Naomi ate a spoonful of stew. “Where were your parents from?”
“Louisiana. They came in 1837, shortly after Texas won its independence.”
“I often think about the first Americans to come to Texas. There couldn’t have been much here except lots of land and wild animals. Settlers like your parents had a dream. Do you have one too?”
Ethan shrugged. “To keep improving the ranch. New cattle breeds are available every year. Old timers say longhorns are the only cattle that thrive in Texas, but I’m not sure I believe them.”
He wasn’t telling her everything. “So when you’re an old man, sitting on your front porch looking at that magnificent view, will you be satisfied knowing you raised the best cattle you could?”
Ethan put down his spoon and looked at her. “You pose an interesting question. One I’ve actually given some thought to. You know that Bible verse—I think it’s in the Book of Mark—that says, ‘For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’”
“I know it.”
“I’ve never aspired to gain the whole world. I’d like to have enough money to take care of a family and to help those in need. But beyond that…I guess I just don’t see the point. A wealthy man without a loving family always struck me as a man without a soul.”
He wanted a family. Naomi’s heartbeat skipped like a baby goat learning to walk. “I never took you for a philosopher.”
Ethan chuckled long and low. “Well, don’t start now. I’m just a simple cowboy.”
“No, you’re not. That’s what I thought at first, but I was wrong.” Naomi smiled as she gazed into his eyes. Could he see how sorry she was for misjudging him?
Ethan picked up his spoon. “What about you? What do you hope for your future?”
“My dreams are as ordinary as flies at a picnic. I hope to find a good husband, have lots of children, and live to see the next century.”
Ethan stopped eating and gazed at Naomi as though he’d never seen her before. “Nothing ordinary about that dream, Naomi. A life full of love sounds like heaven.”
It was so clear. She and Ethan wanted the same things. But she’d allowed a uniform and some smooth words to blind her to real virtue. The man who sat across from her was a true friend, the kind who wanted what was best for her. He’d protect her, care for her, and keep her for the rest of his life. But she’d thrown the chance away.
“Are you ready for that pie now?”
Naomi blinked at the sudden change of subject. “What?”
“Stay where you are,” Ethan said. “I’ll get it.” He scraped the remains of the stew onto two tin plates and gave them to the eager dogs. Then he brought the pie to the table and cut a slice for Naomi.
“Does Grandmother always make apple pie for you?”
“No, she uses whatever fruit is in season. My favorite is peach, but they don’t ripen until early summer.”
When June came, she’d make peach pie every week for Ethan. And peach cake, and peach cobbler, and anything else he liked. Pleasing a man had never been important to her, but she liked the idea of making Ethan smile.
“I’ll wash the dishes,” Naomi volunteered.
“You won’t get an argument from me.” He reached for the leather jacket hanging by the back door. “I’m going to the barn for a last look before bedtime.”
Naomi took her red shawl from the drying rack and wrapped it around his throat. “Be sure you don’t turn into a snowman out there.”
Ethan pulled his hat low. “I’ll be back before you miss me. Come on, dogs.”
The icy wind rushed into the warm kitchen when Ethan opened the door. A second later, Naomi stood alone, already missing him. She allowed her tears to fall while cleaning the dishes. The Proverb warned that a person’s own folly led to ruin. Why hadn’t she heeded that admonition?
Ethan returned as she was building up the fire in the parlor. The dogs’ claws clicked on the wooden floor and then quieted.
“Naomi?” Ethan called.
“In the parlor,” she replied. “Is everything all right in the barn?”
Ethan’s ears and nose were red. He squatted near the fire to warm his hands. “The horses are a bit jumpy, but they’ll make it through the night. The ice is getting worse.” He removed the shawl from his neck and wrapped it around her shoulders. “Your eyes are red. Are you sleepy?”
The desire to confess her feelings surged through Naomi. She closed her eyes, as if to dam the onslaught of emotion threatening to stream from her heart. Tell him she’d misjudged him. Tell him how much she valued his friendship. Tell him. “Ethan, I—”
But he was no longer at her side. He’d carried a lit candle down the hallway and had opened the door to the bedroom.
