“Oh? You’re going with your uncle?” She tried to keep the frown out of her voice. Had he changed his mind and decided he didn’t need her to watch Arabella today?
“Both of you!” Arabella grabbed her hand and tugged her up the porch steps and into the house. “Come on! You have to see the picnic basket. It’s gigantic!”
Still not completely sure what was going on, Grace bit back a smile and decided to follow along. She’d learn what was happening soon enough, and she didn’t want to dampen the child’s enthusiasm.
The girl pulled Grace into the parlor. “In here.” She brought Grace to a side table where a massive basket rested and waved to it with a flourish. “There it is. I can’t wait to see what’s inside.”
Grace had to admit, it was rather large. “Maybe there’s even a cake in it,” she whispered to the little girl conspiratorially.
Arabella’s eyes widened as if the thought hadn’t crossed her mind, and she licked her lips. “Let’s peek.”
“Uh-uh. Let’s let your uncle keep it a surprise—”
“And what might the two of you be up to?” Oliver asked as he stepped into the room.
Grace flushed as if she’d been caught red-handed, then scolded herself at the reaction. “Arabella wanted to show me the giant basket.” She looked at Oliver curiously. “She mentioned you were going on a picnic. Did I somehow get the days mixed up?”
“I was hoping you’d join us,” he said easily as he moved into the room. “It’s not a requirement, of course. But I’d like it if you would.”
His voice had softened at the end, and her heart fluttered. “I’d like that.”
She didn’t know how she sounded so calm when her insides were jumping around.
He smiled wide. “Excellent.” He reached past them and gripped the basket. “Then, if you’re both ready, let’s be on our way.”
Arabella squealed and kicked up her heels before grabbing Grace’s hand and tugging her through the door. “Can I ride up front with you and Uncle Oliver?”
Grace settled her jittery stomach and gave the girl her full attention. “Of course. Where else would you be?”
“In the back.”
Grace gave a mocking gasp. “And have you tossed about like supplies after a trip to the mercantile? I don’t think so. You’re too precious for that.”
Arabella nuzzled Grace’s leg, and she ran her hand over the girl’s soft curls. Her heart ached, wanting to love her even more. But it was dangerous to get closer than she already was.
She looked up at Oliver and saw him watching the two of them, a soft look in his eye. He looked like he wanted to say something, but instead, he cleared his throat and placed the basket in the back. “Ready, sweeting?”
Arabella jumped into her uncle’s arms, squealed as he tickled her, and then scooted to the middle of the bench so she could ride between them.
“Grace,” Oliver said, his hand held out to assist her.
She moved to him easily, wanting things she knew she couldn’t have, but unable to turn away.
He pulled her closer than was necessary, allowing their bodies to brush before he wrapped his arms around her waist and helped her up. He didn’t linger and, instead, appeared to move even faster than needed, which amused Grace.
He definitely wanted to kiss her. Sometimes it frustrated her, and other times—like now—it filled her with amusement.
He climbed in on the other side of the wagon and took the reins before setting the horse in motion. Arabella happily bounced on the seat between them, and for a moment Grace’s eyes met Oliver’s.
His eyes crinkled with humor at Arabella’s antics, as if they were two parents finding joy in their child. A familiar pang echoed through her, but she shoved it away, determined to enjoy this moment.
She just wished she knew there’d be hundreds more like it.
Two days later, Oliver blindly searched through a cabinet at the mine offices. He’d walked through all the tunnels and acquainted himself with the areas that had produced the most copper, but he needed more information.
Logically, he could guess where the next place to excavate should be, but something in his gut told him to keep looking. For what, he wasn’t sure, and that’s what he needed to find out.
He looked through the files without truly seeing them then cursed as he realized why.
Grace.
She was on his mind constantly. Not an hour went by without him thinking of the time he’d spent with her—and all the times he’d held himself back from kissing her.
He groaned. It was torture.
But what else could he do? He cared about her. There was no doubt in his mind about that. He enjoyed her company and respected who she was. But was he ready to make a commitment?
He let his mind imagine, for just a moment, what it would be like to marry Grace—
“You seem different.”
Oliver turned to see his partner Nathan watching him curiously from the doorway.
“Oh?” He turned back toward the cabinet he was searching through. He cleared his throat and grabbed a paper at random, hoping it would stop his friend from digging too deep. “Can’t imagine why.”
“Can’t you?” Oliver could hear the amusement in Nathan’s tone.
He looked over at his friend, his eyebrow raising. “Anything you’d like to share?”
Nathan’s smooth laugh filled the air, and he took a seat in front of the desk as if settling in for a long conversation. Oliver wasn’t sure he was prepared for one.
“If you don’t want to talk about Grace, we don’t have to.”
Oliver winced inwardly. His partners had teased him before, but things had gotten more serious.
Oliver placed the random paper on the desk and lowered himself into the chair next to Nathan. “I’m not sure what I can say.”
His friend remained quiet for a moment. “I can see you’re struggling with it. Is there a problem?”
