by Nerys Leigh
Amy smiled at the thought of the young Adam covered in tiny self-inflicted cuts. “How old were you?”
His eyes drifted to the side as he remembered. “I must have been close to eighteen because Daisy and I were courting. She was the reason I started. I’d been thinking of growing a beard because, well, I was getting to the point where I could. You know what boys that age are like. Anyway, Daisy kept dropping not so subtle hints that I was getting too hairy for her liking so I started shaving, but I wasn’t very good at it. She didn’t stop laughing for a good five minutes when she saw me the first day.” He chuckled and his gaze unfocused, wandering back eight years. “And the second and the third. It was quite an event the first time I managed to not cut myself at all. Daisy kissed every inch of my face and told me it was just because she finally could without tasting blood.”
Amy wiped the last of the blood away and swallowed the pain blooming in her chest. I’m not jealous. I am not jealous. “I think they’ve stopped bleeding now. Do you have any iodine?”
“Oh, no. I mean yes, I have some, but I’ll be fine without it.” He took the cloth from her and, to her surprise, leaned down to kiss her cheek. “Thank you for taking care of me.”
She smiled and lowered her eyes to hide her blush. Her gaze settled on Adam’s feet. “Just one more thing.” Crouching, she laced up his shoe. When she straightened her gaze lingered on his hair.
He swivelled his eyes up. “What?”
“Um... just...”
She reached up with both hands and ran her fingers through his hair, taming the worst of the unruly mess. Lost in the feeling of the soft strands slipping through her touch, it was a few seconds before she realised what she was doing. She lowered her eyes to his and found him watching her, half a smile curling his lips. Feeling her cheeks heat up even more, she rapidly dropped her hands to her sides.
Adam leaned forward again, kissed her cheek a second time, and whispered, “Thank you” in her ear.
A not at all unpleasant shiver sauntered down her spine. “I, um, you’re welcome.” She spun back to the stove, almost knocking the frying pan onto the floor. “We’d better eat or we’ll be late for church.”
~ ~ ~
By the time they reached the church the rest of the congregation was already seated and Pastor Jones was just taking his place on the platform at the front.
Sara waved them over and Amy and Adam quickly took two vacant seats next to her.
“I saved them for you,” she whispered to Amy as she sat beside her. “I’m glad you’re here.”
She smiled, but Amy could see the sadness behind it. The seat where Daniel had sat the week before was occupied by a lady Amy didn’t know and Sara’s husband was nowhere to be seen.
Amy slipped her hand into hers and gave it a sympathetic squeeze.
When the service had drawn to a close, Adam diplomatically excused himself and went outside to give Amy time alone with her friend.
“I know you aren’t staying, but he seems like a wonderful man,” Sara said as they watched him leave.
“He is,” Amy replied. “How are you holding up?”
She lowered her eyes to her lap. “I’m all right.” The slight tremor in her voice said otherwise.
Before Amy had a chance to answer, Lizzy appeared in the row in front of them. Beyond her, Louisa and Jo stood in the aisle.
“I would like to formally invite you two to lunch,” Lizzy said. “Just the five of us. Pastor Jones and Mrs Jones are going to be out for a couple of hours and they told Louisa we could use the house. I know it’s short notice, but I think we could all use the time to talk.” She reached over the back of her chair and took Sara’s hand.
“I don’t know,” Sara said. “I should probably get back...”
“Please?” Lizzy said, drawing the word out. “It wouldn’t be the same without you. I for one could really use your sage advice and I think the rest of us could too. Jesse said he’d take you, me and Jo home afterwards.”
Lizzy was a marvel. Since the five of them arrived on the train eight days ago, they had all had to deal with the unexpected in their new lives, but Sara perhaps needed this time more than any of them. And yet Lizzy made it sound like she would be doing them a favour by staying.
“Lizzy’s right,” Amy said. “You’re the most stable of all of us.”
Lizzy nodded vehemently. “Exactly. The rest of us scatterbrains need you.”
