The wagon rolled through the streets and then turned and headed toward their ranch. The horses seemed to know instinctively which direction to go and they picked up speed.
“Tell me what kinds of animals you have on your ranch,” she said, her emerald eyes sparkling.
Martin had to remind himself to keep his eyes on the horses and the road when all he wanted to do was gaze at Blanche.
Jakob turned and raised his brows at her. “We have cattle, sheep, chickens, and horses. In the summer, Martin raises vegetables in the garden.”
“We can a lot of okra, beans, squash, and make pickles. Have you ever done much canning?”
“Oh yes,” she said. “Papa and I used to can the veggies from the garden every summer. Do you grow herbs as well?”
Martin turned and gazed at her. “No. But I’m willing to learn.”
“Good, they are good for seasoning and also for healing. I make a salve to use on a cow’s foot rot. The spring rains seemed to always cause that.”
Jakob had been watching the road and he suddenly turned his attention on her, frowning.
“You’ll have to show me,” Martin said. “I’d like to try some of your salve and see if it works here.”
This was not the kind of conversation that a lady would have, but Martin didn’t care. He liked that she had asked and even seemed knowledgeable about the subject.
“There are several herbs I grew remedies for. We didn’t have the money to go to the doctor and they seemed to help heal us and the animals.”
The wagon hit a pothole in the road and the wagon bounced. Blanche slammed into Jakob and he stopped her from moving.
“I’m so sorry, Jakob,” she said.
“Darling, I enjoyed the feel of your body slamming into mine.”
A blush spread across her face and she glanced away.
Just then Martin turned the horses through the gate and they rolled toward the house down the driveway.
“Wow, look at that home,” she said. “In Charleston, we had a big plantation-style home, but nothing like this. This looks more like a real ranch house. I can’t wait to see the inside. Did you both build this home?”
“Yes,” Martin said. “We built it in mind for a big family. That’s why we’re ready to marry and settle down. That big house needs little babes running up and down the stairs.”
A grin spread across her face.
As soon as the words were out of his mouth Martin thought about the mine disaster. Before he met Blanche, he didn’t want to consider marriage and children. What made him think he deserved a wife and children?
Maybe he was wrong to pressure Jakob. Maybe today was a huge mistake and they shouldn’t ask Blanche to marry them.
He turned away, the dark cloud seeming to overcome him, and he felt like he was drowning as the dust cloud, the screams, the sounds of men racing to get out before the walls and roof came crashing down played in his head.
“Martin,” Jakob yelled. “Martin. Stop the horses.”
Shaking his head, he came back to the present and realized that they were in front of the house.
He pulled the reins and the wagon came to a halt.
“Are you all right?” Blanche asked, laying her hand on his arm.
“I’m fine,” he said curtly. What was he thinking? He didn’t deserve a happy life.
Turning away from Blanche, he jumped out of the wagon and Jakob helped her alight. How could he tell them he’d changed his mind?
With a sigh, he came around her side of the wagon and she gazed at him. Suddenly she took his arm and gave him the most beautiful smile.
“Show me the house. I can’t wait to see what it looks like on the inside,” she said. “Jakob can show me the ranch portion. But I want you to show me the house.”
No, he didn’t deserve Blanche, but he wanted her. God, how he wanted her.
Placing his hand on hers, he led her to the door. “It really needs a woman’s touch. We’re just a couple of bachelors living here.”
He opened the door and together they walked inside. Gazing at her, he watched as her eyes grew large.
“Look at that fireplace. It’s huge. I bet it will heat the entire house. And I love the bookshelves on either side. That’s great.”
The horsehair couch and chair were in a semicircle around the fireplace. They had specifically designed it so that on winter evenings, they could sit in front of the fire and stay warm.
“Behind the living area, we have the dining room. The kitchen is through those doors there.”
They had built the house with fire safety in mind. So many homes burned to the ground by fires started in the fireplace or the kitchen. By having a door separating the rooms, they hoped they could put any fire out before it had a chance to burn the entire house.
Jakob opened the door to the kitchen. “Do you know how to cook?”
“Of course,” she said. “Who do you think fed my papa and me.”
“Good,” Jakob said. “Our cooking is not the best.”
She smiled. “This is a big kitchen and yet it doesn’t feel too big. Do you have a root cellar?”
“Yes,” Martin said. “It’s behind that door over there.”
“Good. We stored our canned goods and root vegetables there.”
“Where are the bedrooms?”
“Upstairs,” Martin said.
She looked between the two men. “May I see them please?”
“Of course,” Jakob said. “We can even try out the bed.”
Shaking her head, she shook her finger at him. “Jakob, I think you like to test me.”
“Of course,” he said, taking her hand and leading her up the stairs. “I’m a man and, honey, I can’t wait to strip you naked and hear you moan with pleasure.”
Martin watched Blanche and she blushed.