Finding Her Frontier Home

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Louise M. Gouge

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18,6K

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highlight_author

Louise M. Gouge

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18,6K

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😊 Low Spice

Chapter One

“I am sorry, sir.” Her pretty face marred by a condescending sneer, the young gal seemed determined to shut the front door on Drew. “As I’ve already told you, Mrs. Mattson is not receiving visitors.”

His stomach chose that moment to growl. He should have eaten at the train station, but his eagerness to accomplish his mission won out over his hunger.

To her credit, the gal’s expression softened. “If you’re hungry, you can go to the back door, and our housekeeper will give you a sandwich.” Again, she tried to shut the door.

Angry at himself and this obstinate woman, Drew slammed his hand against the wooden edge of the portal. Blue eyes widened with alarm, she jumped back, sending regret spiraling through him. As usual, his temper had got the best of him. Most times he managed to hide it from others, but today the stakes were too high for him to surrender so easily to a stubborn female.

“Do you mind?” Her alarmed expression dissolved into a glare as she tried again to shut him out. As if this little slip of a gal had any chance of that.

He held fast to the edge of the door but wouldn’t force his way in. Better to tell her what was what.

“Ma’am... Miss... I’m Andrew Mattson. Don’t you think Mrs. Mattson would like to see one of her sons for the first time in close to nine years?”

Her jaw dropped, and she seemed unable to move or comprehend his words.

“Lila Rose, who is it?” Mother’s soft but unmistakable voice came from beyond the wall to the left of the foyer. She sounded older, of course, and tired.

Drew’s pulse kicked up as he anticipated a reunion with his parent. Maybe he should just charge right past this vexing woman.

“Please,” she whispered, suddenly agreeable. And a whole lot prettier. “You must let me prepare her.”

“Uh, well...” He’d only been thinking about his own feelings. No doubt his unexpected appearance would shock Mother. “Sure. Go ahead.” He still held onto the door.

The blond-headed gal beckoned him inside. “Wait here.”

As she disappeared into the hallway on the left, Drew stepped over the threshold and set his suitcase down, then removed his wide-brimmed hat and hung it on the oak hall tree. Soon her soft, cheerful voice reached him, but he couldn’t make out the words.

Subduing his anxiety, he gazed around the foyer. It was smaller than he remembered. But then, the last time he’d been here over ten years ago, he’d been fourteen and more than a few inches shy of his full-grown height. As he recalled, down the long hallway in front of him were the doorways to the formal dining room and kitchen. The curved staircase to his right led up to the bedroom where he’d been born, and to three more bedrooms, where he and his four brothers had spent their early years. Set in a genteel neighborhood, this two-story house had been home for the Mattson family long before the war, and through hard work, Pop had managed to hold on to it after the Confederacy’s defeat. When the family moved to New Mexico Territory, Mother wouldn’t let him sell it. Maybe she’d always known she’d come back.

A twinge of homesickness swept through him, but he didn’t give it place. For him, home now meant the wide-open spaces of the West, the Double Bar M Cattle Ranch, three married brothers and their growing families, another brother who was unmarried, and, of course, Pop.

Pop, whose approval Drew had never been able to earn, no matter how hard he tried. The middle son in a family of five boys, Drew did keep on trying, and would at least this one final time. Maybe it was a harebrained idea to return to Charleston to talk Mother into going back with him. If this didn’t work, if Pop didn’t finally notice all his efforts for the family—well, Drew would pack up and move to Colorado. Or someplace.

Depression began to creep into his mind. He shook it off. Now was not the time for self-doubts. Instead, he must think about his strategy for persuading Mother that life would be different from how it had been in 1880, when she’d despised the hardships of the frontier life enough to leave them.

“Mr. Mattson.”

Deep in his thoughts, Drew started at the girl’s sudden appearance. With her expression now welcoming, she was downright attractive. Her pert little nose had a cute upturn at its tip, and her smooth ivory cheeks displayed a natural pink blush while the pleasant scent of her rose-perfume fragrance swept over him.

“Yes?” To his annoyance, his voice cracked like an adolescent boy’s. No, no, no. This was not the time for admiring pretty young females.

“Mrs. Mattson—I mean, your mother will see you now.” She set a hand on his forearm. “Please, be gentle.”

