Except he wasn’t going to be there. As soon as the boys got back, he was leaving. He’d been clear from the start and wasn’t going to change his mind.
“You can be so stubborn.”
At the sound of those words in Chet’s voice, Jace skidded to a halt and looked around. He shook his head. Of course, he hadn’t heard Chet.
He tossed his bag on a bare mattress in the bunkhouse and sat down.
He was leaving. They were both aware of that. Nothing had changed to convince him otherwise. Fine, it was pleasant to have a pretty young woman in the kitchen. It pleasured him to witness her appreciation of chickens and eggs.
The bunk creaked as he threw himself back and folded his hands under his head.
Rhubarb pie tonight. And then the cow and calf.
Amusement rumbled in his chest. He couldn’t wait to see her reaction to the bigger animals.
A smile lingeredon Dianne’s lips and in her heartas she rolled out the piecrust, put in chopped rhubarb, then added sugar mixed with flour.
Jace might be amused by how thrilled she’d been to gather eggs, but it was amazing to think she could have them whenever she wanted. No need to ration them or make a trip to the store.
No doubt she was going to enjoy living on the ranch. If only Chet were still here.
She wasn’t prepared to believe Jace would leave her here on her own. Though, he had a stubborn streak as wide as the Atlantic Ocean. She laughed. Her stubborn streak was only marginally narrower.
While the pie baked, she started supper plans. One thing she realized—she didn’t have to run to the store for eggs, but she also couldn’t go there for meat for the meal. Jace had said their housekeeper put up things. She pulled the metal ring of a trapdoor in the middle of the kitchen floor and raised the lid. Before she descended, she checked to make sure Eddie was occupied.
He and Skip were interested in a pile of twigs in the yard. Eddie piled them up, and Skip carried them away. Her son’s laughter drifted to her. Skip yapped and bounced back to steal another twig.
Her chest warmed. Already, she felt at home here. She would make this work for her son’s sake. And hers.
Satisfied Eddie was safely occupied, she made her careful way down the steep steps. Light from the opening overhead revealed rows of jars. Many were empty and sparkling. Others in a rainbow of colors—green, yellow, and orange pickles. She lifted a jar heavy with a dark raisin-filled mixture and chuckled. Carrot pudding just like Mama had made and taught Dianne.
Ah. Bottled meat. At least she had that until Jace or someone supplied her with fresh meat.
There was a bin of potatoes, sprouts reaching upward from many. Beneath a layer of sand, she discovered carrots, now limp, but they’d be a welcome addition to a meal.
Brimming with ideas and joy at the bounty, she carried jars upto the kitchen and closed the lid. Before she started the meal, she looked out the window to check on Eddie. He now lay on the ground with Skip pulling on his sleeve.God, this is a wonderful place.Thank You for providing it. But I do need someone to take care of the ranch. Please persuade Jace he should.
Not that she was above providing a helping hand in the direction by tempting him with delicious cooking.
Later, the meal was ready, the table set, and she called Eddie in to clean up.
But there’d been no sign of Jace. Was he in the bunkhouse? Or—her throat closed off—had he forgotten his promise to stay overnight? Had he ridden away, leaving her alone in a strange place? Of course she wasn’t quite alone. She had Eddie. That acknowledgment did nothing to ease her mind.
Jace had to be around somewhere.
Pushing open the door, she stepped to the porch, cupped her hands to her mouth, and hollered, “Supper.” Chickens clucked in the distance. Birds rose from the trees in noisy protest. Skip pressed his damp nose to the back of her hand. Dianne held her breath as she waited.
Air whooshed from her chest when Jace strode into view from behind the bunkhouse.
Her smile was half relieved and all happy to see him.
As he approached, he waved. “Did you call?”
“Yes, the meal is ready.”
Skip bounded off the porch and raced to Jace, satisfied when he received a pat on the head.
The slanting sunrays reflected in Jace’s eyes, mesmerizing her so she couldn’t move.
