the subject. "How was England, Nial?" Was that true concern she saw in his eyes? It felt good to know someone cared. "I don't suppose you found yourself a wife?"
"No wife," he answered. "Oh, I did my share of courting, but none of them had the stamina it would take to come out here and live in such desolation, away from London's paved streets and lovely theaters. There aren't many women like you, Lettie, with strength and courage. I'm just sorry for what you have gone through since I was here last."
Lettie saw the admiration and sorrow in his eyes, and she realized the man's feelings for her had not changed. She turned to pour a little more tea. "Well, maybe you'll find a wife right here in Billings," she said, hoping he would take the hint that he should look elsewhere. Strangely, his attention did not annoy her this time. It only confused her. So many things confused her since Paul had died and Nathan disappeared again. She felt removed from herself, as though she were watching life from outside of her body.
"Chloris Greene has never married. She seemed to be quite taken with you. Have you seen her since returning?"
"No. I may pay her a visit, but she's so young."
"Not anymore. She must be at least twenty by now. Maybe she has been waiting for you to come back."
He smiled. "You flatter me." I wish you had been waiting for me, Lettie.
"How do you like our new home?" Lettie asked then, turning and looking around the parlor.
Nial wondered if she had read his thoughts and was trying to change the subject.
"We finished it after you left. It's no stone mansion," she continued, "but it's big and airy and has plenty of rooms. Luke insisted I design it however I wanted."
"It's absolutely lovely, elegant," he answered. Just like you, Lettie. "I saw Pearl for just a moment before you came in. She is such a beautiful child! How old is she now?"
Lettie set her cup on the coffee table. "She'll be ten this year. My children are all growing up much too fast!"
Nial laughed. "Pearl told me she is doing very well with the piano. I don't suppose you could get her to play for me?"
Lettie smiled. She loved talking about the children. Those she still had were her whole world now. "She loves showing off. I'm sure she'd be very happy to play for you.
And before you leave Robbie will probably want to show you Punkin's new puppies. Punkin is the daughter of our big yellow mutt, Pancake. Robbie prides himself in taking care of all the dogs and cats. He dreams about being a doctor one day, but not for animals. He wants to doctor people." Her smile faded. "I'm afraid the poor child was deeply affected by his little brother's death. He was right there at Paul's side when it happened." It should have been me. I should have been holding him. If only I could have him back for that one last moment, just long enough to tell him again that I love him.
"And what about Katie and Ty? What are they up to?"
Lettie rose. "Ty spends almost every day practicing roping. He is going to go with Luke this year on the spring roundup and branding. He's so excited about it he hardly eats. He's becoming a handsome young man. He looks more like fifteen than twelve." Tall and handsome, like his father. Luke! Please don't sleep with that whore! Please be patient with me. "Katie is the little homemaker, always helping Mae in the kitchen." She walked out into the wide hallway and called upstairs to Pearl. "Come and play the piano for Mr. Bentley," she told the girl.
Pearl hurried out of her room, red pigtails flying, green eyes on fire with delight. Her fair-skinned face showed a few freckles, and it was obvious she was going to be a beautiful woman someday. Lettie smiled and gave her a hug. "You have an audience, love." Lettie nodded toward Nial, and Pearl grinned and curtsied.
"I'm not real good yet, but I'm getting better," she told the Englishman.
"Oh, I hear you play beautifully."
"Really? Who told you that?"
"Oh, Will Doolan brags all over town about your playing!"
Pearl laughed. "Uncle Will tells such big stories." She hurried to the piano and opened it, positioning herself on the bench. She began playing some hymns, and Nial agreed that, for her age, the child was a wonder at the