Lily chuckled. “I shall remember that.”
“What can we bring tomorrow?” Faith inquired. “I planned on making a few pies to use up the last of the rhubarb.”
“Oh, my. Rhubarb pie is my favorite,” Lily confessed.
“She has a wonderful recipe. I’ve never tasted anything like it,” Violet added. “She won’t tell me what the secret ingredient is.”
Lily pondered the statement for a moment. “Maybe Sourdough Sammy can figure it out. Or Mrs. Sheridan. They’re both very talented in the kitchen also.”
“Well, there’s no secret to chocolate cake.” Violet dished up a slice for everyone. “Please enjoy.”
“We will.” Lily seated herself at the table. “And no one is going to interrupt my afternoon tea. This is a wonderful treat.”
Violet caught herself frowning. “I don’t understand.”
“She didn’t bring the baby. Edward seems to know when his mother is eating, and he demands her attention every time,” Amanda explained.
“Oh.” Faith drew out the word. “I’d best not have any children. I had no idea what Lily meant either.”
“Motherhood is mostly learn as you go,” Lily explained, pausing to sip her coffee. “I had no idea what I was doing either. Thank goodness for Mrs. Sheridan. She’s never had children, but she knows instinctively what needs doing.”
Soon, the ladies prepared to leave for home after completing their errand, thrilled that Violet and Faith had accepted the invitation. “Simon sends his regards,” Lily said, slipping a shawl around her shoulders.
Violet felt her face warming. “Thank you. Tell him I said hello.”
“We’ll see you tomorrow then,” Amanda called, moving down the veranda steps and climbing into the McLennon family buggy. She took up the reins and waved as she and Lily headed for home.
“They’re lovely, aren’t they?” Faith commented, clearing up the dirty dishes.
“Wonderful folks. Most citizens of Milestone are pleasant and outgoing.” Violet chuckled. “Of course, I’ve lived here my entire life, so I may be a tad biased.”
“I look forward to meeting another McLennon brother. And his family.”
“Have I mentioned Daniel is a Pinkerton detective with the agency in Chicago?” Violet glanced at Faith. “He’s helped out the family with… a few matters the past couple years.”
“A Pinkerton? My goodness. Who would have thought?”
“I wonder if Agent Daniel McLennon could help you with the situation concerning your father?” Violet suggested.
“Oh, I very much doubt that,” Faith countered. “But wouldn’t it be wonderful if he could?”
Violet looked forward to supper with the neighbors tomorrow evening. She’d enjoy seeing Daniel and Iris again, and meeting their new daughter. But best of all, she’d spend an evening with Simon. What on earth should she wear? She truly should make use of that twenty dollars on the account at Amanda’s Clothing Emporium.
Time would drag between now and until she and Faith left for the Double M.
Chapter 20
July
Violet knocked on the front door of the main house on the Double M next evening, Faith at her side. Each of them held a rhubarb pie in one hand, as promised for dessert.
Simon opened the door and stood staring at Violet, a silly smile on his face. “Come in,” he blurted finally.
Violet nodded. Judging by his expression, he approved of the pale green dress and matching bonnet she’d chosen to wear. More altered hand-me-downs from her mother, but appearing in like-new condition, nonetheless. “Thank you. We’re looking forward to seeing everyone again.”
“Daniel and Iris never visit often enough.” Simon stepped aside, encouraging them to enter.
AJ strode down the hallway. “Violet, how are you?” He hugged her tightly.
“I’m quite fine, thank you. You remember my friend and ranch hand, Faith Harding.” Violet smiled as she spoke.
“I surely do. Glad to have you visit us again, Faith.”
“Mr. McLennon, it’s so nice to see you.”
“Now, Faith, forget that Mr. McLennon nonsense. AJ will do.” He took the pie from her, then reached for the one Violet held. “Let me take these to the kitchen. Simon can show you into the parlor.”
Violet patted her hair and followed Simon and Faith into the parlor where she spotted Daniel and Iris seated on a sofa together. “I cannot believe you’re here,” she said, greeting her childhood friend and his wife.
