by Jillian Hart
They made love as the stars wheeled around in the sky and the moon set quietly in the west, leaving them alone with in the night.
The morning looked damn good from where Gage was sitting, astride his mare. Probably because there was Sarah at the kitchen door, carrying a platter of eggs and sausages to the trestle table.
She looked different today. Just as lovely and every bit as tantalizing as she moved the basket of biscuits to keep the red tablecloth from flying away in the wind. He was the one who’d changed. Last night had been the best lovemaking he’d ever had. That could give a man a whole new perspective.
“’Mornin’, Pa!” Lucy slammed open the screen door and leaped down the board steps, her school dress flying around her as she raced across the lawn. “Sarah made blueberry muffins. Hurry!”
Ella skipped up to Lucy, looking like a miniature version of Sarah, sweet and pretty and as good as gold. “Yes, please, Gage. Ma makes the best muffins ever.”
“How can a man argue with that?” He dismounted and handed the reins to the girls. “Suppose you two are skilled enough horsemen to tie her up for me?”
Two “Yesses!” rang in unison and the girls importantly led the mare to the iron ring on the post in the yard.
Sarah set the milk pitcher on the table, looking more beautiful today than he’d ever seen her. Desire lingered in his blood, and the memory of last night had him pulling her into his arms.
“I suppose you’ll want an encore for tonight.” He nuzzled her neck where she was ticklish.
“It’s a sure bet.” She giggled against him and felt like heaven. “Last night was amazing.”
“Yes, you were.” He would have kissed her more, but the girls interrupted, each carrying a kitten. The kittens had wandered out of the barn, they said, and the mother cat had moved them from the loft a few days before.
The table was merry as the girls chattered on about this and that. Sarah tossed him secret glances that said it all. He’d pleasured her well and she couldn’t wait for more.
It was a once-in-a-lifetime occurrence, this connection they had. He was grateful for it. And being a smart man, knew what he was going to do about it.
Sarah belonged in his life. He was going to make sure she stayed right here, so every morning could be this happy and every night could be a passionate one.
When the meal was through, he told Ella there was something waiting for her in the barn. Something that might help her get to school that morning.
Lucy squealed. “I know!” The girls bolted from the bench seat, running all the way.
“I don’t know how to thank you.” Sarah’s hand lighted on his shoulder as she began stacking the plates. “You don’t know what this means.”
“Maybe I do.” He could look in her eyes and see it. “Don’t you know that I want to make your life better? And your daughter’s? You’re here for a reason, Sarah.”
“I know.” Her kiss was tender, her touch magic.
His whole life was changed. Sarah had done that. She made everything new and wonderful.
“Mr. Gatlin!” Ella’s squeal was a half cry as she rode into view, with Lucy on Scout at her side. “Do you mean I get to ride her? Really? To school?”
“Sure I do. She’s yours forever, Ella. You take good care of her, now.”
“I will.” So serious. “Thank you so much, sir. I’ll take the best care of her. I swear.”
Sarah’s hand slipped into his. “You girls are going to be late. You’d better get going.” Her words gentle as she waved goodbye. “Have a good day, baby.”
“It’s the best day. I got a horse!” Ella brimmed with joy because it wasn’t every day a wish came true. “Come on, Sugar. Let’s go.”
“’Bye, Pa!” Lucy hollered as she led the way down the road. “’Bye, Sarah!”
Sarah’s hand fell to her chest as she watched her daughter ride away. “Did I mention how wonderful I think you are?”
“Sure, but not nearly enough.” He kissed her thoroughly, because they were alone. “I’d haul you inside the house right now and demonstrate to you what I’m thinking about, but the sheriff ought to be here any minute.”
“More trouble with the creek?”
“No, and don’t worry. It’s being handled.”
“I know.” She breezed away with a stack of dishes and disappeared into the kitchen.
The problem with Milt was being handled. Gage would make certain of that. Already he felt fiercely protective of Sarah. He had that trip to make, and the thought of having to leave made him crazy. With the sheriff’s help, at least he knew Sarah would be safe.
