Page 90 of The Enchanted Land

“Of course. You don’t think your mother would have let a man into her house without a great deal of persuasion, do you?”

Morgan spread out the picnic lunch. “There’s something I’ve never understood. Why did my mother’s father leave Trahern House to his son-in-law rather than to his daughter?”

Gordon put a tiny quiche in his mouth, handed one to Adam, and laughed. “Old Morgan Trahern was a smart one. He knew how spoiled your mother was. He left everything to his son-in-law because he knew his daughter was too headstrong to control that much property. He also hoped to keep her from leaving your father. But Uncle Charley was too soft. He could have made her stay with him in New Mexico. He tried to get her to leave you with him, but—” Gordon filled his mouth again and shrugged. “—Uncle Charley never pushed anyone.”

Morgan’s eyes flashed at him. “Except me. He used his will to push me to do what he wanted.”

Gordon smiled at her. His eyes sparkled. “Still angry, huh? Well, it looks like it came out all right.” He rubbed his cheek on Adam’s head.

They finished their lunch quickly. “Excellent, Morgan. Jean-Paul was worth it.”

“Merci beaucoup, monsieur.”

“Now! Let’s go back to the house.”

“Gordon, wait.”

“No, I know what you’re going to say. ‘I wouldn’t give you a plugged nickel for a dozen gol-danged Injuns.’ That sound like Jake?”

Morgan had to laugh because Gordon’s imitation of Jake sounded so much like him.

“Watch this.” Quickly, Gordon went to his saddle-bags and got a bar of soap. Within minutes, he had soaped and rinsed his hair in the stream and then returned to his horse for clothing. He stepped behind some trees and a few minutes later emerged in a light blue cotton shirt and darker blue cotton pants. He looked nothing at all like an Indian.

He smiled at Morgan’s astonishment. “Sky Eyes, the Comanche warrior, has changed into Gordon Matthews, ordinary but rather attractive white man.”

“‘Sky Eyes’?”

Gordon looked at her fiercely, then rolled his eyes. “Sapphire-blue eyes that captivate women in four states, and you didn’t even notice.”

Morgan laughed, the first good laugh she’d had in a long time.

“That’s better. Now you look more like the little girl who used to ride with me on my pony.”

“Or. Or.” Adam tugged at Gordon’s pant leg, wanting to be picked up.

They all rode back to the house slowly, Adam riding in front of Gordon. Morgan had too many thoughts for further talk, so Adam and Gordon kept up a conversation between themselves.

Jake was waiting for them, close to the house, with a rifle. Morgan felt that, as much as anything, he didn’t like another man so near Adam.

“This is Gordon Matthews. He and I are partners in the ownership of the Three Crowns. It’s…”

“The Three Crowns! Glad to meet you, Mr. Matthews. I’ve heard about the Three Crowns since I first come to New Mexico. You say Morgan’s your partner?”

Jake warmly clasped Gordon’s hand. As they walked together toward the house, Gordon turned and caught Morgan’s eye. He put two fingers to the back of his head and wiggled them, like feathers. Then he winked at Morgan before returning to the conversation with Jake.

Morgan laughed at Gordon’s play. She felt better than she had for a long time. She hurried after Adam, who was trying to catch up to the two men.

Supper that night was fun. Adam decided he wanted his chair moved next to Gordon’s. “Gor,” he learned to say.

Morgan sat quietly with her own thoughts through the others’ conversation.

“How many head of cattle you run on a place like that?” Jake asked. “What about Injuns? Any trouble with them?”

Morgan felt Gordon’s silent laughter at the question. After supper, the two of them walked outside together, Adam toddling behind.

“I can feel the difference between the altitudes of Santa Fe and of Albuquerque.” As Adam’s steps slowed, Gordon picked up the boy, who snuggled against his shoulder.

“Come live with me, Morgan.”

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