There wasn’t a problem—and that was the problem. Things were going wonderfully with Grace. Arabella was happier than he’d seen her since her parents died, and he’d grown closer to his niece than he’d imagined possible. And it was all because of Grace. “Grace is wonderful.” He kept his tone light but fidgeted with the paper before he could stop himself.
Nathan took in the agitated movement. “I can see that.”
“She really is. We’ve gotten along great, and even more important is that Arabella has taken a liking to her too.” Their nightly drives, the time he’d spent getting to know her, meant more to him than he could say.
“Are you worried it’ll end poorly?” Nathan frowned. “That Arabella will be hurt?”
“No.” He waved away Nathan’s line of thought. “It isn’t that.” He sighed. He only wished he knew exactly what it was. “I guess I’m still trying to figure it out.”
“You’re in the hard part of love.”
He snorted. “Is there an easy part?” He wasn’t ready to admit he was in love with Grace, but he couldn’t deny he had strong feelings for her.
“You can’t even imagine.”
Nathan smiled as if he were remembering something, and a slice of envy cut through Oliver. He didn’t know how all of his partners had seemed to accomplish the impossible with their marriages. “Seems like married life agrees with you.”
“I’ve never been happier.” He looked at Oliver seriously. “I didn’t know it was possible to be this happy. The right woman makes all the difference.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He looked down at the paper, hoping Nathan would take the hint and quit the conversation. It was making Oliver think marriage with Grace might be viable even when there were so many obstacles to contend with.
“Pretty soon, you won’t be able to look at anyone else that way. You might as well just accept it. You’re toast.”
Oliver stiffened at the thought. He knew love could be freeing. He’d seen his brother and all of his partners find it, but he couldn’t block his par
ents’ relationship from his mind—it hadn’t been happy.
What was he thinking? He couldn’t possibly want to get married. He enjoyed Grace’s company, but was it enough?
Nathan’s head cocked. “What did I say? Something upset you.”
“Nothing.”
His partner snorted. “I can tell by the set of your shoulders. They’ve risen like a crotchety old cat.”
Oliver shot a glare over his shoulder.
Nathan only looked amused. He raised his hands. “All right. We don’t have to talk about it.”
“Thanks.” Oliver didn’t know what he would have done had his partner pushed. Talking about it made it real. And he wasn’t ready for anything real.
He gathered up his papers, needing an escape, but before he could make it to the door, Nathan’s voice carried to him. “But if you ever want to talk about it, I’ll listen.” Then with an amused tone he added, “And I’ll make sure to check the self-satisfied smugness that comes from a happy marriage beforehand.”
Oliver rolled his eyes as he headed out the door.
Grace was up to her elbows in flour. “Knead it like this.” She demonstrated folding and pushing the dough to Arabella, who was equally covered in flour, including a cute dusting over the bridge of her nose.
When the little girl mimicked the movement, Grace nodded approvingly. “Just a little harder.” Arabella followed her instructions. “Perfect.”
The little girl grinned at the praise. “I want to be just as good as you someday.”
Grace chuckled. She wasn’t particularly good at baking bread. In fact, she hardly ever made it anymore since coming to Promise Creek. Why would she when Charlotte made the most delicious bread in existence? “If you practice enough, you’ll be able to do anything you want.”
“Anything?”
Grace tapped Arabella’s little nose, transferring more flour. “Anything.”
The little girl concentrated on her bread. “Can I have anything I want as well?”
There was a troubling note in her tone that had Grace slowing her movements. “That’s hard to say. What is it that you want?”
The little girl quickly shook her head.
“Hey there.” Disregarding the flour, Grace gathered Arabella into her arms, snuggling her close. “What is it? You know you can tell me anything.”
She felt Arabella nod against her stomach.
“Will you tell me?” Grace didn’t want to push the girl if she really didn’t want to share, but if something was weighing on her mind, Grace wanted to help.
“I miss Mama.”
Grace closed her eyes, squeezing Arabella tight. “I know, sweetheart. I miss my mama too.”
“But I don’t miss her as much when I’m with you.” Arabella pulled away and looked into Grace’s eyes. “Is that bad?”
“No.” She smiled sweetly at the young girl. “You will always miss your mama. No one can replace her. But it’s all right to care for other people too.”
She shifted on her little feet. “Am I allowed to love someone else too?” She worried her lip with her teeth.
“Of course. There’s no limit on love. Just because you love someone, doesn’t mean you love someone else less.”
The little girl’s features brightened. “I love you, Grace. I’m glad it’s not bad.” She grinned brightly before turning her attention back to the bread as if the words she’d uttered hadn’t shaken Grace’s whole life.
Arabella loved her. She’d uttered the words with childlike innocence, not knowing how special they were.
Grace knew she’d been growing attached to the child, but in that moment, she lost the battle to keep herself removed. She loved this little girl with her whole heart.
And when she and Oliver left, Grace’s heart would shatter.
She went through the motions of finishing the bread as Arabella scampered off to play with her dolls. But inside, she was tormented.
How could she let them go? What would she do after they were gone? It seemed impossible to go back to the way things were before. But what other choice did she have?
