A look of surprise crossed Garrick’s face then he sighed. “Look, Angel, I know she’s not indifferent to me. I also happen to know she’s in love with Price. He’s the father of her child.” “She was in love with Cameron. That doesn’t mean she still is. What if her affections have changed?”
“Becky’s not fickle.”
“No, but the feelings between you two are very strong. Are you willing to let Cameron have her without a fight? What if she would rather be with you?”
“Come on, Angel, what woman in her right mind would pick someone who looks like me over Cameron Price?”
“All right, so he’s a damn attractive man. You might not win any beauty contests, Swede, but you aren’t exactly dog-ugly either. Not that it would matter if you were. There’s a hell of a lot more to love than physical attraction. Frankly, I think you’ve got Cameron beat all hollow in the ways that count.”
Garrick rubbed his face tiredly. “All right, so maybe it is possible, but there’s no way to know for sure.”
“You could always ask her.”
“Are you crazy?”
“Look Swede, beating around the bush isn’t going to work. The way I see it, you haven’t got a whole lot to lose anyway.” She patted him on the arm then pushed away from the bar. “It’s been real entertaining talking to you, but I’ve got to get back to work.”
Garrick stared down into his glass long after she was gone. Blast Angel and her prying. As if he hadn’t had enough emotional turmoil for one day. With a grimace, he tossed down the rest of his drink before heading back to the smithy and his lonely bedroll.
Dawn the next morning brought Becky an unexpected visitor.
“Cameron!” Becky wiped her hands self-consciously on her apron as she stared up at him. “What in the world are you doing here?”
“I told you yesterday I was going to be an attentive suitor.”
“It’s six o’clock in the morning!”
He gave her a jaunty grin. “Are you impressed?”
Becky smiled in spite of herself. “Am I supposed to be?”
“Of course. I’m showing you how cheerful I am first thing in the morning. Aren’t you going to ask me in?”
“I...don’t know. I haven’t even had breakfast yet.”
“Neither have I. In fact, I was hoping to wrangle an invitation from you.”
“That wouldn’t be proper.”
“We’ll leave the door open.” He raised an eyebrow. “Besides, I never indulge in seduction before breakfast.”
Becky laughed and stepped out of the way. “Oh, all right.” She’d forgotten how persuasive he could be with those cornflower blue eyes and that winning smile. Their gazes both fell on her unmade bunk at the same moment. Becky blushed and hurried forward to pull the covers up.
Behind her back, Cameron smiled in satisfaction. He’d found out what he wanted to know. There were two beds on opposite sides of the tiny cabin, and she obviously slept in the small one...alone. Swede had told him the truth then.
“I’m only having cornmeal mush.”
“I love mush.”
“Of course you do.” Becky smiled as she went to stir the pan on the stove. “If I were having toadstools and cow dung, you’d probably love that too.”
“One of my favorites,” he said promptly. “Well hello, Leena. How’s my little girl this morning?”
Becky glanced over her shoulder at Cameron as he stood awkwardly next to where Alaina was playing on the floor. “Her name’s Alaina. Have a seat.”
“Thanks.”
“Coffee?”
“Yes, please.”
The warmth of his gaze made her distinctly uncomfortable as she poured his coffee. Worse yet, he’d sat down on Garrick’s chair. Becky had the irrational urge to pull it out from under him. She was almost relieved when Alaina fell over and began to cry.
“It’s all right, sweetheart. Mama’s here,” she said as she put down the coffee pot and picked up the baby.
“What happened?” Cameron asked nervously. “Is she all right?”
“She just learned how to sit up a few days ago and doesn’t always balance right. I think it scared her more than anything. Oh dear, I forgot the mush,” Becky said as the pan boiled over. “Here, take her.” She thrust Alaina into Cameron’s arms and hurried to the stove.
Cameron Price had led his men into countless battles, faced the enemy undaunted, and never backed down to a challenge in his life, but he was completely unnerved by his six-month-old daughter. Unsure what to do, he held her gingerly, hoping Becky would come back before anything happened.
