“Thank you. He hoped that you would like it.”
She swallowed. “What about Birdie?”
Mark took the apple away from his mouth and turned to her. “What do you mean?”
“Well,” Addie concentrated on a brown spot, peeling it away with her fingernail. “She just seems. . .different. She’s so dark and quiet. Is she from somewhere else?” She turned her eyes to his, anxious for any information he might have.
Mark stared at her. “But. . .” He cleared his throat. “She’s Apache. Didn’t you know that–” he cut off his words abruptly.
She stared at him. “Apache? That’s Indian, isn’t it?”
He nodded, his face washed with mild confusion.
“I guess that explains it,” she smiled. “So tell me about your family. The parents of the nieces and nephews that are so expert at naming horses,” she teased.
“Sure. I just don’t want to bore you,” he grinned.
He might say that, but it was easy to tell from his face that he loved to speak about his family. His face lit up in a way different from any other subject he spoke of. She had never seen such natural love for a family. So many she had known described their relatives in descriptions that made them seem more important than they were. Always bragging on their accomplishments. But Mark talked about his family with his heart.
“Jared is the oldest. I think I mentioned him the day I brought you to Chance. He practically raised Seth and me after our parents died. His wife is Missy, and they have a boy, Isaac, and a girl, Frances Anne. She’s named after my brother Seth’s wife, Frankie. No doctor was available the day Frances Anne was born, so Frankie was the one that delivered her.”
“No doctor?” Addie interrupted. “But. . .does that happen often?”
Mark shook his head and threw his apple core toward the pond. A crow swooped down and claimed it at once, dark feathers showing bits of green in the bright light. “Not anymore. We have three doctors in town. And one is a woman.”
“Really?” A sense of pride swelled through her at the idea that a woman had broken through the convention that all doctors should be men. “She must be very courageous to tackle such a man dominated occupation. If a woman can be a doctor in a small town like Chance, maybe there was a possibility for women to really start making a difference in the world.”
“I thought that might interest you,” he grinned. “My sisters-in-law and aunt are certainly impressed.” He cleared his throat. “My brother Seth and his wife Frankie have three children. There’s Charlie, he’s eleven, and then the twins, Emma and Ella. Those two are almost four years old and they’re quite a lot of trouble at times. But their Uncle Mark puts up with it,” he laughed.
“Look! What is that?” She pointed at a slight movement on the ground uphill from the bank of the pond.
Mark stood and offered his hand to her, pulling her up with him. “Let’s go see.”
He held a finger in front of his lips as they walked closer. “I think it’s ducks. Probably a nest.”
Addie stared as they came close to a brushy pile. A duck with brown speckled feathers sat quietly on the ground. A small head, dark on top and yellow beneath, with a black stripe traveling down it, peered out from beneath the bird.
“She probably has more,” Mark whispered to her. “That one doesn’t look to be more than a day or so old.”
Another two heads poked out from beneath the mother.
Addie smiled and whispered. “They’re so pretty. Will they swim soon?”
“Not for a few weeks. C’mon, we’d better leave them before their mother gets to thinking we’re up to no good.”
“Your nieces and nephews would probably like to see them,” she said as they walked back to the horses, still quietly grazing on the spring grasses.
He nodded. “There are a couple of nests not too far from the house that they’ve all been watching.”
Addie took a last bite from her fruit. “It must be fun to have your family around all the time.”
He sighed and put the hat back on his head. “They can be a nuisance, at times, always in your business. But family is what holds us together. Without it, you don’t have much. Sometimes it takes a little work to get along with each other, but it’s always worth it.”
She looked away. He was speaking of her father and herself. Well he needn’t bother to lecture her on her feelings for a man she hardly knew.
He cleared his throat. “What I mean, is–”
“I guess we should go back,” she interrupted. This was not a conversation she wished to have.
Chapter 20
“So how was the lesson today?”
Addie gently put her fork back on the plate. Once her father started a conversation, she was supposed to be fully attentive. She could eat in peace once he had given her his lecture for the day.
He should already know the answer. He always sent word for Mark to see him, once the lessons were over. “It went well. Mr. Murphy – Mark –says that I am becoming a fine rider.” She should be. After several weeks of riding around on the horse for hours at a time, it was finally starting to feel normal to her. Mark was a good teacher. And becoming a good friend. A friend who made her hands sweat and her heart race out of control. But those were things she refused to think about. It would all stop, once she was good enough to ride without him. A time she longed for and dreaded at the same moment.
He nodded. “That’s what he tells me. I think another week or two and you won’t need him anymore. Then you can get on with meeting the upper society here in Chance.”
Addie reached for her glass of water and took a sip. “I didn’t know there was such a thing in this area.”
He laughed and cleared his throat. “There are quite a few single, wealthy ranchers in the area, people you should know. I’m thinking of have a small dinner and dance here at the house, once I’m able to be up and about. Would you like that?”
“A party? Oh, yes. That sounds like fun.” Everyday life was already turning into a drudgery for her. The few hours with Mark a few days a week were the highlights of her days. Meeting other people would certainly break the monotony.
