He wondered what kinds of lives they would all be living now. Some of them had no doubt married, or left town, never to return. Not like him. He was the returning son, coming back to a place which, deep in his heart, he did not want to come back to.
The train emerged from the forest and started to slow.
"We must be arriving," the elderly lady said. Her gaunt and exhausted looking husband, seated next to her, rolled his eyes in relief.
"We're here Uncle Aaron. We're here!" Emily shouted. She pressed her face up against the carriage window, twisting her head, trying to see ahead to the oncoming train platform.
The train slowly drew into the station and came to a halt with a loud hiss and burst of steam which made some of the people standing on the platform step quickly back.
Aaron felt a knot of nerves twist inside him. Would his father be there? What would Aaron say to him?
By an almost mysterious coincidence the carriage window had drawn to a halt at exactly the spot on the platform where his mother was standing waiting for his arrival.
Only his mother, Lily. There was no sign of his father.
Emily leapt up and screamed. "Grandma. Here! We're here!" Emily rapped her hand on the window. Aaron stood and placed a hand on Emily's shoulder.
"Now. Emily. Don't go scaring your grandma. I'm sure she's as excited to see you, as you are to see her," he said reassuringly.
Aaron looked through the window and smiled at his mother.
Lily looked older of course, but she still had that visible inner strength and poise he always remembered every time he thought of her. She was elegantly dressed in a beautiful but plain, dark green outfit that suited the mild weather.
Lily saw her son and granddaughter and her face lit up. Aaron saw her raise a gloved hand to her mouth, containing the emotion that so obviously had welled up.
Aaron reached up and grabbed the bags from overhead and took Emily's hand. "Let's go. Your grandma looks like she can't wait to say hello," he said.
The elderly couple left the carriage ahead of them, but not before the woman turned and gave Emily a stern and disapproving look.
Before they stepped off the train, Emily wrenched her hand loose from Aaron's firm grip and jumped onto the platform. As Aaron stepped down he saw Emily run to her grandma and wrap her arms around his mother's waist.
Lily bent down and embraced her granddaughter and he heard her say welcoming words to the little girl. Emily looked up at her grandmother, eyes shining, face aglow with the thrill of the reunion.
As he drew near he could hear what they were saying.
"Grandma. I'm so happy to see you," Emily said.
Aaron's mother stroked the girl's hair. "And I'm so pleased to see you, my dearest. You look beautiful. You have grown so much since the last time I saw you. Look at you!"
Emily bounced up and down on her toes. "And I'm still growing," she yelled.
"My oh my. You are a real bundle of energy. I thought you'd be tired out by your journey." Lily looked toward him, emotion clouding her eyes. "I do hope you haven't worn your poor uncle out," she teased.
He smiled and placed his bags down. "Ma. It's good to see you," he said quietly.
Lily came to him and embraced him. He wrapped his arms around her and was sure he could feel her shake slightly.
"It's good to see you. I missed you."
"And I've missed you, Aaron. So much, you can hardly believe it," she replied.
"I know you have."
"It's so good to have you back, Aaron."
He wanted to say to her that it was good to be back, but he found he couldn't. Not in that moment. Maybe it would come later.
"Where's Pa?"
Lily looked into his eyes. He saw a deep concern hiding there. She looked like she was trying to mask the worry, but she wasn't doing a very good job of it. "He wasn't feeling too well. He said he'll see you at home," she said quietly.
Aaron frowned. "Is that the only reason he didn't come?"
"Why, of course it is. If he could have come, he would have. You know that," she replied.
Emily jumped up, seeking attention again. "Grandma. How do you like my dress?" she said, twirling around and showing off her pretty, blue cotton outfit.
"It looks beautiful on you. But we'll have to get you some new dresses, won't we?" she answered, placing a hand gently on Emily's head.
Emily's eyes lit up. "You mean it?"
