Daniel felt his heart beat a little faster and he took a deep breath as he walked past the living room and parlor to the staircase. Time seemed to stop until he reached the top step and found her on the landing sitting at the window seat looking out, holding a book. A Bible? The scene was charming, and he felt a small tug inside him. He didn’t like the way it made him feel.
She stood with a nervous smile as he approached her. Was she scared of him? He didn’t like that either. He didn’t want her to be scared of him. He wanted … what did he want?
“Miss McKinley,” he cleared his throat and tried to avoid her gaze. “I’ve been thinking.” he bit his lower lip thoughtfully. Should he send her to one of the outbuildings?
He looked down and studied her face with its smooth lovely skin. He wanted to avoid her gaze, but he couldn’t; it didn’t feel right. So he looked into her dark eyes and knew he could not send her to an outbuilding. What had he been thinking? How could she stay in an outbuilding and still take care of Matthew?
“I would like you to move to the room closer to Matthew,” he said and saw the tense expression on her face soften and relax. “It’s the room I grew up in and it will need new furniture to suit your needs.” He lifted his head slightly and noticed the dimples in her smile. She had a lovely smile, and he heard her voice like a cool gentle breeze.
“Thank you, Dr. Grant.” Her hands were clasped together, and she seemed excited. “Although the guest room is nice, the bed is a little uncomfortable.”
“How is everything with Matthew?” he inquired. “He can be a handful at times.”
“He is such a sweet little boy, and very playful.” Ruth’s laugh was soft and musical. She added, “We found the chickens and he couldn’t keep up chasing them around the back.” Daniel couldn’t hide a small smile as he tried to imagine the sight.
“And you’re happy looking after him? Being his nursemaid? I know it’s not something you’re used to doing. I’m sure everything has been a big change for you.”
“Dr. Grant, I was blessed to learn many things from my father, and looking after Matthew is another blessing in a long line of things I’m grateful for. In the Bible, James 4:10, says,Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord and He shall lift you up.I feel so honored to be his caretaker.”
Daniel seemed surprised by this happy news. “I’m so happy to hear you’re settling in, and Matthew is responding well,” Daniel said, and their eyes met unexpectedly.Those mesmerizing eyes.He swallowed and looked away quickly. “Have a look at the room and see what is needed. Tomorrow I’ll take you and Matthew to town and find suitable furniture for you.”
“Oh, I’m sure the furniture in the room will be fine …” Ruth said quickly, not wanting him to bother on her account. She would just make do, and that was that.
“No, it’s all old,” he insisted with a small frown, “I was going to sell it all anyway.”
She looked different than when he had first met her. Then he realized she wore a nursery maid’s uniform, a pale blue high-collared dress with puffy shoulders covered by a crisp white apron with pockets, and a pleated white cap with frills that covered her chignon. “The uniform looks good. It’ll be suitable for tomorrow.”
As he walked downstairs, he heard her reciting scripture, Romans 15:13.Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing …Her words drifted as he continued down the staircase.
Hope.
Was there such a thing as hope? What was Daniel to hope for, and was Ruth always this prayerful? He thought back to the night he had asked God for a sign and the next day Ruth showed up at his doorstep. He didn’t know what to believe anymore. If only his father were still alive … if only Mary Jane had survived. There were too many ifs; he couldn’t allow his mind to drift, but it was so difficult that they were both gone. And how could Ruth possibly help him aside from looking after Matthew?
Daniel pushed the thoughts from his mind and left the house in search of Jimmy.
Chapter Seven
Cheyenne city’s streets were full of people. Some were idle, others rushed to and fro. The clip-clopping from horse-drawn carts and wagons was familiar, while wheels churned and scraped as they made their way down crowded streets packed with dirt. Men sauntered about town in suite with black coats, high-collared shirts and derby hats. Women walked sedately with crinolette or bustle cage skirts draped with cotton or silk and tucked at the back with ribbon or a buckle. Fashionable heads were adorned with hats sporting plumed feathers or beribboned bonnets.
Some of the men wore soft felt high-crowned hats with wide brims similar to Daniel’s but were clothed like Jimmy. Ruth guessed they were ranch hands—cowboys.
She noticed that many buildings were made of wood. Some looked like they needed attention, others looked well cared for. All were lined up within blocks separated by dirt and gravel streets. She couldn’t help but feel the enthusiasm and excitement that the city’s hustle and bustle generated.
Earlier Daniel got the horse-drawn carriage ready for the trip to town. Ruth felt a little embarrassed that all this fuss was for her. He even insisted she go purchase new clothes. Ruth didn’t see the point in it as she would be wearing her nursemaid uniform but soon realized there was no changing his mind.
While he sat in the front and drove the carriage, she sat behind him with Matthew who thankfully had a good sleep on the way; otherwise, he’d be in a fussy mood. He was dressed in an adorable white ruffled smock with pleats. Jimmy tagged along in a horse-drawn cart loaded with the furniture to be sold. How much furniture did Daniel intend to purchase? She still wondered why he wanted to sell the furniture from his childhood room; it was all constructed with strong solid oak.
The streets were long, and she was sure to be lost if she were here alone. Along Eddy Street, she was shocked to see four saloons in one block on either side of the street. She wondered which saloon Daniel liked to visit and chastised herself for thinking such a thing. They passed Warren Street, and 18th Street, and then finally they arrived atWarren’s Emporium House Furnishing Goods. There were so many stores she wouldn’t remember them all. Even though many things were similar to Colorado Springs, it was nevertheless very different here. She missed her home, the ranch, and her father. She missed her old life—one of love, devotion, and family. But this was her life now and she had to make the best of it.
Daniel brought the carriage to a halt just outside the store. From its outside appearance alone, Ruth thought it must be huge inside. The carriage door opened, and Daniel helped her to climb out with Matthew.
When she was seated at the window yesterday reading the Bible and heard Daniel’s horse arrive, she was stunned when she looked out the window. At first, she didn’t think it was Daniel, but only he rode Spark. His clean-shaven face revealed and accentuated his masculine features, and his hair was cut back in neat waves. His broad shoulders filled a black coat that revealed its folded white collar over a black tie and his bright white cuffs were perfectly folded and fastened at the end of his jacket sleeves. She tried so hard not to stare at him, but she was pulled against her will, and she couldn’t drag her eyes away from him.
“Ruth?” Daniel said, his husky voice caught her attention. “Are you ready to go inside?” She knew his eyes studied her from head to toe, and she felt herself blush.
“I’m ready,” Ruth gave a small smile, hoping he had not seen her looking at him. “I was just lost in thought.” Even now she could not stop staring at him.
“Well, please don’t get too lost,” his laugh was warm and light.
