Caterina (Pendleton Petticoats Book 2) Read online

  “Garrett thinks I’m crazy for trying to befriend Marvin Tooley, but I feel sorry for the man.” Aundy drove the buggy off the road and down a short lane to a ramshackle house.

  Caterina thought it might have been nice at one time, trying to picture it painted and repaired with beds of flowers along the front. Now, with a sagging roof, broken porch steps, and the lack of any paint, it looked like an abandoned derelict.

  “He lives here?” Caterina asked, noting a horse in the pasture along with a few cows.

  “Yes.” Aundy gently tugged on the reins as the horse came to a stop in front of the house. She set the brake, handed Caterina the reins, and picked up a basket of muffins she packed before they left the house. Carefully avoiding the broken ones, she hurried up the steps.

  Briskly rapping on the door, Aundy waited a moment and knocked again. She shrugged at Caterina and started down the steps when the door opened and a grizzled man glowered at her.

  “What do ya want? Can’t ya leave a body in peace?”

  Caterina watched as Aundy smiled and handed the man the basket. “I just happened to be on my way to town and thought I’d stop by and leave you some muffins. We made more than we needed and I didn’t want them to go to waste,” Aundy said, backing toward the buggy, making it sound like Marvin was providing her a service by taking the food. “You’d be doing me a favor to take them.”

  “Fine.” Marvin noticed Caterina in the buggy. “Who’s yer friend. I know that ain’t the sister ya been waitin’ to arrive.”

  “No, she’s not,” Aundy walked back to the buggy, followed by Marvin. “This is Caterina Campanelli. She’s new in town and staying with us for a while. Caterina, meet Marvin Tooley.”

  “Italian spitfire, are you?” Marvin asked instead of offering any proper words of introduction.

  “Crotchety ol’ goat, are you?” Caterina stared coolly at him, speaking without thinking. Aundy’s eyes widened while the corners of Marvin’s mouth tipped up in a smile.

  “Humph!” He stomped back to the house. Before slamming the door, he nodded his head at Caterina and mumbled his thanks to Aundy.

  “That went well,” Aundy said with a saucy grin. She climbed in the buggy and guided the horse back to the road.

  “I’m sorry.” Caterina placed a hand on Aundy’s arm. “Sometimes I seem to have no control over what I say. My poor Mamma tried and tried to get me to be careful, but it’s just not in me. What I think comes out my mouth. What I feel shows up on my face.”

  “At least you’re honest.” Aundy smiled at her friend. “No one ever has to wonder what you’re thinking or feeling. It’s all right there.”

  “So it is.” Glad Aundy didn’t judge her on her inability to behave with a little more decorum, Caterina sat back and relaxed. “I can’t thank you enough for you and Garrett taking me in, but I really should look at finding somewhere to live or deciding if I’m going to stay.”

  “We’ve loved having you stay with us.” Aundy was genuinely pleased to have another woman around. “Stay as long as you need. Now that we’re friends, I don’t even want to think about you moving somewhere else. If you left, it would be me against all those men and I’m not sure I like the sound of that.”

  Caterina playfully tapped Aundy on the leg as she admired her friend’s lovely cream and yellow striped outfit. When she wasn’t working on the farm, Aundy wore some of the prettiest clothes Caterina had ever seen. Aundy explained that her sister was a talented seamstress and hoped the girl would soon join her in Pendleton. So far, the aunt she worked for kept her too busy to leave Chicago.

  Studying the confident woman beside her, Caterina admired Aundy. She was tall and strong, gentle and kind, hardworking yet well mannered. Caterina wanted to be more like her friend. She couldn’t imagine Aundy ever calling someone she’d just met a crotchety old goat, even if it was true.

  “Are you really thinking of leaving?” Aundy asked as they drove through town toward her favorite store.

  “I don’t want to, but I really can’t keep taking advantage of your hospitality.” Caterina waited while Aundy set the brake and wrapped the reins around the handle before climbing down.

  After looping their arms together, Aundy snatched a basket from behind the seat of the buggy and started strolling down the boardwalk.

  “If we could convince you to stay in Pendleton, what would you like to do?” Aundy asked, guiding Caterina toward the sheriff’s office.