Lily smiled. "We're going to get you some more clothes to wear." She looked at the cases. "I see your mama sent you with some things. But a little girl can never have too many outfits."
Lily gestured to the end of the station. "The carriage is over here," she said. Aaron took up the cases and walked side by side with his mother and his niece. Most of the passengers and those meeting them had left the station. The train sat waiting to depart, steam gushing out from below the engine.
He loaded up the cases and helped Lily and Emily get onto the carriage seat. He sat down next to his mother and took the reins.
"You remember how to get home?" his mother asked him.
He rolled his eyes. "Of course I do. I haven't been away that long."
Lily smiled wanly. "It seems like such a long time." She touched his arm. "It's so good to have you back," she said.
Aaron took a deep breath. She wanted him to say the same. Didn't she? She wanted to hear him say that it was good to be back in Sweetheart Falls. But the truth was he couldn't say it, because deep down he didn't feel that way.
However, not wanting to hurt his mother's feelings on such an important occasion he looked at her and smiled. "It's good to be back," he said.
Inside him something roiled and shifted. As he flicked the reins and moved the horse on Aaron began to wonder just what he had gotten himself into.
CHAPTER THREE
Later in the afternoon the three sisters, Martha's husband Logan, and Cassie's husband Ethan, shared a lovely dinner which Mrs Proudie, the ranch housekeeper had prepared. They all sat at the long table in the comfortable dining room of the ranch.
The talk was all about Martha's pregnancy and Rachel's exciting news about her impending nuptials. Logan was unable to contain his pleasure at the news he was to become a father.
He held onto Martha's hand throughout the meal. Rachel watched with curiosity as Logan made Martha the entire center of his attention. That was what it really meant to be married, thought Rachel.
She wondered if Aaron Caldigate would make her the center of his own attentions.
Toward the end of the meal Logan brought up the subject of husbands.
"You must be looking forward to meeting your intended, Rachel. Tell us more about him."
Everyone turned and gazed expectantly at Rachel. She tried to recall the words of Aaron's letter. The letter had been sweet and obviously written by an articulate, intelligent man. She knew he was well educated; after all, he had studied law in Boston.
She pushed the letter out of her mind for the moment.
"He's a lawyer; he's twenty five years old; he's coming back to settle in Sweetheart Falls; he has one sister; his mother and father still live in town."
Rachel spoke the words quickly and with ill disguised enthusiasm. Her smiling face and bright voice brought more than one grin from those around the table.
"I believe I know old Gabe Caldigate. He's helped me with some of my land title problems recently," said Logan.
"And he helped me with some things after Joshua passed," added Cassie.
At the mention of Cassie's first husband, who had died tragically young, her current husband, Ethan looked at his wife with a soft understanding smile.
"I guess we shouldn't complain when one of these fine sisters wants to consider a husband sight unseen," said Logan.
Martha playfully smacked her husband's hand. "Logan! You make it sound so...clinical. That is Rachel's possible husband you're talking about. In any case, Hettie's been involved in this. I didn't hear you complain when she
was putting you and I together."
Logan rolled his eyes and nodded slowly. "I guess you're right. That fine lady sure knows how to pick 'em."
"A little bit of modesty wouldn't go amiss," said Cassie playfully.
There was more laughter around the table. Then Mrs Proudie, Logan's housekeeper, brought in a delicious apple pie for dessert. That killed the conversation long enough for Rachel to consider her next words carefully. After a while she felt confident to ask the most important question.
She placed her spoon down on the empty plate and looked around the faces of the people she loved more than anything in the world. It was so important that they all approve of what she was about to do. This time it wasn't just about getting Cassie and Martha's approval. She had to be sure that they all thought she was doing the right thing. These two men had come into the lives of the sisters and made such an impact that it meant a great deal that they both supported her decision.
Rachel cleared her throat, rather too loudly, she thought, and they all turned to look at her.
"I just have one very important question to ask," she stated, her voice trembling slightly.
