Gage and Mr. Slade rode on horses while Nate led the team of horses pulling the wagon. Uncle Marvin sat in the wagon along with his wife and Violet. Adella’s other cousins were back at the house finishing their chores.
Gage and Mr. Slade chatted with her uncle on the way toward their destination. Her uncle had a cheerful attitude this evening and made a humorous remarks a few times. When the men laughed, it was Gage’s baritone voice she heard over the others, and darn if the sound didn’t send goosebumps over her arms.
Clint led them over a slope then stopped his horse. He looked at Gage and grinned. “Over yonder is your surprise.”
Nate stopped the wagon and everybody sat a little higher to see. Gasps rang through the air as Gage and Violet exchanged a surprised look. Not far from a gurgling brook, stood a small cabin with a wraparound porch. Scraps of wood littered the yard, giving evidence to the recent work that had been done. Clint’s generosity made the small cabin appear as a grand palace.
“I—I—can’t believe this.” Gage removed his hat and ran his fingers through his hair. “The last I worked on the house, I’d only gotten as far as making the frame.” He glanced at Clint as he dismounted. “Did you do this all by yourself?”
“Most of it, but some men from town also came to help.”
“But—but why did you do it? I could have helped,” Gage continued. “After all, this is where Violet and I will be living once we’re married.”
Tears sprang up in Violet’s eyes. “It’s absolutely beautiful.” Her voice quivered.
Clint dismounted ambled to the wagon to help Violet down. Adella arched an eyebrow. It must have slipped Gage’s mind to do that gentlemanly deed for his fiancée.
“Oh, Clint.” Violet’s arms wrapped around his neck as she hugged him tight. “You really shouldn’t have.”
He smiled down into her teary eyes. “Yes, I should’ve. I didn’t know what else to give y’all for your weddin’.”
“It’s...the most wonderful...place in the world.” Her lips quivered as if she was going to cry.
“Yes, it is,” Gage agreed, standing still as he gazed at the house.
Clint released Violet, folding his arms. “All it needs is furniture and some curtains and rugs, but I figured you’d want to decorate it y’rself.”
Violet’s tears streamed down her face. Her voice must have choked up because all she seemed to do was nod at Clint’s comment.
“Can we go inside?” Gage asked.
Clint chuckled. “Well of course. Let me go in and light some lanterns. It looks as if we didn’t quite beat the dusk this evenin’.” He led the way into the cabin.
Gage walked around the wagon and lifted Uncle Marvin out of the back and set him in the roller chair Nate had just taken out. Nate took over pushing his pa while Gage helped Adella out of the back.
“I still can’t believe it,” he said over his shoulder to Violet. “I’m completely stunned.”
Violet sniffed and nodded. “Me, too.”
As they all walked toward the cabin, Adella studied Gage and Violet. Although they walked together, Gage acted like he didn’t even want to touch his fiancée. Adella pursed her lips tightly as she followed behind the engaged couple. Violet’s incessant blubbering began to wear on her nerves. Yet, it was a generous thing that Mr. Slade did for her cousin and Gage.
Once they stepped inside, Adella’s gasped. Even though the rooms were empty, Clint’s loving touch was evident throughout the place. A small fireplace centered against the far wall, and above the mantle, he’d carved intricate designs into the wood. Large windows opened in the front room and kitchen.
While she walked through the kitchen, she trailed her fingers along the decorative carvings and noticed two closets instead of one. A small staircase in the back led up to an extra bedroom, and the other two were on the main floor.
Seeing all the work that had gone into building the place, her admiration for Mr. Slade grew. He was certainly one talented man. She moved next to him and stopped. He was so much taller than Gage, that she wondered if her neck would break looking up at him.
They’d already been introduced, but they hadn’t had much time to talk. “You’ve done a wonderful job, Mr. Slade.”
He smiled down at her and bumped her with his elbow. “Thank ya, runt.”
