Chapter Fourteen
By the time Morgan got home and finished taking care of Faithful, it was near midnight and he was yawning. He still needed a bath, so once in the kitchen he warmed some water and filled the tub he’d carried from the back porch. He relaxed in the water and sipped his glass of whiskey. When he almost fell asleep in the water, he knew it was time to finish up and go to bed.
He walked upstairs in the buff with his holster slung over his shoulder, carrying his boots and hat. If he ever got married, he figured he wouldn’t be able to walk around as he pleased anymore. Small price to pay to have a family. As he hooked his gun belt over the bedpost, he glanced out the window. It was a cool night, so he opened the window and looked out at the bright stars lighting up the dark sky. Everything looked peaceful, and the only sounds came from cattle lowing in the distance, and the occasional hoot of an owl.
When he climbed into bed, he stretched out on the feather mattress, appreciating the comfort it provided. He wondered if the bed would be large enough for two people. Why was he thinking about that? He knew why. He couldn’t stop thinking about how Rose’s body felt pressed to his tonight. He envisioned her snuggled up to him in his bed. The cold winter nights would be more enjoyable with her beside him.
He closed his eyes, willing himself to stop thinking about how it would feel to have Rose next to him. Problem was, he couldn’t stop thinking about her. He was driving himself crazy. When he was finally able to get his mind off of Rose, he thought about Frank and Stevie. He was aware of Frank’s ruthless character, but it came as a surprise that Stevie was an exact replica. He’d always thought of Stevie as a young boy, but he had to be about twenty-two by now. No longer a boy, but a man. And he was a man Morgan found wanting in character, just like Frank. He’d never spent much time around Stevie, but he seemed to harbor a man-sized animosity toward him. It wasn’t much of a stretch to think Frank had poisoned his brother’s mind against him.
Morgan thought he should have paid more attention to Stevie over the years. It may not have made a difference, but there was a chance a man could have made a difference in his life. Now that he was paying attention, he didn’t like what he saw. After the way Stevie spoke to Rose, Morgan feared he could be a danger to her.
By four in the morning, Morgan knew sleep was a lost cause tonight. He figured if he wasn’t sleeping, he might as well be working. He got out of bed and walked to the kitchen to make some coffee. He wished he had some of Rose’s blackberry cobbler to go with it. When his coffee was hot, he poured a cup and carried it to his desk. It was a good time to catch up on his ledgers while he waited for daylight. His work required concentration, and maybe it would take his mind off of Rose.
He was on his third cup of coffee, and adding a column of numbers in his ledger, when out of nowhere, he remembered it was Sunday morning. And Mr. Wonderful was going to be at the Langtry farm this morning to take Granny to church. The pastor had made it a point to meet Granny when he first got to town. Probably thought he would get in good with her to make some headway with Rose. He wondered if Granny had invited the pastor to breakfast. He envisioned Clay sitting in the same chair he’d sat in last night. Rose would probably give him some blackberry cobbler. His cobbler. Granny said Rose had made it for him.
Morgan threw his pencil down and watched it skitter across his desk. He glanced at the clock. Time to feed the animals. He walked out the door and saw some of his men already at work. When he walked inside the stable, Murph and Joseph were opening the stalls, and he nodded his good morning.
Murph took in Morgan’s haggard appearance. He thought his boss looked like he wanted to chew through nails this morning. Normally, Morgan was cheerful in the mornings, so he knew something was wrong. “You okay?”
“Yeah.” Morgan headed to the first stall. “Just got an early start this morning.”
“You might not scare the men if you shaved,” Murph teased.
Morgan ran a hand over his face. Murph was right, he hadn’t even given a thought to shaving this morning. “Dang.” He wasn’t going to go back to the house now. The men always told him he looked like one mean son-of-a-gun when he didn’t shave. Too bad. He’d just have to look mean today.
They finished caring for the horses, and Morgan saddled Faithful. “Murph, I’ll be back in a few hours.”
“I’ll keep an eye on the house,” Murph said.
Morgan was grateful Murph didn’t ask where he was going. He couldn’t explain what he was doing because he didn’t know. Who was he kidding? He knew exactly where he was going. He rode through the pines toward the Langtry farm. He figured he’d get there in time for breakfast.
