The hairs on Lilly’s neck tingled, and she glanced toward the sitting area. Marcus was leaned back in the chair with Dahlia propped on his chest. His head turned toward Lilly as his eyes followed her actions. He gave her a sleepy smile when he realized he’d been caught.
Her heart skittered a beat. “Can I get you something? Tea or coffee?” She kept the words barely above a whisper. Leah was still napping in the bedroom with her babe, and the entire cabin held a homey feeling, almost intimate.
“No. I have everything I need right here.” That sleepy smile set off a fluttering in her midsection.
She turned back to the work counter to hide the heat flaming up her neck. Time to make the cornbread.
Lilly barely had the batter mixed when boots thumped on the porch. She jumped to the window and peered sideways through it to get a glimpse of their visitor.
Gideon. He stepped inside, covered in snow and animal skins, as he’d been the day before. As he began to unwrap the layers, he nodded toward her. “Miss Lilly.”
Then his gaze caught Marcus, and he paused. “Preacher?”
Marcus leaned forward. “Good to see you, Gideon. I’d stand to greet you, but…” He motioned toward Dahlia’s sleeping form.
The mountain man waved his concern away and proceeded to shrug out of his coat. “Don’t bother. Just didn’t expect to see you there.”
Lilly couldn’t get a glimpse of the man’s face to gauge whether he was angry at all the intruders to his quiet mountain home. She turned back to pour a mug of coffee. Good thing she’d just brewed a fresh pot.
“There you are.” Leah’s sleepy voice sounded from the bedroom doorway, and she strode toward her husband. He bent down to give her a stirring kiss, similar to the one they’d shared yesterday.
Lilly looked away quickly, but her heart tightened again at the image that replayed through her mind. How much these two loved each other. It was evident in the way Leah looked at him, and the way Gideon treated her.
Marcus joined them at the table for dinner. It was the first time he’d left the sitting area by the fire. She caught him limping as he walked the few steps across the floor. Had the ice done damage to his feet? He’d put his boots back on, and that surely wasn’t helping things.
Leah and Gideon plied Marcus with questions about the church as they ate. Well, it was mostly Leah doing the asking, but Gideon seemed interested in what Marcus had to say and made a couple of his own inquiries. The children also kept the meal lively, with Emily fussing and Dahlia not willing to eat unless Lilly fed her.
Lilly was almost relieved when it was over, and Leah took the children in her room to prepare them for bed. She wasn’t used to having help with Dahlia’s care, but Leah insisted, saying Dahlia was a big help entertaining Emily.
Gideon kept Marcus entertained through the evening, with talk of his ranch and what they could expect through the winter months. Lilly kept an ear tuned to the conversation as she worked in the kitchen, cleaning and kneading bread dough for the next day.
“You think it’d be safe to head back to town tomorrow?”
She tensed at Marcus’s question. He was leaving already?
A moment of silence passed. “Doubt it. That pass where you lost your horse gets pretty treacherous. Won’t be safe till the weather warms some.”
Lilly’s muscles eased. He wouldn’t be leaving. Not yet. It shouldn’t matter so much to her, but it did.
~ ~ ~
THE NEXT DAY dawned clear and cold.
Lilly was surprised when Marcus asked Gideon if he could help with the barn chores. He must be feeling better. He didn’t limp as much this morning, either.
While Lilly cleaned the breakfast dishes, Leah opened a trunk in the corner and pulled out a slew of Gideon’s old fur hats and fur-lined gloves. She brought out some buckskin tunics too, but Marcus politely declined.
“My coat’ll be fine for the time I’ll be outside this morning.” Then he flashed that smile that had the power to win anyone over to his way of thinking.
Lilly darted a glance at Gideon, who stood propped against the door frame, watching the scene. His mouth tipped in a sideways grin. He apparently enjoyed watching his wife fuss.
Dahlia whined the entire time Marcus and Gideon were gone, going to the window and watching for them, then wandering around the kitchen and generally getting in the way.
When the door opened and Marcus stepped inside, she squealed and ran to hug his snow-covered legs.
“Here, honey. Let’s let Marcus come in and warm himself.”
