by Jillian Hart
Now she really wanted him gone. “Same old Gabriel Daniels. Nothing has changed in all these years.”
“I’m still stubborn as a mule.” He grabbed a drop-leaf table from one of the wagons. “Nice place you’ve got here.”
“Don’t even try to compliment me. I don’t want your help, Gabriel. I don’t need it.” She grabbed the leg of the table to keep him from lifting it off the wagon bed. “This isn’t the way I want things between us, but you won’t stop.”
“Aumaleigh.” His voice dipped low, warm when it should have been cold. “I’m just trying to be friendly.”
“I can’t be friendly.” She nearly choked on the words. “I don’t think I can even try.”
“You’ll have to, for the kids’ sake. Seth and Rose come first. We’re here for them.”
“Yes, that’s true. I suppose a temporary truce is in order.”
“I didn’t know we were at war.” He released his hold on the table. Some measure of tenderness settled in his chest. It had been buried there all this time. “Don’t make us enemies, Aumaleigh.”
“I’m not the one who did that.” Time had changed her, carving lines into her heart-shaped face. Those lines added character to her, like sunlight on a rose. She hiked up her chin. “Let’s just agree to keep to opposite sides of the church, and we’ll be fine.”
“Is that what you want?”
“Yes.” Sorrow darkened her bluebonnet-blue eyes.
The sight of her sorrow still got to him. It cut like a knife. He had to look away. He had to clear his throat. “All right. If that’s what you want.”
“The past is behind us.” She sounded as if she was trying to convince herself of that. “Let’s keep it there.”
“Okay.” Hard to argue with that, not without showing his hand. He could bluff with the best of them, so he backed away from the wagon as if he wasn’t disappointed, as if his heart wasn’t bruised. “As you wish. I’ll leave you alone.”
“Thank you.” She wrapped her arms around herself, and something about her stance told him she wasn’t as tough as she pretended to be.
That’s how it always had been between them. He’d been able to see into her, to know her heart. What would she think if she knew why he’d sold his ranch and uprooted his life?
Maybe she’d laugh at him.
Or she’d think he needed to be locked up.
Either way, he didn’t want to find out. A man had his pride, so he tipped his hat to her. “Have a good evening, Aumaleigh.”
“You too, Gabriel.” Lamplight from the parlor windows glowed over her, as soft as a touch. The gentle light added luster to her molasses-dark hair and polished her alabaster complexion.
She was beautiful. Time had not robbed her of it. Decades could not diminish it. Somehow she looked lovelier than ever. It didn’t seem fair that she could still affect him like this, even after she’d decimated his heart.
The best thing to do was to walk away. Her dislike of him blew cold like the wind. He climbed back into his buckboard. Leaving was the only thing he could do.
He gathered the reins and gave them a snap. The horses responded, leaping into a fast walk. The rigging jingled, the wheels rattled and rain began to fall, but he knew without turning around she was watching him go.
He’d come a long way and given up a lot. But at least he knew where he stood.
And what he was up against.
Chapter Two
“Was that Seth’s uncle?” Iris poked her head out of the open door. Her periwinkle blue eyes pinched with concern. “It was, wasn’t it? We waited too long to tell you.”
“You knew?” Aumaleigh rocked back in her heels. Her gaze zipped back to the road where Gabriel had disappeared. A strange sense of disappointment battered her. “I would have appreciated a warning.”
“I know. It wasn’t fair for you to suddenly be confronted with him, and face-to-face.” Iris breezed down the steps, oblivious to the rain. Behind her, a string of cowboys trailed out the door, talking to themselves, making a beeline for the closest wagon.
Over the scuffling sounds of them moving her furniture, Iris came over and took Aumaleigh’s hand.
“Oh, you’re so cold.” Caring crinkles dug into Iris’s forehead. “Come on, let me get you some tea and talk you into forgiving us.”
“Forgive you? No need for that. I already know why you didn’t tell me.” She patted Iris’s hand and they made their way toward the house together. “What were you going to say? And when? There would never be a good time to talk about Gabriel. He’s here, he’s coming to the wedding. It’s great he’s here for Seth.”
