left the cleanup to the girls from town. It was a schedule that worked well, only Rose had began to notice that the meal deliveries to Boyd’s man in the barn seemed to take longer each time.
“I’ve got too much work to do here,” Em answered. “I saw more mountain lion tracks yesterday. It’s getting cold enough that the cats might be hunting this low. I told Sumner to make sure every man riding out had a rifle. He told me he’d already issued the order.”
“I don’t like the idea of one of the mountain lions being killed, but I’ve seen what they can do to a colt.”
“If we see them, we’ll fire in the air first and try to chase them back into the hills, but if they come back, we’ll have to protect the herd.” Em knew that deer in the mountains were not plentiful as in years past because of a bitter cold winter last year. If the cats and wolves came down, they were just doing what they do: hunting for game. Much as she hated it, she had to do what she did: protect the horses.
“Will Lewt be going with you?” Em asked, hoping to get Rose’s mind off the cats.
“I don’t know. I haven’t seen him to ask.”
“Ask what?” Lewt surprised them both. He stood in the doorway to the hall, looking all ready for winter in his wool work clothes and coat.
Rose smiled at him, her usual pleasant, not-too-friendly kind of smile Em had seen her give people on the street. “Would you like to go into town with us today, Lewton?”
“Who’ll stay here with Emily?” he asked, acting concerned. “Surely she’s in no condition to travel.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Watson will keep her company. Mrs. Allender said she’ll go along with us if we’ll take the buggy and lots of blankets.”
Lewt hesitated, then shook his head. “Much as I’d like to accompany you ladies, I think I’d better stay here. I promised to help Em for a few hours this morning, and then I might be able to make myself useful and visit with Miss Emily if she’s not resting. She told me she liked to play card games. I’m sure we can find one we both know.”
Rose was busy putting biscuits in the oven. Lewt looked at Em as if for help. She could understand his feelings. Going into town with a group sounded only slightly more fun than cleaning the barn. “Oh,” she said, knowing he expected her to say something. “I forgot, you did offer to help. We’d better eat and be heading out.”
Rose faced them. One of her lovely eyebrows lifted, but she didn’t say anything. A few minutes later Mrs. Allender joined them for a breakfast of ham, scrambled eggs, and biscuits with gravy. The dear lady had a habit of always discussing the next meal. She liked to plan lunch while eating breakfast, and dinner while still having lunch.
Em thought she was kind of like an oral menu board. And, not surprisingly, since she raised a large family, she was quite the cook. Em had noticed Rose jotting down instructions on how to prepare a few dishes Mrs. Allender suggested.
When the little woman finished her morning questions about lunch, silence fell over the group.
Em finally made an effort to talk about work. Rose talked of town. Lewt didn’t talk at all. In fact, he didn’t even look in Em’s direction. She had no doubt in her mind that his wanting to stay at the ranch had more to do with him not wanting to go to town than any notion that he should help her.
As he downed the last of his coffee, she motioned for them to go. He said his good-byes to the women and promised he’d check in on Emily when he got back.
Em didn’t say anything. Her mind was already filled with all the things she had to do. They walked to the barn without a word, and within minutes they were both in the saddle and riding out. She took off fast, and this morning he followed like a shadow.
He’d learned a great deal, and since dawn he’d worked beside her as if they had been a team for months.
At midday, they stopped to let the horses rest and she finally turned to him. “You should have gone with the others to town. It would be a good chance to talk to the McMurray women.”
“I didn’t want to.” He didn’t look at her