He shifted closer to Rosaline. “I hear you have references from Higgs?”
“Yes Sir,” Ian pushed a folded piece of paper towards Thomas. “I think you will find that everything is in order.”
Thomas bristled at the man’s overly confident smile. He unfolded the papers and tilted them to the side as Rosaline read over his shoulder. “It seems like everything is in order. It says here you’ve worked on ranches all your life?”
“Yes Sir, born and raised amongst the cattle and horses. I was milking cows before I could walk.”
Rosaline laughed softly at his joke.
“I highly doubt that,” Thomas said bluntly.
“It was a joke, Sir.”
Thomas pushed the letters back towards Ian. “How soon can you start?”
“Straight away, Sir. I have lodgings in town.”
Thomas nodded and pushed himself out of the chair. “I’ll see you first thing tomorrow morning then.”
“Thank you, Sir. You won’t regret this decision. I can promise you that,” He said over-enthusiastically. Walking over to the door he retrieved his hat from the hook and tipped it at Rosaline before leaving. “Good day ma’am. See you in the morning.”
“Have a good day Ian,” Rosaline said kindly as he left.
“I’ll show you a few of the corrals on your way out,” Arthur offered and followed him out.
Thomas turned briskly to leave but stopped and looked down at Rosaline as she caught his hand.
“Did I do something wrong?”
His heart softened as he saw the innocence in her eyes. “You didn’t do anything wrong,” he said tenderly and resisted the urge to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. They had become closer since the evening of the dance when he had kissed her, but he still wasn’t sure of her feelings for him and didn’t want to do anything that would frighten her away.
“What’s wrong then? Do you not like Ian? We had a nice conversation while we were waiting.”
“There’s just something in his manner that I don’t quite like. I don’t want you and Robbie spending too much time with him until we know him better.”
***
The days on the ranch passed quietly and happily. Ian Summers was working hard and doing a good job, there was just something about him that set Thomas’ teeth on edge whenever the young man joked with Rosaline. It wasn’t that Rosaline was flirting back with him or even paying him any attention. The hairs on the back of his neck just bristled whenever she laughed at one of his jokes.
“Where would you like this ma’am?” Ian asked Rosaline. He was carrying a fresh pail for milk.
“You can just set it down near the full one,” Rosaline gestured. “I’m going to carry on milking in a moment.” She wiped her hands on her apron and shifted on her milking stool.
Ian placed the pail next to her on the ground. “Shoot, ma’am,” he drawled in his thick cowboy accent. “A pretty lady such as yourself shouldn't be milking the cows. You should be lavishing on a couch reading a book or drinking tea and eating cakes,” he teased.
“Ian Summers, stop your prattle and go about your work and how many times must I tell you to stop calling me ma’am? You make me feel like I’m ancient,” she laughed. “Call me Rosaline.
Thomas clenched his jaw tightly as he observed the interaction from across the barn as he busied himself with stacking the hay.
“Well if you insist, Rosaline,” Ian teased. “I’ve never been on a first name basis with such a pretty lady before. It’s nice, I’ll admit.” He crossed his arms and leant against the stall Rosaline was working in, crossing his leather cowboy boots at the ankles.
“I’m a married lady Mr. Summers. I’m not sure how proper it is that you keep saying how pretty I am,” she said a little more sternly, but still smiled.
“Naw,” Ian complained. “What happened to the first name basis? I thought I was Ian, not Mr. Summers. We are going in the wrong direction here.”
Rosaline nodded and pushed herself up from her knees. “Good, I hope that puts you in your place Mr. Summers.” She wagged a finger in his face. “I’m not that kind of lady, I’m a faithful married woman,” she scolded playfully before looking up at Thomas and smiling.
His heart umped in his chest at her acknowledgement of his presence but did little to cool his temper towards Ian.
