There was nothing to do but accept his invitation. “Thank you, Mr. Carson. You do me a great honor.”
As he clumsily took her in his arms, Ansley caught sight of Seth headed back to where she’d been standing. When he saw she was gone, he looked onto the dance floor and found her. The quick scowl that marred his face lifted Ansley’s spirits quite a lot. She smiled at Luke, suddenly wondering if perhaps Seth might think of her as courting material after all.
Chapter 9
Seth spent the day cutting trees and splitting wood, enough to last a while for both his household and the cabin. He might not be happy about Ansley moving into the cabin, but he couldn’t let her freeze to death.
He walked into his cold, dark house after six, irritated that Teddy had decided to have her dinner with Ansley. He washed up and warmed the meal of leftover deer roast and fried potatoes with green beans boiled in pork fat. He had to admit it was still tasty, even if he’d eaten the exact same thing last evening.
Not that they hadn’t invited him. Teddy assured him Ansley had requested he join them for dinner, but he insisted he needed to build up the woodpile. Which was only half the truth. The other half was that even a week later he was still smarting over Ansley paying off the deed. Although as the days wore on, he was growing less and less defensive about her actions and was starting to see his reaction as one of excessive pride. Instead of being grateful she had saved the cabin, he had taken it as an insult. The thought made him squirm a little on the inside. He’d behaved badly and Ansley deserved an apology, which he should have offered days ago.
After he did his chores, Seth paced the floor and glanced at the clock, impatiently waiting for eight to arrive. He had agreed to pick up Teddy and the children from the boardinghouse then. If tomorrow hadn’t been Saturday, he’d never have agreed to let the children spend the evening there.
At seven, he could stand it no longer. He grabbed his coat and hat and hitched up the team. When he reached the boardinghouse, he didn’t bother to knock. The only time the door was locked was between eight each night and five each morning. He headed toward the sound of laughter coming from the library.
Hannah’s voice rose above the laughter. “Maybe we can stay all night with you sometime.”
Lily chimed in before Ansley could answer. “Then you could tuck us in and tell us more stories about when Mama was a little girl.”
A sense of helplessness hit Seth swiftly and full in the gut. Clearly the girls already preferred their new aunt to him and Teddy. Well...to him, anyway. Would they want to go and stay with Ansley while she was in the cabin?
He stepped inside the room. Ansley glanced up and smiled. His heart tripped inside his chest. Ever since the dance last week, he had been a ball of conflict. One minute he wanted Ansley to board the train and leave Prairie Chicken forever. The next, he wanted to take her hand and go for a long moonlit walk with her, listening to her soft, low tones as she spoke about her life. Past and present.
Teddy broke into his musings. “You’re early, brother-dear.”
“I missed my family.” Seth dropped into a wing chair and Lily crawled into his lap.
“We ate chicken. And Mrs. King made a scrumptious pie.” She grinned her gap toothed, dimpled grin. “Apple.”
“You and your love of apple pie.” Seth couldn’t hold back a laugh and he tickled his niece’s stomach. She giggled.
“The children were just saying how happy they are that Ansley is moving into the cabin.” Teddy smiled at him, daring him to say something about it.
“We want to spend the night in our old loft.” Hannah’s voice rose with excitement. “Can we, Uncle Seth?”
Seth met Ansley’s gaze and noted she was holding her breath. “If it’s okay with your aunt Ansley, it’s okay with me.”
Ansley’s breath left her as her eyebrows rose and a slow smile lifted the corners of her full lips. “That would be lovely.”
Teddy rose from the sofa and gathered up the children. “Time to go. Say goodbye to Aunt Ansley.”
They protested, of course, but Ansley stood by Teddy and promised she would see them soon.
Seth hung back as Teddy moved the children toward the door. Ansley turned to him. “I didn’t ask the children to spend the night with me.”
“I know. I heard them ask.” Seth smiled, trying to set her at ease. “I wanted to apologize for the way I acted last week. I know it wasn’t your intention to waltz in and try to take over. What I should have done was thank you for helping to save the children’s farm.” He finished, out of breath, and waited for her response.
