Strictly Taboo(110)

“Sir, I'm not sure I'm qualified enough to build a house as fine as yours, so I think I'd be better off hiring some professionals.” Art made sure to word himself very carefully so as not to sound incapable. Frank nodded.

“Smart boy. Damn near killed me buildin’ this place.” He said again. He eyed Art for what felt like forever before he finally nodded. “I suppose you can ask her. Don't know that she’ll say yes - she's as stubborn as a mule, just like her mother was. Believes in all that gooey romance stuff.” Frank said, wrinkling his nose. Art couldn't help but chuckle.

“Yes, sir. Thank you. Thank you very much.”

In the kitchen, Grace released a breath that it felt like she had been holding for forever. Suddenly the strange way that Art had been acting on their walk home made sense.





Chapter 10



Art glanced down from the top of the ladder. He could see Grace standing off beside the pile of lumber, her neck craned while she watched him. He could see her periodically shake her head at him, until finally he climbed down.

“It bought you told my daddy that you were going to hire people to do this?” Grace said, her hand resting on top of her swollen belly. Art smiled, kissed her on the forehead and then bent down to kiss her belly.

“I did and I have, but I just want to be able to say that I helped.” Art said. Grace shook her head with a smile.

“You men, you're all the same.” With a judgmental glance, she shook her head again. “Just make sure they do all the important things?” She asked.

“Yes, ma’am.” He looked at her as she stared over at the ladder leaning against the bare bones structure of what would someday become their farmhouse.

“And don't fall off that ladder, please?” She asked.

“No ma’am, I won't. Besides, if I fell off that ladder who would raise my little peanut in there?” He asked, resting his hand on Grace’s belly. She gave a quiet chuckle.

“It's a lot more than a peanut by now!” She said. “It feels like an elephant!”

“Hey! Don't you go calling our daughter an elephant!” Art said.

“How do you know it's a girl? No one can possibly know that. Besides, Mrs. Clary down at the post office said she thinks it's a boy. Something about how I'm carrying him?” Art raised an eyebrow.

“Well, I just want a healthy baby, but I'm not sure you could handle two Cowboys running around on this ranch.” He said, kissing her lips this time.

“Mr. Monroe, if you have intentions of having a big family – which I believe that you do – this mama is going to have to get used to more than two boys running around here.” She thought for a moment. “Unless we have all girls…” They both fell quiet. Neither had thought about the possibility of having all one sex of children.

“Well. We will have what we have and we will be thankful for good health.” Art said decisively. “Right, Mrs. Monroe?”

“Right.” Grace nodded and she gave Art a soft smile. “I can't wait until this place is built.” She said, looking around the large parcel of land. “It's going to be so beautiful and there's going to be so much room for our children to run around.” Art slipped his arm around her waist and joined her in looking at their land.

“We could even built a small guest house for your daddy if you like?” Art suggested. He had been waiting to surprise her with the idea, but he just couldn't hold it in any longer.

“Uh uh. My daddy is just fine where he is.” Grace said. “Now my sister, maybe…but ever since daddy had that come to Jesus talk with Tom, I have a feeling that she won't need to stay with us either.” She took a deep and satisfying breath as she took in the wooden structure of what would soon become their home. “So, Mr. Monroe…baby Monroe, it looks like it's just us three for the time being.”

“One hundred and three.” Art said.

“What?” Grace turned to him looking shocked.

“The cattle. I placed an order for one hundred heads of cattle to be delivered to the ranch as soon as building is complete.” Art said proudly. Grace’s eyes widened.

“One hundred?” She asked. Art nodded. “One hundred heads of cattle?” She asked again. Again, Art nodded. “Art, what are we going to do with that many?”

“Run a ranch…” Art said followed by a smile. “Darlin’ you can't run a ranch with just a couple of heads of cattle.” Grace was still stunned.

“But…one hundred? That's so many…” Art shook his head.

“You leave the ranching to me, okay? Don't worry your pretty little head about any of that, this cowboy knows what he's doin’” Grace looked at him uncertainly. He may have been a farm hand in his past life, but she wasn't too sure about his capability to handle one hundred heads of cattle. Still, she had her own troubles to worry about, for example, just how often she was having to go to the bathroom as this young Monroe grew bigger by the day.