His Secondhand Wife. Cheryl St.John

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      Kate donned her dress, then took a few minutes to brush out her wildly mussed hair and braid it. She left the braid hanging loose and found him in the dimly lit kitchen.

      “There were certainly a lot of folks here today,” she said, taking a seat and picking up the fork he’d placed beside her plate. “That says a lot about the respect for your family.”

      “I run a big spread. Spend a lot of money in town.”

      She eyed him. “None of them are your friends?”

      He shook his head.

      “Why not?”

      He shrugged and ate.

      Kate sampled one of the casseroles on her plate. “Do folks know? I mean, about how exactly that Levi was killed?”

      “I didn’t tell ’em. Estelle sure won’t.”

      “But gossip will travel, don’t you think?”

      “Can’t say.”

      She picked at her food again. “Who planted the rosebushes on the side of the house?”

      The fork paused on its way to his mouth. He lowered the bite to his plate. “My mother had a rose garden. It was overgrown and full of weeds when I thought to save it a few years back. I sent for more bushes.”

      “The garden must be lovely when it’s in bloom. I can’t wait to see it. And the smell—why, it must come right into the house and fill every room.”

      “Uh-huh.”

      “Too bad they aren’t blooming yet. We could have placed some on the grave today. The preacher did a good job, don’t you think? The prayer was especially touching.”

      “Not much for prayin’ and the like.”

      “You go to church on Sundays, don’t you?”

      “No.”

      His reply caught her by surprise. Her mother had always taken her to church and nearly everyone they knew attended. “Are you a heathen, then? You don’t believe in God?”

      “I believe in God. He’s not the problem.”

      “What is the problem?”

      “People.”

      “Oh.” She’d heard how Estelle spoke of and to Noah, but surely not everyone shared her low opinion.

      “You go,” he said. “Ride with Marjorie and Tipper.”

      “Sunday’s still three days away,” she replied. “I have time to think about it. Everyone stares at me….” She shook her head to dismiss the thought.

      Noah laid down his fork. “You have nothing to be ashamed of.”

      Tears smarted behind her eyes. She blinked to keep them from falling, but the attempt was useless. She’d been foolish to fall for Levi and everyone would know it soon enough if they didn’t already.

      Noah felt more awkward than ever at Katherine’s distress. She had loved his brother. He understood because he had loved him, too, but Levi’s callous behavior stuck in his craw. It took only the smallest thing to please Katherine. She was delighted with flowers and stars. Sunsets and good weather fairly made her delirious. So far he hadn’t heard her speak of anything that she couldn’t paint in cheerful colors.

      It would have been so easy for Levi to make this woman happy. Why the thought angered him more than any other, he didn’t know. Maybe because without the least effort Levi could have had everything Noah could never hope for. And he’d thrown it all away. Got himself killed and left a wife and babe behind.

      Katherine’s silent tears were far more eloquent than Estelle’s histrionics. Noah was completely at a loss as to how to react to a crying woman. Though they shared the loss, they were strangers. He could think of nothing to say that would change anything or bring her comfort.

      So, as usual, he said nothing.

      Chapter Four

      Kate was grateful that Estelle didn’t come to the Rockin’ C on Friday. She used the reprieve to rest and to learn the layout of the house and outbuildings.

      At noon Fergie brought her a bowl of stew and a chunk of bread.

      “What is everyone doing?” she asked.

      “Roundin’ up cows and branding,” he replied. “Takes weeks in the spring.”

      She saw Noah only at supper when he brought two plates of food from the meal kitchen.

      “I could cook you supper whenever you like,” she told him.

      “No need to double the effort. Fergie cooks every night.”

      The beans were tasty and the golden-baked corn bread was perfection. She couldn’t have done half as well. Noah couldn’t realize the wise choice he’d made in declining her offer.

      But she felt the need to contribute.

      Noah had placed a crock of butter and a jar of jelly on the table near her, then dipped portions onto his plate before seating himself at the far end. Kate thought eating together would be nicer and simpler if they sat closer. She moved the crock and jar nearer him, moved her plate, then took the chair to his right.

      “I was surprised the first time I saw that whole crock of butter on the table. Estelle had to tell me to help myself.”

      He stopped eating.

      She glanced at him.

      He lowered his hands to his lap without looking at her.

      Kate reached for the butter and spread some on her warm corn bread.

      “This is a treat,” she told him. “At home we rarely had butter. It was too expensive to buy from the general store. Estelle said someone on the ranch probably makes this.”

      “Fergie.”

      “I would enjoy seeing how he does it.” She noticed that he hadn’t picked up his fork and resumed eating. Setting down her slice of corn bread, she dropped her hands to her lap. “Have I done something wrong? You didn’t want me to sit here, did you?”

      Quickly she got up and took her plate back to the opposite side of the table. “I just thought it would be easier to talk. I’m sorry.”

      She’d lost some of her appetite and her cheerful mood faded. The fact that he didn’t want her near made her feel as though she wasn’t good enough. Surely he hadn’t intended to make her feel that way, but it was her impression all the same. “You’ve been very generous,” she told him softly. “I’m grateful to be here and I’ll try not to step over the boundaries.”

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