Page 112 of The Enchanted Land

“He upset you, didn’t he?” Gordon’s voice held a tinge of anger. “Did he say something to you while I was gone?”

“No. He was a perfect gentleman.”

Gordon studied her eyes for a moment and then relaxed. “Good. I like Dave. He’s experienced and the men like him.

“Today a fight broke out between a couple of the men. Tim came to tell Boyd and me, but before we got there, Dave not only had stopped the fight but had the men laughing as well. Boyd never got the hands’ respect like that. And Adam adores him.”

“Please, Gordon, I’m tired of hearing about this man’s virtues.” Gordon was staring at her. He’d guess more than she wanted him to know if she weren’t careful. “I’m sorry. I’m glad you and Adam like him. I just need a little more time before I trust someone completely.”

Gordon smiled at her. “You can have all the time you want.” He kissed her on the forehead. “I guess I should be glad you dislike him. I’ve always been afraid that if Seth Colter walked through the door, you’d fall right into his arms. It’s good to see you dislike a man just because he resembles Seth. Goodnight.”

Seth found it difficult to sleep. The few moments alone with Morgan in the dark garden had been hell. He had had to leave. He couldn’t have stayed there another minute without taking her in his arms.

She was the same insecure little Morgan he’d met years before, but there was also a different air about her now. She looked people in the eye. She wasn’t afraid of her own body. She didn’t hide under yards of fabric. She was a woman now and, if possible, even more exciting than before.

Even so, it was not Morgan’s lovely face that floated before Seth as, at last, he fell asleep. The face was much smaller, round, and distinctly dimpled.

Morgan was groggy when she heard the knock. She couldn’t seem to open her eyes, and didn’t really want to. She heard Adam’s squeal in the hall, and then the door opened.

“Horse!” Her son’s demands were unmistakable. She turned over and gradually focused on Gordon and Adam.

“I’ll take you on a horse in a minute.”

Morgan frowned. “He’s never going to learn to talk if no one ever makes him ask for what he wants.”

“You’re certainly in a bad mood this morning.”

“I am not. I just didn’t sleep well.” She started to get out of bed.

“You just stay there. I’ll take care of Adam and send Carol up with a breakfast tray.”

“Adam needs a bath and…”

“He’ll just get dirty again around the horses. Morgan! Get back in bed or I’ll put Adam in there with you.”

Morgan smiled. “You win. No one needs to be tortured like that.”

“Good. Now go back to sleep and Carol will be up in a couple of hours.”

Morgan tried to sleep, but after a few minutes, she knew it was a useless effort. She got out of bed and hastily donned her riding habit. Gordon and Adam were just leaving as she entered the room.

“Going riding, Morgan?”

“Why else would I wear a riding habit?” She continued toward the dining room, then stopped. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap. Yes, I thought I’d take lunch and a book, and go to the stream.”

“That sounds like a good idea. Maybe you’d feel better if you were outside for a while.”

“There’s nothing wrong with the way I feel! I just—” She closed her mouth. Nothing came out of it right any more.

“I want to take Adam with me again today. That is, if he’ll stay with me and not go to Dave.”

She wanted to scream. Her life was filled with the doings of Seth Colter. He was already beginning to control Adam, and Gordon liked him so much. She kept her mouth closed. No matter what she said, it would be wrong. Someone would defend Seth.

She turned to Martin. “Would you please have Roselle prepare a lunch in a basket for me?”

She kissed Adam goodbye, promising him a good scrubbing when he returned, and saw them out the door. She hurriedly ate breakfast and got her book, quilt, and the picnic basket. As usual, Roselle had packed enough for several people.

The air cleared her head and made her feel better. At the stream, she spread the quilt under the cottonwoods and settled down to read the rest ofJane Eyre. It was quiet, with only the sounds of the birds, the locusts, and the stream. She wasn’t aware of it when she slept.

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