“My daughter does not receive gentlemen callers as yet,” Sarah explained in the pause.
“I believe my mother is trying to protect me from your rather forward attitude, sir,” Tanya responded. “I must admit I am a bit taken aback myself.”
“Again I apologize. Ordinarily my manners do not desert me. My only excuse is that I am stunned by your beauty and charm. If you have doubts, Justin can vouch for my good character. The Kerrs have known me since childhood and will testify to my honesty and integrity.”
“Oh, my, yes!” Emily agreed hastily. “Rachel and Adam have lived here for as long as anyone can remember, since Pueblo was little more than a handful of Mormon farms. Their cattle ranch is one of the finest in the state, and a more decent, upstanding family you’ll never find. They have won the respect and admiration of everyone in town. Justin and Adam grew up together and were the best of friends until Adam went away. Why, I nearly regard Adam as a second son!”
Tanya’s eyes glittered with suppressed laughter. “I wasn’t questioning Mr. Savage’s integrity, Mrs. Kerr, merely his attitude and intentions.”
“Let me assure you they are respectful and honorable, Miss Martin.” Adam was having trouble keeping a straight face, but his Cheyenne training held him in good stead.
Tanya decided to let him off the hook. “In that case, you may come for luncheon tomorrow. Is that satisfactory Mother, Aunt Elizabeth?”
“Quite,” Elizabeth said decisively.
“Uh, yes, I would suppose so,” Sarah stammered.
“Would you care to come also, Justin?” Tanya offered, knowing he would jump at the chance to be with Melissa. “Mr. Savage may feel outnumbered amidst so many females.”
“I’d love to,” Justin agreed speedily, casting a glance at Melissa.
Julie, who had sat quietly until now, was overjoyed at the thought of someone upsetting Jeffrey’s plans for Tanya. “And I always thought teas were a bit boring. It just shows how wrong a person can be sometimes! ” she commented.
“My! What a handsome young man!” Elizabeth announced once they were home.
“And well-to-do, if Emily is not stretching the truth,” Sarah added thoughtfully. “He didn’t seem put off by Tanya’s admissions, did he?”
“Quite the opposite I’d say,” Melissa contributed with a sly wink at Tanya. “I think he was quite taken with you, Tanya.”
“This ought to take the wind out of Jeffrey’s sails. I’d say Mr. Savage has come along at a very opportune moment,” said Julie.
“Really, Julie!” Sarah admonished. “The man is merely coming to lunch. That does not qualify him as a suitor, though he would be very acceptable as such,” she admitted.
“Yes, well, Justin seems to take quite an interest in our little Melissa, in case none of you have noticed.” Tanya was glad to turn some of the attention away from herself.
Melissa blushed prettily. “I’d noticed,” she admitted shyly. “He’s quite nice, don’t you agree?”
Tanya smiled. “Yes, Missy, he’s very nice.”
“It was gracious of you to invite Justin to lunch, Tanya,” Elizabeth noted. “Did you do it for Melissa’s benefit?”
It was Tanya’s turn to blush. “I admit it,” she laughed. “I am guilty of matchmaking. I hope you don’t mind, Aunt Elizabeth.”
Elizabeth chuckled. “Why should I mind? You saved me the trouble of inviting him myself. Besides, I am not entirely innocent of matchmaking myself. I admit I made a mistake pairing you up with Jeffrey, but this Adam Savage seems quite a catch if you ask me. I wouldn’t let him slip through the net without looking him over first.”
“What do you think of him?” Julie pressed. “And don’t hand me that excuse about already having a husband. A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, you know.”
“Julie, I’ve only just met the man, and I do have a husband as well as two sons to consider,” Tanya countered.
“He seemed to like the boys — which is more than I can say for Jeffrey,” Elizabeth snorted indignantly.
Sarah agreed. “That is something to keep in mind, Tanya.”
“Fine. I’ll admit the man impressed me. Now can we end this conversation for the time being? There is obviously a houseful of matchmakers under this roof, and it could get tiresome after a while.”
Tanya had to endure another round of explanations and effusive praise of Adam Savage when her father and uncle appeared for supper.
“I’ve sold supplies and lumber to the Savages for years, and Emily Kerr was not exaggerating. They are quite well off,” George agreed. “Of course, I’ve only met the son a few times, years ago. He went off to college soon after we arrived here. Good looking young man, as I recall.”
“I should say!” Julie avowed.
