Page 543 of Conveniently Wed
“I’ll clean up the dishes.” The housekeeper gathered the plates and put them in the dishpan.
“Thanks. I haven’t nursed Michael yet.”
Lorinda sat down and arranged her clothing so her son had easy access. He leaned back against her arm andalmostlet her cuddle him. These early morning times were so precious. Later in the day, he would be so much more independent.
Mrs. Oleson plunged her hands into the sudsy water. “You didn’t have any younger brothers or sisters, did you?”
Lorinda glanced up at her. “No. My mother died trying to give birth to my brother. Neither one of them lived.”
“I’m so sorry to hear that.” The housekeeper continued to wash the plates, then dip them in the rinse water. “I guess you’ve never seen a father play with his son the way Franklin did last night.”
“Never.” Lorinda shook her head. “I’m really sorry I yelled at Franklin.”
“It did surprise him. After you took the baby to get ready for bed, I told him I didn’t think you understood it wasn’t dangerous.”
“Are you sure it’s not? What if he’d dropped my baby?”
Mrs. Oleson turned around, drying her hands on the towel tucked into the waistband of her apron. “I’ve seen how much Franklin loves that baby...and he’d never do anything to hurt him. I promise. He was totally in control of his actions.”
“I suppose so, since he caught Michael just fine.” Lorinda leaned to press a kiss on the baby’s hair. “I can see how much Franklin loves him. I’m sorry I overreacted.”
Mrs. Oleson came back to sit in the chair across from her. “Things like this happen in a marriage...even the best of them. Just don’t let it come between you and Franklin.”
How could she keep it from coming between them? The distance they already kept would allow a runaway wagon to drive through.
Lorinda wanted to talk to Mrs. Oleson as if she really were her mother. Surely a mother could help her unravel this dilemma.
Perhaps she would have been able to be content with their arrangement...except for the kiss. Too many times each day, she felt the tender pressure that initiated the kiss, but it became so much more, touching all the way to the center of her heart and capturing it for all time. In the nighttime, she could still taste the intense sweetness, and it brought her body alive as never before, wanting so much more from the handsome man who was herhusband…and yet he wasn’t. When he was near, the aroma of Bay Rum Oil and his particular type of maleness always brought the memory of that one moment when they’d been so close and intimate.
Her emotions might not be able to take all the tugging this way and that.
Someday, part of her was going to break loose.
25
Franklin was riding ahead of the point man when the herd rounded the last mountain and headed toward Frisco’s train station. The empty cattle cars waited on a side track beside a large fenced pen.
People were still stepping from the passenger cars of the westbound train. A tall man wearing a Stetson and carrying saddlebags over his shoulder caught Franklin’s eye. The man made his way to the baggage car where he started talking to the conductor. Something about the man intrigued him, but he couldn’t figure out what. Strangers often came to Summit County by train. Maybe it was the confidence he exhibited.
Harley Smith ambled out of the depot just as Franklin rode up and dismounted. “You’re right on time, Franklin, as always.”
The man thrust out his hand, and Franklin shook it. He liked a man with a strong grip and level eyes that stared him straight on, eye to eye.
“Good to see you again.” Franklin nodded toward the herd. “We’ve got 350 head. I’m sure you’ll want to inspect them.”
Harley nodded, and the two men walked over to the wooden fence and leaned their arms on the top, each with a booted foot resting on the bottom rail.
“I can get a good look at them as they enter the pen.”
The cowboys had no trouble urging the cows through the gate, because feeding stations lined two sides of the enclosure. Franklin was proud of his men. All were real professionals that knew how to handle themselves and the beeves.
Harley stood up and walked along the fence, his gaze roving over each animal. The man really knew about quality in a herd.
“Looks like top-notch cattle again.” Harley came back to where Franklin still stood. “They’ll bring top dollar.”
“Always glad to hear that.”
Harley started toward the open door to the depot with Franklin by his side. “The station master has a pot of coffee on. We can take care of our business at a table in the corner while we enjoy a cup.”
