Love Inspired Historical October 2015 Box Set

by Lacy Williams

  She watched, surprised, as he turned pink beneath his tan. She chuckled. “Not used to hearing compliments?”

  He merely shrugged. “Shall we leave after dinner?”

  She considered. She would have preferred to wait and make sure Petey didn’t arrive with the stagecoach, but Blue seemed convinced the stagecoach driver would want to spend a day with his friend. “So long as you can assure me the stagecoach won’t leave without me.”

  “I can do that.”

  The girls returned, their cheeks rosy from playing in the snow. They set the buckets down and hung their coats on the hooks by the door, then withdrew to their favorite corner to play with their doll.

  Blue and Clara turned their attention to the work left to do, though Clara’s thoughts drifted away several times. Blue seemed to truly care about her safety and that of the girls. Like she’d said, he was a good man. He should really remarry. He has so much to offer. He—

  Not knowing where those thoughts came from, she slammed the door on them right quick.

  If Blue Lyons chose to marry or otherwise, it was none of her concern. She had her own issues to worry about. There was no room in her life for wondering if Blue would ever consider taking another wife.

  So why couldn’t she stop wondering what it would be like to be married to a man who treated her like an equal and yet showed tenderness and concern?

  Chapter Thirteen

  Not until Clara sat beside him on the wagon seat and the girls sat wrapped in blankets in the back did Blue really believe she had agreed to go to the ranch.

  As they journeyed along the road, she looked about with interest and asked questions. Did he know the name of that mountain or that one? How far back into the hills did the ranch go? How long had Eddie been ranching here?

  All too soon they approached their destination. She sat forward when she saw the big house. “That’s a ranch house?” She seemed impressed.

  He laughed. “Eddie’s father wanted a replica of the estate back in England. From what I hear, he wasn’t too pleased when Eddie married Linette and she said she meant to use the extra rooms to provide home and shelter for those in need of it.”

  “Yet Eddie let her do so?”

  He laughed again. “I don’t know if he would even try and stop her. Linette is very strong natured.”

  She shifted her attention to the rest of the buildings, laid out like a little town. “There’s a lot of cabins and barns.”

  “The cabins and house are for married cowboys and their wives.” For some reason it no longer annoyed him to think of how many of the crew had married.

  They reached the house, and Linette stepped out. “Blue, nice of you to bring me company. You must be Mrs. Weston. My husband told me you were helping at the church.”

  Blue helped Clara down and introduced the women. He signaled the two curious girls forward and introduced them, as well.

  “Do come in and have tea. You, too, Blue.”

  He would normally go down to the cookhouse and beg a cinnamon roll off Cookie, but he allowed himself to be shepherded inside with Clara and the girls.

  Linette, heavy with child, led them through the house to the big kitchen. She expected to have the baby before Christmas, which was three weeks away. For the first time in two years, he looked forward to the day. He’d spend it with Clara and the girls wherever they went.

  Eddie threw open the back door and stepped inside. “Company. How nice.” After Blue introduced them, he asked, “Are you done with the pews?”

  “Not yet, but Clara wanted to attend church here tomorrow.”

  Clara’s look warned him not to tell the whole truth.

  He acknowledged her with a quirk of his eyebrows, silently promising he wouldn’t say any more about her reasons and fears than she herself was willing to tell.

  Five-year-old Grady raced into the room and skidded to a halt at the sight of two girls.

  Linette introduced their adopted son. “Grady, take the girls and show them your toys.”

  Libby was already on her feet, ready to join him, but Eleanor hung back.

  “It’s okay, little one,” Blue reassured her. “Grady has a fine collection of carved animals to play with.”

  She nodded and joined the other two. They retreated to a corner of the room where Grady showed them a basket of his toys.

  As she served tea, Linette tried to draw Clara out, but Clara grew quiet, not talking about her father or her plans. Did Linette think the woman was shy or secretive? Before Blue could determine which, she turned the conversation to ranch news.

