He tucked their tickets into his pocket. “Right on time.”
The engine approached and came to a halt, breaks screeching and bells clanging. Taking his arm, she boarded the railcar. The train left Denver with another long whistle. As the outskirts of the city fell away, it picked up speed, racing down the tracks towards Eagle Valley. It wasn’t long before the motion rocked Emily to sleep.
“I know how she feels,” Tess said around a yawn.
“Didn’t you get enough sleep last night?”
“Someone kept me awake until the wee hours. Not that I’m complaining. I don’t know when I’ve enjoyed missing sleep more.”
“Get used to it,” he whispered in her ear. “You’ll be missing plenty of sleep in the future.”
She leaned against his shoulder, drowsy in the warmth of the sun shining through the window. Shadow licked her face and she reached up to push him away.
“Ouch!”
She opened her eyes and blinked. Daniel rubbed his nose. Her eyes widened.
“Did I hit you?”
“It didn’t hurt much.”
“I dreamed Shadow was licking me. I’m sorry, Daniel.”
“And so you should be. I don’t know if I like having my kisses mistaken for a dog’s.”
“I’m not used to being kissed awake.” She pushed against the seat to sit up straighter and stiffened. Alarmed, she looked around for her daughter and sighed in relief. Emily stood on the other side of Daniel, staring out the window and bouncing on sturdy legs.
“How long has she been awake?”
“Not long. We watched a pair of eagles circling in the distance.”
She leaned past him and looked out the window. “We must be nearly home. I can’t believe I slept the whole way.”
“I didn’t mind.” He turned to face her. “Do you want to go straight to the farm or stop by your folks’ house first?”
She thought for a minute before answering. “I suppose we should go straight home. If I saw Mama, she would guess something has happened.”
“Don’t you want to tell them we’re getting married?”
Her spirits plummeted. “Of course, but it wouldn’t be fair to Nathan. I have to talk to him first.” Her stomach churned just thinking about it.
“Do you want me to be there when you tell him?”
“That would only make it worse. I have to think of the best way to explain it to him. He doesn’t deserve to be hurt.”
“No, he doesn’t. Can’t you just tell him I finally came to my senses?”
“Is that what you’re going to tell Lottie?”
Daniel groaned. “I’d forgotten about Lottie. I never promised her anything, Tess, honestly.”
“I know, but she was planning a future with you all the same. She’ll be hurt.” Worry ate away the last of her joy as reality crashed down upon her.
He sighed. “I’ll try to let her down gently.”
“Please don’t tell her about our engagement. If you do, she’ll run to Nathan before I have a chance to talk to him.”
“Don’t you think she’ll suspect?”
“Yes, but she won’t know for certain. I want Nathan to hear it from me. I owe him that much.”
The train slowed on its approach to Eagle Valley. Tess reached across Daniel and pulled Emily onto her lap. Anxiety formed a hard knot in her chest. Glancing out the window, she saw dark shadows hovering over the prairie grasses. Billowing thunderclouds covered the sun.
“I hope it doesn’t rain before we get home.”
Daniel looked out the window. “I doubt it will, although the corn could certainly use it.”
“The sky looks ominous.”
“It will all work out, Tess. We have each other.”
She squeezed his hand and sighed deeply. “It seems wrong, knowing our happiness will hurt others.”
“We don’t have to prolong it. We can tell Nathan and Lottie now if you like. Then we’ll be able to plan our future with a clear conscience.”
“Maybe that would be best.” As the train came to a shuddering stop her stomach knotted. She took a deep breath, dreading the task ahead.
Chapter 15
Lottie waited on the platform when they stepped down from the railcar. She gave Tess a perfunctory hug and tucked her hand through Daniel’s arm. Alarm skittered down his spine. He looked at Tess over the top of her sister’s head, silently begging for help. She smiled encouragingly.
“How was Denver?” Lottie asked. “Did you get the money for the house?”
He patted his jacket pocket. “I have the bank draft right here.”
