Thank You, Lord, for this man.
At theamen, the family began loading plates, and Enoch’s voice lowered as he spoke to her, though everyone at the table could hear. “James and Robert will ride ahead to town. Make sure everything’s quiet.”
“Quiet?” Mama’s fork paused halfway to her mouth.
“Just a precaution.” James offered the words in a casual tone, but Mandie well knew his meaning.
Her stomach tightened, though she tried to keep her expression neutral. She wouldn’t let fear overshadow this day—not when she’d finally found something worth celebrating.
“And I’ll head south to fetch Mrs. Wang from the Jenkins’ place.” Thomas grinned. “She’d never forgive us if we let her miss this day.”
“Mrs. Wang?” Mama looked confused.
“Our housekeeper.” Enoch’s tone carried the warmth reserved for family. “She’s been with us since we lived in England. More of a mother to us than a housekeeper, really.”
“Oh.” Mama’s expression softened. “Of course she should be there.”
“What time should we plan to leave for town?” Papa cut his ham with methodical precision.
Enoch looked to her, his expression softening in the way it only did when he looked at her. “How much time would you like this morning? I’m planning to rent a room at the boarding house so you have a place to…” Red crept up his neck, and he seemed to lose his words. “…get ready or do whatever you like before…”
She had to bite her lip to keep back a grin at his floundering. “That sounds wonderful. With the room there, I only need an hour or so here before we leave.”
She’d wait to dress in town so she didn’t soil her gown on the ride.
After only a few more minutes, Robert pushed back from the table. “We should get moving if we want to be back in time. Sun’s full up now.”
James nodded, rising as well. “We’ll send word if anything is amiss, but I expect all will be well.”
Thomas stood next, draining the last of his coffee. “I’ll collect Mrs. Wang and meet you all in town.” His teeth flashed in that charming grin he kept at the ready. “She’ll likely box my ears for not coming to get her straightaway after all the excitement yesterday.”
The warmth in his voice made Mandie’s chest tighten. “Tell her I can’t wait to see her.” In only a few days, Bea had become such a good friend.
The three brothers filed out, leaving behind a quiet that felt heavy with anticipation.
“Well then.” Papa cleared his throat, setting down his napkin. “I suppose that leaves us to prepare for the day.” He glanced toward Enoch, who was finishing the last of his eggs. “Perhaps you could put me to work. Maybe hitching the wagon, or whatever else is needed. I can handle a horse well enough.”
Enoch looked up from his plate, surprise flickering across his features before settling into something warmer. “I’d appreciate the help. I was planning to put a second bench in the wagon bed so we can all ride together comfortably.”
“Good thinking.” Papa stood, seeming relieved to have a task. “Lead the way.”
The two men rose from the table, and watching them head toward the door left a bittersweet ache in her middle. Perhapsher father would use the time to get to know the man she was marrying—really know him, not just the titles and inheritance that already seemed to fascinate him so.
“Come along, dear.” Mama’s voice drew her attention back. “We should get your things packed. Leave these dishes and I’ll work on them in a minute. I thought you might like to wear my green silk with the ivory trim. It’s not a proper wedding gown, but it’s the finest dress we have.”
The next hour passed in a blur of hearing Mama’s suggestions and nudging them in a direction more appropriate to the setting and what they would be able to accomplish in a short time at the rented room in Walnut Springs. As thankful as she was to have a place in town to freshen up and dress for the ceremony, she didn’t plan to keep Enoch waiting an instant longer than she had to.
When they all set out in the wagon, the late summer sun had climbed high enough to warm the mountain air.
Mandie settled beside her mother on the rear bench. Papa took the front bench beside Enoch, and she couldn’t help but notice how her father’s posture had relaxed since breakfast. Time with Enoch must have been good for him.
“Fine team you have here.” Papa started the conversation as Enoch guided the horses down the winding mountain road. “Matched bays—good bone structure, well-trained.”
“Thank you, sir. Both were born here on the ranch.” Enoch’s voice held a proper amount of respect, but she could hear the hint of effort in his tone. He wasn’t accustomed to as much conversation as her father could manage.
Papa nodded approvingly. “Breeding your own stock—that’s the mark of a well-run operation. I imagine the bloodlines go back to England?”
“Some, yes. My father shipped several mares and a stallion when we first came to Montana.” Enoch kept his attention onthe road ahead, but Mandie caught the slight tightening around his eyes at the mention of his father. Or maybe England. “We’ve added local stock as well—horses bred for mountain work.”