  Clara perked up as Linette told her the history of each couple on the ranch and those who had moved on. Her eyes flashed with what he took as surprise. “Blue told me some of this, but it’s truly amazing at how these women overcame obstacles.”

  Eddie chuckled. “If you stay around, you’ll soon learn that the women here are strong and perhaps a little stubborn.” He gave Linette a teasing look.

  “Sometimes women have to be,” she said.

  Blue contemplated Linette’s words along with Clara’s plan to escape her father. Could she be persuaded to change her mind and find safety here?

  Eddie pushed from the table. “I need to get down to the barn. Blue, feel free to take the day off. Maybe Clara would like to see the rest of the ranch.”

  Blue turned to Clara. “Would you?” He’d like a chance to talk to her about the role of women on the ranch.

  She turned to the girls.

  “They’re welcome to stay here and play,” Linette said.

  “Very well, then.” She spoke to the girls, who seemed content to stay behind.

  Blue escorted her outside and down the hill. He pointed out the cookhouse. “Cookie makes the best cinnamon rolls. You’ll get a chance to taste them tomorrow. Her husband, Bertie, leads the Sunday service.”

  They continued on their way. He pointed to the cabin where Eddie’s sister, Jayne, and her husband, Seth, lived. “Jayne’s friend, Sybil, lives in that cabin with her husband, Brand.” He pointed to a new cabin beyond the first. They continued on their way. He pointed out the house where Cassie and Roper and their four children lived.

  “Cassie’s the one who started Bonnie and Claude’s business, isn’t she?” Clara stared at the house a moment, a thoughtful look on her face.

  “That’s right.” Was she seeing how these women faced challenges and dangers and refused to budge? He led her over the bridge, past the wintering pens and up the hill. Would she see how safe and protected these women were? How valued? No one would dare suggest to Linette that she couldn’t do anything she put her mind to. The same went for the others.

  They reached the top of the hill, and a cold breeze caused them to draw back into the shelter of the trees.

  Maybe Clara would decide to stay.

  And if she did, was he prepared to open his life, his heart to more pain?

  It hardly seemed worth it.

  And yet, hadn’t Clara and the girls already claimed a large portion of his heart?

  That didn’t matter. His concern was to persuade her to stay on the ranch where she would be surrounded by people willing to protect her and the girls. Where he could make certain she was safe.

  As his thoughts whirled, he continued to tell her about the others. “Seth and Brand and their wives are only spending the winter in the cabins. They have plans to start their own ranches come spring.”

  “Do you have similar desires?”

  “I don’t think about it much.”

  She stood before him, her blue eyes searching his thoughts. “Don’t you want a place of your own? I can’t imagine anything better.”

  Her piercing gaze made it difficult to think clearly. But one question surfaced. “Did you not have such a place when you were married?”

  She shrugged. “It was always Rolland’s, and he made certain I understood that. He was much older than I and grew feeble, which allowed me some measure of freedom. I gave it up all too readily when
he passed. Not that I had much choice. Father is executor of the monies Rolland left.” Her expression grew troubled.

  Wanting to comfort her, he pulled her to his chest. “They were both sorely mistaken about your abilities, weren’t they?”

  “What do you mean?” She looked up at him, her eyes begging for reassurance.

  “They don’t know how strong you are, do they?”

  “I am?”

  He studied her flawless skin. It reminded him of the porcelain face on the doll he’d bought the girls. Her eyes were so blue he felt as if he’d stepped into a summer day. His gaze lingered on her mouth. Then he realized she waited for his answer.

  “You can make a fine church pew. You can find your way across the country while taking care of two children. I’d say that was evidence enough.” He’d said it before but she needed to hear it again.

  Her eyes darkened, revealing how hungry she was for such acknowledgment.

  The smile on his lips carried a gentleness he’d grown unfamiliar with. “Clara, you are strong and sweet, independent, gentle, stubborn and loving.”

  She held his gaze as the moment ticked by, full of expectation and hope and things he’d forgotten to believe in.

