CHAPTER SEVEN

Margaret's Birthday

Heath dressed in his suit for dinner. The Reynolds were a lot more casual than the Barkleys, but it was Margaret's birthday, so he figured a bit of extra effort might be in order. He debated on whether he should give her the books he'd gotten her—books on small business accounting, ranch management, and inventory—in front of JR. It was obvious JR didn't want her involved in such things, so Heath decided he'd give them to her privately after her birthday dinner.

After dinner, JR presented Margaret with a few wrapped gifts. She unwrapped them slowly—a pair of kid leather gloves, a shawl, and a string of pearls. She thanked her father and gave him a polite kiss.

"Oh, one more thing," JR said. He handed her an envelope. "You can go shopping and get what else you want."

"Thank you, Daddy," she said and hugged him.

Heath stood and picked up the parcel he'd hidden behind the buffet and handed it to her.

"You didn't need to get me anything," Margaret said.

"I didn't get it for you coz I needed to," Heath answered. "I got it coz I wanted to."

Margaret smiled while she opened the package—a set of ivory and ebony chessmen and a matching board with ivory and ebony squares. She took in a breath and ran around the table to Heath. She kissed his cheek. "Thank you, Heath. That is so sweet of you."

"You're certainly welcome," Heath said. "Maybe later, we can see if I can play better on this set."

JR laughed. "You keep practicing, and none of us will be able to best you."

"I doubt that," Heath stated dryly.

Margaret continued unwrapping each piece. "They are so beautiful."

"I'm glad you like them."

Elwood brought out an elaborate birthday cake with pink frosting decorated with fresh strawberries. The cake had twenty candles.

JR sang "Happy Birthday" to her.

She blew out the candles, then cut the cake, which was also strawberry-laden. "I do love strawberries," she said.

Heath raised an eyebrow. "I'm surprised you could get them this time of year."

"I had them shipped up from Mexico," JR stated.

They each had a large piece of the moist cake, then Heath and Margaret went to the drawing room to play chess on her new board.

JR entered the room. "Margaret, I know it's your birthday, but since you have Heath here for company, would you mind if I went into town and played poker for a while?"

"Of course not, Daddy." She left the board to give him a hug and kiss. "Thank you for the gifts."

"You're welcome. I won't be too late." And JR left.

Heath helped her set up the pieces. "I have another present for you in my room," he said softly.

She raised an eyebrow at him and, without a word, Margaret grabbed his hand and led him upstairs to his room.

Heath picked up the parcel of books and handed them to her.

She sat on the bed and opened the package. Her mouth fell open as she examined each of the books. Tears filled her eyes as she turned to Heath. "Thank you, Heath. That's the best present I've ever received." She stood and wrapped her arms around him and kissed him. "The very best. Thank you for listening to me and knowing what I really wanted."

Heath smiled and returned her kisses.

"We really need to get those stitches out," Isabella mumbled as she planted tiny kisses along the stitches. "Stay right here. Don't move. I'll be right back."

She returned after a few minutes, carrying a pair of sewing scissors, a glass, and a bottle of whiskey. She filled the glass with the amber liquid. "Drink that."

Heath hesitated. There were at least four shots in the glass. But he did as she said.

"Now, you lie down there on the bed."

Heath rubbed his ear.

"Go on. I'm not going to hurt you. Much."

He smiled and lay on top of the bed, adjusting the pillow under his head.

"Scoot over a little so I can sit next to you."

He did.

Sitting next to him, she dripped whiskey over his stitches, dabbing at the overflow with a washcloth. She repeated the action a few more times. "Hopefully, that will numb things for you a little bit."

Margaret put the whiskey on the desk and returned to Heath with the scissors. Leaning over him, she gently cut the knot off the ends.

Heath didn't move.

Then she snipped between the stitches.

Heath forced himself not to react.

Margaret finally got up and took the scissors to the desk. "They're all cut," she said. "So now I'm going to pull the string out. You want another whiskey before I do?"

"No. I'm fine. Just do it."

She dribbled whiskey over the cut one more time and dabbed up the excess. Then she sat close to him and leaned over his face. She kissed his lips gently, then found a loose piece of thread with her teeth. She worked it back and forth, her hands holding his face still, until she had a small piece of thread loose. Margaret leaned back and put the thread on the nightstand.

"You doing okay?" she asked.

"Oh, yeah," Heath answered.

"Ready for more?"

Heath smiled. "You bet." He reached up and helped her lean over him.

Again, Margaret took her time, covering his mouth with kisses and then finding a piece of thread with her teeth and gently working it out. It took a while, but eventually, she had all the stitches removed. "That's it!"

Heath sat up. "That's the best stitch removal I've ever had!"

She moved onto his lap, and they snuggled until the sun went down and the room turned dark.

"Better light a lamp," Heath said, trying to move her and adjust himself at the same time. That girl—that woman—had no idea what she did to him.

Margaret stood, and together, they lit two lamps.

"Will you take me to Sacramento tomorrow?" she asked.

Heath thought a moment. He'd promised Nick he'd help him move Sam, but he'd gotten a telegram from Nick saying the move was delayed for a week. Like Sam couldn't be bothered to ride over and tell him. But he put those thoughts out of his mind and gave a small half-smile. "If it's okay with your father."

Margaret nodded. "I can't wait to study the books you got me," she said. "Maybe we can wait to play chess when we get back from Sacramento?"

Heath nodded, and Margaret bounced out of the room.

Heath released a sigh. He returned the whiskey to the drawing room and the glass to the kitchen, then decided to call it an early night.

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