If Gage looked just right, he could see her through the window. His life was changing and he didn’t even know it.
“Is that everything?” Clancy asked from behind the mercantile’s front counter. “I have candy on special today.”
“You’re tempting me to spend more money in your establishment.”
“Yes. Is it working?”
Sarah dug in her reticule for the nickel she knew was in there. “How much peppermint will this buy me?”
“Enough to make two little girls very happy.” Clancy reached for a paper bag and filled it. “No, keep your money. This goes on Mr. Gatlin’s account.”
“The fabric and the candy are separate, and don’t you dare try to say otherwise.” She found the nickel and added it to the pile of greenbacks on the counter that would pay for her yard goods. “Gage Gatlin is not paying my bills.”
“Hear he leaves tomorrow with a bunch of horses he’s selling to the governor’s cousin. Impressive. The banker plans to buy a new driving team from him. Quite a reputation he’s getting. Don’t suppose Gage will be gone long to Helena, when he’s got you waiting for him.”
She blushed. “He plans to be gone only a few days.”
“You tell him I’m interested in a good horse for my daughter.” Clancy placed the bag of candy on top of the wrapped package of fabric. “Oh, and I’ll be seeing the rest of the groceries are delivered today.”
“Thank you kindly.” Sarah slipped the wrapped peppermints into her reticule and tucked the heavy package of fabric into the crook of her arm.
It felt wonderful to have a little extra to spend. Ella was going to love the pink calico fabric, enough to make a new dress and a matching sunbonnet. Both girls were going to love what she planned to do with the yarn and bleached muslin she’d bought—matching rag dolls for them to play with. She could not wait to get home and get started.
Had the sun always been this cheerful? She didn’t think so as she headed down the boardwalk. Town was busy this time in the afternoon, right before school let out. After a quick check at her timepiece, she had just enough time to stop by the furniture store.
“’Afternoon, Sarah.” Sam, old Mr. Lukens’s son, greeted her from the back. “Hear you’re keeping house for that beau of yours. Has he asked you to marry him yet? My wife is already crocheting a wedding present. Judging by that smile on your face, I say she’s right.”
“I have no comment to make, but thank you for asking. You wouldn’t be willing to sell me a table and chairs on credit, would you? It’s for Gage.”
“Sure it is.” Sam didn’t look as though he believed a word of it.
Since there were no other shoppers in the store, Sarah was able to walk the aisles of beautiful furniture and wish a little. She couldn’t help picturing her future with Gage. With that oval cherry table in the dining room and that green brocaded sofa in the parlor.
“I could drop the price on that sofa, if you’re interested.”
“Just the table and chairs for today, please.” She was tempted. She’d rather wait for Lucy’s and Ella’s advice about the rest of the furnishings, but she wasn’t willing to wait any longer for a real table. A house wasn’t a home without one.
After making the arrangements for delivery, Sarah left the shop and checked her list. She still needed to have the tear in her shoe repaired at the shoemaker’s, but that could wait.
; The school bell clanged merrily, announcing classes were done for the day. She had just enough time to fetch the buggy—
“Livin’ pretty fancy, aren’t you, from what I hear.”
Sarah whirled around, surprised by the venom of those words. More shocked by the haggard lines on her aunt’s face. “Pearl. I’ve been wondering how you are getting along. I’ve been meaning to stop by.”
“You wouldn’t be welcome.”
“Are you still at your mother’s?”
“Don’t see what concern it is of yours, seeing as you’re in bed with that man.” Pearl’s mouth pursed disdainfully as she looked Sarah up and down. “Never saw you wear that when you were livin’ with us. Did he pay for that dress?”
Sarah knew Pearl’s life was hard. Very hard. She tried to forgive her those harsh words. “I know there are tensions between Gage and Milt. I was hoping—”
“Tensions? I would call it trouble. That Gatlin has done nothing but rile Milt into a rage. My husband ain’t the same after what that man done to him. Those animals were his. From helping that worthless old man that lived there. And now the creek. That ought to be ours. We claimed it.”