  There was only one thing to do in response. He lowered his head and claimed her lips.

  She was everything he’d imagined. Strong and at the same time yielding. Her arms came around his waist, and she pressed her hands to his back, letting him know she wanted this kiss as much as he did.

  His heart filled with such sweetness he stifled a groan and lifted his mouth from hers. He pressed her head to the hollow of his shoulder and held her tightly. She snuggled close and sighed, the sound of contentment.

  He looked out at the snow-dusted landscape. Did this mean she would stay? He would ask, but he didn’t want to spoil the richness of the moment. He’d bring up the matter later.

  For now, he wanted to enjoy the feel of Clara in his arms.

  *

  Clara rested in Blue’s embrace, safe and cherished. She couldn’t say what the kiss had meant on Blue’s behalf. Goodness, she couldn’t even say what it meant on her behalf. Or why she’d even allowed it. Perhaps because of the hope and acceptance she felt at Eden Valley Ranch. From what she’d heard of the women who lived here, they were allowed to be strong and independent. They had all found a marriage where they were valued and their strengths acknowledged.

  Was such possible for Clara?

  Perhaps, if she could believe her father would not take her children away. She had to deal with that fear. But for now, she simply wanted to forget her troubles and enjoy the encouragement Blue had given.

  “It’s getting cold,” Blue said. “We need to get back.”

  She made a tiny sound of protest, then realized how weak it made her sound and straightened. She didn’t mind that he kept his arm around her shoulders.

  It remained there as they made their leisurely way down the hill. Not until they reached the pens did he drop his arm to his side.

  That unfamiliar sound of protest again came to her lips.

  He walked her up the hill to the big house. “I’ll leave you here.”

  “Where are you going?”

  “I’ll eat at the cookhouse, then join the other cowboys in the bunkhouse.”

  She reached for his hand, feeling a sense of abandonment. “But I don’t know Linette and Eddie.”

  He smiled. “You know them well enough. You’ll be fine. I’ll see you at church tomorrow.”

  She clung to his hand. Where was the strength he said she had? She was acting like a weakling.

  “Of course, I’ll be fine.” She forced herself to drop his hand. “Enjoy visiting with your friends.” She reached for the doorknob then hesitated. It was harder to say goodbye than it should be. “Thank you for the tour of the ranch.”

  “Thank you for the kiss,” he murmured.

  Heat raced up her neck and stung her cheeks. Yet she was pleased to know he’d enjoyed it, too.

  “Until tomorrow, then.” Her hand lingered on the knob without turning it. What was she waiting for?

  “Until tomorrow.” He trailed his knuckles along her jawline.

  That’s what she was waiting for, though she hadn’t known it.

  A touch to convince her she hadn’t imagined the tender moment between them.

  She stepped inside, hung her coat inside the door and followed the sounds of the children back to the kitchen.

  Linette smiled at her entrance. “What do you think of our ranch?”

  “It’s very nice.” Though it wasn’t the ranch she thought of. It was the way Blue had kissed her and held her and called her strong.

  She held back a sigh. Was she strong enough to do what she must?

  Linette pressed her hand to the small of her back. “This little one is getting heavy.”

  “Why don’t you sit and tell me what to do?”

  “You wouldn’t mind?”

  “Not at all.” She checked the potatoes and sliced bread at Linette’s request. “When is your baby due?”

  “Soon, before Christmas, I hope, but I don’t mind confessing I’d be happy for it to come any day. Clara—you don’t mind if I call you that?”

  Clara shook her head.

  “Did you have a doctor when your girls were born?”

  She nodded. “We lived in Toronto, and my husband insisted on the finest doctor in the city.”

  “We have no doctor.” Linette gave a brave smile. “This is my first, so I’m not sure what to expect.”

  Clara’s gaze went to Grady. “Your first?”

  “We adopted Grady. I met his mother on the ship over. She died before we reached shore.” Her eyes lit lovingly on her son before she turned back to Clara. “What’s it like?”

