“I have made up my mind. Whether she deserves it or not, I am going after her—and I am going to convince her to come back with me, no matter what it takes. She is promised to me, and therefore mine. She’s not going to tell me what to do.” Keith took a few bites of his supper and stared into the flickering flames of the camp fire.
“What if she doesn’t want to go?” Jeremy asked, eating his own food while carefully avoiding looking directly at Keith.
“If she doesn’t want to come, I suppose I will just have to find a way to make her come. Everyone has their price.”
Jeremy nodded, but he looked troubled.
“Are you backing out on me, Jeremy?”
Jeremy shook his head. “Of course not. You’ve hired my services, and it is no place of mine to question whatever task you give me.”
Keith grunted. “Good, that is exactly what I need. What about you?” He turned to the driver.
“My services are up for the highest bidder, which at the moment seems to be you.” The driver gave a slow smile that did not inspire confidence.
Keith didn’t mind. The two men accompanying him were merely his backup plan. He was fairly certain that after a civil conversation with Lyla, she would change her mind.
What could she have possibly found in the west to sway her in such a way? Whatever it was, he was sure he could offer better. He had never had anyone turn him down. He had money and was well known as a businessman.
Keith finished his dinner and then hurried to his makeshift bed on the ground. He would need his rest for another day of traveling.
Staring up at the stars above him, he sighed. He had never worked so hard to get a woman. Maybe that was the thrill of it, the need to chase her down and to win her over.
Whatever this game was that she was playing, he was determined to win. He had played a lot of games with a lot of different powerful opponents in his time, and he’d never lost a single one.
Keith was not a loser, and this time was going to be no exception. He was going to get Lyla back and married to him no matter what it took. She would come to see it was the wisest course of action. The alternatives would be… well, unpleasant. He smiled and closed his eyes, confident in the plan that was forming in his dark soul.
Chapter 25
Lyla opened her eyes and smiled. She was going to marry James, the sheriff of this town out in the middle of nowhere, and make a family with him and her son.
The whole idea seemed almost unreal—Lyla almost felt as if she should pinch herself to make sure that she was awake.
She stretched her hands above her head and then slowly began getting ready for the day.
Normally, she would be in a hurry to get out to the main house and help with breakfast, but today, she decided to just give herself a few minutes to appreciate everything that was happening around her.
She checked herself in a little hand mirror she’d gotten from the general store for a third time before finally heading out the door and towards the main house.
She paused briefly before going into the kitchen, where she could already hear voices.
She felt nervous, all of a sudden. Had James already told everyone about their decision? Would they be happy about it? What if Joey didn’t want her to be his mother?
The doubts hit her in waves and, for a moment, Lyla considered rushing back to the safety of her little cabin and hiding for the rest of the day.
Instead, she took a deep breath and stepped inside. The room seemed to erupt with different people talking and hugging her all at once.
Bonnie was first to rush over from where she had been standing by the stove. “I’m so excited for you!” she exclaimed as she squeezed Lyla into a tight hug. “James told me this morning, I’m going to have a daughter!”
Lyla couldn’t help but smile at the woman’s enthusiasm. She had always felt welcomed by Bonnie, and now even more so.
Joey pummeled into her and wrapped his little arms around her legs since he couldn’t reach her waist. “You’re really staying!” he cried.
Lyla knelt down and pulled the little boy into a tight embrace. “Yes, I really am staying. You changed my mind about going back to the city.”
Joey’s eyes grew wide and he looked as if he didn’t quite believe her. “I did? I really changed your mind?”
Lyla tussled his hair as she stood. “You certainly did, big man.”
Joey grinned from ear to ear and went back to his seat. Now that everyone had calmed down, Lyla made the awkward journey to her own empty seat at the table.
James was looking at her sheepishly. “I’m sorry, I probably shouldn’t have told them first thing, but I couldn’t help it. I guess I’m pretty excited.”
Lyla giggled nervously. “That’s okay. I’m glad everyone knows.”
“We have a lot of planning to do. Actually, I invited Karen to come over and join us for tea, I’m sure she’ll have plenty of ideas.” Bonnie set a heaping plate of food in front of Lyla.
“Karen? You invited her already?”
Bonnie looked worried for a moment and then shook her head. “Well, she had said how much she wanted to come by for another visit, so I figured, why not? I can cancel if you’d like.”