“Runt?” She laughed. “Can I help it that you are as tall as a building?” His eyes twinkled and she received the impression he was flirting with her...which she didn’t mind at all. “I think you can come up with another nickname now. I’m not a little girl, you know.”
Gage walked up behind them, playfully slapping Clint on the back. “Yeah, and although she likes to wear trousers, she’s not a little boy, either.”
Clint roared with laughter and the others in the room chuckled as well. She glared at Gage, wishing she could shoot fiery daggers at him.
Violet was still blubbering when the family gathered in the front room, but Adella couldn’t criticize her now. If the roles were reversed, she might feel the same if someone went through a lot of time to make something as beautiful as this house for her.
“I wanted to give it to you on your weddin’ day,” Clint told Gage and Violet, “but I couldn’t wait for Violet to make up her mind.”
Gage laughed softly before slipping his arm loosely around Violet’s waist. “Violet, honey? I think we really should set a date. Now that we have a house, there’s nothing to stop us.”
Violet nodded, but continued to weep in her handkerchief.
Adella studied her cousin’s reactions suspiciously. Something about this picture just didn’t seem right. Instead of being happy, Violet truly looked disturbed.
Standing by the wall, Adella continued to watch those who had gathered. Gage seemed happy enough, but Clint kept looking at Violet with tenderness gleaming in his eyes. Also, Gage and Violet acted differently around each other than two people engaged should act. If two people were in love, shouldn’t they gaze into each other’s eyes as if they’d never seen anything more lovely, and hold each other’s hand? Yet the way Gage and Violet looked right now was as if they couldn’t wait to get away from the other.
On the ride home, Adella pondered on what she had witnessed in the cabin. Could it really be that Gage and Violet were not in love after all? If Adella was a betting person, she’d bet that Clint had feelings for her cousin, too. Now the question was...could Violet feel the same about Clint?
This could definitely help Adella with trying to stop her cousin from marrying Gage. She hoped this was the key ingredient needed to accomplish her goal.
Once they arrived at the house, Gage lifted her down from the wagon. She stared deeply into his eyes, trying to read his expression. He gave her a tiny smile and his subtle flirtation played tricks with her mind and made her heart flutter. When her feet touched the ground, she stepped back and pulled the shawl around her shoulders.
That settled it! She had to talk to her cousin but worried Violet might not appreciate her questions. Would her cousin be able to share her feelings with her as she had when they were younger?
Adella glanced at the couple again and still felt the same nagging suspicion. No matter what, she’d make Violet confess. There would be no rest until she found out what was really going on between Violet and Gage.
FULL OF ENERGY, ADELLA rose before dawn. She stretched and yawned, then climbed out of bed. In haste, she entered her cousin’s room and bounced enthusiastically on her bed. “Time to wake up, Violet.”
Violet mumbled and turned on her side. Adella frowned and tried again. This time, she provoked a discontented groan from the other woman. “Violet? Wake up. We’re going fishing, remember?”
Violet covered her head with the pillow. “Adella, I’m not going fishing. Give my apologies to Gage.”
Annoyed, Adella grabbed the pillow and uncovered Violet’s head. “Gage will be disappointed if you don’t come.”
Violet’s eyes opened groggily and she met Adella’s stare. �
��No, he won’t. He knows I don’t like to fish.” She pulled the blanket to her chin.
Adella’s heartbeat quickened. Her cousin just had to go. There was no way Adella could be left alone with that man. One of them might come out with a black eye or missing tooth...or worse. “Please, Violet. I want you to come this morning. It’s very important to me.”
“Another time, Adella.”
Irritated with the way this conversation was going, Adella yanked the blankets down to Violet’s waist. “Come on, Violet. We don’t do that many things together, and I would like to spend some time with you before you’re an old married woman.”
Violet huffed and reached for the blankets, pulling them back up to her chin. “We’ll go shopping together this afternoon. Now, leave and let me get back to sleep. I have a terrible headache.” She turned toward the wall, finalizing the decision.
