She’d come here to think each morning and each evening, and it had done her spirit a world of good to pray and lay her burdens at the Lord’s feet. But today it wasn’t her own issues with Emerson, or even her mother, that captured her thoughts and prayers.
Today it was Thomas.
And the fact that she’d overheard two of the girls whispering about him last night as they walked around the edge of the camp.
Tayler hadn’t caught the whole conversation, but it was worrisome. Apparently, there was some sort of a competition to win his affection. While she allowed herself to admit that winning his affection would be a glorious thing, it was only that for a girl who truly cared for him in return. It didn’t make sense that these wealthy young women would go after a man who was of the working class when none of them showed any interest in being in the “middle of nowhere,” as they had mentioned on numerous occasions . . . unless . . . it was just for sport. It crushed Tayler to think of it. Nothing good could come out of it, and Thomas was at risk of being humiliated.
What if they turned on the charm and he actually began to care for one of them? Tayler’s heart twinged. That thought was horrible. The more she thought about it, the more she became jealous. Which only meant one thing: she cared for Thomas. Much more than she was willing to admit.
Sitting on the stump, she weighed all her options. Should she confront the girls with her knowledge of their competition? They’d probably lie their way out of it—none of them had any respect for Tayler. Maybe she should talk to the parents. Not that it would do any good. None of the parents seemed too concerned about the girls’ antics so far.
Another option flitted through her mind. Maybe she should tell Thomas. At least give him some knowledge of what the girls might be up to. He’d obviously seen through Mary’s farce before anyone else did. Maybe he wouldn’t reject Tayler’s concern. And hopefully he wouldn’t think she was jealous and being silly. That would be mortifying. Perhaps she should just wait.
Lord, I have no idea what to do. Should I stay quiet so I’m not a gossip? Or should I warn my friend? And I don’t have any idea what to do with these feelings either. Thomas is the first man I’ve felt attracted to since Emerson broke my heart. I’m . . . afraid to care for him.
As soon as she lifted the prayer heavenward, she realized the depth of her fear. All this time, she’d been independent and had taken care of herself, covering up the hurt and fear she’d held inside. She hadn’t come to Alaska looking for love. She’d come to follow her dreams and to be respected for it. As Tayler Hale. Naturalist. Not the daughter of Martin and Henrietta of the Hale empire. But she also had to admit that she’d come to escape. To run away from her problems.
Footsteps sounded on the grass behind her. Tayler turned to see Thomas walking toward her, his hands in his pockets. She shot him a smile and watched his long legs eat up the distance between them. Her heart beat faster, and she looked back to the mountains. God was going to have to do a mighty work in her heart because she felt incapable of handling any of this.
“Good morning.” Thomas gave her a lopsided grin.
“Good morning.” She sighed. If only she knew what to do.
He sat on a stump next to her. “I noticed you like to come here in the mornings. Am I intruding on your private time?”
The fact that he’d noticed made her feel special, and it was really kind of him to ask. “No. It’s nice to have some company.” She stared straight ahead so he couldn’t see her eyes. She couldn’t trust herself right now, her emotions were too raw and skittered all over the place. Should she tell him?
“This has always been one of my favorite places.” He turned toward her, and she could feel his gaze.
Was it rude to keep staring ahead?
“Did I mention that Cassidy and Allan had their wedding up here?”
“That’s quite a hike for a wedding.” She bit her lip. Not only was she undecided about her quandary, but his nearness made her feel even more attracted to him. And that wasn’t something she could deal with right now.
He laughed. “Yeah, but none of us minded. We love it up here. And we love Cassidy and Allan. If you haven’t figured it out, Curry has been like a big family for many of us.”
“I like that.” A family she’d already begun to care for . . .
He leaned his elbows on his knees and clasped his hands in front of him. “You know, I don’t know anything about your family. Would you tell me about them?”
His question made that all-too-familiar twinge in her heart hit full force. She couldn’t lie to him—she really did want to get to know Thomas better, but there was so much that was a mess in her life right now. There hadn’t been a telegram back from Mother, and that meant only one thing—her mother was seriously angry with her.
“I’m sorry. Is it too painful for you?” Thomas’s voice held so much sympathy.
She shook her head. “No.” Pasting on a smile, she looked at him. His eyes drew her in. “My mother is in Denver, and my brother is in New York. Last year, I lost my dad and that was really hard. But I have amazing memories to hold on to.” She couldn’t bear to look at him anymore for fear her feelings would betray her.
“I bet your mother is very proud of what you do.”
While she was sure he meant his words to be encouraging, Tayler couldn’t help but cringe. “No. She’s not.”
He frowned at her answer. “Are you not close to your mother?”
In that moment, Tayler wanted to tell him everything, but there didn’t seem to be a good place to start. She longed to have someone to share it all with—all her longings, dreams, hopes, and fears—but she just couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not with everything that she’d gone through with Emerson. But he waited for an answer, so she gave him the easiest one. “We were . . . but losing my father was tough on all of us.”
“I’m sorry, Tayler.”
“Me too.” And she was. If only Joshua were here. He could fix everything.
