Bittner, Rosanne by Wildest Dreams Page A

set the cups on the table, then took down some plates.
    "I do hope you intend to stay for supper. I'll have it ready soon." She set the plates on the table, then took a moment to admire Lettie's startling beauty as she removed her hat and coat. She ached at the thought of the hardships that lay ahead for the young woman. She could tell by Lettie's lovely green velvet dress that she was accustomed to a far different way of life. She wondered how long it would take the poor girl to start wondering if she had made a grave mistake. "In fact, you should stay the night."
    "Oh, we couldn't do that. We're going back to Billings. We'll stay the night there and head home in the morning."
    Henrietta self-consciously smoothed her own simple calico dress, then pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. It had fallen from the clumsy knot into which she had twisted her hair that morning. She walked over to the fireplace to stir a pot of stew that hung over the flames. "Nonsense. If you're going to stay in town, then you might as well stay here with us. You'll have company, and Luke can talk half the night to Will, learn a few things he'll need to know for the long winter ahead. My goodness, it isn't often we get company. It will be the same for you. Take advantage of the moment, Mrs. Fontaine. That's what you have to do in these parts." The woman picked up a hot pad and wrapped it around the handle of a big tin coffeepot. She carried the pot over to the table.
    "Well, it's up to Luke," Lettie answered. "And please call me Lettie. My real name is Eletta, but Lettie is easier."
    Henrietta smiled. "Well, most call me Henny, same reason. You can do the same." She poured coffee into two cups. "You do drink coffee, don't you? Would you rather have tea?"
    "Coffee is fine."
    Nathan let out a little scream, then a giggle, shoving his stuffed horse into his mother's lap as he ran past her, chasing a cat. Henrietta laughed. "That's Patch. The dog outside is called Bear. With no children, I have to have my pets for company, or go mad. Be glad you have your son, Lettie, and that you'll probably have more. That's good. Out here a woman needs children to keep her occupied and give her someone to talk to."
    Before Lettie could reply, both men came inside, their big frames seeming to fill the room. Just then Nathan caught Patch's tail and the cat let out a screech. Frightened, Nathan ran to Luke, who picked him up with a laugh.
    "You'd better stay away from that cat," he told the boy.
    "Bad kee-kee." Nathan pouted.
    "Well, it's also bad to chase the poor kitty all over the room, young man," Luke scolded gently. He patted Nathan's bottom before setting him down again so he could remove his own coat. Nathan went to his mother, climbing onto her lap and hugging his stuffed horse close.
    "Looks like Indians already paid Luke here a visit," Will told his wife, pulling out a chair. "Have a seat, Luke. You two will stay for supper and spend the night here—no arguments."
    Luke looked at Lettie questioningly. She shrugged. "Henny already insisted. It's up to you."
    "If you're going to stay in town, you might as well stay here," Will's wife put in, repeating what she had just told Lettie. "We won't take no for an answer, and it might be a long time before your poor wife gets to visit again. You never know when a snowstorm will hit and keep you buried for months."
    Luke grinned. "All right. If you insist."
    "What's this about Indians?" Henny asked Will.
    "Luke got his horse stole the first night he settled in."
    "My only horse," Luke added. "I came to Billings to see about getting a couple more. I need a horse when I go out hunting. Someone in town told me I could buy horses from Will."
    "That you can," Henrietta answered. "We're in the horse trading business. Will is also a blacksmith, a scout, a gunsmith, and a farmer. You name it, Will can do it."
    They all chuckled, but Lettie had not missed the worry in Henrietta's eyes when she'd asked about Indians. "Well, I hope