Whispered Love Read online

  “Help you do what? I already have a job.”

  “For starters, you can help me dress and do a few things as they come up.” His brow furrowed. “Maybe you should move your cot in here.”

  “With you?” She shook her head and took a step back. “What about Leon? Or there is always Fred and Hank. Their job is to help you.”

  “I suppose you’re right, but I still want you in clean clothes come morning. You hear me?”

  Pat looked away and nodded. Life was just about to get even harder.

  Chapter Two

  Up before the sun, Pat quickly dressed in clean clothes. She’d taken great pains to bind her troublesome breasts extra tight. She’d even cut her hair shorter late last night. No one except for Big Hans ever bothered with her, so maybe, just maybe, she’d pull it off. Sometimes people saw what they expected to see, and they all expected her to be a boy.

  She pulled on her boots and left her tent, surprised to see a lamp lit in Samuel’s cabin. Part of her wanted to knock on the door and see if he was feeling all right, but a bigger part of her warned her away. Trouble came her way often enough; she didn’t need to go looking for it.

  She strode into the cookhouse, lit the big cook stove, put the coffee on, and started to mix the dough for the biscuits. A slight chill lingered in the air; it was fall all right. She rolled out the dough and began to cut rounds for the biscuits, so deep in thought she didn’t notice the door opening. She did hear it close. Startled, she looked up, braced to run in case it was Hans.

  Instead, it was Samuel appearing weary and in pain. His face was unshaven which was very unusual for him. He looked very appealing, and her thoughts disturbed her. Men were the enemy, and they were to be avoided at all costs.

  “Are you alright?” she asked as she wiped the flour off her hands and made her way toward him.

  “I’m fine. I just didn’t get to sleep much, and it was a bit difficult getting my shirt on.”

  She glanced at his chest. He had his shirt on but it wasn’t buttoned. “I thought one of your men was staying with you.” She reached out and immediately began to button up his shirt.

  “Leon stayed last night. He snores too loud, and he’s near impossible to wake up. I’m not sure how much help he’ll end up being. I think I’ll try Fred Bean tonight.” He stared at her. “You look good all clean kid. Too bad there aren’t any females around. You’d strike their fancy I think.”

  Pat blushed. “I ain’t looking for any troublesome female.”

  “Maybe he don’t like women,” Big Hans said as he barged into the hall.

  “Big Hans, we don’t insult the cook,” Samuel said his voice held a warning.

  “I invited Pat here to live with me through the winter.”

  Her breath stalled in her chest as her heartbeat quickened. “I declined.”

  “It’s going to be a long cold winter.” Hans licked his lips.

  “Like I said, Hans, don’t insult the cook. Pat, can you fix this sling for me before you get back to work?” Samuel walked over to his dining table and sat down. Then he turned and stared Big Hans down until he left. “Sorry about him.”

  Pat sat down next to Samuel and rolled up his sleeve. She’d never noticed how nice he smelled before. The scent of pine and wood and soap clung to him. It was a nice combination. She checked his wrappings to be sure they were still tied securely to the wood splints. Satisfied they were tight, she rolled his sleeve back down and retied his sling. Being near him was discomforting, and she couldn’t figure out why.

  “You look much better cleaned up, Pat. I think you’ll find being clean isn’t a hard thing to accomplish.”

  She quickly nodded and started to stand but stopped when she noticed several small cuts along his jaw. She reached out and touched the side of his face. “What happened?”

  He smiled and shrugged. “I tried to shave this morning.”

  “With one hand? Not very wise. I could…”

  “Could what?”

  She quickly got up and went back to her biscuit cutting. “I helped my da shave is all. I was going to offer to help but a beard is a fine thing to have.” She touched her own chin. “I can’t wait to be able to grow one.”

  Samuel laughed. “I think it’ll be a year or two before that happens, Pat. Don’t worry about it. I might just take you up on your offer though. I like being clean-shaven. How about some coffee? Is it ready?”