But he wasn’t. And Tayler wasn’t sure she’d get to see him ever again. The thought broke her heart.
Thomas shifted next to her. “Do you think you’d like to stay here . . . up in Alaska?”
The question brought her back to the moment at the top of Curry Ridge. As she gazed around her, she knew her answer. “You know, I think I’d like to. It’s an amazing place.”
“I’m glad. It’s really great to have you here. A lot of people don’t appreciate the isolation and lack of amenities.”
She stole a glance at him. It seemed like he wanted to say more, so she waited.
He looked down at the ground, and that shock of hair he was always pushing back fell over his forehead. It made him even more handsome.
Lifting his head, he turned and caught her staring at him. He gave her a smile. “I’m not too good at this.”
“Good at what?”
He sighed. “I know we’ve had to start over multiple times already, and I haven’t been myself. There was the whole misunderstanding at the beginning, and well, I wasn’t the perfect gentleman. But I hope you can see now that I really respect you, Tayler . . . and . . . I’d be honored to get to know you better.”
The simple words were so sweet. Nothing arrogant about them. Not at all like Emerson. The comparison sprang to her mind too quickly. “I’d like to get to know you better too, Thomas.” The words were out before she could snag them back. So much for guarding her heart. But getting to know one another was what friends did, right?
“Do you think maybe we could take a walk together when we return to the hotel? You know, when we’re not working?”
“I’d like that very much.” She felt heat moving toward her cheeks. A walk sounded nice. Innocent and sweet. She could handle that. And as much as she wanted to be careful about her feelings, she couldn’t deny what she felt for this man next to her.
He looked forward and cleared his throat. “Tonight and tomorrow night we need to have late lectures. It’s the time of year for
the midnight sun.”
Tayler clapped her hands in front of her. “I know! I’m so excited. I can’t wait to see it for myself—”
“There you are!” Esmerelda’s too-sweet voice bounced off the lookout structure.
Thomas swiped a hand down his face and sighed.
Tayler tried not to groan. What did she want?
“Thomas, I’ve been looking all over for you. You said we would take a walk together!”
He stood and stared down at the redheaded girl. “Exactly when did I agree to a walk?”
“Last night, silly. You haven’t forgotten, have you?” She batted her eyelashes and pouted.
Tayler’s stomach plummeted. No. He couldn’t have done that.
Thomas shook his head. “I did not say we were going on a walk like that. I said the whole group was taking a walk.”
“Well, I already told my parents that you invited me for a walk, and they were quite pleased with the notion. Can’t we go? No one needs you right now.” Esmerelda shot a scathing look at Tayler.
“That’s where you are incorrect, Miss Esmerelda. The only walk I will be taking is when we go back to your parents so I can clear this up immediately.”
Thomas gave her an apologetic look, and Tayler tried to give him an assuring smile.
Esmerelda grabbed his arm in a very possessive manner and sashayed away with him. She looked over her shoulder at Tayler, and the meaning of the glare was undeniable.
In that moment, Thomas removed her hand from his arm and stepped a couple paces to the right.
The breeze blew over Tayler, and it all became clear. Esmerelda had been listening to their conversation. She must’ve heard Thomas invite Tayler on a walk, and she couldn’t have that, now, could she? Not with her bet in place with her little friends.
The pure conniving of the young woman baffled Tayler. Sure, she’d seen enough behavior like this in the wealthy circles, but these girls were doing this for sport. There wasn’t an advantageous marriage at stake. It was only winning and plain, pure spite—out to hurt someone else.
Thoughts tumbled around in her mind, and she put a hand to her forehead. She should’ve told Thomas what she’d overheard. This game could get far too risky for him, and he was probably too sweet to notice.
Maybe they’d have another chance to speak alone later.
Hopefully nothing would happen that would hurt him before then.
21
SATURDAY, JUNE 22—CURRY HOTEL
Couldn’t you send someone out to find her?” Emerson gave the hotel manager his most concerned expression. “I’ve been waiting for days as it is.”
“Mr. Pruitt.” The manager sighed. “Miss Hale works for the Curry Hotel. She is leading an expedition, and I won’t interrupt the paying customers’ trip just so you can let her know that you have arrived.” He turned away and waved over his shoulder. “Good day, Mr. Pruitt.”
What was going on at this place? As soon as he’d announced that he was Tayler Hale’s fiancé, everyone had treated him like the plague. Had she possibly told them all the truth?
No. He shook his head. She wouldn’t disparage his family name.
He walked into the dining room and sat at one of the tables. Drumming his fingers on the cloth-covered tabletop, he thought about his next move. There had to be a way to get someone to talk. Someone had to know where Tayler was.
The train whistled in the distance. He glanced at his watch. Already time for the evening train. Emerson shook his head. Another day wasted.
A waiter came by the table. “Would you like coffee or tea, sir?”
Emerson dismissed the man with his hand. “No, I’ll return for dinner in a little while.” Exasperated, he stood up and stormed from the room. But as he reached the doors of the dining room, a familiar face stood out in the crowd.
One of Charlie’s goons.
The man who’d sent him the note in Denver.
The man he’d tried to convince to give him more time so he could get the money.