“There’s my girl.” He shrugged out of his coat and slipped it on the nail, then scooped Dahlia up and whirled her around. Lilly couldn’t bring herself to turn away as her daughter giggled and squealed. He made her so happy. Made both of them happy. Too happy, she feared. If she were wise, she’d keep him from getting too close. It would only be harder when they had to leave.
But it was so hard not to let him in.
Chapter Sixteen
LILLY WORKED in the kitchen for most of the morning while Marcus entertained Dahlia. When Lilly was done with the dishes, she took up some of Leah’s mending. Leah was in and out of her bedroom with the baby and seemed content to watch from a distance. Everything about this quiet cabin tucked on the mountain emanated peacefulness. What would it be like to live here always?
About mid-morning, Leah stepped into the room with her little one on her hip. “I’m going to lay down with Emily. Would Dahlia like to come rest with us, too?”
Lilly eyed her daughter, who was studying a picture book with Marcus. “It is time for her nap if you don’t mind.”
“All righty, up you go.” Marcus set the book aside and surged to his feet, lifting Dahlia even higher into the air. She squealed and gripped his neck, then finally released him as he brought her feet back down to the floor. “Take a good nap, sweet one, then we’ll play some more.”
When Leah’s door closed behind them, Marcus turned to face Lilly, catching her watching him. He sent her one of those off-kilter smiles that made her heart skip a beat. She dropped her gaze back to the needle and flannel shirt in her hands.
Marcus’s boots thumped on the wooden floor as he took slow, steady steps toward her. “I told Gideon I’d break the ice for the animals in the barn. Would you like to walk with me?”
She raised her gaze. Marcus stood with a hand extended toward her, a soft hopeful smile touching his mouth. She swallowed. She did want to see more of the outside. Even this peaceful cabin could get cramped after a full day inside. And time with Marcus, not having to share his attention with Dahlia…it was too tempting.
“All right.”
The corners of his mouth curved up. “Let’s get you bundled then.”
An intense blast of cold hit her when they stepped outside, and Lilly wrapped her cloak tighter around her.
“Gideon said he thinks a warm spell will come in the next couple days.” Marcus gripped her elbow as they stepped down the stairs. “Careful of the ice.”
Since Pa-pa died, she’d not had anyone to care whether she slipped on ice or not. Lilly fought a burn at the back of her eyes. Why was she letting her barriers down? Now, when the appearance of Dahlia’s father should have had her strengthening those barriers even more.
The thought of that man brought stiffening to her spine, and she pulled in a deep breath and took in the peaceful scene before them. White covered the ground, mostly undisturbed except for paths to each of the outbuildings. Animal sounds drifted from the barn, especially the low moo of a cow.
Marcus chuckled. “Sounds like Bethany’s thirsty. Gideon said she likes to complain.”
The next half hour passed too quickly. Marcus introduced her to each of the animals and even let her help feed hay to Bethany, the milk cow.
“Have you ever milked one?” He eyed her with raised brows.
“No.”
“I can teach you tonight, if you’d like.”
Lilly stared at the wide brown and whi
te animal. She’d spent plenty of time with horses at their barn in Derbyshire, but never cows. “I…think I’d like that.”
When they left the shelter of the barn, the wind whipped, and she clutched her elbows to hold in as much warmth as she could. Marcus stepped closer and slipped an arm around her shoulders. His warmth eased her shivering. Or maybe it was his nearness. Either way, she couldn’t help but lean into him as their steps synchronized.
At the stairs, Marcus’s hand slipped from her shoulder to her elbow, and he wrapped his arm around her back as a protective barrier lest she slip. This man made her feel so…cared for.
She stopped on the porch. Something in her dreaded going back in the cabin. She turned to the rail and gazed over the landscape again.
“It’s peaceful here, isn’t it?” Marcus must have been reading her thoughts.
Lilly nodded. She didn’t look at him. But she was far too aware of his nearness, of the brushing of their coats.