“Okay, that’s great. Personally, when my ex-fiancée came to town, all the old hurt rushed back.” Iris stepped to the side as a pair of cowboys hauled a dining room table up the steps and into the house. “I felt like I’d been run over by a delivery wagon. A really heavily-loaded and speeding one.”
“I was hit by that wagon too, but fortunately the shock wasn’t lasting. I’m tough. I’m over it.” A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “What about you? Are you and Milo talking about a wedding date yet?”
“Shh, I’m not supposed to say anything. Not until Rose and Seth are married. Then we’ll announce it.”
“Oh, so there is a date.” Aumaleigh followed her niece up the porch steps.
“Say anything to my nosy sisters in there and I will deny everything.” Iris waggled her brows as she crossed the threshold and cast a scolding look at the rest of the McPhees. “Aren’t you done with those curtains yet?”
“We were, but I’m still fussing.” Daisy gave one of the panels a final tug. The curtains framed the view of rain, vibrant green hillside and the misted glory of the nearby mountains. “There. Now they’re perfect.”
Boots scuffled in the door. Burton cleared his throat behind her. “Where do you want this, Aumaleigh?”
“Let’s see. The sofa should go here.” She gestured toward the middle of the room. Great. She intended to let the task of arranging furniture distract her from her feelings.
Gabriel was not worth her time. She shouldn’t waste another thought on him. He’d been the one to leave her standing in the night, waiting in the meadow near the road for him. She’d stayed there until the morning star rose. She’d headed home with tears on her face and grief in her soul.
There had never been a word, a note or an attempt at an explanation. He’d simply stayed away, making his feelings clear. He hadn’t wanted her.
Decades had passed, but it surprised her how much it still hurt. That was proof of how deeply she’d loved him once.
Not anymore.
“Aumaleigh?” Daisy’s gentle voice broke into her thoughts. “I hate to say it, but school will be out soon.”
“Definitely go pick up your sweet Hailie.” Aumaleigh gently squeezed her niece’s hand. “Thank you for helping out today.”
“Where else would I be?” Daisy brushed a kiss to Aumaleigh’s cheek. “You send word if you need anything. Maybe you should come over for supper. I don’t see how you’ll get everything unpacked in time to try and cook.”
Aumaleigh opened her mouth to thank her, but Rose cut in.
“Too late. We’ve already got her, Daisy.” Rose said, wrapping an arm around Aumaleigh’s shoulders. “Unless you, Beckett and Hailie want to come over to have supper with us? It’s going to be fun. Gemma and Elise are coming. I think Penelope is going to try and make it.”
“I promised Hailie chicken and dumplings tonight.” Daisy shrugged apologetically and slipped on her coat. “Where did my husband go?”
“You mean that handsome guy over there?” Magnolia gestured in the direction of the dining room as she fussed an end table into place.
“Yes. My Beckett.” Daisy filled with light as she gazed upon her husband, radiant with a quiet but deep joy. “I need to say goodbye to him. Excuse me.”
It was hard not to sigh as Daisy slipped away, crossing the room. That’s how sweet they were, new
ly wed and so in love with one another. It heartened her to see. Some loves you just knew would stand the test of time.
“Aumaleigh, where do you want this?” Rose held up a precisely folded patchwork quilt.
“Oh! It’s gorgeous.” Iris breezed over, her coat in hand, to take a look. “Aumaleigh, did you make this?”
“Y-yes.” The word caught in her throat.
“It’s amazing.” Rose traced her fingertip over the pink calico ring of the double wedding ring pattern. “Pink and blue.”
“Oh, some of the squares are embroidered.” Magnolia tilted her head, unfolding more of the quilt. “Love is patient, love is kind.”
“We loved with a love that was more than love,” Rose read.
“My bounty is as boundless as the sea, my love as deep; the more I give to thee, the more I have, for both are infinite.” Iris brushed her fingers against the quote embroidered in gold thread. “Aumaleigh, you made this for your wedding bed.”