  “Cook. I’d open an Italian restaurant and cook.”

  “I think that’s the best idea I’ve ever heard,” Kade said, smiling broadly at the two women as they spun around in surprise, unaware of his presence behind them.

  Caterina thought she might jump out of her skin when his voice rumbled near her ear.

  “Kade, you nearly made my heart stop!” Aundy placed a hand to her chest. “You shouldn’t sneak up like that, especially when we come bearing gifts.”

  “My humble apologies.” Kade tried to look apologetic, holding out his hand like an eager little boy, waiting for Aundy to give him the basket she held. His stomach rumbled in anticipation of the treats it contained.

  Instead of handing the deputy her basket, Aundy looked at Caterina, shaking her head disapprovingly. “I don’t think he deserves the fruit of our labors, do you?”

  “Absolutely not.” Caterina took Aundy’s arm and tugged her back in the direction they came. “Let’s find someone else who’ll be more appreciative.”

  “By all means, lead the way.” Aundy held back a giggle at the crestfallen look on Kade’s face. As Garrett pointed out on numerous occasions, food was no laughing matter to the man. He took it quite seriously, just as he was now.

  “Hold on you two.” Kade stepped around them and blocked their path on the boardwalk. He yanked off his hat and held it in his hands, doing his best to look remorseful. “I didn’t mean to startle you. As penance, how about I load the buggy when you’re finished buying out the store?”

  “How’d you know I was going to the store?” Aundy asked, handing Kade the basket. He slapped his hat back on his head and lifted the napkin, retrieving a cookie and devouring it in two quick bites.

  “You parked the buggy in front. If you weren’t planning to do some shopping, you would have parked somewhere else. Besides, I know tomorrow is the sheep shearing and guessed you’d probably stock up on supplies.”

  “Right you are,” Aundy said, continuing in the direction of the store. Kade stood near the sheriff’s office, munching a butter cookie. “If you come find us in about an hour, you can be our personal pack mule.”

  “It’s a deal.” Kade tipped his hat at the women before going inside the sheriff’s office. The sheriff sat at his desk completing some paperwork so Kade set the basket on a chair near the desk he and one of the other deputies shared.

  “What’ve you got?” the sheriff asked, sniffing appreciatively as the smell of cinnamon filled the air.

  “Aundy’s in town and dropped by with a few things,” Kade said, not of a mind to share his treats. The sheriff had a wife who cooked for him. She might not be a great cook, but there was always plenty.

  “Then you know you have to share.” The sheriff waved a hand Kade’s direction. After handing the man a cinnamon muffin, he briefly considered taking the basket with him as he returned to his rounds, but instead left it at his desk, grabbing a handful of cookies to tide him over.

  “That better not be empty when I get back,” Kade warned, pointing to the basket as he opened the office door.

  “What’ll you do if it is? Have me arrested?” the sheriff asked, cheerfully eating his muffin.

  “Worse. I’ll tell Aundy you ate all the goodies she made for me and you won’t ever get another bite.” Kade grinned as he stepped back out on the street. He bit into a sugar-coated cookie and instinctively knew Caterina made it.

  It was rich in flavor, melted on his tongue, and left him wanting more.

  Rather like the woman who baked the treat
.

  Forcibly corralling his wayward thoughts and yanking them under control, Kade made a loop around the downtown area and didn’t see anything amiss. Checking his watch, he hurried to the store where he knew Aundy would be shopping. He sauntered inside. The two women stood at the counter, laughing at something Pastor Whitting’s wife said.

  “Oh, Kade, your timing is perfect.” Aundy pointed to two large boxes loaded with her purchases.

  “Deputy Rawlings,” Mrs. Whitting said in greeting, offering him a cordial smile. “It’s nice to see you. It’s been a few Sundays since you’ve been to services.”

  “Yes, ma’am. I’ve been working a lot of late shifts and long shifts and don’t always have the opportunity to attend.”

  “We look forward to seeing you when you can join us.” The woman smiled again then exited the store.

  “How come you’ve been working so many shifts, Kade?” Aundy asked as he carried the two boxes to her waiting buggy.

