No, it’s the kid sister who takes the cake there. “Well, you do have a very active household,” he admitted, “and Owen thinks I’m his best buddy—not that I mind that!”
Billy chuckled knowingly. “He told me you and Solace were smoochin’ in his room.”
“How’d he know that?” Gabe blurted. “And besides, it’s not true! Solace and I were talking about—”
“You don’t have to tell me. It’s been written all over your face since you first laid eyes on her. The day you came here.” Billy halted the horse in front of Richmond’s telegraph office, his tanned face alight with glee. “My boy’s figured out all the ways and places to listen in on things—same way Wesley, Christine, and I eavesdropped on Mama and Daddy when we were kids.”
Gabe’s stomach churned. “The heat grate? Does sound pass through the ceiling from Owen’s room into…the classroom upstairs?”
“You get a gold star, Mr. Getty.”
So that’s how Grace had known when to walk in on them! Nothing he’d ever say in that house would remain confidential…which meant Solace—maybe everyone else—had heard him crying over Letitia’s journal, too. Though he wasn’t ashamed of his emotions, Gabe sensed that if anything was to develop between him and Miss Monroe here—and that was a very big, very distant if—the entire Bristol household would know about it before she did.
He smiled at Billy, his decision made. “You’re the best friend a guy ever had, Billy. I hope you won’t feel offended if I’m on the train to Abilene tomorrow.”
That crinkle-eyed grin eased his mind. “Hey, you were always the one to chase after the far-flung prize while I stayed home. You’ll be in good hands, though—Mercy and Mike’re no strangers to takin’ in the souls of the road. I reckon they’ll be glad to have Solace home, too. Must be mighty quiet around there with all the kids gone.”
There it was again: the foregone conclusion that Solace would follow him to Abilene.
Would she? As Gabe stepped inside the little office to reply to Malloy’s telegram, his heart fluttered. He imagined her eyes, soft and dewy-brown, widening at the prospect of returning to Kansas by his side. Solace wasn’t pretty in a conventional, fussy way, but she seemed to seek him out, and he enjoyed her company and her conversation….
You want a lot more than talk, so stop kidding yourself. You want to see where this might lead, without a houseful of people second-guessing your every move.
What a difference a day made! He took a slip of paper from the front counter to write his reply, feeling lighter and happier than he had in months:
THANKS, MIKE. I’LL ARRIVE ON TOMORROW AFTERNOON’S TRAIN. BLESS YOU FOR THINKING OF ME. GABE.
Chapter Twelve
Solace heard the buckboard coming down the driveway and stepped outside the barn to watch it. She’d been riding hard this morning, chasing her demons—first on Lee and then on Lincoln. With Rex sitting at her feet, panting, and her shirt and pants clinging to her warm, damp body, she felt more sure of herself now.
No more sulking because she’d been caught in Gabe’s room doing nothing wrong. If Saint Grace was worried about her soul, fine. She’d found her absolution in riding hellbent-for-leather across a green pasture straight out of the Twenty-Third Psalm, and she felt closer to God now: in His world, in her own way.
At the sight of Gabriel Getty smiling beside Billy, her heart lurched. He looked happy! He’d made a decision and it was the right thing for him. In her mind’s eye, Solace saw herself running to him, scrambling onto the buckboard as he clutched her around the waist and then…
Then he kissed her! Like he meant it. Like he thought she was the most beautiful, desirable woman in the world.
Of course, in this split-second fantasy Billy had disappeared, so she and Gabe were free to enjoy their first kiss. His mouth made her giddy, moving so confidently on hers, promising more affection in the days to come.
But then reality settled in: as Billy steered the horse in her direction, Gabe fastened his gaze on her. What did he see, that illustrious lawyer? And why did he seem so much happier now? The way he looked at her was almost as potent as that imaginary kiss, and her anticipation rose like colorful balloons straining to be free of their strings.
“You two made an early trip to town,” she remarked when the buckboard stopped in front of her.
“Takin’ care of business,” Billy remarked cryptically. “You coulda ridden along, but you were just a fast-movin’ speck flyin’ in the distance.”
