Chapter Three
And he went into the barn with your father? Kate peered through dark lashes, astonished as she sorted through her embroidery floss.
And he re-shod Solomon for you? Newlywed Lila looked up from stitching on a new shirt for her husband. Out of the blue, just like that?
Without being asked. The tea kettle rumbled, so Ruby set aside her crocheting. The wooden chair scraped against the wood floor as she rose. It was a tight squeeze to have all seven of them in the front room, but it was warm and cozy, and she loved having the chance to host their sewing circle. You could have knocked me down with a feather, I was so shocked. I guess this proves the rumors true. Young Mr. Davis is as nice as a man can be.
Thats what we have been trying to tell you. Red-headed Scarlet set down her tatting to get up to help with the tea. Hes amazing. Thats why we have all been in love with him at one time or another.
Not all of us, Fiona corrected as she stitched on baby clothes. Her wedding ring winked in the lamplight as her needle slipped into a seam. The pleats of her dress hid the small bowl of her pregnant stomach. Ive always thought Lorenzo was nice, but I was never smitten.
Not even a little? Ruby set the tea to steeping in the old ironware pot. Lorenzo is terribly handsome. Are you sure you didnt like him at all?
Im positive. Fionas smile came so easily.
He adored you from afar. We all saw it, Scarlet added, taking a knife to the johnnycake cooling on the nearby table.
You broke his heart when you married Ian. Dont deny it. Earlee gave her golden curls a toss as she looked up from basting an apron ruffle. When she smiled, the whole world smiled, too. If I were penning a story about him, I would have him fall in love with one of you three. A sweet, gentle love with lots of longing and a perfect happily-ever-after.
A perfect happily-ever-after. Didnt that sound romantic? She tamped down her sigh right along with the memory of riding alongside Lorenzo in the sleigh. Her hands shook as she carried the pot and the stack of battered, mismatched tin cups to the circle of chairs in the sitting area.
It sounds like a story I would read, Lila quipped, the voracious reader of the group. So, Earlee, who would you match up with Lorenzo?
Me! Kate spoke up before Earlee could as she separated a thin strand of embroidery floss from a green skein. I would be perfect for him.
True, Meredith agreed, head bent over her latest patchwork quilt block. Except doesnt he spend a lot of time with Narcissa Bell?
Oh, they all sighed together. Narcissa had been their arch nemesis for as long as anyone could remember.
I suppose its only a matter of time before we hear of their engagement. Kate licked the end of the floss and threaded it through the eye of her needle. Its inevitable.
Its expected, Lila agreed. To hear my stepmother talk, their engagement party will be any day now.
They are both from wealthy families. Ruby couldnt explain why pain hitched through her ribs.
And their mothers are close friends, Earlee chimed in.
But so are Scarlet and his mother. She lowered the pot to rest on the short end table Pa had made, which now sat in the center of their circle, a coffee table of sorts. Her hands shook inexplicably. She wasnt disappointed, so no way could that be disappointment weighing like a lead brick on her heart.
Yes, but Lorenzo and I dont keep the same friends. Scarlet bent over her work, knife in hand. Did you see Narcissa and Lorenzo at church on Sunday?
Sitting side by side. Kate gave a long-suffering sigh. Right there in the middle of their families.
Ruby hadnt noticed because she didnt have a crush on the man. She couldnt afford to have one. Romance was not in her plans. She didnt have time for it. She wasnt free to pursue her own life. Her father and brother needed her to help save the farm. And besides, if their efforts failed, she would have to leave town.
She wasnt exactly the best candidate for romance. Not for any man. As for Lorenzo, he was a dream she didnt dare have. So why did she ache down to the marrow of her bones as she crossed the room? She couldnt focus on the conversation surging around her, the laughter and friendly banter ringing like merry bells. She lifted down a stack of mismatched plates.
How did the interview go? Scarlet lowered her voice, so the others wouldnt hear. She cut the final slice of johnnycake.
Good, but Im not right for the position. Mrs. Davis is awful fancy. Nice, but fancy. She set the butter dish next to the plates on the table. She tried to tell herself it didnt matter that she wouldnt get the job. I would be totally uncomfortable in that house. Id worry about everythingleaving dirt from my shoes on the floor, turning around and knocking some expensive doodad to the ground, spilling something on those beautiful carpets. What a relief Im not suitable.
