Louise pressed her lips together to keep from sputtering. There were ten rules. All but one—Spiked boots and spurs must be removed at night—were ridiculous, especially the last. Guests are requested to rise before 6:00 a.m. This is imperative as the sheets are needed for tablecloths.
But Nate had arranged a room for Louise, Missy and the baby before Louise could think of an alternative.
He escorted her to the room. It was decent enough. Not as nice as Phil’s bedroom, but she reckoned not many would be.
He handed Chloe to Louise. “Rest and clean up. I’ll be back in a bit to take you to supper.” And then he was gone.
Missy and Louise looked at each other, then flipped the covers back on the bed. The sheets appeared clean. They took turns bouncing on the mattress and laughed at the squeaking springs, then lay back, putting Chloe between them.
“It’s nice to feel a bed under my bones,” Missy said.
“We’re almost at our destination,” Louise said.
“You’ll be glad, won’t you?” Missy sounded uncertain.
“I’ll be glad to not have to travel all day. What about you?”
Missy didn’t answer at first.
Louise turned to regard her. “What’s bothering you?”
“I’m trying to imagine what the ranch will be like. I hope it’s not too isolated. You see, I want to—” She met Louise’s eyes, revealing a deep longing.
“Missy, whatever you want, I won’t stand in your way.”
“I won’t leave you to manage on your own, though of course you have Nate, so—”
“I’ll be fine.” Louise hoped her smile portrayed assurance. No reason for Missy to know Louise worried how she’d manage once Nate left. “What is it you want to do?”
“Something important. Something that gives me independence.” She stared at the ceiling. “I don’t want to depend on anyone ever again.”
“Have I disappointed you?”
“No. Never. But don’t you find it hard to trust people after Vic?”
Vic, Pa, Mama, even Nate. But all she said was, “A little.” But rather than make her want to run from her past, as it seemed to do for Missy, it made Louise want to pull things tight and hold on to them. She’d never let go of what she had if she had a choice. She didn’t. People, events, things forced her to move on to something new. Usually without allowing her any say in the matter.
They lay there for a while, talking about their past, their hopes and dreams, and mostly about Chloe, who still lay between them.
Someone rapped on the door.
Louise sprang from the bed. “Nate is back and I haven’t even tidied up.” She reached for her bag, intending to brush her hair, but the knocking came again.
“Answer the door,” Missy said, a smile in her voice.
Louise drew in a steadying breath. She was acting like a love-struck girl anticipating an outing with her beau. Ironic that she was a wife, and the man coming for her did not represent love and sweet dreams.
She veered toward the door and opened it to reveal a woman. Her heart stuttered a protest. Just as quickly, she silently insisted she wasn’t disappointed.
“Mrs. Hawkins?”
Louise nodded, her ribs so taut they hurt. “What’s wrong?” Had Nate been hurt?
“Oh, nothing’s wrong, my dear. My name is Mrs. Noble. My husband is a doctor. I am often his assistant, especially with the ladies. Your husband asked if I would have a look at the baby and make sure she is as she should be.”
Louise stepped aside to let the woman enter the room.
Missy got off the bed. “I’m going out to look around.”
Louise nodded distractedly.
“You have a very handsome husband,” Mrs. Noble said. “Also a very thoughtful one. Not too many men would seek someone out to check on their wife and baby.”
Louise took the words into her heart. Was his concern only to make sure she got to Eden Valley Ranch and didn’t delay his travels? Or did his caring go deeper than responsibility? Then, as Mrs. Noble looked at Chloe, she forgot everything but the baby.
Would the woman find something wrong?
* * *
Nate paced back and forth in the hotel lobby, ignoring Kamoose’s scowl.