  Her heart beat faster at the thought of standing near him to shave him. Oh, Lord. What had she been thinking to make such an offer? “Um, yes. I’ll bring you a cup.” She poured the coffee and brought it over to him. His intense stare scared her. It was though he could see right through her. “I’d best get a wiggle on and make breakfast.”

  “No hurry, I’m just happy with my coffee.”

  Giving him a quick nod, she hustled off. There was no way he could tell she was female. She’d work on making her voice deeper. If worse came to worst she could always put a scar on her chin or something. Nope, that would only bring attention to the fact she had no whiskers. Damn she missed her father.

  The biscuits were baking, the ham was frying, and she was busy making batches of eggs. There wasn’t much time to think. There’d been a few comments about her appearance. None were appreciated. She needed to practice making her eyes look beady too. There was no one to hide behind. She was on her own.

  She grabbed the coffee pot and walked over to the foreman’s table, refilling Samuel’s, Leon’s, Fred’s, and Hank’s cups. It was something she’d done a hundred times before but this time her heart beat faster.

  “Hey, kid, do you snore?” Leon asked.

  “How would I know?” Darn her voice sounded too deep.

  Fred laughed. “Yes Leon, how would he know?”

  Leon frowned. “His pappy would have told him.” He looked up and stared at her. “Well? Did your pappy ever mention you snoring?”

  “Now that you mention it, he said I snored louder than anyone he knew. Kept him up at night, I did.” She swallowed hard hoping they believed her. She wasn’t about to get roped into staying at Samuel’s house. “I have plenty of men to feed.” She turned and walked away, feeling the heat of Samuel’s stare on her.

  Samuel groaned in pain. He hadn’t taken anything for it, he figured he’d tough it out. It was right before supper and he couldn’t take it anymore. He’d have to see if Pat knew anything more about healing. There was laudanum but he saved that for men who lost limbs. Not for a simple sprain. Pat’s father had known a lot about herbs and hopefully he’d passed his knowledge on.

  Gritting his teeth, he walked over to the cookhouse. The boy was hard at work. Losing his father pushed him to mature it seemed. Pat’s head snapped up when Samuel entered.

  “What happened?” Pat asked.

  “I look that bad?”

  “You’re pretty white-faced.” Pat wiped his hands on a towel and rounded the serving table. “Sit down before you fall down.”

  He grunted but did as Pat asked. “Do you have anything for pain?”

  “Laudanum.”

  “No, I’m saving that in case the men get clumsy. Walt always had a stash of herbs.”

  Pat nodded and gave him a sad smile. “He loved harvesting and drying the plants. He was really good at that. Saved more than one life. Let me check and see if we have some skullcap. It should lessen the pain and take some of the swelling down.”

  “I’d appreciate it.” He watched as Pat rummaged through the shelves. He’d take out a glass bottle, look at it and put it back. Finally, he seemed to find the one he looked for. He turned, holding up the bottle, and smiled.

  “I’ll just make a quick tea for you.”

  Samuel nodded and watched the boy. There was something different about him, and it wasn’t only that he was clean. He couldn’t figure it out. Not that it really mattered. The boy knew how to cook, and that was all that counted.

  After a bit, Pat put a cup in front of him. Samuel nodded his thanks and th
en took a sip. It wasn’t bad at all, and he’d expected bad. “Thanks, kid. Your father taught you well.”

  “He did at that. I know about as much as he did about healing and the like. But until now I just mostly watched.”

  Samuel nodded. “You’re earning your wages. I like a man who pulls his weight.” It surprised him to see Pat blush.

  The door opened, and the men started pouring in. Pat quickly went back behind the serving table and dished out supper. Samuel was disgusted by the leer Big Hans gave the kid. That man was a predator. He waited until his three right hand men sat down. “How’d everything go today?”

  Leon began running down the events of the day.

  Samuel listened with half an ear until Leon paused in his report. “Put Pat’s gear in my cabin. I bet he doesn’t really snore.”

  “Sure thing, boss,” Hank said.

  The one thing Samuel hated about Hank was he always talked with his mouth full of food. Many of the men did. Samuel sat across from Leon whenever possible to avoid seeing it.

