came out to stand beside her. “Caitlin, watch out. He’ll break your heart if you’re not careful.”
Startled, Caitlin turned. “I won’t let that happen. I barely know him.”
“He’s a charming man. He’s also accustomed to getting what he wants. Not one word was mentioned about selling land back to you, so I assume he’s put you off with an answer.”
“Yes, he has until this week when he can talk to his brother and some people at his office.”
“He’s dangling you along. He wants you and this ranch. I don’t think he’s going to sell to you.”
“Whatever happens,” Caitlin said, growing somber over hearing her own sentiments spoken aloud by Cecilia, “I promise, I’ll take care of you and Altheda. Kirby, too.”
“We can all manage. Your grandmother left us each a trust that will take care of us financially. We’ll get along.” Cecilia’s gaze ran over the porch and tears filled her eyes. “I love this old house and I know you do, too,” she said gently. “It may just be time for all of us to let go and move on. Change is life, Caitlin. You know that. You’ve done your best to win him over, but those Bentons are a hard-hearted bunch toward the Santerres. He hates your brother. It shows in his cold blue eyes.”
“Cecilia, Jake isn’t so awfully cold,” Caitlin said, having a strange feeling of not being truthful. She had a knot in her throat and hated to hear what she feared voiced aloud.
“Just don’t fall in love with him, honey. You’re going out with him tonight. You be careful. That man doesn’t have your interests at heart. At least not now.”
“It’s just dinner and I’ll be careful,” Caitlin promised, looking into Cecilia’s worried brown eyes. They both stepped closer to hug each other and Caitlin could feel Cecilia’s thin shoulders and hurt for her. “Cecilia, I’d do anything to keep him from uprooting you and the others,” she said, fighting tears.
“Don’t,” Cecilia said firmly, pulling away and holding Caitlin’s shoulders. “Do not do anything foolish to get your way. He’ll take advantage of you and hurt you. We’ll all be fine and stop worrying about us. You’ve talked to him about selling and you’ve done your part.”
Caitlin nodded. “I better check my calls and emails. I haven’t since this morning.”
“You’ll have to put it off for a few more minutes because here comes Kirby,” Cecilia said. “I’m going in. He’ll want to talk to you, not me. I’m guessing he’s in his fatherly mode. We all want to keep you from getting hurt while you’re trying to protect us.”
Caitlin saw the foreman striding toward her, a lanky, relaxed walk that still covered ground rapidly. She had a sinking feeling he might want to air his feelings and warn her to be careful around Jake, too.
Cecilia left and in minutes Kirby climbed the porch steps to lean against a post facing her as she sat and gently rocked.
“I saw Benton drive away. I hear he’s taking you out tonight.”
Caitlin couldn’t keep from smiling. “You three have a grapevine that carries news faster than text messaging.”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Altheda told me. She had lunch for the boys and me and I was up here to get it and talked to her.”
“And she must have just found out from Jake’s remarks. Yes, I’m going out with him and I’ll be fine.”
“Look, you’re doing this for the three of us, primarily. Dusty and Red, too, because the outcome will impact them. Jake Benton’s a tough man. I’ve ridden against him in rodeos. I’ve seen Will come up against him and end up the worse for it. I’d say you forget trying to save this place. I don’t want to see you hurt.”
“Kirby, you’re like an older brother to me—or a dad.”
“I believe at my age, dad is a better comparison,” he said and she smiled fleetingly, her mind on his warning.
“I’ll take care of myself and I don’t want any of you to worry. Jake won’t hurt me. I’m not getting that involved with him.”
“He’s broken more than a few hearts in this county,” Kirby said.
She gazed to the east, thinking about Jake driving home to his ranch.
“I’ll be careful. You stop worrying. I’ve already been warned by Cecilia.”
“You might as well give up on him selling the place. That man isn’t going to let you have it back. Trucks are pouring in here at that rig where they are drilling. I’ve watched them with binoculars from the barn loft. They’re busy as can be. I wouldn’t be surprised if they do find oil. Your dad never thought there was any here, but that time they drilled it was far over in the eastern corner, not up here near the house. They find oil, you can forget any hope of getting part of this ranch back.”
“I know. He retains all mineral rights, so he could go right ahead.”
“It’s not conducive to raising cattle.”
“I couldn’t just give up without asking. Just please, don’t you worry.”
Kirby straightened up. “All right. I’ve said my say and I’ll head back to work.” He turned and went down the porch steps.
“Kirby—” She waited until he turned around to meet her gaze. “Thank you. I love you for watching out for me.”
“You take care, Caitlin. I can’t watch out enough to protect you.”
She nodded and he walked away, heading back to the barn. Shortly he was in the truck and drove off on one of the ranch’s paths.
With a sigh, she went inside, mulling over the warnings against Jake that reaffirmed her own reactions. Neither Kirby nor Cecilia expected Jake to sell back to her. She headed to the kitchen, knowing she might as well listen now to Altheda, hear her cautions and then she could go back to her work to check on her galleries and orders.
When she finally stepped inside her office, she closed the door. Feeling drained, she was more worried than ever about the future of the ranch.
Caitlin soon gave up trying to work because she couldn’t keep her mind on anything except Jake. Memories of his kisses tormented her. Questions about his decision concerning the ranch were as constant a concern. All the time she bathed and dressed, she moved as if only half conscious of her actions. Kirby’s and Cecilia’s warnings made her view the evening with more caution, big reminders to be careful.
In spite of the warnings, her pulse speeded at the prospect. Her feelings toward Jake were mixed; fear he would destroy the place she loved, attraction, family hatreds, excitement. The dinner date would give her another chance to try to talk him into selling. What was really holding him back? Was he trying to get something from her besides a payment? Seduction? Perhaps tonight would bring answers.
Five
With his thoughts on Caitlin, Jake turned into his ranch road and answered a call on his cell. He talked briefly to his brother Gabe who had flown in and was waiting to see him.
When
