Max lifted the platter of ham and slid a second thick slice onto his plate. “The herd’s easy pickings in the basin.”
Jessop asked, “You find the den?”
Max shook his head. “Tomorrow. I’m going out again tomorrow.”
Morgan said to Jessop, “You’re going with him.”
“Sure thing.”
Jane set her fork down and smoothed the napkin in her lap. “Is it safe?” She blinked as the men and Morgan turned on her as one. She did not know how to interpret their regard, although she certainly felt foolish.
Morgan said, “Safe enough. They know what they’re doing.”
Jessop carefully balanced a forkful of ham, potatoes, and peas all the way to his mouth. Before he swallowed the bite, he said, “What it is, ma’am, is necessary.”
“Will the wolves attack you?”
“Not likely. And Max here is a sharpshooter. We’ll set up a blind and pick them off if we can. Might have to sacrifice a steer. It’s something we’ve done before, so you shouldn’t worry about us.” He paused. “Though I have to say, there’s something real nice about you bein’ concerned.”
Morgan’s expression was wry as he looked at Jane. “Perhaps the answer is just to pretend to worry.”
Jane sighed. “It appears to be the only sensible solution.”
Jem scratched his head. “So from now on when you say you’re worried, it’ll be for show.”
“See?” Morgan said. “The seed’s been planted.”
She nodded and looked at Jem. “If I’m very good, you’ll never know.”
“Huh.” Jem went back to his meal, ignoring the smiles all around.
Morgan caught Jake’s attention. “I noticed the henhouse coming in. Looks like you finished the roof.”
“Sure did. Got most of the things done on the list. Jess and me also brought down that clothes cupboard from the loft like your wife wanted.”
Morgan looked at Jane. “You asked them to do that?”
“Yes,” she said. “Yes, I did. Was that wrong?”
“I told you I would do it.”
“You said you would get one of them to help you do it. It’s almost the same thing.”
“Except it isn’t.”
Jane opened her mouth and closed it again when she observed Max and the Davis brothers fiercely concentrating on their plates. Her point could wait. She could only hope that Morgan appreciated her discretion.
Morgan said, “Seems as if you found everything you needed. I guess we didn’t know half of what we had in the pantry.”
Jane accepted the change of subject. “It’s an impressive inventory but in need of organizing. I intend to do that tomorrow.”
“If you make a list of what you think is missing, Jem will pick it up in town tomorrow afternoon.”
Jem’s head snapped up. “I’m going to town?”
“It’s your turn, isn’t it?”
“It was my turn two turns ago.”