“That’s not right, Pearl, and you know it. Gage has offered to help build a well. Maybe you could ask Milt if that wouldn’t be a good solution. He would be gaining a well, and that’s valuable. It would help with his crops.”
“You just stay out of this, missy. The last thing I need is more meddling from the likes of you. Folks say that Gatlin fellow is just toying with you while he takes time to find himself a real good wife.”
Sarah bit her lip. Her relationship with Gage wasn’t her aunt’s concern. “Maybe you could consider what I said about the well.”
Pearl sniffed, as if she smelled something unpleasant. “A man that rich ain’t gonna love you. When he leaves you pregnant without a penny to call your own, don’t you come knockin’ on my door. You just remember that.”
“Aunt Pearl, I—”
“You’re no relation to me. Now get out of my way.” Pearl shouldered past her, walking fast, anger ringing in her step.
“Don’t you let her worry you none, missy.” Old Mr. Lukens tapped his cane near her shoe. “That Gatlin is a good man. Came across me havin’ trouble, and nailed on a new shoe for my donkey. You can’t get better than him.”
Old Mr. Lukens had caught her and Gage kissing that day in the violet patch. “You ought to come over and have supper with us one evening.”
“Ma’am, I would enjoy that very much. You let me know.” He tipped his hat and ambled off, cane in hand, leaving her feeling relieved.
He was right, but she wished Pearl’s situation could be better. Pearl had been the only relative who’d taken her in. That had to count for something, even now. There, at the far end of the street, Pearl’s school-age children gathered at the family wagon.
It reminded Sarah of how lucky she was. To have the love of a good man. A job where she could take care of Ella at the same time. A life filled with love and tenderness. A future that promised more.
“Sarah!” Lucy halted her little mare in surprise.
“Hi, Ma.” Ella waved from Sugar’s back. Her hand dropped as several coughs shook her hard. “Were you lookin’ for us? Can we go look in the mercantile?”
“Too late, I already finished shopping.” Sarah tugged the candy from her reticule, wondering if she ought to take Ella home and get her resting.
“Goody! Enough for both of us. Oh, thank you, Ma!” Ella unfolded the paper and offered Lucy first choice.
“Thanks, Sarah!” Lucy crunched on the end of her peppermint stick.
“Wait and I’ll drive home with you. Besides getting you a nap, Ella, we have a lot to do this afternoon.”
“Are we gonna make new curtains?” Lucy guessed.
“Are we gonna make cherry pie?” Ella asked.
“You’ll have to wait and see.” Sarah clutched her package tight. “The buggy’s up the street. I’ll meet you there.”
Ella coughed again, and Sarah made up her mind. She’d stop by the doctor’s clinic and have him take a look at Ella, then they’d head home. There would be plenty enough time for sewing and baking.
Up ahead, the girls chattered as they rode side by side along the busy street. Two sets of braids, one dark and one light, swayed with the horses’s gaits.
Determined not to worry about Ella, Sarah hurried after them.
“How am I gonna leave you?” Gage murmured in her ear, snuggling against her in the warm afterglow of another night spent making love. “You are the best thing that has ever happened to me, and I have to leave you for two whole nights.”
“I’m not sure I can survive it.” She curled into him, contentment making her warm and sleepy. Except she didn’t want to sleep. She kissed the center of his chest. “I suppose you have to go and sell your horses. Too bad.”
“Hmm, isn’t it?” He found her breasts and caressed her lazily. “I would spend the rest of my life right here without one complaint.”
“Except who would cook for us?” She moaned when his hand swept lower. “Then again, who needs food? I just need you right now.”
“I thought so.” Gage rolled her onto her back and settled his weight over her. She was wet and ready and he filled her slow and deep. “Two whole nights without you.”
“I will miss you every moment.”
“Every second.” He couldn’t get enough of her. Hated that dawn would soon be coming. He couldn’t hold back the night, so he held on to her and loved her until the night began to fade to shadows.
“Ready to go, Gatlin?” Juan called from atop his gelding. “Wally has the horses ready, and I’m anxious to get you out of my hair.”
