Chapter 4
Supper that evening was a tense affair. The whole family sat around their large dining table, which was a rare occurrence, dressed in their Sunday best, which was even rarer. After Kid welcomed their visitors with a short toast, the only sound to be heard was the clinking of cutlery on china. Beth glanced around at the family she was marrying into and grew even more unsettled than she had been arriving at the ranch for the first time.
"I hope your trip wasn't too hard," Kid said in an attempt to get the conversation started.
Beth looked down the table at him and realized that, although the statement had been addressed to both herself and Rudy, her brother was too busy eating to respond.
"It was quite an adventure," she replied a little timidly. "I've never traveled so far from home before."
"There was plenty to see, wasn't there?" Adam chimed in after another silence had fallen.
Never one to be particularly verbose, Adam was struggling to make small talk and looked hopefully to the others to take the lead. Unfortunately his mother had only been coolly polite upon meeting Beth and Rudy, and had said very little since. Charlie was openly out of sorts and resentful at having been made to wear a dress for the occasion. Even Ethan and Jake, usually talkative, had picked up on the uncomfortable atmosphere and were trying to eat as quickly as possible so they could leave the table.
"What are your plans while you're here, doc?" Jamie asked, when it was clear no one was going to comment further on the train trip to Sweetwater.
Adam wiped his mouth with his napkin. "Well, I'd like to show Beth and Rudy around the area."
"The ranch is very beautiful, from what I've seen," Beth said, directing her words to both Kid and Lou but only receiving a smiling acknowledgment from the former.
"Dr. Browne promised I could make some calls with him, and Rudy is interested in seeing how we do things out here. Isn't that right?"
"Oh, yes," replied Rudy, swallowing a large mouthful. "Our grandfather has a practice in St. Louis and I've only ever been exposed to work in the hospital. This should be quite… enlightening."
Lou bristled at the condescension in Rudy's voice, but Kid swiftly spoke up before she could counter with an acerbic retort.
"D'you ride, Miss Betts?"
"Oh… a little. That is, I used to as a girl but it's been some years since I've done much riding."
"Well, it ain't somethin' you forget," said Kid cheerily. "We've got plenty of gentle horses you could ride. I'm sure Charlie could take you out, show you around, while the boys are off with Doc Browne."
Charlie glowered at the offer and opened her mouth to protest.
"Couldn't you, Charlie?" Kid continued firmly, a smile still on his lips.
The girl would have argued, if not for the fact that she knew she wouldn't win. Her father would not stand for people being discourteous so instead she smiled falsely at Kid.
"Of course, Father."
"Good." Kid grinned at his daughter before picking up a serving bowl. "More potatoes, anyone?"
Jamie accepted the offer and passed the bowl onto Rudy who also helped himself.
"How are you findin' the hotel?" Jamie asked.
"Quite pleasant," Rudy replied magnanimously. "Certainly nicer than I'd anticipated. Although the noise from the saloon next door might prove disruptive if this afternoon's entertainment is anything to go by."
"Yeah, it can get lively," chuckled Jamie. "But don't worry, the marshal's office ain't but a few yards away. Although, it's more likely you'll find him in the saloon in the centre of the ruckus than not."
"It's not that bad," Adam told Beth quietly. "He's just teasing."
"The hell I am," Jamie said jovially, before bobbing his head briefly in apology to Beth for his language. "Deputies had to lock up Marshal Wallace in the jail last week to sleep it off, after he…"
"He was not locked up," Kid interjected before Jamie could add any colorful details. "They just wanted to keep an eye on him because he wasn't feelin' too well."
Jamie shook his head, laughing silently. He said no more, however, because the facts were not fit conversation for the dinner table, nor for mixed company.
"Town ain't that wild, Miss Betts," Kid went on. "But maybe you should both come stay here… We got the room, and it makes sense that you stay here. That way we can get to know you better."
Lou's knife and fork clattered onto her plate as she stared at her husband. He frowned back at her in response.
Beth blushed. "Oh, that's very kind of you, Mr. Morgan, but we're quite all right at the hotel…"
"No, Pa's right, Beth," said Adam, grinning in appreciation at his father.
Lou finally spoke up. "Adam, perhaps Miss Betts and her brother would be more comfortable where they are. After all, there's more to do in town."
"But we're only here for two weeks. And if Rudy and I are going on calls with Doc Browne…"
"There'll be company here for Beth," finished Kid.
"Really, we don't want to put anyone out," Beth continued helplessly. She knew very well that Adam's family was not entirely happy with the sudden news of their engagement.
"You won't be puttin' anyone out."
"I can sleep in the bunkhouse, so Adam and Rudy can have my room," offered Jamie.
"We can sleep in the bunkhouse too!" Ethan joined in.
"You'll stay in the house, the both of you," Lou replied sternly, which earned disappointed utterances from the two young boys.
"You can share with Charlie, Miss Betts," said Kid. "There's an extra bed in her room."
This was too much for Charlie. "But Papa!"
"But nothing… we have guests, Charlie." Kid ignored her indignant huff. "So, that's settled then. Adam can take you back to the hotel tonight so you can pack, and we'll collect you tomorrow to get you settled in."
Adam looked expectantly at Beth and she could not help but smile at the happiness the decision had brought him. He took her hand in his and squeezed it gently.
"If you're sure, Mrs. Morgan?" Beth asked finally, looking to the end of the table where Lou was silent once more.
Lou smiled but the expression did not reach her eyes. "Of course, we'd be pleased to have you stay with us."
