“I promise not to yell,” she reassured him.
“She’s pretty, Uncle Drake,” one of the girls pointed out.
“You think so?” he asked her.
She nodded.
“I do, too,” he replied.
Flustered by the compliment, she turned her attention to the large two-story home. It was made of wood and painted white. There were graceful staircases on the left and right that led up to a second-floor walk bordered by a wrought-iron grille. She wondered if it and the house were more of Drake’s handiwork. Sable stepped out onto the porch with her daughter in her arms. Her hair was hidden beneath a green patternedtignon, and she was wearing a simple white blouse and gray skirt. She greeted Valinda’s arrival with a smile.
Drake dismounted, and before Valinda could react, his strong hands effortlessly lifted her free and set her gently on her feet. Hoping her face didn’t reveal how breathtaking she found him, she walked with him towards the porch. The children followed.
“Good morning, Valinda,” Sable called. “How are you?”
“I’m well. How are you?”
“I’m well.” She then said to her brother-in-law, “Drake, I could’ve ridden over to Julianna’s to fetch her. In fact, I was just about to leave.”
“Mama thought this might be easier since I’m on my way home.”
Desiré’s chubby little brown arms reached out for Drake and he took her gently from her mother. “Morning, sweet Desi. How are you? Are you keeping Papa in line for me?”
“Yes,” the toddler said proudly.
“Good girl. Can I get a kiss?”
She pressed her lips to his cheek.
“Thank you. Don’t ever let a boy kiss you, okay?”
“Okay.”
He handed her to the amused Sable.
Val continued to be amazed by his antics.
Drake said his goodbyes. “Enjoy your day together ladies. I’ll see you at dinner.” He looked down at the adoring children and asked, “Who wants to ride the bear back to his horse?”
They all screamed, “I do!”
“Get on then.”
And to Valinda’s amazement, some scrambled onto his broad back, while others latched onto his big arms and large legs. He growled, and with the laughing children hanging on, he roared again, and slowly made his way to the waiting stallion.
Sable said, “They love him so much. I think they know that in his heart, he’s really one of them, only bigger.”
Valinda watched as the bear reached his mount. After freeing himself of his young barnacles, he got back in the saddle. He offered a departing wave to Valinda and Sable and headed for the gate while the laughing children ran beside him.
“Come on in,” Sable said.
Valinda took a last look at Drake galloping away from the gate before following Sable inside. Sable gave Desiré to the smiling housekeeper and led Val into the parlor. The room was beautifully appointed, with fine furniture and lamps. A large oil painting of Sable in a beautiful emerald gown hung above the fireplace. Valinda took a seat and said, “It appears that I won’t be here long enough to teach the children.” And she told her about Cole’s wire and the debate she’d been having with herself.
“If the decision were entirely yours, would you stay?”
“I would, but I made a promise to Cole.”
“Is it a love match?”