“Judd said he’d show me how to ride on Dolly.” Astrid reclined against the doorpost, her legs stretched out in front of her with the horsehair blanket at her side. She’d spent the greater part of the afternoon working on it, and now she was weary and ready for another nap. But she’d insisted on sitting up and waiting for Judd to return.
After the past week and a half, Greta was learning the rhythms of the ranch, and from the lengthening of the shadows, she guessed the men would be back soon. She’d already set grouse to roasting with vegetables from the garden. It had a similar taste and texture to chicken, and the scent of it wafted in the air, mingling with the sweetness of the fruit mixture.
“Maybe you ought to lie down and rest. Then by the time you wake up, he’ll be back.”
Astrid shrugged. “Do you really think he’ll teach me?”
“Judd strikes me as the kind of man who keeps his word. If he said he’ll teach you, then he will.”
Even with the sunlight streaming in through the open window and door, the cabin was dark and shadowed, much gloomier than the wide-open kitchen of her family farmhouse in Illinois. With the close confines and the heat of the stove, the small room was also much hotter, causing her bodice to stick to her back and her skirt to tangle in her legs.
It wasn’t an ideal setup, with little work space and few utensils and pans, but slowly she was getting used to it. Since most days were pleasant and sunny, she tried to be outside as much as possible, praying the sunshine and fresh air would heal Astrid.
Of course, Astrid hadn’t had any trouble adjusting to their new home. For as sick as she’d always been, Astrid’s ability to adapt always amazed Greta. During the many miles of journeying to the West, first by steamboat and then by stagecoach, Astrid had never once complained and had enjoyed each moment to the fullest, even on the bleakest of days.
Greta prayed Astrid would remain flexible and wouldn’t get so attached to the ranch and to Wyatt and Judd that she’d have trouble letting go.
“I love this place,” Astrid said, almost as if she’d read Greta’s thoughts.
“Then you don’t miss home?” Greta blew on the spoon again, then slurped a tiny amount.
“Not a bit. And I hope I never have to go back.”
Greta paused in savoring the berries, a stab of regret piercing her. She’d tried to make Astrid’s life bearable, tried to give her the love the rest of the family had withheld, but had she somehow failed?
“I hope we can stay here forever,” Astrid continued.
“It wasn’t all bad back home, was it?”
When Astrid didn’t answer right away, Greta placed the spoon into the pot, wiped her hands on her apron, and crossed to her sister. “I’m sorry it was so hard.”
Astrid looked up and smiled. “It’s not your fault.”
Greta took in every detail of the girl’s delicate face, her dainty lips and nose and chin, and the new sprinkling of freckles from sitting in the sun more often.
“It’s just that here, no one is getting mad at me and telling me to stop coughing or to go to my room and stay there. I can go wherever I want and cough as much as I need to.”
Her sisters-in-law had been very vocal in their concern over Astrid’s lingering illness. They’d only been trying to protect their own families, but over time, Astrid was bound to feel unwanted and unloved.
“My coughing doesn’t bother Judd or Wyatt, does it, Greta?” The little girl’s voice contained a note of worry, and a furrow formed between her brows.
“No, not at all.” The two handled Astrid with patience and kindness, much better than anyone else ever had.
“You’re sure?”
“They want to help you get well just like I do.”
Astrid was quiet for a moment. “What if I don’t get better, Greta?”
“You will. Already you’re improving.” At least, Astrid had been improving until the fever last week. And now she was pale and tired and listless again.
Greta stroked her sister’s cheek. They had to be patient, had to give the high-altitude air time to work its healing.
At the approach of horse hooves, Astrid pushed herself to her feet. “It’s Wyatt and Judd!”
Greta shielded her eyes and glimpsed the men riding in from the east pasture. Her sights locked upon Wyatt, his strong, proud bearing holding him well above Judd.
And at the perfect height above her. For that kiss. In the hotel dining room. Oh my.
Her skin tingled just thinking about being so close to him, feeling his lips and his breath. Even if he’d been pressured into kissing her, he hadn’t seemed to mind. The trouble was, he hadn’t made any effort to try it again.
As the men rode into the yard and dismounted by the barn, Astrid was already racing toward them, her excitement giving her new energy. Wyatt was the first one down, and Astrid was standing before him, chattering away and showing him the horsehair blanket.
Wyatt hoisted her up into a hug. “It’s mighty fine,” he said as she wrapped her arms around his neck and squeezed. “Better than anything I’ve ever seen Judd make.”
Astrid laughed and the sound wafted around Greta, sweeter than the jam bubbling in the pot. She couldn’t keep from smiling, a sense of completeness settling inside, that this place, these men, this life was where she and Astrid finally might belong.
And she couldn’t keep from liking Wyatt better every day, especially when she witnessed him interacting this way with Astrid. His tenderness and attentiveness melted Greta’s heart. Not many men could be as strong and rugged as Wyatt and yet display such gentleness with a little girl.
Wyatt claimed that Astrid reminded him of his sister and that’s why he was able to interact with her like he did. But as Greta got to know him, the more she realized he was a man of deep character and principle, and the more she was amazed that he’d chosen to marry her.
As Wyatt returned Astrid to the ground, his gaze snagged on Greta above the girl’s head. He straightened and seemed to give himself permission to look at her boldly, taking her in with an appreciation that did strange things to her insides.
She quickly turned her attention to Astrid, who was now throwing herself upon Judd. The older man lowered himself and hugged her back, then pulled away to examine the blanket. “It’s real good.”
“Then you’ll teach me to ride?” Astrid hopped on first one leg, then the other.
“If Greta says you’re fit.”
All eyes turned in her direction. Greta smoothed back her flyaway hair and then twirled one of the loose strands around her finger.
“Please, Greta?” Astrid pleaded. “Please say yes.”
“If you promise to lie down for a little bit first.” Greta couldn’t say no to Astrid getting on a horse even if the thought worried her.
“I promise.”
“Then come on inside and let the men see to their mounts while you rest.”
“Yay!” Astrid clapped and skipped back to the cabin.
Greta’s gaze connected with Wyatt’s again, and this time they shared a smile at Astrid’s joy. Someday maybe they’d be sharing smiles over their own children.
They would have children, wouldn’t they?
The very thought made her flush, and before Wyatt could read her wayward thoughts, she spun around. When she was inside the cabin away from his probing gaze, she pressed her hands against her cheeks and tried to still the erratic beating of her heart.