  Fred laughed. “I think Big Hans will be jealous.”

  Samuel nodded. “That’s another reason I want Pat in my cabin. His tent won’t keep Hans out. If he didn’t do the work of three men, I’d have fired him long ago. I’m heading back to my cabin. I’m feeling the effects of the tea I had. It took away a lot of pain but I’m feeling tired.”

  “Don’t you worry, boss. We’ll have Pat all moved in tonight.”

  Samuel nodded and left. It was a cool, crisp night. Logging season would be at a snail’s pace before he knew it. A lot of the men spent the harsher part of winter hunting and trapping. Pelts brought in a lot of money. They had to be careful though. Both the Indians and the French trappers didn’t care to have their areas poached. Sometimes it was downright dangerous. So far, they hadn’t caused any trouble for the logging company, but that could change with one incident.

  “What do you mean I have to pack up my things? I already tol’ ya I snore louder than a choked bull.” Pat crossed her arms and tried to give Leon her best glare.

  “Boss’s orders. I think he liked that tea you made. Doesn’t much matter he said to move you and that’s what I aim to do. Do you want your pappy’s things or should I hand out what’s usable?”

  She gritted her teeth. Leon wasn’t backing down. “I’ll take it all. Not that he had much.”

  “Well, get to it. I don’t have all night to babysit ya.” Leon walked out of the tent and sat in front of the door.

  There’d be no time for reminiscing and grieving. Her shoulders slumped as she grabbed a bag and filled it with her things. She did the same for her father’s things. She hadn’t come across a stash of money. It had to be there somewhere. Her da had always squirrelled away money in case he got the urge to move on again. It was their insurance against the rest of the world. Frantically, she searched under the cots and beneath the pot-bellied stove. She studied the ground for any sign of digging.

  She found nothing.

  Her heart sank, and she felt ill. Where was it? Her mother’s brooch was with the money. The brooch didn’t have much value, but it meant a lot to her. She sat on the ground and put her face in her hands. Now what? Someone in the camp was a thief. No one had dared to steal from her father, but they apparently had no problem stealing from her.

  “You about done?” Leon asked as he walked into the tent. “What’s wrong with you?”

  Not knowing who she could trust, she shrugged her shoulders. “Nothing.” She stood and swung a bag over each shoulder. “Let’s go.”

  Dread filled her with each step she took. This was the worst idea possible. How was she going to keep Samuel from finding out her secret? This wasn’t going to be easy.

  Her face heated at the thought of sleeping in the same cabin as Samuel. How was she supposed to get her cabin finished without money? She was trapped good and tight this time. Once discovered, Samuel would throw her out.

  Oh Da, why did you leave me?

  Samuel nodded to her as she walked in. He sat at a table with two chairs. Looking around her stomach cramped. It was one big room. She’d hoped he slept in a separate room. For a second she forgot to breathe. “Nice place,” she choked out. She set both bags on the floor, taking note of the big bed in one corner of the room and the cot not too far away from it. It boasted a cook stove that was bound to keep them warm all winter. All winter, if she lasted through fall.

  “I hope you don’t mind staying with me for a bit. This sprained arm is a nuisance, and I could use the help.”

  She tilted her head as she studied him. He seemed so sincere. It would be hard but she might just pull it off. She’d just go back to being dirty boy Pat. He’d keep his distance.

  “Well, if that’s all, I have a card game to get to,” Leon said. “Let us know in the morning if he snores like a choked bull like he claims.” Leon chuckled as he left.

  “A choked bull?” The humor in Samuel’s eyes annoyed her.

  “Yes, that’s what I’ve been told. Now, where can I move the cot to?”

  “There’s no need to move it. Both beds are out of the way.”

  She furrowed her brow. “I suppose so, but I’ve never liked sleeping too close to anyone.”

  Samuel laughed. “I know I smell just fine. If anything I’d think people would want to move away from you. Just leave them. You can stash your belongings under your cot, and you can hang your clothes on the pegs. I do expect you to bathe and wash your clothes. Did your father lose his sense of smell somewhere along the way?”

