“Of course I will,” he repeated Charles’s response to him, reaffirming, as he and his friend often did, that they’d always be there for each other.
Charles chewed and swallowed, and an appreciative expression replaced the grimace of pain. “You didn’t make this bread. Who did?”
“How do you know I didn’t?” Daniel flashed Charles a disgruntled look.
“Because it’s delicious, and it doesn’t have the texture of a doorstop.”
Daniel laughed, and relief made him weak in the knees for the tenth time that day. “The bread is compliments of Mrs. Becker. She and her husband wish you a speedy recovery.”
Charles grunted. “Of course they do. We keep a fortune in their bank.”
“Ever the cynic.” Daniel held a spoonful of chicken soup to Charles’s mouth. “This soup is from Widow Hague. She and her boys brought us enough for our supper this eve with enough left for tomorrow’s lunch. Meredith said you must take in a lot of fluids to help your body recover from blood loss. Tea is steeping as we speak.”
“I’m not an invalid. I can feed myself.” He took the spoon from Daniel. “It’s time to make plans for your return trip to Ireland, Dan. As soon as the engineer arrives and Ben takes up his role as foreman, we’ll want to begin phase two of our business plan, aye?”
“Aye.” The thought of returning to Ireland a rich man sent Daniel’s pulse on a wild dash. Finally he’d make good on his promise to his mother and reunite his family. “Shall I go fetch your tea then?”
Charles nodded, his mouth full, and another look of appreciation lighting his features.
Daniel surveyed the main room as he went to the counter to pour a mug of tea for Charles. “Where’s Meredith?”
“Sitting on the porch.” Oliver lifted his head from his book only long enough to respond.
“After Charles has his tea, will you help me support him for a short walk?”
“Sure. Sure.”
“Good book?”
Oliver finally took his nose out of the dime novel long enough to flash him a wry look. “It’s hyperbole to the nth degree, but I can’t stop reading even though it’s complete nonsense.” He held up the book for a second. “I suppose people who live in cities out East believe this is how it really is on the frontier.”
“After today’s events, perhaps those novels don’t seem quite so outlandish.”
“Yeah they do. If today’s adventure was written into one of these novels, one lone hero would’ve singlehandedly defeated ten outlaws.”
“That is a bit outlandish.” Daniel delivered tea to Charles then fixed a cup for himself and one for Meredith before walking outside to the porch.
“Tea?” he asked as he set the cup beside her on the tree stump they used as a table.
“Yes, thank you,” Meredith replied. She yawned and then smiled at him. “This has been a momentous day, and I’m exhausted.”
“It has, and so am I.” He took a seat and sipped his tea while enjoying the peaceful sounds of the world around them. They sat in companionable silence. A weight had been lifted, and he was content. Nay, more than content, but he had no words for all the good feelings percolating through him. He was alive, and he planned to spend the rest of his life with Meredith.
His mind drifted to what their sons and daughters might look like and what they’d grow up to be. Would they carry a trace of fae blood like their mother, lending them giftedness? He smiled into the gathering dusk, dreaming of their future together.
Meredith woke with a start. Her heart racing, she sat up and glanced toward the window, finding it still pitch dark outside. She looked at Daniel who continued to sleep soundly beside her. Whatever it was that disturbed her, Daniel hadn’t been affected. She listened for a few moments, but everything remained utterly quiet.
Perhaps the yip of a coyote or the hoot of an owl had awakened her. She lay back down and pulled the covers over her shoulders. Meredith continued to stare into the darkness for some time, unable to shake the sense that something of significance had happened. Whatever woke her didn’t seem to pose an immediate threat. She closed her eyes, scooted a little closer to Daniel, and fell back to sleep.
Hours later she woke again. This time there was no mystery about what woke her, and she smiled. Daniel cupped her breast, while his morning erection prodded her backside in a friendly greeting.