As the two rode side by side toward the trail leading to the east pasture, Naomi’s chest ached. She remembered feeling like that with Eric. It had seemed impossible that anything could separate them—ever.
"I don't know why we have to do this." Sean's voice grumbled from behind her. "We've been gone more than a month. Jonah needs me at the cabin."
Weariness pressed on her as she turned to face her charges.
Lillian and Sean sat at the large table that served as their classroom during the day, books and slates laid out before them. This wouldn’t be an easy morning. After they took a break from schooling, as they had while the two traveled to Fort Benton with the others, Sean was always restless. What seven-year-old boy wouldn’t be?
But they had to get back at it. Naomi committed to teaching these two as if they attended a regular school. This was her primary job here on the ranch, this and keeping up with cooking and cleaning. And her daughter.
She slid a glance at Mary Ellen where she played on the rug with the abacus they used for arithmetic. The girl pushed aside the tool and crawled to the crates they'd stacked in front of the cold hearth. Soon, they would need more than the cookstove to keep the cabin warm, but until then, they'd placed this barrier to keep Mary Ellen from hurting herself on the raised stone or getting dirty in the soot.
Just now though, Mary Ellen was scooting the top crate over, nearly pushing it off the stack as she aimed for the fireplace behind.
Naomi strode toward her. "No, you don't." She scooped up her daughter and nudged the box back in place.
Mary Ellen shrieked, pressing against Naomi's shoulder as she vented her anger and frustration.
Naomi carried her daughter to the table. "Sit next to Lillian. You can draw on your slate like she is."
Naomi settled the girl in the chair, and Lillian handed her a piece of chalk. "Look. You can draw a horse." Lillian was so good with her, a natural mother, even at twelve years old.
Mary Ellen’s protests dwindled into sniffling as she took the chalk Lillian offered, her small fingers fumbling until she found a firm hold.
"Horsie." Lillian repeated, earning a grin from her young cousin.
Naomi watched, letting that smile soothe her spirit. Then she turned back to Sean and forced a pleasant expression as she sat next to him. "The sooner we finish our studies, the sooner you can go help Uncle Jonah. And you're learning things that will help in the work. Multiplication will be useful your entire life, no matter what you do. Building a cabin, calculating food needed for the animals through the winter, and even helping at the mine, estimating profit per crate." Perhaps she should give examples of life outside the ranch, but the boy seemed to love every part of this place. In truth, she understood the feeling. This ranch had become a haven to her. Why would she ever want to leave?
Sean scowled at the arithmetic book before him, his freckled nose wrinkling, but he knew better than to complain again. A blonde curl flopped over his forehead as he focused, but Naomi kept herself from brushing it back with the rest of his waves. Both siblings had beautiful pale blond hair, but Lillian’s was as straight as a broom stick.
A soft knock on the door drew their attention, and Sean jumped to his feet, nearly sending his chair tumbling.
Naomi’s heart sprinted. Could Eric be here already? They’d not clearly defined the time for him to come, but she’d assumed it would be closer to noon, like yesterday. Especially since he was staying so far away.
Yet no one else would knock. Except...maybe Angela? Had she and Jude returned for somethingthey forgot?
Naomi followed Sean as he jerked the door open enough to peer through. After looking at the newcomer, he sent her an uncertain glance, which made her insides tighten all the more. He wouldn't hesitate if it was Angela.
Sean opened the door all the way, and Eric stood outside.
The sight of him made her heart stutter from something very different than nerves. Those perfect features, the dark auburn hair, just long enough to form loose curls. And those eyes...his devastating eyes were looking at her almost the way he had back when they'd first been courting.
A rush of emotions sent a tremor through Naomi's body. There was so much history in that gaze, so much left unsaid between them.
But Lillian and Sean were watching. She couldn't let anyone see how much Eric's presence affected her. She nodded. “Eric.”
The corners of his lips lifted slightly, that familiar half-smile that used to disarm all her defenses. "I hope I'm not too early. The ride went faster than I anticipated."
She shook her head, unable to find more words as Sean stepped aside to let him in.
As Eric crossed the threshold, the lad eyed him suspiciously before retreating to his seat.
Eric's gaze stayed locked on her.
Naomi's cheeks warmed under his scrutiny, but she managed a tight smile. "You're just in time for arithmetic lessons."
He finally shifted his focus to the table. A flicker of surprise crossed his face, maybe from seeing Mary Ellen sitting with the older two?
Eric sent Naomi a quick look, his eyes asking permission.
