by Jillian Hart
“Just coming in to order supplies for the ranch.” She closed the door behind her and pulled a list out of her reticule. “You know it’s never ending. Keeping enough on hand to feed the horde of cowboys isn’t easy.”
“I’m here to help.” Gemma closed the account book she was working on and came around the end of the counter. “Give me what you need and I’ll get right on it. I can have it delivered before suppertime.”
“Perfect.” She handed over the long list. “What do you think about your new neighbors?”
“Oh, I’m fuming mad. I can see their sign from here.” Gemma glanced at the list before setting it on the counter. “She’s already been in here to try and get her products back in here. Father wasn’t in, so I asked her to leave. I don’t like the way she does business.”
“From what I’ve heard, neither do I. I’ve got to get back to the ranch and see if I can’t get some garden work done. Have a good afternoon, Gemma and thanks.” She took a step backwards and bumped into someone.
“Oops! Sorry.” Leigh Daniels, Gabriel’s daughter, grabbed the skein of glossy white crochet thread she’d dropped. “I did kind of sneak up on you. Can we talk?”
“I—” Aumaleigh searched desperately through her head, trying to find the exact right excuse—any excuse—to escape. Her brain failed her. Not a single excuse came.
“Great! Gemma, could you please put this on my pa’s account? Thanks.” Leigh breathlessly bobbed toward the door and yanked it open. “I had wanted to ask you a few things at the wedding, but you didn’t get out of the kitchen very much.”
“There was a lot to do behind the scenes, to keep everything running smoothly.”
“Sure. That’s why I’m so glad we have this time now.” Leigh leaned against the railing. “I didn’t know I was named after someone until I met you. You must have been pretty important to my pa.”
“At one time.” Her throat felt tight. “Maybe not important enough.”
“You were in love with him, weren’t you? I can tell by your face.” Leigh played with her bonnet ribbons. “I think he loved you with all his heart.”
“I hope so, since he once proposed to me.” Her voice sounded squeaky, not at all like her own. She stared off down the street where a sturdy, mannish woman came out onto the boardwalk to angrily shout at the workman who was straightening up the Dobson’s Bakery sign.
“I can’t believe that. It’s hard to imagine Pa had a life before he met my ma.” Leigh shook her head, scattering her dark curls. “I’ve been trying to figure out why Pa would want me named after you. I mean, it’s not like it’s a common name and if he loved you enough to want to marry you—” The girl stopped, falling silent. “Was it painful, what happened between you? I won’t go on if it is.”
“It was a long time ago. Water under the bridge.” Aumaleigh wished she didn’t like Gabriel’s daughter so much. “I’m sorry you lost your mother.”
“Thanks. It was hard. It’s been five years and I still miss her every single day.” Leigh pulled at a thread in her bonnet ribbon, fraying it. For an instant she looked heartbroken, but shrugged it off. “Pa took such good care of Ma, especially after she got sick. Losing her was hard for him too. I think it’s nice that he’s found you again.”
Aumaleigh felt her jaw drop even farther. The back of her neck itched, and she shivered as footsteps came to a stop behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was him. Her entire being sensed him, soul deep.
“Leigh, that’s enough.” Humor layered his voice. “What are you doing now?”
“Nothing. Just talking with Miss Aumaleigh. You know me. I’m curious.”
“Yes, well, go be curious somewhere else.” Gabriel planted his hand on his hips. “Go on.”
“Oh, Pa.” Leigh rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll go look at yarn in the dry goods store, and I’m going to buy a lot of it. The expensive stuff too. Serves you right for wanting to get rid of me.”
“I’ll survive.” Humor made his eyes a warm, tender gray as he watched his daughter cross the street. “I don’t know where I went wrong. She was so sweet when she was little.”
“She’s adorable.” That was the plain truth. Aumaleigh took a deep breath. She was over the pain, over the past, but was she over the anger? No, as it was brewing. “What do I have to do to get rid of you?”
“Good question. Maybe beat me with a long stick. Throw a cow pie at me. Kick me in the shin?”
