Before they even entered the store, salesmen came out to meet Daniel with offers for his furniture.
“Go inside and have a look around,” Daniel encouraged Ruth. “Jimmy and I will conduct business with these gentlemen.”
Above the canvas-covered deck was a large signboard with the shop’s name in neat lettering. Ruth carried Matthew onto the deck and inside the emporium. Her eyes widened and she stood still for a moment, her jaw slack. How could she choose from such a huge selection? Beautiful chestnut, oak, and pine cupboards, drawers, and beds in rows that seemed to stretch on forever.
“Look at this, Matthew!” Ruth said softly. “How am I going to pick out anything? It will take me days to look at everything.”
She was rewarded by giggles and cooing. Ruth walked around and admired the different decorative carvings and furniture of new and old designs, in every type of wood imaginable.
“So,” a husky male voice sounded behind her and her heart began to pound. “Have you found anything you like?”
Ruth closed her eyes and took a deep breath before she turned to face Daniel. He had a boyish grin on his face.
“There is such exquisite variety, I don’t know where to start,” Ruth said and felt her heart return to its normal rate.
“If I can make a suggestion,” he offered with a shrug, “why not find something like you used to have before you moved to Cheyenne?” His voice softened, and she heard his sincerity. She looked into his deep blue eyes and felt appreciation for this act of kindness.
Was he doing all this to make her feel at home? To show her that this was her new home? Was this confirmation that God wanted her to stay?
She nodded and smiled up at him, “Thank you. I know what to choose.”
Daniel looked pleased with himself. “Good, let me know once you have found it and I’ll arrange everything else.”
Ruth knew exactly what she wanted but was uncertain about the cost. She did as he requested and chose walnut furniture with decorative carvings, a simple two-poster bed with a headboard, a chest of drawers, a writing desk and its matching upholstered armchair.
Daniel insisted that she choose more, and Ruth wondered how he could spend so much on her when his house and barn were falling apart.
“Contact Mr. Evans at the bank and he’ll sort out the payment,” Daniel said to one of the men that greeted him earlier. It seemed he had included a long oak rectangular table with six matching upholstered chairs. He had made good on his desire for a new table for the dining room.
Within the hour she and Matthew were seated in the carriage, riding through Cheyenne’s streets, and Ruth couldn’t help but steal glances in Daniel’s direction at every turn. She thought back to the day she watched him through the window and his reaction to the adorable border collie that seemed so happy to see him. She saw how gentle he was, and his smile had been bright and charming, full of hope. She sighed and wished he would smile at her the same way.
***
It was good to be back at the ranch where Ruth could stretch her legs and breathe the fresh air. She enjoyed the trip to Cheyenne, but she didn’t feel the need to go there again anytime soon. Maybe it was because she was still unfamiliar with the city. She wondered about the Grant clinic and whether Daniel would ever allow her to visit him there. How different would it be from her father’s clinic? Ruth felt a strong wave of nostalgia wash over her as she thought of her father’s dear face and a broad smile.
When Matthew began to fuss, Ruth took his hand and headed to the kitchen to find Elizabeth and a snack. Daniel, Jimmy and the hired help unloaded the furniture and carried it into the house.
They were interrupted by hooves thundering up the road, with shouts and calls for Dr. Grant.
Daniel rushed over to meet them. They were a group of young men, all of whom resembled each other. They were dark-haired, lean and muscular, all dressed to work outdoors. After a few moments of tense, urgent conversation, Daniel hurried into the house to fetch his medical bag.
Jimmy had Spark saddled and ready to go within minutes, knowing that Daniel would be leaving for a house call. He reappeared quickly and mounted Spark, galloping after the three who were unmistakably brothers..
Ruth and Jimmy exchanged a glance. She closed her eyes and sent up a small prayer for whoever needed care. She remembered similar moments with her father—how he’d get urgent calls in the middle of the night and rush off to help someone sick or seriously injured.
Matthew tugged on Ruth’s hand as the dust cleared from road. She scooped him up in her arms and took him into the house where he had lunch and shortly thereafter took his afternoon nap.
Ruth decided to go for a short walk and get some air while the baby slept. Meandering outside, she found Jimmy at the barn. He had already put the cart and the carriage in an outbuilding near the barn.
“Hello, Ruth,” Jimmy greeted her. He sat on a barrel with a large mug of coffee in his hand. “Time to rest a bit, hey? Why don’t you join me for some coffee? Elizabeth, sweet sugar plum that she is, gave me extra.”
“Thank you,” Ruth said and sat on a barrel opposite him. She noticed crow’s feet at the outside of his light hazel eyes, his skin was tanned and weathered, and his arms looked muscular and strong.
“So, have you settled in now?” he asked in a slow drawl, his eyes crinkling at the edges as he smiled at her. He took a slurp of coffee. “I mean, here at the ranch. Not the new room you just got.”
Ruth laughed, “Yes, I am finding my feet and I will move my belongings to the new room later.”
“I don’t know how you did it,” Jimmy lifted both brows. “Daniel was adamant that he would not have anyone to look after his son. And now, here you are.”
