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"Gee, thanks, M-- Emma," Nathan said. "Hey, Joseph," he called out. "Wanna catch some tadpoles?"
Joseph, kneeling beside the water's edge with his hand firmly holding Becky's, looked up. "Sure."
"Me catch tapoes, too?" Becky's forehead squinted in confusion. "What's tapoes, Joseph?"
Joseph laughed. "They're like little fish, Beck. Look. There's one right now."
Becky leaned over and caught a glimpse of the wriggling tadpole. "Eeewww!" she screeched, yanking her hand out of Joseph's grasp and racing back up the hill to where Emma was unpacking the food for their picnic.
"Icky fish," she proclaimed. "Me don't like icky fish."
Emma chuckled, then crouched down beside Becky. "Don't worry, sweetheart. You don't have to catch tadpoles. We'll find something nice to do. What about if we make daisy chains after lunch? Would you like that?"
"Daisy chains?"
"We'll make a pretty crown, and a necklace and bracelet with flowers."
Becky's eyes widened and she nodded fiercely. "Me go get flowers, okay?"
"Good idea."
Sam watched as Becky raced off, then he turned his attention to Emma. "Here, let me help," he said, taking the checkered blanket that was going to serve as their tablecloth and spreading it on the grass.
For the next few minutes, they worked quietly, setting the food and plates on the blanket. Sam's mouth watered at the tantalizing aroma of the fried chicken Emma had prepared. Again, he realized just how lucky he'd been to find a woman like her - a woman who was not only a capable housekeeper and mother, but a desirable woman as well.
He hadn't had a chance to ask her if she'd given any thought to their conversation the night before. Sure, he hadn't come right out and asked her about changing their arrangement, but he'd bet she was well aware of what he was thinking.
That was why she'd hightailed it out of the room when she heard Becky call, and he'd bet that was why she didn't come to bed. She'd slept in Becky's room. And even though he'd figured he'd finally get a decent night's sleep without her soft bottom pressing into his groin, he hadn't slept a wink.
"Sam?" Emma's voice intruded on his thoughts.
"Uh ... yes?"
Emma smiled. "Would you mind gathering up the children? The food is ready."
"Sure."
Minutes later, they were settled on the blanket feasting on fried chicken, potato salad, fresh bread and honey, with cold apple dumplings and cream for dessert.
"This is fun," Nathan said, his milk-mustached mouth spreading in a smile. "How come we never had picnics before, Pa? Didn't Mama like them?"
Sam's smile disappeared, and his eyes hardened. He wouldn't criticize the children's mother to them. "She would have, son, but ... the sun bothered her," he lied.
Emma frowned, but said nothing.
"Oh." Nathan seemed to accept Sam’s explanation and turned to Joseph. "Wanna go see if we can catch more tadpoles?"
"Nah," Joseph replied. "We've got enough. Can we go fishing, Pa?" he asked, turning to Sam.
"I didn't bring any string for fishing poles," he replied. Damn, why hadn't he thought of that?
His eyebrows lifted when he caught sight of Emma grinning. "Did you--?"
She nodded. "In the wagon. As well as hooks and a pail for worms."
"Your ma is quite a woman," he said to the boys.
"So can we go?" Nathan asked again. "Huh"?
