24

Lunch at Stella’s was informal but delicious. Almost like a family affair, since most of the other boarders were either sleeping the day away or were out pursuing their own adventures.

“Did everyone get enough to eat?” Stella asked. A chorus of comments affirmed her question. “If you’d like to stay for coffee or tea, I’ll see if I have any pie left.”

“That sounds right fine, Stella.” Owen nodded at her with a big smile from his end of the table.

“If you don’t mind, Pop, I’d like to go check on Ginny while I’m in town. I’m guessing she’s had morning sickness, or she and Frank would have been at church this morning.”

“Good idea. Go ahead. I don’t think Stella will mind if I hang around here a little more.” Owen shot her a glance.

“I’d enjoy that,” Stella said, gathering the dishes.

“I can stay and help clean up,” Grace offered.

Stella shook her head. “Thank you, but there’s not much to do. Please take your time.”

Robert was suddenly at her side. “Mind if I tag along to walk with you? Tom’s off exploring and the girls are looking through Miss Stella’s book collection.”

“If you’d like to,” Grace answered. “I won’t be long, Pop.”

“Take all the time you need. I’ll be right here waiting for you.” He looked pleased that Robert would go with her, and yet happy to be alone with Stella. I guess I’ll have to get used to this new side of him.

Grace took her umbrella, although it appeared to have finally stopped raining. They walked a moment or two in silence until Grace finally broke the quiet. “Do you think you and the children will enjoy staying at Stella’s?”

“I think so. ’Course, she can’t make biscuits and gravy like you.”

“Well, thank you for saying that. I hope that means I’ve been missed.” How did I let that slip?

“Of course we miss you and Owen, but I did feel it was time to get out of your way. You have enough on you without the four of us.”

“But I enjoyed the children so much.” And you.

He paused on the sidewalk. “Look, before we get to Ginny’s . . . I wanted to tell you that I’ve accepted a job with Eli at the mercantile.”

Grace stood looking into his ruggedly handsome face. “You did?” Then she realized what his quitting meant to her and her potato crop. She was miffed. “Suit yourself. I ran Bidwell Farms before you came, and I’m capable of doing so without your help,” she snapped, marching on ahead of him. It meant that she probably wouldn’t get to see the children either.

He caught up with her and touched her elbow. “Grace, wait a minute. Let me explain.”

“There’s nothing to explain.” She glared at him, removing his hand from her arm.

“Yes, there is, so don’t get your petticoats in a tangle!”

She felt her face turn pink. “What is there to explain? You’d rather work for Eli than me. Sounds very clear to me.” She felt her heart hammering against her ribs.

Robert cocked a hip and rested his hand on it. “Don’t get so fired up! This is the second time I’ve seen you so angry—and both times directed at me. At least I’m getting your attention.” A smile twitched at the edge of his mouth.

Grace folded her arms, but he quickly pulled her out of the walk to the edge of the drugstore building. His face was close to hers, making her heart pound harder. She couldn’t take her eyes off his.

Still holding on to her hands, his eyes latched on to hers. “Now listen to me. I like working with you—I mean, for you—and I plan on continuing to do that. But I need to earn more in order to take better care of Sarah, Becky, and Tom. This morning after church, Eli asked if I’d like to work part-time for him. He’s been looking for someone since his clerk left right before he hired Tom. We worked out a plan that I can work for you in the mornings on the farm, then afternoons and Saturday, I’ll work for him.”

“I see.”

“Do you? The kids need a home and can’t live in a boardinghouse for long. I promise to be there the entire time for the potato harvest. I won’t let you down,” he said.

She yanked her gaze away. “The least you could have done was talk to me about it first. Maybe I don’t want you part-time.”

“I’m talking to you now.”

She shrugged. “Maybe Warren was right—I ought to consider selling the farm.” She knew in her heart that she’d never do that, but she felt sorry for herself.

“He’s wrong, unless you figure on marrying him.” He held her eyes with a steady gaze. “Funny, I didn’t see him at church this morning.”

Why did he care one way or another? Grace drew back. “Marry him? Ha! He hasn’t even asked. If you must know, Warren is out of town. I must get going since I’ve left Pop waiting.”

She began to move past him, but he suddenly pulled her to him, giving her a brief kiss on the mouth. Shocked, she pulled back and covered her mouth with her gloved hand. He’d kissed her right there, in full view of the town, and his lips felt full and warm . . . delicious. She felt her face and neck flame. With heat or embarrassment?

He dropped his hands with awkwardness. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me, except when you pout like that, your lips beg to be kissed.” He guided her back to the sidewalk, looking straight ahead.

Grace wasn’t sure she could speak and if she could, didn’t know how to respond. Her hand shook as she patted her hair in place, then tightened her grip on the reticule she held in front of her, trying to act respectable.

“I think you’d better walk the rest of the way to Ginny’s without me,” he choked out.