He looked up hopefully when she returned, but Becky was only setting the bowls on the table. She was gone an instant later to get the cornmeal mush. Used to playing with whoever held her, Alaina started to squirm, and Cameron panicked. “Becky!”
“What?”
“The baby...I don’t know...I’m afraid I’ll drop her,” he said desperately.
Becky turned to look and giggled at the expression of sheer terror on Cameron’s face. “It’s all right, Cameron, she won’t bite. All she wants to do is play.” Becky carried the pan over to the table and set it down. “I’ll put her in her bed.”
Cameron gave the baby up with a sigh of relief, and Becky bit back another giggle. Honestly, you’d think he’d been asked to hold a porcupine.
Becky returned to the table and began to dish up the mush. “I hope you like molasses,” she said as he smiled up at her, “because that’s what I usually—”
“Daaa!” Alaina shouted from her cradle suddenly. Becky froze with the spoon halfway between the pan and Cameron’s bowl. With a feeling of sick certainty, she whirled and looked into Garrick’s accusing eyes.
Chapter 27
“Daaaa...Daaa.” Alaina’s voice was the only sound in the room as the three adults stared at each other, unable to move.
“Garrick!” Becky finally forced his name out and broke the spell that held them all transfixed.
“I...uh...I came to...um...to get my tools,” Garrick stammered. “They...they’re in the shed, I think.” He turned and stumbled down the path to the shed. Sophie nickered a greeting as he entered, but Garrick paid no attention as he leaned against the wall and closed his eyes. How had Angel managed to convince him Becky might actually prefer him to Cameron Price?
Damn but Price moved fast. That he’d managed to charm his way into Becky’s bed so quickly proved she must still love him a great deal. Garrick felt as if the air in the shed were too thin to breathe.
A slight sound outside alerted him that his solitude was about to end. Trying to get himself in hand, Garrick turned away from the door and picked up the first thing he found.
“Garrick?” Becky’s voice held a note of panic as she stood in the doorway and peered into the dim interior. “Garrick, are you in there?”
“Ja.” Garrick was proud of the way his voice remained steady as he turned to face her.
“I…it’s not what it looks like.”
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb, Garrick. You know very well what I’m talking about.”
“You’re not having breakfast with him?”
“Well, yes, but—”
Garrick shrugged and walked over to the shelves that held his woodworking tools. “That’s what it looked like.”
“But—”
“Becky, don’t. It’s none of my business what you do anymore.”
“And you don’t care? Come on, Garrick we’ve lived together for a year.”
“We shared a special part of our lives.” He stared at his tools blindly. “It wasn’t very long ago that you told me nothing lasts forever.”
“As far as you’re concerned, it’s over, right?”
“Ja.”
“Is that what you want, or are you just being noble, Garrick?”
“It’s for the best.”
“Why did you come this morning?”
“To get my tools.”
“And wha
t were you planning to do with that?”
Garrick felt like an utter fool as he looked down and realized he’d picked up one of the leather straps Becky had used when Alaina was born. “A smith can always make use of leather scraps. Why, did you want it for something?”
“No, I…I’m finished with it.” She watched as he stuffed the strap in his pocket and began clearing his tools off the shelf. “I don’t believe you, Garrick. There’s another man sitting in your chair, eating at your table, and you don’t care?”
“They aren’t my chair and table any more. Besides, Cameron Price isn’t just any man,” he said quietly. “He’s Alaina’s father. There are those who might think I intruded on his territory.”
“I was afraid you’d figured it out,” she said heavily. “That’s why you finally told me the truth, isn’t it?”
“I should have said something sooner.”
“Why didn’t you?”
“You and Alaina needed me. Now you don’t.”
Oh yes, I do, Becky thought miserably. I need you to take me in your arms and tell me it doesn’t matter who I slept with before. That you love me and want me anyway. “S-so what are you planning to do now?” Becky was surprised she could even talk around the knot in her throat.
