Seth rocked forward and back on his seat. “I don’t want you to leave. It’s just that, it wasn’t fair to bring you here under these circumstances. I may never be able to treat you like a real wife. I will take care of you and Timmy, but I can’t offer anything more.”
Ruby and Seth’s eyes seemed to gravitate to one another’s.
“I’m willing to stay. However, the damage may be unfixable. If that woman in town spreads rumors about me then the whole point of this marriage will be ruined.”
Seth shook his head. “She wasn’t aware of her husband’s hand in the saloon business. When I mentioned it, she was upset. I don’t know if she’ll want to stir up anything that might make his involvement public. She probably only told Joshua about you in hopes that he’d make me send you back where you came from. She underestimated his kindness.”
“Do you think I’ll be able to help you?” Ruby squeezed her hands together in her lap.
Seth stared at her for a long time, his mind whirling with questions, worries, doubts. Finally, it settled with resolve.
“Yes, Ruby. I do believe you can help me.”
***
Relief flooded through Ruby. She didn’t know what she would do if Seth sent her away. She had no work experience and no way to care for Timmy without a husband. She would never tell him, but there was almost nothing she wouldn’t do to assure she and Timmy had a safe home. Even if she sold the ruby necklace, the money wouldn’t last forever.
To assure she and Timmy have a home, appearing as a moral wife didn’t seem to be the hardest thing, even if the wife part wasn’t real.
She swallowed a lump in her throat. It was actually sad to think about a future with Seth, with no love. She’d spent such a short time with him, but already she could feel the emotions stirring in her. He was just the type of man she’d always hoped to marry someday. But she wanted to be loved.
Seth’s words interrupted her thoughts.
“We will attend church this weekend. By then everyone in town and out of town will have heard something about you. I’m sure once they see you, meet you and talk to you, any false rumors will be squelched. I think there’s supposed to be a gathering afterward; a picnic of sorts. Can you cook anything special? The ladies in town are always looking for new recipes.”
Ruby’s lips twisted into a grin. “That is one thing I can do very well.” Her eyes began to skim the kitchen. Would there be supplies to make a pie?
Seth noticed her search. “Hmm, not much here to work with. We can make a trip to town again when Timmy wakes up.”
Ruby wasn’t sure how she felt about that. “Can I make a list and have you pick up what I’ll need? I’d rather meet the town folk once I’m more settled in.”
Seth glanced at her, as if he could see right through to her soul.
“It’ll be an interesting picnic one way or the other.” He slapped his leg slightly at his own small joke. The town was probably already running with rumors about the girl who’d come to town on the stage coach. Even if Mrs. Crane hadn’t said anything about Ruby’s saloon ballgown, there was sure to have been others who saw her.
Ruby didn’t laugh which sobered Seth immediately.
“I’ll get what you need in town. I can tie my horse to the back of the wagon and after I return the wagon, I’ll go to the trading post. I can probably carry everything you need in my saddle bags.”
Ruby smiled. She wanted a chance to get to know her new surroundings and it would be easier to poke around if Seth were gone for a while. Their own relationship needed to be discussed and many things decided on, but for now having him away for a few hours would allow her some breathing room.
Seth handed her a small piece of paper and she jotted down the items she would need to cook a few things for the picnic. Ruby was a good cook, but she was used to working in a more equipped kitchen as Blake had allowed her to cook in the kitchen behind the saloon, as long as she made him meals. This house, although sweet and small, had only a small black stove and a hearth to cook over.
“We’ve plenty of eggs and chickens for cooking.” Seth explained as he took the note from her and turned to leave. Something in Ruby’s stance stopped him. “Everything okay?”
“I’m wondering. How safe am I, here?”
Seth stiffened. In general, she would be completely safe, but with young men like the Carter brothers around, there was some question about it. He was glad they were behind bars for the moment.
“You’re safe here. Can you shoot a gun?”
Her head shot up. “No. Will I need to?” She bit her bottom lip slightly.
“Probably not. But, well, I’d like to teach you. I am a sheriff, and sometimes that can be a bit dangerous for me and for my family. We’ll start lessons tomorrow.”
Ruby swallowed, she could feel the blood draining from her face. She’d never been comfortable around guns.
Seth saw the stricken look on her face. “Are you sure you want me