As Morgan expected, there was a buggy in front of the Langtry house as he reined in. He dismounted and loosened his horse’s girth, and as he passed the buggy, he stroked the horse’s neck. Clay had been here long enough for the horse to cool down. He stood there with his hat in his hand, trying to decide how he could explain being at their door so early in the morning.
Granny opened the door when he knocked. “Good morning, Morgan.”
“Morning.”
“You’re just in time for breakfast, and the coffee is hot.” She motioned him inside as though she had expected him. “Come on in the kitchen.”
Morgan followed her through the house, half expecting her to ask why he’d come by. “Something smells good.”
“Rose and I are cooking flapjacks this morning.”
Morgan’s eyes landed on Clay, sitting in the chair where he’d sat the night before.
Clay stood and stuck his hand out. “Morgan, it’s good to see you again. I’m happy you and Rose arrived safely.”
Morgan shook his hand. “It didn’t take you long to find the best food in the territory.”
Rose turned from the stove and looked at Morgan. She thought his tone sounded abrupt. His appearance stunned her. He looked like he hadn’t slept, and it was obvious he hadn’t taken the time to shave. She wondered why he was visiting so early. Did his visit have something to do with Frankie? “Hello.”
“Rose.” Morgan noticed she was wearing a pretty yellow dress, and her long hair was arranged in a braid hanging down her back. It seemed to him she’d gone to a lot of trouble to look nice for Mr. Wonderful. The way she was staring at him, he thought his scruffy appearance might scare her, or perhaps she was comparing him to the pastor. Clay definitely looked spit-shined this morning, and he was clean shaven.
Clay thought Morgan didn’t sound too friendly this morning. He wondered if the sheriff had shared his past with Morgan, and that was the reason for the less than sociable greeting. “The sheriff told me Granny was an excellent cook, and Granny just told me Rose is just as good. I couldn’t resist when they invited me to have breakfast this morning. Flapjacks are my favorite.”
Morgan figured Clay arrived so early to pick Granny up specifically to be invited for breakfast. “You arrived pretty early to go to church.” Morgan pulled out the chair next to the one where Rose sat during dinner. Maybe she would sit by him and not Clay. Morgan wondered who invited Clay to have breakfast—Granny or Rose.
Granny placed a cup of coffee in front of Morgan. “Did you change your mind and decide to go to church this morning?” Granny had a feeling Morgan was concerned the new pastor might take an interest in Rose. Good. A little competition for her granddaughter couldn’t hurt.
“No, ma’am.” What could he say? He’d told her last night he had too much work, and now here he was sitting in their kitchen getting ready to share their breakfast. “I’m not dressed for church. I’ve already been working this morning.” He glanced across the table at Clay. “Ranchers have to get up early and work, even on Sundays.”
“The Lord doesn’t care how we come dressed, as long as we come,” Clay told him.
Morgan had no retort; he couldn’t argue with the truth.
Rose was stacking the flapjacks on the plates, and Granny carried them to the table. She placed a huge stack in front of Morgan, and an equally huge stack in front of Clay.
“These look delicious,” Clay said.
“Thank you,” Rose replied, placing two more plates with smaller stacks on the table.
Morgan saw Rose glance at the empty chairs. Instead of sitting, she walked back to the stove and poured two cups of coffee.
When she returned to the table, Granny had taken the seat beside Morgan. Clay stood and pulled out the chair next to him. Morgan could have sworn that Clay pulled her chair closer to his.
“Thank you,” Rose said, and smiled at the pastor.
Morgan glared at Clay, but he was mad at himself for his own bad manners.
“Would you like to say grace?” Granny asked Clay.
“Certainly.”
After Clay said amen, Granny said, “What a lovely prayer.”
“Yes, it was,” Rose agreed.
“Thank you, ladies. And may I say these are the best-looking flapjacks I’ve ever seen.”
Morgan picked up his fork and started eating without remarking on the prayer or the flapjacks.
Clay took a big bite, closed his eyes, and smiled like it was the best food he’d ever tasted. “It’s been so long since I’ve had flapjacks, but these are the best I’ve ever had.”
Morgan thought the pastor was putting on a great performance for Rose’s attention. But when he glanced at Rose, she was beaming at his compliment. He wanted to kick himself for not telling her how good they were before Clay told her.
“Do you like the flapjacks, Morgan?” Granny asked.
“Yes, ma’am, I do.” Morgan continued to shovel forkfuls in his mouth. Actions spoke louder than words was his motto. He intended to show Clay that he could eat more flapjacks than Clay could, any day of the week. Rose would have no doubt who liked them better.
