Chapter 8
Nick knew it was fruitless to argue with Heath once he'd made up his mind, but he tried anyway. He had been surprised when Heath informed him he'd be doing some work over at the Sommer's ranch. It wasn't that Nick minded Heath helping out their neighbors, because Nick expected no less from his brother; it wasn't that Nick minded having to take on some extra work that Heath would normally be doing, because he knew Heath would only be gone a few hours and would make up for any missed time. Nick was more concerned for Heath's feelings, knowing how much he had liked Ella.
"Nick, thanks for your concern. I know Ella is Jonathon's wife, and I hope you know I'd never do anything to interfere in their marriage."
"Of course I know that! It's just...well..."Nick faltered, not sure if he should go on.
"What? It's just what, Nick?" Heath asked, turning away from saddling Charger.
"I just think it would be easier on you if you didn't have to be around her."
Heath sighed and went back to tightening the cinch on his saddle.
"Maybe it would. Somehow though, it's good for me to see how happy she is with him. I really like Jonathon. I'd like to get to know him," Heath said. Before Nick could reply, Heath went on. "Besides, I already said I'd finish the cabinets, and I'm not going back on my word."
Nick hoped Heath knew what he was doing. He patted his brother on the back and told him he'd see him in the afternoon. Heath said good-bye, then mounted Charger. The ride to the Sommers' was spent contemplating his conversation with Nick. Heath really did want to get to know Jonathon better. The man seemed very wise and was a good judge of cattle. He'd wasted no time in fixing up the ranch, restoring it to its former glory. Jonathon had spared no expense on the house or the out buildings. Though not as large as the Barkley spread, the Sommers' ranch had the capability to be just as prosperous.
It was still early when Heath arrived and was met by one of the ranch hands who took Charger for him. Heath went around to the back of the house to the shed. He opened the door and began sorting through the wood stacked high on one wall. He took out a small note pad he kept in his breast pocket and licked the stubby pencil. Heath figured he'd only have to work about a week of half days to finish the cabinets. He gathered the tools he would need and began his work. The sun had not been up for long, but already Heath could tell it was going to be a hot day. His shirt was soaked with sweat, and he wanted to remove it. He glanced toward the house and noticed he was being watched. Wilma stood at the kitchen window, her cold eyes watching his every move. Heath felt the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. He tipped his hat slightly and nodded her way, but she didn't acknowledge him.
Going back to work, Heath eventually forgot about his observer, concentrating instead on the task at hand. He needed to go into the kitchen to do some measuring and found he wasn't eager to face the Sommers' housekeeper. He rapped lightly on the door, but received no answer. He poked his head in, noting the kitchen was empty. Heath stepped inside and began working. He was underneath the sink, taking measurements and didn't hear anyone enter the kitchen.
"Well, you sure got an early start!"
Heath sat up quickly, the voice startling him. He hit his head, crying out involuntarily at the pain.
"Oh Heath! I'm sorry! Are you alright?"
Heath crawled out from under the sink and stared up at Ella. Her hand was covering her mouth in shock.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he answered her, his head throbbing. He'd whacked it pretty good and knew he'd probably have one heck of a bruise.
Ella bent down and moved his hand to see what damage had been done.
"Oh, Heath! It's bleeding!" she said and quickly got up to get a rag to place over the wound.
"Here, put this on it. I'll get some ice."
"Don't go to any trouble-"
"It's no trouble. I'm sorry I startled you."
Ella went over to the ice box and chipped off some ice to place in the cloth. She walked back over to Heath and knelt down beside him.
"Here, let me take another look."
Heath complied, moving his hand. He watched Ella's brown eyes as she examined his wound.
"I don't think you'll need stitches. It doesn't look that deep. Here, put this ice on it and I'll ask Wilma for some salve."
"Don't go to any-"
"Don't tell me not to go to any trouble, Heath Barkley! It's my fault, and I will take care of you!" Ella replied firmly. Heath smiled slightly.
"Yes, Ma'am."
Ella disappeared for a few minutes, then returning with a small bottle. She opened it, pouring some of it's contents onto a small cloth.
"Here, Wilma said this will help the wound heal faster," she said as she applied the salve to Heath's head. He let out a little yelp, feeling the liquid burn his scalp.
"What is it? It smells awful," he said through gritted teeth.
"I'm not sure, to be honest with you. Wilma is the expert with herbs and salves."
Heath allowed Ella to minister to his injury, fully aware of her closeness. She smelled of lavender and he wondered if it were perfume or soap. He inhaled deeply, bringing in more of the scent.
"I hope you know I'd never do anything to interfere in their marriage." Those had been his words to Nick that morning and he meant them. Perhaps Nick was right though, and Heath shouldn't have come. Heath shifted uncomfortably and began to stand. Ella pushed him back down.
"Not just yet. I'm not done," were her words. Heath sighed. Finally, she finished bandaging his wound and sat back.
"There. You might want to have Dr. Merar look at it," she said.
"Nah, I'm sure you did a fine job," Heath replied, gingerly feeling his head. He and Ella stared at one another for a moment before Heath began to stand.
"I should get back to work," he said, swaying just a bit.
"I think you should sit down and let me get you something to drink."
"I really want to finish-"
"We've gone this long without the cabinets being finished. One more day won't make a difference, Heath," she said, going to the cupboard for a glass, filling it with water. She handed it to Heath and motioned for him to sit at the table.
"Thank you, Mrs. Sommers," Heath said, taking a seat.
"Do you have to call me that?" she asked, feeling a bit sad. "You called me 'Ella' before."
