Was that disappointment in her eyes?
“Come, Natalie,” Lopez said, extending his arm. “I’m sure the colonel has work to do.”
Levi watched Lopez escort her inside. He’d never been jealous of another man his entire life, and he certainly wasn’t about to start now. So why did he have the insane urge to race up the steps and knock the Tejano into the next county?
“Mornin’, Colonel.”
He turned to find Moses standing at the corner of the house. How long had he been there?
“Good morning, Moses. I hope you’re ready for another long day.”
Moses chuckled. “Is there any other kind?”
“Before we get started”—Levi glanced in the direction of the bachelor’s quarters—“I could use a cup a coffee. You’re welcome to join me.”
A wide smile filled Moses’ face. “Yessuh, Colonel. Thank ya.”
They made their way to the small building. His men were already in the field, but the coffee pot sat on the stovetop and was still quite warm and at least half full. Levi poured two cups and handed one to Moses. They carried their drinks to the porch. Moses seemed to savor the coffee, almost as though he’d never tasted the pungent drink before. Levi was poised to ask him about it when Natalie exited the house under the covered walkway, headed to the kitchen. When she spied them, she came to a stop. Her brow rose in question.
“We thought we’d enjoy a cup of coffee before we get to work.” Levi held up his cup.
Her gaze went to the cup in his hand then to the one Moses held. “Coffee? Do you mean … real coffee?”
Levi grinned. “Yes, real coffee. Would you care for some? I think there’s still a bit left in the pot.”
Her pink tongue moistened her lips. She glanced back at the house then at Moses, who looked as happy as a kid with a new slingshot. A sly grin crept up her face. “Yes, I would love some coffee.”
She stepped off the wooden walkway and crossed the grassy yard that separated the two buildings. Levi went inside and poured the remains of the coffee into a cup, chagrined to see grounds in the bottom. Maybe he should make a new pot.
“We haven’t had real coffee in several years.”
He turned and found her standing in the doorway. “I’m afraid this is the bottom of the barrel,” he said, handing her the cup. “I can make a fresh pot if you’d like.”
“That isn’t necessary, Colonel.” She lifted it to her face. Closing her eyes, she inhaled the aroma. “Oh, my.” Her eyes opened, sparkling with merriment. Taking a dainty sip, she sighed. Her gaze met his. “It sounds so silly now, but I think, of all the supplies we could no longer purchase after the blockades were put into place, I missed coffee most.”
Now he understood her and Moses’ reactions. He turned, dug through a box of supplies sitting next to the stove, and found a container of coffee beans. “Here,” he said, offering it to her. “The men have plenty. They won’t miss this.”
Her eyes widened as she looked at the metal container and then at him. “I … I couldn’t accept it, Colonel. You’ve already given us a crate of oranges. Not to mention the repairs to the plantation ... and the gloves.”
“I would not be able to enjoy my morning cup of coffee now that I’m aware of your suffering,” he teased, pleased to see her smile. “If you don’t accept this, you will henceforth be responsible for ruining my day.”
She giggled. “Well, we wouldn’t want that.” She accepted the coffee tin.
They exchanged satisfied smiles. Hers for the coffee. His for bringing pleasure to her once again.
“There you are, Natalie.” They turned to find Eunice standing in the doorway to the main house, hands on her ample hips. “You went to get butter and never returned.” The woman’s eyes narrowed on Levi as though he had detained Natalie on purpose.
“I’m coming.” After gulping the remaining coffee in the most unladylike fashion, she handed the empty cup to Levi. “Thank you, Colonel.” She hurried toward the kitchen. A moment later, she whooshed past again, this time carrying a small plate of butter, and followed her cousin into the house.
When the door closed behind her, Levi glanced at Moses. The man’s lips twitched, though he seemed to fight off a full-fledged grin.
“Women are strange creatures, Moses.”
The other man nodded gravely. “Yessuh.” He took a sip of his drink and smiled. “But this shore is good coffee.”
Levi couldn’t agree more.
“Tell me, Señor Lopez, what is your business?”
Cousin Eunice eyed the man sitting across the table from her. She had monopolized the conversation throughout the meal, regaling them with stories from Shelby County and her colorful life as the wife of Judge Porter, a man who, according to Eunice, could do no wrong. Now it seemed she was determined to interrogate their guest.
With a quick glance at Natalie, Alexander said, “I prefer to be involved in various enterprises rather than settling for only one to take all my time.”
Eunice squinted. “That sounds like an excuse to flit from one fancy to another. The judge always said you could ascertain a man’s dependability by how long he’d been at his occupation. Whether farmer or store owner or however one chooses to make his living, steadfastness is a sure sign you can trust the man.”
An uncomfortable silence followed her pronouncement. Natalie cleared her throat, hoping to bring the meal to an end. “I’m sure Señor Lopez is a fine man of integrity, Cousin. He and I have done business for over a year now, and I’ve always been able to depend upon him.”
She glanced at Alexander, whose warm smile said he appreciated her confidence.
“And what business is that?” Eunice’s heavy brows arched.
“Señor Lopez has leased Rose Hill pastures for his cattle.”
“Cattle, you say. Well, that is a
