by Lilah Rivers
“Well, anyway, at least he is thawing a bit,” she said.
“I’m glad to hear that much. I’m glad for us both. It means that you and Hank might actually end up together sooner than expected and it also means that your father will stop pushing you to marry David,” Clementine said with a laugh.
“Oh, you never needed to worry about that! Sure, Mr. Brown is handsome enough, but I’m not the sort of woman who is going to move on from her first love like that,” Chelsea said.
Clementine was glad for that, but she also thought about the fact that David had a first love. He claimed to have moved on from her, but had he really?
Oh, of course he had. There was no reason for him to have told any lie about that. If he said he had moved on then it only made sense that it was true.
“So do you think that you and Hank will begin courting soon?” Clementine asked.
“He is planning to speak to my father about it, but they have had to take things slow in their discussions about me,” Chelsea said.
“You mean because your father is still slow to approve?” Clementine asked.
“Exactly. And while he has given up on David already, I think he might still have a hope that I could fall in love with someone that he had never once disapproved of. In some ways, I think my father is just embarrassed and stubborn,” Chelsea said.
“Because he has made such a big deal about Hank’s leg and is now seeing that it’s no issue at all?” Clementine asked, intuitively.
“That’s just what I’m thinking,” Chelsea replied.
“Well, anyway, I’m glad that it sounds like things are going to move forward for the two of you,” Clementine said.
“I do hope so. And just as you absolutely must keep me updated on how your chat goes this evening, I promise to let you know what happens between me and Hank. I have a good father, but he’s overly concerned at times,” Chelsea said.
Clementine agreed with her. She often missed her own mother and father and found herself curious as to how they would respond to David.
She was confident that they would like him. After all, there was plenty to like. He was a good man with a kind heart.
Even then, she was curious if her mother and father would have approved of her moving out here and marrying a ranch hand. What if they said no just because they wanted her to stay in the city?
It was something that she could imagine her doting father doing. He loved her so much and had always wanted her to be nearby. If he only knew that she had come all the way out here and was living with her aunt and falling in love with someone who would not last two days in the city, what would he say?
She was confident that her mother would absolutely love David and fawn all over him. She was the sort of woman who just adored kind young men and was always so impressed when she would see one doing something good in the church or community.
David was exactly the sort of man that she would have wanted for her daughter.
“Oh, can we stop and get a cake?” Chelsea asked, her eyes hungry for a bit of something sweet.
“Most definitely,” Clementine agreed, glad to have her thoughts broken by something more delightful than sad memories.
They enjoyed their afternoon treat and Clementine hardly wanted to go back to the ranch by the end of it for all the fun that she was having.
But she was really growing to love living there with her Aunt and David and Hank, and she was mostly just excited for the conversation that she knew was to come that evening.
“Can we make just one more stop?” Chelsea asked.
“Anything you want,” Clementine replied.
She still had an hour or so before she needed to head back and decided to take advantage of it. Otherwise, she would be sitting at the ranch with nothing but anxiety to overwhelm her as she waited.
Whatever David wanted to talk about, she trusted that it would be important.
Maybe important enough to change her life forever.
Chapter 24
Lunch time had finally arrived.
David walked with Hank, although they had come up with a plan so that Hank would eat quickly and leave David alone with Mrs. Roberta while he asked her for permission to court her niece.
It was the best thing they could come up with for now and he really, truly hoped that it was going to be a success.
“She’s already given you permission. I can’t figure out why you are so anxious about this conversation,” Hank said.
“Because after this, I really am going to talk to Clementine and ask if she is willing to be courted by me. Don’t you know how nerve-wracking that is?” he asked.
“Of course I do. You’ve forgotten that I’m also in the process of trying to court a woman,” Hank said.
“Okay, fair enough. But you know by now that Chelsea loves you,” David reasoned.
“And how do you think we got to the point? I had to have the same conversation with Chelsea that you need to have now with Clementine,” Hank said.
“Then if you have any advice at all, I would be more than happy to accept it,” David told him.