She gave him what could only be described as an affectionate smile. The same smile he had seen her bestow upon the children. While he’d much rather receive the sort of smile a woman gives a man, at least she wasn’t frowning. “Mr. Dobson, thank you for saying that. I just want to enjoy the time I have left in Prairie Chicken. The children deserve to have us getting along, don’t you think?” She held out her hand. “Truce?”
Seth couldn’t hold back a grin as he took her proffered hand. “Truce.”
* * *
The next morning, Ansley awoke early and packed her meager things. She wanted to be ready to go when Seth arrived to load the trunks in his wagon and drive her out to the cabin. Her stomach tripped over at the thought of going to live in the cabin. She’d never lived alone and she wasn’t sure she could take care of herself. But mostly she was excited about the new adventure. After years and years of caring for Aunt Maude according to the old lady’s whims, then living with staff who refused to make any changes to their routine and finally enduring Mrs. Boatwright’s rigid rules for the past two weeks, she was more than ready to do whatever she wanted in her own home.
A knock at her door pulled her from her reverie. “Come in.”
Mrs. Boatwright entered, carrying an envelope. “This came for you. Telegram.”
Ansley’s heart picked up rhythm as she took the envelope.
Mrs. Boatwright hesitated, her eyes narrowing. “I thought maybe you’d given up the idea of taking the children away.”
Ansley gasped. “Did you read my telegram, Mrs. Boatwright?”
“Of course not, girl. You can see plainly the envelope is sealed.”
“Oh, you’re right.” Ansley reached out and touched her arm. “I’m sorry. I’m just a ball of nerves today.”
“So I take it that telegram is going to be in response to the one you sent last week?”
Ansley shrugged. “I don’t know. It could be from anyone.” And she certainly wasn’t going to read it with Mrs. Boatwright looking over her shoulder.
“Well, along with the telegram, I came to tell you Seth is here. He’s drinking coffee in the restaurant. Said for you to take your time.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Boatwright.”
She nodded and reached for the door. “You could do worse than Seth Dobson, you know.”
Of all the intrusions! “I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
Clearly undaunted by Ansley’s obvious offense, Mrs. Boatwright continued her diatribe. “And I’m sure you do. I’ve seen the way you look at him. And quite frankly, I’ve seen the way he looks at you, too. Instead of trying to take those children, why don’t you try nurturing whatever is between you and Seth. You two get married. It’s like killing two birds with one stone.”
“Mrs. Boatwright...”
The elderly woman raised her palm. “All right. I’ll mind my own business. Come down when you’re ready and I’ll let Seth up here to pick up the trunks.”
“Thank you.”
Mrs. Boatwright left, closing the door behind her.
Hands trembling, Ansley opened the envelope. Hearing in Martins Creek, Kansas STOP January 4 STOP Traveling Judge STOP Defendant will be notified by mail STOP
Dr
ead hit her full in the stomach. She hadn’t intended for him to file with the courts, only explain her rights under the law.
Perhaps Mrs. Boatwright had a point. What if she pursued the custody agreement and lost the chance for a lifetime of love and family with not only the children, but Seth, as well?
She shook her head at the thought. She was no romantic schoolgirl like Sarah Wayne reading dime novels. She certainly wasn’t going to abandon her efforts to gain custody on the off chance that she might find love.
Stuffing the telegram inside her reticule, she grabbed the small bag that she’d carried with her onto the stagecoach, which was large enough for only one gown and her underthings.
When she stepped inside the restaurant, Seth lifted his arm and waved her over. Guilt nearly overwhelmed her stomach and as she reached his table, it was all she could do not to break down and confess. “Would you like a cup of coffee?”
She shook her head.
He frowned. “Everything okay? You’re looking a little peaked.”
“Just a little tired.” She smiled, trying to convince him of her words so he would let the matter drop. Otherwise, she might spill the entire truth here and now and ruin all the progress she’d made with him.