Thats too bad. I thought you would be perfect. My mother said so right to Mrs. Davis. I heard her.
Thanks, Scarlet. I appreciate it more than you know.
So, does this mean your family will have to move?
I think so, since I wont be getting that job.
Im so sorry, Ruby.
Me, too. She wished she felt comfortable saying more, but she wasnt good at expressing her feelings. They made her feel awkward and exposed, but she knew Scarlet understood. Best friends had that ability.
The cornmeals sweet, warm scent and aroma of melting butter had her mouth watering. Shed been too nervous to eat all of her breakfast, fearing the interview and too unsettled to eat lunch afterwards. Leftover nerves from meeting Mrs. Davis and not because of her encounter with Lorenzo.
At least, thats what she told herself.
So, what happened after he fixed Solomons shoe? Earlee asked, setting down her work to come help distribute the cake. Did you offer him a nice, hot cup of tea?
And then lunch? Lila inquired.
And afterwards, a nice, long chat around the table? Kate knotted the end of her thread.
You did invite him in, didnt you? Scarlet asked, two plates of cake in hand.
Well, no. It wasnt like that. He and Pa were visiting in the barn.
Did you even go out there? Fiona set her sewing aside to accept a plate of cake.
All eyes turned on her.
No. Why would I? Im not as brazen as the bunch of you.
Laughter flourished, echoing off the walls cheerfully. She couldnt very well admit that shed kept an eye on the window, glancing out from time to time, straining to see a glimpse of Lorenzo through the snow. She hadnt. Shed only spotted her father stomping the wet off his boots on the lean-to steps. Hed been alone.
Next time, go out with a nice hot cup of tea for him, Meredith advised.
And some of this cake, Earlee added. If he takes one bite of this, he just might propose.
Oh, I doubt that. She retrieved the last plate from the table, but her stomach had bunched in knots. She was no longer hungry. He drove off without a word to me, but Pa was mighty pleased with the shoeing job. Im surprised Pa accepted his charity.
Maybe he did it for you, Ruby. Scarlet sounded thoughtful as she brought the last plates of cake into the sitting area.
Maybe he did it for you, Ruby. Scarlet sounded thoughtful as she brought the last plates of cake into the sitting area.
For me? No. Dont even start thinking that. She had best forget the snap of connection when Lorenzo had taken her hand. Wishful thinking on her part, that was all it could be. I have Pa to care for. Hes the only man in my life. Besides, Lorenzo has Narcissa. Who can compete with that?
I wouldnt mind trying, Scarlet spoke up, making everyone laugh.
Ruby settled into a chair, laughing with her friends. How much time would they have together? She didnt know. That question haunted her as talk turned to other handsome bachelors in town. If one particular bachelor lingered in her thoughts, she didnt have to admit it.
Lorenzo leaned back against the chair cushion, grateful to be sitting in front of a warm fire at the end of a tough afternoon. Half frozen, he soaked in the fires blazing heat, hoping to thaw. After returning from Rubys home, hed saddled up and resumed his afternoon shift in the fields, checking cattle, hauling feed and taking a pickax to the animals water supply, which had frozen up solid.
Ruby. Thoughts of her could chase away the cold. He stretched his feet toward the fire. He still didnt know what his chances were, but shed been easy to talk to. He would like to talk with her some more. But what were the chances of that if she didnt get the maids position? She kept to herself, she lived on the other side of town, and their paths rarely crossed. He didnt want to go back to sneaking gazes at her in church because his mother or one of her friends were going to catch him at it, and then his secret love for Ruby would no longer be private.
Hot tea for you. The upstairs maid was doubling her duties and slid a tray onto the table at his elbow with a bobbing curtsy. Cook added some of those scones you like.
Thank you. He didnt wait for her footsteps tapping on the polished oak floor to fade before he wrapped his hand around the scalding hot cup. He was so cold, he could barely feel the warmth. He blew on the steaming brew before he sipped it. Hot liquid slid down his throat, warming him from the inside. The first step to thawing out.