Did he seem rough to her? Probably. He should have dressed up. Should have...but never mind. “Yes, ma’am.”

He followed her down the hall to the small parlor, a room he’d never been allowed to enter as a boy. Sometimes he and his brothers would stand in the doorway and wonder what was so special about it. Now he could appreciate that it was a woman’s room, all pink curtains and delicate furniture, designed for women’s tea parties. Mother sat in her same old pink velvet chair, a replica of which now graced the ranch’s drawing room. She looked thinner and younger than he’d expected. He figured she was about fifty, but unlike Pop at sixty-one, no gray shaded her dark brown hair, and her blue eyes exuded the intelligence he remembered.

“Andrew.” She stood and walked toward him, reaching out to shake his hand. “How good to see you.”

So stiff and formal, while his own knees felt as though they might buckle. He gently squeezed her offered hand, fighting the urge to pull her into his arms.

Instead, he bent to kiss her cheek. “Mother.”

“You have met my companion, Miss Duval.” She nodded toward the pretty blonde.

“Not really.” Drew turned to the younger woman, who hovered protectively beside Mother. “How do you do, Miss Duval.”

“Mr. Mattson.” She gave him a genuine smile. “Please call me Lila Rose.”

A flicker of disapproval crossed Mother’s eyes, but she said nothing.

“You can call me Drew.” He shuffled his feet like a schoolboy. “That’s what everyone calls me.”

“Not everyone.”

Mother’s frosty tone chilled him, bringing back memories of Pop’s coldness toward him. Did she hate—dislike him, too? Maybe coming here had been a mistake.

“Sit down.” Mother waved toward the flowery brocade settee that looked like no one had ever sat on it. “Lila Rose, please have Ingrid bring tea.”

“Yes, ma’am.” As graceful as a swan, the young woman swept from the room.

Drew forced his focus back to Mother. Time to get on with his plan. “You look well, ma’am. I wish the rest of the family could see you.”

“If they want to see me, they can follow your example and come back home.”

Drew subdued the anger that was always so close to the surface. He’d expected her response and planned his own. “Ah, well, as you probably remember, ranching is how we earn our living, and it takes all hands all year round. And you may have heard about the blizzards out west this past winter that wiped out many cattle ranches. The Lord sure was looking out for us, because Pop and Rob thinned our herd last fall and sold off most of it before the first snowfall. Rob brought in a new bull and is planning to breed—”

“Do not speak to me of such things! Ladies do not discuss—”

“Here’s our tea.” Lila Rose led another woman into the room. “Set the tray here, Ingrid.” She waved a hand toward the coffee table as she sat on the other end of the settee and went about pouring cups of tea. The plate of cookies beside the teapot made Drew’s mouth water.

She prepared a cup and handed it to Mother, then smiled at him. “Cream and sugar?”

Her soft tone said more than her words, and Mother settled down right away. Nice to see this little gal was a peacemaker, just as Drew was trying to be. Maybe she would help him win Mother over. Only now, he knew not to bring up the rougher parts of ranch life.

“Yes, ma’am. Both. Just one lump of sugar.”

“How was your trip, Drew? Did you come by train?” Lila Rose laughed as she handed him a delicate china cup and saucer. “How silly of me to ask that. Of course you took the train. You wouldn’t ride a horse all the way across the country.” She held out the plate of cookies, and he helped himself to two.

He grinned. “No, ma’am. That’d take a mite too long, and I’ll be needing to get back soon.” He took a bite of one cookie. “Mmm. Tastes good.” He proceeded to devour it.

“So, tell us, sir...” Lila Rose glanced at Mother, whose fond gaze toward the gal bespoke maternal affection he couldn’t recall ever experiencing. “What brings you here?”

He’d planned to ease into the topic, but now that she’d opened the gate, he might as well go in. “Very simply, I’m hoping Mother will go back with me for a visit.” He took a sip of tea. Too used to coffee, he should have asked for more sugar to liven up the weak beverage. “Mother, there’s been lots of changes since you were there. The railroad came the very year you left, so now we can get all sorts of modern goods and conveniences shipped in. The ranch is doing real well, as Pop’s probably told you in his letters. So we’re doing great financially. ’Course, best of all, you have three fine, hardworking daughters-in-law, so you won’t have any work to do while you visit other than bask in the high regard all us Mattsons enjoy in the community.”

