in the kitchen. Had he said something wrong? Something that had disturbed her? Made her think he was a danger to them? Or had she simply decided to be cautious? He knew now that Daisy was her only living relative. He could understand Lilly’s strong desire to want to protect the little girl.
He closed his eyes and inhaled the warm scent of hay from the barn. Jacob had to admit that he missed his family. His adoptive mother, Rebecca, would be calling them all in for lunch about now. His rowdy brothers would be pushing and shoving to be the first inside. He missed the way Joy, his sister, ran to him and begged to be swung about in the air.
“Jacob? Is now a bad time?”
Lilly’s soft voice broke through the memories and his eyes snapped open. She stood to the side with her hands buried in a long skirt that touched the straw-covered floor of the barn. Since he’d arrived he’d never seen her in a dress or skirt, and the sight took him by surprise. To cover it, he cleared his voice. “Not at all. I was just...putting the horse away.”
She grinned a knowing smile. “Good. I was wondering, since the Pony Express rider just left, if you’d have time to go with Daisy and I to Mud Springs?”
Daisy stood behind Lilly. She peaked around her sister. “Pleeeease.”
Jacob nodded. “Mud Springs?” He’d not heard of that town when he’d come through so perhaps it was a small town between the ranch and Sacramento.
“That’s the old name. About five years ago the town folks renamed it El Dorado. We’re still used to it being Mud Springs.” She pulled her braid around to her left shoulder and played with the band at the end. Her blue eyes looked up at him inquisitively.
Jacob recognized the town name El Dorado. “I’d be happy to go. Let me tell Cook so he doesn’t expect me for lunch.”
Caleb stood up from where he’d been kneeling in the back stall. “I’ll tell him for you,” he offered. Caleb grinned at Daisy. “Want to see the kittens while Jacob gets the wagon ready?” He shot a mischievous grin at Jacob.
Daisy’s blond braid bobbed as she nodded. She looked up at Lilly. “Can I, Lilly?” Weariness laced the little girl’s voice as if she feared her sister would say no.
“Yes, just remember they are still very little.”
“I will.” Daisy skipped the short distance to Caleb.
Jacob had missed the little girl’s voice and happy nature. He grinned. “I better get the wagon.” He started to leave the barn but stopped when he heard Lilly call out.
“Caleb?”
The young man popped his head up. “Yes, Miss Lilly?”
“Will you keep an eye on Daisy? I’d like to go fix a picnic lunch for the trip.” She nibbled at her bottom lip.
Jacob’s eyes met Caleb’s. He nodded to the young man.
“I’ll watch out for her,” Caleb agreed. “Don’t worry, we’ll stay here in the barn and watch the mama cat and kittens.”
She nodded. “I’ll be quick.” Lilly turned and saw Jacob. “Do you need help with the wagon?” she asked, tugging at her braid.
“No, I can take care of it,” he answered.
Lilly walked toward him. When she was at the door he said, “Caleb will take good care of her and I’ll be right outside.”
“I know.” Still she worried the tip of her braid. Then she turned toward the house and marched smartly away.
Jacob moved to the side of the barn where the wagon sat.
A heavy Irish accent drifted to Jacob. “Need help with getting that pulled to the front of the barn?” Asher asked.
Jacob glanced over his shoulder at the broad-shouldered man. Asher seemed good-natured. His red hair and green eyes made him very recognizable. He answered, “That would be nice.”
The big man grabbed the tongue of the wagon while Jacob pushed from behind. Within a minute they had the wagon standing in front of the big barn. The two men continued to work together until the horse was hitched up and ready to go.
“I could have gotten the wagon pulled around but your help made it much easier. Thanks.” He grinned at the Irishman.
“Happy to help. I suppose I should feed the hogs. I can hear their squeals from here.” He walked away.
The hog pens were farther away from the house. Asher scooped up two slop buckets as he passed the bunkhouse and then disappeared around the corner.
Jacob grinned. He liked Asher and couldn’t imagine that he’d harm man or beast. Still, he’d get to know him better before he trusted him or anyone else on the ranch other than Caleb. He walked back into the barn, where Caleb sat with Daisy on a bale of hay. “What are you two doing?” he asked. Then he saw the small fur ball in Caleb’s hands.
“Looking at the kitty,” Daisy whispered. “This is the one I want to keep.”
The kitten was still small and its yellow fur wasn’t very thick. “Aren’t you going to keep them all?” Jacob asked as he sat down across from them on a large bucket.
She shook her head. “No, Lilly only keeps two kitties on the ranch at a time.”
Caleb grinned. “The other two will go to the Lawrences, they own the farm to our right.”
The mother cat chose that moment to let her disapproval come through. She meowed loudly. “Sounds like you better put that baby back,” Jacob said as he stood and stretched.
He looked forward to this trip to town. Even though he’d come through it on his way to the Johnson ranch, Jacob planned to ask again about his mother. The sooner he found her, the sooner he’d have answers to his questions and get on with his life.
* * *
Knots filled Lilly’s stomach as she hurried back to the barn. The wagon looked ready to go. She placed the basket full of food and a couple of Daisy’s favorite toys behind the seat. Lilly inhaled deeply. Anticipation of Jacob’s reaction ate at her. Lilly tried to ignore the feeling, knowing she was doing the right thing.
She’d prayed earnestly, asking God what to do with the new knowledge that Jacob’s mother and her stepmother were one and the same. Lilly didn’t want to tell him because she feared he’d want to take over Daisy’s upbringing. She also feared he’d think the ranch belonged to him, too. But, after much prayer, Lilly felt it wouldn’t be right to keep the truth from Jacob.
The thought of him continuing his search for his deceased mother saddened her. Knowing would be better for him than not knowing. This was something she had to do. She released the pent-up air.
Lilly walked the short distance to the barn and stepped into the doorway. Jacob stood. He stretched out his back and flexed his wide shoulders. She quaked at what his reaction might be to the news she’d been holding onto for the last few days.
Jacob had given her no reason to fear him and yet she did. Lilly knew the fear wasn’t for herself but for Daisy. Not that he’d