“If only that would work.” Aumaleigh noticed Gemma watching through the window. She glanced down the boardwalk and there was her niece, Annie, standing in front of the Bluebell Bakery openly staring. Any moment now Fred was going to step foot outside the post office and rumors would start to fly. “When is your daughter going back to Ohio?”
“Soon. I’m keeping her for a little longer. She’s determined to get my house set up before she goes.” He stared down the street, when all he wanted to do was to soak up the sight of her. To memorize all the little things about her he needed to learn anew. “Seth and Rose seem happy. They had me and Leigh over to supper last night.”
“Oh? I hadn’t heard a thing about it. Yet. I’ve got to go. I have a ranch to run.”
“I heard you inherited quite a spread. Ranching is in your blood.”
“Yours too.” She smoothed a wrinkle in her skirt self-consciously. “Did you ever build that ranch you hoped for?”
“I sure did.” The land he’d bought in the same small town in Ohio had never been the ranch he’d dreamed of having for her. The young man he’d been had been so sure that he needed money and standing to truly win her and keep her. He’d wised up, and in life his hard work had paid off. “I’ve retired now. I can enjoy the good life.”
“Here in Bluebell? Maybe you’d be happier somewhere with more things to do. Like New York.”
“That’s nice and far away. I’m sure you’d like that. Can I ask you a favor?”
“I don’t know.” She arched a slender brow, studying him warily. “We’ve reached a truce, but I don’t think that entitles you to favors.”
“I know Leigh was asking questions about our past. Don’t feel obligated to answer. You can tell her no.”
“That’s your favor?”
“Yes. Let’s leave the past alone.” Time may have passed, but Aumaleigh had never been one who could easily hide everything. Her heart was still tender.
“All right.” Her gaze met his, and there was no smile there, no twinkle. He missed the way she used to look up at him full of humor and alive with love.
Would she ever look at him that way again?
He didn’t know. But he was determined.
“Here, let me help you up into your buggy.” He held out his hand, palm up, not wanting to give away how much this chance meant to him. “It’s the gentlemanly thing to do. Any man worth his salt would do the same.”
“Is that so?” A smile touched her soft lips, but sadness stole the life from her eyes. “I don’t think there’s one man in this town I’ve let help me into my buggy, who wasn’t an employee or a nephew-in-law.”
“Don’t try to use that against me.” He moved in, took her hand in his since she wasn’t being agreeable. The instant they touched, his chest cinched tight. A mix of old emotions, both good and bad, haunted him.
But so did new ones.
If they’d never met, if they’d never loved, he still would be standing here just like this, caught in the moment between taking her hand and helping her up into her buggy. When their gazes met, he could see into her, see the lonely heart some stupid young man had broken long ago.
If he’d never known her, this moment would still have changed his life. His pulse came to a stop at the silken warmth of her hand in his. He breathed in her faint roses scent. As she lowered her foot onto the running board, he caught hold of her elbow with his other hand to help her up.
Sweet emotion rushed into him—all brand new. His feelings weren’t coming back for her. This was a new love comin
g to life.
“Next time, promise me you aren’t going to make such a spectacle.” She gathered the reins in her hands, unaware of the way the sunlight glinted in her dark, rich hair and kissed the side of her creamy cheek. A pretend frown curved her mouth. “You’ve done it now, Gabriel. Fred has seen us. He’s the biggest gossip I’ve ever met.”
“Good.” Gabriel tipped his hat so he could get a better view of her sitting up with the wind in her hair.
“Good?” She snapped the reins, backing the old mare away from the hitching post. “How can you say such a thing? It’s not good at all.”
“Sure it is.” He tossed her a grin. “It’s been a while since I’ve been gossiped about. I’m going to enjoy it.”
“If I had a whip I’d hit you with it. What a thing to say.” She tugged on the reins, turning the horse around in the road, apparently eager to get away from him. “Don’t tease me like that.”
“Who’s teasing?” He had to call out because she was driving away and he didn’t know if she’d heard him, but it didn’t matter. This wasn’t over yet. He’d caught sight of that smile she tried to hide.