His teasing tone bespoke good news, just like Gabe’s cheerful expression. Curiosity was burning a hole in her patience. Especially since both men seemed determined to make her ask what they’d been doing.
“I got a telegram from Michael this morning,” Gabe began.
Were his eyes actually sparkling behind his spectacles? He looked ten years younger than when he’d come here. Infinitely more alluring, with his chestnut waves tousled by the breeze. The shadows were gone from his face, too.
“Obviously good news,” Solace prodded.
Why didn’t he just blurt it out? Why was he searching her face, weighing his words before he spoke? She gripped the curry comb, grinning when Rex woofed at the tall man who dressed in finer clothing than anyone from around here. With his collar open and his jacket unbuttoned, Gabe looked more like a prosperous gentleman farmer than a big city barrister. And she liked the way he looked.
The lanky lawyer swung down from the buckboard and then leaned over to stroke Rex’s head. “A judge from the Dickinson County court has passed on. Michael thinks I’d make a good replacement if I care to interview for the position, and live at the Triple M until I find my own place.”
Her heart stuttered. “And?”
Her impatience made his eyes dance. “Why not? It’s an opportunity I wouldn’t have been offered in St. Louis.”
Billy nodded emphatically. “Better to be a big fish in a small pond sometimes. You were down to nothin’, and that always means God’s up to somethin’,” he declared. “Knew He’d steer you in a new direction, when the time was right.”
And what else was the time right for? Solace’s heart was pounding so hard, she couldn’t swallow. Here was the perfect opportunity to escape all these eyes and ears who made her business their own. After all, why should Gabe rattle around in that spacious house outside of Abilene with only her parents for company? What would they ever find to talk about?
“When do you leave?” she asked in a tight voice.
“Tomorrow. First train west.”
“I’m coming with you.”
Early in the morning they left for the train station in Lexington with Gabe’s boxes and trunks loaded alongside hers. Lincoln and Lee were tethered to the buckboard, while Rex sat regally behind the seat, facing backwards, to be sure the carriage behind them kept up. It was like a parade, with Asa driving Mercy, Grace and the children in the larger vehicle while Billy held the reins beside her. The wooden seat was barely wide enough for the three of them, but Solace didn’t mind. Gabe sat angled sideways with his arm draped behind her on the creaking seat, and she could imagine Grace glaring at this bodily contact.
But it was a beautiful spring morning, ripe with promise, and she wouldn’t waste a second of it worrying about appearances. On the train, they could finally talk without others spying and eavesdropping. In her excitement last night, she’d written the last segment of her desperado story; maybe Gabe would advise her on how to improve it.
What a fine life it would be at home again: tending the horses and livestock…getting to know Gabe better, when he returned from his days in the courtroom. She had no doubt whatsoever he’d get the position. Mr. Getty, with his quiet wisdom and confident, bespectacled gaze, would impress anyone who interviewed him. Abilene had come a long way from being a backward, lawless cow town but even its most educated citizens lacked this man’s polish and professionalism.
“What are you smiling about?” he asked in a low voice. “You look like the cat
that swallowed the canary. A mighty pleased cat.”
Solace gazed into his face and was struck by something. “If you grew a beard—trimmed it along the line of your jaw—you’d look a lot like Abraham Lincoln. Except younger and much more dashing!” she added quickly. “You’re going to get that appointment, I just know it! But if you looked like Mr. Lincoln, well—”
“I think your wild imagination’s talkin’, Solace,” Billy said with a chuckle. “But I s’pose a woman looks at such things from a different angle.”
She nipped back a quick retort: Billy had called her a woman! Now that was new.
“Actually, I’ve considered growing a beard. Just for a change in appearance.” Gabe shifted slightly, which brought his hip into contact with hers. “They say it adds a look of maturity and wisdom, and jurors and lawyers would respond better to a judge with such qualities. I’ll try that—after the interviews.”
Solace’s pulse shot up. He would consider a beard! Not a flicker of an eyelash suggested Gabe found her idea silly or trite. And he liked her writing…took comfort in her presence and her touch…hadn’t been afraid to show his dark emotions the other day. Most men acted stoic and unfeeling rather than reveal their tears, and Solace felt honored that he’d entrusted them—and Letitia’s diary—to her without apology.
