She spread the food out on the blanket, and Nathan took a seat across from her. After saying grace, Nathan tore off a chunk of bread and handed it to Sara. “So tell me, where’d you learn to ride like that?”
Sara smiled. “My father used to train horses for a wealthy family outside of Boston. I grew up there on the horse farm. The owner allowed us to ride whenever we pleased. My father was quite a horseman, and he taught me to ride when I was very young. I don’t remember not knowing how to ride.”
“You’ve never mentioned your father.”
“He died when I was fourteen. My mother and I rented a little house in Boston. We had to sell one of our horses to afford it. Mama sewed to bring in a little extra money when I was still in school. Money ran out when I was fifteen, and she married Pete. He sold our only other horse, and I haven’t ridden since.”
“Well, I can tell you haven’t forgotten anything!”
“I’ve been longing to ride one of your horses since I arrived here. It felt wonderful to be in a saddle again!”
“You only had to ask. You’re welcome to ride anytime.”
“Thank you.”
They ate in silence for a moment while Nathan gazed at the water as if he were deep in thought. “Me and my dad used to ride out here and frolic in the water when I was a boy. He taught me how to swim here.”
“How deep is it?”
“It’s only waist deep in the middle.” He winked at her. “That’s neck deep to you.” She tossed a towel at him, and he laughed.
When they finished eating, Nathan pulled off his boots and socks. “I don’t know about you, but I’m going to take advantage of that cool water.”
“I’ll join you in a minute.” Sara packed up the leftovers, leaving the blanket on the ground. She removed her boots and peeled off her stockings.
The grass prickled her sensitive feet as she tiptoed to the rock ledge. Most of the water was shaded, but there were specks of brilliance where the sunlight filtered through the trees.
Sara gathered her skirt in one hand and dipped in a toe. “That feels heavenly!”
Nathan was up to his knees in the pool, heedless of his trousers. “Watch yourself when you get in. The water’s about a foot deep off that ledge.”
Sara stepped in, raising her skirt high enough to keep it dry. A flush rose to her cheeks when she saw Nathan watching. Her legs had been exposed clear to her knees! She was so busy reminding herself that Nathan was her husband, that she didn’t even notice the temperature change when she entered the water.
“Is it too cool for you?”
“What? Oh—no, it feels just wonderful!”
They walked around the spring, along the edges, where it was shallower. Nathan paused here and there to point out a small creature.
“The town is named for a larger spring on the other side of town. You can guess what’s growing on the banks.”
“Cedar trees?” she said, smiling.
“Right. It’s bigger, but nowhere near as pretty, in my unbiased opinion.”
“Unbiased, huh?” She teased him with her eyes.
His lips twitched. “One day I’ll take you there and let you judge for yourself.”
As they neared the rock outcropping once again, an impish idea formed in Sara’s mind. She bent over and looked into the sparkling liquid. “Look, Nathan! What’s that?” She had her finger in the water, pointing at something, but it was hard to see past the sun-dappled surface.
“What?” he said.
“That thing. . .right there.”
Nathan bent down, trying to peer into the changing water. “I don’t see anything.” He bent lower. “What does it. . .?”
In one motion Sara opened her hand in the water and brought it up quickly, splashing Nathan.
She giggled as he straightened abruptly, rivulets of water streaming down his face. For a moment he looked stunned, but that expression was swiftly replaced by another look.
Sara covered her grin with a hand and began to slowly retreat. “Now, Nathan, it was just a little water, and I was only teas—”
Nathan sprang forward, and Sara squealed as she turned to scamper up the rock ledge. She ran over the grass and around a tree, unaware of the rough ground. Before she could round the tree, Nathan’s arm caught her around her waist. “Oh, no, you don’t.”
He lifted her into his arms. Sara tried futilely to escape as he walked with purpose to the bank and into the water.
“Nathan, what are you. . . ?” When he halted, she suddenly realized what he had in mind. “You can’t throw me in there! I’ll get all wet!”