Sara laughed softly, shaking her head. “All right, you don’t have to lay it on quite that thick. I’ll tell Will to let Daniel know I’ll be back later.”
Lizzy squealed in delight, clapping her hands.
“I’ll go and tell Adam he can go without me,” Amy said.
She left Sara, Lizzy, Louisa and Josephine chatting together and went outside to find Adam. Most of the congregation was still gathered at the front of the church and Amy wended her way through the crowd in search of him.
She almost stumbled over her feet in her haste to stop when Mrs Vernon abruptly stepped in front of her.
“Miss Watts, how lovely to see you at church.”
For some reason she couldn’t quite put her finger on, Amy didn’t entirely believe her. The fake smile definitely wasn’t helping.
“Good morning, Mrs Vernon. How are you?”
“Very well, thank you, if a little surprised.”
“Surprised?”
Mrs Vernon looked around them, stepped closer, and lowered her voice. “That you are still residing with Mr Emerson, given the circumstances.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
She stepped back. “Just one day left, Miss Watts. I’m sure you’ll do the right thing. Good day.”
Amy watched her walk away in bemusement. One day left until what?
She’d just decided to ask Adam if he had any idea what Mrs Vernon was talking about when she spotted him through the crowd and she forgot all about the cryptic exchange. A lump rose to Amy’s throat as she watched him chat to Daisy, their closeness apparent in the ease they clearly enjoyed with each other. An image of his ex-almost-fiancée planting kisses all over his young, freshly shaved face rose unbidden into her mind. And then a dark haired little boy, no more than three years old, bounded up to them and raised his small arms towards Adam. Adam smiled and bent to pick him up, settling him on his hip as though it was the most natural thing in the world. Daisy reached out to rub her thumb over a smudge on the boy’s face. It was a picture of familial bliss.
A feeling of envy swept through her, so strong that for a moment Amy couldn’t breathe. She turned away, praying for God to take the unwelcome emotion from her. It took at least a full minute for her to feel in control enough to walk over to them.
Seeing her approach, Daisy smiled. “Good morning, Amy. It’s so nice to see you again.”
Did she have to sound so genuinely nice? Jealousy still nipped at Amy and Daisy’s friendliness just served to add a healthy dose of shame to the mix.
“Good morning, Daisy.” She looked at the little boy. “And who’s this?”
“Amy, meet Nicholas,” Adam said, turning so that the boy faced her. “Nicky is Daisy’s son.”
“It’s a pleasure to meet you, Nicky,” Amy said, holding her hand out to him.
Clearly astonished at being offered such a grown up greeting, Nicholas hesitantly held out his small hand. His eyes lit up when Amy shook it gently.
“You have pretty hair,” he said.
Amy placed a hand on her chest with a gasp. “Why, thank you, kind sir.”
Nicholas giggled and Adam whispered to him loudly, “I think she has pretty hair too.”
Despite all her best intentions, Amy’s heart flipped a little. “Uh... I just came to tell you that Sara, Lizzy, Jo, Louisa and I are having a kind of support gathering at the Jones’ house so I won’t be home for lunch. If that’s all right.”
She knew she didn’t need to ask his permission, but she hadn’t been able to resist the desire to slip in a remin
der in front of Daisy that they would normally eat together. She suspected she should probably feel ashamed of that too.
“Of course it’s all right,” he said, smiling. “I promise I won’t starve.”
“Oh, well, if you’re alone why don’t you come and join Nicky and me for lunch?” Daisy said brightly.
Amy’s stomach sank into her shoes.
Adam’s gaze flicked between the two women.
“Come and see my new toys I got for my birthday!” Nicky squealed in excitement.
And he’d seemed like such a nice little boy.
Adam smiled at him. “Well, how can I refuse an offer like that?”
He glanced at Amy and for a moment she thought she saw an apology in his eyes, but it was probably just wishful thinking on her part. She suddenly had an urge to leave as quickly as possible.
“Well, I’ll see you later then,” she said. “It was nice to see you again, Daisy.” It may have been the biggest lie she’d ever told.
