He felt tired and strained as he entered the house, and he heard Matthew crying. Ruth stood at the foot of the staircase holding the boy tightly in her arms. Daniel’s emotions overwhelmed him and he didn’t know what to think or feel, other than irritation at the sound of Matthew’s cries.
Ruth whispered something to Matthew. He stopped crying, arched his back, and turned to see his father. The little boy’s face lit up and his arms stretched out to his father.
Ruth walked up to him and just before she let go of Matthew, he let go of her and almost jumped into his father’s arms. Daniel was surprised at the quick action and nearly dropped him.
“Matthew!” Daniel’s eyes widened in shock. He looked into the beaming face of his little boy and grinned. He saw Ruth’s dimpled smile beaming at him and felt a surge of warmth unlike anything he’d felt since his courting days with Mary Jane.
Instead, he cleared his throat and said, “Thank you for taking such good care of my son, Miss McKinley.”
Matthew’s gurgles and babbling had changed, starting to sound like attempts at saying first words. Daniel wondered if Ruth had anything to do with that. He often heard her talking to Matthew, and felt guilty as he realized he and Elizabeth seldom spoke directly to him.
The rich aromas of roasted beef, potatoes, bread, and apple pie filled the living room, making Daniel’s stomach rumble. He had not eaten since this morning.
“The table you bought today looks wonderful in the dining room,” Ruth said in an attempt to initiate a conversation. “With the new chairs, the whole room’s appearance is different. Elizabeth was so impressed.”
“And what about you?” Daniel looked directly into her warm expressive eyes, and she seemed surprised. “Do you like your room? Are you comfortable with the furniture?”
Her dimpled smile returned. “Very much, thank you, Dr. Grant.” Her head bobbed. “I love it; it is just as you said. It was a good idea to choose furniture similar to what I had in Colorado Springs.”
Daniel felt diffuse warmth throughout as he watched her face with that upturned dimpled smile, those dark coffee eyes, and the pink tint on her cheeks. He wondered if he still made her feel awkward. He found himself hoping that was a thing of the past.
He felt Matthew poke at his eyes and turned his attention away from Ruth when he realized he’d been staring at her.
Elizabeth came through to the living room and announced that dinner was ready. Daniel felt relieved for the distraction and his stomach rumbled again, this time louder.
The old oak dining room table had been moved to one of the outbuildings. Daniel intended to hire more hands to help Jimmy. He looked around the dining room and noticed the wall-mounted gas lights were brightly lit for once. It had been a while since he noticed the pictures that hung in straight lines across the walls. The brighter, neater look was a nice surprise.
Daniel placed Matthew in his high chair near Ruth, who sat at the right side of Daniel in the middle section of the long table. It was easier to feed Matthew and fit his high chair between the new green striped chairs.
China, crystal, and silverware had already been arranged on the new table covered with a snowy tablecloth to protect its beautiful surface.
Elizabeth brought out a succulent beef roast, with roasted potatoes and an assortment of root vegetables, along with gravy, warm bread, and fresh butter.
“Where’s that apple pie I smell?” Jimmy grinned as he entered the dining room from the kitchen.
“Mind your manners,” Elizabeth scolded, ignoring the stifled chuckles from Daniel and Ruth. In Ruth’s short time at the ranch, Daniel knew even she was aware of Elizabeth’s mealtime rules. Healthy food first, sweets and treats later.
“Smells so good!” Jimmy pulled up a seat on Daniel’s left and helped himself to coffee.
Before Daniel allowed anyone to begin eating, he insisted that Ruth lead them in grace to thank the Lord for the food they were about to enjoy. Both Elizabeth and Jimmy tried their best to contain their surprise, and Daniel pretended he didn’t notice their quick exchange of glances.
“Where’d you go off in such a hurry?” Jimmy asked as he cut his roast beef.
“The Langley spread,” Daniel said with a rueful twist of his mouth and shake of his head. “Simon, Ben, and Billy rode all this way because Susan climbed a tree unnoticed. The branch gave way, and she fell and landed unconscious on the ground. They thought she was dead.”
“Hmm, is she not a bit young to be left alone?” Elizabeth clucked, shaking her head.
“Farming families have their children farming from as young as five years. She probably sneaked away to have a little fun.” Daniel sipped his coffee. “She’ll be fine, just a mild concussion and a broken arm. I told them to come to see me in a week, or sooner if anything changes.”
“I’m glad she’s not seriously injured.” Elizabeth dug into her vegetables. “I still think someone should keep a closer eye on that child,” she reproved.
“Don’t forget leftovers for Coyte,” Jimmy said in between bites, “She got upset the last time I didn’t bring her any treats.”
Daniel and Elizabeth chuckled.
“Okay, okay—I won’t forget,” Elizabeth smiled. “That dog thinks she is human. I’m sure of it.”
“Is Coyte the border collie?” Ruth asked. Daniel found it amusing as he watched her pretend to fly vegetables into Matthew’s mouth.
