A Town Called Valentine(72)

Emily grinned. “It’s such a hardship, but I’ll bear it.”

“I made up the arrangements last night, so they’re waiting in the coolers out back. Let’s go load them in the van.”

Soon Emily was on her way to the ranch. It was the first really warm day of late spring, and she’d worn a sleeveless flowered dress and sandals for work, so she felt presentable for the Thalbergs. Maybe she’d get to meet Nate’s mother. She didn’t call Nate and tell him she was coming out—it was for work, after all. And if she was honest with herself, she didn’t want to hear if he sounded upset about it. They were getting along so well, it would hurt her if he still didn’t want her near his family.

So much for keeping things casual when she already knew he had the power to hurt her. Well, she’d always felt things too deeply; she would have to get over it. She didn’t need a man’s approval anymore.

After crossing the First Street bridge, she glanced down the road toward the boardinghouse, realizing how much she missed the chatter of the widows every morning. She would have to invite them to dinner, now that she had enough places for everyone to sit!

She was sort of surprised at herself, wanting to entertain in an apartment that was so tiny. But it was . . . hers, and she wanted to invite people in and show them what they meant to her.

She followed the winding dirt road to the ranch house, a two-story building made of rough logs, with porches wrapping around both levels. The roof was bright red, matching several of the barns. It was well cared for, and lots of spring flowers grew in the landscaped beds surrounding the house. Several barns rose behind in the distance, as well as other small buildings.

She backed the van up near the front porch, but before she could even bound up the steps, Doug Thalberg was coming through the front door.

“Emily, it was so kind of you to bring the flowers for my wife.”

“It was no problem, Mr. Thalberg. And it’s my job now.” She smiled at him and was relieved when he smiled back. “Is your wife at home?”

“Nope, but she told me where she wants the flowers.”

Though she was disappointed, Emily didn’t show it, helping Mr. Thalberg to bring the flowers inside. Two arrangements were in vases, and another was a big spray that he put in the hearth of the stone fireplace that dominated the log-walled room.

“This is beautiful,” Emily said, looking around.

The upholstered dark furniture was lightened by throw pillows in greens and reds. Huge bookshelves were built into the wall on either side of the fireplace. The wood floors had several small rugs in various patterns of green.

“We’ve remodeled over the last hundred years, of course, but this room was part of the original homestead.”

“How incredible that you have such family history,” she said wistfully.

“You do, too, Emily. You just don’t know it yet.”

She hesitated. “Nate mentioned that he told you about my predicament. Would you mind if I ask you a few questions?”

“Not at all. Let me get some lemonade, and I’ll meet you on the front porch. It’s too beautiful to waste a spring day inside.”

She stepped back outside and sank onto a comfortable wooden rocker with a cushion on the seat. She rocked gently, staring across the fields with hay rippling in the breeze, and toward the looming mountains. The peace of such a view could quiet the troubles of any soul.

He returned with a tray containing a pitcher of lemonade and two glasses. After pouring them each a drink, he sat down beside her, and neither of them said a thing for a few minutes.

“Mr. Thalberg, your land is simply stunning.”

He gave her a small smile. “God’s land, you mean. You can’t help but believe in Him when you live in the Rockies.”

She found herself glancing at the one barn she could see. “Is it always this quiet?”

He grinned at her from beneath the brim of his hat. “No, ma’am. But my kids are up on our grazin’ allotment in the mountains, repairin’ fence. It’s a job that never ends. The elk migratin’ through do some of the damage, along with roamin’ cattle. There’s age and weather conditions as well.”

“I can only imagine what the snow must be like up there in the dead of winter.” She shuddered.

“Are you a skier?” he asked.

“Not regularly, but I’ve done it a few times.”

“You’ll have to return and give our mountains a try. Nate’s quite the expert on skis or snowboard.”