“It’s from my mother’s poetry book. I don’t recall memorizing it.” His Adam’s apple bobbed. His grin was lopsided. “I guess she quoted the poem so often it stuck in my head.”
“I’m glad you remembered it. It’s a perfect thought for this place.”
“Come on. You need to see the buffalo beans.” He guided her along.
She’d been so busy looking at him, thinking about what he said, that she wasn’t paying attention. Buffalo beans must refer to something to do with buffaloes. But she had no idea what. Nothing she sawgave her a clue.
“Right there.” He pointed to the ground before their feet.
“Flowers?” Bright yellow blossoms shaped like a bean. So that would explain the bean part. “Why buffalo beans?”
“Chet said the Natives knew it was time for the spring hunt of buffalo when this plant blossomed.”
He allowed her a few minutes to admire the flowers and then pulled her onward.
“What are we looking for now?” Not that she cared, content to be with him.
“I don’t know about you, but I want to visit every inch of this place.”
Tugging his hand to stop his journey along the slope, she studied his face. He practically glowed. “Why do you talk like you’re never going to see this place again? I thought—” Her swallow was audible. Had she misunderstood his meaning when he said he’d stay for her sake?
“That’s not what I mean.” He drew her close until only a whisper of air separated them. His gaze circled her face and rested on her mouth. “Dianne, you make me want to stay. You make me want so many things.” His smile deepened to fan lines from his eyes.
Whatever he wanted from her, she would, to the best of her ability, give it.
“I’d like to kiss you.” His breath whispered over her cheeks.
“What’s keeping you?” She lifted her face, welcoming him.
His lips were warm, sweet with mountain air, and gentle as dawn.
She sighed when he broke the kiss and pressed her head to his shoulder. Her heartbeat matched his. It was like finding a safe home, relief from a long tiresome journey. Which was exactly what it was, and acknowledging it brought a soft chuckle from her. The weight of his chin on her head deepened her laugh.
“What’s amusing you?”
“I have found home after a long exhausting trip.”
He eased back to look into her face. “I hope you always feel that way.”
Before she had an answer, he nodded toward Eddie. “I think someone is hungry.”
Her son peeked under the cloth covering the picnic and sighed.
Dianne laughed. “I expect he is.” Hand in hand, they went over. Jace spread the quilt while she opened up the basket. She didn’t have any bread baked yet, but there were biscuits she’d loaded with Mae’s thick raspberry jam. Boiled eggs and a jar of pickled carrots added to the meal. Cookies left from yesterday would finish it.
From his place on the quilt, Jace smiled at her and squeezed Eddie’s shoulder. “I’ll ask the blessing.” He bowed his head. “Our heavenly Father, kind and good, we thank Thee for our daily food. We thank Thee—” He stumbled. “For the flowers that remind us of Your love and for new friends. Be with us, Lord. Amen.”
Her throat thickened as he personalized his prayer and included her. For a moment, she didn’t move.
“Mama, I hungry.”
Eddie’s words startled her into action, and she offered biscuits to Jace and Eddie and then nibbled on one.
Jace rested back on his elbow and watched her as he ate making her so nervous and self-conscious the bite stuck in her throat.
She managed to choke it down and pass the rest of the food around. Everything was gone but the crumbs, so Eddie went to play with Skip.
Jace eased closer and lay back, his hands under his head. “That was excellent. Thanks.”