She beamed. “Did you have a chance to go shopping while you were there?”
“We bought Emily a doll.” Out of the corner of his eye he saw Tess turn her engagement ring with her thumb until the diamond was cupped in her palm.
“Is that all?”
He nodded. “Did anything happen while we were gone?”
“Brenda Leighton had her baby, a big, healthy boy.”
“That’s wonderful.” Tess said. “What did they name him?”
“Peter Stanley after his grandfathers. Don’t you want to know if Nathan is back?”
Tess stared at her sister. “I didn’t know he was gone.”
“I thought he told you before you left for Denver.”
“I saw him at the station, but it was too noisy to talk.” Her face tightened. “Where did he go, Lottie?”
“He went after Jack Craven. His gang held up a train the morning you left and rode toward Cheyenne.”
Tess swayed.
“Easy, there.” Daniel wrapped his arm around her and led her toward a bench. “Sit down for a minute, Tess. You’re paler than a ghost.”
Her voice rose. “I don’t want to sit down. I want it to end. When will it end, Daniel?”
“Maybe Nathan will get him this time,” Lottie said.
“He isn’t back yet?”
“No, not yet. I’m sorry. I guess I shouldn’t have blurted it out the way I did.”
“It doesn’t matter.” She turned toward Daniel. “Let’s go home.”
They walked toward the livery stable where he’d left the horses. He watched her closely, noting the tight line of her mouth and the empty look in her eyes. Damn Lottie and her big mouth! He tossed their bags into the wagon bed and helped Tess up onto the seat with Emily.
“Will you tell Mama I’ll be in to visit sometime soon?” she asked.
Lottie nodded and smiled when Daniel took her arm and stepped away from the wagon.
“I need to talk to you. Can I see you tomorrow?”
“Why of course, anytime.”
“I’ll stop by after supper.”
“I’ll be waiting. Goodnight, Daniel.”
“Let me walk you home. It’s almost dark.”
“I can find my own way. Emily is starting to fuss, and Tess looks upset. Anyway, you’ll have to hurry if you want to beat the rain.”
He looked up at the sky as the first drops fell. “You’re right. I’ll see you tomorrow evening.”
He quickly hitched up the horses, but the thundershower grew heavier before they left town.
“Do you want to wait it out at your folks’ house, Tess?”
“No, I just want to go home. There’s a blanket under the seat. I’ll cover Emily with it.”
“You’ll be soaked.”
“It doesn’t matter.”
He urged the horses into a trot. “I made a date with Lottie. Tomorrow, I’ll tell her I can’t see her anymore.”
She hunched her shoulders against the rain. “I heard you. Who knows when I’ll be able to talk to Nathan.”
“Let’s hope he’s back soon with Craven in custody.”
“I’ll pray.” She shuddered. “Every time I hear that man’s name I get a chill down my spine.”
“It would be surprising if you didn’t. Nathan will catch him.”
“He’d better. I have a feeling something awful will happen if he d
oesn’t.”
Daniel stared at her. The rain fell into her face, but she made no effort to wipe it away. He removed his hat and plunked it down on her head, wishing he could shield her from all her worries. Finally she looked at him.
“You’ll get wet.”
“Better me than you. What’s wrong, Tess?”
“I don’t know.” She lifted her hands and shrugged. “I don’t know why that man has me so spooked.”
He turned into the driveway, stopped the wagon, and set the brake. He swung her down from the seat and gave her a little push toward the house. “Go inside and dry off. I’ll be along in a minute.”
“What are you going to do?”
“Put the horses in the barn.”
“But you can’t stay. Aunt Fay would never allow it, and I don’t think we…”
He gritted his teeth, his frustration growing. “I won’t stay long. Let’s not stand in the rain arguing. I’ll be in to talk to you in a minute.”
As he led the horses toward the barn, uneasiness stirred in his gut. Tess’s mood was as dark as the storm rolling across the prairie.