“If you leave this door open,” he said, “some of the warmth will find its way here.”
Naomi thought of the cold, lifeless room. If she wrapped herself in every available blanket, she’d survive the cold night. But she’d be alone. She took a breath and steeled herself against possible rejection. “You’ll probably find this suggestion to be quite bold, but…” Her nerve and her voice failed at the same time.
Ethan walked slowly toward her. “It’s just you and me, Naomi. And the dogs, of course. But so far, they’ve kept all my secrets.”
Naomi cast her gaze to the floor. “When I was a little girl…sometimes, my mother would let me sleep on the floor by the fireplace. Can’t we do that?”
“Side by side?” Ethan’s surprise was evident in his voice.
She covered her cheeks with her hands. “Oh, I shouldn’t have proposed it. I knew you’d think me too forward.”
Ethan grasped her wrists gently and lowered her hands. “Not so fast, Naomi. Since it’s just the two of us…”
She looked up into his smiling face. “Yes?”
“And since my dogs are so good about keeping confidences…”
“We’ll make pallets and sleep on the floor?”
“As long as you promise not to snore.”
* * *
Ethan eased his hold on the reins and let his most sure-footed horse find its own footing on the potentially icy road. In the buggy beside him, Naomi rode in silence, occasionally remarking on the startling changes the storm had made to the scenery.
Although there was a definite bite in the morning air, welcome sunshine freed ice-encased branches and lively songbirds eagerly chased their breakfast. Ethan couldn’t remember a more beautiful morning.
He’d awoken to find Naomi curled beside him, her face even more beautiful in sleep. It had taken all of his willpower not the pull her into his arms and kiss her awake. He’d never been grateful for a blue norther before, but if all of nature wanted to conspire to throw the two of them together, who was he to object?
Was it possible Naomi would allow him to court her?
Even at the slow pace, they arrived at Ruth’s house much too soon. As Ethan helped Naomi out of the buggy, he was tempted again to kiss her. Would she think it too forward? Could he survive the rejection if she spurned his advances? Before he could decide, Naomi made her way up the front steps and opened the door.
“Grandmother?” she called. “Are you here?”
Ethan tied the horse to the hitching post and listened for Ruth’s answer. He wasn’t exactly afraid of the questions she undoubtedly had for him, but if no one knew Naomi had spent the night alone with him, their lives would be easier.
He entered the cold house and found Naomi kneeling in front of the kitchen fireplace. “Is Miss Ruth here?”
She looked up at him and smiled. “Not yet. She’s probably enjoying a leisurely breakfast with Mrs. O’Brien and waiting until it warms up.”
Ethan removed his gloves and squatted beside her. “Let me do that.”
Naomi handed him the flint and steel. “Would you like another cup of coffee?”
“No, thanks. The three cups I had this morning were plenty. I’ll probably be moving at twice my nor
mal speed the rest of the day.”
“What do you have to do today?”
“Check the herd. They’ve been through storms before, but I’ll feel better once I get a head count. I also need to check the buildings to see if there’s any damage.”
“You’ll be busy.”
“I always am.” Satisfied the kindling had caught fire, Ethan eased back onto his haunches and waited for the fire to strengthen.
“Grandmother says hard work makes it easier to fall asleep at night.”
“I usually don’t have a problem sleeping, but that may have changed.”
“Why?”
“Because now I know what it’s like to sleep next to a beautiful woman. Without you, it’s going to be even lonelier.” He’d answered her honestly, but when she sprang to her feet like a startled rabbit, he regretted his boldness. He’d said too much.
“Thank you, Ethan. Grandmother said you were a wonderful friend, but I didn’t understand what she meant until now. You’ve forgiven my foolishness, haven’t you?”
Ethan stood and gazed into her eyes. “There was never anything to forgive, Naomi.”
“You’ve protected me in so many ways.” Naomi stepped closer. “I’ll never be able to adequately thank you.”
