“I’ll get a wagon,” Eddie said and also left.
Father turned away without another word. “Where is the best hotel?” he asked the shopkeeper.
Macpherson chuckled. “We ain’t got a best or worst hotel. In fact, we ain’t got a hotel.”
Father drew himself up. “That’s unacceptable. Where’s a man supposed to sleep?”
Macpherson shrugged. “Most men bunk down in my back room or sleep over in the livery barn.”
Clara could almost laugh at the shock in Father’s face. Instead, she looked at Blue. He had his hat on, making it difficult to see his eyes clearly, but she saw his mouth curved in a barely there smile. He nodded.
As if to say goodbye?
Her heart plummeted to the ground. Had she proved so thoroughly she could manage on her own that he didn’t want to be part of the picture?
Blue. Blue. Let me explain.
At that moment, Eddie returned with the wagon. “Are you ready to go?”
No. She had to talk to Blue. Make him see that she’d only needed to prove she was capable of taking care of the girls.
She did not want to do it alone. Not now that she’d come to know Blue. Come to love him. She must explain.
But Eddie waited at the door, and the girls tugged at her hands.
“Goodbye, Father. I’ll write.”
She gave Blue one more pleading look, but he only lifted his finger to the brim of his hat in a goodbye salute.
*
Blue forced himself to remain in the store as Clara and the girls left, even though every nerve in his body longed to hurry after her. Follow her to the ranch. Ask Clara’s permission to court her.
But she’d only just had assurances given that her girls could not be taken from her. Her plans had changed profoundly. She’d hopefully seen herself as others saw her—strong, capable, self-reliant.
She needed time to figure out who she was and what she wanted. He was prepared to give her that time.
He returned to the ranch later in the day when he was certain he wouldn’t overtake them, and he slipped into the bunkhouse.
Over the next few days he watched her take the girls for walks, saw her visiting the other women in their various homes. He always made sure to stay out of sight, patiently waiting.
Until Sunday. Surely she’d had enough time to sort things out by then. Even if she hadn’t, he could no longer stay away from her.
He was in the cookhouse, ready for the Sunday service, when she stepped in and saw him.
Her eyes flared with welcome. She didn’t move. He wasn’t sure she even breathed. Surely her reaction meant she was glad to see him, was as eager to spend time with him as he was with her. Then she curtained her feelings. He would not allow himself to think she’d planned a future without him.
The girls saw him and raced over.
“Where have you been, Mr. Blue?” Libby demanded as she clung to his hand.
“We missed you,” Eleanor whispered. “All of us.”
All of them? He tucked the words into his heart.
He’d saved room for them beside him and pulled Libby to one side and Eleanor to the other, then signaled for Clara to join them.
She hesitated but a heartbeat, then crossed to sit beside Libby.
He shifted the little girl to his knee so he and Clara sat with their elbows touching. For the first time in days, his world felt complete. His heart swelled with love, with hope she might love him in return.
Cookie led them in two hymns, and he sang but he couldn’t remember what the hymns were…only the joy and pleasure of joining his voice to Clara’s, having the girls’ voices sing along.
Bertie rose to speak. “I hear Blue has finished making the pews.”
“With Clara and the girls’ help,” Blue said.
“Thank you all. Soon we’ll be meeting in our new church, worshiping with others from the town and nearby farms and ranches. It’s good to move on. It’s good to start something new and better. As it says in Psalm 118, verse twenty-three, ‘This is the Lord’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.’ Don’t ever be afraid of moving forward with God.”
Blue was no longer afraid of the future. Only one thing concerned him. Would Clara want to share it with him?
As always, Cookie served coffee and cinnamon rolls after the service. Then Linette invited everyone up the hill for dinner.
The cowboys didn’t go without invitation. “You, too, Blue,” she added. “The girls have asked about you every day.”
The women left immediately. He watched Clara follow the others, wished she’d turn and, if not wave goodbye, at least signal something with her eyes. But she kept her attention on whatever Jayne said to her.
The men visited a bit longer at the cookhouse, then went up the hill. Blue didn’t object to sharing the meal with the others, but he needed to talk to Clara.
When the meal finally ended and the dishes done at no hurry, he asked Eddie if he could borrow a wagon.
Eddie grinned as if enjoying a secret. “Of course.”
Blue didn’t care if everyone stared at him when he approached Clara as the women came to the front room. “Clara, may I take you for a drive?”
He knew he saw a flare of pleasure in her eyes before she quenched it. “The girls?”
“Please leave them here,” Linette said. “They’re enjoying having lots of playmates.”
Clara spoke to the girls where they played with the other children, and both nodded. She returned to Blue’s side. “Very well. I’d very much enjoy a drive.”
He jogged down the hill, harnessed a horse to the wagon and rattled back to the big house.
Clara stepped out before Blue reached the door.
He took her hand and helped her up to the seat before scrambling up beside her. “I’ve missed you,” he said.
He hadn’t meant to blurt that out; he’d meant to work up to it. But his heart couldn’t contain the words any longer.
“I’ve been here every day since I left town,” she replied.