After a moment, Marcus spoke again. “Lilly, when the weather warms enough, I’d like you to go back to town with me.” He turned to her, his gaze warming the side of her face. “You and Dahlia can stay with Claire until we catch that despoiler. And I promise you…we will catch him. I won’t let him hurt you, Lilly. I won’t let anything hurt you. I make you that promise.”
The raw intensity in his voice brought her gaze up. She swallowed. Those eyes. Rich brown with flecks of amber. It was so hard to look at them. Even harder to look away.
His hand cupped her cheek. Where had his glove gone? She closed her eyes against his warmth, then opened them again.
There was magic in him. Magic in the way he made her feel. The way he looked at her.
He was closer now, his face less than a foot from hers. Awareness flickered through Lilly. He was going to kiss her. But his eyes held the question.
He rested his forehead against hers, his breath warming her face. Lilly closed her eyes again, savoring it. Gathering her courage. She wanted him to kiss her. Part of her wanted it more than her next breath. But could she?
Forcing her eyes open again, she gazed at Marcus, close enough for their breaths to intermingle in a white cloud. The question still in his gaze. With every ounce of courage she possessed, Lilly raised up on her toes and met his mouth with her own.
Sweet bliss.
~ ~ ~
MARCUS’S EYES drifted closed as he savored the taste of her.
She’d kissed him. A cautious meeting, yet a gift beyond what he’d expected. Beyond what he deserved. He kept it gentle, no matter how much he wanted to deepen the kiss. To truly taste of her. Lilly was too precious to risk frightening. Again.
He pulled back after only a moment and allowed his forehead to rest on hers again, breathing in her sweet rose scent.
With his fingers, he traced the delicate rise of her cheekbones. His thumb worked across her chin, then caressed the fullness of her lips. How quickly she’d become more precious to him than any other person in the world. Than even his own life.
He hated to break the moment with words, but had to say this. Wanted her to know where he stood. His gaze locked with hers. “I’ve never met anyone like you. And I never thought I could feel this way so quickly.”
Her eyes glistened. Was that good or bad?
He pressed on. “I don’t want to lose you. I meant what I said about you coming back to Butte with me.” He felt her shrink back, and rushed to say more. “But if you aren’t ready, I want you to know that I’ll do whatever it takes to keep you and Dahlia safe.” He brushed a tear from under her eye with his thumb. “Even if that means leaving Butte, I won’t leave you.”
That was it. He breathed out his spent air. He’d said it. She knew how he felt, and from now on, he’d show her how serious he was about it. His gaze never left Lilly’s face as he watched for a reaction.
Her chin quivered almost imperceptibly, and her gaze dipped from his face. She seemed to be looking past him, or perhaps not looking at anything. After a long moment, her lips finally parted. “I’m not sure.”
His stomach flipped. Was that bad? It wasn’t an outright rejection. Had he really expected her to fling her arms around him and agree to trust her life in his hands? At least she was thinking about it.
She looked up at him again, and the expression in her dark eyes—the uncertainty, maybe a little hesitation—sent a rush of protection through him.
Pulling her close, he pressed a kiss to her forehead and wrapped her in his arms. “We’ll figure it out.” With her pressed to his chest, her head resting perfectly on his shoulder, and their heartbeats melding, Marcus sent up a prayer. Show me the way, Lord.
~ ~ ~
LILLY SCRUBBED another of the baby’s nappies on the washboard as she soaked in the sun’s warm rays. The weather had warmed some as Gideon had predicted, and the sun sparkling on the white snow was almost blinding. Still, the warmth of it was worth carrying hot water outside for the laundry instead of staying cooped in the dim cabin.
“Look, mama. It’s a snow horse.”
Lilly smiled at her daughter and the lumpy, rectangular section of snow. “Have you named it?”
“Snowy.”
Dahlia brought another reason to be thankful for the sunshine. Marcus had ridden out with Gideon that morning to help with the livestock, and Dahlia had moped all morning. But now that they were outside, Dahlia’s mood had cheered.
He’d certainly won the child’s heart. And what of her own?
If she had no concern except her own feelings, that would be an easy question. But there were so many other considerations. There was Marcus himself. With his new church, he needed someone who could be his helpmate, to reach out to people in the community. Someone outgoing. Someone very different from her.
