True Heart's Desire

by Caroline Fyffe

  Lavinia discreetly wiped away a tear that had escaped her eye.

  On this day twenty years ago, I’d been breaking colts. The day was chilly and I remember being exceedingly hungry. After I washed up and came in for supper, I noticed your mother moving more slowly than usual. Mavis was playing with Belle and Emma, three little moppets—my children. Your mother finally admitted labor had begun. I was perturbed she hadn’t alerted me sooner, because I needed to ride for the doctor but didn’t want to leave her alone. The midwife who delivered your sisters had died the month before. As much as I pleaded for her to let me get Dr. Dodge, she was adamant in her refusal. The orphanage was only two miles away. I prayed someone there would know what to do. I returned with Sister Cecilia.

  In wonder, Lavinia recalled all the time she’d spent at the orphanage with Sister Cecilia. Imagine that. The soft-spoken nun had never let on. Lavinia looked up from the wavering lines to gaze at Rhett’s broad back where he stood overlooking the town. With his hands in his pockets and boots planted wide apart, he resembled a pirate. The meadow’s ever-present breeze moved the grass as well as his hair. What was he thinking? His posture seemed so sad. Lost, almost . . .

  You were about five pounds at birth, delicate, with porcelain skin. Once a few days had passed, always smiling. Celeste and I had to be careful because your sisters believed you a doll, a plaything. With all the attention you received, you grew like a weed the first two months, and then you began to have problems with your ears. Any hint of wind would bring on an earache. You’d pull on your ears and cry most piteously, upsetting us greatly. Your mother would cry with you. She tried herbal teas, homemade tinctures, powders from the mercantile, hot oil, but nothing helped. At her wit’s end, and to keep the wind from starting any more problems for her precious girl, she took to keeping a warm, knitted cap on you at all times that covered your ears. Morning or night didn’t matter. You even wore it to bed. As you grew, your cap turned into bonnets, or scarves, always something. You were such a good baby, and never pulled them off, as if you knew they were important. And it worked. Your troubles eased away. I used to call you Little Bo Peep, for your wide-brimmed hat resembled the illustrations in a book of nursery rhymes.

  Lavinia gasped. The papers fluttered as she dropped her hands into her lap and gazed off into the distance. My dreams of becoming a milliner actually began here in Eden! Because of all the caps Mother made. How sweet. I’m so thankful I’ve come to the decision to stay. And now I have confirmation my thinking is right.

  She gazed down lovingly at her father’s script, her heart swelling as she read his salutation. How much they’d lost. A warm tingle of awareness began in her breast and moved into her chest and throughout her body and mind. When something you’ve believed in for your whole life is upended, the world tilts. Placing the cherished correspondence back into the envelope, she stood and started for Rhett. She’d been shy about telling him she’d changed her mind. What would he think of her? Wishy-washy? A silly woman? And now she couldn’t wait. Halfway there, she shouted his name, and then started to run.

  He turned just in time to catch her when she flung herself into his arms.

  “What?”

  “I’m so happy. So happy! My life, everything I’ve ever thought has been focused on something I thought I wanted. But I was wrong. My heart belongs here! And so does my millinery business. I don’t need Philadelphia when I have this.” She pulled away for one moment to gaze down at the town, and then up into his face, so close to hers. “And you. I wasn’t invisible, as I’d thought. Not at all. And here is where I’ll make my mark, here in Eden.”

  Despite his bound ribs, he tightened his hold around her. “Why? What’s happened?”

  “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is I’m not leaving! I’m staying in Eden. I hope that makes you happy.”

  His mouth found hers. They kissed, sweetly, hungrily, madly. Nothing had ever felt this right.

  He pulled away, but only slightly. “More than you could ever know. But . . . are you sure?”

  She tenderly cupped his cheek as she memorized his face. “I’ve never been surer of anything in my life. You make my heart sing, Rhetten Laughlin. Why would I ever want to be anywhere else?”

