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"I think she does realize that, but her little girl doubts still haunt her."
"Then all the more reason she speak with Lenore," James insisted. "They need to talk. I just don't understand Prudence's obstinacy in this matter."
"I don't think Prudence understands it herself." He leaned forward in his chair, closer to James. "I have an idea that might bring mother and daughter together, at least to talk. But I'll need your help."
"Anything, you name it. I'll do anything that will help," James assured him.
"Good. The first thing is that Granger must be made to leave the house for the rest of the afternoon. I want no interference from him."
James nodded his agreement. "I'll take care of that."
"How? I want to make certain he remains away."
"I'll tell him I'm thinking of opening a bank in Stewart, and that I want him to assist me in looking over some locations and meeting some of the local merchants to see if it's worth the investment. Naturally, he’ll join me, since he'll try to talk me out of it."
"Stewart could sure use a bank." Zac's smile was persuasive.
"My sentiments exactly. A growing town needs financial support to help bring in business and families, and to help existing ranches prosper."
"Sounds as though you've already made up your mind."
"I've been tossing the idea around," James admitted. "Does it have anything to do with Silver Fox?"
"Yes. She's content here. She's finally come home. I don't wish to rob her of that, and besides, I don't think she would want to live far from her daughter."
"Then we best get the two together," Zac said, relieved that Prudence would have time to build a solid relationship with her mother and heal the old wounds gradually.
"What else do I do?" James asked.
"You tell Silver Fox that you've missed her rum cake and ask her if she would bake one for you."
"Rum cake?" James asked. "That's your plan? To have her bake a rum cake?"
"Didn't Prudence as a child love to help her mother bake a rum cake?"
James nodded slowly at first, and then understanding dawned. "And you're going to ask Prudence to bake you one, throwing them together in a task they shared as mother and daughter."
"Right."
"It just might work," James agreed, standing. "Let's not waste any more time. Give me some time to talk with Lenore and to get Granger out of here."
"Thirty minutes enough?"
"Make it twenty," James amended. "I'm anxious to see this plan work."
James set off for the kitchen and Lenore, with the tray of cups and coffeepot. Zac started toward the sewing room, where Prudence had cloistered herself since early morning.
"Curtains all finished?" Zac entered the room, closing the door behind him.
"The ones for our bedroom are almost complete," Prudence answered, and stiffened her posture in preparation for another lecture from her husband. She had put off talking with her mother, but not for the reasons everyone thought. When the confrontation with her was over, Prudence would have to confront her feelings toward Zac and make a decision. And that she wasn't ready to do.
Zac fingered the fine beige lace and marveled at his wife's skilled workmanship.
"You didn't come here to talk to me about curtains, Zac."
"No, I came to ask you a favor." He leaned down beside her, running his finger along her cheek in a teasing manner, dipping it down her neck and over her breast, stopping to trace circles around her nipple.
It hardened instantly, and he squeezed at it playfully.
"Zac, we can't. There are people in the house," she said, although her reasoning sounded false even to her ears.
Zac smiled and teased the other nipple equally. "I don't care how many people are here. If I want to make love to my wife in the sewing room, I will."
Prudence brought her head forward, resting her forehead against his. "You are wicked, Mr. Stewart."
"And you love it," he affirmed and kissed her, taking her lips roughly.
Prudence jumped at the knock on the door, pulling away from Zac just as her father opened it and stuck his head in.
"I'm off to town with Granger. Be back for supper," he announced, and then left with a wave.
Zac was still bent down beside her. "Before I get carried away, I better request my favor."
"I thought you had," she said disappointingly.
"No, that was a preliminary of what I have planned for tonight." He ran his hand beneath her skirt and stopped suddenly. "Damn, Pru, you don't have anything on underneath."
Her smile was a carefree taunt. "I thought it would give you something to think on."
He shut his eyes and forced his hand to stay put. If he moved it, even just a little, he'd be lost. He fought for control of his warring emotions, since part of him insisted he hoist her skirt up and satisfy them both, while the other half argued that it was important she talk with her mother now.