“It’s not your thanks I want,” Ethan said in a hushed tone.
She tucked her chin and looked up at him through dark eyelashes. “What do you want?”
This was his chance. Ethan reached for her hand. “To be more than your friend. Will you allow me to court you?”
Naomi laid her head on his shoulder and sighed. “Of course, Ethan.”
CHAPTER SIX
Ruth studied the paper in her hand while Naomi checked the contents of four large wicker baskets set near the front door. “Are you sure you don’t want to come with Ethan and me to deliver the gifts?”
Naomi’s grandmother coughed into a handkerchief. “It’s usually my favorite part of Christmas, but I don’t want to chance a relapse. My old body can’t take another bout of grippe.”
Naomi had done her best to nurse her grandmother through the fever, but the cough persisted despite the black pepper and honey tea Ruth drank day and night. “Ethan should be here soon.”
“We need to make sure we have a gift for every child on this list before you leave. Can you imagine how awful it would be to overlook someone?”
Naomi knew how awful it could be. Hadn’t she almost overlooked Ethan? She understood now that her infatuation with Lieutenant Anderson had been a girlish fascination with good looks and status. What she felt for Ethan was nothing like that. “Ethan and I have been officially courting for three weeks. When do you think he’ll get around to kissing me?”
Her grandmother’s eyes widened and she gave a short bark of laughter. “I can’t believe he hasn’t already done the deed. Could be he’s waiting for permission.”
Naomi turned to look at her grandmother. “Permission? From you?”
“No, silly girl. From you.”
“How am I supposed to do that?”
Her grandmother looked up, as though beseeching Heaven for assistance. “My goodness, Naomi. Surely you can figure out how to let Ethan know you’d like a kiss.”
The sound of horse hooves and a jingling harness told Naomi the man in question had arrived. “There he is.” Naomi threw her shawl around her shoulders and rushed onto the front porch.
Her heart sang to see him. She missed him when he wasn’t nearby, and she thought about him constantly. She even whispered goodnight to the empty air before she fell asleep, believing the power of her love would carry her wish to his ear.
“Santa is here and ready for duty,” Ethan called. “I looked all over Texas for reindeer, but couldn’t find a one.”
Naomi laughed and waited for him to secure the reins. When he joined her on the porch, she took his arm and leaned against him. “This is the first time I’ve seen a cowboy Saint Nicholas.”
Ruth appeared in the doorway. “The children will be so excited they won’t notice. Be sure you wrap up, Naomi. This house isn’t large enough for two sick women. Ethan, come in for a few minutes.”
Ethan removed his hat and gloves as he stepped inside. “What’s on your mind, Miss Ruth?”
“Naomi and I have to match presents to names. Make yourself comfortable while we finish.”
Ethan sat in a chair near the fireplace. “I heard the Valek family had another baby boy.”
“One week old, and from what I hear, he’s a fine, healthy baby,” Ruth answered. “He came too late for this year’s Christmas list, but we’ll add him next year.”
“I remember the year I fell off the Christmas list,” Ethan said.
Naomi grinned at him over her shoulder. “Were you naughty that year?”
“No.” Ruth laughed. “He just got too old. When the children turn thirteen, they become one of the present makers instead of the present receivers.”
“What kind of presents did you make?” Naomi asked.
“Little carved animals, mostly,” Ethan answered with a grin. “I never was much good with a needle and thread, so doll making wasn’t for me.”
“As I remember,” Ruth said with a gleam in her eye, “you weren’t much better at carving.”
“Really?” Naomi asked. “Do tell.”
Ruth turned away from Ethan and chuckled. “One year, Ethan’s mother and I were delivering the presents. I reached into a basket and pulled out one of Ethan’s creations. I said, ‘Is it a cow or a horse?’ Elizabeth scrunched up her eyes and examined it for a while. Finally, she said, ‘I’m not sure.’”
“I believe you’re embellishing that story,” Ethan protested. “Mother would have defended me.”
Before Ruth could reply, there was a loud knock at the front door. “Wonder who that could be?” she asked, moving toward the door. “Are you expecting someone, Naomi?”
