Soon, the three hands rushed inside and took their seats. Everyone else did the same. Mr. Murdoch reached for the meat.
Beside him, Aunt Edwina stayed his hand. “I would enjoy having someone say grace before we eat. Certainly we’re fortunate, us visitors especially, to have this warm home and such bounty in this weather.”
Everyone watched Mr. Murdoch. Charity held her breath and prayed he wouldn’t explode in anger.
He sat still a full minute before he exhaled. “As the head of the family, I reckon it’s my place to lead the prayer.” He bowed his head and did so in a voice that sounded a bit rusty and words that came slowly, but it was a fine blessing.
Charity had never given thanks as fervently as she did then. They weren’t to be tossed out or relegated to their rooms. How long could she live on tenterhooks?
True, she’d lost her temper with Logan, but she’d done so in private. At least she’d thought it was private, but now Sean knew. He’d probably tell Mr. Murdoch.
She had to restrain herself from touching her lips. Logan’s kiss had sent heat spiraling through her in ways she’d never known. Would any man’s kiss affect her in the same way?
Her former fiancé Wallace’s pecks had never made her knees weak or her feel as if she were standing too near the fire. In fact, she hadn’t actually enjoyed his kisses but thought she might become accustomed to them after they were married. Realization hit her that she hadn’t loved him in the first place.
The pain of losing him was only that her sister had wanted to steal him. Anne had always coveted anything Charity had, and often stole or begged for the item. Charity should have been used to that treatment. She’d longed in vain for a close relationship with her sister the way many of her friends enjoyed.
Charity ate the meal from habit but couldn’t have told anyone whether the taste was good or bad. Logan stared at her. The smirk was gone and he still wore the dazed expression.
Mr. Murdoch waited until everyone had finished eating and the women were clearing the table. “Mrs. Shaw, may I speak to you privately?”
Her aunt’s surprised expression changed to one of… resignation? “Certainly, Mr. Murdoch. Lead the way.”
Instead, he offered her his arm. They went to his office where he quietly closed the door.
Chapter Five
Charity clasped her hands to her chest and stared in the direction they’d gone. Should she go lend her aunt assistance? She took one step then paused, undecided what course would be best.
Logan came up behind her and put his hands at her waist. “Leave them be. Neither one will take kindly to you interfering.”
His touch surprised her and she stepped away when she turned to face him. “What do you suppose your father wanted to say to her?”
He shrugged. “Don’t know. Probably angry with her for calling him out in front of us.”
She’d only heard the term used in regard to duels. “Calling him out?”
“Mrs. Shaw showed Pa up three times now. Sean and I are surprised he hasn’t yelled.”
“That’s ridiculous. When did she give him cause to yell?”
Logan counted his points off on his fingers. “One, she asked him to introduce her to the hands. Two, she asked for a napkin. Three, she asked him to have a blessing before we ate.”
Charity was amazed he thought her aunt was complaining. “Oh, I see. And you think he sees those things as reprimands?”
“Of course, don’t you see them that way?”
She considered his question for a second. “Not at all. She made polite requests. She didn’t mean them as reprimands or complaints.”
He pounded a fist into his other palm. “They were complaints. She’s an uninvited guest. He’s head of the family and the ranch. What he says goes.”
“I respect that your father is head of this ranch and the family and I’m sure my aunt does. I do hope your father isn’t angry with Aunt Edwina. She’s had so little joy in her life. Oddly enough, she appears to be enjoying our stay here.”
His expression registered surprise. “Might as well. Nothing any of us can do about it. But she needs to quit being so bossy. I don’t know why women think they have to change things.”
“Bossy because of simple requests? Sometimes, things need changing or improving. There’s always room for improvement.”
“Should of known you’d think so.” He pointed to the floor. “This is a ranch, Miss Kelso, not one of your society parties. We work hard and don’t need your citified ways pushed on us.”
“Good manners are not only for cities, Mr. Murdoch. Manners are what divide civilized people from barbarians. There’s no need to act as if you were raised in a cave by wolves.”
