Layla returned the smile, but she also felt somewhat uneasy. “I had not intended to be gone all day. And Iamglad that I met you, but if I don’t get in the kitchen and make supper …” A wave of guilt washed over her. She had been so caught up in spending time with her father and her new friend she completely neglected her duties at home.
“Here,” Eliza said carefully, handing over the bags of supplies. “Don’t forget to take these. You can probably use a few of the items to help you get supper on the table.”
Once Layla had a firm grip on both the goods and the baby, she nodded at Eliza.
“Thank you. I do hope we can talk again soon.”
“Of course,” Eliza said breezily, and Layla dashed toward the house with only two thoughts in her mind.What am I going to make Mark for supper? And will I be able to get it ready in time?
Chapter Eleven
“Layla!” Mark called. After coming in the kitchen’s back door, he was astonished that Layla was nowhere in sight. There were forks, spoons, and plates on the dining room table but no food. He grunted as his irritation rose. Shouting her name more forcefully, he thought he heard her footsteps overhead and assumed she was in Heath’s bedroom. Disgruntled, he pulled out a chair and dropped heavily into the seat.Guess I won’t be getting any supper tonight.
One of the ranch hands could not come in that day, and Mark’s thoughts about the future still perplexed him. He wanted to plant those fruit trees but wasn’t sure it was a viable option, considering he couldn’t get the land from the Beckers.
On top of all that, he found a pair of Trudie’s old riding boots while walking through the stables. Unable to stop himself, he caressed the soft brown leather. Picking up the boots and turning them over in his hands, he remembered the day she’d bought them. The thought made him chuckle because she’d claimed that even though they’d cost a lot, they’d be worth the investment. Trudie promised Mark that she would wear them every day, and she had hugged them to her chest in a childish manner. He had always let her have everything she wanted, even when the cost was absorbent, so he figured she’d spent way too much on those boots. But he let her keep them anyway because she loved them so dearly.
Looking at them now, dusty, the leather fading and cracking, shattered Mark. He dropped them back to the earth where he had found them and kicked a clod of dirt over them for good measure. These boots were just something else Trudie had discarded, like himself and their child.
“I’m coming, Mark!” Layla replied, and he heard her soft footsteps down the stairs. She emerged, clutching Heath to her chest. “Hello,” Layla said politely as she moved to Heath’s chair. She put the baby in it and smiled at him affectionately.
Mark’s eyebrows contracted when she faced him, and he smoothed his forehead. He reminded himself that he wanted to try to be more agreeable. “Hello, Layla. I was starting to get worried. Where have you been?”
Layla explained, “I’m sorry we’re running late—”
“I don’t need all the details. I just need to know where you’ve been and why I don’t have anything to eat yet. You are aware that it’s past supper time, aren’t you?” he said icily.
Layla looked stunned by his words. She ducked her head and spoke in a whisper. “I’m sorry, Mark. We were at my father’s store today, and I lost track of time.”
“But you were gone all day, Layla. I came up to the house around dinnertime, and you were gone. I was worried about you … and the baby.” He paused and gritted his teeth. “Did you forget to come home? Did you forget to make supper?”
Layla clenched her small fists and lifted her head. “I didn’t forget about supper. I started making it, and then I needed to change Heath’s nappy.”
Mark shook his head dismally. “It’s supper time, Layla,” he said. Lowering his gaze to his empty plate, he thought about how best to explain why it was important to observe proper supper times. “I’ve had a long day. When I come in from work, I expect my family to be here and my meal to be waiting on the table.” He lifted his head and saw that he hadn’t done a very good job of explaining his needs and wishes.
Layla’s face reddened, and without saying another word, she marched into the kitchen. Mark could hear her banging pots and pans around, and he wondered what on earth she could be doing in there. Before he could rise and check on the situation, she emerged, carrying a heavy pot.
“Your supper,” Layla said as she ladled thick, rich meat, potato, and vegetable stew onto his plate. He sniffed appreciatively.
“This smells appetizing,” he commented, reminding himself of his earlier commitment to be kinder to Layla. He wanted her to feel at home here, and that would never happen if he kept snapping at her. He sniffed the beefy stew once more, savoring the salty tang. Nodding gratefully at her, he continued, “Thank you for making the meal. I’m sorry I overreacted.”
Layla did not answer but walked the length of the table and gave herself a small serving. Then, she put some of the stew on Heath’s plate, and, holding the pot far out of the baby’s reach, she blew on it. “It’s going to be hot now, baby,” Layla explained. She continued cooling the meal and spoke quietly to Heath. “As soon as it’s cool enough, you can have a taste. I think you’ll like those carrots and celery.”
“Celery?” Mark asked. “We don’t grow celery in the gardens. Where did you get it?”
Stooping while interacting with Heath, she drew herself up to her full height. She gave Mark a hard look and walked right past him into the kitchen. When she came out again, she held a basket of bread in one hand and a pie tin in the other.
Mark’s bewilderment intensified. He hadn’t noticed the aromas of fresh bread or fruit pie when he came into the house. “Layla,” Mark said, trying to understand. “Where did you get all this food?”
She put the bread in front of Mark and set the pie tin down beside it before sliding into her seat. “Since I was at my father’s store today, I just picked up a few things while I was there.”
“You mean you bought all of this?” Mark asked, and his eyebrows shot up.
“I didn’t intend to serve all the store-bought items at once, but when I realized that Heath and I were getting home at such a late hour, I felt I had little choice. I know how important it is for you to eat on time—”
“But we have a strict budget in this house, Layla. We have all the food we need here, and I only allot a certain amount of money for special purchases,” Mark interrupted.
The apples of her cheeks reddened, but Layla did not back down from Mark’s incredulous look. “I understand that, Mark.”