  “We’re short on help. One of the deputies quit and we’re doing the best we can until the sheriff finds someone to replace him.” Kade set the boxes in the buggy then turned to study Caterina.

  His intense green gaze left her feeling fidgety and disconcerted. Nervously tugging at the ruffle on the cuff of her sleeve, she felt herself drawn to him despite her intentions to remain aloof.

  “Did you mean what you said earlier?” Kade asked, watching Caterina fuss with her dress. This one was a deep violet color that brought out beautiful blooms of color in her cheeks.

  “What did I say earlier?” Caterina couldn’t recall the conversation. Around the handsome deputy, she did well to remember her own name.

  “About opening a restaurant. Would you really stay in town and open one?”

  “I’ve considered it. I’d have to find a suitable building, secure financing, order supplies, and hire help. It would be a big undertaking.” Caterina knew exactly what pursuing her dreams required. Her biggest obstacle was money. Her father made sure she had enough cash when she left to live comfortably for a few months, but it was far from the sum required to open a restaurant.

  “If you’re serious, I’ve got something to show you.” Kade raised an eyebrow, challenging the women to accompany him, and held out an arm to each of them.

  “What are you up to?” Aundy asked as she took his arm and Caterina stepped to his other side.

  “There just happens to be an empty restaurant next door to the stationery shop.” Kade escorted them a few blocks down the street. “It closed when the owners moved to Portland.”

  As they stood in front of a big window, Caterina released Kade’s arm and pressed her nose to the glass, looking inside. She held her hands around her eyes to block the sunlight from distorting her view and could make out a dining room filled with tables and chairs. A wide doorway opened to what had to be a kitchen.

  “Does it come with an apartment?” Caterina heard herself ask, wondering what she was thinking. She had no money to start a business and no idea how to secure any.

  “It has a small living space upstairs.” Kade watched Caterina as she looked dreamily in the window.

  “Do you know if the kitchen still has the equipment?” Caterina could picture the tables with pristine cloths covering them and flowers in the center. She could serve dinner and take Sunday and Mondays off, like Uncle Laz did with his restaurant.

  “Not sure, but let’s find out.” Kade stepped into the stationery shop and returned with a key. “Mr. King is keeping an eye on the property until it sells.” Kade unlocked the door and waited for the two women to precede him.

  A mouse skittered across the floor and Caterina screamed, stomping her feet when it came close to her toes.

  “Topo, you should not be here,” she said, watching the rodent run along the wall and out the door.

  “Topo? You named the mouse?” Kade hid his amusement with some effort.

  “No, that means mouse in Italian.” Caterina straightened her skirts and marched into the kitchen. A big stove, baking ovens, two refrigerators, a pastry safe, a large worktable, a small kitchen table with chairs, and a long counter with cupboards and drawers filled the space. A small pantry with shelving was located to one side, near the back door.

  To her, it looked perfect. Granted, it needed a thorough cleaning, but it was as close to her dream kitchen as she’d likely find in Pendleton. “This is wonderful.”

  “It is?” Aundy asked, noticing the grease coating every surface and the evidence that more than one mouse had taken up residence. “I’ll have to take your word for it.”

  “May we go upstairs?” Caterina asked, already heading that direction as soon as she noticed the staircase at the back of the kitchen. She hurried up the steps while Aundy shrugged her shoulders and looked at the deputy.

  “Go ahead.” Kade motioned for Aundy to follow Caterina. They were almost to the landing at the top of the stairs when they heard Caterina screech. Kade and Aundy hurried up the last steps then he pushed Aundy behind him while he whipped out his gun and ran toward the room Caterina entered.

  “Caterina? What’s wrong?” he asked as he barreled into her. Reaching out his hand, he caught her before she tumbled backward. “What’s the matter?”

  “Nothing. Not a thing.” She smiled at Kade with such a happy, innocent look, he could feel his heart melting as he holstered his gun. “Look at that beautiful bed and dresser.”

  He studied the furniture in the room. Kade acknowledged the mahogany set was well made and nice, but not worthy of screams.

  “Do you scream at everything?” he asked while Aundy grinned and walked down the hall.