Rose had taken a few bites when she noticed Morgan’s plate was empty. “Would you like some more?”
“Yes, I would. Thank you.”
Rose stood, and Clay held his plate to her. “Since you’re making more, could I have another plate?”
“Of course.” Rose carried both plates to the stove and started ladling more batter into the skillets. She’d never seen anyone eat flapjacks so quickly. While she was busy cooking, she heard Granny and Clay talking, but she didn’t hear Morgan join their conversation.
Morgan kept his eyes on Rose’s every move. She looked beautiful this morning. And he didn’t like her sitting next to Clay. But the day he couldn’t outmaneuver the pastor was the day he needed to be six feet under. He stood, grabbed his cup of coffee, and walked to the stove.
As he poured a fresh cup, Rose glanced up at him. “Why didn’t you say something? I would have brought the pot to the table.”
“You have your hands full. Making flapjacks is not as easy as it looks.”
Rose had one plate stacked full, and Morgan picked it up. “I’ll help.” He walked to the table and slammed the plate in front of Clay and glared at him. “Here you go.”
Rose carried the second plate to the table and placed it in front of Morgan. Morgan made sure he remained standing until Rose took her seat.
“Pastor, have you met most of the folks in town?” Granny asked.
“I think I have. I expect to have a full house this morning if everyone shows up. I know I will have a difficult time filling your husband’s shoes. Everyone in town has praised his sermons. I just hope they will give me a chance.”
“The folks here are good people. We’ve looked forward to your arrival, and everyone is excited. Rest assured, you will be warmly received.”
“I’m thankful you are so accepting of a new preacher.” Clay was sincere. He was excited to begin his new life in Whispering Pines with his new church family.
Morgan was too busy stuffing more flapjacks in his mouth to make a comment.
“Morgan, Rose said she may feel up to going to church with us,” Granny said.
Clay smiled at Rose. “Do you enjoy attending church, Rose?”
“Very much. I don’t think I ever missed a Sunday. I have a sense of peace talking to God in His house,” Rose replied.
“I always thought it was easier to talk to God alone out under the blue sky, or at night on the range under the stars,” Morgan said.
Rose studied Morgan, thinking he was a man full of surprises. What he said sounded lovely, but she’d never slept out on the range at night.
“I thought you attended church, Morgan,” Clay said.
“I do, but that doesn’t mean it’s the only place to converse with our Maker,” Morgan replied.
Clay couldn’t argue with the logic of his statement. He turned his attention back on Rose. “Rose, I’d be delighted to have you in the front pew during my first sermon.”
Morgan saw red as he chewed the last of his flapjacks. The only way Rose was going to get in that buggy next to Clay was over his dead body. “Rose, could I have some more flapjacks?” He looked at Clay, and lifted his dark brow in a challenge. He almost laughed when Clay filled his mouth with a huge bite in an effort to keep up with him.
Rose stood and walked back to the stove. She hadn’t realized Morgan ate so much. After she poured more batter in the skillet, she picked up the coffeepot and carried it to the table. She poured Morgan another cup before she filled Clay’s. “Granny, more coffee or flapjacks?”
“No thank you, honey.”
“Rose, I think I can eat some more,” Clay said, handing her his plate. He glanced at Morgan and smiled wide.
Morgan’s mouth tilted in a half grin. Mr. Wonderful didn’t know who he was challenging. Morgan could eat more than any two men on his ranch on a bad day. Clay was tall and lean, but Morgan was sure a pastor didn’t put in a day’s work before sunup.
The men started on their third helping while the women watched in amazement. Morgan was finished in no time, and he was ready to ask for more when Clay stopped eating. “I think I’ve had enough.”
Morgan looked at Clay’s plate. He hadn’t eaten half of the stack. Morgan reached over to grab Clay’s plate. “No problem, I’ll finish them so they don’t go to waste.”
Granny laughed. “Rose, let’s clean the kitchen so we won’t be late.”
Morgan swallowed his food and said, “Granny, I’ll help Rose. You two go ahead. If Rose decides she wants to go, I’ll take her.”
“Thank you, that is nice of you, Morgan,” Granny said, smiling. Things had a way of working out just as they were supposed to. Her prayers were reaping some rewards. She’d give proper thanks to the Lord in church this morning.
