“Yes, ma’am,” he said, doffing his hat and smiling at her.
“Grady!” Matty hollered and raced down the steps with Gwennie right behind him.
Grady hunkered down and gave them both a hug before he stood with them in his arms.
“Who are they?” Matty asked, eyeing Thane and Tully as they approached.
“These are my friends,” Grady said, smiling at Matty then Gwennie. “May I introduce Mrs. Giavanna DeVille, her son, Matty, and daughter, Gwennie, to Sheriff Tully Barrett and my employer, Thane Jordan.”
Gia’s eyes widened at the mention of the sheriff, but her children didn’t seem put off in the least.
Matty wiggled down then ran over to Tully, looking up at him. “Can I touch your star?”
“You sure can.” Tully grinned at the boy as he hunkered down and let him reverently run his fingers across the badge he wore pinned to his coat.
“Wow!” the little boy whispered then leaned back against Grady.
“How about I take the young ones inside while you… um… discuss the particulars,” Thane suggested. He lifted the saddlebags from his horse and threw them over his shoulder then bent down and grinned at Matty. “My wife made some candy this morning and sent some along. Do you think you might like a piece?”
“Yes, sir!” Matty said, eagerly taking the saddlebags from Thane.
“You take those on inside the house and we’ll see what we can find to enjoy.” Thane urged Matty then turned to Grady. “Gwennie, I have a little girl who loves to tell stories and sing songs. Do you know any songs?”
Gwennie shook her head.
“How about stories?”
Another head shake as she held tightly to Grady, pressing her face against his neck.
Thane took a peppermint stick from his coat pocket and held it out to her. “Want to come inside with me and your brother? I’ll tell you one of Lily’s stories.”
Gwennie stared at the striped candy stick. Thane broke it apart and popped a piece in his mouth, then held out a small piece to her. She glanced at Grady then looked over his shoulder at Gia who hadn’t moved from her position on the porch.
“Go on, Gwennie. It’s a treat,” Gia said with what looked to be a forced smile.
The little girl put the candy in her mouth. In seconds, her eyes brightened and she beamed with a bright smile.
Grady set her down and she took Thane’s hand, allowing him to lead her into the house. He glanced back at them once before he closed the door.
“What’s happened? Why is the sheriff here?” Gia asked quietly as Grady and Tully walked up the steps and stood in front of her. Grady took the gun from her and leaned it against the cabin’s wall by the door.
Tully pulled a handkerchief-wrapped bundle from his pocket and placed it in her hands. “Gaffney found that today on his way to Thane’s ranch.”
“Found what?” Gia asked, folding back the cloth and staring at the pocket watch, knife, and marble. Confusion gave way to recognition. Her fingers brushed over the dented lid of the watch and tears pooled in her eyes. “Where is he? Where is Rocco?”
Grady swallowed hard against the emotion clogging his throat. He glanced at Tully, knowing the sheriff would tell her the truth, but feeling the need to be the one to impart the sad news to Gia.
“He’s passed on, Gia. He and the horse are both gone.” Grady wanted to pull her into his arms, offer her comfort, but she stood so stiff and withdrawn, he hesitated to touch her.
“How?” she asked, seemingly unaware of the tears rolling down her cheeks.
“It looks as though his horse fell into a ravine, ma’am,” Tully said in a soothing voice. “Gaffney just happened upon the ravine this morning and found your husband’s… belongings.”
“I see.” She glanced up at Tully. “And you’re certain it’s Rocco? Perhaps someone stole his things. Maybe someone robbed him and…” Her voice caught.
Tully took the bits of fabric he’d gathered from his pocket and gave them to Gia. “Do you recognize any of the material?”
She nodded, rubbing a bit of blue wool between her fingers. “I made him this shirt, to match his eyes. They were blue, like Gwennie’s. So pale and light, like ice on a frosty morning.” She raised an anguished gaze to Grady. “And you found the horse?”
“Yes, he was right there with your husband. We brought back the saddle and bridle.” Grady’s heart felt like it was breaking at the pain on Gia’s face. He wanted to bear it for her, take it away so she wouldn’t have to endure it, but knew he couldn’t.