“You too, Amy.”
She wanted to spend time with her friends, she really did, but as she trudged back to the church entrance Amy couldn’t help wishing she’d waited until after Daisy left to tell Adam about it.
Chapter 18
Amy folded her arms on the top of the stall door and rested her chin on them. Clementine stared at her.
She stood looking almost relaxed, no longer pressed into the corner. She wasn’t entirely comfortable, but three days of apple slices had at least got her away from the wall.
“Well, Clem,” Amy said, keeping her voice low and soft, “are you ready for the next step in our friendship?”
Clementine’s ears flicked back and forth, signalling her uncertain interest.
“Because we are going to be great friends, you and I.”
The horse’s expression was impassive.
“So I’d appreciate it if you didn’t kick me or anything,” Amy said, pushing away from the door.
She opened the stall and placed the stool inside. Clementine took a step forward in anticipation of the apple, but instead of placing a slice onto the stool Amy walked into the stall, closed the door behind her, and sat.
Clementine backed into the corner, her ears flattening. She gave a soft whinny. From the adjoining stall, Stride answered her. Strangely, Amy was put in mind of Adam’s voice, always there when she needed reassurance.
She cut a thin slice of apple and bit into it as Clementine watched. Finishing the half a slice, she placed the rest into her mouth and cut a second slice as she ate. Under Clementine’s unwavering scrutiny, she ate that one too. And then a third. As she chewed her fourth slice, she cut another and silently held it towards Clementine on her palm, keeping her eyes fixed on her lap.
After a couple of minutes of inaction her arm started to ache. She was about to lower it when Clementine took a step forward. Amy tried to appear relaxed while tensing her arm which was beginning to tremble. Clem took another step towards her and Amy held her breath. Finally, another two steps brought her within range. The horse tentatively stretched her neck forward, paused, then plucked the apple from Amy’s hand and backed away. Ignoring the tear trickling down her cheek, Amy cut another slice of apple and held it out again. Clementine immediately came forward and took it, this time staying within reach as she ate.
Slowly, slice by slice, Amy fed her the rest of the apple. By the time it was finished the white horse was standing just two feet away, her ears perked forward as she followed Amy’s every movement.
Amy put the knife into her pocket and folded her hands on her lap. To her complete surprise, Clementine lowered her head and nudged her muzzle against her arm. With tears running down her face, Amy almost burst out laughing.
“I don’t have any more apple, girl,” she whispered.
She raised her left hand. The horse lifted her head, looked at Amy’s hand for a moment, then lowered her face towards it. Amy gently touched her fingertips to the silky hair of her neck. When Clem didn’t recoil, she moved her hand onto her face. Clem pushed against her palm for a moment then raised her head, looking at the door.
“Well, I’ll be.” George was standing outside the stall, his eyes wide.
Amy wiped the moisture from her face and stood, slid her hand down the horse’s neck, and then picked up the stool and left the stall. Clementine kept her eyes on George, but didn’t move.
“I...” He looked as if he’d seen a rock get up by itself and walk. “How in the world did you get her to do that?”
Amy smiled at Clementine who was watching her from the centre of the stall. “She wanted to trust me. She just needed to know that she could.”
She took the sack of hay from George’s unresisting hands and filled Clementine’s feeding rack. Clem immediately walked forward and started to eat, not even flinching when Amy ruffled her mane.
“I never thought that horse would ever let anyone near her again.” A smile stretched George’s rugged face. “You must have a magic touch, girl.”
Amy smiled back. “No, just patience. And lots of apples.”
Chapter 19
“Are you sure you don’t want me to do it?” George said, for the sixth time.
“Or me,” Adam added. “You could take Stride.”
“She’ll be calmer if it’s me,” Amy said, tightening the cinch on Clementine’s saddle. “I’m not handing her off to someone else after she’s trusted me this far, even you two.”
George puffed out a frustrated breath. “You’re too stubborn for your own good, girl.”
