“Rose is a handsome woman, but wouldn’t you prefer a pretty one?”
Daniel was dumbfounded. He couldn’t believe what he’d just heard.
“Does it matter?” Daniel asked. “I think skill should outweigh looks, don’t you agree?”
Alistair picked up his fountain pen and began to write on the papers on his desk. “I will agree to this, Daniel, but I want to interview all of them. I hope to find one as pretty as a girl I saw at the train station a while ago.”
Daniel let out a deep breath, and felt appalled, “What are you talking about?” Right now he couldn’t even look at the man.
“I went to the depot to collect my previous order of medicines. It’s infuriating that I have to wait until the freighter decides to deliver.” Alistair's mouth twisted into an angry curl and his light brown eyes narrowed. “She was beautiful. I could imagine her as my wife, with glowing skin and hair like autumn leaves when the seasons change. She looked scared and I wanted to help her—after all, it would be the gentlemanly thing to do,” he sighed. “I looked away for just a moment and when I looked again, she’d disappeared.”
Daniel peered at Alistair and his mouth tipped as he felt his blood grow cold. He couldn’t possibly be talking about Ruth, could he? Daniel knew she had been stuck at the depot and she certainly had that shade of auburn hair.
“Even if you did encounter such a woman, I’m sure she would have better things to do. Maybe she stopped at the wrong depot and got back onto the train,” Daniel suggested.
Alistair seemed to come out of his stupor. “I suppose you’re right, Daniel. Still, I would have liked to speak with her.”
Daniel collected his unfinished reports and placed fountain pen to paper as he began writing. Just the mere thought of Alistair with Ruth turned his stomach, Daniel vowed right then to protect Ruth and never allow anyone to harm her.
Chapter Eleven
It was wonderful to sit in the parlor and enjoy a cup of coffee with Elizabeth. They had enjoyed a nice long chat. Ruth knew Matthew would have a long afternoon sleep, as he missed his morning nap.
“Elizabeth,” Ruth asked with a hint of sweetness in her voice, “I would like to explore the ranch a little and Matthew should have a long nap. Would you mind keeping an eye on him? I will not be away too long.”
Elizabeth placed her cup on its matching saucer. “I don’t mind,” she said. “Go get some fresh air.”
“Thank you,” Ruth grinned and eagerly made her way outside. She breathed deeply, embracing the refreshing air. She hoped Daniel would soon begin repairs to the exterior of the house and other ranch buildings. She headed toward the fields where the horses and cows were grazing.
Ruth followed the wooden fence and walked along the perimeter of the ranch. The view of distant mountains was breathtaking, and Sun Valley sparkled with glittering streams, one branch bordering the Grant ranch.
As she strolled, she heard pounding that grew louder, and she soon came upon Jimmy on his knees hammering barbed wire to a fence post.
“Hi, Jimmy,” she called out, noting that he was having some difficulty. He sat back to look at her and wiped his forehead with his neckerchief. “Can I help you with that post?”? she asked as she quickened her pace toward him.
He nodded in agreement and Ruth gripped the wooden post, holding it firmly in place. She wondered whether fixing up the ranch was left to Jimmy. If so, then it made sense to Ruth why the house and barn looked run down and neglected.
“Is there no one to help you?” Ruth asked curiously and looked around as if hoping someone might run up to to offer assistance. She heard a soft grumble and saw Coyte lazing on one side near the fence. Ruth chuckled inwardly; Coyte didn’t much count as help.
“Nope,” Jimmy mumbled through pursed lips that held nails he intended to use. He stood and allowed the nails to fall into the palm of his hand. “Usually, Richard Bloomer and his son help out, but they’ve been busy lately. Anything I can do for you, Ruth?”
Watching Jimmy work at the fence brought back memories of her father repairing fences and animal pens. Ruth hadn’t been much help back then, not because she want to, but her father felt that ranch and farm work weren’t pursuits for well-brought-up females. Despite her willingness, she eventually gave up on convincing her father otherwise and focused on reading, music, and sewing.
“Elizabeth is keeping an eye on Matthew while he is sleeping, and I decided to have a walk. I’ve never seen this part of the ranch before. It’s beautiful.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Jimmy nodded with satisfaction. “I can’t imagine being anywhere else.”
“Let me hold the posts for you,” Ruth insisted. “I don’t see Coyte being much help.”
Jimmy chuckled and looked over at the collie, who’d lifted her head at the sound of her name.
“Go back to sleep, you slacker,” he chided with a light laugh. Coyte gave a snort and lay her head back on the ground.
“See?” Ruth laughed, “I told you. I don’t mind.”
“Sure, thanks,” Jimmy placed the nails near the post and picked up the hammer. “I do need to get this done before the sun sets. I have noticed some prints in the dirt that could be coyotes. They will be after the animals if they can get to them.”
“Why don’t you get more collie dogs?” Ruth watched Jimmy carefully and made sure she held the post securely as he hammered the wire to the pole.