Mrs. Boatwright approached the table as Seth was pulling out a coin for his coffee. “Oh, keep it,” she said, waving away his payment. “You ready to come upstairs and get Ansley’s trunks?”
Fifteen minutes later, Seth offered Ansley his hand and helped her into the wagon. Bella was tethered to the back of the wagon, her saddle next to Ansley’s trunks.
“Thank you for taking the trouble to do this for me,” Ansley said.
“It’s my pleasure, as long as you stay put now. I don’t know how many times I want to carry those boulders in and out of my wagon.” He laughed as he said it.
“I promise to stay put.” She only hoped he would still want her to stay in the cabin once he discovered that the legal process had begun for her to get custody of the children.
Halfway to the cabin, a horse and rider came toward them. Ansley felt Seth tense. Ansley recognized the rider as a fellow passenger on the stagecoach from Martin’s Creek, the man who had not introduced himself. She’d later learned his name was Mitch Lane. She had to admit he looked rather dashing astride his horse, his suit free of dust and wrinkles. He stopped his horse as Seth pulled on the reins to halt the wagon. It would have been rude not to do so.
Mitch tipped his black hat and grinned at Ansley. “Miss Potter. It’s nice to see you. I trust you’ve settled in since your arrival.”
“Actually, she’s just getting settled in today, so if you’ll excuse us...”
Ansley frowned at Seth’s rudeness. What could he possibly have against this man, who had only come to town two weeks ago? Of course, Ansley had thought Mr. Lane was ill mannered when he climbed out of the stagecoach before the ladies. But his manners seemed perfectly acceptable today.
“It is lovely to see you again, Mr. Lane.” Ansley knew her voice was just a little sweeter than normal, her smile a little brighter. But she felt compelled to make up for Seth’s rudeness.
“And you, too, Miss Potter. I’m glad to see your trunks arrived.” He motioned toward the back of the wagon.
How thoughtful of him to remember. “Yes, thank you. Mr. Dobson was kind enough to travel to Martin’s Creek and retrieve them for me.”
“Ah, how good of Mr. Dobson,” Mr. Lane said.
“Well,” Seth said. “We’re trying to beat the rain.”
Once again, Ansley failed to understand his surliness. It was almost as though...well, surely Seth wasn’t jealous of Mr. Lane’s attention toward her. Her stomach dipped at the thought, and then just as suddenly, she chided herself for being foolish. Two handsome men were not going to fight over a twenty-nine-year-old spinster—not unless they were after her money. Another ridiculous thought. Seth had already been pretty clear how he felt about her wealth, and Mr. Lane couldn’t possibly know she was an heiress.
“Of course. I wouldn’t want Miss Potter to get rained on.” Mr. Lane smiled at Ansley and touched his hat. “I hope to see you again soon, Miss.”
Ansley’s face warmed. Perhaps Mr. Lane had an interest in her after all. Seth Dobson certainly didn’t. “Thank you, sir. I’ll look forward to it. Perhaps at church tomorrow?”
“Perhaps.” He nodded his farewell to Seth and nudged his horse. It was all Ansley could do not to turn and watch him ride away.
Seth flipped the reins and the wagon lurched forward once again. “You need to stay away from Mitch Lane.”
A gasp filled Ansley’s lungs. How dare he? “I don’t see how it’s your business.”
“I have reason to believe his intentions aren’t exactly what they seem.”
“I’m sure I don’t know what you mean.”
“Don’t be a fool. Mitch Lane works for Mr. Carson, the man who tried to steal your sister’s home out from under her children. And now he’s suddenly behaving like a suitor?”
“I see. So only a fool would believe a handsome man like Mr. Lane might possibly want to court someone like me?” Her voice broke as she fought back angry tears.
“Now, look here, that’s not what I...”
“It’s of no consequence, Mr. Dobson. And I refuse to discuss it any further.”
He shrugged. “Suit yourself.”
