She nodded. “Then good luck. I hope you find what you’re looking for.”
“Lily?”
She looked over her shoulder. “Hmm?”
“I was thinking... Do you want to come with me?”
Lily stopped pumping and turned around. She wiped her hands on her apron. “Come with you? Do you mean it?”
“I did when I asked. Why? Do you think it’s reckless?”
“No. No, I don’t. Apart from getting shot at, that is.”
“No one’s going to shoot at us.”
“I know, but I thought it should be mentioned.”
“Well?”
“What about Lizzie? I can’t leave her behind.”
“You can leave her with Mrs. Rushton.”
“Your housekeeper?”
“My former housekeeper. She really works for Ben and Ridley. They shared her with me. I feel certain she would enjoy looking after Lizzie.”
Lily hesitated. “There’s one more thing.”
“And that is?”
“I don’t ride. Or at least it’s been years since I sat on a horse. The last time was easily before I was married. I’d slow you down.”
Roen started to speak, but Lily held up a hand. He nodded and waited to hear what obstacle she would present next.
Lily lowered her hand. “I don’t have the clothes I’d need to ride in this weather. And no, I can’t simply stitch them up this morning. Also, I don’t own a proper pair of riding boots or gloves suitable for holding the reins.”
“All of those things can be purchased. It’s what I had to do when I arrived in Frost Falls.”
“I suppose, but not before you need to leave.”
“So I’ll go out today on my own, and you will come with me tomorrow after you’ve been to the shops.” He pushed his plate away and stood. “I’ve heard enough.”
“But not everything,” she said.
“What further complication can there possibly be? You still want to do this, don’t you?”
“Yes. Yes, I do, but I can’t afford what you’re suggesting.”
“I see. I apologize. It didn’t occur to me that you’d think you would be paying out of your pocket. I have credit in all the shops you’ll need to visit, even Mrs. Fish’s because you did the alterations to my shirts and trousers. Does that satisfy?”
Lily bit her lower lip and nodded.
Roen regarded her doubtfully. Hers was not the face of satisfaction. “I’m going to pretend that you mean it because I have to leave, but we will discuss it this evening. If you don’tchange your mind about accompanying me, you’ll be able to make arrangements with Mrs. Rushton.” He stepped around the table and crossed to her at the sink. “It was a serious invitation, Lily. I hope you’ll be joining me.” He bent, kissed her cheek, and left before she was able to find words so she could have the last one.
•••
Lizzie was excited to be going out. Lily was much less so. Her stomach turned over the moment she stepped out of the house, and a bead of sweat trickled between her shoulder blades. For her daughter’s sake as much as her own, she put on a brave face. It was not that she never went out but that her destinations were limited to the church, Mrs. Fish’s dress shop, the sheriff’s, and less frequently, the doctor’s and the drugstore. Mr. Hennepin at the mercantile was visibly taken aback when she walked in the store. He tried to hide his astonishment by fussing over Lizzie, and Lily smiled because it was really very sweet of him. If he had questions about her purchases, he was too polite to inquire. He wrapped everything neatly in brown paper and tied it off with a string before he took the pencil from behind his ear to add up the cost. He applied it to Roen Shepard’s credit and gave Lily a receipt, which she tucked into her reticule.