  Clara knew she meant delivering a baby. As they sat across from each other at the table, she told Linette what to expect. “And then they put the baby in your arms, and you fall instantly in love, amazed that you are responsible for creating this perfect little life.” Warmth filled her heart as she watched Eleanor and Libby playing. Nothing mattered but these two children. Not her own wishes, not her desire for a real family. Nothing but keeping them safe and with her.

  Eddie returned a few minutes later, and Clara called the girls to help set the table.

  After the meal, she insisted Linette sit while she cleaned the kitchen. “Is there anything else?”

  “Oh, you’ve done plenty already, and I appreciate it.”

  Clara laughed. “I recognize an evasive answer when I hear it. What else do you need done?”

  “I always prepare a big meal for Sunday dinner. If the vegetables were prepared and something for dessert…” She trailed off. “It’s unfair of me to even suggest it to a guest.”

  Clara waved away her protests. “Then think of me as a friend.”

  “I’d love to.”

  Clara, with direction from Linette, prepared vegetables and a baked pudding.

  The girls and Grady played happily enough, but Clara caught a whining tone in Libby’s voice. “The girls are getting tired.” As was Linette. “They won’t go to bed in an unfamiliar place unless I’m with them.”

  “I’ll show you to your room.” Linette led her down the hall.

  Eddie was in the library working at a big desk. He glanced up as Linette paused at the door. “Going to bed? I’ll be up in a bit. Good night.”

  They climbed the wide staircase, and Linette showed Clara to a nice room with a bed wide enough for the three of them to sleep together.

  As soon as the door closed, Eleanor turned to Clara. “A bed just like we used to have.”

  Libby’s bottom lip came out. “I’d sleep on the floor forever if it meant we could stay with Blue.”

  Clara helped them prepare for bed. “Libby, we’ve talked about this many times. We can’t stay.”

  “Why not?” Libby clearly did not like Clara’s decision.

  Clara was tired of this oft-repeated
argument. “Because I said so.”

  She heard the girls’ prayers and tucked them into bed. She crawled in the far side and turned out the lamp.

  The women here were strong and independent to a degree that made her ache. If only she could find the same. Could she if she stayed here? Maybe not on the ranch but in the area where the women seemed to have what she wanted. And maybe with someone who saw her strengths.

  Like Blue.

  Her heart twisted with regret that it wasn’t possible.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Blue rose early Sunday morning. He put on his best duds, which in truth were nothing special. Only a white shirt with blue stripes, a newish pair of black pants and a black string tie.

  The other cowboys watched out of the corner of their eyes. The youngest, Buster, was openly curious. “You courtin’ that woman?”

  Blue took his time about brushing his hair into place before he answered. “What makes you think that?”

  Buster shrugged. “Ain’t never seen you fuss so much about getting ready.”

  “You just weren’t paying attention.”

  Buster nodded, understanding the conversation was closed, and grabbed his hat and left the bunkhouse.

  Blue watched him depart, hoping he hadn’t offended the young man. But he was glad to see him go because with Buster gone Blue could head over to the cookhouse without looking too eager. The morning had seemed awfully long so far.

  He grabbed his hat, placed it carefully on his head and left.

  No one came down the hill. Either they hadn’t left the big house or they were already inside. He picked up his pace in case it was the latter.

  He hadn’t seen Clara since shortly after he’d kissed her, and all night he’d thought of that kiss. He’d tried to convince himself it was only a gesture of comfort. But he’d failed entirely. Something between them had shifted. He didn’t know what it meant nor how to proceed from here.

  What did he want?

  What did she want?

  He could answer, in part, for himself. He wanted her to stay on the ranch where he believed she and the girls would be safe.

  And where he could see her on a regular basis? He wouldn’t answer the question except to remind himself again that caring for someone carried the risk of being hurt. He stepped into the cookhouse. No one from the big house was there yet. And no, he wasn’t disappointed. They’d be along in time.