“To tell you the truth, I’ve been thinking of moving on for quite a while now.”
“Leave South Pass City?” Becky was aghast. “But Garrick, you finally got your blacksmith shop. You can’t just walk away from that.”
“I wasn’t planning to. Most of it will load into a wagon.”
“Where would you go?”
“That’s the nice thing about a smithy. You can set one up in any town and have plenty of business. That will never change.”
“When—” She swallowed hard. “When would you go?”
“Oh, not for a while yet. There’s still a few things I have to clear up here.”
“We-well, don’t leave without saying good-bye.”
“I won’t.”
Becky felt her eyes begin to fill and knew if she didn’t make her escape now she was going to embarrass herself in front of the man she loved. “I guess I’ll leave you to your packing then.” She paused. “Garrick...I...I...thank you for everything. Without you, Alaina and I...well, thank you,” she finished lamely. With one last look she left the shed and ran back to the house.
Garrick let out a painful sigh as he leaned his forehead against the shelves. He’d done the right thing. Becky and Alaina would be cared for, cherished even. He’d fulfilled his part of the bargain admirably. So, why did he feel like he wanted to die?
Becky slowed down as soon as she was away from the shed. She’d hoped Garrick had come to make amends, but he was truly finished with her. Just another of his noble causes that he’d seen to a satisfactory conclusion. That hurt almost as much as losing him.
She stopped outside the front door to wipe her eyes and straighten her apron. It wouldn’t do for Cameron to see how upset she was. Maybe Garrick was right. Maybe she and Alaina did belong with Cameron. At the very least, she needed to make Garrick think she was happily settled so he could get on with his life.
Becky’s eyes widened in surprise when she stepped inside. Alaina stood at the end of her cradle solemnly regarding Cameron who had hunkered down to hold the cradle still. The look on his face could only be described as awestruck as he gazed at the baby.
“Cameron?”
He looked up. “Everything all right with Swede?”
“I guess so. What are you doing?”
“Alonna was crying, and I wasn’t sure what else to do.”
“Alaina.”
“What?”
“Her name isn’t Alonna, it’s Alaina.”
“Oh, right.” He turned back to Alaina as though he couldn’t keep his eyes away. “You know, it’s the most amazing thing. She looks like me, but she has your nose and your smile.”
“I guess she takes after both of us.”
“Isn’t it incredible?” His voice was filled with wonder. “She’s some of you and some of me all mixed up into a new little person. We created her together in that old shack and didn’t even know we were doing it.” Cameron’s eyes shone as he looked up at Becky. “My daughter. I never knew how amazing it would feel to say those words.”
Becky nodded and turned away. She should have been delighted, but for some reason his words made her want to cry. “I guess I better fix some more mush. This is too cold to eat.”
Breakfast was a desultory meal, but Cameron didn’t seem to notice. He ate as though she had set a sumptuous feast in front of him, chatting amicably the whole time. It seemed strange after sharing countless meals with Garrick, who rarely said anything. When they were finished, he took his leave. He promised to see her soon and gave her a chaste little kiss on the cheek.
It took Becky very little time to clean the cabin after Cameron was gone, and time hung heavily on her hands. Surely the special feelings she’d had for Cameron would come back now that he’d returned. It was only her disillusionment that had dimmed her intense love for him. At one time, it had been all she lived for.
Dispiritedly, Becky wandered over to Garrick’s bunk. She hadn’t slept in it last night, unable to face the prospect of being there alone. Now, she sat on the edge and smoothed her hand over the blanket. They’d had such a short time together in this bed, and yet it seemed somehow bigger and better than all the weeks she’d spent in one rendezvous after another with Cameron.
Becky picked up his pillow and pressed it to her face. As she inhaled Garrick’s scent, a wave of loneliness swept through her. The thought of life without him was too horrible to bear.