“All the advice I have to offer is to tell you that you don’t need to fret so much. Everything is going to be fine. You and Miss Clementine are going to be fine. Mrs. Roberta will approve. I think you know all of this. You’re just too afraid to hope because you don’t want to get your heart broken,” Hank said.
“I suppose you’re right,” David replied.
“Well, all right then. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d quite like to proceed and enjoy our lunch,” Hank said.
They reached the kitchen and there was Mrs. Roberta, working away at the stove. She looked a bit frazzled, but David would not let that deter him.
“Sorry, boys. I have to confess that I lost track of the time and forgot that Clementine isn’t here. Silly me. I’m the one who told her to go on out and enjoy herself,” Mrs. Roberta said.
“You needn’t worry,” Hank replied. “Want us to come back in a bit?”
“No, no. It’s almost done,” she said.
The two men took a seat and Hank looked at David with an apology and a shrug. David figured it wouldn’t make so much of a difference. Either way, Hank would be able to leave them for a while once the food was ready.
Hank silently gestured, behind Mrs. Roberta’s turned back, a question as to whether or not David wanted to talk to her now and Hank could go and come back. But David shook his head. He could be patient.
It was only a few minutes before Mrs. Roberta finished the meal and they dove right into eating.
“I left a couple things undone so I’m just going to be in a rush here,” Hank said, apologizing.
“Oh, dear. I’m sorry you won’t get a nice, lengthy lunch with us,” she said.
“It’s not a problem, Mrs. Roberta. I am enjoying it very well, but I don’t want to neglect my duties,” Hank said.
David was eating a bit slower than usual while Hank ate a good deal faster. It left them with a good excuse as to why David had to stay behind. By the time Hank finished, Mrs. Roberta was eyeing the two with some suspicion.
“Thank you for the lunch,” Hank said, leaping up and rushing out the door.
David’s stomach felt cold and twisted. This was it. Mrs. Roberta looked at him as if she realized that this had all been a set up for him to be alone with her for a while. David figured it didn’t matter so much and he had no reason to deny it anyway.
“Mrs. Roberta,” he began.
“Are you planning to tell me what all of this is about?” she asked.
“Yes, ma’am. I wanted to speak with you in private and, of course, Hank made a way for that to happen. He’s a good man and a good friend,” David said.
“That he is. Now, what is it that you want to talk to me about?” she asked.
“Well, I know that we have spoken previously about your niece and the feelings that I have for her and you gave me your approval to show my interest,” he said.
“Yes, I remember that.
It’s strange that I remember it, since it was something like a week ago and you still haven’t heeded that advice,” she said in a teasing way.
David smiled with some embarrassment.
“Well, Mrs. Roberta, I thought I needed to wait for the right time. But here I am, and I’m pretty sure that the time has come,” he said.
“So you want to make sure that I still approve?” she asked.
“Exactly. I want to ensure that you are still all right with the idea of me courting your niece. If you are, I plan to speak with her this evening and see if she is happy enough with the idea of it,” he said.
“David Brown, you have my permission. My full permission. In fact, you have my insistence. I can’t think of a better thing for you to do with your time than to begin courting my niece,” Mrs. Roberta said.
David laughed, appreciative of her demeanor on the subject.
“I was terribly anxious,” he said.
“You shouldn’t have been. I may be a woman with many flaws, but once I have made my decision about something, I don’t easily change it,” she said.
“I cannot tell you what this means to me,” David said.
“You don’t have to say a word about it. It is my pleasure to see you and my niece happy together. Nothing else is so important to me,” Mrs. Roberta said.
“Your niece is the loveliest woman I have ever seen or known,” David told her.
“I have to agree. She is quite a good young woman. And that is exactly how you should know that I approve of you. I would never let you near her if I thought you were unworthy. I don’t expect I should ever need to worry about you,” Mrs. Roberta said.
David smiled, appreciative of her words. He truly hoped that he could live up to the things that she was saying about him. He hoped that he could be a good enough man to take care of Clementine.
“Mrs. Roberta,” he said.
“Yes? What is it?” she asked.
