Heart of the Morning Star (Break Heart Brides Book 3) by Rachel Bird

Author:Rachel Bird [Bird, Rachel]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Beastie Press
Published: 2020-05-20T18:00:00+00:00

Chapter 16

Seriously discouraged from doing any housework, Naomi spent the next couple of days exploring the grounds and watching Corby, Luke, and Lissy with the horses. During the day, Preston was out and about on the ranch, so she didn’t see him until supper or sometimes not until after that in the library.

The ranch was vast, practically a village in itself. There were several barns, some for grains, some for stock; a carriage house; a bunkhouse and chuck house for the hands; the farrier’s shop and a smithy; the house where the Jacksons lived, a schoolhouse and cottage for the schoolteacher, and more. She had had no idea what a cattle baron actually was. No idea that one farm—or ranch, in this case—could be so massive.

No idea what real wealth could mean.

Thursday evening, Preston continued reading Nicholas Nickleby aloud while Naomi worked on her drawing. Luke let Lissy hold his treasure, the half eagle Pa had given him, and she was suitably impressed. Ug made sure he got to see it too. Preston and Naomi shared a smile over how well the children were getting along.

It seemed they were all settling into a pleasant family routine. If a wistful thought of romance flitted through her mind, she pushed it away and tried to be grateful for what she had.

When she and Preston went upstairs for the night at the same time, he hesitated outside her door. “So, tomorrow you go to town for the Improvement Society meeting with the ladies.”

“I’m looking forward to it.” The more she told herself not to hope for a good-night kiss, the more she hoped for one.

“Sophie Dawson is a good egg.”

“So Bonnie says.”

He chuckled. “Well. Good night then.” He disappeared into his own room.

The next morning after breakfast Naomi felt restless. It would be several more hours before it was time to leave for town. She’d finished her drawing, and today Luke and Lissy were to muck out the stables, not something particularly interesting to watch. Instead of going outside, she wandered through the house and followed voices into the kitchen.

Bonnie and Ug were there, laughing with two kitchen maids, Kitty and Belinda, all helping to make tortillas. There were already several stacks; they must be for the bunkhouse as well as the main house. The picture of such industry didn’t make Naomi feel pampered. It made her feel useless and superficial.

This was ridiculous.

“I’ve always wanted to know how to make tortillas,” she said as brightly as she could muster with Consuela’s skeptical left eyebrow raised like that. It was only a small exaggeration. She had been interested in tortillas since learning of their existence at the Lilac Café about six weeks ago. “It seems a skill every woman of Colorado with any self-respect should possess. I-I would be grateful to learn it.”

The housekeeper gave way with half a grunt, but her lips twitched, fighting a smile.

Naomi relished the small triumph, washed her hands, and tied on an apron.

Triumph was probably too enthusiastic a

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