This Calder Range (Calder Saga 1)

“Do you mean as a woman??

? Lorna frowned.

“Yes, as a woman.”

She tried to laugh, but the sound had a hollow ring. “Bull, you aren’t trying to suggest that they have more than a friendly relationship, are you? That’s silly.”

“Why?” he wanted to know.

“Because Benteen and I are married.” The reason sounded weak.

“It isn’t likely a married man would have an affair.” But his statement didn’t sound like an agreement.

“Benteen wouldn’t.” She turned to the stove. “The bread should be done.” Just as quickly, Lorna pivoted back to face Bull. “Why are you saying these things to me? Why are you trying to create doubts in my mind?”

He held her gaze for a long moment, then stood up to walk to the stove and fill his cup. “Because I’ve seen them together and you haven’t. I’ve seen the way they look at each other. Whatever it is that’s between them, I’d stake my life that it isn’t strictly business. There’s something else,” he insisted. “And I guess I wanted you to know that there’s something more going on. I don’t like the idea of somebody hurtin’ you.”

“I see,” she murmured, because there wasn’t anything else she could say.

His suggestion that Benteen might be having an affair with Lady Crawford left Lorna stunned. It was a possibility that hadn’t occurred to her. The woman was beautiful, elegant, and sophisticated, but Lorna had assumed because she was older than Benteen that he wouldn’t regard her in a sexual way. Yet, wasn’t it a possible explanation for the way he’d been behaving lately? Why he didn’t want to talk to her about Lady Crawford? She tried to reject the idea as preposterous, but it wasn’t so easy.

With movements that were automatic, she reached for a towel to protect her hands and removed the tin loaves of bread from the oven. She hardly noticed the way Bull watched her, and she was completely unaware of the frown of hurt confusion on her face.

“I probably shouldn’t have said anything,” he sighed. “I hope you won’t hold it against me.”

The look of deep concern on his brutish features prompted her to smile faintly in reassurance. “I don’t, Bull.” Again she unconsciously used his name.

The door opened, flooding the cabin’s interior with sunlight. Benteen’s angular build was outlined by it, poised one step inside the cabin. Then he moved out of the glare of the sunlight to hold the door open.

“You left the buggy unattended, Giles.” His voice was harsh. “She’s ready to leave.”

Bull deliberately paused to take one last swallow of coffee before passing Lorna the cup. “Thanks for the coffee, Mrs. Calder.”

He walked to the door Benteen was holding open for him, his stride unhurried. The air was charged like it was just before a storm.

When Bull drew level with him, Benteen ordered, “Don’t ever set foot inside this cabin again.”

There was no response from Bull. His only reaction was a slight break in stride before he continued out the door. Lorna trembled with anger, but she waited until Benteen had closed the door to unleash it.

“How dare you give an order like that?” She tried to keep her voice down, but it vibrated with the fury of her temper. “I invited him in here for coffee. This is my home, too. I can entertain anyone I please.”

“No, you can’t,” Benteen snapped. “Not him.”

“Why? Because he’s a man,” she retorted. “Is it any different than you and Lady Crawford spending all that time alone?”

“You’re damned right that’s different!”

“Why is it proper for her and not for me?” she demanded.

“Because I said so.”

“That isn’t good enough!” Lorna hurled angrily. “I’ll not be told what to do or who I can have for a friend. Certainly not by you!”

“I happen to be your husband,” he reminded her.

“How odd that you should remember that at this particular time,” Lorna remarked with biting sarcasm.

“What is that supposed to mean?” Benteen glowered.