He hadn’t been able to say anything to Saffron since the night they’d had dessert and she’d asked him about Carol’s accident. The entire time they were at the restaurant and on the ride home, he’d intended to tell her. She had a right to know. She’s spent so much time with Carol and clearly cared about her that she even deserved to know. But when the time came, the words just wouldn’t leave his lips. He felt like a heel for walking away like that, but it was all too much for him and he’d just done it.
He’d wanted to apologize but hadn’t had the opportunity since. He wanted to tell her that the accident had been heart-breaking, earth-shattering, and that for a long time, he wasn’t sure they’d ever be able to move past it. Losing his parents and almost losing Carol had changed his life forever, and while before, he’d hoped that someday he might fall in love and marry, like his parents had, but now he knew it wasn’t possible. He needed to be available to raise his brothers and sister, even if he could only provide them with beans.
As he paced, he shuddered as he remembered the feelings that had shot through him when he’d brushed Saffron’s arm on the swing, held her hand. If he were ever going to be able to talk about this tragedy, he knew it would be to her. She had a way of making him feel safe, comfortable—well, as safe as he could feel when his life had been unexpectedly turned upside down.
He shook the thought out of his head. It could never be, and he’d be smartest to just put the thought out of his mind.
And today, it was all Adam could do not to follow them into town. He’d been dead set against it from the start, but he knew it was something he couldn’t do for Carol, something that she needed. And if it couldn’t be him, or Luke or Andy, he did trust Saffron—well, as much as he trusted anybody but his family.
He sure wished it hadn’t been necessary, though, and he’d been pacing ever since they rode off except for the times he pulled his watch out of his vest pocket to check the time.
His watch. He ran his thumb over the inscription on the back.
You’ll be my love forever,” it said, a wedding gift from his mother to his father. His father had given him the watch when he’d joined the farrier business as a full-fledged farrier.
“You’ve learned everything I have to teach, son. Thank you for wanting to learn, and I’ve never been more proud of you. I now have the Benson and Son business I’ve always wanted to.”
Then he’d given him the watch and told him it was his turn to find love, start a family. How could either of them have known that it would never be a possibility?
His heart leapt into his throat as dust plumed on the horizon. He breathed a sigh of relief as he shielded his eyes against the warm sun and saw Saffron’s bright blue bonnet and Carol’s yellow one next to her. He rubbed the back of his neck and started breathing again as he heard their happy chatter when the buggy turned up the drive.
He’d vowed to himself that he would remain calm and stay on the porch, not show Carol he’d been worried, but suddenly his feet carried him down the steps and he rushed to the buggy, grasping Carol’s hand as he looked anxiously at Saffron.
“See what I mean?” Carol said to Saffron.
“What? What do you mean?” Adam said as he squeezed her hand and reached up to carry her into the house.
“Nothing at all, Adam,” she said as she gave him a peck on his cheek and smiled at Saffron.
“Are you all right?” he asked her as he whisked her into the living room and laid her on the couch, untying her bonnet.
She swatted his hands away and he stood, taking a confused step backward.
“I can do it, Adam, really I can.” She smiled at him, her blue eyes soft as she untied her bonnet and set it beside her on the settee.
He frowned as Saffron stepped into the parlor, annoyed at the fluttering in his stomach, but couldn’t help but soften as her huge brown eyes smiled up at him.
“We had a wonderful time. Didn’t we, Saffron? We saw the dressmaker and did you know that it tickles when they measure you for a new dress?” Carol said, giggling.
He couldn’t help but laugh at Carol’s giggles—and his relief. He turned to Saffron and rested his hand on her arm before he felt her warmth, realized what he was doing and removed it.
He cleared his throat and said, “Thank you, Saffron, for taking Carol.”
Saffron untied her bonnet and shook her braids loose, and his stomach fluttered once more.
Her eyes sparkled as she said, “We had a wonderful time. Carol’s dresses will be beautiful. And we had ice cream, too. Marvelous. Strawberry.”
Carol patted the settee next to her. “Saffron has something she’d like to ask you.”
Saffron’s eyebrows rose and she turned her wide eyes to Carol. Adam looked from one to the other, not at all sure he wanted to hear what she might ask.
He sat in the chair by the fireplace and leaned forward, his elbows on his knees.
Saffron sat next to Carol and he hoped she was going to ask him something he could say yes, to. Her eyes were hopeful as she turned to him.