Promise Creek was her home. She’d made the choice to come here—but that didn’t mean she had to stay.
The realization filled her as if a bright light had burst through a dark storm. No one was forcing her to stay. There was no reason why she couldn’t return East.
New dreams blossomed within her. If nothing happened with Oliver, it would injure her heart, but she could still be a part of Arabella’s life. She could be content with that.
Would it be possible to go with them? Would Oliver allow it?
She and Arabella were a good fit. Oliver had seen that as well. She could continue being her nanny, taking care of her and helping to raise her. And even though she wouldn’t be her daughter, Grace already felt as if she were.
This could be enough. This could give her what she’d been searching for. This could be her purpose.
Chapter 8
With only a week left before the year-mark celebration, Oliver pushed himself even harder to fulfill his part in the operation. He’d known finding a rich new pocket of copper wouldn’t be easy, but he hadn’t anticipated the personal distraction he was facing.
Even though he knew it would be easier to stay away from Grace, it seemed the more time they spent together, the more he wanted to be by her.
It felt as though he’d been living under a dark cloud that had suddenly lifted with her presence. How had he not realized how dim his life had become? When had he stopped enjoying his life, the success he’d gained? When had he stopped living?
The questions seemed to follow him as he went from his life working in the mine to the life he wanted—one with a family he yearned to go home to.
But with that came fear. Fear of reliving his parents’ relationship. Fear of failure. Fear of hurting Arabella. There were so many mixed emotions when it came to Grace, it was better to save it for another time when he wasn’t so wound up about it.
He exhaled forcefully and wiped drops of sweat off his forehead. It was hotter than Hades down here.
He enjoyed the challenge of finding more copper, but he would be grateful when he could put his time in the mine behind him and embrace winter at home. He would never take the cold for granted again.
He blew out another breath, squinted at the map in his hands, and groaned before lowering it.
He needed a break. Cooler temperatures, water, and some fresh air would help him see what he was missing.
He waved to the foreman, letting him know he was taking a break above ground before heading up. As he ascended, the temperature dipped, giving him relief even before he broke the surface.
He closed his eyes, tilting his head toward the sun, and breathed deep.
A masculine chuckle filled the air. “You never get used to it either.”
Oliver smiled and reached out to shake Everett’s hand. “I can see why I wouldn’t.” When Everett had first come into town, he’d posed as a mine worker, using his time undercover to discover ways they could improve mine safety and the health of their workers. “Luckily, I won’t be doing it much longer.”
“Knowing it will come to an end helps. I can’t tell you how glad I am that being a foreman wasn’t really my job. I’ll take the life of luxury in the clinic any day.” He grinned.
It didn’t hurt that he and his wife worked together as a doctor and nurse team. “You really don’t miss the fast pace back home?” Everett had been a well-respected surgeon in one of the country’s best hospitals.
He slapped Oliver on the back. “There’s plenty of action here to keep me occupied.”
Oliver just shook his head and laughed. He’d heard plenty of stories of people Everett had saved in the short time he’d been here. “Can’t argue with that.” He glanced across the yard and noticed several of his partners. “Do we have a meeting I forgot about?”
“No. We’ve been dragged here to help with decorations for the celebration. Apparently
, they need extra hands.” He looked pained by the idea.
“It’s just a couple paper crafts,” Oliver teased. “I think you’ll survive it.” He patted his friend on the shoulder, grateful he hadn’t been roped into the task.
A smirk swept across his partner’s face. “We will survive it.” He nodded back toward the yard, and Oliver saw Arabella heading straight for him.
He caught her mid-jump before she fell and brought her close to his sweat-drenched shirt.
“Uncle Oliver! I thought you’d never come out of there.”
He tapped her on the nose. “I had work to do before I could come back up.”
“Are you finished? Grace said we are making hundreds of paper flowers.” Her eyes widened in glee at the idea.
Everett groaned once again, and Oliver couldn’t contain his chuckle. “If Grace said it, then it must be true.” He kissed her baby-soft cheek.
She giggled at the gesture, but as she leaned forward to kiss him in return, she paused, her nose wrinkling. “You’re all dirty!”
“Am I?” he teased, knowing full well he was filthy. Her dress would be fit for rags after snuggling up against him. “I hadn’t noticed.”
She sniffed. “And you stink.”
Everett guffawed. “At least you know she’ll always be honest with you.”
Oliver rolled his eyes at his partner before giving Arabella his attention. “How very astute of you, darling. Perhaps I should make use of the washstand before joining you in crafting.”
She nodded seriously. “I think that’s a good idea. Tidy up before Grace sees you.” She lowered her voice. “Or she might make you eat more peas in penance.”
Everett laughed as he walked back toward the group gathering around the office. He had a feeling his partners were going to enjoy jeering at him over his niece’s quip for some time.
He placed Arabella on the ground. “Go back with Grace, and I’ll meet you by the office once I’m finished.” He glanced in that direction and saw Grace watching them.
She raised her hand in greeting, and he nudged his niece toward her.
“Please don’t take too long,” she begged.
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