The man who would surely kill Emerson if he couldn’t convince Tayler to marry him right away.
He was here. And that only meant one thing. . . .
Only two more days.
Two more days before they would be back at the Curry and Thomas could talk to John and Allan about these young girls. Never in his life had he dealt with anything of the sort. He’d never thought he had much of a temper, but those socialites brought out the worst in him. He’d almost exploded at Esmerelda earlier in the day. Her conniving and catty ways were a nightmare. How would Allan deal with this?
The facts of the matter were that the girls wouldn’t leave him alone, and two of them especially seemed determined to touch him constantly and vie for his attention. So he’d spent much of the day praying about keeping his mouth shut and trying to avoid the girls. Which proved impossible.
At dinner around the camp, they’d decided to take a nature hike, since the weather was so perfect. Maybe another activity would keep the girls occupied.
As he crested another ridge, he looked back to see the girls all huffing and puffing after one another to see who could make it to the top first. He’d intentionally led, and with his long legs he could gain quite a lead. It wasn’t exactly the best for the rest of the guests, but he could use the excuse that he was scouting ahead.
Poor Tayler was left at the rear of the group, and it looked like she was herding cattle. Several of the adults were dawdling and probably struggling with the strenuous hike.
Mary reached where he stood a step ahead of Esmerelda. “Oh, what a lovely view!” She put her hands to her chest and gave him a coy smile.
Thomas rolled his eyes and looked back down the hill.
Esmerelda grabbed onto his elbow. “What a romantic spot, don’t you think?”
Thomas raised his eyebrows. What were they up to?
Mary grabbed his other elbow. “I could just stay here forever.”
“No, you couldn’t. You hate camping.” Esmerelda gave her friend a dismissive look.
Lifting her chin, Mary stepped forward and placed her hands on her hips. “Yes, I could. I love everything outdoors.” She gave Esmerelda a glare and then shot Thomas a smile. “I think it’s a magnificent job you have here, Thomas.” She turned and looked back to the scenery. “Oh, look!” Mary took off down the hill in the other direction.
Esmerelda moved closer. “Good, now we have a few moments alone.” She leaned and brushed her body up against his.
Alarm bells went off in Thomas’s mind. He stepped away. “We don’t need any moments alone, miss. I’m not sure what you’re trying to do, but it’s not going to work.”
“Oh, isn’t it?”
Before he could stop her, she flung herself at him and pressed up against him. Wrapping her arms around him, she hugged him tight. If he hadn’t been so tall, she probably would have tried to kiss him.
Untangling himself from her grasp, Thomas once again stepped away. “Don’t make me speak to your parents about your behavior, Esmerelda.”
“You wouldn’t say anything.” She moved toward him again. “You like it too much . . . you like me, don’t you, Thomas?”
The brazenness of the young girl made him sad. What had turned her into this . . . ?
He shook his head. “No. I don’t.” He walked toward the path and looked down at the others still hiking. If only they would get here sooner.
“Thomas!” Mary’s voice echoed up to him.
He ran to the other side of the ridge and looked toward where Mary had gone. There she stood, a huge smile on her face, pointing at a baby moose.
“No, Mary. Don’t go near it!”
But, of course, the young woman did exactly the opposite. As she got closer to the moose, Thomas realized a new disaster was at hand. He raced down the hill to try to keep her from touching the baby.
All too soon, Mary seemed to be enjoying the chase, and she sauntered closer to the gangly animal.
When Thomas reached
her side, she giggled. “I just want to pet him. He’s so cute.”
“Mary, no, that could get you seriously hurt.”
She shrugged. “What could possibly hurt me? You’re here to keep me from harm.”
The young animal darted off into the distance. Mary took off after it.
Thomas looked to the sky. “Lord, I could use some help here.” He ran after Mary.
Within a moment, he watched her tumble to the ground.
Wincing, she grabbed her ankle.
He caught up to her in a few long strides and knelt before her.
“I think I twisted my ankle,” she moaned.
“You shouldn’t have been chasing that moose, Mary. I warned you.”
“I know, and I’m sorry, but I really think I’m hurt.”
Thomas took compassion on her. “Can you put any weight on it?” He helped her to her feet.
She put the injured foot down and cried out in pain. “No. It hurts too much.” She bit her lip and a large tear rolled down her face.
Goodness, this was going to be the longest summer ever if he had to put up with these girls much longer. “All right. I’ll have to carry you back to the camp. This isn’t going to be easy, and your ankle will most likely throb.”
She sucked in a breath. “Okay.” Mary looked miserable.
Guess he couldn’t blame her. Getting injured on vacation was no fun.
He lifted the young woman into his arms and started the long trek back up the ridge.
“What is it like living here all the time?” Mary laid her head on his shoulder.
“If you don’t mind . . . I need to focus on my steps. Not talk.”
She whimpered and shifted even closer.
As if he needed her any closer. Inside, his temper flared. If the girl had simply listened to him to begin with, they wouldn’t be in this mess.
An hour later, the weary hikers all returned to their camp. Thomas plopped Mary on a stump—a little harder than necessary—and waited for everyone to gather around. Hands on his hips, he paced the area.
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