She patted his shoulder. “Because my mother once broke her arm when I was a little girl, and cold weather only made it worse.”
She lifted her hand from his damp shoulder and frowned. “And I think we need to get that wet coat off you so that it can dry a little more. Without thinking, she moved to the buttons lining the front of his garment, but he quickly grasped her wrists, stopping her. His grip wasn’t tight at all, and laughter danced in his eyes. She was relieved he wasn’t upset.
“I can remove my coat by myself, I assure you. I’m not that lame.”
He straightened and started unbuttoning his own garment, and then shrugged out of it, before handing it to Adelaine. Standing beside the front door was a coat rack, so she moved it closer to the fire and hooked the coat on the rack.
She glanced around the small space, wondering what other rooms she’d find. But then, since this place hadn’t been used, she doubted there was any food.
Dallas’s warm hand touched her arm, and she glanced down at him. “Things will be all right. I’m sure Clark will send a rescue party out soon, especially if the storm doesn’t let up.”
She nodded. “I’m just worried about Tobias. I’m sure he’s hungry.”
“Actually, I’m not.”
She looked at the boy. “I took some food with me before leaving the house this morning.”
Sighing, her worries eased up. “That was very wise, Tobias.”
As she sat back down on the sofa, she wondered how long it would take Clark to send out a rescue team. Hopefully, someone at the house was watching over Charity.
DALLAS SHIFTED IN HIS chair for the hundredth time. Actually, he’d stopped counting how many times he moved. Adelaine was correct when she’d mentioned how cold weather affected him. Perhaps he’d have to constantly keep his leg wrapped in a warm blanket until it finally healed.
Earlier, Adelaine had found a blanket and spread it in front of the hearth. Tobias curled up on it and fell asleep. Dallas glanced out the window every few minutes to see if their rescue party was coming, but so far, all he saw was the buckets of rain falling from the sky. He wasn’t sure how long they’d been at the cabin, but the quickly depleting firewood would leave them without heat soon. That, of course, only meant one thing... The three of them would have to share each other’s body heat.
He glanced at Addie. She had curled on the sofa and had fallen asleep, and he was sure she’d be getting chilled any moment now. Sitting this close to the fireplace made him feel selfish. He should trade places so she could be near the fire. However, he was certain she’d argue. She was a stubborn woman – so much different from his first wife. Sarah had always done as she was told, and she rarely argued. There were times during the marriage that he’d wished she had complained or had stood strong about something. But she followed direction, never questioning anything. Sometimes she acted more like a dog than a wife.
He lifted his cane and used it to assist him in standing. The pain wasn’t as severe as when he was on his horse, trying to find Tobias, but Dallas knew the pain wouldn’t be like this for very long.
Taking careful and quiet steps, he moved to the small sofa and sat. The jerking of the cushions brought Adelaine awake. Slowly she blinked and looked around as if she was trying to remember where she was. When her gaze fell on him, she sucked in a fast breath and pulled away.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
“For now, yes.”
“But why...” She motioned toward his chair.
“I think you should go sit there and get warm before we lose the heat completely. Besides,” he scooted back against the sofa, “it’s softer over here. That chair is very uncomfortable when you sit too long on it.”
A grin stretched across her mouth. “In other words, you want me to sit on the uncomfortable chair so that you can have the comfort of the soft sofa?”
He chuckled. “Actually, I was just thinking of you getting cold, that’s all.”
She rubbed her arms. “I’m fine, for now.”
“Well, if you start getting cold, you can wear my coat. I’m sure it’s dry by now.”
She glanced toward the coat rack near the hearth where his coating was still hanging. “Thank you.”
The mood between them was still awkward, and he was the one who had to change it. He just wasn’t very good at apologizing.
“Addie...” He stopped when her eyes widened. “Can I call you that?”
She nodded. “I’ve told the others to call me that.”
“Good.” He smiled. “Anyway, Addie, I wanted to apologize.”
“What for?”
Her answer came much too fast, but he figured she knew what he wanted to say. “I really wasn’t going to starve your daughter.”
“Charity?” She sucked a breath. “I mean, you really intended to share your table with her?”
He shrugged one shoulder. “Well, I was going to have Mrs. Simone take some food to her room. After all, that’s how my children are fed.”
The smile left her face as she moved her focus to Tobias. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why don’t you want your children eating with you?” She met his gaze again. “Don’t you want to spend time with them? Forgive me if I’m too verbal, but I’d think they would want to spend more time with their father, who is busy on the ranch. Usually, mealtime is when all of you can spend more time together.”
Adelaine had mentioned this earlier this morning in the dining room, and it had upset him, but now he really considered her suggestion. She hadn’t told him this to be rude or nosey, but to help him and his children bond.
“Is that what your parents did?” He shifted on the cushion and rested his arm along the back of the sofa.
“No. My father left the family when I was just a little girl. My mother raised me. However, when I started working at the mercantile store two years ago, and I walked home in the evening, I passed homes and couldn’t stop glancing at their windows. Nearly every house had a family sitting together at the table. My mother and I had always eaten together, but it wasn’t until I saw those other families when I realized what a special time this was to bring everyone together.”
