Aunt Hortense told Constance, “We should leave. I am expecting a telegram, and then we’ll head back to the ranch.”
“Why?” asked Constance. “It’s dusty, lonely, and not at all like the country home I expected. Blake’s married. He won’t leave his wife for me and move back East with us.”
Aunt Hortense’s smile would curdle milk, and she promised, “He will leave her and marry you. He won’t have a choice. I am going to ruin his reputation, if needed, by exposing what type of woman he married to the people of this town. He won’t have a choice but to leave with us. Besides, he wants the inheritance I will leave him.”
“I hope you’re right,” Constance answered and followed Aunt Hortense to the waiting carriage.
After a quick stop at the telegraph office, the carriage made its way back to the ranch with Constance muttering and sneezing, and Aunt Hortense complaining about the quality of the road with each bump she felt.
Sarah did not meet them when they arrived, and Aunt Hortense complained that this was no way to greet returning guests.
“I can carry your packages inside,” the young cowboy offered.
Aunt Hortense nodded, and she and Constance entered the house. Aunt Hortense called for Sarah, who appeared from the kitchen.
The young cowboy stood in the doorway with a stack of parcels in his arms.
Sarah said, “Cole, just place them on the settee. The ladies can find what they need and take them to their rooms. I know you have work to do.”
Cole nodded, offering a grateful smile before depositing the parcels and hurrying back out the door.
“What about our things?” Aunt Hortense asked. “Surely we can’t be expected to put them away.”
“Surely you can,” Sarah retorted. “I’m going out back to do some gardening.”
As Sarah turned to leave, Aunt Hortense asked where Eliza and Blake were.
“On a picnic,” Sarah answered before leaving the room.
Blake helped Eliza from the wagon and handed her a blanket as he grabbed the picnic basket. “Let’s go sit under the shade of the tree by the stream. I like to come here sometimes and just sit and think.”
“It’s lovely here, “Eliza said. “I can see why you like to come here.”
Blake spread out the blanket and placed the picnic basket in the middle. He sat on one side, motioning for Eliza to sit on the other.
“I also like to come here and take advantage of the cold water in the summer when the days are sweltering. The stream is only a few feet deep, and it’s not good for swimming, but on a hot day, you can jump in and cool off quickly.”
Eliza looked down at her hands and answered, “I don’t think I could do that. You have a lot of men working on the ranch. How can this area be private?”
Blake smiled. “All the men know when someone is heading towards the stream, and they respect their privacy. Sarah and Jack come here quite often, and I think you and Sarah could also come here and enjoy the water.”
“Maybe,” Eliza said.
Blake stared out at the stream and said, “May I ask you a question. It’s a bit personal.”
“You can ask,” Eliza responded, “but if I think it’s too personal, I won’t answer.”
“That’s a deal,” said Blake. “When you were living in St. Louis, did you plan on being a nanny for the foreseeable future, or did you have other plans such as marriage?”
“I thought about marriage, but when you spend seven days in someone’s home with little interaction with anyone other than the family members, it’s hard to meet people and even harder to begin a courtship.”
“I can understand that,” Blake said. “I found the same problem here. There are at least five times more men than women in town, and I never met anyone that I wanted to court. I suppose that sounds a bit egotistical, but I had an idea of the kind of woman I wanted to find. If I had met you in St. Louis, I would certainly have asked you to supper and possibly even begin a courtship.”
Eliza blushed, and a small smile spread across your face. “Thank you, that’s kind of you to say.”
Blake was silent for a few moments before he said, “Well, we are legally married, and I do like you. Would it sound a bit far-fetched if I ask you if I could court you now? The worst thing that could happen is that you would find that you dislike me and plan to leave sooner than you expect.”
Eliza looked at Blake, her cheeks still pink from the blush, and said, “I like you too, and yes, I think courting my husband might be enjoyable.”
Blake’s smile lit up his entire face and eyes. He opened the picnic basket and said, “Was the picnic your idea or Sarah’s. She’s a bit of a romantic.”
“It was Sarah’s,” Eliza admitted. “She thought we might enjoy a peaceful afternoon. I think she wanted to keep me away from your aunt’s prodding questions when she returns from town. I don’t understand why she’s so curious about me.”
“It does seem as if she asks more questions than just having an interest in my new bride,” Blake agreed. “I have never been able to understand my aunt. Let’s forget about her now and enjoy our lunch.”
Eliza answered, “I am hungry.”
Blake handed Eliza a bowl of fried chicken and a second of potato salad. He said, “We also have pickles, some fruit, and two large slices of pie.”
Eliza laughed. “Did Sarah think we would get lost and starve?”
“No, but I think she wants to be sure we have enough for the lunch, a snack, and even supper if we decide to stay out and enjoy the day,” Blake said before biting into a chicken leg.
Eliza was amazed at the amount of
