“I agree,” Logan said. “I usually take a walk through the orchard after dinner. Would you like to accompany me?”
“Yes, I would.”
“Owen told me church services start at nine. Can you be ready by eight thirty?”
“I can.”
After dinner, Logan took Emma for a walk around the orchard, the vegetable garden, and the corral.
“This is a beautiful ranch, Logan.”
“Thank you. My father did all the work. I just need to keep it beautiful, functional, and profitable.”
“People come here to purchase horses? Is that how you make money?”
“Yes, sometimes, but the auctions are our money-makers. We have two a year, one in the summer and another in the fall. Since it’s done each year, the regular buyers look forward to it. This will be my first year running it alone.”
“I’ll help you. What can I do?”
Logan shrugged. “I don’t know—wait! You could ride the horses out into the corral by the stands where the buyers sit. Why hadn’t I thought of that? A skilled horsewoman showing the horses would be amazing. I’ll get you a fancy riding outfit and boots.”
Emma smiled up at him. “I’d love to do that.”
“You have yourself a job,” Logan said. “We have a few weeks to practice before the auction.”
Emma’s wardrobe wasn’t enormous. In fact, she had just four good dresses, three everyday dresses and a riding skirt. Irma had pressed them all for her. She’d had more, but Mr. Coulter had told her to keep her bag light for the wagon train journey. Emma had gotten married in the orchid dress, met Logan wearing the green one, so she chose the blue one for church. Since Logan had given her permission to use his credit in the stores she was tempted to buy more, but she didn’t want to feel indebted to him. She’d use it to buy things to make the cabin livable, but not for personal use.
Logan escorted her to church, but she could tell he wasn’t thrilled about it. He wore the same suit he’d worn the day she'd arrived. The barn was full when they arrived, and finding two seats together seemed impossible until a man, seeing their dilemma, brought another chair over. Logan kept tugging at his shirt collar. He wasn’t comfortable, but he didn’t complain.
Mr. McGregor gave the sermon. He wasn’t the greatest speaker, but he got his point across. The message was the "Parable of the Prodigal Son". Emma could feel the tension in Logan’s body, and she wondered why he was so overwrought.
On the way home, she said, “You seemed unsettled in church. Was it so bad?”
“I guess I’m not a church person.”
“It was a good service. I've always loved the story of the prodigal son.”
“Can we talk about something else, please?” Logan said sharply.
“All right,” she said. “Did you see Prudence today? Is she feeling better?”
“No. She took breakfast upstairs.”
“Do you think her problem with Hugh is more serious than she’s letting on?”
Logan shook his head, frowning. “I hope not. I want her to go back home.”
“Why?”
“The longer she stays the harder it will be to hide our true relationship.”
“I suppose,” Emma agreed.
“When I took her breakfast up this morning, she asked me all the questions you and I went over. She wanted to know where we'd met, how long ago, and more. Since she married Hugh, she’s never visited for longer than a single night, but now, she wants to stay for two weeks.”
“Maybe she’ll confide in me if I can get close enough to her,” Emma said. “Does she ride?”
Logan let out a quick, short laugh. “Like she was born in a saddle.”
“I’ll invite her to ride with me, and maybe she’d like to go shopping.”
“She isn’t an easy person to fool or befriend.”
When they pulled up to the house, Prudence was sitting on the porch, drinking a glass of lemonade.
“I’ll start on it now,” Emma said.
Chapter Six
When Emma came down to breakfast the next morning, Prudence was sitting at the table, eating. “Good morning, Prudence," Emma said. "How did you sleep?”
“I slept well, thank you. Where’s Logan?”
Emma didn’t know where Logan was, but she was afraid to tell Prudence for fear she’d suspect they'd slept separately. Wouldn’t a wife know where her husband was if they'd woken up together?
Logan’s sudden appearance saved her from answering. “Good morning,” Logan said cheerfully. He surprised Emma by kissing her on the forehead before he sat down. Logan smiled at his wife. “You know, darling, I was thinking about what we talked about this morning, and I think it’s an excellent idea.”
Stunned, Emma said, “You do?”
“Yes. I think you’d be an excellent addition to the horse auction. I’ll get you a riding outfit and sparkling boots.”
Emma thought he was doing an excellent job of acting. “It will be fun.”
Prudence stared at them. “What, pray tell, will Emma do at the horse auction?”
“Why, she’ll be riding the horses for the buyers, you know, modeling them. She could show each horse in a trot or a cantor, and show how well-behaved they are.”
Prudence raised an eyebrow. “Father always let Owen or Bart to that.”
“I think Emma will give the show some class.”
“Goodness, Logan,” Prudence said, “the clients come to buy horses not to see a show.”
Logan winked at Emma. “We’ll try it just the same. I want to involve my wife in the business.” He stood abruptly. “Speaking of business, I have to run. I have a man coming in a few minutes to buy a stallion.” Once again, he surprised Emma by kissing her cheek. “I’ll be back for lunch, sweetheart.”
After he’d gone, Prudence said, “You’ve certainly changed my brother. I can’t believe he’s married.”
“I wondered if you’d like to accompany me
