"Let's start upstairs," Shade said and gathered the twins up with a smile. Both nodded sleepily. Cody scuttled up close to Shade's legs, but Nettie boldly took Kate's hand. She beamed up at the teacher as they all followed Shade into the house and across the main entryway to the grand staircase.

Kate was a little surprised when she felt the small hand take hers. She looked down at the young girl and smiled. The child pulled her gently towards the main entry and up the stairs. Everything about this house seemed so big. For a moment she briefly wondered who Miss Mercer and Quentin Cantrell were before being ushered in a a large room. This was where the children probably did their schooling and as Shade took care of them, she had time to thoroughly investigate it.

The room seemed very adequate for teaching the two children. There was also the required primers needed and she felt a bit of admiration for Shade for making sure that the children's early education would be taken care. Maybe in a year or so they would be ready to go to the school in Kalispell but now what they had would suffice.

A few minutes later, Shade came out of the children's bedroom and showed them out back into the hallway.

Outside the schoolroom, Shade gestured to his left, "This end of the hall is my study and bedroom." Shade could not help glancing at Kate as they stepped in that was now his private domain.

A slight blush came on to Kate's face and it wasn't because she was embarrassed at the thought of the mere mention of a man's domain. It was because of the quick glance he had given her and the fact he wanted her to know where he slept. Why knowing this was so important to her, she couldn't rightly say but she was glad that he did.

Pastor Evans asked Shade about the timber the house was made of how long it taken to build. As she listened, she felt herself wishing that this visit could go on for a lot longer.

Shade made sure to glance at Kate often to pull her into the conversation. It was important to him that she felt included and wanted on the tour of the house. As he led them around, he answered the pastor's questions regarding the house's age, explaining that it had taken several years to complete and there had been a number of renovations over the years. He pointed out that his brother, Chance, had gone to great pains to modernize it as much as possible. He also told the older man that almost all of the wood and stone had been sourced locally. It was mainly oak and pine. Shade prolonged the tour as long as possible, wanting to keep Kate at the house. Finally, though, it was time to return to the dining room for after lunch coffee and desert. As everyone settled in the informal dining room, Shade headed for the side table that held several decanters.

"Would anyone care for sherry with dessert?" He asked politely. Shade really did not care for the liquor himself and was content with coffee. Meanwhile, Mary was serving piping hot blackberry cobbler made with berries she had canned back in the summer.

"Would anyone care for sherry with dessert?" He asked politely. Shade really did not care for the liquor himself and was content with coffee. Meanwhile, Mary was serving piping hot blackberry cobbler made with berries she had canned back in the summer.

Kate shook her head gently, "No, thank you but some coffee would be nice."

As she waited for Mary to serve the pie and coffee, she sat down in one of the chairs. Looking around the room and how nicely it was decorated. She turned her head to face Shade, "I have to say Mr. Thornton that your family has created a beautiful home. It's a shame that we have to leave soon. I'm sure Pastor Evans would have liked to spend more time in your library."

Pastor Evans nodded his head in agreement, "Yes indeed. If I get a chance before the winter comes, I would like to come here again...providing you are in agreement and not too busy."

Before she could get a chance to say anything more, Mary served her a slice of cobbler and some coffee. After taking a bite and finding that it was very delicious, she complimented Mary. Mary thanked her and went back to serving the others. For the next few minutes, Kate concentrated on her dessert, all the while hoping that she might get a few minutes alone with Shade before she left.

"You are certainly welcome anytime, Pastor," Shade said as he settled with his coffee and cobbler. He smiled and thanked Mary for her wonderful lunch and dessert. "It would mean rising really early to make it back to town for Sunday services," Shade continued, "but you are welcome to spend the night here. We could certainly put you up." He ignored the slight tightening of his chest as he made the offer. It was hard not to look at Katherine to gauge her reaction.

