Page 19 of The Forever Cowboy (Noble Ranch #1)

The conditions hadn’t been great when Sterling had set out for the cabin, and he was sorry for having worried his friend. But he’d had little choice. “Violet hurt her ankle. Otherwise we’re none the worse for wear.”

“Good.” Beckett’s attention drifted again to the women, first to Violet then to Hyacinth, where his gaze stayed for a few seconds too long.

“How are things here?” Sterling almost didn’t want to ask the question, and he braced himself for the answer.

“For the cattle?” Beckett nodded toward the field closest to the barns, where the steers were mostly clustered around mounds of hay from among the fodder they grew and stored for the winter months, when snow made grazing difficult. “Only one more died after you left.”

The tension inside Sterling snapped loose, and he almost sagged in relief. “Then the vaccine is working?”

Beckett gave a curt nod. “Thatcher has over half the herd vaccinated, and so far they’re all doing just fine.”

“No signs of problems in them?”

“Not a one. We owe Thatcher a huge debt. He’s been here every day from dawn to well past dusk doling out the shots.”

“That’s mighty nice of him.”

“He’s a good veterinarian and a real good man.” Beckett’s voice, with his thick Southern drawl, trailed off as though he had more to say—news he didn’t want to speak around the women. Something else was wrong.

Sterling’s muscles tensed.

Behind him, Violet sniffled, then sneezed.

He propelled himself forward again. “Let’s get the women inside. Then we can talk some more.”

Beckett shifted his horse around so that he was plodding alongside Sterling. “Not sure if you should take the women to the house, boss.”

“Why not?”

Beckett leaned in and dropped his voice. “The house was ransacked two nights ago.”

“What?” Sterling stumbled over his skis and nearly fell.

As he straightened, he stopped and glanced around with a new sense of alertness, this time taking in the distant snowy fields they used for alfalfa, the split-rail fences, the two grain silos, the barns and bunkhouse and storage sheds.

The large house stood a short distance apart, showcasing his family’s status and wealth.

Everything seemed in order as it should be.

“Someone broke into the house.” Beckett spoke a little louder.

“I heard you the first time.” Sterling glared at the man and then nodded at the women.

But it was too late. Violet’s eyes had widened at the news, and her lashes seemed darker than usual as they framed her eyes.

“Did you see who did it?” Sterling asked.

Beckett shook his head. “Must have happened when we were out with the herd, because we didn’t see anyone.”

“Alonzo notice anything?”

“He heard some noise while he was rustling up grub and went out to investigate and saw a couple fellows leaving the house.”

Sterling’s jaw tightened with the need to curse.

Beckett nodded solemnly. “Men said they worked for Claude St. Germaine from the Red Cap Saloon and were looking for two women.”

Violet began pushing up from the sled, her expression worried. “They wanted us.”

“Reckon so.” Beckett’s gaze bounced to Hyacinth again as she helped Violet up.

Why had Claude sent his men to look for Violet and Hyacinth at the ranch? Maybe Mr. Berkley had told Claude about Sterling’s visit to the house and his concern for the women. Maybe Claude had heard about Sterling’s previous engagement to Violet and had concluded he might shelter the sisters.

Of course, Claude would be right. Sterling had been protecting them.

Violet straightened herself, favoring her uninjured foot. “I’m sorry for bringing the danger to the ranch, Sterling. We will leave right away.”

“And go where?” He couldn’t keep the frustration from his voice. “You can’t go to High C Ranch and chance bringing the danger to Hazel.” He wouldn’t put his sister in that kind of predicament ever, but especially not when she was expecting a baby.

Violet pursed her lips and shifted to look at the foothills they’d just hiked out of. Was she thinking of returning to the cabin?

He shook his head, a strange sense of desperation starting to gnaw at him. “No, don’t even think about it. I won’t let you go back out there with Hyacinth alone. Not without me or someone else who can keep you safe.”

“We’ll be fine—”

“What if Claude’s men hear about the cabin and decide to trek out and see if you’re there?”

“They won’t.”

“I’m not taking that chance.”

Violet lifted her chin, the closest she ever came to getting sassy. “I don’t know where else to go, Sterling. It’s the best place to hide, and you know it.”

Beckett was silent during the exchange, watching them from beneath the brim of his cowboy hat. “Actually, the safest place is right here.”

“Why?” Sterling was open to any suggestions.

“Since Claude already sent men out here and didn’t find the women, why would he look again?”

“True. Unless the ranch hands talk about the women.”

Beckett’s expression turned hard, and he spat out his piece of hay. “Don’t worry about the fellas. I’ll keep them in line.”

Violet’s brow creased with distress. “I couldn’t impose on you. I’ve already done enough.”

Sterling glanced at the house. Beckett’s idea was actually a good one.

Claude’s men wouldn’t have a reason to return to the Noble Ranch and search again.

If they did, Sterling would be here to protect the women.

He would have to stick close to the house, but that was better than riding up to the cabin—which was what he would need to do since there was no way he was letting Violet and Hyacinth go up there alone.

Of course, if anyone discovered Violet and Hyacinth were living at his house, he’d still have the pesky gossip and rumors to worry about. But having that was better than leaving the two to fend for themselves.

Sterling hadn’t planned on spending more time with Violet, but it looked like he had no other option. He met Beckett’s gaze. “It’s the most logical plan.”

“Yep.”

“No.” Violet’s protest wasn’t adamant, and she was easy to sway. He ought to know. He’d influenced her to get engaged and married to him even though she hadn’t been ready. But he didn’t want to push her into something again. He wanted her to agree to the plan and see the wisdom in it.

Depending on how badly the house had been ransacked, he would need help cleaning it up. He could offer to hire Violet to assist with the task, although she would likely tell him she would do it without pay because it was her fault the men had come there in the first place.

In fact, with Jo-Jo gone and no housekeeper or maid to help with anything, the house had already been in need of a good cleaning. What if he asked her to be the housekeeper until she was safe again and found another living arrangement apart from her father?

“I’ll hire you to fill in for Jo-Jo.” The words tumbled out in a rush. “You—and Hyacinth—can cook and clean and do the laundry and all the other things that have been neglected. Hyacinth can do the more active work, and you can stick to the responsibilities that are easier until your ankle heals.”

Violet’s pretty lips stalled against more protest, and she cocked her head, as though she was giving his suggestion serious consideration.

“I won’t pressure you into it. But I will pay you a fair wage, and it would be a great help to me.”

“I wouldn’t expect a wage.”

“I’ll pay you what we pay Jo-Jo.”

“We’ll do it for room and board.”

“And a wage.”

Hyacinth released a sigh of exasperation. “We’ll take the wage along with room and board.”

Violet shook her head. “No, Hyacinth. I don’t feel right about that.”

“It’s fair enough. And besides, we need to save for our own place.”

Violet fell silent and studied her sister’s face. Finally, turned her gaze upon Sterling. “You know you’re a stubborn man, don’t you?”

He didn’t respond, instead waiting for her to make up her mind.

Her eyes softened and filled with gratitude. “I’ll accept your offer. Thank you, Sterling.”

“Then let’s go.” A sudden urgency prodded him. “Let’s get you both into the house before anyone sees you here.”

He’d done the right thing in offering her the job. It would keep her safe for the time being. If only he knew how to keep himself safe. If only he didn’t have the niggling feeling that he might all too easily fall for her and get his heart broken again.

A broken heart was the last thing he wanted, because one heartbreak had been enough to last a lifetime.