“Uh-huh!”
He swung her body away from the water for momentum, and she shrieked as his arms carried her back over the water. She braced herself for the cold plunge, but rather than releasing her, he swung her body back to his.
She opened her eyes. “You beast! You nearly scared me to death!” she scolded.
His eyes twinkled. “A beast, am I? Why, I think a beast would give you a good soaking. Yes, I think so.” He made to toss her out again, but she clutched his neck and implored.
“Please! You’re not a beast! You’re—you’re a—a fine gentleman, that’s what you are! Yes. And a gentleman would never throw a lady into cold water!”
He paused as if contemplating the word. “Hmm. . .gentleman. I think I like the sound of that. Maybe I’ll let you off the hook this time.” He waded to the ledge and released her legs. Her body slid down his until her feet found the rocky surface. The tall sill added to her height, and when she looked into his playful eyes, she found they were nearly even with hers.
Her arms slid to his shoulders, but his hands remained at her waist. As she gazed at him, all teasing fell away, and his expression grew serious. There was heat in his ashen eyes, and she felt herself drawn to them, mesmerized. Everything around them faded away until there was nothing else but those eyes.
Her gaze dropped to his lips of their own accord, and she watched them move as he spoke. “If you keep looking at me like that, I’m going to kiss you.”
She raised her eyes to his, then deliberately glanced at his mouth again.
He lowered his head and tested her mouth with his warm lips. Sara felt almost dizzy as she responded. Never had she felt anything like this. Their wedding kiss had been pleasant, but the power of this kiss left her feeling weak and in awe.
He stepped away too soon, and she knew her eyes mirrored her thoughts.
“We’d best get started if you want to see the rest of the ranch,” he said softly.
She blinked and made a valiant effort to pull herself together. “Yes, you’re right,” she said with more conviction than she felt.
They put on their boots in silence, each entertaining their own private thoughts. Sara was berating herself for responding without any restraint whatsoever. Nathan probably thought she was utterly wanton, she guessed. Why, she’d practically begged him to kiss her! Her face colored at the thought.
Across from her, Nathan was watching the delightful blush climb her cheeks, and wondered at its cause. Sara’s mind would have been put to rest if she’d known Nathan’s thoughts at that moment. He had thoroughly enjoyed the embrace and had decided he would let God lead in their relationship.
No more guarding his heart. He would allow this seed to grow and see what happened. If it was anywhere near as good as he now suspected it could be, it would be worth risking his heart.
Not that he was comfortable with this new role. What did he know about being a husband? After all, he’d never even seen his mother and father together. There were some things that just came natural; as for the rest, he was in new and untried waters. He knew he wanted to touch Sara more, had held himself back in the past. There had been many a night that she’d sat stroking that dog’s fur and he’d been jealous. Jealous—of a dog!
She was his wife. From now on, he’d touch her if he was so inclined. He felt a smile tug at the corner of his lips. She’d certainly seemed willing to have his touch a minute ago.
Sakes alive! He’d never experienced a kiss like that one. How could such a tiny woman make him feel all coiled up inside?
❧
Tension eased between the two as the afternoon progressed. They talked about the ranch and other neutral topics until they were on comfortable ground once again. They even raced again, but Sara had no head start this time, and Nathan won by two lengths. She was impressed by his stallion and told him so.
Later, the conversation turned to the lunch-box social scheduled to take place on the coming Saturday. Sara had never been to one, but it was an annual tradition in Cedar Springs.
Nathan explained how it worked. All the ladies, married and single, would prepare a lunch in a basket. One at a time they would be auctioned off to the highest bidder, and proceeds were donated to the school. He said many of the wives marked their baskets by a ribbon so their husbands would be sure to bid on their lunches, and that there was much revelry during the social—but it was all in good fun. Sara was considering her own lunch basket, and when she gathered the courage, she spoke. “Would you like me to tie a ribbon on my basket?”