Ansley folded her arms across her chest. “Thank you. I will.”
They rode the rest of the way in silence. When they reached the cabin, Ansley didn’t wait for his assistance, but instead she climbed quickly from the wagon while Seth set the brake. She strode to the cabin and opened the door.
“Welcome home!” Teddy and the children greeted her.
“Look, Auntie Ansley,” Hannah said, pointing to the wall. “We made signs for you.”
Lily took her hand and led her to the table. “See? I picked flowers.” Someone had set a pitcher of autumn wildflowers in the center of the table. Reaching down, Ansley pulled the five-year-old into her arms. “You children did this for me?”
“Aunt Teddy helped,” Hannah said.
“Only a little,” Teddy said. “The children did most of it themselves.”
Lily wrapped her chubby arms around Ansley’s neck and whispered in her ear. “I wish you could marry Uncle Seth and we could all live here.”
“Lily!” Clearly the girl’s loud whisper had carried. Teddy scowled at the child.
Over Lily’s shoulder, Teddy grinned and rolled her eyes at Ansley.
“Besides,” Hannah piped up. “If Uncle Seth married Aunt Ansley, we’d all live in Uncle Seth’s house.”
“We would not!” Lily’s tone was outraged at the very thought.
“Girls,” Teddy admonished. “That’s enough.”
“But Aunt Teddy, Hannah told a big fat lie. You know she did.”
Ansley’s face burned as they continued the conversation around her. She turned and found Jonah by the fireplace. The boy had grabbed the poker and stoked up the fire. She walked across the room. “Thank you. Maybe you could show me how to start the thing.”
“You don’t know how to build a fire?” The boy’s surprise did nothing to alleviate Ansley’s embarrassment.
“I’m afraid not. We have servants to do that for us.”
“You have servants? I thought the war set them all free.”
Ansley laughed. “Well, mercy, Jonah, I don’t have slaves. My servants are mostly Irish men and women and I pay them a salary to work for me.”
He frowned. “You pay someone to build your fires?”
The whole conversation was beginning to become comical. Especially now that the girls had stopped arguing and were listening with interest. Ansley glanced at Teddy, who was trying hard not to laugh.
�
�Yes, there are seven fireplaces in my home, and yes, I do pay a man to build them. He also takes care of the grounds.”
“What are the grounds, Aunt Ansley?”
“Why...” Ansley stared at Hannah, not quite understanding the question. Then she realized. The children didn’t have a yard with gardens and bushes and trees except for the woods surrounding the cabin. She smiled to include all three curious children. “The grounds is the acre my house sits upon. It is up to my groundskeeper to keep the flowers healthy and the bushes clipped and even.”
Jonah nodded. “What do you do with the grounds?”
The question was a valid one. After all, every piece of land had a purpose on a farm. There were fields of wheat and corn, vegetable gardens. Suddenly her life seemed very frivolous indeed.
Thankfully, Seth entered, lugging her trunk through the door.
Lily was the first to greet him. “Look, Uncle Seth. We made signs and I picked flowers.”
“That was thoughtful of you.” Seth’s breath came in bursts as he struggled with the heavy trunk.
Hannah hopped in front of him. “And Aunt Ansley has servants who light all seven of her fireplaces and make sure her flowers are pretty.”
Seth laughed, despite the burden he carried. “I can imagine she does.”
“Children,” Teddy said. “Let Uncle Seth through.”
“Where do you want this?”
“Anywhere is fine.”
He seemed relieved as he set the trunk in the middle of the sitting room floor. His gaze found Jonah. “Want to help bring in the rest of Aunt Ansley’s things?”
“Yes, sir.” Jonah hurried across the room.
In minutes, the wagon was unloaded. Seth stood at the door, his hat in his hands. He motioned to the children. “Let’s go.”
“Can’t we stay?” Hannah asked. “Aunt Ansley needs our help. We can walk home later.”
Seth shook his head. “It’s raining, so you can’t walk today.”
Christmas on the Prairie Page 8