“It is their birthday!” Meg held the skillet threateningly and Jeffries held up his hands defensively.
“Now, Miss Meg, calm down. I make sure every year those boys get a cake.”
She threw back her head and placed a hand on her hip. “A cake?” She smacked the word on her tongue. “You think a cake is good enough for my boys?”
Jeffries scowled. “They love their cake.”
“Do you have presents? A feast? When have those boys ever had all the attention on them?”
Jeffries chuckled. “They may live on the dairy Miss Meg, but they are employees. We can’t throw a huge birthday party for every worker here.”
She set down the skillet and folded her arms. “Well, I don’t care what you do with the other workers, but Bill and Frank call me Mama Meg for a reason. They are special to me, and as such I am going to throw them a special party.” She nodded with resolve and strode past Jeffries. “If anyone asks where I am, tell them I am speaking with Mrs. Castle.”
Jeffries laughed and followed. He hoped his eyes did not betray that he was hiding information. He’d found footprints outside the windows of the kitchen, and a week ago one of his hounds had chased off an intruder. He wasn’t about to tell that to the little cook, though. He was sure it was just one of the workers sweet on Meg and trying to sneak a peek at her. Though some of the workers had complained about seeing someone run out of the barns early in the morning. Chances were they could also have a poor homeless man sleeping in their barns. Either way, he needed to find out.
/
Meg clapped her hands when she saw Rose standing by the books shelves and holding three books in her arms.
“I thought I smelled beauty,” Rose laughed and walked forward to embrace Meg. “Mother is measuring Daisy for a dress she is making. They should be down any minute for tea.” She grinned and pulled one more book off the shelf.
Meg smiled and began telling her about the twins and their impending birthday. Her face suddenly sobered; turning to Rose, she added, “And how is Cade?”
Rose tilted her head and clicked her tongue. “He went out the other night after … well, after punching a gentleman in the face for flirting with me.”
Meg choked on her own breath. “You had two men fight for you?”
Rose frowned. “It is not as romantic as one might think. Anyway, he went out after that and he swore he did not gamble, but I am afraid that lying and keeping secrets is just part of his nature.”
Meg suddenly brightened. “You said this was a few nights ago?”
“Yes, four to be exact.”
Meg snapped her fingers. “He was with Jeffries. Late, too. The next morning Mr. Jeffries looked awful and I told him so. He said he had been up late with Mr. Cade Walker.”
Rose lifted her brows. “Why was he with Jeffries? Whenever we are here he is with Jeffries. Jeffries, Sheriff Ben—”
Anna walked in and Rose eagerly held out her arms for Daisy. “What do you think, Mama? Any ideas for the twins?” she said, changing the subject.
“Oh, I am thinking of gifts for them. I can help Meg with the food. Rose, you do the decorations, and I will wrap a present for each of them. Meg, you can also help me with that since you know them so well.”
Meg bit her lip excitedly. “This will be so wonderful! Jeffries must attend since he is a father-figure to them.”
“Of course he will,” Anna said, adding a few spoonfuls of sugar to her tea. “Speaking of Jeffries, he spoke to me about letting the dogs sleep outside. Have they chased the cats back to the barn? Jeffries said they’ve been breaking into the kitchen.”
Meg nodded, unable to control the chill in her spine. A knock on the door made Meg bite down a smile.
Anna grinned. “He never misses a Monday, does he?”
Rose looked perplexed. “Who doesn’t?”
Anna raised her eyebrows at Meg. “You know he will want his walk with you.”
Meg smiled and showed her teeth. “Clean? I had ribs for lunch.”
“Perfectly clean,” Rose laughed as Meg skipped off. She whisked her head towards Anna. “Is that Jonathan?” she mouthed hearing the front door open.
Anna nodded and waited until the heavy oak door shut softly. “He has been courting her for two weeks now and brings flowers on Monday and Thursday.”
Rose laughed and aimlessly kissed Daisy on the head. “Well, I guess that leaves you and me to plan this party.”