Rachel paused for a moment, self consciously aware of their rapt attention.
Then she spoke: "Do you think I am doing the right thing in considering marrying Aaron Caldigate?"
The question hung in the air. At first no-one answered her, and she immediately felt she had done the wrong thing in even asking it.
It was Cassie who spoke up first. "We all support you completely Rachel. You know that we always have, and we always will. I'm sure I speak for everyone when I say that we are very optimistic about Aaron. We truly hope that he is the right man for you. Isn't that right everyone?" Cassie said looking at the others.
They all nodded without comment.
"However, even Ethan and I had to meet before the decision was made for sure."
Ethan cocked his head and creased his brow good-naturedly.
"I guess what I'm really saying is that we think you should really make the most of the meeting Hettie has arranged tomorrow. Get a good night's rest and get ready bright and early. I do believe Martha has plans for you," Cassie said.
Once again it was clear who was really still the head of the families. There was not one word of disagreement from anyone. Rachel thought what her sister had told her made perfect sense. She, for one, wasn't going to argue with Cassie's judgment.
"We're sure he's going to prove to be a wonderful young man," Martha said.
Logan raised his glass. "On that note, I propose a dual toast. To my beautiful wife on the announcement that we're going to be blessed with a child," he said. Martha smiled warmly, color rising to her cheeks. "And I propose another toast to Rachel. May tomorrow bring all that she hopes for and her future husband be a similar blessing," Logan concluded.
"A wedding! That's what you mean," Martha said firmly with a laugh.
They all raised their glasses and toasted the great fortune they were all about to enjoy. Two babies and a possible wedding.
Rachel drained her glass and smiled. Everything seemed to be coming together so perfectly. It was true. Right at this moment she felt genuinely blessed. She could hardly wait until tomorrow.
CHAPTER FOUR
The place hadn't changed, thought Aaron, as he drew the carriage up in front of the Caldigate family home, situated just on the southern edge of town. It was a substantial property as befitted a lawyer who had had so much success and influence in the affairs of the town and, indeed, the entire county for miles around.
The house had two floors, a wide porch, white painted boards, and a neat garden. His mother still obviously spent a great deal of time tending the garden. It looked tidy and well kept. Aaron was sure the inside of the house would be the same, just as he remembered it.
Aaron helped his mother get down off the carriage. He took the bags and smiled gently at her.
"Welcome home Aaron," she said softly.
Emily jumped down and screamed "Grandpa!" and ran, bursting open the garden gate and heading for the front door.
"Emily! Wait." Aaron called out to his niece.
Emily froze in her tracks and turned to look at her uncle. She looked at him with expectant, wide eyes.
"Your grandpa might be sleeping. Isn't that right, Ma?"
Lily nodded. "He might be. But I guess there is just a chance he's so pleased to see you both that he'll be awake and waiting for you both inside. Let's see, shall we?"
Aaron smiled. His mother hadn't lost her ability to defuse a situation.
Emily straightened and waited for Aaron and Lily to lead her to the door.
His mother pushed opened the door and called out. "Gabe. We're here. Where are you?"
Aaron laid the cases down on the wooden hall floor and felt a tightening of the nerves inside him. What would his father be like after all this time? He was about to find out.
They made their way into the parlor.
His father, Gabriel Caldigate, was seated on a high backed, armchair next to the fireplace. His favorite spot ever since Aaron could remember.
His father placed a hand on either side of the chair and tried to push up. It was visibly difficult for him. Aaron felt a stab of sympathy at the sight of his father's struggle. There was more grey in his father's hair, and he had put some weight on, but there was still the underlying strength and presence that had such an influence on Aaron.
"Gabe. Don't get up," Lily said, going to her husband, leading Emily by the hand. Emily was trying real hard to contain her excitement at seeing her grandfather. The contrast between his niece's emotions and his own could not have been greater, thought Aaron.