“I did.” She cleared her throat, trying to keep the hurt buried. “It was a long time ago. Maybe one of you girls would like it? Rose? Iris? Magnolia?”
“No.” Rose shook her head.
“Not a chance,” Iris seconded.
“Not me.” Magnolia looked stubborn. “This is such beautiful workmanship. It’s a work of art.”
“And a work of your heart,” Iris said gently, taking the quilt from Magnolia and folding it with care. “Don’t worry. We understand. At the wedding, we are going to make sure your contact with him is non-existent.”
“That’s right,” Rose chimed in. “I am assigning Iris to be your lookout.”
“My lookout?” Aumaleigh gave a soft laugh. Leave it to the girls to dream up something like that. “I don’t need a guard, not from Gabriel. I’m perfectly capable of handling this on my own.”
“No one said you weren’t.” Daisy breezed by, on her way to the door. “Don’t forget I’m lookout number two!”
She slipped outside before Aumaleigh could argue, so she glanced at the remaining girls. “I don’t need two lookouts. I don’t need one. Iris, I want your word.”
Instead of promising, Iris set the quilt on the sofa. “I need to go. I have to be right there when school lets out, or who knows what trouble Sadie and Sally will get into.”
“Go get your girls.” Aumaleigh loved the joy and love that transformed Iris as she waved and hurried away. Love was the only thing that mattered. Gabriel had turned his back on her—he hadn’t wanted that with her.
She put away her sorrow with the quilt, folding it away inside the storage bench. Out of sight, out of mind. But deep within her was still that young girl so full of hope and belief in her wonderful Gabriel.
Well, she was no longer that young girl. Her life was full. She was mature and sensible enough to handle seeing her old flame for a day or two. He’d be leaving soon enough and she’d never need to think of him again.
“The wagons are empty. We’ve got everything moved in.” Burton shook off the raindrops from his hat and glanced around. “Hey, it already feels like a home.”
“It does,” she agreed. A fire crackled in the river-stone hearth. Lit lamps cast a cheerful, cozy glow. Magnolia and Rose laughed together, trying to unroll an area rug and dropping it.
Aumaleigh treasured the moment, savoring the feeling of being happy. Truly happy.
This new chapter in her life was going to be the best yet. She just had a feeling.
“Pa, are you all right?” His daughter, Leigh, turned from the sink in the kitchen. “You seem upset.”
“No, just got a lot on my mind.” That was no lie, but it wasn’t entirely the truth either. Gabriel propped one shoulder against the archway, studying his daughter with her bouncing dark brown curls and smudges of dust on her pretty pink dress. A father’s love filled him up, pushing out the disappointment that had been troubling him. “Don’t tell me you’ve got all those dishes washed.”
“I’m speedy. No grass grows under my feet.” She swiped her dishtowel down the handle of a fry pan. “I’m all set to fix supper here. We won’t have to have another meal out.”
“Your aunt Josslyn will be disappointed.”
“She can come here!” Leigh brightened, hanging the dishtowel to dry next to the stove. “What a brilliant idea. I should have thought of it earlier. We can invite Seth over and make it a celebration. After all, it’s his last night as a bachelor.”
“Something tells me he probably already has plans.”
“Oh, too bad. I should have thought of it earlier. I just didn’t know we could get everything delivered so fast.” Leigh threw open the pantry door and started pulling out ingredients. “We’ll have our own little celebration anyway. This is our first night in the new house. I still don’t know why you want to live so far away from me.”
“I know, it’s a dumb decision of mine.” Grinning, he pushed off the wall and ambled into the kitchen. “Is the tea water hot?”
“Yes. I was just waiting for you to come in to steep your tea. Honestly, I miss Eleanor. You need to hire a maid, Pa. I won’t go home until I know someone is taking good care of you.”
“I can take care of myself.”
“Foolish men. They always think that, but it’s never true. Admit it, Pa. You men need us.”
“I’ll always need you, Princess.” It was hard to believe his little girl was all grown up. It felt like yesterday when she was just a little thing, toddling around the parlor, tiny and precious, the owner of his entire heart. “You can always change your mind and stay here with me.”
