Daniel watched them carefully. As much as he wanted to deny it, she was good with Matthew, but he knew nothing about her and wished once again his father had said something.
Elizabeth came from the kitchen and announced that dinner was ready. Daniel frowned when Ruth, carrying Matthew, walked to the dining area. At the end of the rectangular table was Matthew’s wooden high chair. He usually had his meals in the nursery, so why was this here? He was annoyed that Ruth hadn’t been at the ranch for twenty-four hours and was already rearranging his home.
The china bowls, cups, and silver utensils were already set on the table, covered by a white tablecloth.
“Why is Matthew’s high chair at the table?” Daniel asked curiously and waited for what he expected to be an insolent reply.
“I thought you wouldn’t mind,” Ruth smiled, “I’m sure it must be lonely to eat alone, and Matthew would love to eat with his father.”
Stunned, Daniel said nothing as he sat at the table, thinking that her dimpled smile was attractive.
“Do as you like,” he conceded. As he was about to start eating, Ruth stopped him.
“I’m sorry, Dr. Grant, but we need to say grace.”
“Excuse me?” Daniel was taken aback, eyes wide as he stared at her. “You would like to do what?
“If it’s alright with you, I’d like to thank the Lord for our food,” Ruth explained. By the determined look on her heart-shaped face, Daniel could tell she was serious.
For a moment, he was silent, wondering what was going through her head. He didn’t remember the last time he had said grace at the dinner table. He placed his utensils back on the table and listened as Ruth bowed her head and thanked the Lord for their food.
“Father in Heaven, bless this food to our bodies and we are truly grateful. Let us hold you, Lord, always in our hearts. In Jesus' name, we pray. Amen.”
Ruth lifted her head, her face beaming. “Thank you, Dr. Grant,” she said with a happy smile.
They ate in silence, save for giggles from Matthew as she persuaded him to eat his food, which drew Daniel’s close attention. She laughed with Matthew, who kept trying to cover his eyes.
“Do you really have nowhere to go?” Daniel asked suddenly, sipping his coffee and studying her flushed cheeks.
“Yes, that’s right,” Ruth said slowly, her voice apprehensive as she tried to avert her eyes. “I have nowhere to go. My father was all I had, and all the property and belongings were sold.”
Daniel remembered the grief he felt at losing his father and realized Ruth would have experienced the same grief, except she looked as though she was trying to be brave.
“In my father’s letter it mentioned your father was a doctor, is that so?”
“Yes,” she nodded. “I helped him at his clinic and with the ranch.”
If his father had sent her a letter of invitation, then it meant she could be trusted, and he should have the same faith and trust her, too, or at least try.
“There is an opening for a nursemaid to care for Matthew.” He watched her expression change to confusion. “I can offer you free board and lodging if you will look after my son.”
Ruth was silent for a time. Maybe she’d changed her mind? Daniel narrowed his eyes, waiting. He wondered what she was thinking.
“You’ll also get a weekly allowance to cover other expenses you may incur.”
“Thank you, Dr. Grant,” Ruth seemed relieved, and she smiled. “Thank you. Yes, I accept.”
“Good,” he said with satisfaction and concentrated on finishing his plate of food. “You can begin tomorrow. I will speak to Elizabeth about new attire for you. I have an early start tomorrow, so if you will please excuse me.” Daniel stood, inclined his head at her and left the dining room.
As he rounded the corner and entered the parlor, he stopped and listened. He heard Ruth’s voice, fervent with gratitude, murmuring her thanks to God.
Chapter Five
Daniel left home at first light the following day and Ruth couldn't help but feel relieved. She wasn’t yet sure how to act around him.
Yesterday, when he looked at her with the most piercing blue eyes she'd ever seen, her heart skipped a beat. His face had been full of anger, but she'd looked past that. Maybe she shouldn't have, but she'd been too stunned at seeing a man so handsome. It took her breath away at first, such that she could not speak and found herself stammering. He was tall, much taller than her father, and he had been considered a tall man. His arms were thick and muscular. His sleeves were rolled up and she'd never seen such strong arms before. She found herself blushing at his deep expressive voice and wondered if he could hear her heartbeat pounding in her ears.
She didn’t expect such an unwelcome and sour response to her arrival. She panicked, nearly bursting into tears, which tookall her willpower just to maintain her composure—that was until he insulted her, and she felt a righteous fury well up inside her. How could a man with such a perfectly structured face be so downright mean?