“Thank you,” she whispered. A shudder ripped through her and a sob tore from her throat. She started to turn away from them, but Grady pulled her to him, wrapping her in his arms. She clung to him, crying silently against him lest she upset the children.
“I’ll check on Thane,” Tully said, giving Grady a knowing look then stepping inside the cabin.
Grady didn’t know how long he stood on the porch with Gia, but he would have stayed there for eternity if that’s what she needed him to do. Finally, her tears lessened and he heard her sniffle. She tipped back her head and looked up at him.
In that moment, Grady knew he was lost to this woman as surely as any man had ever lost his heart. He took his handkerchief from his pocket and dabbed at her tears then brushed unruly tendrils of hair away from her face.
“I’m sorry for crying all over you, again.” She inhaled a cleansing breath and took a step back.
“I don’t mind, Gia. It’s okay.”
She shook her head. “It’s not okay. Nothing is okay, but I think it will be.” Her hand connected with his and she gave his fingers a tight squeeze. “Thank you for being such a good friend, Graydon Gaffney.”
Before he could say a word to her, she stepped off the porch and headed toward the barn.
Sensing she needed a moment alone, he let her go. He took his saddlebags into the house and emptied them of the food Jemma had sent for him to enjoy. By then, Gia joined them. For all appearances, she looked as though nothing had happened. She smiled at her children and laughed at something funny Tully said, but Grady could see the agony in her eyes and the pain bracketing her mouth.
An hour later, the men swung onto their horses and left. Thane and Tully headed back toward the ranch while Grady rode Happy to the mine, wishing there was something he could do to help the DeVille family.
Chapter Eight
Sheer determination and grit kept Gia functioning through the remainder of the day when all she really wanted was to climb into her bed and weep.
Numb from the news that Rocco was indeed dead, she hadn’t even noticed all the treats the men had left behind when they departed. Thane had promised he’d bring his family to visit one day, but she wouldn’t hold him to it.
Truthfully, she needed time alone to sort through her emotions and feelings. Right now, she wavered between devastation and bone-deep anger. How could Rocco have gone off and left them in the first place? She hadn’t wanted to think about how livid she’d been when he took off with the horse, but she was upset with him. And the longer he was gone, the more her fury grew.
Even if he’d planned to come right back, he’d abandoned them, alone, in the woods, with no means of support or escape. How could he have done such a thing and why had he gone off in the first place? She hadn’t believed he was really interested in working at a mine. What if he’d ridden off to meet with someone up to no good? He’d promised her when they left New York he’d never get into that kind of trouble again, but what if he had? What if someone had killed him and made it look like an accident?
No. Gia refused to believe Rocco would go back on his word. Both Tully and Grady said it looked like his horse slipped on the edge of the ravine and fell. The horse was half wild, which is why Rocco got a good deal on him in the first place. She could easily picture the horse being skittish then falling. But why did the stupid beast have to take her husband down with him?
With Gwennie and Matty asleep in bed, Gia sa
t at the table with the light of the lamp illuminating the few items that had been in Rocco’s possession. The knife was one he’d found in an alley when they were playing with their siblings when they were both quite young. He’d kept it in his pocket all the time. Normally the blade was sharp, but she recalled him whittling something out in the barn. He must have dulled the blade then and not had time to sharpen it.
The marble was one that he’d won in a rousing game played in the street in front of their apartment. A handful of boys from one of the better neighborhoods had wandered by and wanted to play, so Rocco, his brothers, and hers had agreed. Rocco won the beautiful agate off one of the boys and kept it because he said it matched her eyes so perfectly.
The money was hardly enough to bother with, but every penny counted now. Gia was grateful Grady had processed the two rocks he’d taken from Matty’s collection. He’d brought her twenty-five dollars and told her if Matty found more, to let him know. Carefully, she’d tucked away that money, more than she’d seen in a long, long while, knowing she’d eventually need it. If nothing else, it would help pay for train tickets back to New York. Her family would welcome her and the children if she decided to return. But she didn’t want to.