Nathan smiled wide, and Sara thought he looked pleased with the idea. “I’d like that very much,” he said. “How about the blue one you wore on the day you arrived?”
Sara stared at him, speechless that he remembered. “All right. The blue one it is.”
The rest of the afternoon passed quickly, but Sara was glad to see the house come into view. She was stiff, and her backside ached badly.
During dinner, Hetty wanted to know all about their explorations. Sara told her that Willow Spring was everything she’d said it was. They talked about the time they spent there, and Hetty’s sharp eyes didn’t miss the look that passed between the couple.
After dinner was cleared, Sara read her Bible while Nathan did some paperwork at the table.
Sara was just considering turning in when Nathan gathered his papers and stood. “I think I’ll head on up to bed now.” He ambled over to the small desk near Sara and set his papers down. Without warning, he dropped a kiss on her forehead. “Good night.”
Sara wasn’t sure if she replied or not. She just sat, her Bible resting in her lap, watching Nathan until he disappeared up the stairs.
fifteen
The next morning, Sara’s body was as stiff and sore as she’d expected. Getting out of bed and into her clothes was such a chore, she wondered how she’d manage the rest of the day. However, the stiffness eased as she moved about, and she was able to forget her soreness for a while.
The next two mornings were not much better, and Sara determined that she would start riding again soon to accustom her body to the activity. On the second day, Hetty made an ointment for her, which she applied in the morning and evening. It was some help.
Nathan clearly felt guilty over Sara’s incapacitation. She tried her best not to hobble in his presence, but it was especially difficult in the morning and evening hours. Each night she waited for him to retire first so that he wouldn’t have to see her limp off to bed; her body stiffened up after sitting a while. Every night he pressed a kiss upon her brow.
By Saturday morning she felt much better, and after applying the liniment, her legs were good as new.
After breakfast, Sara and Hetty prepared their lunches for the lunch-box social. They fixed fried chicken together, and each added other food to make their meals unique.
Nathan and Gus had ridden over to Luke’s house to lend him a hand, and Sara and Hetty were to take the carriage to town and meet the men there.
When Sara finished her basket, she proudly tied her ribbon to it. Hetty informed Sara that she had used the same basket for years, and Gus didn’t need a ribbon to identify it. Having finished, they settled in the carriage and set off for town.
The bidding was to start at 11:00. Hetty said there were always at least a hundred people there, and some wouldn’t get their lunch until well after 12:00.
It was a blustery day, but the warm sun made the temperature perfect. Fluffy clouds passed quickly, driven by the vigorous wind.
Sara wore her apricot gown and a matching bonnet. She had taken pains with her appearance today, and felt almost pretty. Hetty looked especially nice, too, and Sara told her so.
When they rode into town, Sara saw the crowd gathered on the church property. Families had spread quilts beneath trees, claiming prime spots in the shady grass. Some people sat around their blankets; others stood in small groups, chatting and laughing.
Sara and Hetty carried their baskets over to the tables that had been set up beside the church. As they approached the tables, Sara was dismayed to see that Mara was one of the two women tending the table. The other woman was serving lemonade, leaving Mara to take the baskets.
“Hello, Hetty. Sara.” Her voice was sugary, but her smile resembled a sneer.
They returned the greeting, but wandered off after they left their baskets and obtained their drinks.
Sara and Hetty joined Laura and her mother under a large oak, on the other side of the church. If Sara had turned around, she would have seen Mara walking hurriedly to the general store and returning with a ribbon strikingly similar to the one on Sara’s basket. She also would have seen Mara’s haughty expression as she secured the ribbon to her own basket.
After a while, Nathan and Gus joined their wives around Laura’s blanket. Sara learned that Laura’s father had a job that required him to travel a great deal. Sara had assumed he was no longer living since Mrs. Reed was always alone. However, he was home this weekend, and Mrs. Reed pointed him out.