Katherine nodded. The more time she spent with him the more her earlier uncertainty went away. "i don't know about about the Pastor Evans and Mrs. Evans but if there is a possibility to spend more time with your niece and nephew to gauge where they are exactly in their schooling, I would like that. I would be able to develop some lessons to give to the young lady you have teaching them."

Feeling that she should add more just in case the pastor and his wife got the wrong idea, she continued, "This is something I plan to do with all the children who are unable to attend school on a regular basis especially during the winter."

She turned her attention back to her coffee. If truth be told she was more interested in coming here to learn more about him. That thought made her smile a little.

Just then, Mary came in and unconsciously echoed Shade's invitation for their guests to remain overnight, "Weather is coming in," she pointed to the windows that revealed a darkening sky. Sudden storms were not uncommon in the Chogun Mountains where the bulk of the ranch was located. "I suggest that you plan on staying over," Mary said to the Pastor, "you don't want to try to make it back to Kalispell in this. I can roust you out early so you make it back for your services in time. We can lend you anything you need."

Many people carried small overnight bags with them when visiting the far-flung ranches and properties around Kalispell. However, more than one person had found themselves stranded at Lost Lake Ranch without having an overnight kit with them. The family had gotten in the habit of keeping spare items for people to use when that happened. Everything from nightshirts to soaps, and even clean clothes were kept in stock. Which was a good plan because just as Mary finished speaking, a tremendous clap of thunder shook the house.

Shade smiled at his guests, "I have to be up and out early as well so I can get myself and the twins to the abbey for mass. The rain will make the drive through the gorge dangerous tonight." He did not add that an opportunity to spend more time with Kate was a bonus to the treacherous weather.

At the sound of thunder, Pastor Evans nodded, "It looks like we have no choice in the matter."

He turned to his wife, "My dear, you no doubt will now have more time to spend with Mary and if Shade will allow me, I can spend some time in his library."

Kate was not sure what to make of the change in plans. Part of her was happy at being able to stay here longer but part of her was also nervous at the prospect of being here with him. The house was very big and they were few in number there was bound to be a time when she and he would be...

She shook her head a little and took a deep breath. Hoping to divert her mind from the track it was going down, she addressed the group, "I am sure we will be able to put our time here to good use. When the children awaken from their afternoon nap, I will be able to find out what their educational needs are. It will save me a trip later on."

Turning to Shade, she continued, "I hope it won't be too much of a bother for you having us stay the night. We are woefully unprepared for this turn of events."

"It is no bother at all," Shade assured Katherine. "In fact, why don't I go ahead and show you to the guest rooms while Mary gets some overnight kits for you? After that, Pastor, feel free to examine our library for as long as you like. I will be playing nanny and keeping the twins out from under Mary's feet."

Shade rose to his feet. He was not totally comfortable with playing the part of wealthy ranch-owner and host. Still, he was managing to pull it off better than expected. It helped that he really wanted more time, private or chaperoned did not matter, with Katherine. Of course, it also made him uneasy. There were things in his past that might make her decide to have nothing to do with him. He mentally shook himself. Shade would have to wait and cross that bridge when he came to it.

After Shade had shown them to their rooms, Mrs. Evans went back to the kitchen to join Mary, as she, Pastor Evans and Shade went to the library. As she listened to Shade tell the Pastor a few things about the books, she casually investigated the room. There was plenty of things to take in.

After a while, they interrupted by the two children waking up from their nap. Nettie, happy to see that the teacher hadn't left, quickly took her hand and led her back to the playroom, eager to show off some of her dolls. They were followed by Cody and Shade. The four of them, in Kate's opinion, spent an enjoyable afternoon getting to know each other better.

During this time, Kate felt herself becoming more attracted to Shade than she already was. It made her a little sad to know that she have to leave in the morning and then wait nearly a week to see him when he would be coming to take her to the dance. It made her a little bit more determined to make this time worthwhile and give her something to remember during the long week ahead.