“I am curious to know what I can do to make your niece happier. What is something that you believe would truly be a wonder for her? I should like to do something unexpected,” he said.
Mrs. Roberta spilled and gave him a mischievous look.
“Right now, I believe the only thing that she really wants in this world is for you to finally tell her how you feel,” Mrs. Roberta said.
David was somewhat taken aback.
“You mean, she knows, and is hoping that I will ask her to court?” he asked.
“Precisely. It is quite obvious that you have an interest and I am certain that she would respond well if you acted on it. Do not even consider another outcome and do not find another excuse to delay,” she instructed.
David nodded. He was determined. Finally, he would speak with Miss Clementine. He would tell her how he felt and ask her if he could court her and hopefully he would marry her soon.
“You seem happy,” Mrs. Roberta observed.
“Of course I am. You are giving me permission to pursue Clementine and that is all I want in this world,” he said.
“I’m glad for that. But you had better take good care of her,” Mrs. Roberta said.
“I will certainly do my best,” he replied.
“You know, things may get difficult here. It was very nice of the men from church to volunteer to help us out, but that is not going to sustain us forever. We still have a lot of equipment that needs to be replaced and we can’t really afford to get it all,” she warned him.
“I understand. And while I hope it doesn’t come to that, I hope you know that I will find work anywhere if it means taking care of Clementine,” David promised.
“I am glad to hear it. And I trust you. I may not have known you for long, but you have a wonderful character and a deep integrity. That is enough for me to be sure that all is well and that you will be good to her,” Mrs. Roberta said.
“But I want you to know that I intend to do all that I can to keep this ranch thriving,” David said.
“Oh, I know that. You have already done so much. There is no doubt in my heart that you will continue to keep things going as best you can,” she said.
“I really do mean it. And I know that Hank will do all that he can as well. You have the loyalty of many people in town. I can’t imagine they would ever allow you to go without anything,” David said.
“They have always taken excellent care of me, but that doesn’t mean they don’t have their limits. Not in kindness or generosity, but in resources. I can’t expect them to give up their own comforts for the sake of my ranch,” she said.
“You never know. They may volunteer to do just that. I can’t imagine Feldey without Mrs. Roberta in it,” David said with a smile.
“Ha! That’s because you’re new here and have never had to see Feldey without me. Other people have done just fine here without my presence. I appreciate how you care for me and want to see me thrive, but you ought to know that there are plenty of other aspects to living here outside of this ranch,” she reasoned.
“Well, I have no interest in learning any of them,” David said.
Mrs. Roberta smiled.
“You are too good a young man,” she said.
“I am only speaking honestly. I can’t imagine loving it here the way that I do if I wasn’t working at the ranch and with you and Hank, and of course with Miss Clementine. It just wouldn’t be the same place,” he said.
“It’s the difference between a job and a home,” Mrs. Roberta said, nodding.
“Exactly,” David replied.
“Well, then. I guess we just need to do all that we can to make sure that the ranch stays safe,” she said.
“I like that plan,” David replied.
“Have you finished your lunch?” Mrs. Roberta asked him.
“I have,” he said.
“Go and get Hank. I have a feeling he didn’t really leave anything undone. The two of you ought to take the rest of the afternoon off and relax for a while. Of course, you need to get yourself ready for this evening when you speak with Clementine,” she said.
“Indeed, I do. Thank you, Mrs. Roberta. I’m sure that Hank and I will use our time well. We could both do with a bit of rest,” David said.
“I expected as much. Anyway, enjoy your free time,” she said.
With that, David went and let Hank know the plan. From there, he decided to try and take a nap, although that went poorly as his mind was racing with anticipation for his meeting with Clementine.
David couldn’t wait to see her. He only hoped that she would feel the same.
Chapter 25
Clementine was thrilled to be riding back to the ranch. She knew that whatever plans she had for the evening, things were about to change.
It was with determination in her spirit that she rode forth, excited to meet with David and see what it was that he wished to say to her.
Despite everything that was within Clementine’s thoughts, it was hope that reigned in her heart.