She found everything about Gabriel Getty very appealing right now, mostly because he encouraged a Solace Monroe no one else even knew about. His interest in her raised her a notch closer to his level, and she liked that feeling. A lot.
When they arrived at the train station, Billy and Gabe carried the large camel back trunks and boxes to the platform, where the porters would load them on the train. The carriage had caught up with them, so Asa and Beulah Mae, plus Gracie, Eve, and her brood of redheads watched the proceedings eagerly.
“I love to ride the train!” Owen announced hopefully. “I wanna see the ranch where Daddy grew up!”
“So many people!” Olivia sang out as she watched the railway workers and passengers in rapt fascination.
“Oh, the station in St. Louis is truly huge,” Grace joined in. “With so many tracks and trains coming from all over the nation, it’s quite an experience.”
Solace nodded, not really paying attention to her sister as Billy led her two horses and Rex into the livestock car. It wasn’t fair that her dog couldn’t sit in the seat beside her, she thought. He’d never misbehave. Rex loved to ride and look out the window—and he loved it even more when folks stopped to admire his unusual markings.
When she felt a tug on her skirt, she looked down to see Bernadette gazing up at her with a stricken expression. Solace swung the little girl to her shoulder, and when those chubby arms and legs wrapped around her, she hugged the toddler close.
“I love you, too, sweetheart,” she murmured against that downy cheek. Bernadette’s rust-colored curls felt like silky feathers against her face. “Where I’m going, there aren’t any little girls anymore. I’m going to miss you so much—”
“Nooooo. Don’t go! Don’t gooooo.”
Solace’s eyes widened, while Eve and Grace and the other children crowded around. “What did you say, Bernadette?” she rasped. “You-you’re talking!”
That impish face, only inches from hers, turned bright pink as tears streamed from Bernadette’s crystal blue eyes.
“It-it’s a miracle!” Grace proclaimed.
“What did she say? What did she say!” Olivia demanded.
“Don’t go, Solace,” Bernadette begged again. Her voice sounded husky but the words were perfectly clear. “Stay and play—with me!”
Eve was now peering into her youngest daughter’s face, clearly astonished. “Are you telling me, young lady, that you’ve known how to talk all along?” she demanded.
The little girl watched for Solace’s reaction. Then she nodded gleefully.
Beulah Mae laughed richly. “Why’s I not surprised? That’n, she’s had the look of a sly fox since the day she’s borned!” the cook exclaimed. “Just bidin’ her time ’til she had somethin’ worthwhile to say. Weren’t ya, missy?”
Bernadette laughed despite her tears. “I’s sly!” she mimicked.
“I figured you for a trickster all along,” Solace teased quietly. She rubbed the tip of her nose to Bernadette’s, pulled between staying at this little girl’s special request, and going along with Gabe.
“Why Solace?” Grace asked pointedly. “All this time, you could’ve been talking to—”
“We believed she couldn’t respond with words, so we talked for her,” Eve mused aloud. Her green eyes shone with tears of joy, yet she appeared perturbed. “You let everyone else pander to you—baby you along!—because—Billy!” she called across the busy platform. “Billy, come here!”
His wife’s urgent cry brought Billy trotting over to them, followed closely by Gabe. “Everything all right? We’re almost finished loadin’—”
“Bernadette’s talking!” Olivia piped up. “She told Solace not to go! It’s like Solace knows magic, because her horses and Rex—and now the baby—all do what they’re supposed to when she’s around!”
Solace laughed, but her heart swelled. Billy stood beside her now, gawking raptly at his youngest child, while Gabe…Gabe Getty was gazing straight at her. Looking into her eyes with a wonder his glasses magnified.
“Maybe Olivia has a point,” Billy replied. “If Solace can coax this pixie to talk, maybe we could persuade her to stay with us and train more horses. What do you say, Solace?”