Mother seemed a bit overwhelmed by his rehearsed speech. Maybe it was time to go for her heart. “Ma’am, you must miss Lavinia since she came to live with us last year. That sweet little gal is the darlin’ of the ranch. And ’course you know about Robbie. He’s not a baby anymore. No, sir. He’s growing like a weed and doing his share of the work around the ranch. And now you have two more grandkids to get acquainted with. Maybe Pop wrote to you about Cal and Jared gettin’ married and havin’ young’uns, Rob gettin’ married again. Even Will has a gal—”

“Your father has never written to me. Furthermore, I have never met my granddaughter.” Her last words held a hint of sadness.

Drew swallowed hard to keep from choking on his tea. “What—”

Lila Rose bent forward slightly to catch his eye. “Your mother once asked Maybelle to bring the child for a visit, but she refused.” She spoke casually, probably to soothe Mother’s obvious pain. “We didn’t learn about Maybelle’s death until Lavinia’s governess had already taken the little girl to New Mexico Territory. We learned about it from Mr. Mattson’s lawyer.” She gave a little shrug and sighed.

“I’m sorry to hear that. I guess Maybelle had her own heartaches.” Drew couldn’t help but be peeved by his late sister-in-law’s behavior. Like Mother, she’d abandoned her husband—Drew’s brother Rob—and her young son and had come back to Charleston with their baby girl. But Drew wouldn’t speak ill of the dead. “Well, you’ll love Lavinia. She’s five years old now, and Robbie’s ten. And those two babies are growing like weeds. Just wait till you see ’em.”

With practiced skill, Lila Rose concealed her alarm over Drew’s reason for coming here. As Rebecca’s companion these past four years, she had learned about much of the drama and unhappiness in this dear woman’s life. She never dreamed one of those “unruly ruffians”—as Rebecca described them—would come to fetch her back to a family from which she had fled almost nine years ago. Nor had Lila Rose ever considered that unruly ruffians might be a misnomer. Drew Mattson might look a bit shabby around the edges, but despite his show of temper at the front door, he clearly possessed good manners and a kind heart.

Of course, that didn’t mean Lila Rose would permit him to drag Rebecca back to the life she feared and hated. Many Southerners had gone west after the war, and this lady had obediently packed up her five sons, one daughter-in-law and one grandson and followed her husband to New Mexico Territory. It had taken her just over a year to realize she wasn’t made for that life. And no wonder. The very idea of forcing this genteel lady to help create a segment of civilization in the midst of a savage wilderness was beyond the thinking of any decent woman. Who could fault Rebecca for returning to the home where her marriage had begun, where her sons had been born?

Lila Rose’s late mother had been acquainted with Rebecca as a young woman, so when Rebecca had advertised for a companion, Lila Rose applied. She found in Rebecca a replacement for the mother she missed so terribly. Together they formed their own little family, along with Ingrid and Eric, the couple who took care of their house and grounds.

Lila Rose forced her thoughts away from the past. “We would have been so happy to have Lavinia live with us.” She smiled at Rebecca, dismayed to see the tears in the dear woman’s eyes. Time to offer words of cheer. “But we have enjoyed sewing for the orphans through our church and seeing their sweet, bright faces in Sunday school.”

Drew cleared his throat, clearly as filled with emotion as she was. “You like children, do you, Lila Rose?”

“Yes, indeed.” Why did his words stir her feelings again? Easy answer. Yes, she loved children and longed to have her own. But with Rebecca to care for and no money of her own, she was unlikely ever to marry.

A new sense of alarm struck her. What if Drew persuaded Rebecca to go with him? That would leave Lila Rose alone. Again. She’d felt no grief when her abusive father died, even though it had left Mama and her with very little to live on. But Mama’s death had devastated her. She would have to do everything in her power to keep Rebecca in Charleston.

“Well, Andrew,” Rebecca said, “I suppose you’ll have to stay here tonight. Ingrid.” She addressed their housekeeper, who stood just inside the doorway. “Please prepare the east bedroom for our guest.” To her son, she said, “How long will you be here?”