* * * *
Tess hurried toward the back porch, holding Emily beneath the blanket. She opened the door on a gust of wind and stepped into the warm kitchen.
“You’re home.” Fay turned from the stove to smile at her. “How was your trip to Denver?”
“It was fine. We signed the papers yesterday and had a lovely supper. This morning we went window shopping. I’m going up to dry off. Daniel should be along in a minute.”
“There’s plenty if he’d like to join us for supper.”
“Thank you, Aunt Fay. I’m not certain if he’s staying.”
Upstairs Tess changed out of her wet clothes, nursed Emily, and dressed her in a nightgown. Carrying the baby, she passed Fay on the stairs.
“I broke the chain on my locket.” Her lips tightened. “I’ll be down in a minute.”
Tess found Daniel in the kitchen drying Shadow. The dog wiggled in circles.
“Did you miss us, boy?” She set Emily on the floor and bent to scratch his ears. “Where were you?”
“I think he was over at my house. He must have heard the wagon.”
“Thank you for drying him, although I’m not sure who’s wetter, you or the dog. Do you want to change into something of Rory’s? Aunt Fay has supper ready.”
Daniel dropped the towel and stepped up behind her. His warm hands settled on her shoulders. “You’re as nervous as a cat, Tess. Are you having regrets?”
She looked up at him and let out a breath. “No, of course not.”
“Then what’s wrong?”
“We can’t be together until I have a chance to talk to Nathan. It’s wrong for us to be intimate while he’s risking his life chasing Jack Craven.”
“I don’t see how one has anything to do with the other.”
Tess sighed. “Please, Daniel, let me do this my way. I won’t feel comfortable until he knows I can’t marry him.”
“All right, if that’s how you want it.”
She reached for his hand. “You’ll stay for supper?”
“No, I should check on the stock before it gets dark. There’s no point in changing clothes and getting wet again. The storm isn’t letting up any.”
Tess followed him to the door and stepped out onto the porch. He turned and wrapped his arms around her.
“I’ll miss you.”
Now that he was leaving, she couldn’t bear to let him go. She wanted everything to be simple, but it wasn’t. “I’ll miss you, too. It’s just for a few days.”
“I know.” He kissed her, his lips lingering on hers. She cupped his face in her hands. Behind them, Emily cried.
Reluctantly she pulled away. “She wants her supper.”
“Go feed her. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Tess nodded, but she didn’t rush inside. She stood in the open doorway until he drove out of sight.
* * * *
Daniel knocked lightly on the Gallagher’s front door. Nerves made his palms sweat, and he wiped them down the sides of his trousers. Wesley opened the door and waved him inside.
“Come in, Daniel. Lottie will be down in a minute.”
He removed his hat. “Nice evening for a walk.”
Wesley nodded. “I think that thunderstorm last night cooled things down a bit. How was your trip to Denver?”
“Productive. We settled a few matters.”
The older man met his gaze with a searching look. “Did Tess have a nice time?”
“Yes. She said she would see you on Sunday if she doesn’t come into town before then. She’s trying to finish up the last of her canning.”
“Hello, Daniel.” Nora bustled through the kitchen doorway, tucking stray wisps of gray hair into her bun. “Did I hear you say Tess is canning?”
He nodded. “Good evening, Nora.”
“Maybe I’ll go out there tomorrow and help her. Oh, here’s Lottie now.”
Lottie hurried down the stairs, the skirt of her blue poplin dress clutched in her hand displaying a hint of petticoat beneath.
“Ready?” Daniel asked.
“I am. Sorry to keep you waiting.” She smiled and took his arm.
Daniel paused in the doorway. His head throbbed, and he rubbed the back of his neck. “Wes, do you know if Nathan is back yet?”
“No, he’s not. I spoke with James on the way home from the store, and he hasn’t heard anything.”
“Thank you.” He shut the door behind them.
They strolled in silence, heading west out of town. He opened his mouth and shut it again. The words he had rehearsed at home stuck in his throat.