She moved forward to where Clem could see her. “I know you’re a little nervous, Clem,” she said softly, “and to be truthful, so am I. But you know I will never hurt you. We’re both going to have fun, you’ll see.”
Clementine nuzzled against her arm and Amy gave her a pat before moving back to her side.
“Now I’m sure, judging by the way she took to that saddle, that she’s been ridden before,” George said. “So she’ll know what to do. Just take it nice and gentle.”
“I only do nice and gentle,” Amy said. “Just ask Stride.”
At the sound of his name, Adam’s horse hooked his head over Clem’s back to look at her. Amy laughed and rubbed his nose.
“Come on, Stride,” Adam said, tugging him back. “Let’s show Clementine how it’s done.”
Standing Stride where Clem could see them, he used one of the livery’s mounting blocks to climb on, then guided him in close to the white horse in an attempt to keep her calm.
“Please be careful,” he said to Amy.
“Well, girl, if you’re determined to go through with this, now’s the time,” George said, holding tight onto Clementine’s bridle.
Amy stepped up onto her own block, gave Clem a quick rub on her neck, and carefully pulled herself into the saddle, praying all the time.
Clem immediately tensed and took a couple of steps back, jerking her head up and snorting. Stride nickered and looked around for danger.
“Calm down, girl,” George said, hanging onto the reins.
Amy wasn’t sure if he meant her or Clementine. Her heart thumped as the horse flinched beneath her. She leaned forward and pressed her hand onto the side of Clementine’s neck. “It’s all right, Clem,” she said, trying to keep her voice steady. “It’s just me. I’m not going to hurt you. You’re safe.”
Clementine twisted her neck to look back at her.
“It’s all right,” she repeated.
A few seconds passed while Clem stared at her, then she lowered her head and Amy felt her relax. Stride nudged the side of her face with his nose.
“Right,” George said, breathing out. “Good.”
Adam looked pale, but he gave her a tremulous smile. He appeared more shaken by the experience than she was.
Amy let out a long breath and sent up a silent ‘thank You’. “Do you think I could ride her around the corral a bit?” she said to George.
He scratched the side of Clementine’s jaw and sh
e leaned into his touch. Once she’d realised she could trust Amy, she’d warmed to him too. “I’ll lead her first, but she don’t seem overly bothered by you being up there.”
They walked a couple of laps of the small area before George let go and allowed Amy to ride by herself. Despite all the time Adam had spent teaching her how to ride and the practice she’d had on Stride, Amy still lacked the confidence to take things too fast. But Clem didn’t seem to mind. She was remarkably calm as she walked with Stride at her side and after a few minutes George left them to go back inside.
Adam was quiet as they continued to ride at a leisurely pace side by side around the corral, his eyes fixed on the horses.
“Is something wrong?” Amy said after a while.
“No, it just scared me a bit, watching you do that with Clem. If she’d panicked...” He shrugged and blew out a breath. “If you could hold off on doing anything else life-threatening for the next few days, I’d be grateful.”
“I’ll do my best.”
He gave her a small smile and went back to watching Clementine. Amy got the feeling he wouldn’t relax until she was back on solid ground. He was worried for her safety. It shouldn’t have made her feel good, but it did.
“Can I ask you something?” he said.
“Anything.” Where had that come from? She never told anyone anything. What if he asked her something she couldn’t tell him? Like how she felt about him.
“Why San Francisco?”
She breathed out in relief. That was an easy one to answer. “About three years ago I found a magazine Mrs Courtney had thrown away, on one of the rare times she was home. I never got to read that kind of thing so I took it and read it from cover to cover over and over. There was a feature article inside about San Francisco hotels and they were all so fancy and grand. I dreamed about what it would be like to work in one of them as a maid, maybe work my way up to housekeeper one day. I never really thought I would, but just to be able to see them... I guess it became like a symbol of everything I wanted and didn’t have; independence, safety, a future. And then when I read your advertisement and found out you lived so close to there, I just thought maybe this was my chance. It wasn’t much of a plan, I admit.”