Lyla found herself feeling uncertain. She was still new to the whole idea of having people around her who cared and wanted to be close.
After a moment, she nodded reluctantly. “I suppose it might be nice to talk about a few ideas.”
“Ideas? Are we planning on a huge get-together? Maybe a small wedding would be—” James seemed to have more to say, but Bonnie stopped him mid-sentence.
“Nonsense, of course we’ll have a big gathering. At the church, that’s where it should be. Everyone in town is going to want to be there. You know, you are their sheriff and you have no lack of people who appreciate you in their lives.”
James nodded. “I know, Mother, it’s just…well, I’m sure it will be fine.”
“It most certainly will. Don’t you worry. We women will take care of everything. You just show up to be married and it will all work out.” She patted Jameson the shoulder and poured him a cup of coffee.
Lyla took another bite of her hotcakes. She’d barely had time to appreciate the flavor.
“So, does that mean that we won’t ever go back to the city?” Joey asked, causing all the heads at the table to turn towards him.
“That’s exactly what it means,” Lyla said firmly. Nothing had felt so good to say.
She didn’t really know if she should accept all of this as reality yet. She felt as if she were walking within a dream and, at any moment, she would wake up back in her tiny room at the hotel, engaged to Keith again.
She wondered if Anne was missing her at the hotel in Merrill. She wondered if she was thought about in town or if everyone had forgotten about her and considered themselves lucky since Keith was now a bachelor again.
She didn’t really care. She’s never done anything more satisfying than leaving that town and all of its history behind. She felt liberated and excited at the prospect of a brand-new beginning.
She had lost so much in that town and then, when she’d thought it wasn’t possible to lose more, she had.
“What’s wrong?” James’s voice brought her back to the present and she sat up a little straighter with a sharp intake of breath.
“Nothing, I just got to thinking I suppose. So much has changed in these past weeks…it’s just, well, pretty spectacular.”
James smiled back at her and they held each other’s gaze for several minutes.
Lyla wondered how it was that she had known this man for less time than anyone in her life, and yet she trusted him with her life completely.
---*---
Lyla had felt anxious the rest of the day. Of course, she was looking forward to telling Karen that she was staying and that she would be marrying James, but she also felt nervous.
What if Karen didn’t like it that they were both planning on getting married at the sa
me time?
What if Karen had been faking her kindness before and really didn’t want Lyla to stick around? Her doubts were numerous and, by the time that there was a knock on the door, Lyla was wound as tight as a spring.
She jumped from her seat, rushed across the parlor, and threw open the door.
Before she could get a single word out to welcome her guest, Karen had wrapped her arms around Lyla in one of the tightest embraces that Lyla had ever experienced. “You are getting married! I can’t wait! I’m so excited for you and so glad you’ll be staying.” Karen paused and took a deep breath. “Do you have a dress yet? Of course, you don’t. We have to make a dress. When will the wedding be?”
“Um- I-I don’t know.” Lyla stammered. She really hadn’t had a chance to talk with James about the details of how they would finalize their decision.
“I’m sorry. I’m probably overwhelming you. I didn’t mean to be so pushy. I’m just so excited! It’s hard finding good friends around here. I was so excited to meet you and totally devastated that you’d be leaving so soon.” Karen reached up and covered her mouth as if she were embarrassed about what she’d just said. “I-I’m sorry. I mean, I can tell you that now because you aren’t leaving. I couldn’t before, because I didn’t want you to feel bad.”
Lyla giggled. “It’s okay, I understand. So, are you and Merrick okay with this?”
“Okay with this? We are overjoyed! I knew from the moment I saw you with James that you were a perfect match.”
Karen’s words made Lyla’s stomach glow with warmth. She had found a true friend here.
They went inside and sat down around the table. Bonnie set cups of coffee in front of them along with some slices of fresh bread.
“So, first things first. Karen, how is your mother?” Bonnie asked, taking a seat. “I heard she’s been sick.”
“She’s been doing a little better. Pa’s taking it pretty hard. He’s used to her being up and about.”
Lyla squeezed her coffee mug a little tighter. “Your mother is sick? I’m so sorry.”
Karen nodded. “Yes, she’s been sick for a few months. We keep hoping things will change, though.”
