Page 44 of A Late-Blooming Rose
Pamela sent her friend a thoughtful look. “We should encourage others to write down their own histories and keep diaries.”
“Wonderful idea.” Elizabeth’s eyes sparked with interest. “Although a diary, pen, ink might be luxuries some families can’t afford.”
They both glanced in Delia’s direction. “Christmas,” the two chorused, and then laughed.
Rose narrowed her eyes and bristled.Surely, they couldn’t mean for Andre to assume the expense of such gifts?
Elizabeth nodded in a decisive manner. “I’ll put in an order from Boston.”
Rose hid her sigh of relief.
A beautiful woman with auburn hair and cornflower blew eyes joined Pamela and Elizabeth—a close friend by the way she placed a hand on the small of their backs.
They shifted to let her fit between them.
Elizabeth tipped her head toward the newcomer. “Rose, surely you’ve heard of Samantha Thompson’s miniature horses? They are a favorite topic of conversation and create much longing among the children.”
“And plenty of adults,” Pamela chimed in. “As fast as one of her mares foals, the baby is snapped up.”
“I have, indeed, heard of your little ones,” Rose told Samantha. “TheFalabellas. Andre took me to meet Micah’s pair yesterday. I found them quite captivating.”
Talking about the Falabellas made Rose remember how, after a visit to see the little black horses, she became uncomfortable with the intimacy stemming from the close confines of the dimly lit stable. Sam was nowhere in sight, and she was far too aware of Andre’s nearness.
She’d claimed fatigue, hurrying them out of the stable and into the house before he could offer to take her for a drive in the ridiculously tiny buggy pulled by the two adorable creatures. Once inside, claiming the need for a nap, she’d practically run to her bedroom. Even now, the memory made her squirm.
Cora approached their foursome, towing her new friend by the hand. “Aunt Rose, Elsie and I were just talking about the two men wounded by the robbers. She says they’re returning to Sweetwater Springs the day after tomorrow. Neither one of them is married or has relatives, so they must be alone with no one to take care of them.”
Rose could already see where Cora was steering the conversation.Oh, no. Don’t even think of suggesting you will step in and nurse them.
“Buck Skold is one of our ranch hands.” Samantha smiled at Cora. “I promise we’ll take very good care of him.” She nodded toward the twins chatting with the doctor’s wife. “Alana is the one in the blue, and her husband, Patrick, came for the Harvest Festival. She’s a nurse who’s studying to become a doctor. They’ve stayed on at our place in case her services were needed. We’ve also been grateful to have Patrick ride out with the our cowboys to make sure the ranch was well guarded until the outlaws were caught.”
Cora swept them all a triumphant smile. “Then if Buck Skold is in good hands, that leaves Brian Bly to me.Iwill nurse him. After all, that’s what I’ve been studying for.”
Elsie frowned, and her hands fluttered. “I don’t know, Cora. I haven’t been to Mr. Bly’s house, but Hank Canfield, who’s a neighbor—”
“And Elsie’s beau,” Cora added, with a smirk and knowing glance at her new friend.
Elsie blushed and elbowed Cora. “As I was saying, Hank tells me Mr. Bly has a small, one-room cabin, and the interior is rather sparse. I don’t think you’ll be comfortable.”
“I’ll manage,” Cora said breezily, with an airy wave of her hand.
Too bad she’s too old to spank.Rose settled for a disapproving frown. “Absolutely not! You will not go live with a man in a one-room cabin—” she ticked off one finger “—in the middle of nowhere—” a second tick “—without any chaperone.” She held up a third finger before closing her hand and lowering her arm.
Mrs. Cobb, who’d left her group to linger close by with her teacup and saucer, her ear so near she almost overbalanced, sidled up to them. “Miss Cora, I must agree with your aunt. Mr. Bly’slegwas injured. To nurse him, you’ll have to see his barelimbs, touching himunclothed.Quiteout of the question.”
“That’s what nurses do.” Cora raised her chin. “If anyone is soevil-mindedas to say otherwise—” she glared at Mrs. Cobb “—I don’t care about their malicious opinions.”
Rose wanted to shake some sense into her niece.Doesn’t Cora realize she’s on the brink of ruining her future?
Delia touched Rose’s arm and leaned to speak in her ear. “I can see Cora’s set on the idea and won’t budge,” she said in a low tone. “Best mitigate the damage as much as possible.”
“How?” Rose was so agitated, she could barely keep her voice from rising.
“By changing the circumstances.” Delia turned toward the others and raised her voice. “We can certainly send a brigade to Three-Bend Lake to clean up Mr. Bly’s place and stock the pantry with food. If we build another room onto the cabin, then, at least, Cora would have separate sleeping quarters.”
Torn between exasperation and admiration, Rose wagged a finger at Delia. “You’re sounding like your father. Taking charge of everything and, in the process, flinging around a great deal of money.”
A slow smile bloomed on Delia’s face. “I’ll take that as a compliment.”