Emily hugged her grandfather. As Gabe clutched his granddaughter close to him, he peered at Aaron. There seemed to be a questioning look on his father's face.
"Pa. It's good to see you," Aaron managed to say in a quiet voice.
Gabe nodded slowly. "Good to see you too, son," he whispered. Aaron noticed how weak his father's voice sounded. It was nothing like the booming sound he had grown up listening to.
Gabe kissed Emily on the cheek and gazed at her, his eyes brightening momentarily.
"Lily. I do believe we have the most beautiful granddaughter in the West," he said to his wife.
Lily smiled and nodded at Emily who turned to see what her grandmother would say to that. "I'd say the the most beautiful in the West and the East, Gabe," she answered.
Emily squealed with pleasure.
Aaron smiled. His mother and father could still make anyone feel right at home. They hadn't lost that magic touch.
"Why don't we get you upstairs, my lady," Lily said, taking Emily's hand. "I believe we have a lovely room somewhere upstairs, reserved just for you," she said to Emily.
"Really, grandma? My own room?"
Lily nodded. "Yes, Emily. And it has a beautiful view of the back garden. You are going to feel right at home," Lily said, leading Emily away.
"I'll bring the bags up in a moment," Aaron said. "I'm going to talk with pa for a while," he said.
His mother raised an eyebrow. "Don't be too long. I'm going to need some of the things from those bags."
Aaron looked at her quizzically. "Sure."
What she really meant was that he shouldn't tax the strength of his father by taking too long and talking too much. Judging by the stern look on Gabe's face at this moment there wouldn't be much chance of him staying to talk to his father for too long.
Once Lily and Emily had made their way up the stairs he took a seat on the wide sofa and asked Gabe the question that was pressing hard on his mind.
"What's wrong pa?"
His father looked at him and there was a flash of pain in his eyes. Aaron had never seen that look on his father's face before and it took him by surprise. There was a vulnerability there which would have been unthinkable years before.
His father lowered his head and sighed. "It's the heart Aaron," he whispered.
Aaron stiffened. "What do you mean?"
Gabe took a sharp, irritated breath. "I mean what I say. My heart's not working like it used to." Gabe laughed. "The doc said I need to take things easy. You can imagine how well that advice sat with someone like me," he said with a wry smile.
Gabe leaned back in his chair and Aaron saw the strain on his face. For someone like Gabe being told to slow down and take things easy would have been a bitter pill to swallow. His father had worked hard all his life to build a life for his family. In spite of his reservations, Aaron had to give his father credit for taking responsibility for the well being of his wife and children.
"What happened?" Aaron asked.
"I was out visiting a client one day about a month ago. Felt fine. Nothing to worry about. Then just as I was getting on my horse I felt a hard pain in my chest. Never had anything like it before. Just about keeled over. Managed to make it home. Your ma nearly fainted when she saw me. I had the face the color of ash, she told me."
Aaron rubbed the back of his neck. He could just imagine the fear his mother must have felt at seeing her normally strong husband reduced to the pale shadow of a man seated in front of him.
"Anyway. The doc took a look and told me my days of riding around like a young 'un are over. Told me to cut back on my work. But you know me. That hasn't been easy."
Gabe tapped the front of his chest. The sound of finger hitting breastbone sounded dull.
"Seems like every time I try to get back on that horse my ticker just says "no way"."
Gabe's voice dropped to a hoarse whisper. Aaron could see what all of this meant to his father. To be reined in like an animal, prevented from doing what you felt was needed, what was necessary. That must have been a hard thing to accept.
"So, have you been following the doc's advice?" Aaron asked.
Gabe sighed. "Sure. I've been a good little boy," he said, with a note of sarcasm. There was still a lot of fight left in his father yet, Aaron realized. "Your momma has me well under control. Makes me eat healthy and rest plenty. It's driving me plumb loco!" Gabe said, his voice filled with exasperation.
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