Did she sound disappointed that he had made no attempt to speak to her? “I thought you needed some time to sort out all the changes in your life,” he said as they rode from the yard.
“I had it sorted out before I left town.”
Good to know. Now if she would say if she saw him in her plans…
“There’s a spot I want you to see.”
They rode in silence for a spell. Then he pointed out the landmarks. “It’s a good country. A man would have to look hard to find any better. Of course, there are those unexpected snowstorms to contend with.” For the past three weeks they’d enjoyed sunshine and mild winter temperatures.
“I have learned it’s the people who make this a good country.”
His breath stalled. Did she mean him?
“They are accepting and supportive,” she added. “Something I’ve learned to appreciate. Even more, people here accept a woman as a valuable partner in life.”
He fit into that pattern. But he’d not tell her just yet. Not until they reached the spot he wanted to show her.
A few moments later, he pulled the wagon to a stop in view of a field, empty but for crusted grass and ringed by trees and a flowing creek. “This is it.”
She stared. “What am I supposed to see?”
He took her hand and pulled her close. “A new place. A little house right there.” He pointed. “Over there a barn. A garden there. Children playing on the hill there. Cattle farther afield.”
She laughed. “You have a vivid imagination.”
He turned to face her. “It’s what I want. But I don’t want it by myself.” He searched her eyes. Dare he believe he saw encouragement in them? “Clara, I want you to be part of my future. Do you suppose it would be possible for us to start over together?”
“Maybe.”
Maybe? He wanted more than that. So much more. “Clara, I love you. I want you in my life. I want the girls in my life.”
A smile filled her
face. “You love me?”
He’d thought it so often the past few days he thought everyone could tell. “Let’s go look at my house.” He jumped to the ground and lifted her down, keeping her hand tucked around his arm as they walked down the hill to the spot where he envisioned the house. He stood behind her and pointed as he spoke. “Right here where we can see the seasons change along the creek, where we’ll be protected from the winter winds and be able to see the sunset every evening.”
She leaned against him. “Sounds like a nice place.”
He wrapped his arms around her. “It will be a lonely place without you.” He turned her to face him. “Clara, I love you like I never imagined a man could love a woman.”
When she didn’t speak, his heart lurched. Then she cupped her hands about his face. Her tenderness, her warmth, reached straight through his chest, cradling his questing heart.
He closed his eyes and lived the moment. He allowed nothing to rob him of a single sensation of her touch. Not worry, not doubts, nothing but the joy of this moment.
“Blue, you have taught me to value my strengths, helped me see how I can do whatever is necessary. You made me believe things I only hoped were possible.”
His eyes opened to watch her.
She examined his every feature as if wanting to burn them deep into her memories.
“I can’t imagine life without you.” She brought her gaze to him, and his heart exploded at the love pouring from her blue eyes. “I love you like I never dreamed possible.”
He caught her hands and brought them to his lips. “Clara, I want to spend the rest of my life loving you. Will you marry me?”
“I will love you to the ends of the earth and back, and, yes, I will marry you.”
He tossed his hat in the air and whooped with joy, then swung her off her feet. “Mrs. Clara Lyons. Imagine that.” He set her on her feet and tipped her head up. “I love you.” He caught her lips in a gentle kiss, promising his heart and support for the rest of his life.
He meant to keep the kiss short and gentle, but she wrapped her arms about his waist, pressed one hand to his back and the other to his head and clung to him.
What could he do but kiss her with his whole heart?
Chapter Twenty
Blue led Clara from spot to spot, telling her of his plans. “A big garden here. Of course, I’ll have to fence it. I’ll put it close to the house so you can easily tend it. You do want a garden, don’t you?” he asked, as if realizing she might have a say in the plans.
But she didn’t care where he put the garden or anything else.
He loved her. She loved him. They were going to start over again. A new family. A new home.
“Show me again where the house will be.”
He led her to the spot he’d chosen. “Do you like it here?”
“I like it fine. What kind of house will it be?”
He scrubbed at his chin. “Do you want one as big as the Gardiners’? I know it’s what you’re used to but—” He lifted his hands in a helpless gesture. “I’m not a rich man.”
She pulled him to face her. “I’ve been rich and pampered. I didn’t much care for it. I’ve been penniless and homeless over the past weeks. Worried about how I was going to take care of the girls. I didn’t like that, either.” She wrapped her arms around his neck. “But I do have a dream.” She pulled his head down and kissed him.
“Tell me,” he said when she released him.
“Stop distracting me.”
He laughed and kissed her nose. “Tell me about your dream.”
She turned and leaned her back into his chest and pulled his arms about her. He rested his chin on the top of her head.
“I dream of a home where I make simple meals, where our children share our mealtimes and help with chores. I dream of a real family where each individual is valued and important.”
He chuckled, his breath warm against her cheek. “And I thought you meant to tell me about the house you wanted.”
“That’s easy. Four walls and a roof that doesn’t leak. A big kitchen, a cozy sitting room with books and dolls and wagons for the children. Two bedrooms…maybe more.”