Edward eyed his eldest daughter thoughtfully. “He must have made quite an impression for Tanya to have invited him to lunch.”
“Oh, for heavens sake!” Tanya fumed. “I merely thought it would be a good way to convince Jeffrey of my lack of interest in him,” she fabricated.
“It will certainly set him on his ear, all right,” Melissa commented, rolling her eyes expressively. “I can hardly wait to see his reaction!”
“What in the world do you suppose Panther — er — Adam was up to yesterday with all those questions, Tanya?” Melissa asked the next day as they polished the dining room furniture. Elizabeth had set everyone, including Jeremy since it was Saturday, to work cleaning the house.
“I have no idea,” Tanya replied, “but his conversation certainly took me by surprise, and I intend to ask him about it later. There, the last of the dusting is done. Heavens, Missy! You’d think the President was coming to dine! What’s gotten into Aunt Elizabeth? She’s got Jeremy shaking rugs, Mother polishing silver, Julie busy in the parlor, and she’s been in the kitchen since breakfast preparing the most delicious smelling dishes.”
Melissa giggled. “Two of the most eligible bachelors in Pueblo are coming to lunch, and I believe she’d like to marry us off. Perhaps she intends to turn this place into a boarding house and rent out our rooms!” she joked.
Tanya joined in, “If that’s the case, she’d better line up a beau for Julie or talk Papa into building his own house.”
Melissa suddenly turned serious. “Tanya, I like Justin very much. I suppose I could even fall in love with him, but I’m scared. I don’t think I could ever be a real wife to him or anyone.”
Tanya crossed to her friend and put her arms about her. “Because of Ugly Otter?”
Melissa nodded. “And the miscarriage. That part of marriage terrifies me!”
“But Missy, you saw how happy Panther and I were, and I know you heard our lovemaking. How could you not, in the same tipi? Lovemaking can be so wonderful, so beautiful, with the person you love. Justin is not a beast like Ugly Otter. He seems to be a fine gentleman, and I’m sure he’d love you tenderly and cherish you all your life.”
“What about children?” Melissa persisted.
“Root Woman assured us there was no damage to your body, Melissa. You can conceive again.”
Melissa bit her lip in anguish. “I don’t think I could stand the pain. The miscarriage almost killed me, and Nancy
did
die.”
“Oh, Missy!” Tanya’s voice held all the compassion she felt for the girl. “Under the right circumstances, and with proper care, you may never miscarry again. You’ll bear lovely children and they will fulfill your life. Childbirth is well worth the pain when you hold that tiny life in your arms; when you see the pride on your husband’s face. You were there when Hunter was born. You’ve seen it all. Don’t fear it, Missy. It is the most beautiful, reverent experience for a woman. Don’t let fear keep you from the man you love or experiences you’ll cherish all your life.”
Melissa swallowed hard and nodded. “I’ll think about it.”
Tanya added one last thought. “Justin knows you were with me those years with the Cheyenne. I’m sure he guesses you had a pretty rough time of it. If he is truly the right man for you, he’ll understand and be gentle with you. If things become serious between you, talk to him about it; explain your fears and let him help you.”
“A lot depends on Justin,” Melissa said.
Tanya agreed, “And a lot depends on how badly you want a life with him and how much you love him.”
Seated about the large dining room table were Uncle George, Aunt Elizabeth, Sarah, Edward, Melissa, Jeremy, Julie, Tanya, Hunter in his high chair, and Adam and Justin. The two Martin men had made a point of being home today to meet Adam Savage. Tanya wondered if he felt as if he were under inspection. She certainly felt as if she were on display, rather like a slave on the auction block. At any moment, she expected her father to pry open her mouth and show the others what wonderful teeth she had! She wondered if Melissa felt the same.
“I understand your family owns a cattle ranch north of town,” Edward was saying to Adam.
“Yes sir, about twenty miles out.”
“But I understand your mother is a widow. Who runs the ranch while you are gone?” Sarah inquired.
“Mother does,” Adam grinned. “She governs the place with an iron hand in a velvet glove, and she has very reliable help. Our foreman has been with us for years, and there are plenty of ranch hands, plus a cook and household help. The place pretty well runs itself, as it has since before my grandfather died.”
“Did your father start the ranch?” Elizabeth asked. “No, my mother and grandfather settled the place when I was a baby. Father never lived there.”
“He was gone by then?”
Adam nodded.
“I’ve heard he was English,” George commented. “Do you have relatives in Europe?”