“Fine,” he smiled. “You and Birdie can start planning it anytime you feel like it,” he said, glancing at the housekeeper, seated across from Addie.
Chapter 21
“You’re just going to have to be more careful, Addie,” Mark scolded.
Addie covered her smile with her fingers and nodded. Standing in the shade of the Live Oak, his eyes were cobalt in the faint light, a nice contrast with his fair hair. It was tempting to scramble through a few more briers just to see that irritated look on his handsome face.
“I will. I promise,” she said, watching as he reached down and untangled the thorns from her skirt.
“Your father is going to start holding me responsible for all the tears in your clothes,” he teased, his good humor returning. “But I don’t think it’s too bad, this time.”
“Oh, it’s nothing to worry about. I have an open account at Ada’s in town.”
He looked up for a moment, giving her a quizzical look as she lifted her booted foot and stepped over the fallen branch. Stopping to rest was sometimes more trying than the actual ride, she thought, glancing over at the horses, still busy drinking from the stream. They were beautiful together, the black and white. The black and Sugar, she corrected. She was going to think of a good name for her horse soon. But nothing was coming to mind.
“There,” he said at last and stood. “I don’t think you’ve done any damage to your skirt. Now let’s just get back on the horses and get riding. Your father is counting on you being the best horsewoman in the county. And I‘m sorry to tell you that you‘ve still got a long way to go before you‘re there,” he teased.
She laughed and followed him to the stream to retrieve the horses. “I’m not sure they’re ready to go on.” Sugar was still drinking and her black was nosing around a clump of grass.
“That’s why w
e’re in charge,” he grinned, scooping Sugar’s reins up in his hands. “Now you go show. . .your horse who is in charge. You are going to name her, aren’t you?”
“Of course I am,” she told him, walking quietly to the black, trying not to spook her. She was sure the silly animal could still sense her apprehension. “I got a letter from Rose yesterday. She sent several suggestions for names, but I didn’t really care for them.” She managed to snag the leather reins and pulled the black to her before the mischievous animal could step away.
Mark, in the saddle, waited. “How are your friends – Rose and Michael?”
Addie grabbed the saddle horn and swung up, enjoying the pride she felt every time she got on the horse alone. “They are fine. They love living out by the lighthouse. Michael’s uncle is going to retire and it looks like Michael is likely to get the keeper’s job. ”
Mark nodded. “I’m sure his experience working at a lighthouse in Ireland helped secure the job. Sounds like everything is working out for them.”
“Race you to the ranch,” Addie teased, giving her horse a good kick.
“Hey, you wait,” he laughed, urging Sugar after her.
Chapter 22
Where would you like to ride today?”
Addie chewed her lip for a moment. Mostly for the effect. She had already planned to ask him for a particular destination as a favor.
“A few weeks ago, you mentioned that we might ride over to your home one day,” she began. “We haven’t done that, yet. I was just thinking. . .” His talk of his family had aroused her curiosity. She had never met a group that seemed to have so many strong-minded women.
Mark grinned and shoved his hat back from his forehead. In the sun, his bright blue eyes matched the cloudless spring sky. “Well, I guess if that’s what you’d like.”
“It is,” she agreed, ignoring the quickening of her heart when his eyes met hers. He was her teacher, not a suitor, after all. “I’ve been hearing about your family for weeks, now. I’d like to meet them for myself, especially the children.”
“And have them name your horse?” he teased, pulling on the reins to discourage Sugar from taking another bite of grass.
She adjusted the green straw hat she had on her head and turned her face away from him. She had planned to name this silly horse by now. Why couldn‘t she think of anything? “If they would like.”
***
The ranch house was part log, part white-washed planks. It had looked small from a distance, but as they approached the front gate, Addie could see it had several additions, including a two-story addition in the back. The front yard was bare, save two rose bushes, beginning to put on buds. A small black and tan dog ran to greet them, taking care to stay away from the horses hooves. Swinging down from the saddle, she noticed the small two-story house on the hill.
“Seth’s house,” Mark said, seeing her glance. The sound of chatter floated out the open front door and a squeal of laughter told Addie that the children must be inside, as well.
She followed him to a hitching post near the porch. She took her time wrapping the reins around the pole. A flutter of nerves invaded her stomach and she tried to think of something to stall this meeting. He had spoke of what confident women they were. How they struggled against the dictates of society in hopes their daughters could live a different life than women were subject to right now.
“Are you all right?”
His voice startled her and she glanced up at him. “Y-yes. I’m fine.” How could he know she had little experience holding a conversation with a group of women since Mother had died? Other than her maid, and the household staff, she had lived her life away from other women.
He smiled. “How about I show you the horse I‘m riding in the race, first.”
She nodded. “Yes. I’d like that.”
They walked to the corral area behind the barn and Mark climbed up the slats of the fence. He put his fingers in his mouth and whistled.
Addie laughed as a large black horse ran to them.
Mark reached out and patted it’s nose. “This is Patriot.”