Naomi shook her head.
Ruth peered through the curtain. “You’re never going to believe it. Ethan, stand down.”
Stand down? What did Grandmother mean?
Ruth opened the door. “Good evening, Lieutenant Anderson. What brings you to my door?”
Naomi sprang to her feet and moved quickly to Ethan’s side. He stepped in front of her, as though shielding her from the young officer.
The lieutenant entered the parlor, tucked his hat beneath his left arm, and rested his right hand on the hilt of his sword. “I’ve come to call on Naomi. Is she home?”
Why in the world would Bret Anderson think he was welcome in her grandmother’s home? Did he think his earlier behavior was excusable? Did he believe she’d cower in his presence? She gathered all the tact and poise she’d ever possessed and stepped away from Ethan. “I’m right here, Lieutenant. How are you?”
Ruth moved to stand next to Ethan. She put a hand on his chest, as if to restrain him.
Lieutenant Anderson smiled with all the warmth of a predator. “I’m very well, thank you. You are looking especially lovely tonight, Naomi.”
“Thank you.” Naomi could feel Ethan tugging at her grandmother’s invisible leash. One sign of weakness from her, and Bret Anderson would be lying in the cold mud. But Naomi wasn’t frightened. Strength suffused every muscle of her body and every sector of her soul. “Is there a reason for your call, Lieutenant?”
The lieutenant touched his moustache with his index finger and lowered his head. “May we speak in private?”
“I don’t think that would be a good idea.” Naomi’s voice was steady. “Whatever you have to say can be said in front of my grandmother and Mr. Garrett.”
“Very well.” Bret looked toward Ethan as though judging an adversary, and then returned his gaze to Naomi. “It would give me great pleasure if you would agree to attend the Officers’ Christmas Dinner. The officers’ wives spend several days preparing the meal and it is always quite a banquet. I would be honored to have you on my arm.”
Naomi wanted to laugh. The sheer effrontery of
the man. Did the lieutenant remember what he’d done? Did he think himself above reproach? Surely he hadn’t forgotten Ethan’s fist. But the desire to laugh evaporated when she felt Ethan’s stare boring into her back. “Thank you for the invitation,” she began, “but I have to decline.”
The lieutenant’s eyes widened in apparent surprise. “I assure you, it is not an event to be missed. After the meal, there is singing and dancing. Perhaps you would like your grandmother to accompany us.”
Naomi crossed her arms in front of her chest. She’d had enough of this lunacy. “That won’t be necessary. I do not care to see you again, Lieutenant Anderson. Please do not call on me.”
Lieutenant Anderson walked a few steps toward her. “But we make such a handsome couple. The captain’s wife said that once I apologized for my earlier behavior, you would be eager to renew our connection.”
“Perhaps this will make things clearer.” Naomi walked purposefully toward Ethan. In one fluid motion, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed him.
Ethan was quick to respond. Without breaking the kiss, he encircled Naomi’s waist, picked her up, and carried her into the kitchen, away from the lieutenant’s incredulous gaze.
Ethan’s kiss filled Naomi’s body and soul. Had he been holding back all this love and passion? He held her as though she might disappear and he was intent on catching the last particle of her before she evaporated. When, at last, he put her on her feet, he cradled her head in his work-hardened hands and rested his forehead against hers.
“Naomi?” he whispered.
“Yes, Ethan?”
“When will you marry me?”
“June?”
“Too long. January.”
“Too cold. April?”
Ethan nodded and kissed her again. “I’ve been asking God to send me the right woman. Sorry I didn’t recognize you that day on the stagecoach.”
“It took me even longer to notice you. Now that I’ve found you…”
“Yes?”
“I’m finished looking.”
“You’d better be.”
* * *
Naomi’s stomach fluttered with excitement as she inspected her image in the mirror. Thank goodness the bedroom Ethan’s parents had used was near the back of the house. She needed the relative quiet to prepare herself. It wasn’t every day a girl changed her life.
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