She loved the clean air and open sky and peacefulness of eastern Oregon. She didn’t want to move back to the city where it was loud and dirty and crowded. She’d be forced to take a horrible job she hated while living with one of her siblings. That was not what she wanted to do and not how she wanted to raise her children.
No, unless her situation became dire, she’d do her best to stay here. If not in the cabin, then at least in the area.
She picked up the watch and opened the lid by hooking her thumbnail beneath the edge of it and pulling. Rocco had won it gambling. The watch wasn’t of the best quality, but it did keep the time accurately. Rocco often took it from his pocket and polished the case with pride.
The photograph taken shortly after they wed was a surprise to see inside the watch. She’d noticed it missing one day, but Rocco acted as though he had no idea what had happened to it. Now she knew. She rubbed her fingers over his likeness, her heart hurting for the husband she’d never see again, for her children who would never know their father, for his family who would mourn his passing. Gia hadn’t been able to write to anyone, but it was time to contact their families and tell them Rocco was gone.
She dared not chance a trip to town with the children, even if she had a way to get there. Perhaps Grady or someone from the mine would be willing to mail letters for her. And purchase supplies. Surely wagons went to and from the mine with frequency.
Gia fingered the wool from Rocco’s shirt and felt tears dampening her cheeks. Unable to bear the pain any longer, she buried her face in her hands and silently wept.
The days blended together as Gia struggled through her grief and anger. The weather cooled again and snow fell until it was nearly up to her knees. One morning she stepped outside to get more wood for the stove from the stack on the porch when she thought she heard something jangling on the echo carried by the breeze.
She stood with her arms full of wood, listening, when a sleigh appeared through the trees.
“Hello in the cabin,” a voice called. “Hello, Mrs. DeVille!”
Gia hurried to set the wood inside and stoke the stove before she rushed back outside with Matty and Gwennie trailing behind her. They stood on the porch steps and watched as Thane Jordan pulled his team to a stop near the cabin.
Much to her surprise, Gia watched as a boy and girl bounded out of the piles of blankets while Thane helped an elegant woman step down from the sleigh. He gave her his arm and together they walked toward her.
“Good morning, Mr. Jordan,” Gia said, smiling in welcome. “I didn’t expect to see you back so soon.”
Thane grinned and smiled down at the woman beside him. “My wife wanted to come for a visit and so did the children. Jemma, this is Mrs. Giavanna DeVille, her son, Matty, and daughter, Gwennie. May I introduce my wife, Jemma, and two of our little hooligans, Jack and Lily.”
“It’s so nice to meet you all,” Gia said, feeling dowdy and self-conscious as she welcomed her unexpected guests. From what Grady had told her, she was certain Thane’s wife was of nobility. How did one greet them properly? The closest she’d come to meeting anyone of importance in the past was waving at the mayor when he rode past her during a parade.
Jemma put her fears to rest when she stepped forward and gave her a warm hug. “I apologize for dropping in like this, but we so wanted to meet you. Lily has been most eager to make Matty and Gwennie’s acquaintance.”
The woman’s soft, British tones were almost musical when she spoke. Gia returned the woman’s hug then stepped back. “Welcome to our humble home. You must be freezing. Come inside and warm up.”
The Jordan family followed her inside. The cabin was definitely crowded with three adults and four children inside it. Thane carried in a big basket of food and another stuffed with toys then kissed Jemma’s cheek.
“I’ll be back this afternoon,” he said, then looked to Gia. “That is, if you don’t mind them staying here while I go to the mine.”
“Not at all.” Gia smiled at him then watched as Thane whispered something to Jack and headed out the door. She had a good idea the boy would much rather have accompanied his father to the mine than stay behind to play with Matty and Gwennie, but he didn’t show it. Instead, he set the basket of toys on the floor and soon all four children were engaged in a lively bit of play.
In spite of the stories she heard about Lily, the child was well behaved and mannerly. She offered Gwennie her choice of toys first and played nicely with Matty.
“Your children are lovely,” Gia said, watching the youngsters as they got along well together.