He grinned, showing one slight dimple on his left cheek, and Lila Rose’s heart skipped. My, what a handsome man he was. Oh, mercy. She must not be attracted to him. Not only did she want no part of a cowboy’s life, but the last time she’d cared for a young man, he wouldn’t marry her because her father had lost the family horse farm through gambling and drinking. Having believed he loved her, she’d suffered a broken heart. She wouldn’t let that happen again, especially not with a man who had a temper.

“As long as it takes me to talk you into going back to New Mexico Territory with me.” He quirked an eyebrow in a mischievous way. “As I said, just for a visit, mind you. I’ll bring you back whenever you’re ready.”

Humph. Lila Rose added manipulative to her list of qualities in Drew that were becoming reasons not to approve of him.

Rebecca’s eyes took on a steely glint. “Explain to me why your father suddenly wants to see me after all these years. And if he’s so eager to do so, why did he send you instead of coming himself?”

Indeed. Exactly what Lila Rose was thinking. She looked expectantly at Drew. To her surprise, he stared down at his now-empty teacup and chewed his lip.

“Weelll...” He drew the word out slowly. “He doesn’t actually know I’m here. I, uh, wanted to surprise him.”

The three of them must have sat in silence for a full minute, with the ticktock of the mantel clock the only sound in the room. Four years with Rebecca had taught Lila Rose when to speak and when to let the lady digest shocking information. For Drew’s part, he glanced between his mother and Lila Rose, a pleased grin lighting his entire face, clearly oblivious to the fact that his announcement had stunned them.

At last Rebecca stirred, staring down her nose at her son as she would one of the unruly boys at church. “I am certain Ingrid has your room prepared by now. You should rest from your journey.” Her tone made her words a clear command.

Confusion crossed Drew’s eyes, and his shoulders dropped. “Yes, ma’am.” He rose to leave.

Still uncertain about how to manage this situation, Lila Rose stood as well. “Would you like something more to eat before you go up? I mean, were the cookies enough to hold you until six o’clock, when we have supper?”

“No, thank you, ma’am.” He took a step toward the door. “I don’t need anything more.”

“Shall I show you to your room?”

He gave her a lopsided grin. “No, ma’am. I remember where it is.”

She laughed softly. “Yes. Of course.”

After he left, Lila Rose turned her attention to Rebecca. Usually when something shocking happened, she needed to calm her employer. Today, however, a strange serenity softened Rebecca’s face.

Lila Rose knelt beside her employer’s chair and took her hands. “Are you all right?”

Rebecca gazed at her fondly, clearly understanding the depth of her question. “Yes, my dear.” A tear still glistened in the corner of her eye. “I should have known Ralph would not have sent Andrew, that his coming was his own idea. Of all my sons, he was always the peacemaker.” Her forehead wrinkled briefly. “Perhaps a trip isn’t out of the question.” She exhaled a long sigh. “I would so love to see my grandchildren.”

The yearning in her voice touched a chord deep within Lila Rose. With no family—not so much as an aunt or uncle or even a cousin twice removed—she was alone in the world. If Rebecca went with Drew to join their large and growing family, perhaps even staying in New Mexico Territory, where would that leave Lila Rose?

“But shouldn’t they come to see you?” Guilt smote Lila Rose’s heart. She should be thinking of Rebecca’s best interests, not her own.

“Humph. You’re right.” Rebecca tapped her chin thoughtfully. “Perhaps I should send an invitation...” She sighed again. “No. Not after all these years.”

“Why not? Invite them for a summer holiday. Or Christmas.”

“You don’t understand.” Tears now slid down Rebecca’s cheeks. “All these years, although Ralph has never written a word to me, he has been sending money for me to live on. Yet I have never so much as written one thank-you letter.”

“Ah. I see.” Prepared for a long discussion, Lila Rose moved to a nearby chair. “I thought you inherited from a relative.”

