Page 103 of The Enchanted Land

In answer, Gordon swept the laughing boy into his arms. “My pleasure. Now, cowpuncher, let’s get you into some other duds.”

Morgan heard Adam’s laugh all the way to his room. She leaned back against the pillows. Yes, she thought, this is very pleasant. It was peaceful here. No memories assailed her. Gordon was wonderful, too. It would be very comfortable to fall in love with him, yes it would.

With Adam gone, Morgan found she had too little to do. As always, she wandered toward the kitchen. Roselle was surprised when Morgan rolled up her sleeves and plunged into kneading a large mound of bread dough. They both soon forgot the notion that they were mistress and servant, and became just two women, cooking and talking together.

“Gordon has always been such a lonely fellow, even as a little boy. My heart cried for him at times.”

“Lonely? But Gordon doesn’t ever seem to be sad at all.”

“He covers it with his jokes and laughter, but it is not easy to grow up without a mother.”

“Didn’t his mother ever live with him?”

“No. She left soon after her son was born, returning to her own people. For all the jokes he makes, Gordon takes his Comanche relatives very seriously. He has never spent much time with them. Once when he was very young, an uncle came to see him and Gordon followed him around for two weeks. His Indian uncle showed him how to dress like a Comanche and told him to be proud of his Indian blood. Gordon was very upset to find the Indian gone one morning. Now he gets so upset over what the white man is doing to the Indians.” Roselle cocked her head toward Morgan. “The men on the ranch try to forget he’s half-Indian. They don’t like the idea of an Indian boss.”

Morgan nodded her understanding.

Lunch was lonely for Morgan, with both Gordon and Adam away from the house. She ate in the kitchen with Roselle and Martin, but realized that her newness in the household made them shy.

She went to her room to nap. For some reason, her thoughts of Seth were especially strong. As she removed her dress, she almost felt his hands on her body. The memory made her ache.

Gordon arrived later with a tired, sunburned Adam. Morgan, glad to be busy, washed the child and slipped him into a clean nightshirt. He was asleep as his mother finished buttoning the gown. As she kissed her son’s cheek, she was reminded again of how much Adam resembled his father. She chastised herself for always thinking of Seth.

At dinner, Gordon was especially happy. “You should have seen them! I never saw grown men make such fools of themselves over anyone. All day they talked baby talk to him. Calhoun especially! ‘Ooh want to go for wide on horsey?’ Adam just stared at them. Wouldn’t go to a single one of them. Stayed with me.” Gordon’s eyes gleamed with pride.

Gordon put his hand over Morgan’s. “I can’t tell you how glad I am that you are here. I’ve been rattling around alone in this big house for years. Sometimes I slept in the bunkhouse rather than be alone in here. Roselle and Martin have been the true occupants.”

Gordon kissed her check. He was handsome, easy to laugh, and Adam adored him. What more could she want? she asked herself. Gordon’s goodnight kiss had not sent shivers down her spine as Seth’s kisses did. Don’t compare them! she told herself. As she climbed into bed, she thought again how comfortable it would be to be in love with Gordon.

The days began to fall into a routine, and Morgan was content, if not deliriously happy. Gordon often took Adam with him in the days, and in the evening he entertained her with stories of how the men tried to entice Adam from him. It seemed they never succeeded.

When Adam was gone, Morgan spent her mornings in the kitchen and her afternoons riding, improving her skills on the mare. Adam and she often took a picnic lunch and spent the afternoons together by the river. It was a little greener, but otherwise a lot like the place where they had spent their afternoons at the Colter ranch.

They had been at the Three Crowns for three months when Gordon first mentioned the divorce. Seeing Morgan every day and not touching her was agony for him. He wanted to know how she felt about Seth. He wanted the way clear for himself, with no ghosts between them. He loved her enough to wait for her.

They were at dinner. “Morgan, have you made any decisions about Seth?”

Morgan looked up, startled. Even the mention of Seth’s name made her stomach contract, the skin of her scalp tighten. “I don’t want to discuss him.” Roselle’scoq au vinsuddenly lost its appeal.

Gordon watched her closely. It seemed that what her eyes said and what her lips said did not match. “Would you consider a divorce?”

A divorce, a permanent separation from Seth, from Adam’s father. She must be sensible. “Yes, I believe it would be appropriate. But I don’t know where Seth is. I’m sure he must be found before there can be a … divorce.” She hated the word, hated the whole idea. “I don’t want to see him again.”

“Then I’ll contact John Bradley and see what can be arranged.”

They were quiet the rest of the meal. They had coffee outside in the courtyard. Morgan was occupied with her own thoughts. Why is the idea of a divorce so distasteful to me? Because it makes me feel like a failure? She argued with herself over the absurdity of the idea, but she knew her answer was correct. Of course, it wasn’t her fault, only Seth’s. Seth and his temper.

“More coffee, Morgan?” Gordon interrupted her thoughts.

Gordon knew now it was going to be a tough fight. Morgan said she hated her husband, but he could see the lie in her eyes. Something had to be done.

When Morgan and Adam had been at the Three Crowns for six months, Gordon decided to have a welcome party. Morgan had met very few of the neighbors who sparsely dotted the countryside. She was glad to arrange the party, glad to cook, and to decorate the house. Gordon was happy to come home every night to Morgan and Adam. For the first time in his life, he wasn’t lonely. His happiness would have been complete if he hadn’t sometimes caught a glimpse of longing in Morgan’s eyes.

Chapter Twenty

ITwas the day of the party when Gordon saw the big man riding toward him. The easy, straight way he sat his horse showed unusual confidence. Gordon watched with interest as the stranger approached. He wasn’t an ordinary drifter, and he was older than he appeared from a distance.

“They tell me you’re the boss.” The stranger’s voice was deep, soft, very pleasant.

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