Ruby. His thoughts boomeranged right back to her. Why her? Her big, blue eyes, her rosebud smile, her sweetness had snared him the instant hed laid eyes on her. He didnt want to feel this way, he wasnt ready to feel this way. He had a lot to learn about ranching, he had a lot to prove as his fathers foreman. And responsibility? That was a huge burden on his shoulders these days. He was in charge of providing for the family and preserving the Davis legacy. No, this wasnt the time to be smitten with anyone.
But his heart kept falling in love with Ruby a little more day by day, taking him with it. He couldnt stop it. He wouldnt if he could. He wanted Ruby to be his fate, the destiny God had in store for him.
Lorenzo. His mother swept into the room. Look at you. You were out in that weather too long.
Im tough. Hed learned from his father not to let excuses stand in the way. Work needed to be done, so I did it.
Yes, but youve gotten frostbite. She hauled a footstool close and tried to look at his hands.
Nothing serious. He refused to surrender his teacup. No fussing, Ma. Im not twelve anymore.
You are my only son. She smiled, attempting to hide her weariness.
How did the interviewing go?
So many women showed up for one opening. My heart goes out to them all. Every one of them was in sincere need of employment. She swept a strand of black hair from her eyes, troubled and worried as she always was for other people. I can only choose one. I feel bad for all the others. What will they do?
He thought of Ruby, of her very humble home, her unreliable shoes and her situation. Her family clearly needed the income her employment would bring. He suspected many of the others who had come during a brisk, winter storm were in as much need. I dont have an answer. Ive had the same worries ever since I took over the hiring for the ranch. Have you decided on anyone yet?
Ive narrowed it down to a short list, but how to decide from there? I do not know. She stole a corner off one of his scones and popped it into her mouth. One of them was a young lady about your age. You went to school with her.
Ruby. His mother didnt miss much. He tried to hide his reaction by taking a quick swallow of tea. The scalding liquid rolled over his tongue, nearly blistering him. He coughed, sputtering.
Oh, I see. His mother paused thoughtfully. She seemed like a nice girl.
Nice? I suppose. As if he was going to tell his mother what he really thought. Fortunately, he had a burning tongue to distract him. She would be a reliable worker.
Yes. I thought she was very earnest, but she has no experience.
She could learn. He hoped he sounded casual, not like a man hoping. He wanted Mother to hire her and make a difference in her life. She takes care of her family. She does the cooking and cleaning. Thats experience, right?
I suppose. His mother rose. I have some pondering to do. So, have you thought about who you want to invite to our pre-Christmas ball? Its getting closer, and I have yet to get out the last of my invitations.
And youre mentioning this to me why, exactly? He sipped more tea, taking refuge behind the cup. Had he made a strong enough case for Rubys sake? He couldnt tell by the look on his mothers face.
Because Ill want to know so I can send the young lady an invitation. Its time you started thinking about a wife. Im looking forward to the next Davis generation.
You mean grandchildren?
Of course. His mother laughed, delighted. I see that blush. Its as I thought. You have your eye on someone, and I know who.
You do? Tea sloshed over the rim. His heart slammed to a stop. Fine, so hed been a little obvious. I admit, I do have someone in mind.
Excellent. You know the Bells are on my guest list anyway, but I wanted to send a special one to Narcissa. Poor, misguided Ma. Shed leaped to the wrong conclusion.
Im not escorting Narcissa. Not again. Normally I let you do what you want, but not this time, Ma.
Why? Confused, his mother slipped onto the chair across from him. I thought all that time you two spend together meant something.
Mostly arranged by you or her mother. Its very hard to say no to either one of you.
Yes, but she sits beside you in church every Sunday.
Coincidence on my part. Im thinking intentionally on hers and her mothers.
Im terribly disappointed.
Of course you want me to marry your best friends daughter, Ma, but thats not going to happen. Were just friends.
I see. Well then, who? Theres plenty of suitable young women in town. Surely her family is on my list?
Ill take care of inviting her myself. Just as hed suspected. This was going to be a disappointment to his mother. He was sorry for it. He hated letting her down. He thought of Ruby. How would his parents handle it if they knew the truth?
I think I hear your father coming. Oh, Jerry, its you.
Selma, there you are. Pas cane tapped on the hardwood, and although he winced in pain with every step, he transformed when he saw his wife. I see you are keeping our boy company. You did great work today, Renzo.