Shortly before 11:00 Nathan excused himself to get a cup of lemonade. Sara watched covertly as he approached the refreshment table. Mara hurried over to serve him, and Sara’s heart sank as she saw Nathan smile and greet her. He didn’t stay long, but seeing them together was enough to put a damper on her spirits.
Nathan joined Luke and Caleb, Luke’s younger brother, just as the bidding began. Elizabeth, Luke and Caleb’s eleven-year-old sister, was playing with several other young girls.
The porch of the small church was being used as a stage, and Reverend Hill was officiating as auctioneer. He opened with a prayer, then received the first basket from Mara’s hands. It turned out to be Mrs. Reed’s basket, and it was dutifully purchased by Mr. Reed for the tidy sum of forty cents. Sara and Hetty moved closer to the stage in order to give the Reeds some privacy, while the couple met at the platform to collect the basket.
Several other lunches were auctioned off to people whom Sara didn’t know. There was laughing and teasing from the crowd, especially when there were two bidders competing for the same lunch.
Hetty’s lunch was next, and Gus vied with Caleb for a good five minutes before Caleb forfeited. There was much laughter as Gus nailed Caleb with an exaggerated scowl for driving the bid up to one dollar.
Shortly after that, Laura’s lunch was up for bidding. She blushed as several young men contended for the privilege of her company. They were all persistent, but Daniel Parnell was the one who sauntered away with Laura on his arm.
Sara stood alone now, wishing her lunch would be auctioned soon. Even as she thought this, the reverend held up a basket with a blue ribbon. She saw that it wasn’t her basket, but the ribbon looked like hers.
Nathan began the bidding, and several others joined in, assuming that it was Sara’s basket. There was no way to gain Nathan’s attention, though, for he was surrounded by a throng. She was torn between amusement that he was bidding so tenaciously for the wrong basket, and disappointment that he wasn’t going to be her lunch partner. It was evident by his resolve that he would come out on top, so Sara wasn’t surprised when his bid was the highest at a dollar and thirty cents.
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The crowd’s applause turned to laughter when Mara Lawton came forward to claim her basket.
sixteen
Sara was so deep in thought that she didn’t see Nathan’s look of shock and dismay when he saw the owner of the basket. It was quickly replaced with a resigned grin.
Several people turned to smile good-naturedly at Sara, and she pinned a smile to her face. But inside she agonized.
Had this been a simple mistake, or had Nathan known it was Mara’s lunch? They had spoken briefly before the bidding began. Perhaps she had shown him which basket was hers.
Reverend Hill continued to auction off baskets while Sara stood motionless, mortified that Nathan had chosen another woman’s lunch. Never mind that the crowd thought it was a mistake. She knew.
To make matters worse, her basket was one of the last to be auctioned and there were few bidders left. Luke was the only one to bid on her lunch. It cost him thirty cents. She collected her basket in a daze and was grateful when he led her far away from Nathan and Mara. They settled on a large quilt, in the shade of an elm tree.
“Are you all right, Sara?” Luke asked
“I’m fine!” Her response was overbright, and Luke was perceptive enough to know she was bothered by Mara and Nathan lunching together. Since she clearly didn’t want to discuss it, he set to work cheering her up. Luke was a story-teller; he had a gift for making others laugh.
A cat strolled by their blanket, curling around Sara’s legs and purring a tune.
“We used to have a cat named Amos. He was a little thing, and we were devoted to him, but it was our pa he favored. Funny enough, Pa didn’t like cats much, and the more he ignored Amos, the more that cat clung to him. And I do mean clung.” He chuckled, and Sara waited for him to continue.
“Amos had a quirk that amused us: He didn’t like to be left alone. Somehow he must have figured out that when we all dressed up in our finest clothes, we’d leave him to go to church.
“One Sunday we all hopped in the wagon—me, Caleb, and Beth in the back and Ma in the front. When Pa climbed in, we all saw something that nearly put us to tears.” He smiled a wide, infectious grin. “Amos had somehow jumped onto Pa’s back, and there he hung on his suit coat, clinging for dear life!”
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