Winnie Griggs - Texas Cinderella

They’d arrived at the kitchen and Mr. Walker inhaled appreciatively, his expression blissful. “That sure does smell good.”

“Thank you. It’s a venison roast, one of Mrs. Flanagan’s favorite dishes.”

He rubbed his hands together. “All right now, what can I do to help?”

Cassie Lynn gave him a challenging look. “How are you at setting the table?”

He drew himself up with mock pride. “I’m an expert. It’s a skill my mother insisted I master before I turned ten.”

“Smart lady.” She moved to the counter where the dishes were already stacked and waiting. “Mrs. Flanagan wants to eat in the dining room this evening rather than here in the kitchen, so I need to carry all the place settings down the hall. If you’ll grab the plates and cutlery, I’ll grab the glasses and napkins and you can follow me.”

He gave a short bow. “I’m yours to command.”

Taking him at his word, she led the way toward the dining room. Once there he helped her arrange the plates and flatware around the table, then returned with her to the kitchen and helped her transport all the food to the dining room, as well.

As they worked, they chatted about his horse, which she learned he’d raised from a colt and had a deep affection for. Just from some of the things he let fall in conversation, she could tell he thought of River as much more than a pack animal or means of transportation.

He seemed quite comfortable and at ease working beside her, as if he enjoyed her company. It was a novel feeling, interacting with a man this way. To be honest, she felt flattered and at the same time a little flustered by it all. The more she was around Mr. Walker, the more deeply Cassie Lynn regretted having to scratch his name off her husband-candidate list. She felt that they would have formed a very companionable partnership.

Were there other men who would as readily share her load, share their time and attention with her?

Is this what married life would be like? She was beginning to understand what Mrs. Flanagan had meant by not giving up on the thought of romance. Then she gave her head a mental shake. The man was leaving town in a few days. This was no time to be acting like a schoolgirl.

At last, the table was ready. Cassie Lynn returned to the parlor, with Mr. Walker ambling along at her side.

“Dinner is served,” she announced.

Her companion crossed the room and stepped behind Mrs. Flanagan. “May I?” he asked gallantly as he put his hands on the back of her chair.

The widow sat up straighter, a delighted smile crossing her face before she schooled her expression into its normal disapproving lines. She gave a regal nod and waved a hand.

Cassie Lynn had already removed the chair that normally sat at the head of the table, so it was easy for Mr. Walker to wheel his hostess into position there. Once Mrs. Flanagan was properly situated, Cassie Lynn pointed him to the spot across from the widow, while she took a seat facing Noah and next to Pru.

Once they’d all taken their places, Mrs. Flanagan looked across at Mr. Walker. “Would you offer the blessing, sir?”

“Of course.” He immediately bowed his head.

“Thank you, Jesus, for the meal we have before us and for the effort and skill of the one who prepared it. We newcomers are grateful that You have brought us to this place and for the generosity of the ladies who have welcomed us into their company. Bless this meal to the health and nourishment of we Your servants, and we ask especially that You provide a healing grace to Mrs. Flanagan. Amen.”

Cassie Lynn echoed the amen, pleased to learn that Mr. Walker had what sounded like a familiar relationship with the Lord.

As the plates of food were passed around, Mrs. Flanagan took charge of the conversation. “So might I ask how you make your living, Mr. Walker?”

“I grew up on a ranch, and working with horses is about the only real skill I have.”

“Uncle Riley is the best horse trainer around,” Noah said proudly.

Mr. Walker leaned over and gave his nephew a mock punch in the shoulder. “At least the best you ever met,” he said with a teasing grin.

“And is that where you all are headed, someplace where you can work with horses?”

Mr. Walker hesitated a moment as he shifted in his seat. It might have merely been irritation at the intrusive question, but Cassie Lynn got the distinct impression there was more to it than that.

“I do hope to one day have a horse ranch of my own, but that’s something I’ve put on hold for the time being. In the meantime, I get work where I can.”

She noticed he hadn’t really answered Mrs. Flanagan’s question. But before the widow could press further, he turned to Cassie Lynn. “This roast is mighty fine eating. My compliments to the cook.”

She felt her cheeks warm as she smiled at his compliment. “Thank you.”

“If you think this is good, just wait until we get to dessert,” Mrs. Flanagan declared. “Baking is where Cassie Lynn really shines.”

Cassie was surprised by the compliment. She didn’t often get praise from her employer.

Mr. Walker pointed a fork at her. “I look forward to it.”

The conversation moved on to safe, mundane topics for a few minutes, then Mrs. Flanagan circled back around to her probing questions. “Seems to me, if raising horses is something you aim to work at, that there’s lots of good places around here just perfect for a horse ranch.”

Cassie Lynn cringed at the woman’s continued probing. Was this her fault? Was Mrs. Flanagan trying to convince the man to stay in town because she’d shown an interest in him?

She saw a small tic at the corner of Mr. Walker’s jaw, but when he spoke his tone was controlled. “Thank you, but as I said, I’ve put those plans on hold for now.”

Then he turned the tables on her. “Mind if I ask how you hurt your leg?”

Cassie Lynn paused midbite. Mrs. Flanagan hated when anyone pointed out her infirmity. And Cassie Lynn had a feeling Mr. Walker knew that.

There was a tense moment of silence as the two at either end of the table stared each other down.

Then Mrs. Flanagan gave a nod, acknowledging Mr. Walker’s point, and answered his question. “I fell off a ladder when I was trying to prune a tree out back.” Then she turned to Noah. “Tell me, young man, are you as fond of horses as your uncle?”

Cassie saw the self-satisfied glint in Mr. Walker’s eye. Apparently he’d figured out something she’d learned, as well. The best way to deal with Mrs. Flanagan’s pushy manner was to meet it head-on.

When he turned her way, he seemed abashed to find her watching him. Her nod of approval a heartbeat later also seemed to momentarily startle him. Then he returned her smile with a conspiratorial one of his own, and her breath caught as she once more felt that connection with him, as if they were longtime friends. His smile deepened as he apparently noted her reaction and she felt the warmth rise in her cheeks. She quickly turned away, busying herself with passing another piece of bread to Noah.

As the conversation flowed around the table, Cassie Lynn suddenly realized Pru wasn’t participating. Hoping to find a way to draw the girl in, she turned to her and only then noticed that Pru was picking at her food without really eating much of anything. Was there something more than shyness at work here?

Concerned, she leaned closer and asked quietly, “Are you all right, Pru?”

Pru gave her an embarrassed look and nodded. “I’m just not very hungry,” she said softly.

Cassie Lynn patted the child’s leg. “That’s fine. You don’t have to eat if you don’t want to.”

The girl nodded and broke off a small piece of bread to nibble on, as if to prove she was all right.