Morgan stood, hoping to hurry Clay out the door. “See you later, Clay,” he said, slapping him on the back. He was much more affable now that he was going to be alone with Rose. Granny and Clay walked out the door, and Morgan picked up the dishes from the table. “Your flapjacks were great.”
“You seemed to like them better than the cobbler last night,” Rose replied.
“I wouldn’t say that. They were both great.” Morgan realized he hadn’t seen Stevie this morning, so maybe he hadn’t wanted to be around the pastor either. “Where’s Stevie this morning?”
“I don’t know. I was going to have a talk with him before I cooked breakfast, but he wasn’t in his room. I checked the stable and his horse was gone.”
Morgan thought he should have taken the horse home with him last night. “Granny has no idea where he goes?”
“Stevie doesn’t seem to tell her anything. I was hoping he might talk to me, but he’s not giving me much of a chance.” Rose was disappointed Stevie had left so early. He was making it clear that he didn’t want to be around her.
“Morgan, why did you come by so early this morning? Did you want to see Stevie for some reason?”
“No, I didn’t come here to see Stevie.” How could he tell her he thought of nothing else but her all night? That thinking about her was making him daft.
He didn’t say why he was here, but Rose decided to wait for him to tell her. She washed the dishes and Morgan dried. When they put the final dish away, she said, “I would never imagine you helping out in the kitchen. My brothers always said that was women’s work.”
“Your brothers aren’t too bright. It’s a nice way to pass the time with a pretty lady.” He didn’t want to talk about her brothers.
Rose wondered if he’d helped other ladies with the dishes after they’d prepared him dinner.
Morgan thought he might stay a little longer, so he said, “Let’s go outside.” Then he thought she may have decided she wanted to go to church. “Or did you want me to take you to town?”
“No, I think I would rather stay home this morning.” Rose was finally alone with him, and she wanted to know what was on his mind.
Morgan held the back door open for her. “Do you feel better, or did you do too much this morning?” He was starting to feel guilty for making her cook so many flapjacks.
“I’m much improved.” When they stepped on the back porch, Rose said, “It’s a lovely morning.”
“Yes, it is.” Morgan pointed to the swing. “Let’s sit.”
Rose sat down and Morgan sat a few inches from her. Her internal dialogue continued. Did he sit on porches with other women, and kiss them the way he’d kissed her last night? Did the women kiss him the way she’d kissed him? These were questions she wanted to ask, but she didn’t. She turned slightly so she could look at him. Even with his scruffy beard and dark circles around his eyes, he was still the most handsome man she’d ever seen.
Morgan leaned back and placed his arm along the back of the swing, and unconsciously picked up her braid and ran the silky length through his fingers. He remembered how he’d felt brushing her hair the day she was injured. He envisioned her sitting in his bedroom by the fireplace while he brushed her hair. What was he waiting for? Last night he’d realized that before his next birthday, he wanted to be married and maybe even start family. He could tell Rose liked him, and he liked her. She certainly seemed to like his kisses. They had that much in common.
He was probably rushing his decision to get married, but after his last encounter with Stevie, he wasn’t comfortable leaving the women alone with him. If Rose married him, he would also be taking on the responsibility for Granny, and that was fine by him. He wanted them both to live on his ranch. He’d take care of the farm if they wanted to keep it for the other girls, but he wanted Granny and Rose at home with him where he could keep them safe. It was a good plan. They needed a man to look after them, and he wanted a family.
“Rose, if not for Granny, would you stay in Whispering Pines?”
Rose stared at him, her eyes wide with fear. “Granny’s not ill, is she?”
Morgan held up his hand. “No . . . no. I was just curious if you would stay here if you didn’t have Granny.”
“Yes. This is home. My sister Adelaide is coming home to stay too. And I hope one day, Emma will return permanently. We planned to live here the rest of our lives. Why do you ask?”
Morgan dropped her braid and leaned forward, bracing his elbows on his thighs. “I just thought . . .” He straightened and faced her. “Rose, do you trust me?”
Staring into his dark eyes, she wondered what was on his mind. He had to know she trusted him. She could go through her whole life and not meet another man with such a sterling character. “Yes.”
He thought that was a good start. “And I have a feeling you like me.” His eyes drifted to her lips, and he thought of the kisses they’d shared. “In some ways, we seem to suit well.”