Rebecca nodded. “I did. But it isn’t enough to support myself indefinitely, much less to pay you and Ingrid and Eric. Without Ralph’s money—”

“Yes, well, we’re doing fine, don’t you think?” Panic crept into Lila Rose’s chest. If she could just keep Rebecca thinking of the members of this household as her family, maybe she wouldn’t go west with her son. “The trains may make the trip easier than the prairie schooner in which your family made the trip in ’78, but once you get there, you’ll still be required to ride in buggies over rough roads instead of our smoother streets. I can’t imagine you would enjoy that. Nor would it be good for your sciatica. And think of how you would miss your church family, our ladies’ reading circle and our dear little orphans who depend upon you to teach their Sunday school class.”

Rebecca released a long, weary sigh. “Yes, you’re right. The trip would be more than I could manage.” She patted Lila Rose’s hand. “Thank you, my dear. You always speak such good sense when I must make a difficult decision.”

Lila Rose stood and bent to kiss Rebecca’s cheek. “I’m just glad to help in any way I can.”

But if she truly wanted the best for her employer, why did she feel such guilt at the thought of keeping this dear lady from her husband and sons—and especially those grandchildren?

Carrying his baggage, Drew trudged up the front staircase, weary from his trip but glad he’d stayed in the hallway before going to his room. He knew it was wrong to eavesdrop, but he couldn’t be bothered with manners right now. And a good thing, too. Just as he’d feared, that young female was all sweetness to his face, but behind his back, she was doing all she could to thwart his plans. He might be seeking Pop’s approval, but in truth, his parents’ reconciliation was a far more important matter, and he mustn’t let a deceitful, two-faced gal interfere.

As for Mother, her tears revealed to Drew what he’d always believed: She did have a heart. She did care for her family. And somehow, he must use that love to entice her to come with him before Pop’s health got any worse. Surely she would spend the rest of her life burdened with regret if her husband of thirty-one years died before they had a chance to reconcile. He didn’t want to use that reason to persuade Mother, though if push came to shove, he’d do it. But should he?

Lord, what do I do now?

Before his prayer was finished, he had a new idea. And he would start tonight at supper.

In the bedroom he’d once shared with Will, he found several boyhood books and toys they’d left behind. How interesting that Mother hadn’t disposed of them. This evening he would suggest she give them to the orphans in her Sunday school class.

After unpacking, he lay on the bed for a rest, not intending to sleep. Before he knew it, however, a knock on the door awakened him.

At his invitation, Ingrid brought in a pitcher of hot water, soap and a towel. “Will there be anything else, Mr. Andrew?”

“No, thanks.” He glanced at the bedside table. “Say, there’s not a speck of dust in here. You sure did get this room fixed up fast.”

“Not at all, sir.” She smiled. “Miss Rebecca wants me to keep the house in order all the time, just in case...” She stopped and shrugged. “Well, she just does.”

Just in case someone came for a visit? Say, maybe family? Drew’s heart kicked up a bit. That she would still have hope of reuniting the family after almost nine years was more evidence that she loved them and longed for them to come back here. That wasn’t going to happen, but maybe he could convince her that traveling to see them was a worthy substitution.

After washing up and shaving, he donned a clean shirt and the Sunday frock coat he’d decided to bring at the last minute. Mother probably still dressed for supper, as she had when he was a boy—an important memory if he wanted to convince her that civilization had come to New Mexico Territory. In fact, Viola, his newest sister-in-law, came from Virginia society and had taught the whole household, the young ladies of the town and even a few of the cowhands some of the finer points of etiquette.

He glanced at his watch. Not quite five o’clock. He had time to tour the house and grounds before supper, maybe meet the groundskeeper. Drew was glad Mother could afford servants. He’d often wondered how she managed to live on the money Pop sent her every month. He sure didn’t keep much for himself. Drew doubted Pop would begrudge her that inheritance, but she sure did live in fine style here. For their first few years in New Mexico Territory, before their cattle business became successful, the Mattson men had scratched out a mighty slim existence. Now they each shared the income from cattle sales and selling their extra hay. Drew had scrimped and saved for five years now, planning this trip at his own expense. He prayed the Lord would bless it, and so far, He had.

He started his tour by going out the front door. Like everything inside, the wide wraparound porch had been swept clean, and the hanging swing outside the parlor window looked freshly painted. Every spring, that had been Drew’s job when he was a boy. Who did it now?

