Ewan stuck his head out of the room at the end of the wall. He smiled when he saw him. “I thought that was you, lad.” He raised an arm and motioned for him to come to him. “Sit with me for a spell and tell me how things are in the big city.”
Clay stepped into the kitchen, which halted him in his tracks. It was large and bright and had so much workspace that it was no wonder Daisy loved cooking the way she did. Who wouldn’t if this was what they had to work with?
Ewan patted the chair beside him and said, “Come and sit, lad. Give an old man some company.”
The large table in the middle of the room had enough chairs for eight people, and he could imagine the conversations that took place here. It was probably why the Campbells all seemed so close. They were a proper family unit, one that shared their joy and hardships and got the comfort they needed when life got rough. That sort of closeness was something he wanted desperately. He lifted a hand to pat the inside pocket of his coat, feeling the small box he carried there. If things went as he hoped they would, by day's end, he might just get his wish.
He pulled a chair out from under the table and sat down, jumping when Ewan slapped a hand onto the tabletop and got his attention. “So tell me,” the old man said. “What’s it like in Butte?”
“Crowded.”
“Yeah? Lots of saloons and pretty girls?” The smile Ewan gave him made some of the nervousness he felt vanish.
“There are a few saloons,” he said, “but I’m not sure about the pretty ladies that call them home. I’ve honestly never been into any of them. "
“Why’s that?”
“Well, I’ve seen what drinking does to some people, and it’s never appealed to me.” He left out the part where he’d never had the money to waste inside a saloon, needing every penny he made just to survive.
That won’t be the case anymore.
The relief he felt knowing his future was secure for the first time in his life had him sitting up straighter. Ever since Liam offered him a partnership in the livery stable and told him about Lewis’ house sitting empty, he’d been living a dream, one he’d imagined since he was old enough to realize life could beat a man down if you let it. All he needed now was Daisy to make that dream a reality.
“She’s not here.” He and Ewan both looked up when Violet stepped back into the room. She shrugged and said, “I never saw her leave the house. She has to be down at the mercantile. There’s nowhere else for her to go.”
Violet glanced at the clock sitting on a top shelf. “It’s nearly lunchtime. She’ll be back soon, I’m sure.” She hitched a finger toward Ewan. “This one can’t miss a meal, or he’ll wither up and die.”
Ewan made a loud “pfft” sound and sat up straight in his seat. “I’m used to gettin’ my meals at a certain time, and I can’t get my schedule off.”
Violet rolled her eyes. “You have no schedule, Gramps.”
“Sure, I do. Someone has to walk this town to make sure it's safe.”
“That’s what Josiah is for.”
Ewan glanced at the back door and said, “Speak of the devil,” as Josiah walked into the kitchen. “How fares the town, lad?”
“As quiet as it always is,” Josiah answered.
Clay nodded his head at the man as he shut the door behind him and crossed the room to Violet, leaning down to kiss her on the cheek, before pulling the chair beside Ewan out from under the table and sitting down.
Ewan pointed a finger at Josiah and said, “Tell yer wife my services are needed in this town.”
Josiah grinned. “Well, it does take a lot of work being the Marshal, so yes, your services are invaluable, Ewan.”
“See! I told ya,” Ewan yelled, looking over at Violet.
Clay smiled when Violet rolled her eyes, then stood before he said, “I need to go see if I can find Daisy.”
“Speaking of,” Ewan said, tilting his head up to look at him. “What’s yer intentions where my granddaughter is concerned, lad?”
Clay reached into his coat pocket, pulling the small ring box out and opening it. The ring was shining like a new penny under the bright light coming from the many windows in the kitchen. It wasn’t the most expensive ring the Butte mercantile had to offer, but he hoped Daisy liked it even though it was modest in appearance. He turned the box so they could see it. “I’m going to ask Daisy to marry me.”
Violet squealed and clapped her hands so loudly, Ewan nearly came out of his chair.
“It’s beautiful,” Violet said, reaching out to take the box from him. “She’s going to love it.”
“I hope so.”