With a sigh, Lilly draped the nappy over the stack of already-clean clothes. She couldn’t be what Marcus needed. She wasn’t even sure she could be what he wanted.
Of course, he hadn’t actually asked her to marry him. He’d said he never thought he could feel this way so quickly. He’d not actually said he loved her. He’d said he wouldn’t leave her.
But in her heart, she knew what his words meant. He loved her. He’d meant he wanted to marry her. Marcus was honorable to the core. He simply didn’t want to frighten her away. She could tell it in his touch, see it in his eyes.
So where did that leave her?
Even though he’d not spoken the word marriage, he had said he would protect her and Dahlia. He’d promised it. And wasn’t that what she really wanted? Protection? But could he really do it?
Claire’s husband Bryan was supposed to be working with the sheriff to catch Barlow. She had no doubt Marcus would go to whatever lengths were necessary to ensure the man was punished.
But what about others that cropped up in the future? And she had no doubt there would be others. All her life, people had jeered at their family because of her parents’ heritage, both in Guatemala and again in England. The cruel tricks and hurtful jabs—could Marcus really protect her and Dahlia from all that?
If he could at least get rid of Barlow, maybe she could stay in Butte. For a while anyway. The only real friends she’d ever had were in this rough mining town. Claire. Aunt Pearl. Marcus.
The cabin door slammed behind her, and Lilly pulled from her reflections, turning to look at the structure.
“Sorry we took so long.” Leah had the baby bundled tight in a sling across her front. “Just when I had her ready, we had to change again.”
Leah’s rueful look brought a smile to Lilly’s heart.
“I remember those days. I’m almost done here, though. If you want to take the clean things inside to hang, I’ll finish up.”
Leah strolled up to the wash tub and stopped. “The sun feels too wonderful to go back inside yet. Let me take a turn washing.”
Lilly draped a clean shirt on the stack and stepped back. She dried her hands on her apron. Even with the warm wash water, they’d turned icy.
A sigh drifted from Leah as she scrubbed another shirt. “I’ve always loved the steady rhythm of washing. It makes for good thinking time.”
“Yes.”
Leah cut a quick glance at her. Perhaps the simple agreement had been a little too revealing. After a moment, she asked, “Did you get anything worked out during your thinking time?”
Lilly swallowed. That was quite a personal question, but Leah made it sound like the concerns of a caring sister instead of a prying acquaintance. What should she say? Something to put her off? A simple yes? She hadn’t really worked anything out. Just mulled through her concerns. Was there a chance Leah could help? Wisdom had seemed to seep from her the few times they’d talked before. And Leah had obviously found happiness in her own marriage.
First Marcus, and now if she shared with Leah… She’d opened up more in the past few days than the past three years. Was she handling things wrong? Truth be told, she was tired of fighting all these battles herself. It was so much easier to let in a few trusted friends who could help.
She inhaled a breath. “I was debating on whether I should go back to Butte with Marcus when the snow melts.”
Leah didn’t answer right away, but her brow furrowed as she continued to scrub the frilly white article of clothing on her washboard. Her baby fussed in the sling, and Leah straightened to adjust her.
Lilly stepped forward. “Let me take over for a while.”
As Lilly settled into her rhythm again, Leah bounced and swayed her little one. At last, she spoke in a quiet voice. “Are you concerned about the dangerous situation in Butte, or are you worried about Marcus?”
This woman was perceptive. But this answer Lilly had worked through. “The situation in Butte. I think I can trust Marcus. I think.” It seemed unwise when she voiced the words. Like she was giving up her defenses.
Leah was quiet for a few more moments, then let out a sigh. “I can’t tell you what to do, Lilly. But I know the way I feel when I’m with Gideon. I’d rather be near danger and with him than protected and apart from him. I know he would go to the ends of the earth to keep me safe. But there’s something else I have to remind myself. Gideon really has no power to protect me. That power is God’s, and it requires tenacious faith sometimes. But He will come through for you.”
The Lady and the Mountain Promise (Mountain Dreams Series Book 4) Page 11