IT WAS A SUNDAY AFTERNOON. ONE OF THOSE SOFT spring days, late in May, when warmth painted the valley and surrounding mountains in a golden haze. Calves and colts frolicked in the fields not far from their mothers. Kittens meowed and squeaked inside the barn, and puppies played with Richie—who would be two years old come July—in the small fenced yard on the side of the house.
As for Anna, her attention was fully captured by Miles Stanley as he stood with Abe near one of the corrals. Why was he here? Had he come to buy a horse? Or maybe he hoped to find work on the ranch this summer. Abe had mentioned not long ago that he needed some extra help around the place. Wouldn’t it be something if Miles became the new hired hand? Her heart thrilled at the mere thought of it.
“Go join them.” Violet reached to pick up her son, who giggled and tried to run beyond her grasp. “Invite Miles in for some coffee and cake when they’re through with whatever they’re discussing. I’m going to put Richie down for his nap.”
Anna’s stomach twisted into a knot of nerves. It had been more than a year since Miles had come to live and work in Kings Meadow, and he still didn’t seem to know she was alive. Oh, he was polite and courteous but nothing more. If he thought anything of her, it was that she was still a child. Why couldn’t he see how much more grown-up she was than when they’d first met? She was seventeen, a young woman, and she loved him with a woman’s heart.
She smoothed her hands over the new dress Violet had made for her. It was the latest style, inspired by a designer named Dior. She was thankful she hadn’t changed out of it after church. She’d meant to. She’d planned to go for a ride after the family had eaten their dinner and the dishes had been washed. But then Miles had arrived, and every other thought had fled her mind.
Drawing a deep breath, she walked across the barnyard to where the two men stood. Abe noticed her first. “Anna, come over here. I was telling Miles about the horses we’ve added this spring.”
Her cheeks flushed as Miles turned toward her. “Hello—” Should she call him Miles or Mr. Stanley? “—Miles.”
He smiled. It was a glorious smile. Did he have any idea the effect it had on her? “Good to see you again, Anna. Been awhile.”
Ages and ages. Even in such a small town, they managed to miss seeing each other. “Violet wants you to come inside for some coffee and cake when you’re through out here.” She wanted to groan. She sounded like a child delivering a message from her mother. But she wasn’t a child. How could she make Miles see that?
“Sounds good.” Another smile. “Abe showed me your stallion. He’s really something.”
Horses. She was comfortable talking about horses. “Did you come to buy one of Star’s foals?”
“No.” He shook his head. “No place to keep a horse, even if I had the money. Which I don’t.”
Anna didn’t know what to say next. Did he want her to leave? If he didn’t say something soon, she—
“Would you let me paint Shiloh’s Star?” he asked.
“Paint?”
Abe said, “Miles is an artist in his spare time. Haven’t you seen the painting he did for Emma Carter? I thought everybody in town had seen it by now.”
Anna shook her head.
“We’ll have to make certain you do. That’s why Miles is here today. I’ve asked him to paint a family portrait. But don’t tell Vi just yet. I want to surprise her.”
Still looking at Anna, Miles said, “It means I’ll be spending quite a bit of time out here. Hope I won’t be a bother.”
A bother? Never. Abe had just given Anna an even better present than he planned to give Violet.