“Violet. It’s so great to see you again.” Daniel and Violet hugged and he guided her over to the sofa. “You remember Iris. And this is our new daughter, Edna.”
Violet smiled. “It’s nice to see you, Iris. And Edna is so beautiful.”
“Thank you. She’s pretty special,” Iris said, gazing at the little girl in her arms.
“How old is she now?” Violet smiled at the baby with the big blue McLennon eyes like her father.
“Four months in a few days. And growing out of every outfit she owns.” Iris laughed. “But Aunt Amanda brought her some pretty new dresses from her store. She’s a very lucky little girl.”
“Hello, everyone.”
Violet turned at the sound of her brother’s voice. “Roland! I didn’t know you’d be here.”
“Simon told me to come for a home-cooked meal, and you know I never turn down one of Mrs. Sheridan’s suppers.” Roland hugged his sister and then turned to her friend. “Nice seeing you again, Faith.”
Faith blushed while shaking his hand. “Hello. And I have to thank you for saving Moe. I’m pretty fond of him. You’re the best veterinarian within a hundred miles.”
“Thank you.” Roland chuckled. “I’m the one veterinarian within a hundred miles.”
“Don’t listen to him,” Simon chimed in. “He’s wonderful with animals, big or small.”
“Roland, we can’t thank you enough for tending our Thoroughbred mare the other day,” AJ interjected, shaking the vet’s hand. “Willow hasn’t stopped singing your praises. Sunrise seemed in a bad way, but you put our minds to rest that she’ll be fine.”
“Must have eaten something out on the range that gave her a bit of indigestion.” Roland stood hands on hips. “I’ll pop down to the barns and have a chat with Willow. Take a quick peek at Sunrise before I head back to town.”
AJ slapped him on the back. “I’d appreciate it. And write up a bill. Nothing but the best of care for our Thoroughbreds.”
“No charge for a quick peek like that.”
AJ wagged a finger at him. “I expect a billing. You’re just starting out.”
Roland nodded and then smiled at Faith. “I hear you’re quite the ranch hand.”
Faith blushed. “I don’t mind helping out whenever I can.”
“You’ve been a godsend for my sister. Thank you so much for all the help you’ve given her.”
Violet chuckled to herself, watching the two of them gazing at each other. Not knowing what to do with their hands. Faith twisting a strand of hair in her fingers. Roland sticking his hands in his trouser pockets and grinning like a fool. Could there be an attraction here? Perhaps her new friend would be joining the family one day if this was any indication.
“So, Daniel, is this purely a vacation? Or are you involved with something right now?” Violet inquired.
“Recently wrapped up an important case in Chicago which took over four months of my time. Now, I’m on vacation for a month.” Daniel blew out his breath. “I truly am enjoying the rest. And my wife remembers what I look like now that I’ve been home again.”
Iris chuckled. “He’s not joking. For a while there, I’d greet him at the door with ‘what was your name again, sir?’ when he could spare a few hours away from his work. All very secretive and totally confidential, of course. I have no idea what he was involved in, but I’m delighted to have him home again with Edna and me for a while.”
“Being a Pinkerton must be very interesting work,” Violet o
bserved as she watched Roland and Faith sitting together, talking intently on some subject of interest to both of them. Probably animals.
Violet smiled at the two of them. She wouldn’t mind at all having Faith for a sister-in-law. And then her heart almost stopped. No, no, no. Faith couldn’t marry Roland. What would she do for a ranch hand if Faith moved to town to live with her new husband? This could be the perfect match between Faith and her brother, but it could prove disastrous for her.
“I couldn’t be selfish, standing in my friend’s way,” she muttered to herself.
“Did you say something, Violet?” Iris inquired.
Violet shook her head. “Nothing. Thinking aloud.”
Iris returned to her conversation with her husband.
Simon moved closer to Violet. “I heard what you said about being selfish. What was that about?”
Violet gazed into his eyes. “Did you notice Roland and Faith together?”
“Make a nice couple,” Simon whispered.
