Chapter 18.
The day was bright and it was cold enough to make their breath fog in the morning. Emily loved it. The straw hat was put away for the winter months and in its place she wore a poke bonnet of deep blue-gray that matched her eyes.
Nick had fences to inspect and Emily was more than happy to accompany him. Riding to their destination, Nick extended the family's invitation for her to spend Christmas at the ranch but she declined, as he knew she would. She explained that since Heath and Sarah were planning to make their engagement announcement sometime over Christmas, she wanted to give them that time alone with the family. Nick chose to accept the reason at face value but that didn't mean he understood it.
"What'll you do instead?" he asked, squinting out the bright winter sunlight.
She smiled serenely. "Mm, light a candle, read a book, write a letter."
"But Christmas is about family!" he exclaimed, in what Emily had come to describe as The Nick Barkley Voice of Declaration, "It's about bein' together with other people."
"Maybe. For some," her voice was calmer than usual, "It's also a time to reflect on and celebrate God's gifts. I can do that alone."
He shook his head. "You are an odd creature, Emily Powell," he said. He was serious and it hurt her feelings.
"Oh? You think I'm odd?" she asked, her tone was still just as calm, and it did not betray her hurt feelings.
"Well, what I mean is, it's not natural not to be with people, not to want to be around other people!" He was being declarative again. And loud.
"No, Nick," she scolded him, "It's not natural for you not to want to be around other people. Because you thrive on company, you cannot comprehend that some people just need to be alone sometimes."
He thought about this for a long time, then asked, "So you really like to be alone?"
"Sometimes, yes, absolutely," she answered. "Don't you ever need to just be by yourself?"
"Sure," he replied, "But not a lot, not all the time."
"Well, I am one those people who needs more time alone than other people, that's all."
They dropped the subject and rode on till they came to a rise. Nick dismounted to get a better look at some fencing inside some brambles down in a gulch below. Emily watched him as he emerged and walked up the steep hill to Coco, and she handed him his reins.
As they started off, he asked her what she wanted for Christmas.
"Nothing," was her answer.
"Oh, come on!" he said, "There must be something you've been wanting!"
"Not really, Nick," she stated, "What do you want?"
He looked at her, not smiling, and said, "You know what I want," and then he watched her reaction.
A shadow flickered across her face and she looked stricken for a brief moment. She had not expected to be confronted with his pursuit on this day but she gained control of her expression and said, kindly, "Well, I'm sorry, but you're not going to get that, at least, not now," and with that, she spurred Blackie on ahead.
Nick caught up to her, grabbed her reins, stopping them both, and declared, "Em, you better give me some ideas for a Christmas gift for you or you're getting riding boots!"
"Okay! Okay!" she said, laughing. She looked up at the sky and thought a moment, turned to him and said, "I could use a supply of good coffee. I like chocolate, and I could always use new sewing needles or thimbles. A bottle of brandy would be nice."
"All boring," he said mock anger.
She shrugged her shoulders and said, "You asked."