She reached her fingers up to touch his face. “He is beautiful. Do you think he will win?”
Mark nodded his head. “I sure do. He’s the fastest horse I’ve ever had. I’m looking forward to the race.”
“And what will you do with the prize money?” She asked.
He shrugged. “We always need something around here. The more we can make improvements, the better for the business.” He jumped down and motioned toward the house.
She fell in step beside him. It was a shame he couldn’t keep the money for himself. But it was easy to see that his family came first in his priorities.
“Well let’s go inside. Ladies first,” he motioned her up the narrow stone steps.
The shade of the porch was cool and the wooden rockers lined across the other end were inviting. It would be a pleasant place to spend a warm afternoon, especially since her feet had become blocks of wood, unable to move.
Mark reached around her and opened the screened door. The aroma of cookies baking greeted her nose as he gently took her elbow and urged her through the doorway.
Her heart raced up her throat as she stood inside the doorway. Three women, oblivious to their presence were chattering about their chores. And three little girls, all in pigtails, were sitting on the floor near a cold fireplace hearth, paper dolls cut from a magazine strewn around them as one girl seemed to be cutting shapes from some colored paper. The oldest, obviously in charge grabbed the scissors from a younger one. “You know you’re not supposed to have those. Only I can use them!”
The blond woman, a gray scarf covering her head, laughed at this as she handed a tin pan to a smaller, auburn headed woman. Her hair, plaited in a long braid, swung freely down her back.
“We might as well practice our kitchen skills as much as we can while we‘ve got the chance today,” said the blond woman. “We’ll have to bake up a good ten dozen of these for the Chance Day dance in town.”
“It’s some early to be worrying about that,” the older woman replied, as she turned toward the door. Her jaw dropped open at once. “Mark! Why didn’t you tell us you’d come in? And brought company, too,” she added, wiping her hands on the white apron that covered her blue calico dress.
A hush fell over the group. Mark cleared his throat. “I’d like all of you to meet Miss Addie Fleming. Addie, this is. . .” and he introduced them all, one by one.
“It’s so nice to meet you,” Addie said for the sixth and last time. She hid a smile at the formal introduction of each little girl. Mark had given them the same consideration as their mothers and his aunt. It was easy to see why the children adored him.
“Here, let me clear a spot for you,” Frankie insisted, picking up a stoneware bowl and sweeping a cotton towel across the spot. We’ll have some cookies out of the oven in a moment, or so,” she added.
Addie smiled and took a seat at the table. “Thank you.”
Frances Anne, Emma, and Ella had abandoned their paper project in favor of watching her. The twins were shy and hid their faces in their pinafore aprons whenever she looked at them, but Frances Anne was bolder and asked, “Why do you talk like that?”
“Because I’m from England,” Addie smiled, glad her first conversation was with one of the little ones. “I’ll probably talk like you after I’ve been here a few years,” she added. Not that she planned on staying that long if she could find a way back home.
“I like it. It sounds pretty,” the child said.
“Well, thank you. And you have a very pretty voice, too,” Addie added. “Your uncle told me that you girls might have an idea for a name for my horse.”
“Is it a girl?” one of the twins spoke up.
Addie nodded. “It is.”
The three rushed to the door and were out on the porch at once. Their chatter of name possibilities brought a smile to her lips.
She glanced at their mothers. “Mark
told me they would be a great help. I just can‘t seem to think of anything.”
Frankie shook her head and opened the oven door. Taking a folded red-checked cloth, she pulled a pan of cookies from the oven. “I‘m sure it won‘t take them long to give you a suggestion.”
“And don’t feel obligated to take it,” Missy said, sliding another pan of cookie dough into the open oven. “Mark has horses named things I’d be embarrassed to shout out in public,” she laughed.
“Blue Jay, for instance,” Frankie said, spooning more portions of dough onto a greased tin.
The trio was back in an instant. The twins hung behind their older cousin as Frances Anne spoke. “What do you think about Pepper?”
“Or Peppermint?” Ella offered, then giggled and covered her freckled face with her apron.
Addie smiled. “You girls have come up with some good names. How about I name her Peppermint, and call her Pepper, for short?”
All three nodded their heads and grinned at each other.
“We’re good namers,” Emma said.
“Yes, you are,” Addie agreed. Mark must be charmed by these three quite often.
Frankie stopped washing the bowl in her hands and turned around. “I’m not sure if namers is a real word, Emma. You should say something to the effect that you are talented at naming animals.”
Della laughed. “Now you’re just encouraging them. You girls go play,” she instructed them, waving a towel and shooing them from the table area. “I’ll bring you each one cookie when they are cooled enough to eat. And you go find something to do, too,” she said, glancing at Mark. “We ladies like to visit without men folk around sometimes. I think Jared is out in the barn and is wanting to ask you something.”
***
“A dance every night?” Frankie shook her head and reached for another molasses cookie. “It must have been wonderful. We only have them a few times a year, here in the community.”
Chance Creek Brides (Volumes 1-3 & the Stagecoach Bride) Page 28