She nodded and locked eyes with him, still tongue-tied, while he spun on his boot heel back in the direction of the boardinghouse. Grace squared her shoulders, took a deep breath, and hurried away. She tried to calm the thump in her heart before she saw Ginny, who’d be full of questions if she thought something was awry.

Frank answered the door when she arrived. “What a nice surprise,” he said. “Ginny will be so glad to see you. The morning sickness is taking its toll, I’m afraid.”

“I figured as much,” she answered, following him to the parlor.

“Honey, look who’s here to see you.”

Ginny was lying on the chaise by an open window whose voile white curtains fluttered in a gentle breeze above her. She stretched out her arms to Grace in a friendly embrace when she entered. Ginny’s hair was slightly disheveled and her face paler than normal. On the table next to her were crackers and a cup of tea.

Poor thing! Grace thought, feeling instant sympathy for her friend. “What can I do for you, Ginny? Anything at all. Please tell me.”

Ginny smiled faintly. “You can help the time pass a little more quickly. I’m afraid that’s all anyone can do.” She pressed a delicate handkerchief against her upper lip. “I believe Frank is glad you’re here so that he can escape my predicament for a while.” She gave a weak laugh. “Besides, I’ve been wanting to talk to you about some ideas that I have for the nursery.”

Frank coughed. “This is where I make my escape and let you ladies chat away. I’ll be in my office if you need me, dear,” he said, then leaned over to brush Ginny’s brow with his lips. “Grace, before I leave, how’s the courting going with Warren?”

“The best word I can use is . . . slowly,” she admitted. “He doesn’t seem to be around a lot lately, but I have to say, he’s a talker.”

Frank laughed. “Well, take your time. There’s no hurry, is there? If you need anything, ladies, I’m at your service.”

As soon as he left, Ginny started her litany of questions.

“I heard that Robert moved to the boardinghouse. You must be lonely without the children,” Ginny said.

“Oh, Ginny. I’m missing them terribly, but . . .”

Ginny leaned forward. “But what? I can tell something is bothering you.”

“Oh, I don’t know . . . Maybe I miss Robert as well, though I doubt he misses me.” Grace stared out the window and saw two bluebirds on the fence. A male and a female. The male was feeding the female a worm. How wonderfully sweet. That’s the way life should be. Commitment—living out your life with the one you love. Will it ever happen for me?

“How do you know?”

Ginny’s question brought her back to the present. “Because he told me he’d taken another job at the mercantile working for Eli. I wasn’t happy about it, but I think I understand his situation. We talked a little, and he plans to work for me in the morning, and Eli when he’s through. But what could I say? He wants to get the children in a house soon.”

“That’s very admirable of him, Grace.”

“Yes, until he pulled me aside and kissed me right in front of the entire town!”

Ginny laughed until her eyes misted with tears, but Grace didn’t think it so funny. “That’s not so bad. Frank once kissed me right outside the front door of the church, after he proposed. I was mortified but exuberant at the same time.”

“You never told me that story.”

“Didn’t I? Well, men sometimes forget where they are when a woman has befuddled their mind. But it sure seems as though Robert misses you.”

“Don’t be funny! I doubt anyone has befuddled Robert’s mind. He’s still angry at his first wife. Which brings to mind . . . How in the world did he marry a woman who didn’t tell him about her children?”

“Perhaps they didn’t know each other long. You know it’s not uncommon for people to marry quickly out here. Don’t be too hard on him. Besides, you’re still seeing Warren, aren’t you? It must be nice to have two men chasing you.”

“I see Warren when it’s convenient for him. If he had his druthers, he’d have me sign away Bidwell Farms and live in town so I could be at his beck and call at a moment’s notice. That’s not for me, and I couldn’t leave my father. What do you think of Warren?”

“He appears to be nice enough, but he and Frank were at odds yesterday. Frank is usually a good judge of character. This is changing the subject, but you are going to the Bozeman Ball?”

“I haven’t given it much thought, really. But before I forget, could you give me the address of the place you ordered Bluebelle? I’d like to get another duck for companionship. A male, preferably.”

“I’ll see if I can find it. Or better yet, I’ll order it for you . . . if you’ll help me decorate the nursery.”

Grace clapped her hands. “Oh, you know I would love to help you. I must be getting back to the boardinghouse where I left Pop. He and Stella, the proprietor, have taken a shine to one another,” she said matter-of-factly.

“Oh, I didn’t know. What a terrible hostess I’ve been. I should have had Frank make us a fresh pot of tea.” Ginny started to rise from the lounge.

Grace held out her arm. “Please don’t get up. I really need to get going. Let me know when you feel better and we’ll talk about decorating. You have plenty of time left.”

“I shall. Give my best to Owen, and think about going to the ball. It should be loads of fun and gives us women a chance to dress up for a change.”

“I can’t promise I’ll come, but I’ll consider it. I’ll let myself out. You stay right where you are and rest.” And with that, Grace excused herself and scurried back to the boardinghouse.