She was still caught up in Gabe’s rapt expression—until she saw her sister’s fallen face. Solace breathed deeply and framed a diplomatic answer. “That’s why you have Grace with you,” she said firmly. She looked at Owen and Olivia, to instill some respect for their new teacher. “Miss Malloy is a lot smarter than I am, and trained as a teacher. And now that Bernadette’s talking, she’ll devote more time to you two.”
Billy chuckled. “We’d love to have you, if you care to stay, Solace.”
“I appreciate that, Billy. And Eve, I thank you for opening your home, and for sharing your children with me,” she added. “But I have other things to—”
“You’re chasing after Gabe,” Grace muttered. “He’s your latest, greatest novelty, and when you’ve tired of him, you’ll move on. You flit like a bee, from flower to flower, Solace. Without regard for anyone else’s feelings.”
A stunned silence rang around the family circle.
Solace’s first inclination was to snap back at her little sister for being such a know-it-all—jealous because someone like Gabe Getty had shown an interest in her! But the quiver of Gracie’s lower lip stopped her.
More than envy played over Grace’s delicate, pretty features: she had greatly anticipated teaching Bernadette sign language, and now her thunder had been stolen. Her studies were for naught.
Although Solace hadn’t deliberately done this—who could have known about Bernadette’s knack for keeping silent?—she understood the sting of being upstaged by her sisters. Reminding herself to remain patient, and to redirect everyone’s attention, Solace stepped toward her younger sister.
“Bernadette, did you know Miss Malloy is my little sister? That means she’s a lot like me, so I know you’ll love her, too. And guess what!” she continued, smiling into the child’s inquisitive eyes. “Your new governess adores little girls like you! She’ll be the most wonderful teacher you could ever have, sweetie. I promise I’ll come see you again real soon, all right?”
“No!” the littlest Bristol blurted. “I want you, Solace! I wanna ride your horses and teach Rex tricks and—”
“Would you listen at that little angel a-talkin’?” Asa murmured. “Years I’s gone, prayin’ to hear that little voice. I think we’s due for a big celebration back at the house! Cake and ice cream—just like for a birthday, don’t you s’pose, Beulah Mae?”
“And don’t we know how this little imp loves a lemon puddin’ cake?” the old cook cooed at Bernade
tte. “I wanna hear you tell about your paintin’s, too.’ Bout how those bright ideas goes from your head into them tiny fingers holdin’ the paintbrush. You reckon you could tell ole Beulah Mae ’bout your special talent when we get home?”
When the old woman opened her stout arms, Bernadette reluctantly loosened her hold on Solace. And once the child had rested her freckled cheek against Beulah Mae’s coffee-colored one, Solace knew not to tarry too long.
“We’d best find our seats,” she said, hugging Olivia and Eve. She squeezed Billy, too, and rumpled his son’s thick cinnamon hair. “Thank you all for making a place for me, and—and Gracie, I’m so proud you’ve taken up your life’s work now. You’re a born teacher, and these kids are lucky to have you.”
She wrapped an arm around her sister’s slender shoulders, not surprised that Grace’s hug was lackluster. Best to be going, before she unwittingly rubbed more salt in her sister’s wounded feelings.
As she stepped up into the coach car, the Bristols’ good-byes followed her. Solace swallowed a knot. It was difficult to leave this family behind. She’d grown up with Billy and Asa encouraging her every day, and life at home just wasn’t the same without them.
When Gabe took his seat beside her, however, her excitement returned. “I-I hope you don’t mind my inviting myself to Abilene,” she gushed. “But it’s so deadly dull at the Triple M these days, I thought I’d spare you those evenings when Mama and Papa will close in on you for conversation.”
As the train lurched away from the platform, Solace waved from the window. The cluster of dear people waving back made her sad.
Gabe leaned across her to wave at them—and then he moved to sit in the seat opposite hers. They both waved then, until the Bristols and her sister were specks obscured by distance and the steam coming from the engine.
And then darned if Gabe didn’t stay over there, watching her with an odd look on his face.
“I-I finished my story about the little boy whose daddy was an outlaw,” Solace said, reaching for her valise. “Would you read it and tell me where it needs fixing?”
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