Shades Of Gray

“I’ll introduce you to the other hands and show you where to put your gear,” Derek said to Beau. “You can meet up with Amber later.”

“If I’m not at the house, I’ll be in the cookhouse or one of the gardens.” She pointed in the proper direction.

Beau nodded.

“I’ve got stew started already, so tonight’s meal should pose no difficulty.”

“How’s your recipe for biscuits?”

“Light and fluffy.”

Beau nodded again and almost smiled again, too. “Then we’ll use yours.”

“Gideon, Six and I won’t be here,” Derek announced suddenly.

Amber stared at him. “What? Why?”

He leveled a flat gaze on her. “This is a cattle ranch with a herd that’s been neglected for too long. There’s work to be done, not enough men to do it, and I can’t wait any longer to get started.”

“I see,” she said slowly. “How long will you be gone?”

“Overnight.”

Curse him and his stiff, one-word answers. She did her best to settle her features into an even display of indifference. “Is anything…wrong?”

He raised his brows and angled his head in her direction. “There’s a lot wrong. I told you that. Right now I want to get a better idea of this herd and see how these cowboys work.”

He turned and strode toward the bunkhouse. “I’ll see you sometime tomorrow. This way, Beau.”

Amber couldn’t bring herself to look away from the men’s departure. Nor could she lie to herself. It was not Beau she watched, but Derek. He carried himself like a warrior, a man she instinctively recognized as someone to be counted on—if he believed in you. He had a presence that threatened her, overwhelmed her, unnerved her…fascinated her.

She whirled around to face the half-beaten rugs. No. Fascination suggested something entirely inappropriate, something like—enchanted? Perhaps mesmerized, or even infatuated. And those reactions were completely unacceptable. Utterly ridiculous. She hardly knew Derek. He didn’t like her, and she didn’t like him. Did she?

Don’t worry. He’s leaving, at least for a day.

Relief spread through her, making her almost light-headed. She wouldn’t have to see him, think about him or this sudden awareness that refused to give her any peace. And if he left, even for a day, she could escape his damned questions. A day wasn’t much of a reprieve, but it would do for now.

Derek and the others were ready to leave within the hour. Amber packed some food in a canvas bag—smoked meat and bread and cheese—and handed it to him as they prepared to ride out.

“Here. I don’t know what provisions might be left in any of the line shacks, or even where you’ll be going. This will carry you through, at least until tomorrow.”

“Thank you.” He took the package, his eyes darkening with what she interpreted as grateful surprise. Didn’t he expect his housekeeper to look after his welfare? He gave no indication of his thoughts, however, merely settling his hat on his head. It deepened the shadows over his face and effectively obscured any clues his features might have revealed.

She swallowed a small sigh of frustration and stepped aside as Derek secured the pack to his bedroll. He swung up into the saddle without another word, his movements clean and sparse, and with a style and grace that created a curious little ache in the middle of her chest. For the second time in less than an hour, Amber couldn’t make herself look away from him. Merely breathing seemed suddenly difficult.