Page 115 of The Enchanted Land

She felt the blood rush to her face. “What do you want here? What do you want from me?” The anger she had been holding back for so long threatened to erupt.

Seth’s voice was quiet. “I want nothing from you that you are not prepared to give.”

“Give? I gave you everything I had and you—”

Seth’s eyes were sad. “I’m sorry. I’ll leave. I didn’t mean to disturb you.” With a few quick strides, he was gone.

Morgan sat down heavily. Somehow, she felt defeated. Why couldn’t he rage at her, or drag her into his arms? Anything but this constant politeness, this self-effacing manner of his. She angrily wiped away her tears. What was wrong with her? She had planned to ignore him, but she was the one who was being ignored. She mounted her horse and rode around, directionless, for an hour before she returned to the house.

She heard Gordon in his study. He sounded angry. Morgan had never known Gordon to be angry. “Damnation! What do you mean, it’s ‘something you always meant to do’? Why the hell didn’t you tell me that when you signed on?”

Morgan’s hand flew to her mouth. “Seth,” she whispered aloud. Then she straightened, trying to compose herself. Good, she thought. He’s leaving. I’m glad. Now Adam and I can continue our lives without interruptions. She started up the stairs, but turned quickly when the study door opened.

Gordon was frowning at Boyd. The tall foreman was putting a roll of bills into his shirt pocket. “And I don’t want to see any of you again,” Gordon shouted at Boyd’s retreating back.

“Gordon, what’s wrong?”

“Gold fever! My foreman and three of my best men are leaving in the morning. They wanted this month’s wages.” He threw up his hands. “I sometimes wonder if it’s worth it. You can never get any help.”

Morgan put her hand on his arm. “It’s not the end of the world. You’ll find someone else.”

“Sure I will, but then this damned gold fever will hit them andtheywill leave. Wait!”

“What is it?”

“I have an idea. I’ll be back in time for dinner.”

He ran from the house.

Morgan was just getting Adam ready for bed when Gordon burst in. “I just hired Dave as my foreman.”

“Dave?”

“You haven’t forgotten Dave already, have you?”

“No, of course not. I just wonder if it’s wise to hire someone you hardly know. After all, he’s been here less than a week.”

“Well, I’ve watched him and he works as hard as any two men. And Adam likes him, don’t you, boy?” The child went to Gordon, and Gordon carried him to his bed and covered him lightly. He blew out the light and he and Morgan left the room.

“I’ve invited Dave to supper tonight. We have a lot of things to discuss. That is—if you don’t mind?”

“Why should I mind what Mr. Blake does or does not do? He is of no concern to me.”

Gordon paused at the top of the staircase and looked at Morgan. She was especially beautiful in the half-light in the hall. He kissed her cheek and then his arms went around her. Lightly, his lips touched hers.

Morgan wanted to feel the blood pounding in her head as it had when Seth kissed her, but there was no such feeling. Gordon broke from her abruptly.

“Dave, I didn’t hear you come in.”

Morgan turned to see Seth at the foot of the stairs, his brow creased. She patted her hair and adjusted her dress.

“Good evening, Mrs. Colter. I hope you are feeling well.”

“Very well, Mr. Blake.” She turned loving eyes up to Gordon. “Very well indeed.”

Gordon led her down the stairs. He and Seth began to talk of the ranch. Martin held Morgan’s chair for her. She tried to listen to the conversation, but she knew little about the work done on the ranch. She was acutely aware of Seth’s presence, however, and kept her eyes averted.

She didn’t see Seth’s eyes on her, or note the way Gordon broke off talking to follow the larger man’s glance. Morgan sat quietly, pushing her flan about in the bowl. She had eaten very little.

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