Down the front steps and around to the right side of the house, he found the arched white trellis, the gateway to the backyard, in need of repair. He could do that in a few hours, maybe earn some approval from Mother. In the back garden, lilac, rose and gardenia bushes held a profusion of buds ready to bloom in the next few weeks. Mother might balk at leaving her flowers, but he was ready for that, too.

He headed for the back door and barely avoided tripping over Lila Rose, who was kneeling by a bed of blooming daffodils.

“Oh!” She looked up, her pretty blue eyes round with surprise.

Drew swallowed the sudden lump in his throat. “Excuse me, ma’am.” He reached out to help her up.

“Thank you.” She accepted his hand and stood gracefully. “Mr. Mattson—Drew—what brings you out here?”

“Well...” He chuckled. “We cowboys spend most of our lives outside, don’tcha know?” He gently nudged a rock on the gravel pathway with the toe of his boot.

“Yes, I suppose you do.” As though trying to hide a smile, she turned away and studied the flowers in her hands.

The girls at church back home liked it when he acted bashful. Maybe that would charm Lila Rose, too. And maybe he needed to win her over just as much as Mother. That would be far better than defeating her contrary plans.

“Say, do you think you could dig up a few of those bulbs for me to take back with me? I know my sisters-in-law would love to have them.”

She blinked those blue eyes at him, and a funny little hitch occurred in his chest. No, no, no. Until she agreed to help him talk Mother into going west, she was the adversary he needed to persuade, not an appealing female he should give a different kind of attention. That wouldn’t do any good, anyway. She was as prissy as a female could be—hardly the type for a rancher to pursue.

As she looked up at Drew’s charming smile, Lila Rose did her best to shake off the odd little tremors near her heart. My, this man’s height was impressive. He appeared about six feet tall. But then, only five feet tall herself, she found most men’s heights a bit intimidating. She must not let this cowboy captivate her thoughts or her emotions.

“Yes, of course. We can wrap the bulbs so they can safely travel.” She brushed past him. “If you’ll excuse me, I must get these flowers in a vase for our supper table.”

“That’ll be nice. My sister-in-law Viola likes flowers on the table, too.” He followed close on Lila Rose’s heels. “Say, do you suppose rose and lilac stems would travel well?”

“Yes.” She stopped to face him, and he jumped back, barely avoiding a collision. “The plants will survive the journey much better than your mother would.”

“You think so?” One dark eyebrow arched. “You keep telling her that, and I’m sure she’ll believe it. I, for one, think she’s hardier than you give her credit for.” He grunted. “‘Course, it’s to your advantage for her to doubt her own strength.”

Heat rushed up Lila Rose’s neck, and she had to bite her lips to keep from lashing out at him. Instead, she turned back toward the house. Once again, he followed her. But when she reached the back stoop, she realized he was no longer in pursuit. A quick glance revealed he had stopped to speak with Eric.

“Ja, ja.” The groundskeeper spoke with his musical Norwegian accent. “Dey travel good, dem plants. I fix dem up good for you. Cold und warm weather I know, und how to make tings grow either way.”

Not caring to hear the rest of the conversation, Lila Rose hurried into the kitchen to find a vase for the daffodils. The aroma of roast beef and onion gravy made her mouth water. On the counter, a freshly baked chocolate cake sent out its own inviting smell.

“I can see you went all out for our guest, Ingrid.” Lila Rose filled Rebecca’s favorite crystal vase with water from the tap, then poured in a few inches of white pebbles before finally arranging the daffodils and baby’s breath in a nice display.

“Yes, ma’am.” Ingrid concentrated on mashing potatoes into a creamy mound. “You think he’ll like peas and carrots for the side dishes? That’s all I had close to ready.”

“Humph. Anyone who shows up unexpectedly and uninvited can eat what they’re served.” Even as the words came out, Lila Rose felt shame. She knew better than that.

“Yes, ma’am.” Ingrid spooned the potatoes into Rebecca’s fine-china serving bowl, covered it with a lid and set it near the stove. She walked over to admire the flowers. “Oh, I do love our daffodils.” She eyed Lila Rose. “You’re worried about Miss Rebecca going with her son, aren’t you?”