Once, their love had been meant to be.
And it could be again.
Whistling to himself, he went in search of his daughter. Heaven knew what she was charging to his account.
Chapter Seven
It’s been a while since I’ve been gossiped about. I’m going to enjoy it. Gabriel’s words had her fuming and she couldn’t stop. Aumaleigh jammed the trowel into the earth and dirt went flying. He wanted to be the center of attention, did he? Well, she did not.
“Is everything all right?” Louisa asked. The sweet kitchen helper had traded her apron for gardening gloves on this fine, warm spring afternoon. “You seem troubled. Can I do anything for you?”
“No, there’s no cure I’m afraid.” Not as along as Gabriel was alive and in this town.
No, she thought wistfully. Even dead, he’d still be trouble if he was buried in this town. Wait, had she really thought that? She tilted her head, frowning and then laughing at herself. She, of course, wouldn’t wish death on anyone, just like she wouldn’t actually want to shove someone into the mud. Or chase them with a snake stick.
But thinking about it did make her chuckle.
“Now she’s laughing to herself,” a different voice whispered. “Should we worry?”
“I heard that, Orla.” Aumaleigh slid a couple seeds into the earth and covered them gently. “You know I’m perfectly fine.”
“Right. You just have a lot on your mind.” Orla lumbered up, driving a wheelbarrow full of mulch and manure. “I heard all about it.”
“All about what?” Louisa wanted to know.
Aumaleigh’s stomach knotted. “You weren’t in town, were you, Orla?”
“Sure I was. I mixed up a good batch of fertilizer and took it in for my mama. Gonna help with her garden when I get off work.” Orla maneuvered the wheelbarrow over to the end of the acre-sized garden patch and swiped her brow with the back of her glove. “Do you know what I saw from the side street next to that new bakery going in?”
“What?” Louisa wanted to know. “What did you see? Was it something good?”
Aumaleigh cringed. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard the rumors. Fred is falling down on the job.”
“Oh, I’m sure he’s gossiping at full speed.” Orla’s words were laced with amusement. “I never thought the day would come. Just goes to show you can never give up hope.”
“Hope for what?” Louisa asked. “Why isn’t anyone telling me anything? I’m dying to know!”
“It’s nothing.” Aumaleigh spread her trowel into the row, neatly turning the earth this time. “Let’s change the subject.”
“Let’s not.” Orla picked up her shovel and stabbed it into the soft loam of tilled soil. “I saw Aumaleigh sharing a moment with a handsome man.”
Aumaleigh grimaced. “It wasn’t a moment.”
“Aumaleigh!” Louisa clapped her gloved hands, delighted. Tiny bits of dirt flew everywhere. “I’m so excited for you. There are several men in town who have been watching you for a while. How long has this been going on? Do you have a beau now?”
“No!” Aumaleigh patted more seeds into the earth. “I have nothing of the sort.”
“That’s not what I saw.” Orla added a shovelful of fertilizer into the garden row. “Gabriel Daniels looked pretty amorous, if you ask me. The way he helped you into your buggy, there was something serious about it. He’s a courting man, mark my words.”
“Ooh!” Louisa brightened. “Are you talking about Josslyn’s brother? He is terribly handsome. Much too old for me, but even then, he sort of stops your heart. Do you know what I mean, Orla?”
“Oh, I do, and I’m old enough for him.” Orla winked, mixing manure into the dirt. “Maybe I’ll knock Aumaleigh aside and take him for myself.”
“Be my guest.” She scooted down the row and dug in with her trowel. “He’s all yours, Orla.”
“Oh, I doubt he’d want anything to do with me, when he can’t seem to see anyone else but you.”
“It’s not like that.” Was it anger burning behind her sternum? Or something else?
“Then what is it like?” Louisa wanted to know, pausing her work planting the radish seeds to frown with concern. “You look upset, Aumaleigh. Why? You must be like me, not a spinster by choice. If a handsome and nice man likes you, what’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.” She stared at the seeds in her hand. Neither Orla nor Louisa knew about her past love affair and its catastrophic failure. Did she finally open up and talk about that old wound? Or would it be better just to get back to work and let it blow over?
