Western Bride

by Janelle Daniels

  The next day, Abby rode into town, anxious to speak with Lucas. When she’d left his office with Connor yesterday, she knew Lucas wasn’t happy, but she was grateful he’d behaved how he had. He’d allowed her to make the choice and hadn’t forced his will upon her or demanded she explain herself.

  If she had any doubts before, his behavior had erased them. Lucas was the man she wanted to be with, and no matter what, today she was going to tell him she loved him.

  Connor had been disappointed when she’d told him she was in love with someone else. Obviously, it hadn’t been the answer he wanted, but after his initial upset, he’d kissed her hand and told her he hoped she found happiness.

  She was determined to do just that.

  She dismounted in front of Lucas’ office, her heart light now that she didn’t have to sneak around to see him. They were free to be with each other, and nothing had ever felt so good.

  She quickly walked up the boardwalk to the door, placed her hand on the knob, and pushed. But the door wouldn’t open. She tried again, frowning—it was locked.

  She looked through the window but couldn’t see Lucas. Was he still at the hotel?

  She looked again to confirm he wasn’t there before mounting her horse and riding to the hotel. She hoped he wasn’t ill.

  She smiled gratefully when her brother’s employees took care of her horse. She entered the hotel, feeling confident. She’d see Lucas in a few moments, and the uneasiness in her heart would vanish.

  The clerk at the desk greeted her. “Is there something I can help you with, Miss Winthrop? Are you here to see Mr. Winthrop?”

  “No. Thank you. I’m here to see Mr. McDermott. Have you seen him?”

  The clerk’s brows furrowed. “I’m sorry, but Mr. McDermott checked out yesterday.”

  She froze. “No. That’s not possible. I know he’s staying here longer.”

  “I’m sorry.” Double checking the ledger, the clerk shook his head again. “No. He checked out before the last train left. I overheard him saying he was heading to St. Louis.”

  Her stomach dropped. That couldn’t be true. “Are you absolutely certain?”

  He nodded regretfully. “I am. I’m sorry.”

  Tears sprang to her eyes, but she shook her head, forcing them back. “No. It’s all right.”

  He looked concerned. “May I…may I get Mr. Winthrop?”

  She dashed her tears and shook her head even more forcefully. Seeing Rhys was the last thing she wanted. He’d warned her about this, warned her not to get involved again with Lucas, but she’d done just that. She’d been every inch as stupid as he thought she was. “No. I’m perfectly all right. Thank you.”

  Blindly, she whirled around, walking toward the exit.

  “Abby?” The voice sounded far away. “Abby?”

  Just as she was about to step to the door, a delicate finger tapped her shoulder, and she looked over at Lily.

  Lily wrapped her arm around Abby’s shoulders, and ushered her out of the lobby. Fresh air filled her lungs. “I have the wagon. I’ll take you home.”

  “No. My horse—”

  “They’ll board it at the hotel.”

  She didn’t have the will to argue. Numbness wove through her, starting from her toes and working up slowly toward her heart.

  “Just tell me, are you injured?” Lily said quietly.

  Abby wasn’t certain how to answer that. Physically, she was fine. But inside, she felt as though a knife had separated her heart in two. “I have no injuries. At least, nothing you can see.”

  Without another word, Lily helped her into the wagon and went around to drive. Mere moments later, they made their way outside town.

  And as they passed the last house, it was like the dam on her emotions burst. She sobbed, her face falling into her hands as big, thick tears splattered onto her skirt. She sucked in heaving breaths, but only felt as though she would be sick. She gasped, her lungs closing, refusing to let air in.

  “Just keep breathing. In and out,” Lily said. “You’re going to be fine. Whatever happened, it’s going to be all right.”

  Abby closed her eyes tight, shaking her head, denying Lily’s words. Nothing would ever be all right again. “He left. Lucas left without a word,” she said, barely able to get the words out.

  Lily gasped. “Why? What happened?”