There was a slight tug on his heart. “Where is your mother now?”
“In Heaven.”
“I’m sorry.” He paused as another thought came to his mind. Since she was sharing, he wondered if she would share more about her life. “Addie? Will you tell me about Charity? About... what happened?”
She dropped her gaze to her lap as she twisted her hands. After a few seconds, she rubbed her hand up and down her arms. Dallas sighed in disappointment. She obviously wasn’t ready to share that part of her life with him.
“Are you cold?”
She nodded. “Yes. I suppose I should get your coat now.”
Adelaine jumped up from the sofa but then tread softly on the floor to retrieve the coat from the hook. As she slid it on, she wouldn’t meet his stare.
“Addie, you don’t have to tell me about Charity and what happened, yet.” He frowned. “But please know that I’ll listen... and understand.”
Nodding, she walked back to the hearth and threw on the last log.
Dallas realized he was actually looking forward to getting to know the mysterious woman. At times she was bold – and stubborn – but then moments like now she seemed so very distant and almost innocent. He didn’t want her meek like Sarah. It was refreshing to be with a woman who spoke her mind.
Making friends with Adelaine would certainly be interesting. Of course, being friends was as far as their relationship could progress. There was something in his past that would scare the pantaloons right off her and have her hightailing it back to wherever she came from.
Perhaps secrets were best if hidden away so that nobody could discover them.
SIX
The soft brush of a touch on Adelaine’s cheek brought her mind and ears alert. Had she fallen asleep? Again? Someone had to watch for the
rescue party, especially when Dallas had been falling asleep, too. But now...
She held her breath, realizing that she was lying against something very comfortable and warm. Without opening her eyes, she inhaled deeply. Why did her makeshift pillow smell like...
Dallas!
Immediately, she jerked to a sitting position and blinked, focusing her gaze on the man she’d been lying upon. Dallas yawned and stretched as if he had just come awake, as well.
“Tobias,” she gasped and snapped her gaze toward the hearth. The boy was curled up, asleep, just where he’d been earlier.
“He’s fine,” Dallas said. “He’s been sleeping this whole time.”
Adelaine swallowed, trying to bring moisture to her suddenly dry mouth as she looked at Dallas. He had been staring at her, and suddenly, the nerves in her belly began jumping.
“I didn’t mean to fall asleep... on you,” Adelaine said in a scratchy voice.
“That’s all right. I can’t believe I fell asleep, too.”
She rubbed her eyes, mostly to get the sleep out of them, but also so that she didn’t have to look into Dallas’s handsome face. His expression seemed different now... more tender. She wasn’t sure her heart could handle that.
As she lowered her hands back to her lap, she glanced toward the window. The rain wasn’t pelting on the glass as it had been earlier, but from the watery streaks on the window, it was still raining a little.
“How long have we been here?” she wondered aloud.
“I’m guessing for about two hours.”
She turned and met his gaze again. He was sitting comfortably in the corner of the sofa, and his arm was stretched along the back. The rhythm of her heartbeat increased. Had his arm been around her while they slept? And yet, the goosebumps trickling over her gave her the answer. She could still feel the imprint of his arm across her shoulders and the warmth of his hand on her arm.
“Do you think Clark will come to find us?”
Dallas nodded. “I’m sure he will be here before too long.”
Adelaine wiped her moist palms on her dress, wishing her nerves could calm down.
“Addie, I want to thank you for caring about my children.”
“Well, of course. I love children.” She managed a small smile.
“Considering how we were thrown together, you’ve taken this really well. I appreciate that. It makes it easier for the children to adjust.”
“Yes, well... it’s not like I can leave. Charity and I have no place to go.”
His gaze narrowed. “Do you want to leave?”
“Of course not. I was just explaining why I have accepted my circumstances so quickly.” Her heart raced with worry, hoping she hadn’t said the wrong thing. Making him upset wasn’t something she looked forward to.
“I know I was being obstinate yesterday, but Clark and his meddlesome wife had gone behind my back to arrange this.”
Adelaine breathed slower. “Yes, I had guessed that was what happened after I heard you talking to them yesterday right after we arrived.”
“I’m sorry you had to hear that. They had caught me off-guard.”
Nothing was said for a few uncomfortable moments, but Dallas continued to study her, which made her even more uncomfortable. She couldn’t just sit here and have him look as though he was trying to read her thoughts. The second day of their marriage wasn’t the best time to tell him that she’d lied to him... that Pearl had told her to lie.
As she scooted to the edge of the sofa to stand, his hand dropped on her shoulder, stopping her. She swung a surprised gaze to him.
“Addie, will you tell me about Charity?”
She sucked in a quick breath. What exactly did he want her to tell him? “She’s a fun little girl who just wants a father-figure in her life.” The words had come out before she could stop them. “Which is why,” she quickly continued, “I think it best if we were friends. I want Charity to see that not all men are heartless and cruel.”
His expression dropped. “Does she know who her father is?”
Charity shook her head. “She’s never met him, which is definitely a blessing.”