He put his hands at his hips. “Are you saying that’s how I act?”
She echoed his motions with her fists at her hips. “Why, Mr. Murdoch, I didn’t make an accusation, but if the shoe fits, wear it.”
He took a step closer and leaned toward her. “Listen here, Miss Kelso—”
“Charity,” Jenny interrupted. “Are you gonna help with the dishes?” Jenny’s expression showed her concern over the words she and Logan were exchanging.
No point upsetting everyone. “Yes, Jenny, I’m coming. Mr. Murdoch and I have concluded our conversation.”
Logan turned on his heel and stalked to the living room. No one on this earth could rile him faster than that Charity Kelso.
His brother nudged him. “You’re butting your head against a rock, Logan. You’re never gonna to win an argument with her if you’re fighting over her manners versus yours. Of course, you could kiss her and that would shut her up. Again.”
“Listen here, you just keep that quiet, you hear? Bad enough I have to put up with our house being invaded without you turning traitor too.”
Sean glared at him. “Hey, I’m on your side, you know that. I don’t like how chummy Pa and Mrs. Shaw are getting. That’s not going to end well for us.”
“What’d be worse is if they got real friendly, if you know what I mean.”
“Damn, Logan, why’d you have to put that idea in my head? Don’t I have enough to worry about with the weather probably killing off our stock?”
“I’m not looking for a stepmother, especially not a woman with fanciful expectations of ranch life. She’d have us changing into our best clothes for dinner that would be served at eight in the evening like in some of the books.”
“Naw, Pa wouldn’t put up with that, not for a minute.”
Logan shook his head at his green younger brother. “You know anything about how powerful S-E-X can be? Men are always doing ridiculous things for women because of it.”
“Pa and Mrs. Shaw? Come on, he’s fifty-six years old. She must be nearly his age.”
“Well, you can believe whatever you want, but I’m betting Pa has thought of him and her together. You watch his face when he looks at her.”
Sean leaned back and covered his forehead with his arm. “I think I’m going to be sick to my stomach.”
***
Charity sighed with relief when Aunt Edwina and Kevin Murdoch returned with no yelling and apparently on good terms. Sean and Logan were in the living room. Charity, Amelia and Jenny were in the kitchen.
Her aunt calmly sat at the table as if nothing had happened. Charity would give a lot to know what had been said in that office.
When the washing up was complete, Jenny plopped on a chair at the table. “I don’t know what to make for dessert.”
Aunt Edwina asked, “What do the men like most?”
“Pies, but my crusts aren’t very good. Cake is easier because one cake will feed everyone but I have to make two pies.”
Charity touched her aunt’s shoulder. “Remember those wonderful apple pies you used to make for holidays? They were the best.”
Her aunt appeared surprised. “I didn’t know you especially liked them.”
“I loved them, but Dad said not to tell you how much we enjoyed them or you’d be
come self-conscious and quit making them. On the way to visit you, we talked about them and hoped you’d serve them.”
Aunt Edwina’s face screwed into a grimace. “That sounds like Billy. If there was a way to be mean and petty, he found it.”
“I’m sorry Aunt Edwina. Now I realize I should have told you how much I liked them in private. Do you still know how to make them without a recipe?”
Aunt Edwina waved her hand. “My goodness, I never had a recipe. Of course I can still make them. Why don’t I do that now and we can have them for supper?”
She stood. “Unless that would be interfering, Jenny.”
Jenny sat the mending basket beside the table. “Please, I’ll enjoy watching and maybe I’ll learn what I do wrong.”
Aunt Edwina started the dried apples soaking in a pan of water on the range. “I’ll make three pies to be certain everyone has enough.”
While Aunt Edwina made the crusts, the other women finished the mending.
The housekeeper said, “I can’t believe I’m caught up.”
Sean came through the kitchen. “Something sure smells good.”
Jenny looked at him. “Thought you were repairing harnesses. You’re soaked.”
“Had a little accident coming from the tack room. My big brother might have pushed me into the barn trough when we exchanged words. Soon as I change clothes, I’ll go back out.”
