A Bride for Blake by Marianne Spitzer

Author:Marianne Spitzer [Spitzer, Marianne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Published: 2020-07-28T05:00:00+00:00

Supper that evening was a tense affair. Sarah and Eliza had set the dining room table with the good dishes. Sarah served platters of steaks, fried potatoes, green beans, and fresh biscuits with butter before telling Blake that she and Jack would have their supper in the kitchen. Blake nodded his understanding.

Supper was mostly a silent affair with Constance staring at her plate and occasionally muttering to herself. Eliza ate her meal, doing her best not to look at Aunt Hortense and ignoring Constance.

Finally, Blake suggested that he could give Aunt Hortense and Constance a tour of the ranch the following day.

His aunt laid her fork on her plate before she answered. “I don’t think either Constance or I would enjoy that. There seems to be a great deal of dust here. Perhaps you could arrange something more enjoyable. A party perhaps. You do know the important people in town, don’t you?”

Blake did his best to smile. “Yes, I know everyone in town. It isn’t that large. Who would you suggest we invite to supper? The house isn’t that large for a party unless we hold a barn dance, and you said you didn’t like the dust, so I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“A barn dance,” Aunt Hortense said, looking shocked. “People here dance in barns. Isn’t there a ballroom in town?”

Blake laughed. “No, we hold dances in barns and have get-togethers at the church after Sunday services. There’s a potluck coming up at church. You and Constance can meet more people.”

“No, that won’t do. Who do you know of importance in town to invite to supper?”

“The mayor, the judge,” Blake answered. “We don’t have any political figures unless you include the sheriff.”

“I’ve never been to a barn dance,” Eliza offered. “It does sound different from the dances back in St. Louis.”

“They are, but I’m sure you would enjoy them,” Blake answered.

Aunt Hortense stood. “Constance and I will retire for the night. I will think of who to invite to supper. It will be a formal supper, of course.”

Blake nodded, “As formal as we get in these parts.”

“Good night then,” Aunt Hortense said, and Constance followed mumbling something neither Blake nor Eliza could understand.

Blake whispered to Eliza, “They left without having dessert. After we enjoy ours, I have a few things to take care of outside. That’ll give you time to settle in our room, and then I’ll come in and sleep on the floor.”

“That still doesn’t seem fair,” Eliza said.

“There’s a lock on the door, and it’ll be our secret. No one will know,” Blake said, winking at her before leaving Eliza sitting alone at the dining table.

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