“A few, mostly very distant. My closest relatives are spread out between here and Mexico.”
“Are you going to be staying in Pueblo now?” Julie inquired.
“For a while at least,” he answered. “There are some things that could hold me here indefinitely.” His dark eyes rested deliberately on Tanya as he spoke.
“Do you raise horses, too, Mr. Savage?” Jeremy asked innocently, breaking the spell that seemed to hold the others.
“Some, Jeremy, but mostly cattle. You could come out and ride some weekend if your folks don’t mind.”
“Could I really?”
“Yes, but I’d like it if you would bring Miss Tanya along to keep me company,” Adam grinned.
“Same old Adam,” Justin complained comically. “Give him an inch, and he’ll try to steal a mile.”
Tanya’s smile escalated into a laugh. “It is his subtlety that amazes me!” she jibed.
After that, everyone relaxed to enjoy the meal. Laughter and easy conversation replaced the stiffly polite atmosphere that had prevailed earlier. Adam, aided by Justin, charmed everyone with tales of his youth.
When the meal was done, they retired to the parlor for coffee. Hunter toddled up to Adam tugging on his pants leg. Adam automatically lifted his son to his lap, undisturbed as Hunter played with the shiny buttons of his shirt.
“Oh, Mr. Savage, he’ll ruin your shirt,” Sarah exclaimed. “Let me take him upstairs for a while.”
“He’s no bother,” Adam assured her. “I’m used to children.”
Justin looked surprised. “Since when?” he blurted. Adam’s teeth flashed in a grin. “Since the last time I saw you, old friend.”
Tanya adored seeing her son snuggled on his father’s lap once again. She was surprised that Hunter had gone to him so readily. She couldn’t help but wonder if somewhere in his baby’s memory he somehow remembered Adam as Panther, even in some small unconscious way.
A crucial moment arrived when Jeremy accidentally let Kit into the house. Kit had been banned for the afternoon. Now she strutted straight up to Adam, licked Hunter playfully, rubbed her head along Adam’s thigh, and lay placidly across his feet.
“Well, I’ll be!” George declared. “I’ve never seen her act that way before with a stranger. She usually growls and hisses, and whenever Jeffrey comes by, she’d rather eat him alive than let him near the boys.”
“Animals sense whom to be wary of,” Adam stated. “I think she knows I’m a friend.”
“He’s right,” Jeremy announced importantly. “Kit has always liked me because I’ve liked Tanya and the boys from the start. She must trust you, Mr. Savage.”
“Now, if I can just convince Miss Tanya as easily,” Adam half-joked, raising an eyebrow in Tanya’s direction.
“I doubt you’ll have me lying quietly at your feet, sir,” she teased lightly, her golden eyes shining.
The look he returned told her he might want her at his feet, but never to lie there quietly.
The two young couples, with Julie acting as chaperon, took a walk a short time later.
“Oh, Edward,” Sarah sighed as she peeked out between the lace panels at the window, “do you suppose Tanya is finally going to give up her dreams of that Indian husband of hers? This is the first time she’s shown any real interest in another man!”
Edward puffed on his pipe and exhaled to watch the smoke drift lazily to the ceiling. “I think Adam Savage has a running start already, Sarah dear. It is all a matter of time, and how stubborn Tanya decides to be. Adam strikes me as a man who knows what he wants and how to get it.”
“Since we’ve already got the house as clean as it’s ever going to be, I’ve invited Adam for Sunday dinner,” Tanya announced when she returned.
“Adam now, is it?” Elizabeth noticed wryly. “What happened to ‘Mr. Savage’ and ‘sir’?”
Tanya laughed “I agreed to call him Adam if he’d stop calling me Miss Tanya. It made me feel like an old-maid school teacher!”
“That’s not all,” Julie tattled. “Tanya even let him hold her hand!”
“You always were a great one for carrying tales!” Tanya accused, not at all carrying off her attempt to look angry.
Julie stuck her tongue out partly. “At least I didn’t tell them how he guided you over the path with his hand at your waist!” she confided in a staged whisper.
“Blabbermouth!”
“Oh, go feed your infant son, and don’t get yourself upset over little things or next thing you know you’ll give Mark colic,” Sarah admonished.
“Is that why Julie turned out as she did?” Tanya fired her parting shot as she scampered up the stairs.
“Girls!” Edward muttered to himself.
They had just sat down to their dinner the next day, when there was a knock at the door.