Thomas placed the book in a drawer and nervously licked his lips. “My day was fine, thank you.”
Rosaline searched for words to carry on the conversation, but she looked up in surprise when he returned the question.
“How was your day? Was church to your liking?”
She felt a growing ease in her chest. Not only had he asked about her day, but he had also asked if she had enjoyed church, something that was a forbidden subject in his presence.
“It was lovely, thank you. I... I like all the people in town. They seem very nice.” She was about to talk about the message of the service and how much she had enjoyed it but changed her mind.
“That’s good, they are good people,” he added awkwardly.
Rosaline looked around the room in search of something more to talk about. Her gaze fell on the half cleaned carpet that still boasted the muddy footprints.
She looked up to see him watching her and blushed.
“I’m sorry,” he said sheepishly.
“What for?”
“For yelling at you when you were trying to clean in here. It was uncalled for.”
Her lips broke into a gentle smile. “That’s alright. Don't mention it, I should have asked where it was you wanted me to clean. Buena hadn’t even told me to do it. It was presumptuous of me.”
He gave a soft laugh as the mood between them grew lighter. “Not at all, you were just trying to help. It was entirely my fault for taking my anger out on you.”
Rosaline gripped her arm, feeling more at ease in his presence, but not knowing how to continue. She liked the sound of his laugh.
“It would be alright...”
She looked up when he hesitated. “Yes?”
He smiled nervously and chewed on his bottom lip. “I wouldn’t mind if you wanted to finish cleaning the carpet” He added quickly, “that’s if you wanted to, please don’t feel obligated to.” He ran a hand over the back of his neck.
“I would be glad to.”
“I promise not to shout at you this time. If you promise not to call me sir.”
Rosaline blushed at the memory of her outburst. There was a twinkle in Thomas’ eyes. Was he teasing her, she wondered.
“I promise.”
They chatted for a few moments about the ranch before Rosaline excused herself and bid him a good night. She pulled the study door closed behind her and leaned back against the frame. She was glad for the change that had grown between them, but her heart was pounding in her chest and her pulse was racing.
She had noticed the strong set of his jaw and the way he rubbed his beard. “Lord help me to not want anything more from him than he’s willing to give,” she whispered to herself. Her growing feelings were beginning to scare her. More than once she had begun to hope that there could be something more between them in the future. That he would someday see her as more than just the woman who looked after his son. She needed to be grateful for the relationship they had instead of dreaming of one that would probably always be out of reach.
***
Rosaline quietly sang to herself as she scrubbed the carpet in the study, removing the muddied prints. Her heart was grateful for the friendship that was beginning to form between her and Thomas. The only thing that worried her was the growing attraction she felt towards him when she knew there couldn’t be anything more.
“There you are dear,” Buena interrupted her singing as she came around the corner. I was looking for you by the washing.”
Rosaline placed the cloth in the bucket of soapy water and drew back on her haunches. “The washing is done and Robbie is taking his nap, so I thought I’d get started on the rug.”
“I see you have made quite a dent in your chore list this morning. Arthur will be here to keep an eye on Robbie. Why don’t you take a break and come into town with me?”
“That sounds like a fine idea.” Rosaline pushed herself up, grateful to get out a bit and see the town.
***