Lila Rose’s eyes stung with sudden tears. “Well, I—”

Ingrid set a hand on Lila Rose’s forearm. “We may not have expected Mr. Drew to come visiting his mama, but God knew. Scripture says He knew everything from before the foundation of the world. And if He knew all that, who are we to worry about tomorrow? Trust in Him, kjære lille jente.” She chuckled in her deep, throaty way, as she often did after calling Lila Rose dear little girl. “I already been thinkin’ about what Eric and I will do if she goes out west with her son. Not worryin’, mind, but just making plans. We’ll be all right, and you will be, too.” She moved back to the stove and checked the rolls baking in the oven. That was Ingrid. Always dispensing wisdom and encouraging others in their faith.

Later, as Lila Rose took the seat adjacent to Rebecca’s at the formal dining room table, she tried to embrace the truth Ingrid had spoken. Hadn’t the Lord provided this job for her when she’d been close to destitution? If Rebecca left, He would provide for her again. But this was more than a job to her. She truly loved Rebecca. She might not be blood family, but the bond they had formed transcended familial ties.

After seating his mother, Drew pulled out the chair across from Lila Rose...and immediately moved the vase of daffodils that stood like a wall between them. Then he winked at her. Not a flirtatious wink but a victorious gesture, as though he’d already won the battle.

The very idea!

“Everything smells mighty fine, Mother. My compliments to the cook.”

Looking rested from her afternoon nap, Rebecca gave him a maternal smile. “Thank you, Andrew. Will you say grace, please?”

“Yes, ma’am.” As they all bowed their heads, he prayed, “Father, we thank You for this fine meal before us and pray You will use it for the nourishment of our bodies. And may the words of our mouths and meditations of our hearts be acceptable in Your sight. In Jesus’s name, amen.”

Lila Rose hardly knew what to think. Drew’s words sounded so sincere, so truly spiritual. Did she stand a chance against his prayers? What Ingrid had told her came to mind. God knew he would come here, and Lila Rose should trust Him to work things out. Oh, if only she could trust Him.

As they passed the serving bowls, she glanced at Rebecca to see if she would begin the dinnertime conversation. The lady was busy ladling gravy onto her potatoes.

“Drew, please start the meat.” Lila Rose waved a hand toward the platter of sliced roast beef. “Now, tell me about your family. How interesting that you are one of five brothers.” Seeing Drew help himself to a large serving of meat, she had no doubt Rebecca had been overwhelmed by cooking and caring for all of them. “And not one sister to help your mother.”

“Yes, ma’am. I’m the middle brother.” He chuckled softly. “But that’s all different now. When Viola—that’s Rob’s new wife—when she brought Lavinia out to the ranch, she started whipping us all into shape. She runs that house like a well-oiled machine, and she teaches Robbie and Lavinia all their lessons. Even started a school of etiquette for the local gals. It didn’t take Rob long to fall for her.”

“Well, what man wouldn’t appreciate a woman who works so hard?” Lila Rose did her best not to scoff. She could just imagine a lowly governess eager to snare the widowed oldest son of a wealthy rancher.

Drew frowned. “It’s not like that...”

“Tell me, dear.” Rebecca sent Lila Rose a warning glance before focusing on her son. “What about Cal and Jared and their families?”

He turned his attention to her. “Aw, Mother, you’ll be so surprised. Those young’uns have grown up as tall and strong as the rest of us, and they’re hard workers. ’Course, they don’t live at the ranch anymore. Like I said earlier, they married sisters and moved over to the Sharp-family sheep ranch. And oh my, those babies are beauties. Strong and healthy like all us Mattsons. Just wait till you see them... That is, if you come out with me.”

“So...” Rebecca dabbed her lips with her linen napkin. “That still leaves Viola with tending to the needs of four men and two growing children.”

Frowning again, Drew looked at his mother as if searching for something. “As I said, it’s not like that. We’re all working together to build a life that suits all of us. Viola has two ladies who come in and help as needed. You know—laundry, spring-cleaning and such.”

Rebecca sniffed. “That’s all well and good if the life you’re building is the life each of you wants.”

Lila Rose concentrated on eating her supper. Rebecca was handling the situation very well without her help.