  “After the hiring fair, Connor Broderick asked me to marry him, and I didn’t immediately reject him. I wasn’t sure how things would work out with Lucas, and I wanted to give Connor the respect he deserved by thinking it over. But yesterday, Connor told Lucas about the proposal, so I left with Connor to break it off and was so exhausted from it all, I didn’t return to Lucas. I thought it would be fine to talk to him today after we’d both rested. Apparently, he left on the train yesterday afternoon.”

  Lily blew out a long breath. “I’m so sorry this happened. Perhaps you can send him a letter and explain? It sounds like a misunderstanding.”

  Abby wished it were so easy that a letter would solve everything. But a letter wouldn’t fix what had happened. Lucas had left her. It didn’t matter what the reason was. He left without saying a word, just like he had all those years ago. She thought he’d changed, but nothing had changed. Nothing ever would.

  She sobbed again, and Lily brought her arm around her, pulling her in tight. “It’s going to be all right. We’ll figure out a way.”

  When Abby couldn’t stop the tears, couldn’t speak through the sobs, Lily just held her. It was the greatest kindness anyone had ever done for her.

  Finally, as they rounded the last corner to home and Ivan’s house came into view, she realized her time here was finished. Her gasps for air subsided, her tears slowed, and she sucked in a deep breath, letting it out shakily. “I can’t stay here anymore.”

  “What? Why?”

  “I’ve lived here for over a year, and I’ve loved every moment of it. This place brought me peace and independence and a fresh start. But none of that is possible anymore. The Copper Kings, Lucas, has rented it. He might be gone, but he’ll be back to do his job. His business is here, the mine is here, and no matter what happened between us, he still needs to return to this house to help you all. I can’t bear to see him again. It hurts too much. I—I’m not strong enough.” She lowered her head, ashamed.

  Lily bit her lip, and tears filled her big blue eyes. “It won’t be the same without you. You’re one of us.”

  Abby took her hand. “Me moving doesn’t change that. You’ll be moving out soon too. All of you will. I’m just sorry it had to happen this way.”

  Lily nodded and squeezed her hand. “I understand. But where will you go?”

  “The hotel, for now. But soon I’ll buy my own house.” She looked up at the mansion, silently saying goodbye. “This one was never mine. I was just a visitor, but I love Promise Creek. I’m never leaving.” She sniffled and sat up straighter. “Besides, I have the money to buy any home I desire. And that’s exactly what I’ll do.”

  “Do you want me to tell the others?”

  “No. I’ll do it. They should hear from me.”

  “I’ll be right beside you.”

  “I’d like that. I’m lucky to have you as a friend.”

  Lily gently bumped shoulders with her. “Now and forever.”

  And in that moment, Abby realized she’d gotten what she’d wanted most of all. A sisterhood. No matter where she went, no matter where they went, they would always have each other.

  A week later, Lucas got off the midday train to Promise Creek, exhausted, hungry, and weary from traveling. But all of that could wait until after he saw Abby. Leaving the way he had, unable to see her, had been torture. She had to feel the same, but he hoped the letter the train station had delivered would reassure her of his feelings and intentions toward her.

  He signaled the porter, giving him his luggage ticket and instructions to deliver his trunk to the hotel.

  Luckily, Rhys kept horses available at the h
otel for guests, so that would save him some time. He didn’t want to spend any more time away from Abby than necessary.

  He’d still give her the time she needed to decide, but he wanted to make sure she knew he loved her. He’d been stupid not to tell her that from the moment he realized it—he just hadn’t wanted to push her. But surely telling her his feelings wasn’t forcing her hand. He’d make her realize he didn’t expect anything in return. He just wanted to give her everything.

  He walked into the hotel, and a sense of homecoming washed over him. They wouldn’t continue to live in the hotel after they were married, but he realized and felt what Abby loved about Promise Creek. There was something about it, something that called to him. They’d have to travel for work on occasion, but if Abby wanted to, he’d be more than happy to settle here.

  A grin filled his face just thinking of all the things he wanted to tell her. With any luck, he’d convince her to marry him this week.