Fortunately, the mercantile delivery wagon pulled up and Aumaleigh left her employees to go deal with it. By the time she had everything unloaded and packed away in the pantry, it was time to start supper. Since the horde of cowboys would be frothing at the mouth if their meal was one minute late, it was best to get right to work.
With so much to do, there was no time to talk about men, handsome or not, until the cowboys were fed and the dishes washed. Everyone was so tired by then, it was all Aumaleigh could do to utter a farewell and stagger out the door.
“Hey, Aumaleigh.” Kellan greeted her in the barn. He’d been on the ranch a long time, first working hard for her mother and now for her. A man in his mid-thirties, he carried himself with that cowboy inbred sense of honor and might. “I got your mare hitched and ready to go.”
“Thanks, Kellan. You’re a wonder.”
“That I am.” He blushed, holding out his hand to help her into the buggy.
Always such a gentleman. She accepted his help, slipping onto the cushioned seat.
“I hear I’m not the first man to lend you a hand up today.” He tipped his Stetson, grinning from ear to ear. “News travels fast.”
“It’s all lies. It never happened.” She winked, taking the reins from him. “That Fred got it wrong again.”
“Nice try, but trying to derail the rumor’s not going to work. Everyone knows Fred gets the gossip right before he repeats it.”
“More’s the pity.” Aumaleigh gave a soft chuckle. The sun had set, painting a purple glow on the underbellies of the few clouds overhead. “I suppose it’s too late to stop the rumors?”
“They’ve likely set the countryside on fire by now.” Kellan strolled over to open the double barn doors. “I can see the flames from here.”
“Too bad there isn’t a way to put it out.”
“There’s no chance of that, believe me. Everyone will be talking about this for a while. A longtime spinster like you and a widower like Gabriel? You deserve happiness. I hope it works out for you.”
“I’ll drop dead first.” She laughed, although she wasn’t entirely joking and took charge of the reins, urging Buttons forward. “Good night, Kellan, and thanks.”
“Any time.” He gave her a farewell salute as she rolled through the
door.
Goodness! Did everyone have to know her business? And why did Fred feel compelled to tell everyone about it? Perplexed, she guided Buttons down the long sloping driveway, beneath the sign that said Rocking M Ranch, and onto the road to town.
“Good evening, fair madam.” Lawrence called out in the dark. He was heading up the road as she headed down. He pulled his donkey to a stop. “I hope you are well.”
“Very much so.” She pulled Buttons to a stop too. She rather liked her odd little neighbor. “How are your new lambs doing?”
“Very well.” Lawrence’s handlebar mustache quivered with excitement. “I have fifty little ones now, and every one is as cute as could be. They don’t survive very well, you have to take extra good care of them, you know. This is my first lambing and I haven’t lost a single one.”
“You have a gift, Lawrence.” She felt rather motherly toward the strange little fellow. She wondered if he had any family of his own. He’d spent Christmas Eve at the ranch, when she’d thrown a big party for her family and the cowboys. “I saw you and a certain young lady spending time together at Rose and Seth’s reception.”
“Oh, you noticed, did you?” He bowed his head, self-conscious. “I was fortunate enough to enjoy Miss Dottie’s company. Not only is she lovely, but she’s quite the conversationalist. I’m sure she’ll be an excellent manager of your nieces’ bakery.”
“Yes, I think so too.” Wasn’t it funny that Lawrence, who’d been so bold and gallant, seemed shy and unsure of himself when he talked about Dottie. “Perhaps you’ll want to drop by and pay a visit to her at the bakery. She’s new in town, and I’m sure it would mean a lot to her to make a friend of you.”
“Do you think so?” Lawrence leaned forward in his seat. “I mean, if she’s in need of a friend, I suppose I could step in.”
“Yes, or perhaps she needs more than a friend. You never know until you try.” She just liked the idea of Dottie and Lawrence together. Were they made for each other? Only time would tell.