"I didn't realize you were married, Mrs. Sommers. It wouldn't be proper."
Ella sighed, knowing he was right. They were silent for a few minutes, each lost in their own thoughts.
"Mrs. Sommers."
Both Heath and Ella looked up. Wilma was standing in the kitchen doorway.
"Yes, Wilma?"
"It's time for me to fix you some tea," she said, her cold eyes landing on Heath. Heath turned his attention to Ella, hating the way Wilma was staring at him.
"Thank you, Wilma," Ella said with a smile.
Ella asked Heath some questions concerning the cabinets while Wilma brewed her tea. She handed Ella a cup then walked from the room. Heath watched as Ella took a sip, her face showing her dislike of the hot liquid.
"Why do you drink it if you don't like it?" Heath asked.
Ella looked up in surprise, not realizing she had shown her dislike.
"It's good for me," was all she said and Heath could tell she didn't want to discuss it further.
Feeling better, Heath thanked Ella for the water and then went back to work. She came outside a few hours later and informed him lunch would be ready soon.
"I was just going to grab something off the chuck wagon," Heath explained.
"Oh no you won't! You're doing work for us and the least we can do is feed you. Wilma has made her famous roast beef sandwiches. You'll love them. Jonathon should be home soon and I know he'll want to see you."
Heath nodded and said he was going to wash up. Several minutes later, he walked into the house, wishing he'd brought another shirt with him. The one he wore was soiled from his work that morning. Ella, helping Wilma with dishing up the food, turned to him and smiled.
"You can go on into the dining room. We'll be right there with the food," she said.
"I hate to mess up your dining room..."
"Nonsense! We can't eat in here anyway because of the construction. Just take a seat," Ella told him, and Heath walked into the dining room off the kitchen.
Ella and Wilma set the food down in front of him then Ella joined Heath at the table.
"I wonder where Jonathon is? He said he'd be back by lunch," Ella commented. "Oh well, we should go ahead and eat so you can get back."
The meal started off in silence, but Ella was good at drawing people out. She asked Heath questions about horses, a topic he loved. Ella couldn't help but notice as Heath spoke, how handsome he was. She wished she knew of someone she could introduce him to. Her mind whirled, trying to come up with someone. Maybe she'd ask Audra. Perhaps between the two of them, they could think of someone.
Heath was just finishing his lunch and telling Ella a funny story about Nick when Jonathon walked into the room. He surveyed the scene, with an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of his stomach. Hearing Ella laugh was nothing new, but to see her with Heath bothered him. Jonathon was not an insecure individual by nature. He decided to push aside any feelings of jealousy that were starting to form. They were not behaving in an inappropriate way.
"Hello, Heath!" he said, sitting down at the table. He pointed to the bandage on the other man's head. "What happened to you?"
"Oh, Jonathon, it was my fault," Ella replied before Heath had a chance to answer. If she'd been looking at her husband, she would have seen him stiffen. Wilma, who was in the room pouring coffee for Jonathon, did notice, however.
"Really? How so?" Jonathon asked, glad his voice did not betray the feelings of jealousy that were starting again.
"I startled Heath. He was under the sink in the kitchen, and I said something to him. He sat up quickly and hit his head."
"It was nothing. I was able to finish out the morning," Heath said. Jonathon nodded, then went back to his lunch.
Wilma entered the room again with a cup of tea and set it before Ella. She smiled at her housekeeper, but Heath noticed it seemed strained. She took a sip, keeping her eyes downcast.
"I should be going," Heath said, standing.
"So soon? You've not had dessert yet!" Ella said.
"He has a ranch to run, Ella," Jonathon gently reminded his wife.
"You're right. I'm sorry, Heath," Ella said, standing as well. "I'll walk you out."
"No, don't bother. I have to go through the kitchen anyway."
"Thanks, Heath," Jonathon replied, relieved to have him gone. Ella talked for a few minutes about her morning and then her plans for the afternoon which involved a trip to the orphanage. Jonathon couldn't help but sigh.
"What's wrong?" Ella asked.
"I'm wondering if you should be going to the orphanage any more with Audra."
"Why?"
"You always come back in a sour mood, Ella. Wishing for a baby," was his terse reply.
Ella's mouth opened, then closed. She looked around, grateful that Wilma was in the kitchen.
"Are you saying you don't want me to go?" she asked, feeling herself becoming angry. Ella had, just that morning, been examining her calendar and noticed her womanly time was supposed to begin within the week. She felt the familiar feelings of anxiousness that accompanied it and was preparing herself for another disappointment. She knew she needed to walk away from her husband to avoid an argument, but couldn't make herself.
"I'm just saying, perhaps you could work on your mood before you return home."
"I apologize if my mood 'sours' as you put it. I enjoy going to the orphanage and spending time with Audra. I'll make sure my mood suits you this evening," she said, angrily getting up from the table. She grabbed her hat and gloves, then walked out the front door. Charlie, one of their hands, had the buggy all ready for her, as he had been instructed that morning. She nodded her thanks to him and then slapping the rump of the horse to get him moving. By the time she got down to the end of the lane, she knew she had reacted badly to Jonathon's rebuke. It was too late to turn around and go back, so she decided she would take his advice and make sure her attitude was straightened out before she saw him that evening.
Wilma had been standing outside the dining room door and overheard everything that had been said. Thankfully, her mistress had been so upset, she hadn't seen her hovering. Wilma smiled slightly. She didn't like Heath Barkley, but felt he would fit into her plans nicely.