  He stepped up to the desk and nodded to the clerk before requesting another room.

  The boy shuffled uneasily. “I’m sorry, Mr. McDermott, but we are unable to offer you a room at this time.”

  The smile faltered on Lucas’ face. “I beg your pardon?”

  The clerk swallowed thickly. “Mr. Winthrop has informed us that you are no longer welcome here.”

  “Is that so?”

  Realizing it was better to remain silent, the clerk nodded.

  Before Lucas could say anything further, a voice interrupted their conversation. “I’ll handle this.”

  Lucas turned slowly, facing an angry Rhys. “You changed your mind then?” Lucas asked. “You’re making choices for Abby now?”

  Rhys smiled, but there was nothing kind in his expression. “No. You changed her mind. All on your own.”

  “What are you talking about?”

  Rhys shrugged. “You left her. Just like I told her you would. Finally, she realized I was right. She’ll never be happy with you.”

  “It was an emergency. I had to go. There was no time to talk to her about it. I explained it all in my note. Didn’t she get it?”

  “All I know is that she’s done with you. That makes me done with you as well.”

  Panic ignited in his gut. “I have to see her. Now.”

  Lucas spun on his heel, but before he could take more than three steps, Rhys stopped him. “Where are you going?”

  “To the house. This is all a misunderstanding.”

  “You left. Where’s the misunderstanding in that?”

  That was the last straw. Lucas wheeled around, grabbing Rhys by the coat. “I didn’t leave her. I’ll never leave her. I love her more than the air I breathe. And if you think to stand in my way, think again. Nothing will stop me from going to Abby; nothing will stop me from telling her how I feel. And if she doesn’t want me, nothing will stop me from spending the rest of my life trying to win her back.”

  Instead of flicking him off, Rhys cocked his head and considered Lucas. Finally, he nodded. “You truly mean that, don’t you?”

  “Do you think this is some sort of game?” Disgusted, Lucas released him.

  Rhys smoothed his coat. “No. But I thought you did. I thought you didn’t care about her, that it wouldn’t matter to you if she was hurt.”

  Rage flowed through him. “I would rather gut myself than cause her one moment of hurt.”

  “You really left her a letter?”

  “Yes. I asked the train station to deliver it.” His gut clenched. “She didn’t receive it?” Rhys shook his head, and Lucas swore, imagining what she must think.

  Fear shot through him. Would she forgive him? Or had he lost her forever? How could he convince her to trust him?

  Rhys let out a long breath. “I can’t believe I’m saying this, but I believe you. Look, Abby loves you. It’s obvious, and I can also see you love her. All I want—all that I’ve ever wanted—is her happiness.”

  Lucas met his eyes. “That’s all I want for her as well. Even if it’s not with me.”

  Understanding passed between them, and Rhys nodded. “She’s in the library.”

  “Pardon?”

  Rhys nodded toward the employee hallway. “She’s in the library.”

  Lucas hesitated. “Why are you helping me?”

  “Even though I don’t like what happened, you’re who she wants. And after having her here this week, I don’t think this is something she’ll move on from.”

  “Thank you.”

  Rhys nodded once. “Make her happy. And if you screw this up, I’ll destroy you.”

  Lucas felt the first glimmer of a smile. Most people would think Rhys’ threat an empty one, but Lucas knew it was fact. “I’ll make her happy.”

  Rhys just waved him on. “I’ll be in the dining room with my wife if you need anything.”

  All Lucas needed was Abby.

  Chapter 18

  Abby tried reading the same page three times before closing the book with a snap. It’d been a week since Lucas left, and the pain of it was still fresh. She was like the living dead, walking from her room to the library and back, refusing to go into the public areas. The library was usually open to guests, but Rhys had closed it during her stay.

  She didn’t know what she’d do without her brother.

  She stood and replaced the book on the shelf, idly gazing over the spines of the books next to it, but she couldn’t bring herself to pick one. In truth, she didn’t care what she read, she didn’t care where she was, and she didn’t care what she did.