Over the next week, Cameron made a steady assault on Becky’s heart. He treated her like a fairy princess with everything he did calculated to please her. There were gifts for both Alaina and Becky, long buggy rides, evening strolls and even a play at the Variety Theater.
Saturday, Cameron took Becky and Alaina to Kidder’s restaurant for an extravagant supper. Outside her door afterward, he took her into his arms and kissed her. It was warmly passionate, the sort that seductions began with, but Becky made an excuse about being tired and slipped inside the house.
Undaunted, Cameron continued to lavish her with attention, but Becky found herself curiously unmoved by any of it. In fact, she started to wonder how she’d ever fancied herself in love with him. The self-assurance she had always admired began to seem more like arrogance and conceit, his charm more practiced than sincere. He was clearly fascinated with Alaina, but really wanted little to do with her other than admiring his own stunning good looks reproduced on her tiny face.
Handsome, well-built, and charming, Cameron Price was every woman’s dream. His smile was enough to melt the most ironclad feminine heart, yet all Becky could do was find fault with him. She couldn’t help wondering how a man could change so much in one short year.
Deep down, Becky knew Cameron hadn’t changed. He had always been as self-centered and conceited as he was handsome. The difference was that now she saw it. He no longer fit what she thought a husband should be. Truth was, he just wasn’t Garrick.
It was never more obvious than the day he walked her home from Angel’s. “You really should have driven,” he said as he sidestepped a large pile of horse dung.
“But why?” Becky asked in surprise. “It’s an absolutely beautiful day.”
“What’s that got to do with it?”
“Spring comes late up here in the mountains. We haven’t had much chance to get out in the sunshine. Alaina and I enjoy the walk.”
“I wasn’t referring to the weather. These streets aren’t fit for you to set foot on.”
“What are you talking about?”
“You can’t be serious.” He stopped and stared at her. “We’re surrounded by filth of every description.”
Becky looked back the way they had come. Most of her life had been spent in one mining town or another. Other than when they were rendered impa
ssable by snow or mud, she hadn’t noticed the condition of the streets for a very long time. Now she saw Cameron was right. The road was liberally covered with piles of manure, garbage in various stages of decay, and other things that were best left unidentified.
“That first day, the bottom of your skirt was almost completely covered with mud and muck,” Cameron was saying. “It was disgusting.”
Becky looked up at him in hurt surprise. “I couldn’t help it, Cameron. The streets were too muddy to bring the buckboard into town.”
“Precisely why you should have stayed at home,” he said, taking her elbow in a proprietary grip and turning her toward her cabin once more. “Of course, I can understand why you’d want to spend as little time as possible in that hovel. I promise you, I’ll never expect you to live in such squalor.”
Squalor? Hovel? The cozy little cabin she was so proud of? She’d have slapped Cameron for the insult if there hadn’t been so many people around who might carry the story back to Garrick. How dare he criticize her home?
It was almost the last straw. Only one thing kept Becky playing the game. Garrick was watching. Even when she was with Cameron, Becky was keenly aware of when Garrick was near, as he often was. At such times, she was especially careful to appear happy. Whatever else she might feel, it was imperative that Garrick think all was well. He wouldn’t do what he wanted until he was sure she and Alaina were happily settled. Becky owed him that freedom and would do almost anything to see he got it.
Still, she was glad when Cameron left town for a few days on business. It was a relief not to have to pretend for a while. The warm weather settled in to stay, and the last of the snow disappeared in a matter of two days. As the water trickled down from the mountain slopes, it filled the creeks with more than the usual spring runoff. Becky watched the creek behind the cabin nervously. When the water began lapping at the shed, she decided to move the horses and the buckboard to higher ground. Alaina was asleep in her cradle and Becky was reluctant to disturb her. Besides, the flooded creek was so unpredictable that she was afraid of putting the baby in danger. Deciding Alaina was far safer where she was, Becky left the cabin door open and went to hitch up Sophie.
Meadowlark Page 21
