Page 536 of Conveniently Wed
He leaned against the railing and crossed his arms over his chest. That movement stretched the fabric tight over his muscles, in his arms as well as other places. She didn’t want to notice his strength, but removing her gaze from his imposing figure wasn’t easy.
Chuckling, he glanced at the open windows to the parlor. “I started to ask where our son is, but no need.”
“They’re having a good time.” She dropped her gaze to the floor. “I’ve enjoyed listening to them as much as I’ve enjoyed the breeze and the colors of twilight.”
He shifted, crossing his legs at the ankle. “You like it here, don’t you, Lorinda?”
If she disagreed, he’d wonder why. But she did like it here. She just didn’t know where she fit into the scheme of things.
She nodded. “It’s peaceful.”
He straightened. “Do I smell roast?”
“You do.” She got up from the swing. “Mrs. Oleson cooked while I cleaned. Tomorrow, she’ll teach me how to make meatloaf.”
Holding the screen door open, he waited for her to precede him into the house. “Sounds good to me.”
Mrs. Oleson was already in the foyer, holding little Michael. “I’m sure you want to see this guy.” She grinned at him.
He pulled the leather gloves from his hands and lifted the boy to press a kiss to the curls on the top of his head. Then he handed the baby back.
“Give him to his mother. I want to clean up so I won’t get him dirty.” Franklin headed toward the rooms they shared.
Lorinda took Michael, propped him on her hip, and followed their housekeeper to the kitchen.
When Franklin arrived in the kitchen, he immediately reached for his son. Their boy was growing like a weed, as his mother used to say. His son laughed at him and patted him on the cheeks when he tried to give the boy a kiss. They played while the women got the food on the table.
“You want me to take him now?” Lorinda held her arms toward the baby.
“No. I can eat and hold him at the same time.” He’d been gone from his son for hours. So he wanted to hold him as long as he could. Breathing the essence of the sweet baby, he sat in the chair he always used.
Mrs. Oleson set three filled plates of food at their usual places. “Eat up. We have plenty.”
Franklin bowed his head and said a special word of thanks to God, then raised his head. “You said there’s plenty to eat. Enough for eight more men?”
The housekeeper nodded. “What do you have in mind?”
“I brought eight of the men back to the homestead with me. I’m going to have them work around here for now.” He accepted a hot roll from the woman and set it on his plate to butter it one-handed. “Terrell is out with the chuck wagon. If we have enough food, I’d like to take it to them in the bunkhouse after we finish eating.”
He wasn’t sure he was ready to tell the women what was going on. He knew Mrs. Oleson wouldn’t be a problem, but he didn’t want to frighten Lorinda. If he didn’t let them know, they might question having so many men stay near the ranch house all the time.
“What’s going on, Franklin?”
Lorinda acted surprised by Mrs. Oleson’s question. If she would look at him, he’d try to show her he wasn’t upset by what was happening. But she concentrated on her food.
He laid his fork on his plate. “Criminals could be lurking out there. Until we know for sure, I want the home place protected.”
Finally, his wife looked at him. “What kind of criminals, Franklin?”
He could tell she was trying to act nonchalant about it, but she didn’t quite come across that way. “Cattle rustlers. Too manyfrom our herd are missing. There’s always some that go missing, but not this many. We’re not sure if this is one person or more...and one of them could also be the murderer or even the arsonist.”
Lorinda gasped and placed one dainty hand on her chest. She was so ladylike. She reminded him of his mother when she was young. Why hadn’t he noticed that before?
He reached over and clasped her other fingers. She looked startled, glancing down at their entwined fingers.
Warmth spread up his arm. “I don’t want to upset you. I just want you to know to be careful. We’ll post these men in strategic places, so every side of each building is visible to someone. I don’t think you’re in real danger. I just don’t want to take a chance...with my family.”
A soft blush spread across her cheeks, making his breath hitch. Franklin couldn’t lose his heir so soon after obtaining him...and his wife became more precious to him every day.
