The bucket they used to haul water from the creek was missing, however. She must have gone to fetch some. Regardless, it would be some time before supper was ready.
He turned back toward the house, admiring the progress they’d made. Neil and Horace were leaning against one of the walls, sipping from canteens and likely eager to eat a meal—one that wasn’t yet cooked.
“Sorry,” Cade said as he approached. “Looks like it’s going to be some time before supper is prepared. I don’t want to keep you.”
“It’s all right,” Horace said as he got to his feet. “Maybe we’ll take you up on it tomorrow.”
Cade nodded and fished some coins from his pocket to pay the men. “I appreciate your help.”
“See you in the morning. Tell your missus we’re looking forward to some lamb chops.” Neil grinned.
Cade laughed. “I’ll do that.” He watched as the men fetched their horses from the corral and saddled them. And as Neil and Horace rode off back toward town, Cade consulted his pocketwatch.
Where was Jolie? She should have fetched and returned with water some time ago, never mind had supper nearly cooked.
A tinge of fear roiled his stomach. He shoved the watch back into his pocket, cast a glance around him, and then set about saddling Old Brown. He’d lifted his foot to the stirrup when a voice called out his name.
“Cade!” Jolie came walking awkwardly in his direction with the water bucket sloshing at her side, and her other arm crooked and holding . . . whatwasshe holding?
Relief flooding through his veins, Cade stepped out of the corral and went to take the water from her.
“Where have you been? I was headed out to look for you.”I was worried about you.
“I only went down to Silver Creek for water. But on the way, you’ll never guess what I saw!” Jolie stopped and held out the book that had been tucked under her other arm. She flipped through the pages and landed upon a sketch of a female mule deer. “Isn’t she lovely? She was with several other deer near the creek. I stayed as silent as possible while I observed them, and managed to sketch a bit before they heard me and left.” Jolie gazed at the drawing while Cade tried to determine if she’d taken leave of her senses.
“You sat down to draw a picture by the creek.” It was a statement rather than a question.
“Well.” She cast a dreamy smile up toward him. “It’s more of a scientific observation than apicture, but yes, I suppose that isn’t incorrect. Here’s what fascinates me. She looks much like the deer I’m familiar with, but her tail is different. And look, her ears seem larger, and I believe sheherselfis a larger animal.” Jolie tapped the image of the deer on her page.
Cade blinked at her as his stomach rumbled. “It’s a mule deer.”
“What an apt name.” Jolie tilted her head as she studied her drawing. “Her earsdoresemble a mule’s.”
Cade set his jaw in an effort to keep his frustration from leaking into his words. It reminded him of when she’d gotten caught up in discussing herbs in the general store instead of placing their order. “I’d invited the men to stay for supper.”
“That’s a wonderful idea!” Jolie finally looked up from her drawing.
“I sent them home.”
“Oh.” Jolie appeared confused as she closed her book.
“Jolie, have you looked at the sky? It’s nearing dark, and you’ve been off . . . drawing pictures.”
She frowned at him. “It’s a scientific sketch to record observations.”
“I’d assumed you had already started cooking—that’s why I asked them to supper. But I couldn’t ask them to remain here for an undetermined amount of time while you light and feed a fire and finally get food started.” He stopped speaking abruptly as her frown turned into something sadder. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be so harsh.”
“No, you’re right,” she said with a sigh. “I do tend to get carried away when I find something fascinating, like this doe. I feel I have to record my findings right away, or I’ll lose the details from my mind. My parents indulged me, but . . . I’ll try to pay more mind to the immediate.”
Cade had the feeling she’d heard similar criticism before. And although he preferred to think of deer more as a source of food than anything else, he hated seeing Jolie look so down on herself. “You must show me more of what’s in your book.”
A smiled bloomed on her face again, and she raised the book as if to open it.
“Later,” he said quickly. “Perhaps tomorrow, before the men arrive.”
“Yes, of course,” she said quickly.
He delivered the water to the campfire and set about starting the fire for her while she prepared the food. Thankfully, she put together a soup that cooked quickly. The stars flickered overhead and the temperature fell as they filled their stomachs with the hot soup. Jolie made quick work of cleaning the dishes while Cade ensured the horses had their own supper.