  CHAPTER FIFTY-EIGHT

  Four days later, with a lively spring in her step, Lavinia made her way from the livery, where she’d just dropped off a lunch basket for Maverick and Mavis, toward the new lumber office located in the touristy area of Eden and close to Mademoiselle de Sells. With Rhett and Cash on the job, the interior of the building shell was completed quickly. Half for Katie and the mill and the other half for Rhett Laughlin Construction. With all the people migrating to town, the lumber business was booming. All that was really needed was someone with the knowledge of what to do with the lumber. Rhett was that man.

  She switched the second heavy basket from one arm to the other as she entered the cobblestoned area, smiling at the new fabric store, the new miners’ supply, and the new ladies’ fashions boutique. A little competition for Emma, and a new outlet for her bonnets.

  Smiling, as she did every time she saw the two shingles, Lavinia marveled at how her life had changed. With her hand on the knob, she stepped inside.

  Katie looked up from her desk, a pretty bow in her hair and a pencil behind her ear.

  “Lunch has arrived,” Lavinia announced, disappointed Rhett wasn’t around.

  The room was split down the middle with a half-wall divider. Each space had a desk, a large flat counter to lay out plans, and a window on opposite walls. Howard, Katie’s foreman, retained his office at the mill, where he kept an eye on production, and where Katie usually visited at least once a day. Her side of the building had a few feminine knickknacks set around, but Rhett’s was stark, with only a wall calendar. The first day of April was crossed out.

  “Fiddlesticks,” Lavinia said, setting the basket on Katie’s desk. “I thought Rhett would be here. Cash as well.” She gestured to the food. “I packed for all three.”

  Katie’s knowing brow crept upward. “They’re here, around back. Showing some samples to another new fella. I think he’s considering building a hotel or boardinghouse. I’m amazed. Whichever, if his plans go through, the project will be substantial.” She leaned in and lowered her voice. “And I heard him ask about the Brinkman sisters. And if they were still unmarried.” She gave a small laugh. “You might want to go say hello.”

  Lavinia waved off her little sister’s suggestion, knowing she was teasing. “I think he’d be more interested in you, with the lumber mill, Katie. He could save a lot of money if the two of you married. He’d get the lumber for free—and then some.”

  Katie smiled mischievously. She lifted the cotton covering to peek inside the basket. They’d never spoken further about Santiago. When Katie looked inside, a real smile appeared. “Thank you again for lunch. You spoil us.”

  The last few days in Eden had been hopping. And there was no reason to believe the influx would stop anytime soon. “I guess we have Lara to thank for losing her diary. Those articles have proven to be a boon for our quaint little town.” She began unpacking the fare and taking the men’s portions over to the other desk. “They brought Rhett Laughlin.” She looked off dreamily. “Hmm, Lavinia Laughlin. The name sounds nice.”

  It’s true! A soft flutter in her tummy reminded her of the butterflies she’d felt when his mouth had hungrily covered hers in the meadow only a few days before. She’d always imagined what true love would feel like, but she really hadn’t understood at all. Now I do . . .

  The door opened as boisterous voices sounded out front. Rhett stepped in, followed by a tall fellow who looked to be close to Clint’s age. Cash ambled in next. The day after she’d told Rhett she was staying, he’d gone straight to Cash with his idea. If she was changing her dream, he was changing his as well. The restaurant had been Shawn’s desire, not Rhett’s. He wanted to build, and he wanted to build here in Eden. With Cash at his side, they both would m
ake a much better living than what they’d been doing before.

  Rhett smiled when he saw her, causing a new round of flutters.

  “I brought you and Cash some lunch.”

  The new fella brightened. Glimmers of gray salted his dark hair, which was nicely trimmed around his ears. His eyes seemed perceptive as they took in Lavinia and then Katie. Before he was able to say a thing, or Rhett was able to introduce them, Clint stepped inside holding his hat.

  He pulled up short. “Well, we’re having a party, I see.” He put out his hand to the new man. “Clint Dawson, sheriff of Eden.”

  “Darrell Wells.” They shook. “Pleased to make your acquaintance,” Mr. Wells said. He quickly nodded at Lavinia and then at Katie, who was still sitting at her desk. “And you two beautiful women must be Brinkmans, if I had to guess?”

  Lavinia wanted to laugh, especially when Rhett and Clint exchanged a meaningful glance.