She felt a blush rising from her neck to her cheeks. She wanted to tell him she more than liked him. She loved him. While she might not understand how it had happened so quickly, there it was. She loved everything about him. If only Frankie didn’t stand between them, she might be tempted to tell him her true feelings. “I like you very much.” She still didn’t know where he was going with this conversation.
Morgan liked that response, but he thought about Clay. She’d said he was wonderful. “Are you interested in another man?”
His question confused her. “What do you mean? Are you speaking of my brothers?”
“No, I mean are you interested in any man courting you? A man like . . . well, a man like Clay. You seem to think he is wonderful.”
She did think the pastor was a wonderful man, but she didn’t think of him as a potential suitor. “I think he is wonderful for the town, but no, I didn’t even think that he might be interested in courting me.”
Her response didn’t answer his question. “If he wanted to court you, how would you feel about that?”
“Did he ask you to put these questions to me?” she asked suspiciously. “Why didn’t he ask me himself?” She’d given the pastor no reason to think she wanted more than his friendship.
“I’m asking, not him. Are you interested in him as a husband?”
She couldn’t deny the pastor was an attractive man, and a good man, but she didn’t think of him in that way. “Heavens no.”
He smiled at her response. So, Pastor Clay wasn’t all that wonderful. “What about me?”
Rose felt her heart start to thump in her chest. What was he asking her? Surely he wasn’t asking her to marry him. “What are you asking?”
Morgan didn’t look away, didn’t blink. “Would you consider me a suitable husband?”
Rose nodded.
“Is that a yes?”
Before she was definite in her response, she had to ask an important question. “But what about Frankie?” she whispered, almost on the verge of tears. If he was asking her to marry him, she couldn’t ignore his hatred for her brother.
“Rose, we may never agree about Frank. You and Granny may not want to admit it, but you are not safe here alone. Frank and his gang are dangerous men.” He held up his hand when she started to speak. “I know you don’t want to believe that about your brother. But I’m asking you to trust me on this. If you aren’t afraid of Frank, think about his gang. These are men with nothing to lose. I want you and Granny to live with me on the ranch. Stevie doesn’t want to stay on the farm, and you and Granny can’t handle it alone.”
As far as proposals went, he thought he could have done a lot better. But if he vowed undying love, he wasn’t sure it would be honest. “I want a family, and I will be good to you and Granny. I will keep this farm going for your sisters if they want to live here. But if Stevie stays, he’ll have to work. I think that’s fair.”
Rose was overcome with so many emotions she couldn’t think straight. The most amazing man she’d ever met was asking her to marry him. He hadn’t professed love for her, yet he was welcoming Granny into his home. That alone meant more to her than he could ever imagine. She had worried how she would keep the farm going alone, and how she would care for Granny as she aged. They were not wealthy people, and it would be up to her and her sisters to provide care for Granny.
She wasn’t so naïve to think people always married for love. Many people in these difficult times married for convenience, as a way to survive. Granny had already told her if not for Morgan providing beef every winter, they might have starved. But her one major concern was Frankie. She feared Morgan would begin to resent her for her belief in Frankie. She was in love with Morgan, but Frankie was her blood. “But what will you do if you find Frankie?”
To his credit, Morgan didn’t even consider telling her Frankie had threatened her life when she was unconscious. He hoped in time she might come to care for him the way she cared for the brother who wasn’t deserving of her love. “I won’t kill him if I find him; at least, not unless I have no choice. You have my word on that.”
Rose gazed at him as she thought about his response. She didn’t question his word. But she had another question. “You asked me if I liked you. I’d like to know if you like me.”
Morgan wasn’t about to say he cared so much that he didn’t want her in another man’s bed. “I like you very much, and I do want a family. I think we can make a good marriage based on trust and friendship. I will provide for you and our children as long as I live. You will never want for anything if I have a say in the matter.”
They were both silent for a minute. Morgan figured she was weighing her options. He knew he was getting the best end of the deal. There would be plenty of men in line waiting to marry her in no time if she didn’t accept his offer. But he was also confident no man would care for her and Granny as well as he would.
Rose had always planned to marry for love. If she said yes, she would be marrying for love, but the groom didn’t feel the same way. She didn’t know if Morgan would ever love her the way she loved him, but she would make certain he never regretted his decision to take her for a wife.
“What do you think? Do you want to marry me?”
“Yes, I do.”