“No, I decided on a whim to catch the next train headed out, packed Bells and me up and headed this way. I will say you guys have quite a spread here. The entire area is beautiful.”
Blue must have decided he’s not much of a threat because he comes back and plops his butt back in the basket while Lucy pecks around the yard.
“If you point me toward the mine, I’ll ride on that way.”
“You don’t need your horse so if you want to take her and tie her up at the barn, that will be fine. You’re welcome to use the feed and water in the barrels. The mine is over that knoll, just a small distance away. There are always extra lanterns at the entrance.”
“Thank you, I will take care of Bell real quick, then head that way. I apologize once again for startling you.”
“I think I’ve gotten too used to it just being Grant and me out here. I’m sure he will scold me later for not being betterprepared or paying closer attention. He has often spoken fondly of you. He will be pleased to see you, as am I.”
He puts his hat back on, tipping it before walking back to his horse. Still cautious, I leave the basket and Blue and head back in, locking the back screen door. I know it won’t stop him if he wants in, but it might slow him down if he’s not who he says he is.
Building the fire up in the stove, I put the bread that has been rising all morning in the oven before sitting down to peel the potatoes, adding extra, as I’m sure he probably eats as much as Grant if he stays for dinner.
For a minute, my mind remembers how large he is. If all the men in Grant’s family are this large, I can’t imagine the size of the babies. It’s not long before I hear voices and I get up, peeking out the door, only to see Grant and his cousin laughing as they get closer.
Opening the back door, I step out just as Grant sees Blue sitting in the basket. “Blue, if you shit on my shirt, I swear I will quit getting chickens from the market for dinner, and we will serve you up instead.”
Blue just squawks at him and I can’t help but laugh.
“Lauren, love, come here and let me introduce you to Reggie.”
“Cousin, we already met and that chicken of hers was ready to peck my eyes out.”
“He sure is a conversation piece. Are you staying for a while?”
“I planned on a couple of weeks at least.”
“Good, that will give us some time to talk over some things. Will you stay for dinner?”
“Would love to, if it’s not too big a burden, but we’d better ask the boss.” He nods his head at me.
“You are welcome to stay.”
Grant holds out his hand for me and I walk over, tucking myself against his huge frame, feeling extremely small between these two. “Heavens, are all the men in your family this large?”
They look at each other before answering at the same time … “Yes!”
“Was Eliza affected as well?”
“No, she was taller than you, but still just a tiny thing.”
“Hmmm, I seem to learn something new every day. Well, I’m sure you two have a lot to talk about and I have supper to fix. I’ll yell when it’s ready, but Grant, you might want to bring a crate into the house so that we can all eat at the table.”
He pulls me close, kissing me deeply before patting me on the bottom as I’m walking away, and I hear his cousin laugh. “Never thought I would see the day a female brought Grant Hayes to his knees, but Cuz, I do believe you are caught, hook, line, and sinker!”
“Proud to be caught, don’t knock it until you try it.”
His statement makes me smile, and I don’t hear the rest of their conversation as they walk off toward the barn. Dinner turns into a lively affair as they tell stories about each other. I laughed so much this evening that my sides hurt. As darkness draws near, Reggie gets up.
“Thank you for dinner, Lauren. That was the best meal I have had in weeks, but I need to head back. Until I learn this area a little better, I would prefer not to be out at night.”
“Thank you, and you are welcome at our table anytime.”
When Grant comes back in from seeing him off, he’s all smiles.
“Did you know he was coming?”