He turned her into his arms. “I can see we’re going to be busy.” His voice grew husky. He kissed her again, so tenderly her heart squeezed out pure, sweet joy.
He leaned back and sighed. “I won’t be able to build a house here until spring.”
“Spring? Why, that’s months away. Must we wait until then to marry?”
He laughed at her eagerness, and heat rushed up her cheek. “Am I being presumptuous?”
“I’m pleased to know you’re as eager as I to get married. But we need a house.”
“Blue, I’ve lived in a little half-canvas shack and would do it again if it meant we could be together. I don’t need much. Only you and the girls.”
“I don’t want to wait, either. You know, there is a small house in town that is empty. Perhaps we could rent it for the winter.”
She hugged him. “That sounds fine to me. Now let’s go tell the girls.”
He hesitated. “Do you think they’ll approve?”
She laughed. “I’m quite sure they will. They’ve been cross at me because I said I wasn’t going to stay and keep Mr. Blue in their lives.”
He grinned. “I love those girls of yours.”
“From now on, they’re ours.”
“I like that.”
She cuddled close to him as they made the return trip. Oh, how she loved this man. “When we arrived in Edendale, I assured the girls that God would lead us to where we were meant to be. I thought it was Fort Calgary. But He has guided us to a far better outcome than I could have ever asked or dreamed.”
Snow began to fall. Great fluffy flakes that plopped to her face and clung on her lashes. She caught some on her tongue and laughed. “I need not fear the winter for the good shepherd has led me to a safe place.”
He pulled her close and kissed the snow from her lashes. “God blessed us with our love.”
When they reached the ranch, he pointed to the big house. “Look.”
The two little girls had their faces pressed to the glass of the window overlooking the ranch. Eleanor was pointing toward them, and Libby jumped up and down.
Clara turned to him. “A kiss for their benefit?”
He chuckled. “Not only for theirs, I trust.” He lowered his head and caught her lips in a kiss full of promise and possibility.
They broke apart, and she turned toward the house.
Eleanor and Libby could not have looked more pleased.
“God has answered all our prayers,” she whispered and pressed her head to Blue’s shoulder.
The future beckoned…a future filled with love and trust and things she couldn’t even imagine at this moment.
Her heart was full to overflowing.
*
Blue and Clara took the girls into the library so they could talk to them privately.
Blue pulled them each to sit on his knees. “Is it okay with you if I marry your mama?”
Eleanor nodded, her eyes brimming with joy.
Libby patted Blue’s cheek. “I always knowed it.”
Clara laughed. “I think they saw you as a permanent part of our lives from the beginning.”
Eleanor nodded. “We did.”
Libby squirmed about on Blue’s knee and leaned over to whisper in Eleanor’s ear. “Can I tell now?”
Eleanor shushed her sister. “Not yet.” She turned to her mama. “When will you and Mr. Blue get married?”
“I don’t know. We haven’t made plans.” Clara looked at him for answer.
He shrugged. He’d get married this moment if she agreed, but perhaps she needed time to make plans.
Clara turned back to Eleanor. “Why do you ask?”
Eleanor and Libby shared a secretive look.
“Can you get married before Christmas?” Eleanor asked.
Blue studied the three females who were a
bout to become his family. He sensed the girls had a wish.
“I’m agreeable if your mama is.”
Clara smiled, warmth and love and a hundred promises brimming from her eyes. “I’m most agreeable. No need for rush but no need for delay, either.”
He knew his eyes must surely speak from the overflow of a grateful, happy heart.
“Will we have our own home for Christmas?” Eleanor asked, her voice revealing a mixture of caution and hope. Then she shook her head. “It doesn’t matter. We can stay in the shack.”
Blue smiled. “We already have a home picked out. Did you notice the house near the river behind the store?” He wasn’t sure they would know which one he meant.
“Is that where we’re going to live?” Eleanor didn’t wait for an answer. “Can we put up a Christmas tree?” Eleanor seemed to think it was important they do so.
Considering the abundance of pine and spruce to the west, Blue thought a Christmas tree would be a simple thing to find and said so.
“Good. Now we can tell.” Libby bounced up and down so hard Blue could hardly hold her. “We asked God to send us a special Christmas present.”
Eleanor nodded and slid in a few words as Libby paused to catch her breath. “We asked for a new papa for Christmas.”
“And a new family,” Libby added.
“And we got Mr. Blue.” The girls spoke the words in unison and turned to wrap their arms around his neck.
Blue felt the tears gather in his eyes, but he didn’t bother to hide them. He had never thought to know such love and joy. He signaled for Clara to join them. She sat beside him and pressed her head to his shoulder.
He kissed the top of her head, then pressed a kiss atop each girl’s head.
“I am a very blessed man.”
“God has led us together, and I will never cease to be grateful.” Clara sounded as if she was close to tears.
“This is going to be the best Christmas ever,” Libby crowed. Unable to sit still, she leaped to her feet, grabbed her sister’s hands and the pair swung about in joyful abandon. “The best Christmas ever,” they sang over and over.
Clara tipped her face to Blue.
Love Inspired Historical October 2015 Box Set Page 89