Panic swam through Adella which made both her chest and throat tight. Slowly, she rose from the bed and started for her own room. From what she could remember, her cousin was an early riser. Obviously, something was bothering Violet. Not only that, but everyone knew the best time to catch fish was early morning. Today Violet’s headache caused more than one problem. Although Adella didn’t want to cancel the fishing trip, she also didn’t want to be held responsible if Gage came back with any broken bones.
She opened the armoire in her room and stared at its contents, trying to decide what to wear. The clothes Nate had given her yesterday would be perfect, but she wasn’t in the mood to wear boys’ clothes. Instead, she donned a tan skirt and a yellow long sleeve blouse with a cotton lace collar. She pulled back her hair, tying it with a matching yellow ribbon. The bump on her head was still too sore to fix her hair in a coil like she used to, but the past few days, it felt nice to wear her hair long and flowing over her shoulders. Being here with her aunt, uncle, and cousins made her feel younger, too. As the oldest sister, she had felt responsible for her sisters after their parents died. Finally, she was able to take a break from that role model and just...relax. She could finally release the girl trapped inside of her body, spread her wings, and be free.
She didn’t want to examine the reason for her enthusiasm closely, although she felt compelled to look her best. Proving to Gage that she knew how to fish—and could do it better than him—was top priority. Of course, their arguments lately had been challenging, too. She enjoyed the way they taunted each other with words. He definitely rose to the test, and she loved getting that kind of reaction from him. Then she remembered how he had looked last night, and crazy little flutters started in her stomach. That kind of reaction was unacceptable.
She crept out of her room and down the stairs to see if Uncle Marvin was awake, but just as she neared his door, Aunt Lillian came out of the kitchen and stopped her. “Adella, don’t disturb your uncle.”
“Why?” she asked. “He’s going fishing with me this morning.”
“No, sweetheart, not today. He didn’t sleep well last night, and I want him to rest.”
Adella’s hopes for a pleasant morning instantly deflated. “I’m sorry he didn’t sleep well. You’re right,” she said softly, “he needs the rest.”
“I think your uncle would be proud if you caught a really big fish for him.” Lillian gave her a hug then nudged up Adella’s chin with a finger. “Then again, he’s always been proud of you no matter what you do.”
“I’ll try my best.” Solemnly, she moved toward the door.
“Dearie,” her aunt called out, “the fishing poles are by the back step. Take any one you’d like.”
“Thank you. I shall be back later. Elizabeth and Nate are going to take care of the stable this morning, but I won’t be too long.”
“That’s fine dear. You go and have fun.”
The thought of her uncle’s crippled body dampened her mood, but she did want to go fishing. Maybe Gage could help her devise a plan to speed Marvin on the road to recovery. Of course, she’d have to be nice when she asked.
On the way to get her horse, she snatched a fishing pole that looked in good condition. She hurried into the barn and saddled her horse then rode off to her favorite fishing spot. Though Gage hadn’t mentioned a specific place, to her there was only one place around these parts—a grassy knoll a step or two away from the creek-bed next to a large elm tree. She smiled as she thought of the hours she’d spent there with her cousins and sisters.
She had just arrived and was dismounting when another horse galloped toward her. Excited twitters danced wildly in her stomach as Gage rode over the hill. He was dressed differently. He still looked casual, but his dark blue denims and chambray shirt looked remarkably good on him.
“Good morning, Adella.” He scanned the area around her before frowning. “Where is everyone?”
“Violet couldn’t pull herself out of bed this morning, claiming a terrific headache, and my uncle had another sleepless night. Aunt Lillian wanted him to rest.”
Gage dismounted, and then tied his horse next to hers. “I’m sorry. Last night’s little excursion didn’t exhaust Marv, did it?”
Without meeting his gaze, she shook her head as she collected the fishing gear. “No. At least he didn’t act as if it did.”
She stepped to the edge of the water, noticing how it still mirrored the sky; its borders filled with moss, adding color to its beauty. Reeds grew near the waterline, tall and green; waving in the gentle breeze and sweeping across the land. Wild honeysuckle rode on the wind, reminding her of days in her youth, glorious times she would always remember. Here and there a frog darted from one lily pad to another as if playing a child’s game of tag.
