Reuben’s jaw had softened, and his mouth curved in a hint of a smile. “I couldn’t have said it better myself. The part about living peaceably that is.” Then he reached a hand forward. It took Nathaniel a second for his stunned mind to realize what the man offered.
He took the extended hand, accepting the friendship locked firmly in the grip. Reuben’s gaze settled in his, something like respect shimmering in his dark eyes.
Then the man eased back in his chair with a comfortable sigh. “Now tell us, what do you need to help you settle in? That shack’s not been lived in regularly for a while that I know of. You need a hand to make the place habitable?”
Mrs. Scott placed a plate of fluffy biscuits on the table, along with butter and some kind of jam. He’d meant only a glance at the food, but the aroma didn’t do the fare justice. He could almost taste the warm melding of sweet flavors, even though it had been years since he’d enjoyed such bliss. Not since he joined the cavalry.
A chuckle drifted from Reuben as the man nudged the plate toward him. “Go ahead. Eat. Cathleen makes better biscuits than anyone I know. Even better than my mum’s.”
“Speaking of Mum, I think I hear her waking.” Mrs. Scott spoke for the first time since they’d sat at the table. The swish of her skirts sounded as she moved toward the doors against the back wall.
Reuben watched his wife go, a glimmer in his eyes most married men seemed to lose after the courting days. Then he turned his focus back to Nathaniel. “Mum doesn’t always remember much these days. It might confuse her to meet you. She’ll be polite, but she may think you’re someone she once knew.”
Nathaniel nodded. “Getting old isn’t easy.” He couldn’t withstand the call of the biscuits any longer, but tried not to make a fanfare of scooping one onto his plate.
Reuben did the same, and an easy quiet settled as they loaded the bread with extras. The first bite was heavenly, even better than he’d imagined.
“So you didn’t say how we could help. I’m sure Cathy will want to send food with you.”
As welcome as the words were, they invaded Nathaniel’s moment of pleasure like a buzzing horsefly in summer’s heat. Still, he pulled himself back to his main purpose for coming here.
“Actually, I’m looking to buy stock. Cattle and good horseflesh if I can find it. My plan is to raise mostly horses, but the cattle will help offset the lean times. Do you know the best places in this area to buy healthy animals?”
Reuben’s gaze drifted into the distance as he chewed, his mind likely far away. “I don’t mind selling you a few of our cattle, but our herd’s still low from when I had to trade some to O’Hennessey last year. He may have more to part with than we do. I know he has a few horses, but I’m not sure if any will be what you’re looking for.” He turned back to Nathaniel. “He’s our neighbor to the west, about an hour’s ride. I can go over there with you if you’d like.”
Nathaniel tried to keep the grin from spreading too wide on his face. “I’d appreciate that.”
A clanging sounded from the back chamber. And at the same time the dog growled on the porch outside. Reuben’s head cocked, then he pushed to his feet and moved toward the small window at the far end of the room.
Nathaniel stood, too. Had someone else come to visit? He wouldn’t expect many people this far up in the mountains. Reuben’s face looked troubled as he peered through the glass, then he stepped to the rear door his wife had entered. When he poked his head inside what must be a bed chamber, the hum of voices sounded, but not loud enough for Nathaniel to make out words.
He kept his place by the table, waiting to see where he was needed. Reuben strode toward the front door, then paused as if just remembering Nathaniel was there. He waved toward the porch. “Three unfamiliar riders. You can come meet them too. Maybe we have more new neighbors.”
Nathaniel followed him out, but couldn’t summon the light spirit the man’s words tried to relay. Maybe because Reuben’s face held a seriousness that matched the foreboding in his own chest.
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This Wilderness Journey
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This Daring Journey
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This Healing Journey
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The Lady and the Mountain Call
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Brides of Montana
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Hope’s Highest Mountain
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A Pony Express Romance
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The Ranger Takes a Bride
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The Rancher Takes a Cowgirl
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A1bout the Author
MISTY M. BELLER writes romantic mountain stories, set on the 1800s frontier and woven with the truth of God’s love.
She was raised on a farm in South Carolina, so her Southern roots run deep. Growing up, her family was close, and they continue to keep that priority today. Her husband and children now add another dimension to her life, keeping her both grounded and crazy.
God has placed a desire in Misty’s heart to combine her love for Christian fiction and the simpler ranch life, writing historical novels that display God’s abundant love through the twists and turns in the lives of her characters.
Connect with Misty at www.MistyMBeller.com
Dedication
To my baby sis, Elena.
You’ve been a gift from God
since the very beginning. I’m so thankful you’re my sister!
Copyright
This book is a work of fiction and any resemblance to persons, living or dead, or places, events or locales is purely coincidental. The characters are the product of the author’s imagination and used fictitiously.
Copyright © 2019 Misty M. Beller
All rights reserved.
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