“It sure is a beautiful evening,” Lottie said.
“Yes, it is.”
“Did you enjoy your trip to Denver?”
He nodded. “It wasn’t too hot.”
Her lips firmed as the silence dragged on. She stopped in the middle of the road and rested her hands on her hips. “You didn’t bring me out here to discuss the weather. What’s on your mind?”
He cleared his throat. “I’m sorry, Lottie, but I can’t see you anymore.”
She stared at him, her eyes flashing. Her fists clenched at her sides. “I thought we were having fun together. Have I done something to displease you?”
“No, of course not.”
“Why the change of heart?”
He stooped to pick up a rock and rubbed it nervously between his fingers, hating everything about the situation. In the distance, the sun set in a blaze of color. He watched until it disappeared below the horizon then tossed the rock into a field. With a sigh, he turned to face her.
“Someone mentioned you may be expecting more from our friendship than I intended. I don’t want to hurt you, so I thought it best to end things now.”
Her teeth clenched. “Tess put you up to this. She can’t bear to see me happy.”
Her words stung. “That’s not true. This was my decision.”
“You’re in love with her, aren’t you?”
Daniel didn’t answer. He looked down at his boots, unable to hold her angry gaze without betraying his feelings. His love for Tess burned hot and fierce.
“I knew it! It’s not enough that she has Nathan.” Her voice broke. “She has to have you, too.”
“This doesn’t have anything to do with Tess.” Tired of the pretense, his protest sounded flimsy even to his own ears. “I don’t love you the way you deserve.”
“Of course you don’t. How could you when you have my perfect sister living right next door? But she doesn’t want you, Daniel.”
He didn’t respond, staring straight ahead into the night.
“Or am I wrong? What happened between the two of you in Denver?”
“Nothing happened. I think we should go back now.”
“Is Tess going to marry you instead of Nathan?” She stood very still.
He didn’t understand the eager look in her eyes. “I didn’t br
ing you out here to discuss Tess. Her plans with Nathan aren’t our business.”
“What about her plans with you?”
He rubbed his jaw, weary to the bone. “Lottie, this is about you and me. I thought you should know how I feel.”
“All right, I know.” Turning on her heel, she stalked down the road.
He quickened his step to catch up with her. “I hope you won’t be angry with me for long.”
She hunched her shoulders. “Why do you care?”
“Because I like you. I always have. You know as well as I do we aren’t right for each other.”
She walked faster. “Just stay away from me, Daniel.”
“I’ll respect your wishes, but I hope you’ll change your mind.”
She stopped on her front porch, her back to him. He could see the hurt and anger radiating from her and felt a little ill.
“Maybe someday we can be friends again, but not now.” She shut the door sharply in his face.
Daniel trudged to the stable to get his horse. He’d hoped Lottie would accept his announcement with her usual nonchalance and wondered what Tess would say when she knew her sister was no longer speaking to him. What a mess!
When he knocked on her kitchen door, Tess opened it, wearing only her nightgown. Her hair was freshly braided and hung down her back in a shining rope. Desire stirred, and he pulled her into his arms.
“Is Emily asleep?”
She nodded, leaning her cheek against his chest. “Aunt Fay went to bed a few minutes ago. I planned to have an early night.”
“I told Lottie.”
“How did she take it?”
“She was angry.”
“Lottie has a quick temper. She’ll get over it. Her pride is smarting more than her heart.”
“I hope so, or it will make family gatherings mighty uncomfortable.”
Tess smiled. “She manages that most of the time, anyway.”
He pulled her more tightly against him and breathed in her fresh scent. Her breasts pressed against his chest, and he throbbed with need. “Nathan isn’t back yet.”
She looked up at him. “Has there been any word?”
“No.” He held her by the shoulders and met her gaze. “Do you intend to send me home?” At her nod, he groaned. “This is torture, Tess. We love each other. I want to show you how much.” His gaze touched the shadowy curves beneath her nightgown. Frustration simmered.
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