoebe began to get too cold, and Braxton quickly ushered her back to the office.
Inside, they got George settled and put the leash away. Then Braxton announced he was taking Phoebe to lunch.
“Oh, how wonderful,” Augusta said. “Have a good time, you two, and don’t worry about us. We have everything under control.”
The three sisters grinned at them, making Phoebe cringe.
Thankfully, George had crawled under the table and was settling in for a nap. At least he wasn’t going to cause any immediate trouble or chew up any files. Everything had been put out of his reach.
Braxton offered Phoebe his arm. “Shall we?”
She took it with a smile, and they left the building.
Outside, he headed up the street as if he knew exactly where he was going. “You have a place in mind?” she asked.
“I do. There’s a lovely café not far from here. I don’t know if you’ve noticed it. I pass it on my way from the boardinghouse I’m staying in. I have to admit; I’m going to miss the peace and quiet of that place.”
“I take it it’s not that quiet on your ranch,” she said.
Braxton laughed. “Yes and no. Ma gets to ordering everyone around when she’s in a mood, and Ophelia—my brother’s wife—butts heads with her now and then. Otherwise, things are calm. Though sometimes there are arguments in the kitchen over who’s the best cook.”
“Who is the best cook?” she asked with a laugh. “Or do you keep your opinions to yourself to keep the peace?”
“Something like that,” he said with a chuckle. “The ranch hands have their own cook among them. Jasper Owens runs the chuck wagon when we do cattle drives instead of transporting them by train.”
“Do you transport most of your cattle by train now?” she asked, curious.
“We do, but we still have to round them up. Our spread is pretty big.”
She smiled and nodded, leaving it at that.
It didn’t take long for them to reach the café, and she studied the exterior as they approached.
The Yellow Bird Café had multi-pane windows that overlooked the street.
The sign was yellow with red lettering, and a small bird perched on a branch, musical notes painted beside its beak.
Inside, it was quaint, with a fireplace on one wall and more space than Phoebe expected.
Tables were placed a decent distance apart, giving patrons a measure of privacy.
Braxton headed for a table for two near the fireplace.
“Mr. Jones,” a waitress said as she approached. “It’s so nice to see you again.”
She didn’t give Phoebe a second glance.
“Yes,” he said, pulling out a chair for Phoebe. He waited for her to sit, scooted her in, then took his own seat. “Two menus, please, Theresa.”
“Right away, Mr. Jones.” She hurried off, and Phoebe smiled at him.
“You come here often?” she teased.
“Often enough. If I’m not having breakfast at the boarding house, I have it here. Along with the occasional late lunch or dinner.”
Phoebe nodded in understanding. She’d gotten back to her own boarding house later than she should and missed dinner entirely more than once.
He watched her a moment, and Phoebe forced herself to sit still. It wouldn’t do to start fidgeting.
“Do you get enough to eat, Phoebe?” he asked, taking her by surprise.
Good grief, could the man read minds? “Yes, of… course. What makes you say that?” she stammered.
He shrugged. “Maybe the way you wolfed down those chestnuts. And I can see you’ve lost a little weight since I first met you.”
Was he truly a mind reader? How could he notice such a thing? Had she lost weight? Her skirts were a little looser of late, and she’d missed more than a few dinners getting home late and all.
“I didn’t mean to offend you,” he said gently. “It’s just something I noticed. I’m sorry if I’ve kept you late at the office this week. I should’ve sent you home earlier so you could enjoy your supper.”
She nodded. “You’ve been getting home late too. Does your boarding house serve promptly at six?”
“It does. I suppose we’ve been doing more than our fair share of work for the girls, haven’t we?”
Phoebe laughed. “Girls?”
“All right,” he said with a grin. “But it sounds better than saying the old gals. You have to admit they’re adorable, even if they are absent-minded.”
“They are that and then some. But like you said, they mean well, and they all have big hearts. I’m sure Miss O’Malley will be happy to return.” She ran a finger along the table’s smooth surface.
After a moment, Theresa returned with menus. “I’m so sorry it took me so long,” she said. “I had to help our cook with something. Mr. Jones, would you like your usual?”
Phoebe eyed him. Good grief, how often did he eat here?
“No, I think I’ll try something different today. Thank you for asking.” He opened the menu and began to read.
“I’ll be back in a few moments.” Theresa hurried off again.
Phoebe glanced after her, then studied the menu. “Is the beef stew good?”
“Excellent. It’s what I usually get. But I think I’ll try the fried chicken lunch today.”
Her mouth watered. “That sounds good too. I’ll have that.”
She set the menu down and watched him. Braxton was handsome and capable, gentle and steady. Qualities she admired far more than she cared to admit. But what good would that do her? He wasn’t looking for someone like her.
She stared at the table again as Theresa returned for their orders. Phoebe let Braxton order for them and thanked him as soon as the waitress left.
He watched her a moment, then smiled. “Say, would you like to help me do a little Christmas shopping while I’m still here?”
Her head snapped up. “Christmas shopping?” Goodness, she’d nearly forgotten Christmas. But then, she had no shopping to do as she had no one to buy for. Unless she counted the sisters… and Braxton.
“Yeah. I figure if I do it here, it’ll make things more special for my family. Especially Ma. She likes pretty things, and there isn’t much of a selection back home.”
“How big is the nearest town?”
“Mustang Gulch has just under four hundred folks.”
“Mustang Gulch,” she repeated with a wide smile. “It sounds… very Texan.”
Braxton burst out laughing. “Is that so? Well, I don’t know about that.” He gave her a warm smile. “Do you like small towns?”
“I don’t know. I’ve never lived in one. But I think it would be nicer than a big place like Chicago. Peaceful. Quiet.” She met his gaze, and her heart skipped. “Is it?”
“Very. And at least the railroad’s there if you want to visit a big city.”
She swallowed and tried to imagine living so far from everything she’d ever known. Phoebe searched her memory for everything he’d told her about the ranch. They went to town for supplies and church, but was there anything else?
“Is there a meeting hall in your town?” she asked.
“There is.”
“Do they hold dances there?”
He smiled. “They do. You like to dance?”
A blush crept into her cheeks as Theresa set their meals before them. “Will there be anything else?”
“No, thank you,” he said, his eyes never leaving Phoebe.
She could feel the waitress’s curious gaze as she walked away. Phoebe reached for her water, took a sip, and realized she still hadn’t broken eye contact with him. This wasn’t a staring contest. This was something else.
“You never answered my question,” he said quietly.
She drew in a small breath. “Oh. I suppose I didn’t. Yes… I love to dance.”
“Good to know.” He reached for his napkin and settled it in his lap. “So do I.”