Lyla nodded in agreement and waited for one of the other women to take the lead in the conversation.
“So, tell me, do you know when you and Merrick are tying the knot yet?” Bonnie asked.
Karen shook her head up and down. “Of course, we do. You’ve already been invited.” Karen turned to Lyla. “You’re invited, too, if you’d like to come.”
Lyla beamed and squeezed Karen’s hand. “I’d love to come. I’m honored that you invited me.”
“The roses are in full bloom so I was thinking you could help me make a bouquet, Lyla,” Karen said.
“I would love to,” Lyla replied. “And you can do the same for my wedding!”
It was exciting and exhilarating and different. Lyla found that unlike her meetings about her wedding with Keith, this conversation interested her. It made her excited and she could envision almost every element they discussed as if she were there.
It felt more than wonderful to be passionate about her wedding, to be passionate about James.
She found herself daydreaming about having a life with James, growing old together and raising not only Joey together, but possibly other children, too.
The idea made her stomach fill with happiness. Finally, it was time for Karen to go.
“I hope we’ll see each other on Sunday,” Karen said as Lyla walked her to the door.
“You can count on it. I wouldn’t miss it for anything,” Lyla reassured her.
Lyla watched as Karen climbed up into a wagon that had come to pick her up. Karen smiled and waved to Lyla before disappearing down the driveway.
She was actually having a wedding and she actually had a friend to share all of this with!
She had more than two friends, she realized. She glanced back at the house, where she could see Bonnie and Joey watching her in what she was sure they thought was a discreet way.
When their eyes met and Bonnie and Joey realized they had been found out, they scurried from the windows like naughty children.
Lyla laughed. Their behavior didn’t bother her in the way they might think it would. None of this bothered her.
Something pretty serious would have to happen to dampen her mood. She had a feeling that this was going to be a good day. Before she had come, her days had been an endless repetition of work and trying to pretend to be happy. Now, every day was a gift. She smiled up at the blue sky and whispered a thank you.
Chapter 26
James flipped the pocketknife over and over in his hand. He liked the knife. He just wasn’t really sure if it was what he was looking for.
He headed down one of the aisles of the general store, moving toward the counter at the front. As he rounded a corner, he nearly ran into someone.
The man was shorter than him by at least six inches, and he turned around rapidly, as if James had snuck up on him. With an angry scowl on his face, he looked James up and down like he were sizing up his competition for something.
“Are you the sheriff?” The man’s tone was cold and entitled. James could tell that he wasn’t from around here. His tailored suit was much too fancy for these parts. He was obviously a city man, pale and slightly overweight. His black shoes had been shined recently, but were sporting a few smudges of dust.
“I am. How can I help you?” Despite the fact he might not like this man already, he had no choice on whether or not he could answer people. As the sheriff, it was his job to help others as much as he could, at least to a point.
“Yeah, that man there told me that you knew where I could find Lyla Smith.” His beefy index finger indicated the store owner with an almost accusatory gesture.
James bristled. He suddenly suspected who this man in front of him was. Of course, he couldn’t be sure, but he had that gut feeling that rarely lied to him. “Who are you to be asking about Lyla?”
“I’m her fiancé, Keith,” the man said coldly, narrowing his eyes. “She will be my wife in a few days.”
“Are you now?” James fought the cold chill in his stomach. Lyla had reassured him that there was no love between her and Keith and that the man would forget about her with her telegram. She had most certainly been wrong. “I believe she has had a change of plans and sent you a telegram to inform you of this change.”
“Look here, mister, I have a right to see my fiancé. I suggest you tell me where it is that you’re keeping her.”
James felt a smirk tickle his lips. “You actually have no rights to Lyla. She doesn’t want to marry you anymore. She made that clear in her telegram.”
Keith’s face turned red and he sputtered for words. “What in heaven’s name do you think you’re doing, talking to me like that? Don’t you know who I am?”
He took a step forward so that he was staring directly up into James’s face. Even though he was shorter than James, he still managed to look intimidating in his own way.
His face was now an ugly shade of purple and there was a dangerous glint in his eyes. James could see the veins pulsing on his neck. It reminded James of the way a small rooster might look up a big one, with his neck feathers all fanned out, just waiting for a fight to begin.
A Treasure Brought by Fate: A Historical Western Romance Book Page 19