Kate lifted her skirts and climbed to Alberta’s side. “I know, Alberta. I miss Toby too.”
Alberta sniffed again. “When my Joe and Tommy never came home, the world seemed so dark and cold. Coming here helped. Then you and Mr. Tremaine and little Danny arrived, and I felt like I had a family again.”
Kate hugged her, breathing in the scent of cinnamon and fresh-baked bread. “Me too.”
Alberta hugged her back, arms like firm pillows. Then she pulled away, and her round face became more determined.
“That’s another reason we need this dinner to be perfect,” she told Kate. “I want that ten-year lease as much as you do. We need everyone to understand the Geyser Gateway is the best.”
Why hadn’t she thought of that? Lieutenant Kingman would have to take his leave of Captain Harris before quitting the park. He could recommend her for a ten-year lease. She had always welcomed the lieutenant. The dedicated engineer had been as bemused as Kate by her mercurial husband. This was her chance to impress him with all the inn had to offer. He’d take word to Captain Harris and his superiors in the Army Corps of Engineers. Her lease would be assured.
“You’re right, Alberta,” Kate said, stepping back. “We must do our very utmost. If Lieutenant Kingman agrees to my invitation, we only have a short time to prepare. I suggested Friday.”
Alberta pressed a hand to her chest. “Friday! That’s only two days away.”
Kate put a hand on her shoulder. “We’ll gather everyone. We’ll make a plan.”
“But Sarah and Ida just left with Elijah,” Alberta protested.
“I know,” Kate commiserated. “But we can do this with Pansy’s and Caleb’s help. The table linens will need washing, ironing; the silver polishing.”
“I’ll bring out the best crystal,” Alberta promised with a nod. “The pieces we save for wedding parties and anniversaries.” She raised her voice. “You’ll stick up for us, won’t you, Lieutenant?”
He was leading his saddled horse out into the yard. “I would defend the honor of the Geyser Gateway with my last breath, ma’am,” he assured her. “Are we under attack?”
“Not if we manage this dinner,” Alberta said.
He glanced from her to Kate. “Dinner?”
“I invited Lieutenant Kingman of the Corps of Engineers and his staff to dine,” Kate explained, hand falling. “It must be the finest evening we can manage.”
“It will be the making of the Geyser Gateway,” Alberta predicted. “You’ll come too, Lieutenant. You and your men, especially that Private Smith. He reminds me of my Tommy, so confident, so full of himself.”
His gaze returned to Kate’s, waiting. He was willing to accept whatever she offered, however small. And here she’d teased him about trifling with her affections. Will Prescott might look rough and tough with his dark gaze and his stoic face, but, she was certain, inside he was made of softer stuff. He wanted her good opinion as much as she wanted his. Perhaps even more.
She could still refuse, claim there wouldn’t be enough room, enough food. But she found she liked the idea of him at her side as much as he seemed to like it.
Oh, but she was in trouble.
So, she’d invited him to dinner. Will glanced to the left at the waving grass of the meadow and the right at the wooded hill as he rode Bess back to camp, but he couldn’t seem to focus on either. His thoughts veered back to that kiss. Kate had made light of it, put it down to the moment, the beauty of the falls. But the wonders of Yellowstone were nothing compared to the wonder that was Kate—strong, bright, determined, lovely.
Giving in to the moment was just an excuse. It wasn’t the moment that had drawn him to her. He admired how she managed her hotel, how she dealt with difficulties, how she was raising Danny.
He admired Captain Harris too, and he certainly didn’t think about kissing the man!
The mere thought of kissing Kate again set him to grinning.
“I probably look like a fool,” he told Bess, and the mare bobbed her head as if agreeing.
Well, why shouldn’t he take the kiss seriously? Kisses between an officer of the United States Cavalry and a respectable lady meant something. That kiss implied he was intent in his pursuit of Kate. That he was courting her with the idea of marriage.
That he thought himself worthy of being her husband.
And he didn’t.
He clucked to Bess, who broke into a canter until they reached camp.
But camp was considerably more crowded than when he’d left. Franklin and Smith had returned from the first patrol, and Lercher, Waxworth, and O’Reilly had rejoined them at last. Good. Determining their next steps ought to take his mind off Kate.
Maybe.
His five privates were sitting around the fire, trading stories. All but Smith jumped to attention as he rode in.
“Fire up north contained, sir,” Waxworth reported. He ducked his head before hurrying forward to take charge of Bess, as if he had never left.
“Captain Harris told us ve should report back to you,” Lercher added as Will dismounted.
O’Reilly spit toward the edge of the fire circle. “And he was asking about the Geyser Gateway, sir. It seems rumor has it the place isn’t fit for man nor beast.”
They all looked to him. Waxworth’s brows were up as if waiting for Will to deny it. Smith’s half-smile told his comrades he knew more about it than they did.
“Nothing has changed about the Geyser Gateway while you were gone,” Will told them. “You’ll have a chance to see for yourselves soon enough. Mrs. Tremaine is hosting a dinner for Lieutenant Kingman and his staff, and we’re all invited to attend.”
Most of his men brightened. As if satisfied, Waxworth headed for the picket line with Bess.
Smith gave Will a look. “All of us?”
Will still wasn’t sure what the cavalryman wanted, but there’d be limited opportunity for him to make trouble at the dinner, not with Will