“What about my fiancé? No, my life is back home. You’ll just have to find a way to survive without me.” She winked, smiling airily.
“Yes,” he agreed dryly. “Don’t know how I’ll manage.”
He saw the shadow at the window in the back door and whipped it open before she could knock. His sister looked up at him with surprise and delight.
“Gabriel. I can’t believe you, moving here.” Josslyn pushed past him, her red hair wet from the rain. She shook off her coat and sidled in at the stove. “Hi, Leigh, my love. Why did you let your father do this? He never should have bought this place.”
“I tried to stop him, but did he listen to me? No.” Leigh set down the tea kettle to embrace her aunt. “You know Pa. Mules look weak-willed by comparison. Let me pour you some tea.”
“Isn’t that tea for me?” Gabe spoke up, giving a soft bark of laughter when both his sister and daughter gave him a look. He held up his hands. “Fine, fine. You two have tea. I’ll go out and put up your horse, Josslyn.”
“Good, because I left him for you.” His sister winked, smiling her thanks before accepting a cup of tea—the one Leigh had brewed for him.
He grabbed his coat off the hook. “A man deserves better treatment.”
“Some men, maybe.” Josslyn took a sip of tea. Leigh nodded at him in agreement.
“I know when I’m outnumbered.” He donned his Stetson and closed the door behind him. The ring of female laughter was muffled, but he liked the sound.
Rain pounded down to bounce off the brim of his hat and ping in the mud puddles. He took Josslyn’s gelding by the reins and led the animal to the barn. The wind blew them in. He liked nothing better than a spring storm. They were quick, electrifying and they turned the whole world a little greener.
The team he’d bought from his nephew, Seth, looked over their stall gates, watching him with curious, bright eyes. Probably hoping for grain. Maybe he would spoil them with a treat. Buy their good regard. At the start of any relationship, it always worked out best for a man if he came bearing gifts.
Which brought his mind back around to Aumaleigh. He shook his head, gave the horses a little grain and started rubbing down Joss’s gelding. He hadn’t been able to get the woman out of his head since he’d seen her back in December—and earlier today.
She was still grace and loveliness. More than two decades hadn’t diminished her beauty one bit.
But it had diminished his bitterness.
He traded the towel for the curry comb, patiently grooming the gelding. The sounds of the storm echoed in the mostly empty barn. If he were honest, the reason his bitterness was fading was because he’d learned that she was a spinster. She’d never married. She had no children of her own.
All the dreams he’d had for her as his wife—her happiness, a baby in her arms, the joy of watching their children grow up, sweet days filled with love.
That had never happened for her.
Hadn’t that been the reason he’d stayed away? So that she could have those things with the right man, a moneyed man, one that her family was sure could provide a luxurious life for her?
Sorrow gripped him. He’d been wrong. He’d done the wrong thing, made the wrong decision, and they’d both paid for it. That dream of love and a happy life together never happened.
His throat felt tight as he untied Joss’s gelding and led him to a stall next to Barney. The black gelding gave the newcomer a sniff, as if to decide if he was friend of foe. With a nicker, he conveyed his opinion to his brother who gave a whinny of welcome.
Thunder crashed overhead, rattling the barn. Rain turned to hail, drumming on the roof. Since he had a little time yet before supper, Gabriel climbed the wooden ladder into the loft. The last dregs of daylight edged between the boards, guiding him toward the loft door. He unlatched one side and pulled open the door, leaning his shoulder against it as the countryside stretched out below him.
Wow. Ohio wasn’t anything like this. The mountains, close enough to touch, were shrouded in thick, black cotton clouds. Lightning undulating across the sky, grazing the underbellies of the clouds. Thunder cannoned, echoing across the fertile mountain valley. Sheets of hail turned the lush green meadows and foothills white. He breathed in the fresh, charged air and let the chilly wind blast his face.
And that’s when he noticed small flickers of light through the dancing boughs of the cottonwoods. There, across the rise and fall of the land, was a two-story log house. Lamplight shone like gold in the many windows, one of which framed Aumaleigh to perfection.