Moving past Gage, she trudged to the bank and plopped down under the big elm tree, the same tree she’d carved her name in as a child. If she searched for it, she knew she’d find it, but right now, she wasn’t up to hunting through all the signatures on the tree just for her name.
She took in a deep breath. Even though she loved fishing, today alone with Gage just didn’t seem proper. Things had changed between them. No longer could she garner the anger she once had for him back in Lewiston. Instead, she dwelled much too often on the butterflies in her belly.
Her pole dropped from her hands and rested on the grass beside her, thinking of her uncle’s affliction. How could she enjoy herself this morning with all the problems going on in her life?
Gage sat beside her and gently poked her ribs. “Hey.” She raised her gaze to his smiling face. “Do you want to talk about what’s troubling you?”
“Nothing is troubling me,” she lied then tried to stand, but he kept his hold on her arm.
“Adella, I can read you well enough to know when something is wrong. So are you going to tell me?”
She tried to tug her arm free. “Just leave me alone, Gage,” she snapped.
“You don’t want to be left alone. If you did, you would have stayed home with Violet.”
It upset her that he knew her so well...and in such a short time. She didn’t want to appear weak in his eyes, and admitting she needed somebody, especially Gage, wasn’t something she wanted to do.
“I’m fine,” she said softly.
He chuckled. “You’re not a very good liar.”
His comment made her smile even though she tried not to. “No, I’ve never been a good liar, just an excellent teaser.”
His eyes widened. “Oh, is that what you call it?”
“Yes. You’re just not a very good sport.”
He laughed. “Oh-ho! Are you saying I can’t take your teasing?”
She gave him her best innocent expression as she batted her eyes. “Did I say that?”
“You little scamp.” He touched his finger to the tip of her nose. “You know exactly what you said, and I’m willing to bet you’re not the least bit sorry.”
She shrugged and smiled wide.
His finger dropped to her chin. “Well, at least I brought a smile to your pretty face.”
Confusion swept through her and sh
e scrunched her forehead. Did he just say she had a pretty face? Impossible! She must have heard wrong...or maybe he was just teasing. But if he was teasing, why was there a different look in his hazel eyes—almost as if they had softened to a shade lighter.
For once she found herself speechless while in his presence. Now she was content to just gaze into his disturbing—yet exhilarating eyes. They couldn’t possibly be this dreamy. Perhaps the sun inching over the hill was playing havoc with her vision.
“Now, are you going to tell me what is bothering you?” he asked.
The question shook her from her dream. She suddenly realized that though they both liked to tease, she wanted to talk with him about her problems. Gage knew her uncle very well, and what she had been able to observe in the past few days, Gage thought of the Lancaster family as his own.
Liquid gathered in her eyes. “I’ve been thinking about Uncle Marvin. I hate to see him so helpless. He has always been a strong, active man, but now he can’t move to his roller-chair without exhausting himself. At night, sharp pains in his back and legs keep him awake. It just kills me to see him this way.”
“I understand.” Gage swiped his finger across her cheek, drying a stray tear. “Coming home to such a shock had to be upsetting. I’ve only been here for three weeks, but I’ve known Marvin since I was a young boy. It’s hard to watch my father’s best friend wither away before my eyes. Just like you, I feel very helpless. I wish there was something I could do to help.”
Her throat choked with sadness. “You have done a lot, from what my cousins tell me. If not for you, they wouldn’t have been able to keep the livery going. I can tell my family really appreciates your kindness, and...so do I,” she ended in a broken whisper. Why she confessed that, she didn’t know. It just felt...right.
“Come here.” He stretched his arms open for her to enter his embrace.
Half of her wanted to be comforted, the other half didn’t. The way they’d talked to each other when they first met still haunted her, and she didn’t know if she could fully trust him. Yet, he was the only one here to ease her heartache—if only slightly—and she would take advantage of it.
Reach for Heaven Page 12