“You bring those wet clothes down here, Sean Murdoch. Don’t leave them in your room.”
“Yes, Ma’am.” He took the stairs two at a time.
Within five minutes, he was back in the kitchen, carrying a bundle of clothes he dropped in the corner where Jenny pointed.
He sniffed the air again. “Cinnamon? Is that pie I smell?”
“Mrs. Shaw has apple pies in the oven for supper’s dessert.”
He put his hand to his heart and pretended to be in a daze. “Is this heaven? Sure smells like it.”
Aunt Edwina actually laughed. “Go on with you, young man. There’ll be plenty of pie so you needn’t worry.”
When the pies were out of the oven and cooling, Jenny opened a trap door in the floor. “This is the root cellar. Charity and Amelia, go down and get enough potatoes for supper and then peel them into this bowl.” She set a large bowl on the table.
Amelia grabbed a lamp. “We’ll need a lantern.”
She and Charity climbed down the steep steps. The cellar was well organized with potatoes, sweet potatoes, onions, carrots, parsnips, turnips, and beets on hay in bins, but no fruit. On shelves were jars of home canned green beans, pinto beans, and butter beans, pears, peaches, and cherries. They each gathered potatoes and Charity carried them in a pocket made by holding up her skirt.
As she laid them on the kitchen table near the bowl, she said, “We got two each for the men and one each for us.”
Jenny nodded as she seasoned pork chops. “That’s right. I should have had you get a couple jars of butter beans too.”
Amelia picked up the lamp she’d just set down. “I’ll get them now that I know where they are.”
Charity peeled potatoes until she thought she’d never finish. Cooking for this many people was a big job. Even without the three additions of her aunt, Amelia, and her, the ranch had to provide a lot to feed those who lived here.
She couldn’t imagine being responsible as Mr. Murdoch was for so many lives, both human and animal. And, the people ate well if what they’d been served so far was an indication. Other than the cold, she thought life here wasn’t bad. Hard, yes, but the rewards would be worth the bad.
Suddenly, she shivered. Not all humans withstood the weather. Jenny had said some died from freezing near their doors. What a horrible thought, to be so close to safety and not know how to get there.
The men came in after stomping snow from their feet on the porch and hung their outerwear on pegs by the door.
Mr. Murdoch inhaled. “We heard there was pie for dessert. I see three setting on the counter. Reckon we could start with those?”
Jenny pointed a meat fork at her boss. “Everyone sit down. Mrs. Shaw made apple pies and if they’re as good as they smell, they’re worth waiting for. Supper’s ready and none of you will have pie before the rest of the meal is eaten.”
Charity poured coffee for each place. Each man cradled his cup in his hands. She thought Logan brushed against her on purpose then decided he wouldn’t have done so.
Logan took a sip of the hot brew. “Temperature’s falling fast. Something’s wrong with the flue in the bunkhouse. Hands are going to sleep in here tonight.”
Mr. Murdoch still cradled his cup. “We’ll have to work on it tomorrow. Dang thing broke too late for us to fix it today.”
Aunt Edwina looked at him. “But where will they sleep? Do Charity and Amelia and I need to share a room?”
Their host shook his head. “Don’t worry, they’ve done this before. We have plenty of blankets and quilts and they make bedrolls on the floor by the fireplace.”
Aunt Edwina nodded at Charity. “We need to make braided rugs while we’re here.” She turned to Kevin. “They’ll make the house warmer, Kevin, especially the floor.”
“Sounds like a good idea, Edwina, but I don’t know where you’d get the cloth to make them.”
Hearing their host and her aunt address one another by their first names startled Charity. From the look on their faces, Sean and Logan were shocked.
Aunt Edwina appeared to be thinking aloud. “We can use worn clothes and worn bedding.” She caught Mr. Murdoch’s eye. “We can discuss that after dinner or tomorrow.”
“Let’s have the blessing.” Mr. Murdoch’s blessing was firmer and he didn’t hesitate this evening. He ended with, “And thank you, Lord, for the pies.”
