Page 72 of Colorado Bride

Ben watched his wife.She was determined to make a life for them here and to include Rory in the family, even after the incident.She was strong, kind, and beautiful.He’d gotten so lucky when they’d sent her to him.

“Hmm.Now that y’all gave me a future, maybe I can get me a wife, too.”

“I don’t see why not.You should go see Maggie,” said Ben.

“I think I just might.”

Ben looked over at his mother.She hadn’t said anything else but her back was ramrod straight and she chopped the vegetables with a bit more energy than was required.From the side of her face he could see, she wore a frown.

She turned a little, looked at Rory and then at Ben, muttered something he couldn’t understand and went back to hacking the vegetables.He couldn’t even call it chopping any more.

“Is there something I should say to Miz Doris?”

Rory must have noticed her stance as well.

Ben shook his head.

“Nothing you can say or do will change her opinion of you, so I wouldn’t even try.You’d be doing her a kindness if you stayed away from her as much as is possible.”

“All right.I’ll do whatever you think best.”

Emily pulled the tray of golden brown rolls from the oven.

“Are you boys ready?Ben, please get the butter, several plates and knives.”

Ben got the requested items and returned to the table.

Emily put the tray on the counter to cool.She got half a dozen rolls from the hot pan and placed them on a plate, which she took to the table.

“Would you care to join us, Doris?”asked Emily.

“Not with that trash at the table.”

“A simple ‘no’ would have sufficed, Mother.”

Doris slid all the vegetables she’d chopped into a pot, added water and put it on the hot stove.Then she left the kitchen in a huff.

“Will it stay this way with yer mama?”asked Rory.“Maybe I should stay in the bunkhouse.”

“No,” said Emily.“You’re a part of this family and will be treated as one.You’ve suffered enough for your father’s indiscretion.Ben and I won’t compound that by treating you as any less than family.”

“Thank you, Emily.I don’t know how you can treat me so nice after what I did.”

“You didn’t do anything that horrible.You kidnapped me and didn’t kill me.For that I’m grateful.You only wanted what you saw as your right and given your background that is understandable.Now,” she turned to Ben.“What are you starting Rory with tomorrow?”

“He gets to do your chores…gathering the eggs, milking the cows.”

“I’ve never milked a cow.”

“Don’t worry,” said Emily, proud of her knowledge.“I’ll show you.”

“After supper I’ll show you to your room,” said Ben.

“Unless you have something to do before we eat, why don’t you show him upstairs now?He can take his new clothes and put them away.We’ve got another hour before the roast is ready.”

“What about the soup or whatever mother was cutting vegetables for?”

“That’s for tomorrow’s stew.We won’t eat any of that tonight.It needs to simmer, so you can show him around the J Bar L.”