“Tessa—she’ll never be Libby’s mother and could never take your place. But I’m glad they’re getting close. That way Libby will always be happy whether she’s with me or with you.”
“How soon are you getting married?”
“We’re going to discuss that tomorrow evening.”
“So you won’t be home again until late?”
“Probably not.”
She leaned against the counter. “You must have some idea of a date.”
“Hopefully mid-March. Maybe sooner depending on everyone’s schedules.”
“Is she going to continue working at the saddlery?”
He looked at her over the rim of the mug. “I don’t know, but whatever we end up doing, nothing’s going to interfere with the visitation schedule we set up.”
“I’ve been thinking about that. It’s not going to work if we have to drive back and forth from Thompson Falls all the time. It’s too long a trip. After talking it over with Mom and Dad, I’ve decided to move to Stevensville and get a condo.”
Eli hadn’t seen that coming.
“They’ll finance it until I get a job and they’re buying me a car, too. That way I can have Libby several times a week and every other weekend or one overnight every weekend. My doctor thinks it’s a good idea, but only if I’m ready. I know I am.”
Something fundamental had happened for Tessa to consider stepping out of her comfort zone, away from her family, and he had to admit the idea made a lot of sense.
“That’s a big change for you. I agree it’ll be a lot easier on both of us.”
“So, you wouldn’t mind if I moved here?”
“No, Tessa. I just want all of us to be happy.”
“You don’t think my living in town will bother Brianna?”
“No, I don’t. I think she’ll be relieved we don’t have to make the long trip to Thompson Falls so often. But even if you don’t find a condo you like right away, be assured that we’ll do whatever it takes to make this work.” He got up from the table and rinsed out his mug. “I have to be up at the crack of dawn, so I’m going to bed. Good night.”
“Good night,” she whispered.
* * *
EIGHTEEN HOURS LATER, Eli sat in the Frosts’ living room while he and Brianna discussed wedding plans with her family after dinner. Because of a conflict with Toly’s rodeo schedule, they chose March 18 as the date so everyone they loved could make it. The minister said the church in town would be available that Saturday and they were able to book the Stevensville Hotel for the reception.
Eli’s first marriage and reception had taken place in Thompson Falls. Another reception had followed the next evening at the Clayton ranch house. His marriage to Brianna would be different and exactly the way she wanted it.
Still needing to settle some details, they left her family to talk things over with Eli’s mother. But when Eli got Brianna into his truck, he didn’t start it up right away. Instead, he pulled her over so she was half sitting on his lap. They kissed with a hunger that was growing out of control. He finally lifted his head. “Now that our plans are made, there’s something important I have to tell you.”
“If you’re worried that we’re not going to have a long honeymoon because of Libby, don’t be. I don’t care about that as long as I’m your wife. There’ll be time for a trip later on in the year when she feels totally secure being away from you.”
“You’re one amazing woman, Brianna Frost. But this is about something else. Last night Tessa wanted to talk after we put Libby to bed.”
Her blue eyes searched his. “You sound concerned.”
“She’s planning to move here and get a condo in town.”
Hearing those words, Brianna sat up and turned to him. “I can understand why she wants to do it. Don’t you?”
“Yes, and it makes sense. During our marriage she made friends here, so it won’t be as if she feels completely isolated. What’s bothering me is that she’s now in competition with you for Libby’s affection. Last night our daughter didn’t go to Tessa when we walked in the house.” He hadn’t told Brianna that Tessa wanted to get remarried to him. No way did he intend to tell her that.
Brianna groaned. “I suppose that was inevitable.”
“I’m convinced that no matter how long you stayed away, Tessa would still feel threatened. It’s something we have to deal with and not let it impact our plans.”
“I agree. But I feel sorry for Tessa. She’s lost a whole year.”
“I know. Let’s just be thankful she has her doctor, who’s going to continue to work with her. In the meantime, all we can do is go on with our plans and do what has to be done. I only told you this so you’ll be aware of her feelings.”
“I think her feelings are normal and I’d probably be just as threatened if our positions were reversed. I’ll be as careful and sensitive as I can.”
“You think I don’t know that?” He clasped her to him, burying his face in her hair. “Let’s change the subject. I thought this coming weekend we’d start tearing the house apart and paint it throughout with a color scheme we both want. Nothing’s been done to the house, except for the nursey, since my grandparents lived there for the last twenty-five years of their lives.”
“You’re kidding.”
“Nope. I’m letting Sarah go after the wedding and sending her a check for three months’ wages. I hope that will leave her with enough money so she won’t worry until she finds a new job.
“The rest of the money I set aside for a nanny can now go to transforming this house into our house. Tessa and I got married fast with zero money to our names and were grateful the family let us move in here just as it was. But that’s in the past.
“I want us to buy new furniture, art we both love, new windows and window coverings and carpeting—the works! I’d like you to design the master bedroom. I’m sure there are things your parents left you. Use them any way you want throughout the house. All the old things we’ll put in storage at the ranch house for any family member who might need them in the future.”