Everyone laughed and served themselves as platters and bowls were passed. When the butter beans, the potatoes, and the stack of pork chops had been eaten, Jenny cut the pies and served them.
Mr. Murdoch took a bite then closed his eyes as he chewed and swallowed. “Edwina, honestly, this is the best pie I’ve ever eaten in my life.”
Aunt Edwina blushed. “You’re being kind, but I thank you. I admit I’m a bit out of practice.”
Sean said, “Feel free to practice on us anytime.”
She smiled at the youngest of the brothers. “I made an extra pie so you men could have seconds if you wish.”
Logan cleaned his plate. “Oh, I wish. That sure tasted great.”
After the meal, Jenny brought out bedding. “I won’t spread this until we’re ready to sleep, but I need to be sure I bring out enough.”
She counted the quilts and blankets and made three piles. Each man got one quilt and two blankets.
“I’ll get sheets from upstairs.” Soon she returned with a sheet for each stack of bedding.
Mr. Murdoch stood. “Logan, Sean, could I talk to you in my office?”
Amelia leaned near Charity. “That office sure has had a lot of traffic today.”
Charity couldn’t suppress her curiosity while she and Amelia washed and dried dishes. Her aunt smiled knowingly and that served to enhance Charity’s interest. Did her aunt know about whatever was going on between their host and his sons?
***
Logan exchanged looks with Sean as they followed their father. He couldn’t think of anything he’d done today to irritate Pa. Maybe this was about the visitors. He shouldn’t have let the sheriff talk him in to bringing them home.
When they were in the office, Pa closed the door. “Have a seat.”
A hint of foreboding crept up Logan’s spine but he did as his father asked.
Pa regarded Sean and him with a smile. “I can’t tell you how proud I am of you boys. I shouldn’t call you boys because I know you’re men. You understand that to me you’ll always be my boys.”
Logan sensed this prefaced bad news.
Pa stood and paced behind his desk. “I don’t ever talk about this and don’t want to now, but I have to explain. When
your mother… erm, left, I crated all our fancy dishes, silver, linens, and the rest of her clothes and moved them to the attic. She liked parties and such and hated living away from town. Guess I equated finer things to her and wanted nothing to do with them. Then, I let you boys run wild.”
He stopped and sat behind his desk. “That was wrong of me. I let my hurt pride keep me from doing my job as a father.”
Logan gripped the arms of his chair. “Pa, there’s no better father than you anywhere.”
Sean leaned forward in his chair. “That’s right, Pa. We aim to be just like you.”
Pa smiled sadly. “That’s the problem, you are like me. Grown men all alone. Far as I know, neither of you is courting a woman. You have friends in town, but you don’t socialize with them much. We’ve worked hard on this ranch, building it better every year. I’ve hoped we’d pass it on down for generations.”
Logan shook his head. “Please don’t start trying to marry us off to anyone.”
“I’m not, son, but I’m thinking ahead to when you want to marry. Say you meet a nice woman and she invites you to dinner to meet her folks. What kind of impression will you make?”
Logan jumped to his feet. “This is because of that Mrs. Shaw, isn’t it? She’s a meddlesome old—”’
“Watch your mouth and sit down.” Pa slapped his hand on the desk. “Mrs. Shaw only pointed out what I’ve known for some time. We need to practice a few niceties in this house.”
Sean threw back his head and groaned. “Aw, you’re not gonna try making us into sissies, are you?”
Pa laughed. “I can’t see anyone turning either of you into a sissy. But, we are going to use napkins at meals and you’ll stand when a woman comes into the room. At mealtime, I’ll take care of Mrs. Shaw, Logan can seat Miss Kelso, and Sean can hold Mrs. Douglas’ chair. Once a week, we’ll use the good dishes, which means you two will have to haul them down from the attic.”
Logan was so angry he could spit. “This isn’t fair. Those three women come in here and in a day you’re turning us upside down. In a couple of weeks they’ll be gone and we’ll be stuck with their ‘improvements’ whether we like it or not.”
Montana Sky: Murdoch's Bride (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Loving A Rancher Book 3) Page 4
