Page 19 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
“No.” Sylvia might have said but Olivia couldn’t recall.
“A few raw vegetables never hurt anyone, and the meat is cooked. At least it’s warm.”
He heroically ate what was on his plate and polished off the last of the biscuits. “Cook it for half an hour or more then you’ll have another meal.”
“I’m sorry.” She hung her head. So much for proving she could cope.
“Guess you’ll learn.” When she continued to look at her hands twisting in her lap, he patted her shoulder. “It’s not the end of the world.”
She lifted her head to look at him. She could almost believe his eyes filled with kindness. “Why are you being nice? I thought you wanted me to leave.”
His eyes shuttered. “It isn’t that I want you to leave so much as I’m sure that you will. As to why I’m being nice…well, I’m basically easygoing. It takes too much effort to fight you. I’ll let circumstances do that.” He pushed to his feet. “I hope you can come up with a decent supper. A man can’t work on an empty stomach.” He headed for the door.
She bolted to her feet and followed him. “I am not going to pack up and leave. No matter what.”
He stopped to consider her, but she didn’t give him a chance to argue.
“And I will have a decent supper for you.”
“Good.” He closed the door behind him.
“I’ll make a supper.” She spoke to the empty room. “You wait and see. And it’ll be the best you’ve ever had.” She’d make something besides leftover stew which she’d save for tomorrow’s noon meal. No, she would prepare something tasty and perfectly cooked for supper.
Never mind that it would take a miracle to accomplish.
5
Riley stood by the horse pasture, his brothers beside him as they studied the colts they’d been working on all summer.
After a few minutes, he spoke. “I’d say at least six are ready to sell.”
“I agree.” Matt and Luke answered in unison.
Andy had gone to check on the cattle so wasn’t there to give his opinion. But Riley knew he would go along with what the others decided. The horses had been watching the men but lost interest and returned to grazing.
Matt leaned his arms over the top rail. “How many did this Mr. Dahl say he was interested in?”
“He didn’t. But he mentioned horses… as in more than one.” Mr. Dahl had sent a telegram. “I told him to come any time. I expect him next week.”
“Well, I’d say we’re ready. But perhaps I should ride them to be sure.” Without waiting for a response Luke headed for the barn and the tack.
Riley watched him go inside the big building, but his gaze went beyond to where Mrs. Bennet and Alfred butchered chickens. Maybe they’d all be enjoying roast chicken for supper. Thinking of the almost raw vegetables at lunch, his throat constricted. There was no way he would be eating undercooked poultry.
Luke returned and Riley’s attention shifted back to the horses. One after another, Luke rode them and put them through their paces. They all agreed the horses were ready to sell.
He turned again to watch Alfred and Mrs. Bennet. They straightened from the completed task. Mrs. Bennet carried two chickens to Andy’s house. Alfred headed down the path with three dressed chickens in his hands. One each for Gwen, Honor, and Olivia.
Matt clapped Riley on the back. “She seems like a nice woman.”
Riley didn’t even bother to ask who Matt meant.
His brother continued. “Good looking.”
Riley considered the remark. Olivia’s hair was thick and shiny, the color of a good cup of coffee. Her gray eyes had caught his attention from the first. She was slim and exactly the right height. He held back a snort. The right height for what? Or did he mean who? “Guess so,” he muttered.
Riley bent to examine the fence rail although there was nothing wrong with it. What did Matt know? His wife could cook. His wife was used to work. Gwen was happy to live on a ranch.
Matt chuckled. “If it’s fencing you’re hankering after, we should add to the pasture. The horses have this about grazed off.”
