Chapter Four
Elaina and Steven setout early the following morning and approached the modest homestead of the Johnsons, their nearest neighbors.
“Morning, Mr. and Mrs. Johnson,” Steven called, his voice carrying easily in the still air. He tipped his hat respectfully.
“Good morning to you both,” replied Mr. Johnson, a wiry man she’d known all her life. He’d been a few years ahead of her in school. His wife, a stout woman with dark hair, offered a warm smile that crinkled the corners of her kind eyes.
“Would you care to join us for supper on Saturday night?” Elaina’s invitation was laced with a hopeful note. “We need to talk about the land, and I always think it’s best to discuss important matters over a good meal.”
“Delighted,” Mrs. Johnson said. “We’ll bring a pie—apple, if that suits.”
“Apple’d be fine,” Elaina assured, a genuine smile brightening her features.
As they turned and rode back toward their own home, Elaina smiled over at Steven. “I think that’s going to go well. They’re good people.”
Steven nodded, his gaze traveling to where her button up blouse was tight over her breasts. He could imagine how she’d look if he slipped the buttons free and stripped it off her.
When she caught him looking at her, he looked away, not wanting to give his feelings away.
*****
AS SATURDAY’S LIGHTwaned into evening, the table was set with careful consideration, plates flanking a steaming roast, and cutlery gleaming under the flickering candlelight. The conversation flowed easily as the four of them sat together, discussing the weather and other unimportant things.
Steven carefully steered the conversation to the land. “We noticed you moved the fences onto our land again. I’d appreciate it if you would move them to the border between the ranches instead.”
“See here,” Mr. Johnson began, unfolding a worn map onto the table. “This here’s the land left to me by my pa, borders marked clear as day.”
Elaina retrieved her own map, laying it beside the Johnsons’. Her father’s neat script labeled each parcel of land, but the boundaries didn’t match. The lines diverged like forked paths, creating a silent tension that hovered over the table.
“Your map shows your land stretching a good quarter mile further west than mine,” Steven observed, pointing to the discrepancy. His hazel eyes moved from the maps to their guests, seeking common ground rather than contention.
“And yours lays claim to the creek running through what we thought were our acres,” added Mrs. Johnson, her brows knitting together in concern.
“Pa wouldn’t have left me false information,” Elaina said, her voice steady despite the uncertainty that flickered in her gaze. “But nor do I believe you’d be here with dishonest intentions.”
“Nor would we,” Mr. Johnson affirmed, his tone sincere. “Seems we’re at an impasse, don’t it?”
“I think so,” Steven agreed, folding his hands on the table. “But there’s sense to be made of this yet.”
Elaina nodded. “Then let’s find it.”
Their eyes met, the unspoken agreement hanging in the air as tangible as the scent of apple pie that Mrs. Johnson had indeed brought, now cooling on the windowsill.
The Johnsons lingered by the stove, where the warmth from the dying embers offered a cozy reprieve from the night’s chill. Steven leaned against the doorframe, watching the couple with an appraising eye.
“Perhaps we ought to visit the land office on Monday,” he suggested, breaking the silence that had fallen over them like a comforting blanket. “Records there should set this straight.”
“Sounds fair and square to us,” Mr. Johnson said with a nod, his hands clasped behind his back. Mrs. Johnson gave an agreeable hum, her eyes reflecting the flicker of candlelight.
“Then it’s agreed.” Elaina wiped her hands on a cloth after putting the last dish away and turned toward them, her green eyes bright with resolve. “Whatever is officially recorded, we’ll stand by it.”
“Good neighbors make for peaceful hearts,” Mrs. Johnson chimed in.
“Speaking of good neighbors,” Steven interjected, “how about a game of cards to pass the evening?”
“Ah, now you’re talking.” Mr. Johnson’s face lit up with boyish enthusiasm. “Euchre, Hearts, or poker?”
“Let’s say Hearts,” Elaina answered before Steven could speak, a playful challenge dancing across her features. She caught Steven’s gaze and smiled, feeling as if they were truly a couple as they entertained their neighbors together.