Jemma smiled. “They have their moments.”
Gia made two cups of tea from her stash of dried herbs. Thanks to Grady, she had sugar to sweeten it and stirred a generous spoon into each cup before motioning for Jemma to have a seat at the table where they could watch the children.
“I believe your husband mentioned you have a baby. How old is he?”
“Bolton is eight months old. We left him with Allie and Ben, that’s Thane’s brother and his wife. It was too cold and too far to bring him. As it was, I thought Lily would never cease asking if we were due to arrive soon,” Jemma said with a grin. “That child can wear on anyone’s ears and patience.”
“I know exactly what you mean. There are days when it seems all Matty and Gwennie do are ask ‘why’ or get into mischief.” Gia looked over at the children and smiled. “I think I’d rather have them that way than the type of child that just sits quietly in a corner.”
“I heartily agree,” Jemma said, taking another sip of her tea. “This is unlike anything I’ve tasted.”
“I should have made coffee,” Gia said, embarrassed she’d served the tea, and further mortified both cups bore chips. She hopped up to make coffee, but Jemma placed a hand on her arm and shook her head.
“No, not at all. I much prefer tea and this is delicious. Did you create the blend yourself?”
Gia nodded and regained her seat. “I dried herbs and use them for tea.”
“There’s nothing quite like a good spot of tea,” Jemma said, offering her a warm smile. “Now, you must tell me about your acquaintance with Graydon Gaffney. He talked quite a bit about you when he was at our home the other day. We all thought he was planning to marry Ethel Hobken before the stupid girl ran off with a salesman, but he never once spoke about her like he did you. I’d have to say you rank quite high in his affections.”
This was news to Gia. In fact, she wasn’t sure what to make of it. She’d wondered if Grady had recently been scorned by a woman. If what Jemma said was true, she’d been correct. Being left for a traveling salesman had to have stung his pride. Was he interested in her because she was merely the next female he encountered?
From what she’d observed, Grady was th
e kind of man who liked to help others, to come to the rescue. Had she merely been a project of mercy for him as he diverted his attention away from a love lost?
Uncertain about his feelings for her and hers for him, she decided to worry about it another day. For the first time since she’d left New York, she had a female guest in her home and she didn’t intend to squander a minute of their visit brooding over a man she barely knew.
After enjoying the sumptuous picnic lunch Jemma had brought along, Gia put Gwennie down for a nap while the other children went outside to play in the barn.
“Other than Florence, our cow, and the chickens, there isn’t anything out there they can disturb,” Gia assured Jemma. They watched through the cabin’s lone window as Matty led the way out to the barn.
“Jack is quite responsible. He’ll keep an eye on the younger two,” Jemma assured her. During the early afternoon, they sat at the table and discussed everything from books they’d enjoyed to the best way to get berry stains out of dishtowels.
An hour later, Thane appeared, collected his wife and children, and they prepared to go home. Lily hugged Matty and Gwennie three times each, reluctant to say goodbye to her new friends. Finally, Thane picked her up and set her in the sleigh. Jack climbed in beside her, then Thane helped Jemma up after she gave Gia a hug.
“Please come visit us sometime. We’d love to have you and we have plenty of room at the house. You and the children would be most welcome to stay as long as you like.” Jemma offered her a warm, encouraging smile.
“Get word to Gaffney if you ever need a ride to our place or into town. He’ll see to it,” Thane said, as he settled beside Jemma in the sleigh. “Take care and don’t be afraid to let someone know if you need anything.”
Gia most certainly wouldn’t be asking anyone for help, but she smiled and waved as the Jordan family departed.
Jemma had tried to get Gia to let Lily and Jack leave some of their toys for Matty and Gwennie, but she’d refused. Her children had been fine before the arrival of the Jordan family and they’d be fine long after they left. Toys were fun, but unnecessary. Even so, Gia wished she would have agreed to at least let Gwennie keep one of Lily’s dolls when the little girl offered to leave one behind. It was quite sweet of Lily, but Gia’s pride wouldn’t let her accept anything she viewed as charity.
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