“Yes, and the workload won’t be too much for Jimmy,” Daniel returned her smile and felt the urge to run his finger across her soft cheek. “Tom will be the perfect ranch hand to help him.”
Elizabeth came outside and called everyone to the back of the house where Mary had helped her prepare a large luncheon.
“We’ll be on our way soon,” Jimmy called out and spoke for both himself and Tom.
Matthew didn’t want to take Ruth’s hand and ran ahead of her as he followed Elizabeth toward the food. Daniel watched him fondly and appreciated how good Ruth had been to him. Matthew was a funny, sweet little boy on whom everyone doted.
Mary had set out a large plaid red blanket on the grass underneath a nearby tree and Matthew played happily with the toys that he found on the blanket that Elizabeth selected from the nursery.
Daniel’s stomach rumbled as he approached the oak table on the landing that Jimmy had recently refurbished. It was laden with jellies, apple pie, biscuits, cornbread, dried meat, fruit, lemonade, coffee, and salads. Daniel didn’t even know where to begin.
Ruth set out a plate of biscuits, dried meat and salad for Matthew, who played with more of it than he ate.
“Daniel,” Mary sounded happy, and she beamed, “thank you for taking on Tom to work at the ranch under Jimmy. He was so excited.”
“You are most welcome,” Daniel gave a broad smile and sat down, helping him to coffee and a plate of food. “I want to do whatever I can to help both you and Tom. Besides, Jimmy enjoys the company.”
“Yep, I do,” Jimmy took a bite of cornbread and sipped on lemonade. “Your lad’s bright and a quick learner. He’ll be a good rancher and horse breeder in good time.”
Tom remained silent but lowered his head as his cheeks turned a shade of pink.
“No need to be shy,” Jimmy tapped the young boy on his back. “Soon you’ll know the ranch like the back of your hand.”
Daniel noticed the hint of pain that swept across both Tom and Mary’s faces despite their attempts to be brave and smile. He knew they missed Richard terribly. His absence created a large void in the hearts of those who knew him.
Matthew suddenly drew everyone’s attention with giggles. Two black and white border collie puppies had jumped on him playfully, licking him all over his face.
“Well now,” Daniel grinned, turning to Jimmy, who looked the other way and began to whistle. “Since when did we get puppies?” He noticed Tom shy away and looked up at the cloudless blue sky in innocence.
“Yeah, I’ve been meaning to tell you.” Jimmy pressed his lips together and gave Daniel a guilty look. “While you were out and about, I stumbled upon these two fine pups that needed a home,” he sucked in his cheeks and Daniel tried to hide a smile behind his hand. Jimmy shrugged, “Coyte wasn’t happy at first, but she has gotten them all comfortable with each other in the dog trot.”
“If I may say,” Elizabeth chuckled as she helped herself to pie, “I do not think Daniel should name them.”
“I agree,” Jimmy chimed in, and everyone joined in the laughter as Daniel accepted the good-natured teasing.
Ruth tried to save Matthew from the pups but only fell victim to their enthusiasm and Daniel loved to hear her laugh. Tom decided to help, and all three of them wound up playing with the new pets.
Jimmy collected the pups as Matthew started to get annoyed with them and told them to “go ‘way.”
“I hear you no longer need to work at the clinic,” Elizabeth remarked as Ruth returned to the table and helped herself to apple pie. “You must be somewhat relieved.”
“Yes,” Ruth affirmed with a small nod, “I am a bit relieved because I get to spend more time with Matthew. I will miss working at the clinic, though.”
“She seems quite capable,” Daniel added and although he was happy to have found a new nurse, he would miss seeing Ruth every day at the clinic. Having her near him was calming and he loved to spend the time with her.
“Does she have a big nose?” Ruth asked, laughing, and Daniel remembered some of the comments Alistair had made and shared the stories with everyone.
“She looks quite normal to me,” Daniel gave her an amused look. “She studied in California and will begin on Monday. She met a rancher who visited family here and decided to join him in Cheyenne,” Daniel grinned. “You’ll never guess who it was?”
“Well, c’mon, tell us already,” Elizabeth insisted impatiently.
Daniel’s grin widened, “That young rancher in the area, Tommy Parker.”
“I didn’t believe it at first,” Jimmy said as he sat down with a second plate of food. “It’s about time he settled down!”
“Today is certainly a day of celebration,” Elizabeth beamed, and the others nodded their heads in approval. “Alistair’s evil deeds have been brought to light and the clinic has a new nurse.”
“Would you like to see King?” Jimmy asked Ruth as he took a bite of cornbread, “He and Muse are in the corral now; perhaps Daniel can take you. I’m as hungry as an ox,” he gave Daniel a knowing wink.
