The Enchanted Land Read Free

lessons. She wanted to glide, to enjoy herself, but she remembered the job that had to be done.
    “Mr. Colter, I heard it mentioned that you have a place in New Mexico.”
    He paused before answering. What game was she playing? “Yes, I do … a small cattle ranch.”
    How to go on? How do you lead up to asking a total stranger to marry you? “My father lived in New Mexico for a number of years. I was born there.” When he didn’t reply, she said, “His name was Charles Wakefield.”
    He tilted his head. “I’ve heard of your father. A very wealthy man, with a large spread just south of Albuquerque.”
    She looked straight into his eyes and said it plainly. “Yes, a very wealthy man.”
    He laughed aloud. He thought he saw her game. He knew her father had died within the year. She probably was an heiress. Since she couldn’t flirt with looks, like Cynthia, she was going to dangle her money as bait. It was incredible what a woman would do to get a husband.
    Morgan took a deep breath. “I shall be honest, Mr. Colter. I’d like to make a business deal with you. As you say, my father was a very wealthy man. And now he has left that money to me, on a condition.
    “In compliance with that condition,” she continued, “I’d like to offer you a job. It would be no more than a job,” she emphasized. “The job would last one year, you would not have to leave your ranch in New Mexico, and I would pay you twenty-five thousand dollars for your services during that year.”
    He was about to speak when the music stopped. They both looked up to see Cynthia rapidly making her way toward them. She doesn’t waste any time, thought Morgan.
    “Miss Wakefield,” he said, taking her arm, “your job interests me. Shall we go somewhere where we can talk?”
    Much to Cynthia’s chagrin, Seth led Morgan away. Of course, he couldn’t have seen me coming or he would never have turned his back, thought Cynthia. Yet there was just a seed of doubt.
    “Cynthia! What a lovely dress!” someone called. Cynthia turned to accept the compliment and missed seeing Seth lead Morgan into the garden.
     
    Morgan and Seth sat side by side on a stone bench under a copse of trees.
    “Now, Miss Wakefield, just what is this job that is so important that you are willing to pay twenty-five thousand dollars for it?” He leaned against a tree, and smiled a half-smile.
    Morgan thought quickly. She sensed that if she burst out that the job was to marry her and live with her for one year, he would leave. No, she must explain it all from the beginning and gradually lead up to his part in her life.
    She looked at her hands and took a deep breath. “Mr. Colter, this is an unusual story, and before I tell you of the job, I must explain some of its background.
    “I have said that I was born in New Mexico. My mother and father lived there, together, for two years, including the year after I was born. My mother hated the heat and the dryness and the lack of comfort. She had been accustomed to much better in her father’s house here in Kentucky.
    “She left him, took me, and returned to her home. I lived alone with my mother, in the country, until I wassixteen. Then she passed away. For the past two years I have lived with my aunt and uncle here in Louisville.” Morgan felt the anger rise in her as she arrived at this point in her story. She rose and stood by the bougainvillea vine at the corner of the bench.
    Without looking at him, she continued. “My life was peaceful until six months ago. I had planned to live with my aunt and uncle until such time as my uncle gave his consent for my return to Trahern House, the home of my childhood. I must digress a moment and tell you, Mr. Colter,” she met his eyes, “that I do not feel at ease around large numbers of people. My major goal in life has been to live alone at Trahern House. You must understand that.”
    Seth recalled his home in the mountains of New Mexico, the isolation of it, the peace of it. “I