Her eyes were too bright. But there was nothing to be done about it. She had to go down and face them. The kitchen was attached to the main room, separated only by a wide doorway.
A large wooden table dominated the space, and all three brothers stood when she entered. The gesture surprised her. In the boarding house, no one had ever stood for her arrival. She was just the help.
Here, these rough ranchers treated her like a lady. "Sit," Jake said, pulling out a chair. She sat, and he pushed the chair in gently before taking his own seat directly across from her. Cole sat to her left, Tucker to her right.
They hemmed her in, their large frames making her feel small and delicate in comparison. The meal was simple but substantial. Steak, beans, and bread. Jake had not been exaggerating about their cooking skills.
Everything was edible, but just barely. No seasoning. Everything slightly overdone. Eleanor made a mental note of the improvements she could make.
As they ate, the brothers asked her questions about Boston, about her journey west, about her life before. She answered carefully, not mentioning the true depths of her poverty or the sometimes frightening loneliness of her existence in the city. She tried to present herself as capable and resilient. Someone who could handle this new life.
In turn, they told her about the ranch, about the cattle drives and the horse-breeding operation they were trying to build, about the dangers they faced from rustlers and harsh weather, about their hopes to expand, to make the Triple Bar one of the most successful ranches in the territory. Eleanor found herself fascinated. These were not simple cowboys. They were businessmen in their own rough way, thinking strategically about their future.
They spoke with passion about their work, about the land, about the life they were building. And they included her in these discussions, asking her opinions, valuing her input. It was intoxicating. When the meal ended, she insisted on clearing the table despite their protests.
As she worked, she felt their eyes on her, watching her move around the kitchen, learning the space. The weight of their attention made her clumsy. She nearly dropped a plate, catching it at the last second. Cole was there instantly, his hand steadying hers.
"Easy." His touch sent electricity up her arm. She looked up and found his face inches from hers, those blue eyes intense. "Thank you," she whispered.
He held her gaze for a long moment before releasing her hand and stepping back. The room felt too small, too hot. Tucker cleared his throat. "We usually do the washing up. You must be tired from your journey."
She shook her head. "I am fine. I would prefer to stay busy." Jake leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, watching her with an unreadable expression. "Then we will help."
For the next hour, they worked together in the small kitchen. Eleanor washed while the brothers dried and put things away. It should have been awkward, four people crowded into the small space. Instead, it felt right somehow, natural.
They moved around each other with easy coordination, the brothers anticipating what she needed before she asked. When everything was clean and put away, Eleanor felt exhaustion finally catching up to her. The long journey, the emotional upheaval, the constant awareness of three powerful men watching her every move, all of it crashed over her suddenly. She swayed slightly, catching herself on the edge of the table.
Jake was at her side immediately, his hand on her elbow. "Bed. Now." His commanding tone should have annoyed her. Instead, it made her feel cared for, protected.