  Life had no meaning. She’d felt similarly when Lucas had left her years ago, but she’d been so young, and there had been plenty to occupy her time with, things to fill the void. It had helped to have a semblance of a life, and eventually, she’d rejoined the living. But this was different.

  Back then, she’d had hope she would meet someone else. That she would marry. But she now knew it would never happen. Lucas was it for her. Her one great love. And having him leave her again had not only broken her heart, it had destroyed it.

  She heard the door open behind her, and she shook her head. “I mean it, Rhys. I’m not going to the dining room. I need a few more days.”

  The door closed softly, and she was grateful her brother had listened to her.

  “I bet we could get the chef to make you your favorite.”

  She gasped and spun around, her hand flying to her heart. “Lucas! What are you doing here?” Her eyes ran over him, greedy to see him. He was disheveled, his hair standing on end in different directions, his suit wrinkled like he’d slept in it. “Did you just come in on the train?”

  He leaned against the door and slowly crossed his arms and ankles. “I did. I traveled through the night to get here.”

  His words hurt. He probably had more work to do. She didn’t want him to see her face, so she turned back toward the shelf, pretending to organize the books. “I see. Well, whatever you came back for must be important. I won’t keep you.” She was grateful her voice sounded even, when everything inside her was chaos.

  His footfalls sounded as he crossed the room to stand behind her, but he didn’t touch her. “What I came back for is important. More important than anything else in my life.”

  She squeezed her eyes shut, knowing he spoke the truth. Business—success—would always come first to him. “Good. Then you should leave and tend to it.”

  “Don’t you want to ask what it is?” When she didn’t immediately respond, he said, “Look at me.”

  She wanted to deny him, to tell him no, to scream for him to get out, but she didn’t do any of those things. She turned toward him, the unshed tears in her eyes brimming until he looked like a wet blur. “What more do you want from me? What more can I give?”

  His arms fell to his sides. “Abby—” his words strangled at the end.

  She laughed mirthlessly. “What? Did you expect me to be all right? You left me, Lucas. You left.”

  He nodded, accepting everything she said. �
�I did. I received an urgent message and had to leave immediately. If I hadn’t, things would’ve fallen apart. And while I would’ve allowed it to happen if it were just me, I have a responsibility to my partners. I couldn’t abandon them.”

  She held up her hand. “I understand. I understand what comes first to you, and I don’t even blame you. I can’t change who you are. I can’t change what you want. All I can give is me. Nothing else.”

  “That’s all I want.”

  She shook her head, denying his words. “Don’t. Don’t say that. You don’t mean it.”

  “I do. I love you, Abby. I love you so much it hurts. I loved you then and now and for all the time in between. You have always been in my heart, the woman I was meant to be with. I’ve made mistakes, there’s no denying that, but I’m not making a mistake now. I love you. I never meant to leave you, and if you believe anything, believe that. There wasn’t enough time to see you before I had to leave. But I wrote you a letter and asked the train station to deliver it.”

  She jerked her head away. “There was no letter.”

  Gently, he placed his hand on the side of her face and brought her gaze to his. “I did write you a letter. And in it I told you that I love you, that I would hate being away from you, and that I would come back as soon as I could to be by your side.”

  Fresh tears filled her eyes. She wanted to believe him, yearned to, but she was afraid. “I didn’t get it.”

  His face was serious as he nodded. “I know. More than anything, I hate that you’re hurt. I’ll find out what happened to the letter, but know that I did write it. That I love you. I never meant to leave you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you.”

  Tears trailed down her face, and he brought his other hand up, using his thumbs to wipe the moisture away. “Abby, please.” He looked tortured by her tears, and she realized then that he truly meant everything he’d said.

  Her heart opened, letting him in, letting in every single thing he’d said. “I love you.”

  Relief crossed his face a second before his mouth took hers. The kiss was raw and honest and everything she’d ever hoped for. He pulled away after a moment, his breath sawing in and out of his lungs. His hand still held her face as he searched her eyes. “You mean it, don’t you?”