For her response, she hugged him so hard around the neck that she practically cut off his breathing. “When I went to bed last night, my aunt hinted that they were going to buy us a car for a wedding present. She told me to think about the kind we wanted that would be best for Libby.”
Eli sent up a silent thanks for Clark’s wife, who was in their corner. Eli had a hunch it was going to take longer to win Clark over completely. Clark and Eli’s father had shared confidences over the years. Unfortunately Clark hadn’t been fed the right information about the circumstances surrounding Eli’s first marriage. One of these days he’d pull him aside and tell him the truth.
“Come on. I’d better get you home. Do you know how great it’s going to be when we get to go home together? Give me one more kiss so I can make it through tonight.” Since Brianna had come into his life, he couldn’t imagine having to live much longer without her.
* * *
ON SATURDAY ELI had asked Wymon to help him move the furniture out of the master bedroom. Brianna did her part, dressed in an old T-shirt and a torn pair of jeans. They loaded two trucks to the brim and drove them to the ranch house. Until their new California king–size bed arrived the next Saturday, Eli would be sleeping in the guest room.
“We’ll be gone until after lunch,” Eli said to Brianna.
“Take your time. I’ve got a ton of work to do here.”
He swept her into his arms, kissing her breathless before leaving the house. After he left, she freshened up in the bathroom and removed her ring. Now she was ready to start painting and walked into the master bedroom to get started. She tuned the radio to a soft rock station and spread some drop sheets on the floor. Some cans of primer sat in one corner.
After sorting through dozen
s of paint samples, they’d settled on lemon white for the master bedroom walls.
Gone were the old curtains. The new bedroom furniture would be coming in a mellow cream color. She and her aunt had picked out the most gorgeous quilt in a Western motif. Talk about the room being transformed!
She poured paint in the tray and dipped the roller in it, and then she began applying the first coat to the walls. Eli had already filled all the nail holes and sanded them.
When the first wall was finished, she took a break and went down the hall to the bathroom. When she came out again, she saw Tessa standing at the end of the hall with a pile of folded clothes in her arms. Brianna stopped in her tracks.
“Oh—you surprised me!”
“Hi, Tessa. I didn’t realize you were here.” Eli had told her his ex-wife was staying at the ranch house with Libby and his mom for the weekend, but there was no sign of their little girl with her.
“I just thought I’d come over and finish the wash while Eli’s mom is watching Libby. Maybe Eli told you Sarah isn’t working for him anymore, so I’ve taken over the household duties. I was just about to put Libby’s clean clothes in her drawers.”
Brianna blinked. She was pretty certain Eli hadn’t expected her to come over here today while they were working on the house, but Brianna didn’t want to make her feel unwelcome.
“No problem,” she told her. “Go ahead and do what you need to do.”
Trying not to let Tessa’s presence bother her, Brianna went to the bedroom and started painting the next wall. She’d barely gotten started when Tessa appeared in the doorway.
“You’ve gotten busy in a hurry.”
Brianna was surprised at the comment but chose not to let it get to her. “The wedding isn’t that far off. We’re planning to paint all the rooms.”
“I wanted to transform the house. This room was always so dark. But after I got pregnant, I had terrible morning sickness and couldn’t be around paint so we had to let that project go.”
Brianna thought she knew where Tessa was going with this but blathered on nervously. “My friend had morning sickness for a while. I know it can be bad.”
“You have no idea.” Tessa paused a moment and then asked, “As long as I’m here, do you mind if I talk to you?”
“Sure,” she said and turned off the radio she’d placed on the stepladder. As she did so, Tessa said, “I understand he’s given you a sapphire from the mine.”
“Yes. He surprised me with it when he flew to California for my birthday.”
“A heart for an engagement ring. How unusual.”
“I was born on Valentine’s Day.”
“You’re kidding.”
Brianna took a quick breath. “Tessa, I’m sure you’re anxious to talk to me about the visitation schedule for Libby. I’m willing to work out anything you want, as far as that goes.”
“I appreciate that, but there’s something else I have to say. Brianna... I still love Eli.”
She knew it.
“My illness caused a chemical reaction in me, but when he brought Libby to see me, it was like I’d awakened from a deep sleep.”
With those words, Brianna put the roller down, her hand shaking too much to paint. “Why don’t we go in the living room,” she said and walked into the hall. Tessa followed her.
“Eli didn’t want the divorce.”
“I know. He’s told me everything.”
“No doubt. I don’t blame him for dating you. I told him our marriage was over, and he finally took me at my word. But I’ve recovered from my illness now. I never dreamed I’d be stricken by the kind of depression I had, but it’s over and I want my family back.”
Brianna sank down in one of the living room chairs.
Tessa stood in front of her, her whole body pleading. “As one woman to another, I’m begging you to call off your engagement so Eli and I can have a real chance to put our marriage back together. He says he loves you and I believe him, but I know deep down he still cares for me. Otherwise he wouldn’t have let me live here with him while you were away.
