“Guess what, Lieutenant Prescott,” Danny said as soon as the introductions had been made. “Lieutenant Kingman knows how to play baseball.”
“Played at the Academy,” Kingman said with a smile. “Just for fun.”
“We played at Fort Walla Walla on off hours,” Will said. He put his hand on Danny’s shoulder. “Danny here has quite an arm.”
Danny beamed, and Kate couldn’t help smiling with him.
“But we haven’t been able to do more than go over the rules, hit a few balls, and toss the ball back and forth,” Will continued. “Not enough players.”
Kingman glanced around, as if counting heads. “Even if we were to join you in a game, we’re still a few men short of two teams.”
“A few men,” Mrs. Pettijohn said, eyes narrowing, “but surely not a few women.”
Now, there was an idea. How would the Army fellows react to ladies playing? Lercher and Waxworth exchanged glances as if wondering the same.
Lieutenant Kingman evidently found the thought amusing, for he smiled at Mrs. Pettijohn. “Very kind of you to offer, madam, but it can be a strenuous game with lots of running.”
Miss Pringle blinked her eyes. “Why, Elmira, I do believe this young man just called us old.”
Lieutenant Kingman colored.
“Nonsense,” Mrs. Pettijohn averred. “He’s just afraid we’ll show him up in front of his men.”
Lieutenant Kingman opened his mouth and wisely shut it again. Kate hid a smile.
“It’s very considerate of you not to shame us, Mrs. Pettijohn,” Will said solemnly. “It’s hard enough trying to lead men of such talent and intelligence.”
His men stood taller, and Kate let her smile out.
“Sure’n, we’d be honored to have you watch us play, milady,” O’Reilly said gallantly.
“Thank you, Private,” Mrs. Pettijohn said with a regal dip of her head.
Miss Pringle patted Will’s arm. “And you won’t mind if I root for Lieutenant Kingman, would you, dear? I like his beard.”
Lieutenant Kingman pressed his lips together as if to keep from laughing.
“Ahem.”
They all turned to find Alberta standing in the archway to the dining room. Beyond her, the white of the cloths and the silver gleamed in the lamplight. Alberta drew herself up.
“Dinner,” she said, “is served.”
Lieutenant Kingman looked to Kate. She knew what courtesy demanded. He was the guest of honor, the man she hoped to impress. She was his hostess. But there was only one man here whose arm she wanted to take.
She turned to Will. “Lieutenant Prescott, would you escort me to the table?”
Him? Kingman outranked him, being a first lieutenant to Will’s second, and the dinner was in his honor, both reasons why he should be escorting the prettiest lady in the room. But Kate was waiting, smile bright, and Will humbly offered her his arm.
She glided along beside him to the head of one of the tables. He was used to her practical outfits, well suited to the wilds of Yellowstone. Tonight, she would have outshined the ladies of Boston. The deep blue of the dress reflected in her eyes, and the drape of the skirt was as graceful as her walk. She nodded to him to take the seat on her left, then smiled at Lieutenant Kingman as he escorted Mrs. Pettijohn to Kate’s right. Kingman’s sergeant led Miss Pringle to sit beside Will. As the other men sat farther down the table, Will spotted Alberta taking Danny’s hand and tugging him for the kitchen. Very likely Caleb would have his dinner there as well.
Alberta and Pansy returned immediately bearing platters of steak, followed by a tureen heaping with fluffy mashed potatoes and a porcelain boat with thick, rich brown gravy. His mouth started watering.
His men must have felt the same, for they sat up and followed the movement of the platter with their gazes as it made its way from hand to hand. He could only hope they’d remember the instructions Smith had given them. There were no oysters in sight, but Kate wouldn’t thank them for falling on the food like starving men.
Even if salt pork had long ago lost all interest.
“This is excellent, Kate,” Lieutenant Kingman said as he cut another piece off the beef a short while later.
Will tried not to bristle at the use of Kate’s first name, but something inside him tightened as the first lieutenant smiled in her direction.
“I’ll have to tell Alberta how much I appreciate her cooking,” Kingman continued, “and how much I’ll miss it.”
“I was very sorry to hear you were leaving,” Kate told him. “You’ve done so much good around the park.”
Will sliced through the beef and shoved it into his mouth. From farther down the table, Smith caught his eye and shook his head. Will made himself chew before swallowing.
“Yellowstone is an amazing place,” Kingman agreed. “Sure to leave its mark on a man. But I don’t have to tell you that. Your Toby loved this park.”
She dropped her gaze. “Yes, he did.”
Will seized his lemonade glass rather than take her hand in comfort.
“I don’t know how many times we sat around this table, talking about the right way to manage such vast holdings.”
She raised her head. “I remember. And I know you share my belief on the best approach.”
He nodded. “We must leave the park as the hand of nature left it—a source of pleasure for all who visit. I can only hope you’ll impress that on my successor.”
Kate raised her glass to him in toast. “You can be sure I will.”
And Will could only be glad Kingman would be leaving shortly.
Down the table came the screech of metal on china. Waxworth glared at O’Reilly, who scowled back.
“Would you pass the potatoes and gravy, Sergeant?” Smith put in smoothly. “I believe some of my colleagues would appreciate a second helping.”
Kingman’s sergeant
