“Well, amen to that,” Eliza replied, placing Heath firmly on her hip. “You know, I usually do my Bible reading just after supper. When do you do yours?”
“I try to tell Heath a Bible story every night, then I read a little before I turn in for the night.” Layla yawned broadly, realizing how late in the day it had become. “I guess we’d better be heading back home,” Layla said as she rose from her chair and wound the baby sling around her. Eliza handed Heath to her, and she worked his little legs into the openings. Once she was certain he was secure, Layla grabbed the items she purchased, including the new baby rattle.
Emmett made a sour face. “I understand you’ve got to be going on home, but I don’t know how you expect to make it laden down that way.”
“It’s not that far, Papa.” Layla tried again to manipulate all the items into her outstretched hands.
“Here,” Emmett said. “Let me at least put those things in a bag for you.” He pulled out a sack from behind the counter and loaded Layla’s purchases up for her.
“That’s better. Thank you, Papa.” Layla picked up the bag, and even though it should have been much easier to handle, she wobbled with the effort.
Eliza tsked. “That just won’t do. Hold on a second there, Layla. My shift is nearly over, and since we live so close, I’d like to accompany you back to the ranch. I can carry the goods so you can carry the baby.”
Layla shook her head. “I don’t want to inconvenience you. I’m sure Heath and I can manage on our own.”
“But Iwantto help, Layla,” Eliza said quickly, taking the bag. “I won’t take ‘no’ for an answer.”
“Oh, just let the girl help you.” Emmett jerked his thumb playfully at his daughter. “This one always thinks she can do everything on her own. It’s good to let others help you, Layla.” He smiled. “All right, you three get on out of here. I don’t want to think about you all walking around this place after the sun goes down. But you promise to come back and see me soon. All right, Heath?” Heath flapped his hands happily in response. “Seems like it’s a deal,” Emmett said as he ushered Layla, Heath, and Eliza toward the door.
As they walked companionably toward the ranch, Layla ached to ask Eliza a great number of questions. As Eliza had known Mark for some time, Layla thought she might be able to shed some light on why Mark was the way he was. However, she decided to start with the most uncomplicated matters. “So, tell me, Eliza. Have you and Jack been married long, or did you just marry recently?”
Eliza grinned. “We’ve known each other our whole lives. We married just after I turned eighteen, and we’ve been together, oh … it’ll be two years in January.” She kicked at a pebble on the dusty dirt road. Layla thought that was a nice gesture, as she wouldn’t have wanted to slip on the loose stones while carrying the baby.
“Wow,” Layla couldn’t keep the astonishment from her voice. “Two years. That seems like a long time.” She squinted off into the distance; they had reached the edge of town and were headed toward the ranch. It wasn’t too far off, and as Layla tried to picture what Mark was doing back on the farm, she thought vaguely about how they would behave toward one another after being married for two years.
“It is,” Eliza agreed. “Why, two years ago, we didn’t have young Heath yet,” she said, cooing in Heath’s direction. He was very close to falling asleep with his little head resting comfortably on Layla’s breastbone, so she quieted her voice as they strolled. “I spent a lot of time on Mr. Flint’s farm, helping Trudie as she prepared for the baby.”
“Trudie?” Layla asked. She couldn’t help herself; she really wanted to know all there was to know about this woman who broke Mark’s heart and left her darling child. Layla couldn’t picture the type of woman who would do such a thing and didn’t want to admit that she was eager to hear more about the former Mrs. Flint.
“Well, yes. I was rather close with Trudie, and I spent a great deal of time with Mr. Flint as well.”
“Really?”
“Of course,” Eliza shrugged, oblivious to the longing in Layla’s voice. “My family owns a small plot of land adjacent to the Winn’s, so we’re close to Flint’s ranch. When Jack started working for Mr. Flint, I didn’t want to be separated from him all day long, so I would come on over to the ranch and spend my days helping Trudie in the kitchen.”
“Uh-huh,” Layla said slowly. She had so many questions swirling around in her head but wasn’t sure how to ask them without appearing rude or nosy. Wanting to know more about Mark, she tried to think of the best way to phrase her questions but failed, deciding it was best to wait and let Eliza talk on her own.
“I liked Trudie very much. She had the most beautiful brown curly hair, exactly like Heath’s.” Eliza scrunched a handful of her own wild brown locks. “My hair’s too frizzy. It sticks out all over the place. I always imagined it would be nice to have soft and manageable hair like Trudie’s, but no such luck for me.” She paused, gazing out over the horizon before shaking her head sadly. “It was a shame when she ran off and left Mark and Heath all alone. I know the Christian thing to do would be to forgive her, but I struggle with it. Mark doted on her, and I could hardly believe it when I came to the house one day and found that she had left. Broke my heart, not to mention what it did to Mark.” Eliza’s tone changed from sad to downright despondent.
“What do you mean?” Layla asked. She had heard whispers about Trudie’s departure, but the gossips had never been so close to the situation as Eliza. Layla was intrigued.
Eliza shrugged good-naturedly and adjusted the bag of goods, switching hands. “It’s just that … Mark used to behave differently. I’m not saying I blame him for changing or anything. I don’t know what I’d do if Jack just up and left me, but Mark used to be so happy. He had such a positive outlook on life, and when he smiled …” She giggled girlishly. “Well, as a married woman, I probably shouldn’t comment on the attractiveness of another man, but Mark had the most charming smile I’d ever seen.”
Layla blushed. She also thought Mark was good-looking, and it had occurred to her that he might be even more handsome if he smiled more often. Now she knew that her inclination had been correct.
“I’m glad you’ve come to stay with Mark and Heath,” Eliza said, gently stroking Heath’s soft curls with her fingertips. “I’m hoping your presence will be good for him and the baby.”
“Thank you, Eliza. I hope for the same,” Layla responded softly.
As one, she and Eliza walked home. When they reached the bend in the road, Eliza took a moment to wipe the sweat from her brow. Having carried the bag since they left the store, she seemed a little tired. Layla thought it was only polite to ask her back to the house for some refreshment.
“Would you like to come home with us? I could make some tea, and we could sit and talk for a while longer,” Layla offered politely.
Eliza gave her an amused look. “It’s nearly supper time. If I don’t get home and start making—”
“Supper time?” Layla squeaked. “But what happened to the rest of the day?”
Eliza laughed. “I’m glad the time went so quickly today. It was nice to make a new friend.” She smiled, and the light touched her brown eyes.