“Hold your horses. I’ll be gone soon enough.” Gage checked the cinch, let the stirrup fall into place and mounted. He was ready to go. Didn’t want to.
“Pa!” The screen door slammed and Lucy raced across the lawn. “I forgot to tell you. You can’t forget my present.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, darlin’.” He hauled her onto his lap for a final hug goodbye. “I’m gonna miss my little girl.”
“I’ll miss you lots and lots, but Sarah is gonna stay here.” Lucy’s eyes sparkled with delight. “Just like a real mother.”
“I’m glad you like her.”
“I don’t like her. I love her.” She kissed him with a smack on the cheek and slid down the horse’s shoulder. “Get me somethin’ good.”
He held his feelings still as he gave the mare a nudge with his heels. “You be good while I’m gone. Mind Sarah.”
“’Kay. ’Bye!”
Gage lifted his gloved hand to wave, but there was Sarah in the road behind Lucy, in her pretty yellow dress, her hair unbound and shimmering in the morning light. Sarah who gazed at him with longing in her eyes.
A longing he felt, hard and deep.
She missed him all the day long and now lying alone in his big bed in the room where his clothes hung, it was impossible to put him out of her mind. To close her eyes and forget how much she missed him.
Was he sleeping now? She tried to picture him in a hotel room, his hair tousled and his big body sprawled across a snowy sheet, dreaming of her. Desire licked through her veins and she tossed and turned in the empty bed, restless and wanting him.
What was the use? She threw back the covers and reached for her robe. She might as well get up, because she wasn’t going to get to sleep anytime soon.
Her feet padded on the stairs, so new there wasn’t a squeak to wake the girls. She opened the door to listen to Ella’s breathing. It sounded a little congested. Maybe the mint balm she’d rubbed on Ella’s chest would clear her up by morning. It often did.
She closed the door tight and felt her way by memory and paused for a moment in the dining room. Emptiness no longer echoed around her as she gazed at the moon, shadowed by moonlight, where a cheerful tablecloth draped the new table, and chairs were neat in their places. A bouquet of wildf
lowers sat in a chipped mug in the center, flowers the girls had picked for her.
She knelt for her sewing basket, tucked away in the corner, when she heard a cough through the ceiling boards. Ella’s cough.
There was no cause for alarm. Ella couldn’t be sick. She’d been perfectly fine when Sarah had tucked her into bed. She was thirsty, that was all. A glass of water should do the trick.
Ella coughed again when Sarah opened the bedroom door. She could make out the shadowed outline of the little girl sitting up in bed, her hand to her mouth, her shoulders hunched.
“Here’s some water, baby.” Sarah eased down onto the mattress, careful not to wake Lucy fast asleep on the other side of the bed. “Drink up. It’s nice and cold.”
Ella coughed again, spilling the water as she took the cup. Sarah held it steady for her as she drink, one sip and then another. There was no more coughing.
“Better?”
Ella nodded. “I don’t want to get sick again. Not for anything.”
“I know.” Sarah pulled her girl into her arms. She loved her so very much. “You go back to sleep. I’ll leave the cup right here in case you get thirsty again.”
Ella leaned back in her pillows, already half asleep. She didn’t feel hot, and her breathing sounded clearer. The chest balm was working.
See? Everything was just fine.
“’Morning, Sarah!” Lucy burst into the kitchen, her hair tumbling down her back and her stockings crooked. “Are we gonna have pancakes?”
“Already made and in the oven. Sit down and let me braid your hair.” Sarah took a ribbon from her apron pocket and turned Lucy around so she could finger part her hair into sections. “Ella, is that you?”
“Yes, Ma. I had to find my speller. Today’s the spelling bee, and I’m the best in my class.”
“I know, smart girl. Why don’t you fetch the maple syrup from the pantry for me? I’ll finish Lucy’s hair, then I’ll do yours.”
Ella trotted off, looking perfectly healthy with her rosy cheeks and quick grin.
“Do you know what, Sarah?”
She plaited the very end of one braid, then tied it tight. “What?”