Page 71 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
“Of course, you may join us.” She wondered at his wanting to share their meal. But perhaps Mrs. Bennet needed an evening to herself. She took the pot, put it on the stove to keep warm, and set the table as quietly as she could.
Riley’s footsteps thudded across the floor, and he appeared in the doorway. “I fell asleep.”
“Yup.” Amusement bubbled in her acknowledgment.
“Didn’t mean to.”
“You must have been tired. Have a chair. Supper is ready thanks to Mrs. Bennet.” She set the pot in the middle of the table and filled three soup bowls with a thick, wonderful smelling soup.
The three of them sat at the table. Riley yawned and scratched his chest then closed his eyes and asked the blessing. Anything Olivia might have considered saying would have to wait until it was only the two of them.
The next morning,she made a breakfast she knew he’d enjoy and refilled his coffee cup. They were almost done eating. Alfred had left to go next door. Now was the time.
A knock sounded and Matt strode into the house. “Buster rode in. They’re running short of supplies. He said Boots was threatening to quit if somebody didn’t bring him beans and flour. Think he meant he needed more than that.”
Olivia knew that Boots was the cook and assumed Buster was one of the cowhands.
“Then why are you standing there? Load up and take him what he needs.” Riley turned his attention back to his coffee cup.
“Didcha forget we agreed to take turns?” A pause as Matt waited for Riley to reply. When he didn’t, Matt continued. “It’s your turn.”
“I’ll pay you a day’s wages if you go in my stead.”
Matt snorted. “I got my own plans.”
They silently challenged each other.
Riley sighed so long that Olivia giggled.
“Very well. I’ll be right out. Did you give Buster breakfast?”
Matt bristled. “Of course, I did.” He stalked from the room.
Riley pushed back from the table “I hate to eat and run but duty calls.” He paused at the doorway. “I’ll be back for supper.”
He was gone and along with him, any chance of saying the things on her heart. But it gave her plenty of time to prepare a special meal for supper. She’d make all his favorites.
She spent the morning doing laundry and then prepared vegetables. Riley favored venison chops and she went to the icehouse to get enough for the meal.
The pudding needed to be made ahead of time and she put together the ingredients. Once it was cooked she set it aside to cool. Honor had told her a different way of preparing the chops. Brown them, add a little water, and let them simmer in the juice. Made them taste tender according to Honor so Olivia pulled out a frying pan and heated it.
A meowing sound came at the door, and she went to let Mittens in. She’d never asked Riley whether or not he cared if she let the cat inside, but it was only there a few minutes before it asked to go out again. She bent to stroke the furry head and laughed when Mittens wrapped around her leg begging for more.
A flash of light caught her attention and she turned to see the flames coming from the frying pan and spreading across the stove. She lifted the pail of water and threw it on the fire. Too late, she recalled Sylvia’s warning to never do such a thing, but she’d acted out of sheer instinct, and it was too late to take the action back. Too late to stop the consequence. Liquid fire erupted in every direction. Flames caught at the nearby towel. Flames danced along the roof and on the wall behind the stove. She grabbed the broom and batted helplessly at them.
Screams tore from her throat, stinging it. Or was it the smoke that burned?
The door flew open, and Matt ran in, Luke on his heels. They both carried buckets of water and gunny sacks. They wet the sacks and tackled the flames.
Olivia continued to stamp out blazes with the broom.
Finally, the last fire was extinguished.
The three of them stood in the middle of the room. Blackened spots on the ceiling indicated how far the flames had traveled. The wall behind the stove bore evidence as well.
Gwen rushed into the house and grabbed Olivia. “Are you hurt?” She examined Olivia’s hands, and checked her dress. There were several singed spots, but Olivia was unharmed.
They stared at the damage.
