“Thanks.” He called up to Will. “Permission to confirm the claim, sir?”
“Granted,” Will said. “Save some for me.”
The two rode around him and Kate and headed for the inn.
She remained silent as they approached the hotel. When they reached the hitching post, Will dismounted and came around to her side. She’d proven she didn’t need help dismounting, but he offered it anyway, and she slid down into his arms. For a moment, he held her, carefully, gently. He knew he should release her, but he couldn’t manage to let go.
“I’m sorry to hear about Danny’s father,” he murmured. “That’s a hard way to lose a man.”
Her head came up to brush his chin. “Is there an easy way?”
At least she was showing some of her usual spirit.
“I suppose not,” he said. “But he’d be proud of how you’re raising Danny, managing this hotel.”
She remained in his embrace, as if his presence brought her comfort, and he marveled at the possibility.
“I’ve done the best I can,” she said. “But I can’t be everywhere, every moment. I don’t know what I’d do if something happened to Danny.”
“Nothing happened,” he reminded her. “No one was hurt. You taught us all well.”
“I didn’t teach Toby,” she said, voice hinting of tears. “He ran after every wonder, no matter whether it could scald him, poison him, or break all his bones.” She shuddered. “I can’t let that happen to Danny.”
“You protect your son well,” Will assured her. “I see that. All anyone can do is their utmost. No one can ask for more.”
She laid her head against his chest, as if listening to the sound of his heart. And his heart, the heart he’d buried eight years ago in Oregon, beat harder.
For her.
9
How long had it been since she’d been held? Toby had never been much of a hugger. Too busy doing. For a moment, she closed her eyes, breathed in the scent of warm wool and leather, allowed herself to feel cherished, protected.
But the feeling was only temporary. She had no claim on this man. He could be called elsewhere at any time. His work could lead him into danger. She wouldn’t survive losing someone else she loved.
Her heart protested as she pulled away from him, but she ignored the cry. She had responsibilities, to her son, to her inn. That’s what mattered.
“You better talk to Alberta about that pie before Danny and Private Smith eat it all,” she said, gaze on her horse.
He didn’t move. “I have a feeling you could use some pie yourself.”
She might at that, but work sounded a better tonic. “I’ll be fine. We’re expecting that group shortly. I should make sure the rooms are ready.” She gathered the reins and led Aster toward the barn, feeling a bit as if she was running away from her own inn.
Which was ridiculous.
She loved her inn, she loved her world. This morning had shaken her, but she couldn’t forget how fortunate she was. She’d never expected to live in such an amazing place. Instead of the skies dark with soot and hemmed in by buildings, she looked up into a heaven so blue it went on forever. Instead of the rattle of lorries and the din of industry, she woke to the song of the yellowthroat and meadowlarks and the rumble and splash of a geyser. Where she had grown up in Boston, the only wildlife visible had been the squirrels in the park. Danny was growing up with elk and bison.
And bears.
She shivered. That was the first bear she’d encountered since Toby had died. It had been a year. She’d thought she could handle herself. It hadn’t even been a grizzly. And still, she’d panicked, trapped inside her terror. If Will hadn’t taken command . . .
She shook off the fear that threatened and headed for the hotel. Will had been there. Danny was safe. And she had work to do.
So, she kept busy the rest of the day and Saturday. Wakefield and Hoffman brought her six more guests on their way out of the park, and Bassett Brothers deposited three more heading for Old Faithful in the morning.
She spotted Will and either Private Smith or Private Franklin making the rounds, but she did her best to avoid contact. Bad enough that the lieutenant intruded on her thoughts all too often.
“Ma?” Danny asked when they were helping Caleb by feeding the chickens Friday. She looked from him to the hens flocking at her feet and hastily shoved her hand in the basket of corn before she and Danny were overcome. Will rode past quietly, head up and gaze over the geysers.
“He’s a fine man, that lieutenant,” Alberta went so far as to point out Friday night as Kate leaned against the worktable after serving dinner and watched Danny dig into the chili and corn bread.
“Is he?” Danny asked, mouth half full.
“Chew and swallow, please,” Kate advised him.
“He is,” Ida answered him, elbows on the table and gaze dreamy. “And Private Smith isn’t half bad either.”
Sarah, moving past with an empty crystal pitcher, wrinkled her nose. “Too bushy. Makes you wonder what he’s hiding under all that hair.”
Ida tossed her head as she straightened. “Well, Private Franklin is too scrawny. Give me beef to chicken any day.”
Kate cleared her throat and nodded to Danny, and her maids quickly found other ways to occupy themselves.
But Danny wasn’t about to let the matter go. “Do you like beef or chicken better, Ma?” he asked her after they’d said their evening prayers that night.
She wasn’t about to explain what Ida had meant by her comment. “I like whatever Alberta cooks,” she temporized as she sat at the side of his bed to tuck him in.
He snuggled deeper under the wool blanket. “Me too.”
She was congratulating herself on escaping the worst of his questions when he added, “But do you think Lieutenant Prescott is handsome?”
“It’s not for me to say,” she replied, tucking the blanket around his slender frame. Already
