into a normal routine.
A yawn stretched Janette’s mouth so wide her ears popped.
The past month was certainly catching up with her. With all the traveling and worry, she hadn’t slept more than a couple of hours each night. A solid, full night of sleep is exactly what she needed. If she sat here much longer, she’d fall asleep in the chair. She made her way back over to the dresser and held her breath through the process of rinsing away the soda with the vinegar and then gratefully climbed into bed.
* * *
It felt as if she’d barely closed her eyes when a loud clanging had her sitting upright.
The noise continued, and though it didn’t appear to be bothering Ruby, Janette tossed aside the covers and stumbled, somewhat sleepily, to the window. It was still dark outside, but there was a faint hint of color to the sky.
Covering her ears as the clanging continued, she stuck her head out the window. Down the hill were several buildings, barns and whatnots, and on the porch of one stood a man—at least she assumed it was a man—ringing some sort of bell and yelling.
She twisted left and right, sniffing the air. There was no hint of smoke, of a fire, but why else would they be sounding an alarm? Pulling her head inside, she closed the window so the noise wouldn’t wake Ruby before grabbing her dress off the back of the chair. Still groggy, she pressed the dress against the front of her nightgown and made her way to the door. After maneuvering the chair aside, she pulled the door open to peek out and again sniff for the scent of fire. She didn’t detect any smoke, but Gabe was in the hallway, just outside her door.
“Is there a fire?”
“No,” he answered. “Why?”
A sense of relief, or just tiredness, had her leaning her head against the edge of the open door. “Why is that man sounding the fire bell?”
“That’s not a fire bell. It’s the morning wake-up call. Shorty’s letting the hired hands know breakfast will be on the table in less than an hour.”
“Breakfast?” She tried to smother a yawn, but it won out. Once it ended, she leaned heavier against the door. “It can’t be morning already.”
A tiny mew sounded, and the kitten brushed against her ankle before it slipped out the narrow opening of the door.
“It’s morning,” he said, picking up the kitten. “Even this little guy knows it’s time for breakfast.”
“It’s a girl.” Another yawn struck, and lasted as long as the other one had. Shaking her head once it ended, she said, “That kitten’s a girl, not a guy. And it can’t be morning. The sun isn’t up yet.”
He might have chuckled, she wasn’t overly sure. It took all her concentration just to keep her eyes open. One of them anyway.
“Go back to bed, Janette,” he said. “Shorty won’t ring the bell again.”
“You promise?”
“I promise.”
Too tired to really care, she nodded and stumbled back toward the bed.
* * *
Gabe reached to pull the door shut but then pushed it open instead. Dawn had yet to break, but there was enough muted light for him to see her stumble around the bed and then collapse onto the mattress. Whether he liked to believe it or not, he wasn’t completely heartless, and he stepped into the room. The toe of his boot caught on something and he bent down to pick it up. The dress she’d been holding until she’d dropped it while covering a yawn. He tossed it over the nearby chair. Still holding the kitten in one hand, he walked around the bed and used his free hand to carefully flip the covers over the top of her.
She mumbled something as she snuggled her head deeper into the pillow her hands were tucked beneath. He’d seen sleepy people before, but she hadn’t been able to stop yawning or keep her eyes open. For a moment, he’d wondered if she was going to fall asleep leaning against the door.
He reached across her and pulled the covers over Ruby, who was also sleeping soundly, and then carried the kitten out of the room, closing the door behind him.
“They’re exhausted,” he told the kitten. “Texas is a long ways from here and not an easy trip.”
A touch of chagrin rippled over him, but not so much it erased the smile from his face. She’d be mortified when she woke up and realized she’d been walking around in nothing but her nightgown. Walking down the back staircase, he almost laughed at the thought of letting her think there had been enough light for him to see through the thin material she’d been wearing.
Gabe didn’t reenter the house for hours, and when he did, it was to see if Janette was ready to travel to the train station. He had everything in order for the delivery of the cattle to take place even if he hadn’t yet returned from Hays. Judge Schofield might not be in town. He sincerely hoped that wasn’t the case, but if it was, it could be a week or more before he and Janette returned to the ranch.
Closing the front door, he noted the things sitting on the floor. His traveling bag and one other—Janette’s.
“I’m assuming you’re ready to go?”
An odd flutter happened inside him as he glanced up. Janette and Ruby were walking down the stairs. Ruby carried the kitten while Janette carried a small traveling bag. The two of them looked...natural. Like they belonged on that staircase.
“Yes,” he answered, trying to shake the odd inner sensation. “It’s time.”
“We’re ready,” she said.
Gabe wasn’t sure if it was his smugness or his own preplanning that made him want to smile, but either way, he nodded. His plan was in place and pretty well fail-proof. Reaching behind him, he twisted the knob and opened the door.
“Come in, Mrs. Snyder.” As the woman entered the house, he said, “This is Miss Parker and Ruby.” Turning to Janette, he said, “Miss Parker, this is Marietta Snyder. Her husband, Milt, is my foreman, and Mrs. Snyder runs the school for all of the children on the ranch.”
The surprise in Janette’s eyes was just as he’d expected.
“School?” she asked, looking at him. “Ruby isn’t—”
“I’m fully aware she isn’t old enough for school yet,” he said. “But she is old enough to get to know the other children. Mrs. Snyder has agreed to help Rosalie look after Ruby while you and I travel to Hays.” Leaning a bit closer to her, he quietly added, “I figured a distraction might make the parting easier.”
“A distraction?” She drew in a deep breath and leveled a glare on him. “That isn’t necessary, Mr. Callaway.”
“Excuse me, Gabe,” Marietta Snyder said. “Would you mind if Miss Parker and I had a moment alone?”
Marietta didn’t wait for his response, perhaps because she’d already told him she might