  “No, I don’t.” Caterina swatted Kade on the arm. “I didn’t scream. I was just excited about the furniture.”

  “Caterina, you’ve got to see this,” Aundy called. Caterina breezed out of the room in a flurry of swishing skirts.

  Kade caught a glimpse of her frilly petticoat as she sashayed down the hall and wished she’d swished enough he could have ogled her legs.

  “Oh, that’s marvelous,” Caterina said, looking into the bathroom where a claw-foot tub filled one end of the room. She could envision soaking in it with fragrant soap until her fingers wrinkled after a long day of cooking in the kitchen.

  Before her dream completely entangled her, she pulled herself back down to reality. As much as she wanted to open a restaurant, she couldn’t do anything without the financing to back it. She certainly wouldn’t ask her friends and no one with any sense would lend a stranger, especially a female, money for a business that could fail as easily as succeed.

  “I can put you in touch with the owner if you’re interested.” Kade followed Caterina and Aundy down the stairs and out the door. He locked it while Caterina gave one last longing glance in the window.

  Kade appreciated her cooking talents and practically drooled at the thought of her opening a restaurant. He really wanted Caterina to have a reason to stay in Pendleton on a permanent basis. Conversations with Aundy and Garrett revealed she hadn’t made any indication of her plans in the almost two weeks she’d been in the area.

  If she opened a restaurant, she’d be staying in town for what he hoped would be a good long while.

  Adamantly refusing to consider the reasons why he wanted her to stay, Kade looked down at the beautiful woman with hope blazing in his arresting eyes.

  “I’d be happy to set up a meeting for you.” He turned to take the key back to Mr. King.

  “No, Kade, that’s okay. I’m just dreaming.” Caterina placed a hand on his arm. He glanced down at her fingers, thinking how delicate and feminine they looked.

  “If you change your mind, let me know.” He stepped inside the shop next door then quickly returned.

  “We need to get home, Kade. The guys will be wondering if we got lost as it is and we have a lot to do to get ready for tomorrow,” Aundy said. He walked the two women back to the store where they’d left the buggy.

  Kade helped Aundy in then
turned to assist Caterina. His hand lingered on hers long after she’d gained her seat in the buggy.

  “Thank you, Kade. Li’s making Chinese food tonight. Why don’t you join us?” Aundy picked up the reins, released the brake, and looked to make sure the street was clear for her to enter. “You could spend the night, if you like, and then you’d be there bright and early for the shearing tomorrow.”

  “I’ll be there.” Kade spoke to Aundy, but locked his green graze on Caterina’s. He thought he saw a glimmer of something in those deep brown eyes and felt his heart trip in his chest. “I’ll definitely be there.”

  Chapter Five

  With his belly full of Li’s good Chinese food, Kade leaned back in his chair and looked around the table set under the tree by the bunkhouse.

  Since it was so warm out, Aundy suggested sitting outside in the breeze to eat their supper. Kade arrived early for dinner, hoping to have a few minutes to talk to Caterina. Instead, he was roped into setting up the makeshift table.

  Nora and J.B., along with a few of the hired hands from the main ranch joined them for the meal. Sometimes Kade had to remind himself that Nash’s Folly and the Erickson farm were no longer two separate entities. Garrett and Aundy merged the two when they wed, consolidating the properties into one and calling the whole spread Nash’s Folly.

  Aundy kept on the hired men who had worked for her since she arrived in Pendleton in February. She learned about rural life from her ranch foreman, Dent, and her hands, as well as the Nash family. An eager and willing student, she’d picked up on the information quickly and continued to seek to improve her knowledge.

  Kade smiled to himself, thinking she had an equally eager and willing teacher in Garrett. His friend had practically tied himself in knots over the winsome widow until they finally declared their love for one another. Within a few weeks they wed and that wasn’t even two months ago.

  As Aundy made her way around the table with a pitcher of cold lemonade, Kade chuckled when Garrett pulled his wife onto his lap when she stopped to refill his glass.

  Kade felt a familiar pang in his chest, knowing he’d never experience what his friends shared. He couldn’t and wouldn’t put a woman through the torment of being married to a lawman.