“Everything all right out here?” he asked, wishing he knew exactly what was wrong and how to fix it.
Brenda straightened up, brushing stray strands of hair from her face. “Just fine, Seth. Daisy here’s been keeping me company.”
“Good...good.” Seth cleared his throat. “Animals are easy to please, at least.”
“Sometimes easier than people,” she replied with a pointed look.
“Suppose that’s true.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, the leather gloves crumpling with the motion. Silence stretched between them.
“Guess I better get back to it,” Seth finally mumbled, retreating to the safety of work and routine.
“Sure, Seth.” Brenda watched him go.
*****
BRENDA’S HANDS MOVEDdeftly, kneading dough. She hummed an old tune, one remembered from her days in the orphanage, happy there was no one around to tell her to stop. This was her domain now, and she took pride in the tangible evidence of her labors—a loaf of bread, a swept floor, linens drying crisp and white in the summer heat.
“Sure smells good in here,” she muttered to herself.
Yet as she stepped back to admire her handiwork, Brenda’s thoughts drifted. The silence of the house seemed louder than usual, and the weight of solitude pressed against her chest. She thought of Seth—out there somewhere on the vast expanse of land, tending to cattle or mending fences—anywhere but here with her.
“Should be enough for two,” she whispered to the empty room. She glanced at the clock. Lunchtime was nearing, but would he come? Every day she made lunch for him, and he only showed up to eat it about half the time.
“Can’t force someone to talk if they don’t want to,” she said aloud. She looked out the window, scanning the horizon for a sign of him. The bread would be done soon, perfect and warm. Maybe the way to a man’s heart really was through his stomach.
“Got to give it time,” she reassured herself. Would time be enough to turn a marriage of convenience into something real, something that resembled the companionship she craved?
Brenda pulled the bread out of the oven, setting it on the counter with a satisfied sigh. She’d keep trying, keep hoping. After all, wasn’t hope what had brought her to this sprawling Texas ranch in the first place?
*****
BRENDA WIPED THE SWEATfrom her brow with the back of her hand. Her steps carried her with purpose across the yard to where Seth was repairing a fence, his back to her.
“Hey, Seth,” she called out, her voice steady despite the butterflies dancing in her stomach. He turned a nail between his lips, squinting against the sunlight.
“Need something?” His words were muffled, and he pulled the nail from his mouth.
Brenda took a deep breath, the scent of freshly cut hay mingling with her determination. “We need to talk. About us.”
“Us?” The word seemed foreign on his lips.
“Yes, us.” Brenda planted her feet firmly. “I came here to be your wife, not just a shadow in your house who cooks and cleans for you. I want...no, I need more from this marriage.”
Seth glared at her for a moment, but Brenda wasn’t one to back down. “You mean you want more talking? More...feelings?”
“Exactly. It’s not just about work and keeping the ranch going. There has to be more between us,” she insisted.
“Feelings don’t mend fences or manage cattle,” Seth replied. “Look, I know you’re looking for someone to talk to, but we’ll go to church tomorrow, and you’ll get to see all your friends. Or would you call them sisters?”
“I call them sisters,” Brenda said. “Having friends, family, people you love. They make life worth living. Being alone all the time is not something I should be required to do.”
“You’ll be able to start visiting with your sisters. I know it feels like you’re isolated, but once you learn where they all live, you can walk to see them, or even ride. Up to you.”
“That’s all good and well, but I want to talk to my husband.”
Seth regarded her for a long moment. Finally, he sighed. “All right. We’ll talk. After supper?”
“Thank you, Seth. That’s all I’m asking for.” Brenda’s heart fluttered with hope.
Turning on her heel, she headed back to the house, her mind already racing with plans for supper. She wanted to cook something special. Then they would talk.
