Page 4 of Heart of Stone

The other horses were another grey mare, as pretty as the first one, and a big, strong plow horse, who looked him over but didn’t seem ready to make friends just yet. Curiosity satisfied for the moment, Stone made his way back to the house, going to the back door where he was pretty certain the kitchen would be. He was right, and he dumped his saddlebags by the door as he looked around. It was a big room, bright and cheerful, and he liked it.

“This is a well-kept place,” he said to Luke, as he crossed to the sink to wash up. “It’s good to see.”

“Priss was particular about doin’ things right.” Luke carried two loaded plates to the table. In addition to the promised chicken and cornbread, mashed potatoes were piled high on the plate, slathered in white gravy, and Stone’s stomach growled again when Luke set the plate in front of him. “She was proud of this place and determined to show everyone she could run it herself. I did things her way from the beginnin’, and now they’re my way, too.”

Stone picked up his fork. “Makes sense.”. He paused, suddenly self-conscious. He wasn’t a religious man, but that didn’t mean Luke wasn’t, so he waited to see what Luke did.

Luke bent his head and said grace, keeping it brief, and then he nodded at Stone. “Dig in. There’s more chicken if you want it.”

“Thanks.” Stone did so, enjoying the taste of fresh, home-cooked food. He’d have to compliment Mary on her cooking when he met her and make sure she wanted to stick around.

Luke’s appetite didn’t seem to be lacking either, and he seemed to enjoy the meal as much as Stone. Fortunately, he didn’t seem inclined to make small talk while they ate.

“That was good.” Stone gave a sigh of contentment as he polished off the last bite. “I was hungrier than I thought.” He rose, picking up his plate and carrying it to the sink. “I’ll wash up, since you were nice enough to share your supper with me.”

Leaning back in his chair, Luke regarded Stone inquisitively. “You’re the boss,” he pointed out. “You don’t have to do the washin’ up if you don’t want to.”

“As I said, I don’t mind cleanin’ up after myself. Been doin’ it for a long time.” Stone crossed back to the table and pointed to Luke’s empty plate. “If you’re done, can I take that?”

“Sure enough, if you’re set on washin’ up anyway.” Luke picked up his plate and handed it over, the surprise in his expression shifting into what appeared to be approval.

Stone took the plate, and then he carefully washed everything, stacking it next to the sink and drying it with a towel that was dangling from a hook on the pantry cabinet. He wasn’t certain where everything got put away, so he left it; better to let Mary or Luke put things where they belonged.

After washing and drying his hands, he turned back to Luke. He wasn’t much of one for socializing, and he found himself suddenly bone weary. “If it’s all the same to you, I think I’ll call it an early night.” He paused, wondering if that sounded weak or if Luke would think he was soft or something. “I’d just got back from a ten week cattle drive when I got the letter last week, and I’ve been on the move ever since, tryin’ to get here. I think it’s catchin’ up with me.”

“I ain’t been a foreman so long that I’ve forgotten what it’s like,” Luke said, sounding sympathetic, as if he really did understand, and he pushed back his chair and rose to his feet. “C’mon, I’ll show you to your room, and you can get settled in. Tomorrow, I’ll show you around. Mary has breakfast on the table by six, and we can leave right after.”

“Sounds fine.” Stone was glad that Luke didn’t seem to think badly of him. Now that he’d eaten, all he could think about was climbing into bed and getting some much-needed shut-eye. He picked up his saddlebags. “Ready when you are.”

Luke led him upstairs to a bedroom that wasn’t grand, like the master bedroom likely would be, but it was spacious enough for him. It was furnished only with a bed, a wardrobe, a washstand, and a small bedside table, with lace curtains at the window and a colorful quilt on the bed.

“Here you go.” Luke smiled as he waved Stone inside. “It’s all yours. If you need anything, I’m right next door.”

“Thanks, this is just fine. Thanks again for supper.”

“Night, boss.” Luke waved cheerfully and sauntered away, heading back downstairs. Stone watched him go, and then he closed the door with a shake of his head. Luke was one of those sociable people who always perplexed him; he just didn’t understand actuallylikingbeing around other people. But as Luke had said, he was the boss, which meant he only had to be sociable if he wanted to.

The sun was setting, but Stone didn’t bother to light the lamp on the table. Instead he stripped down to his skivvies and crawled between the sheets, settling down on the firm mattress with a sigh. He barely had time to think about what he was going to have to do the next day, before he fell quickly and deeply asleep.

CHAPTER4

As they rode along at a leisurely pace, Luke took the opportunity to study his new boss without getting distracted by the fact that Stone Harrison was sexy as hell. He’d felt a jolt of attraction and awareness as soon as they’d shook hands, but he’d tried to ignore it, reminding himself that Stone probably didn’t share his inclinations.

Still, that didn’t keep him from admiring the view. Tall and long-legged with jet black hair, dark eyes, and tanned skin, Stone was just the type to set Luke ablaze, and unless Luke missed his guess, Stone had a little Indian blood in him somewhere. Those high cheekbones were as much of a clue as his dark hair and skin, but Luke didn’t care if he did or if he didn’t. Luke didn’t hate Indians or fear them like some white folk did; they were just people like any other, and he thought Stone was one of the best looking men he’d ever seen, no matter who begot him.

Looking was all he could do, however, and so he’d behaved himself while he showed Stone around the ranch, starting with the ranch house grounds. Before they left the house, he’d showed off their indoor plumbing and ice box with pride; Priss had been able to afford a few comforts, and she hadn’t been so thrifty that she’d deprived herself of them. He’d introduced Stone to the thirty-odd hands, most of whom would be with them through the winter, and he’d taken Stone around to the barn, the hay sheds, and the main stock area, and then they’d mounted up to see some of the pasture area, the lake, and the copper mine.

Flanked by the mountains, the ranch was as beautiful as it was productive, at least as far as Luke was concerned. He’d been there nigh on ten years, and he still wasn’t weary of the view. He couldn’t tell by looking at his profile whether Stone appreciated it too, and since they had a few miles to go with only themselves for company, he decided to start up a little conversation.

“So what do you think?” he asked casually. “Like what you see so far?”

Stone turned his head toward Luke, his dark eyes gleaming. For the most part, Stone had a damned good poker face, one that betrayed little of what he was thinking, but there was no mistaking the light of pride and possession in his gaze. Luke had seen it in Priss’s eyes often enough, and it looked likely that the deep connection she’d shared with the ranch had been transferred in full measure to the nephew she’d never met.

“Yes.” Stone’s voice was soft, his tone almost reverent. “I like it a lot.”

“Good. Me too,” Luke replied with a warm smile as he admired the way Stone’s face was transformed with his inner light. Stone didn’t have to know Luke wasn’t talking about just the majestic mountains and rolling pastures, and Luke wasn’t about to admit it, but he was starting to think that working for Stone was either going to be the best job he’d ever had or the worst, depending on how out of hand this wayward attraction got. Possibly a little of both. “I never get tired of lookin’ around when I’m ridin’ fence. Seems like there’s always somethin’ new to see.”

Stone nodded, turning his gaze toward the mountains. “I forgot how beautiful it is out here,” he murmured, almost to himself. “Sky’s so close you could almost touch it.” He cleared his throat, as though a bit embarrassed by what he’d said. “It’s a lot of fence to ride. Must take a heap of time keepin’ it up.”

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