  “Yes, they are,” Rhett said, stepping next to Lavinia. His finger discreetly brushed her arm. “They’re our national treasure here in Eden. We watch over them carefully.”

  Mr. Wells’s brows rose amusingly. “And I aim to help.”

  Embarrassed, Lavinia made a soft sound in her throat. “I won’t keep you, Rhett. I just delivered some fried chicken and warm biscuits.” She wished Clint and Mr. Wells weren’t here. Rhett had taken to kissing her cheek each time she came to visit, which kept her dreaming up reasons to make the short walk. Her gaze darted to Katie. She understood her little sister better these days as well. Love was a potent drug.

  “I won’t keep you,” Clint said. “And I’ll walk you back to the restaurant, Lavinia. But first, I thought you’d all like to know, President Hayes has sent me a letter.”

  His chest actually puffed out.

  “He plans on visiting Eden sometime in the future. Him and the missus.”

  Mr. Wells looked duly impressed.

  “Why, that’s wonderful, Clint!” Lavinia exclaimed.

  Katie beamed. “You’re famous.”

  Rhett and Cash nodded happily and exclaimed their good feelings.

  Clint, proud as a peacock, nodded and stepped out the door. That was her cue to leave as well. Tonight, Rhett would come by the restaurant for supper and to return her basket. They’d sit for an hour on the hotel porch talking and watch people go by—or perhaps take a walk to the meadow, where they could steal a few kisses. He hadn’t yet decided what he was going to do with Shawn’s Café, and she wasn’t pushing. That decision had to be his alone. Whether he decided to keep and open the place or put the ready-to-go restaurant on the market, she’d support him all the way.

  Stepping outside into the brisk April day, expectation filled her. Life in Eden was an adventure.

  Rhett surprised her, and stepped out too.

  Clint dipped his chin and peeled off back toward the livery.

  “What about your customer?” Lavinia asked. “Won’t he wonder where you’ve run off to?” Rhett’s smile gave her warm tingles.

  “He knows. And he’s willing to wait.”

  “Katie says Mr. Wells wants to build something substantial. Congratulations, Rhett. Before long you’ll be booked a year out.” They passed the butcher shop and turned onto Main Street. He reached down and took her hand. She glanced sideways, to find him smiling into her face.

  “You sure are something, Miss Brinkman.”

  “Rhett?”

  “I guess I’m finally realizing what a gift God has dropped into my arms. I feel like I’ve been forgiven for Shawn’s death and only have happiness on my horizon.”

  She pulled him to a stop, gazing into his eyes. “You’ve never been blamed. And yes, only goodness and love from this day forward.” She leaned in close. “I wish we were up in our meadow, so I could show my true heart’s desire how much he means to me.” She laughed softly and then glanced up the knoll, where the watcher stood tall and strong. “But the watcher knows. Our life is only beginning.”

  He squeezed her hands and then placed a chaste kiss on her cheek. His dazzling smile warmed her heart and soul. “That’s just what I needed to hear,” he whispered. “Now and always.”

  ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

  Heartfelt thanks to Megan Mulder, my wonderful Montlake editor, for her thoughtful guidance with this book. Working with her has been a joy. Thanks also to Jessica Poore and all the fabulous staff at Montlake Romance. I’m humbled and privileged to be one of your authors.

  With each project I complete with my developmental editor, Caitlin Alexander, my esteem for her grows. She’s magnificent. Thank you!

  As always, thank you to my family, for their love and support through the months of writing and editing. Also to my friends and readers! You are the frosting on the cake.

  And to God, for raining His love down in abundance. I feel greatly blessed.

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Caroline Fyffe was born in Waco, Texas, the first of many towns she would call home during her father’s career with the US Air Force. A horse aficionado from an early age, she earned a bachelor of arts in communications from California State University, Chico, before launching what would become a twenty-year career as an equine photographer. She began writing fiction to pass the time during long days in the show arena, channeling her love of horses and the Old West into a series of Western historicals. Her debut novel, Where the Wind Blows, won the Romance Writers of America’s prestigious Golden Heart Award as well as the Wisconsin RWA’s Write Touch Readers’ Award. She and her husband have two grown sons and live in the Pacific Northwest.