“Does...” He cleared his throat. “Does he know about her?”
“Oh, yes. He was there when she was born.” Once again, Adelaine silently cursed her inability to think before speaking.
“Were... you married to him?”
Adelaine breathed a little easier. At least Dallas was asking her questions she could answer without lying. “No, I wasn’t married to Charity’s father.” She frowned. “And even though you might look down on me for that, there was just no possible way marriage to that man could have taken place.”
He rubbed her shoulder. “Do you want to tell me about him... about what happened?”
This wasn’t the right time, however, she could tell him a little about her heartless father who’d abandoned both of his daughters. “He’s a man who thinks only of himself. He moves from woman to woman and will never settle down. All he cares about is his welfare. I’ve noticed he searches for innocent women to charm. He’s a smooth-talker, but eventually, women see the man he really is.”
“Do you think he’ll ever come back and want to claim his daughter?”
“Charity?” She shook her head. “No. He doesn’t know how to love a child in that capacity.”
Dallas nodded sharply. “Good, because if he ever came to Montana looking, I’ll make sure he never finds her.”
Her heart softened, and she smiled. “Thank you, Dallas. Knowing you’d do that for her makes me feel more at ease.”
“The men on my ranch are devoted workers, and they’ll do anything to protect my family.”
Her heart skipped in rhythm. Had she heard him correctly? “You... consider me and Charity part of your family now?”
His hesitation was comical to watch. It was as if he couldn’t believe he had just said that, but then his expression told her that he wasn’t going to retract his statement.
“Yes. You are my wife now, and so you are both part of my family.”
Adelaine could feel the lump of emotion growing in her throat, but she tried not to let it affect her eyes. She didn’t need him to see the tears that threatened to come forth. “Thank you, Dallas. You don’t know how much that pleases me.”
He turned on the sofa and struggled to stand, using his cane to help him. Immediately, she jumped to help, sliding an arm around his waist so that he could lean against her for support. His gaze dropped and locked with her eyes.
“Why do you keep doing that?” he asked.
Confusion filled her, and she shook her head. “What do you mean?”
“You keep helping me.”
“Don’t you want my help?”
“It’s not that, it’s...” His stare stayed on her eyes, but soon he sighed heavily and shook his head. “Never mind. But I’m fine now. Will you go wake up Tobias?”
“Why? Are they here?” She glanced toward the window but didn’t see any movement from outside.
“No, but I think the rain has let up enough for us to travel back to the house.”
“Oh, good.” As she turned toward Tobias, Dallas captured her arm again, stopping her. When she met his stare, he smiled.
“I like it when you help me.”
Her heartbeat flipped. It did this a lot lately. “Why?”
“Because that tells me you have a very kind heart, and after meeting the man who was going to be your husband while he was in a bad mood, you really could have treated me differently.” He shrugged one shoulder. “I’m glad you were patient with me.”
Suddenly, she felt shy, so she dropped her gaze to the floor and wrung her hands against her middle. “Thank you.”
His fingers caressed her cheek before moving under her chin to tilt her face up. When she looked into his handsome face, she saw that man – the man she had dreamed of meeting and falling in love with. The man she had always wanted to find but had never thought it was possible.
/> She quickly dismissed the thought and told her heart that a real marriage would never happen. He only wanted a teacher for his children. Nothing more.
“And I hope,” he continued, “that you will always be understanding with me.”
“Of course, I will. I had taken care of my mother while she was dying. Those last few months, she was in a lot of pain. Thankfully, she slept quite often, too. But I know that the pain from your leg is what makes you irritable. I also know that within time, it will pass.”
He smiled fully, which lit up his hazel eyes, making them more green than brown. “Thank you, Addie. You will certainly bless my home with your kindness and love.”
She prayed he was being honest, because she so desperately wanted Dallas’s home to be her home, and his family to be her family – forever.
SEVEN
Dallas watched his new wife carefully over the next few days. He’d promised her that he’d stay off his leg for it to heal properly, and it surprised not only him – but Clark and Pearl – that he actually followed instructions. He occupied the sofa near the window, which allowed him to see the ranch.
Addie was in the yard today, playing with the children in a game of kickball. Seeing the glow of happiness on his children’s faces, and on his new wife’s, melted his heart. He was also happy to see that Susan was acting the role of big sister to little Charity. Tobias now looked at his new friend in admiration, and Dallas found that he and his son were sharing the same feelings. It was rather enjoyable having a woman in his home again and hearing the word Mother being used.
At times during his recuperation, he had wanted to get outside to help his men prepare for the upcoming cattle drive, but then Addie or the children would come in to visit him, and he felt like he was needed here instead. Besides, Clark was the best foreman this ranch had ever known, and Dallas knew his ranch was being taken care of properly. Having more leisure time also gave him more time to think of things he shouldn’t.
Sarah had been a good mother to Tobias and Susan, and Dallas had come to care for his wife before her death. That had been his first mistake. He shouldn’t have allowed his feelings to get involved. His mourning period had been guilt-stricken, and he never wanted to go through that kind of turmoil again.
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