Page 20 of The Enchanted Land

Morgan considered this for a few minutes. “Yes, I think you are right. I believe I will love Seth at the end of a year.”

Nora stopped abruptly to turn to stare in triumph at Morgan.

“As a sister loves a brother,” Morgan added hastily, feeling she had won the joust.

Seth and William joined Nora and Morgan for lunch. The sisters had been invited to a neighbor’s, where they would probably stay till dinnertime.

“Well, did my little wife choose every piece of furniture in the house?”

Morgan did not like his patronizing tone at all. “The only thing I really wanted was the carved bed in the large bedroom at the head of the stairs.” She watched both Seth and his father as their eyes widened.

Seth nearly choked as he said, “But it would take an entire wagon just for that bed. And besides, that bed has always been in this house.”

Nora couldn’t help laughing. “Morgan’s only teasing, Seth.” She saw the two men relax. “And you deserve it, too, when you talk to your wife the way you do to Jennifer.”

Seth looked sheepish and returned to eating. William asked Morgan if she did find any furniture. Then, hesitantly at first, she talked of her idea about New Mexico, of her certainty that this beautiful furniture would not fit in there.

She gained courage as she saw Seth looking at her with respect. “That’s just what I told Mother and the girls when I first came back. I wanted to take some furniture back, but Chippendale does not fit into an adobe house.”

“Nora, did you show them the attic?” William addressed his wife.

“I had forgotten all about it. Morgan will love the furniture.”

After lunch, Seth returned to the fields with his father, while Nora and Morgan went back to their explorations.

A great deal of the furniture that had been in the Colter home before Nora came was stored in the attic. It had been made in America, and was much plainer than the Chippendale. Here were things that other people had stored in wagons as they came to the Kentucky wilderness. The prize was a sturdy bride’s chest with birds and the year 1784 painted on it, all enclosed in a heart.

There were several sturdy oak tables with chairs to match. This was furniture that had been made with love, and although it was old, it was strong. It had been carried across the country before, and it would stand up to that again.

Chapter Four

THEREwas one more day before they left. Morgan regretted leaving Seth’s family—they had been so kind. She was also afraid of the long trek across the country where she’d be alone with Seth. The day passed in a frenzy of packing and preparation for the trip.

After the noon meal, Jake arrived. He was a short, wiry man. Morgan judged him to be about sixty. Jake and Seth hugged one another in greeting.

“You little polecat! I can see by your size that you haven’t been eatin’ right. You get any littler, and I won’t be able to see you,” said the small man as Seth’s massive frame nearly smothered him. He grinned up at Seth with a nearly toothless grin.

“Well, Jake, I miss your cookin’. A few pieces of your shoeleather steaks and I’ll be near as big as you.”

They turned toward the house, their arms around one another. Then they saw Morgan. Seth seemed embarrassed, and stammered, “Jake, meet Morgan. She’s my … er … wife.”

Jake turned startled eyes to Seth, dropped his arm, and began to howl with laughter Seth stared at his feet. Morgan could not help smiling, infected by Jake’s laughter. With tears in his eyes he choked, “I told you, I knew it.” Then, sobering, “No offense, ma’am, we jist had us a little bet, and I reckon I won.” He offered his hand. “Glad to meet you.”

Jake turned out to be a born story-teller. He kept everyone entertained during dinner. After dinner, the women went to the sitting room, and Jake and Seth’s father went to the library.

Seth took the opportunity to add a last-minute package to the loaded wagons. He put in a small music box that he intended to be a Christmas present to Morgan. He stood in the moonlight, wondering what would be between them at Christmastime. At last he returned to the house.

Jake had retired, and William and Seth were left alone. The two were close, and they had much to share. By ten o’clock they had drunk a great deal of brandy. They both rose to greet Nora, the girls, and Morgan as they came to say goodnight.

As the women turned to leave, Seth called, “Stay with us a little while, Morgan.”

Seth smiled, showing his dimples, and offered her a glass of brandy.

“A toast to my new daughter.” William’s smile was just as impish as his son’s.

The liquid was warming, making Morgan feel very relaxed.

“Seth, my son, I want to congratulate you on your choice of a wife.” William’s words were just slightly slurred.

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