  There he went with humor in his eyes again. “I’ll do what I can, and no my father was just fine. He was a strong man and a good man.” She lifted her chin a mite.

  “You must take after your ma. Bet she was a good looking lady.”

  Pat hung up a shirt and some pants. “You know, you make me nervous with all your chatter. You wouldn’t be like Big Hans or something would ya? I’ll fight you the whole way. I don’t go in for such things.” She turned and gazed at him.

  She wanted to laugh at his wide-eyed look of shock. Maybe that would keep him off her trail for a while. “Is there anything you need help with before shut-eye?”

  “I’d appreciate it if you’d help me with my shirt and pants. And no, I’m not like Big Hans. I happen to like my women nice and curvy if you know what I mean.”

  Pat nodded. “That’s how I like mine too.”

  Samuel threw his head back and laughed. “I wouldn’t have thought you’d been with any women yet. But gentlemen don’t kiss and tell, do they?” He unbuttoned his shirt as he crossed the room to his bed. “Help me get this off.”

  She wished she could close her eyes instead of having his massive chest in front of her. “Sure thing.” She’d never been tempted by a man before, and she was having a hard time keeping her hands steady. She pushed his shirt off his shoulders and carefully took his injured arm out of the sleeve. “Do you want it hung on a peg?”

  “Yes, both my pants and shirt if you don’t mind.” He was having difficulty unbuttoning his pants.

  Closing her eyes, she did it for him and slid them down his legs. When she opened her eyes, she gulped. She wanted to touch him, all of him. Quickly she turned away, pants in hand, and then she hung them up. She scrambled to blow out the lamp and dove into her bed.

  “You sleep in your clothes?” His deep voice made him seem closer to her than he really was.

  “What’s it to you?” she challenged.

  “Nothing, good night.” She heard him trying to get comfortable, and soon his breathing was nice and even. Now if only she snored like a choked bull she’d be out of the cabin and back into her tent by late morning.

  She woke the next morning early as usual. It took her a moment to orient herself. Peeking over, she could make out the shape of Samuel in his bed. It wasn’t a good sign. She must not snore. She didn’t think she did, but she had hoped. The binding around her chest seemed tighter than usual. What she wouldn’t give to be able
to let her breasts free. Maybe when she went into the deep woods to relieve herself… She shook her head. No, it was too much of a gamble. Quietly, she got out of bed.

  “Could you help me dress before you go?”

  Dang it! “Sure, let me light the lamp.” Cursing her luck, she lit the lamp and grabbed Samuel’s clothes. He was sitting on his bed waiting for her. She quickly got his trousers on, and she was extra careful of his arm as she put his shirt on. She accidently touched his stomach with her fingers and he gasped. The air was practically crackling around them, but she pretended it wasn’t happening.

  “There, all done. I have to go I don’t want the other men angry with me and all.” She didn’t wait for his reply. She practically stumbled in her haste to leave the cabin. Once outside she raced to the rear of the cabin. She rested her back against it for a moment, trying to catch her breath. Then she did what she usually did. She went deep into the woods. Usually her father had stood guard, but now she just had to be smart about it.

  Her necessary morning ritual complete, she marched to the cookhouse shaking her head. What she really needed was to find the darn, stinking thief that stole her money. She needed her own cabin before the first snow.

  Chapter Three

  It’d been two weeks since Pat moved in with him, and Samuel was fit to be tied. No amount of hints or good examples made a difference with that boy. He needed a bath, plain and simple. One bath a year just wasn’t cutting it. He had clean clothes hanging on a peg, but he wore the same filthy garments every day.

  Samuel shook his head. Tonight was bath night. Fred had come over and put water on to heat. They waited until they saw Pat leave the cookhouse, and then Fred filled the tub with the water and hurried away. He didn’t want to be part of the fuss Pat was sure to make.

  Samuel braced himself. He still couldn’t use his arm but he hoped ordering the kid to clean up would be enough. There was no way he could wrangle him.