“Let me ask you a question. If you were in my shoes, would you give up on your marriage so easily after knowing that your illness made you say and do things that you wouldn’t normally do? Wouldn’t you fight for Eli with every breath in your body before it was too late?”
Yes, she would.
“That’s what I’m doing now. Did Eli tell you I spoke to him about getting remarried? We talked the other night and I begged him to reconsider what he’s doing. If he didn’t tell you about our talk yet, that means he’s thinking hard about it.”
Brianna didn’t know. He hadn’t said anything to her.
“Both our families want to see us back together. That hasn’t changed. It’s the reason I’ve come to you. Please consider carefully everything I’ve said. You don’t have a daughter. Your life isn’t on the line in the same way.
“It was as if a miracle happened when he came to my door that day. At first I sent him away, but that was because I was in shock. As the day wore on, I felt like I’d been let out of prison and was free to be myself for the first time in a year.”
Brianna feared that if she was forced to listen to any more it would kill her. She got up from her chair and stared out the window. Her words from a few weeks ago came back to torture her. Don’t give up on winning your wife back. The chemistry in the brain can change. Good-bye, Eli Clayton. You’re the best.
Taking a fortifying breath, she turned to Tessa. “I wouldn’t wish the experience you’ve been through this last year on anyone. I promise I’ll think about everything you said.”
“Thank you for listening to me. I’d better go.”
She put on her parka and left the house. Brianna watched through the window until Tessa was out of sight. Then she went back to the bedroom to finish painting the rest of the wall. When it was done, she put the lid on the can and washed out the roller and tray in the kitchen sink.
Eli still hadn’t returned. It gave her time to freshen up and put her ring back on. After slipping on her coat, she left the house and got in the truck to head back to Stevensville.
When she looked down, the light from outside had captured the facets of the sapphire on her ring.
That’s my heart, he’d said.
But did he truly mean it?
Chapter Eleven
There was one person Brianna had to talk to and she needed to be alone to do it, where Eli couldn’t walk in on her. When she reached her uncle’s house, she hurried to her bedroom. To her relief her family had gone to visit friends and had taken Taffy with them.
Beyond tears, she phoned her brother.
Pick up, pick up.
“Brianna?”
“I’m so glad you answered.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Oh, Doug—everything is so horribly wrong, I don’t know if I can marry Eli.”
Silence prevailed before he said, “Are you thinking of calling off the wedding?”
Her pain had reached its zenith. “Is that what you think I should do, too?”
“Too? What are you talking about?”
“Eli’s ex-wife wants her husband back. She came to the house earlier to ask me to walk away and give them a chance. She said both families are hoping for the same thing. If you’d heard the pain in her voice, you’d understand why I’m in such agony.”
“Was she cruel to you?”
“Not cruel. Deep down I know she’s hurt that Eli has found someone else. I know she’s anxious. All she did was plead for her life back with Eli. Let’s be honest. She couldn’t help the depression that changed her. But it’s gone now and she wants them to be a family again. At least she was honest with me. How can I stand in the way of that?”
“I’m
sorry her illness changed their lives. But now Eli loves you, Brianna. Carol and I can see it and feel it.”
“But he loved her first and married her. Now that she’s not ill anymore, she wants to honor the vows she made to him and keep their family intact. Libby needs her parents.”
“She has them and always will, no matter the situation. Does Eli know about today’s conversation?”
“Not unless she’s already told him.”
“Where are you?”
“I left Eli’s house and came home. Uncle Clark and Aunt Joanne aren’t here right now.”
“Do yourself a favor and don’t tell anyone about this until you talk to Eli. He deserves to know everything. I like the guy a lot. So does Carol.”
“I’m so glad, but apparently Tessa did talk to him about how she feels and he chose not to tell me. What does that say about him?”
“Tessa has put him in a difficult position, but you’re the woman he’s planning to marry. Get on the phone to him as soon as we hang up and straighten this out before it causes real trouble,” her brother said.
She gripped the phone tighter. “I’m scared, Doug.”
“About what? Surely you don’t doubt that he loves you.”
“No. It’s actually something I said to Eli weeks ago after telling him I wouldn’t go out with him anymore.”
“What was that?”
“I—I told him to fight for his marriage,” she stammered. “I told him a miracle could happen. And now it has. She wants him back. If I don’t step away, then—”
“Then you’ve deduced that you’re a terrible person for interfering with the miracle. I know how your mind works. Don’t take on guilt and do this to yourself. Eli loves you. Brianna? Are you listening to me? If you run away now, then you’re not the strong woman he adores or the strong sister I know you to be.”
“But if you could have heard her.”
“I swear if you don’t call Eli right now, I’ll call him myself and then get on the next plane for Missoula if necessary. Do you hear what I’m saying?”
It took her the longest time before she could respond. “I’ll do it.”
A Valentine for the Cowboy Page 15