Page 51 of The Enchanted Land

“Ready?”

“Yes. Didn’t I mention that the reason I came was to invite Seth and you to a party at the Montoya ranch in three days? No, I guess not. Joaquín said that there was some mixup in your clothing, that for some reason you had none of your own and had to take things from Seth’s sisters.”

“Yes, it was a…”

Lena watched Morgan carefully. “No matter. You and I will leave now for Santa Fe, and in two days Mrs. Sanchez can make you several dresses.”

“Leave? Lena, I can’t leave now. I still have too many things to do. The cow needs milking this evening, and I have bread that has to be kneaded and…” She couldn’t bear the idea of being away from Seth for three whole days.

“Qué tontería!Bread and cows!”

“Seth. I don’t want to leave Seth.” Morgan’s voice was quieter.

Lena’s laughter rang out. “Ah! NowthatI can understand. And Seth—such a beautiful man! I would not want to leave him either, if he were mine.”

Morgan felt her jaw clench, and she shot Lena a look of fire.

“Morgan, let us be friends. Let us be honest with one another. I have been somewhat in love with that good-looking husband of yours for years, but he has turned me down.” Lena did not mention that he had turned down her hints at a permanent relationship, but not her offers of lovemaking.

“Don’t worry,” Lena continued. “You and I will be friends. But tell me, honestly, would you like to go to my party in that dress?”

Morgan compared her own dress to Lena’s elegant riding habit.

“I thought not. Now, I will ride out to tell Seth Colter myself. It will do him good not to see his little bride for a few days.” She looked at Morgan critically. “When I get through with you, he will be even more in love with you than he is now.”

Instantly, she was gone, and when Morgan heard the sound of the stallion’s hooves, she collapsed in a chair. Lupita’s laugh rang behind her. “That one! So full of fire. Do not worry, Señora Colter, she always gets her way. When Lena wants something, she lets nothing stand in her way.”

“What about Seth? She wanted Seth. She’s so beautiful, Lupita. What will Seth say when he sees the two of us together?”

“He will not even notice there is anyone else in the room except his wife. You had better pack some clothes, because if I know Señorita Montoya, you will be leaving very soon for Santa Fe.”

Morgan knew she was right and went to the bedroom to get ready. For some reason, she was frightened at the idea of leaving the ranch. She looked around the room at the fireplace, the rugs, the big bed she and Seth had shared for so few nights.

“This is silly,” she said aloud. “I’ll be back in just a few days, and then Seth will be happy to see me and…” She shivered again. On impulse, she pulled a trunk from the corner of the room and dug deep into the bottom of it until she found the red dress. She held it up to the light and marveled again at its texture and the beautiful handmade lace across the bodice. She had never shown the dress to Seth because she had wanted to save it for a very special occasion. When she saw him again, after having been away from him for days, she’d wear the dress. Her eyes misted as she quickly packed the silky fabric beneath her other plain dresses.

“Morgan!” A thrill of joy ran through her. She ran to him and clung to him. It seemed much longer than three hours since she had last seen him.

“I missed you, too, little one.” He kissed her hair, caressed her back and held her close. “What’s this about your leaving me?”

“I don’t want to go, Seth. I don’t need any new clothes.” Why did she feel such fright at leaving him?

Seth held her at arm’s length and looked at her. “Lena convinced me. In fact, she’s made me realize how selfish I’ve been, keeping you here all to myself.” He smiled at her, and Morgan ached with love for him. “Don’t look like that, it’s only for a few days. In three days I’ll come to the party, and then I’ll take you home. I couldn’t live without you longer than that.”

Lena watched the two of them together. Such a fuss over being separated for three days! Then she looked at Seth’s enormous back and shoulders and she remembered how he felt, close to her, her arms around him. For that one, perhaps I, too, would cry over three days’ separation.

“All packed?” Seth asked as he saw the little case on the bedroom floor.

Morgan nodded.

“You won’t forget me?” Seth teased.

Morgan looked at him pleadingly. “I love you, Seth. I love you more than life itself.”

He held her close to him. “I love you, too. More than I thought possible.” He kissed her, and she returned his kiss urgently.

“If we don’t leave now, Lena may have a two-hour wait.”

Quickly, he ushered Morgan outside, and Jake led her horse next to Lena’s beautiful black stallion.

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