Lillian came in with the water Dinah had sent her for, and she smiled at the girl. "Good timing. We're going to sit at the table for meals from now on. Will you join us?"
Lillian's eyes widened, and she nodded.
As Dinah carried the plates of food to the table, she caught a look pass between the children.
Just get ready.There are going to be more changes around here. But she kept that thought to herself for now.
Once they all settled into seats—with Jude at one end and the children and her on one of the long sides—the others dove in with gusto. Maybe she should have suggested they offer thanks before eating, but Sean had already inhaled half his food. She'd have to jump in sooner for the next meal.
As she used her best table manners, she tried not to be too open as she observed the children. Sean didn't seem to know what manners were, but Lillian appeared to be giving an effort. She kept her elbows off the table, but her bites were too large and she chewed with her mouth open.
Challenges to tackle later.
"Well, lookee here." Miles stepped through the open doorway and surveyed them, then headed toward the cookstove.
"We're sitting at the table like civilized folk," Jude called out. "Join us."
Miles chuckled as he filled a plate. "Guess I could use some sophistication." He ambled toward the table and took a place at the end opposite Jude. Beside her.
Dinah shifted her legs so they didn't brush against his. Not easy since he sprawled them out beneath the table. All the brothers were tall, but Miles seemed the shortest. Maybe he wasn't finished growing yet. He looked to be about seventeen or eighteen.
He sent her a grin before biting into his Johnnycakes, and she turned her focus to her own food. The last thing she wanted was to encourage any sort of infatuation from this young man. Not that he would have reason to be interested in her except for the scarcity of women in their little corner of the world. A lack of people in general, for that matter.
Only the rather-loud sounds of eating filled the room. They should have some conversation.
She glanced up at Jude with a pleasant smile. "I understand you have livestock you men care for each day?"
He nodded, then swallowed his bite. "Horses mostly. A few cattle. We're just starting that herd."
"I see." She glanced toward Miles to include him in the conversation, though she was careful not to make eye contact. "We saw mostly tree-covered mountains as we traveled along the creek. Are there pastures for the animals to graze, or do you have some other way of feeding them?" Hopefully they wouldn't think her questions impertinent. She knew so little about these men, this land, and ranching in general, she could barely make conversation without it sounding like an inquisition.
Miles spoke around a mouthful of meat. "Three main pastures. One to the west." He pointed that direction. "The east." A jab opposite. "Then one down near the base of the mountain in a little valley. That's where the mares and foals are now. The cattle too."
He'd swallowed his bite by the time he finished speaking, then took another, so she turned her next question to the children. "Do you help with the animals too?"
Sean grinned around his own mouthful of meat. "I'm taming one of the colts myself. Uncle Sampson's helpin'. I've got 'im leadin’, and he plays games with me."
She raised her brows. "Really? How old is the colt?"
The boy looked to Jude, who responded for him. "Most of the foals were born in May." He nudged Sean’s arm. "You got to see Spirit born, didn't you?"
Sean grinned again, this time without the food in his mouth. The look revealed a missing tooth she'd not noticed before. "That's why he's mine. I was there from the very first."
She couldn't help but return his proud smile. Then she turned to Lillian. "Do you have a foal you're raising?"
The girl shrugged, not looking up. " I don't really like horses."
Jude frowned at the girl, and her words threatened to cast a pall over the room as everyone refocused on their food.
Dinah worked for a light tone. "Well. There are many other things to enjoy in this beautiful territory. I hope you'll stay at the house today with me, Lillian. I've concocted a plan that I'll need your help with."
Dinah sent adon't worrylook to the brothers' startled expressions, then focused on the interest she'd piqued in Lillian. "Did your Uncle Jericho tell you my idea? If so, he might not have shared the interesting parts." That way the men would know she'd already spoken to their big brother about her intentions.
Lillian looked up, her eyes brightening. "He only said I'm to work with you here in the house."
Dinah grinned. But before she could answer, the girl's attention moved to something behind Dinah. Sean and Jude looked up too.
She turned, and for the second time that day, Jericho stood in the middle of the room watching her.
