Appreciation, approval, being able to speak words of encouragement to Kat, they all settled into Amelia’s heart. Maybe he’d see how her presence could improve his life and suggest they proceed with the plans made in the letters.
“By the way.” He shoved his chair back, the sound sharp. “I’d like to take everyone to see where I’m going to cut more hay. It’s a pleasant little spot. Might be good for us all to do something fun.”
Perhaps like his ma and pa had once done.
“Can you prepare a picnic lunch?”
“Of course.”
He waited.
Realizing he expected her to go upstairs, she bid him good night and scurried away.
But in her room, she hugged her arms around herself. A picnic! Wouldn’t that mean something had shifted in his feelings toward her? Maybe he’d see how they’d all benefit from a marriage between them.
The next morning,Zach circled the yard, inspecting it for… well, he didn’t really know. But one could never be too careful. Tomorrow, he’d go out to check on the herd and get men to do the haying.
But today was for pleasure. His, as well as everyone else’s, he hoped.
He announced his plans over breakfast. “Gil, can I get you to stay and watch the place?” Again, no reason for his caution. But there it was.
“Sure, boss.”
“Do you have bottles stashed away?”
“No, boss.” Gil met Zach’s eyes without blinking. Still, Zach couldn’t be sure he was telling the truth.
“I’m trusting you to stay sober and be alert.”
“You expecting trouble, Boss?”
“Just being cautious.” Not that he would put it past Sobel to play dirty.
“I’ll be all eyes and ears.”
Poppy giggled. “You look funny.”
Pa chortled. “He sure would.”
The pair grinned at each other.
“Can everyone be ready to go in half an hour? I’ll get the wagon.” At their agreement, he hitched up a pair of horses and threw in a saw and ax so he could clear a trail ready for the hay wagon. Then he circled the corrals, again checking everything. Why was he being so suspicious? His only explanation was he’d imagined all sorts of disasters when Kat was missing.
He shook off his dark thoughts and drove to the house.
Amelia held blankets and nodded toward the box full of food and water.
Pa carried Poppy. Both still beamed, obviously anticipating the outing.
Kat waited beside Pa. Even she managed to look eager.
They boarded and waved goodbye to Gil. If only Zach could count on him being sober when they returned.
Then he shifted his attention to the journey.
“Where are we going?” Pa asked.
“You remember that marshy area at the bottom of the valley?”
