Page 74 of The Enchanted Land

“I have two daughters, both experts at breaking hearts. I’m afraid they may cause you some problems.”

Seth’s face was serious. “I don’t think I have to worry about a broken heart.”

Ed Chandler frowned. There was something far too serious about this young man.

Early the next morning, Seth rode out to the wagon train and met the Chandler women. Ivy Chandler’s eyes were forever darting around, watching her daughters. The girls, Gladys and Sudey, were both pretty. They were tall, big-boned girls with beautiful auburn hair. Gladys was seventeen and Sudey eighteen. When their father introduced Seth, they stared and nodded. Seth tipped his hat and left them.

It was a minute before the girls recovered, Gladys first. “Papa, why didn’t you tell us about Mr. Colter?”

“I did, yesterday.” He smiled. He knew exactly what they meant.

“Where does he come from?”

“Is he married?”

“Girls! Please. I know next to nothing about Mr. Colter. I met him just yesterday and offered him a job.”

“Do you think that’s wise, Ed? I mean, we really know nothing about him, and we will be spending three months very close to him.”

“Three months!” Gladys sighed.

“A stranger. A tall, handsome stranger!” Sudey joined.

“Girls! I want no more of that. Mr. Colter is an employee of your father’s. Even though we are in the wilderness, there is no excuse for unladylike behavior.”

Both girls adopted looks of shame and contrition. The second their mother’s back was turned, they turned to one another and grinned. Watching, their father could hardly contain his laughter.

“Don’t encourage them, Ed,” Ivy whispered to her husband.

During the day, Seth often rode ahead of the wagons to look for fresh game. At night the new settlers circled their wagons into a fortress against danger.

“Could I get you some stew, Mr. Colter? I made it myself.”

Seth smiled up at the girl, giving her his full attention for the first time. “Yes, I’d like some, especially since you made it yourself.”

Gladys glowed from the compliment and smiled as she saw Sudey frowning at her. “Coffee, Mr. Colter?” Sudey asked.

Ivy Chandler watched her two daughters warily. At night when she and her husband were alone in the wagon bed, she talked to him. “Ed, you have to speak to your daughters. They’re too forward. Since Mr. Colter came, they’re not even speaking to the other boys on the train. They pester the poor man till he can hardly get his work done.”

“Ivy, they’re not causing any harm. I remember when we were courting. You seemed to turn up everywhere I went.”

“Edward Chandler! Are you saying I chased you?”

Ed laughed. “No, dear. It was all just coincidence, I’m sure. But Mr. Colter seems sad. Even in the middle of several people, he seems alone.”

“I’ve noticed that, too.”

“I think two pretty girls fighting over him may be just what he needs.”

Both Gladys and Sudey had made many efforts to get Seth’s attention, but they both felt their failure.

Gladys was pleased when she saw Seth walking away from camp alone. She let him get a few yards ahead and then began running after him, calling his name. When he turned toward her, she bent her ankle under her and fell.

Quickly, Seth was kneeling by her, taking her foot in his large hands. As he kneaded the foot and ankle, he watched her face for signs of pain. There were no such signs, but Seth didn’t mind. He had known only one woman who hadn’t played games to get him. He did not expect to meet another.

“Does it hurt?”

“Oh, yes,” she cried, trying to squeeze out a tear.

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