“I fear I’m about to lose my ranch hand.” Violet wrung her hands. “What will I do?”
Simon reached over and stilled her hands. “Don’t worry. We’ll think of something.”
Violet noticed he said ‘we’ll’ when he replied to her concern. He had no involvement in the Triple C where she alone was responsible for all the decisions. Especially hiring. She’d need to look for someone to replace Faith, preferably another female. But those would be few and far between. Perhaps Willow McLennon knew of someone like herself and Faith, talented with horses and cattle, and who knew her way around a barn better than a kitchen.
“I could be counting chickens here also,” Violet wagered. “Time will tell, I suppose.”
Mrs. Sheridan hurried into the room and clasped her hands together. “I’m delighted you’re all here tonight. It’s so nice having the family together again.”
“Couldn’t agree with you more, Nellie,” AJ added, rising from his chair.
“Supper is ready. Make your way to the dining room, everyone.”
With her hand wrapped around Simon’s elbow, Violet followed behind Daniel and Iris. She hoped nothing criminal would happen during their stay at the Double M, causing Daniel to feel obligated to step in and lend a hand. He should enjoy his vacation from work and leave keeping the peace to the local lawmen like Sheriff Robertson and Sawyer Manning.
Violet silently scolded herself for being such a worrywart. What if Faith were to marry Roland? What if something happened to ruin Daniel’s vacation? She really needed to live life day by day and not agonize over possible trouble where there wasn’t any.
* * *
The next morning, Violet shared a second cup of coffee with Faith before they would return to the barns for a busy day, especially overseeing the herd.
“Did you enjoy supper at the Double M last night?” Violet glanced at her friend. “Your rhubarb pies were excellent. AJ ate two slices and would have had another if Mrs. Sheridan had allowed it.”
Faith laughed. “I think they share opposing roles. She’s probably twenty years his junior but she fusses over him like she’s his mother.”
“I noticed that also.” Violet chuckled. “I’ve heard him say a dozen times, he’d never find another woman like his dear wife, Edna. He must have loved her so much. I can understand why Daniel and Iris named their baby girl in his mother’s honor. AJ will never marry again, so perhaps Mrs. Sheridan feels the need to watch out for her employer’s best interests.”
“You could be right.” Faith finished her coffee and started cleaning up the breakfast dishes. “And to answer your question, I thoroughly enjoyed the evening.”
“Besides having someone else cook.”
“That, too.” Faith grinned. “I did help with the dishes, though.”
“What about seeing Roland again? You and my brother seemed to enjoy each other’s company at the supper table. And afterward…” Violet left the thought hanging, wondering what Faith’s reply would be.
“Roland invited me for a walk in the garden. He’s a complete gentleman. Ensured I wasn’t chilly by reminding me to bring my shawl and held my hand the entire time. I suppose he didn’t want me to trip or fall on the stone pathways,” Faith speculated.
Violet burst into laughter. “Trip or fall? Roland would have been quite content catching you in his arms and holding you tightly. Maybe he would have stolen a kiss.”
Faith blushed brightly.
Violet’s mouth dropped open. “You kissed him!”
“Only once,” Faith admitted, her face turning a deeper shade of red while her hand fussed with a strand of hair.
“Faith Harding!”
“There’s nothing wrong with that. We… well, we… we like each other.” Faith plunged her hands into the soapy dishwater. “I think he… he might be the one for me.”
Violet’s worst fear surfaced and she swallowed hard. Would she lose her ranch hand? The person she could rely on most for help on the Triple C? “You mean you’d marry him one day?”
Faith turned and met her eyes. A small smile crept across her face. “Oh, Violet, I’d marry him tomorrow if he asked me.”
Violet’s hand flew to her mouth. “You’re serious.”
Faith continued with the washing-up, avoiding further eye contact with her boss. “Yes, I believe I am. You’ve heard of Fate stepping in and altering a person’s life for the better. I arrived here and you allowed me to stay for a reason. And that reason included your brother. Roland and I were destined to meet.”