“Yes, ma’am.” Drew didn’t actually back down, but his expression softened. “Viola is always humming or singing around the house, so I think she’s pretty happy. She laughs with the young’uns and teaches them games. Robbie spent most of his first nine years with just us menfolk. He was a serious little cowboy and growing up way too soon. Having his sister come to live with us helps him enjoy his childhood a bit more. Not that he doesn’t do his share of chores. Milking, gathering eggs, that sort of thing to help Viola.” He stopped talking and started eating again. “Mmm-mmm. This sure is tasty.”

Lila Rose caught on to his tactic right away. He was painting an appealing picture of the family’s ranch life—a picture that left out Rebecca, as though saying she wasn’t even missed. But if that were so, why would he have come to fetch her? What was missing in his happy story?

“Drew, how is your father?” Lila Rose knew it wasn’t her place to ask, but she doubted Rebecca would.

He blinked. “What do you mean?” He took another bite of meat.

“Is he enjoying the same robust health as all of you Mattson men?” To her shame, she could hear the sarcasm in her own voice.

He didn’t answer right away. Instead, he gazed fondly at Rebecca and reached out to take her hand. “Mother, truth be told, Pop’s health isn’t the best.” He cleared his throat as if chasing away some deep emotion. “In fact, Doc Warren has warned him to either slow down or get his affairs in order.”

Rebecca gasped, then stared in silence at Drew for a few moments. “I can’t imagine that man ever slowing down. He came back from the war wounded but determined to build a new life. And he’s done it. But at what cost? His health? His life?” The sorrow in her eyes gave way to determination. “Well, we can’t let that happen, can we, Andrew?”

Lila Rose tried to swallow a bite of potatoes, but it sat like a lump in her throat. She was forced to wash it down with coffee. She had no right to stop Rebecca from leaving. Maybe she could offer to stay here and take care of the house or—

“Lila Rose!”

She jumped. “Yes, Rebecca?”

“Didn’t you hear me? We must get packed. We’re going to New Mexico Territory.”

“We?” Lila Rose heard Drew’s snicker at her weak response.

“Yes, we, my dear. Do you think I could go out to that wild country without you as my companion?”

Stunned—no, beyond stunned—Lila Rose couldn’t speak. While Rebecca and Drew continued their conversation, seemingly unaware of her, a faint glimmer of hope began to grow in her hollow chest. Yes. Yes, she could go out west. She could be the best companion any lady ever could hope for. And when Rebecca once again tired of the harsh rustic life in New Mexico Territory, Lila Rose would be right there beside her to bring her home safely.

As he prepared for bed, Drew could hardly believe how well the conversation had gone at supper. And he hadn’t even needed to bring up Pop’s failing health. While Lila Rose’s question may have been asked out of curiosity—with a hint of sarcasm thrown in—it had opened the door for him to reveal his actual purpose for coming to fetch Mother without clearly stating it. This way, she wouldn’t think he was trying to manipulate her.

And Mother’s reaction had been just what he’d hoped for. She was worried about Pop’s health enough to make the difficult journey to see him...maybe even restore their marriage, if Drew wasn’t inferring too much from her response. Thank You, Lord.

The only thing he wasn’t thankful for was Mother’s insistence that Lila Rose go with them. The little gal herself seemed shocked by the idea. Now, what would he do with a pesky female who would probably complain all the way? Then Mother might change her mind and hurry back to the ease and familiarity of Charleston.

He wished they could leave tomorrow, but women always needed to buy new clothes and pack and finish a whole list of other things before they could get on with the matter at hand. He did understand Mother’s desire to say goodbye to her church family. He’d go with them on Sunday and take the toys and books he and his brothers had left behind all those years ago.

Even then, they couldn’t leave yet. He’d spoken to Eric about doing some repairs to the house, jobs one man couldn’t do alone. The groundskeeper had expressed his gratitude for the help in advance, so Drew needed to keep that promise.

He found it interesting that the kindly Norwegian couple had come south like missionaries after the war to see how they could help folks mend their lives. Now they offered to stay here and manage the house until Mother returned. If she returned. But Drew was careful not to say if to any of them, or Miss Lila Rose Duval might get her nose out of joint. Cute little nose that it was.

Uh-oh. Better stop that sort of thinking before he cut off his own nose to spite his face.