Violet wrung her hands. She’d sabotaged herself, bringing Faith to the McLennon ranch for supper. Otherwise, her ranch hand may never have met Roland. Of course, she’d attended Sunday services lately, so there would be the possibility of an introduction there. “I can’t believe this.”
Faith paused and stared at her friend. “What’s the matter?”
“If you marry Roland, I’ll lose you.” Violet paced the kitchen floor. “What will I do then? I can’t run this ranch by myself. Roundup is around the corner.”
Faith dried her hands on a tea towel and halted Violet’s pacing. “Look at me.”
Violet raised her head and their eyes met.
“I have no intention of leaving this ranch until we’ve completed roundup. I’m not leaving before the cattle have been sold. I’m not abandoning you until the bank has been paid. And I have no intention of stepping one foot off this ranch until you marry Simon McLennon.”
Violet gasped.
“I meant what I said.” Faith hugged her boss. “I will not leave you to marry Roland. There’s plenty of time for ‘I dos’ for the both of us when the time comes. Right now, we need to finish what you started and what I promised to help you with.”
Violet hugged her tightly. “Thank you, thank you, thank you. I don’t know what I’d do without your help. You’re the best friend I’ve ever had.”
“I suppose I might be at that.” Faith nodded, grinning. “But friendship works both ways. You provided me with a safe new home and a job when I needed it most. Besides, we make a good team.”
“We make a superb team,” Violet shouted, excitedly. “Finish those dishes and let’s get to work. We have a job to complete and I refuse to even consider failure.”
Faith laughed. “Me either. But I will marry your brother someday. If that’s all right with you.”
“We’ll see.” Violet winked at her. “He hasn’t asked you yet. Maybe he’ll see reason eventually and leave my ranch hand alone.”
Faith swatted her arm and then burst into laughter. “I could enjoy having you for a sister-in-law.”
“Me, too,” Violet admitted.
Dishes washed, Faith dried her hands on the tea towel and tossed it on the counter. She offered Violet a stern expression. “Will you kindly stop fooling around. We have work to do.”
“Yes, ma’am, we do.” Violet grabbed her old Stetson off the hook by the door and the two of them headed out to the barn.
Another day c
loser to fulfilling her goals.
Chapter 21
Roland rode his old mare onto his family’s ranch after tending to a neighbor’s cow who’d gotten stranded in a muddy creek, injured a leg while failing to escape from the mire, and almost drowned herself to boot.
After church yesterday, Violet requested he take a gander at their father’s favorite old Morgan gelding, but she assured him it wasn’t an emergency. Sometimes symptoms that appeared innocent enough could result in life-threatening consequences for the animal, and he reckoned his sister had suffered enough losses this past year. Besides, Violet sweetened her request by inviting him to supper, and he looked forward to Faith’s home cooking.
Until he’d taken a long, hard look at his surroundings on the way, he’d forgotten the beauty of the Triple C where his grandfather settled decades ago. The towering mountains to the west and the wide valley leading toward the house and barn brought back memories of trips to town with his parents. The flowing river winding its way through the property, ensuring a reliable and permanent water source for the livestock, would be filled with trout. Too bad he hadn’t the time for fishing; he recalled the days spent relaxing with his pa at their favorite fishing spot. Geese honked overhead; they’d be departing on their seasonal journey south in a couple months. And a deer bounded out of a thicket up ahead of him, pausing to glance his way before disappearing from sight again. As a youngster, he’d hated doing endless chores and he’d never appreciated how special the place was nor the family history it represented.
“I can understand why Violet loves this place so much,” he muttered to himself.
Red-coated Herefords stood in the valley, munching on grass. Some chewed their cud, lying in the late afternoon shade of a cluster of pines. The mothers kept watch over their calves while observing him as he rode by.
“Good afternoon, ladies.” He playfully touched his Stetson’s brim.
When he rode closer to the ranch house, Roland smiled as Moe loped toward him and wagged his tail in welcome. “Hello there, fella. You’re looking fully recovered.” Roland dismounted and ruffled the dog’s ears as he glanced toward the house.
Inherit A Dream (Sons Of A Gun Book 4) Page 12