“We had a wonderful time today, Adam. It was a beautiful day, and we were able to manage with no trouble at all—with only one big surprise.”
Carol’s eyes grew big and she covered her mouth with her hand as she giggled. “Did you know Saffron has a twin sister? They look exactly alike. I was afraid for a minute because I thought there were two of them.”
Saffron laughed and patted Carol’s knee. “Yes, we saw my sister Sage at the ice cream parlor. She invited Carol—and you and the boys, of course—over for supper on Sunday. I said I would relay the invitation to you.”
Adam rubbed his chin and his eyes met Saffron’s and held them. She knew that he’d refused Hank’s invitation and her father’s, but he supposed if Carol had been asked personally she had no choice but to relay the offer.
Carol looked so hopeful that it broke his heart. He sat back in the chair and rubbed his hand through his hair. He’d met a good many of Saffron’s family and friends and they’d all been very pleasant, even kind. He closed his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them he smiled at Carol.
“Do you want to go?” he asked her.
Carol sat up, then looped her arm through Saffron’s. “I would love to go. I want to meet all of Saffron’s family.”
Adam sighed. “Saffron, are you sure it’s all right if all four of us come? I’d hate to leave the boys out.”
Saffron held her hand to her chest and he thought maybe he saw her eyes sparkle a little more than usual. “I’m sure we’d be delighted to have you all come.”
“And the other part, Saffron?” Carol asked as she nudged Saffron.
“The other part?” Adam said, his eyebrows raised as Saffron closed her eyes.
“Oh, yes,” Saffron said as she opened her eyes and stared at him directly. “We saw a poster in the ice cream parlor. The circus is coming to town next week and Carol would like to go.”
Adam stood and he blinked several times. Carol smiled, her hands clasped together in front of her chest.
He turned toward the fireplace and leaned his hand against the mantle, hanging his head. It was too much. He’d agreed to supper with all of those people, in a strange house with—well, strangers.
He’d done all he could do at the moment against his better judgment. In a very low voice, he said, “No, I’m afraid not. That’s absolutely out of the question.”
Chapter 24
Saffron had been so disappointed about not taking Carol to the circus that she’d thought of little else, but as she put the finishing touches on the table she was setting, her spirits had lifted a bit. With Adam and Carol arriving shortly for supper, along with the boys, she’d allowed herself to think maybe, just maybe, being with her family might make a difference to Adam and he’d reconsider about the circus. Some time with her family might help.
“You’d better hurry if you’re going to change your dress before people arrive,” Maria said from behind Saffron.
Maria shook her head slowly. “I think it might be a good idea if your spruce yourself up a little, don’t you think? It’s not everyday a handsome, single gentleman comes for supper.”
“Oh? Who’s coming for supper? Someone I don’t know about?”
Maria placed the water pitcher on the table with a thud. “Sage has invited the new doctor, but that’s not who I was referring to.”
“Oh?”
“Good grief. Sometimes you Archers are so thick,” Maria said, her eyes twinkling. She sighed and said, “Isn’t this a special night for you? With your new friends coming?”
Saffron stood and backed up from the table. She’d been nervous, yes, that the Bensons were coming but had tried to push it from her mind. “Oh, yes, Carol’s very excited to come, and I’m happy for her,” she said, willing her stomach to stop fluttering.
“Oh, chica. Is that what you’re telling yourself?”
Saffron frowned. She’d told herself she was nervous because it was a new adventure for Carol, but she had to admit that her feelings for Adam had grown along with those she had for Carol. His strong chin, steady manner and blue eyes always made her shiver these days, but his strong will frustrated her equally.
She turned and squinted at Maria. “Yes. I am.”
“Mm-hmm,” Maria said as she leaned her shoulder into the swinging door to the kitchen. “Maybe. I can finish supper, though, and I still think you should go change your dress. For Carol.”
Saffron caught Maria’s grin before she disappeared into the kitchen and sighed as she headed down the hall to her room.
Chapter 25
Adam turned toward the mirror his parents had left, the pattern carved in the wood one he’d seen many times. He hadn’t been one to look in it much. He stood on the opposite side of the room and pulled a comb through his hair, glancing at it out of the corner of his eye.
It wasn’t as if he wasn’t interested in bathing or what he looked like, but today, getting ready to go the Archer’s for Sunday supper, he’d been almost nervous. He’d taken care of Carol and the boys for a couple of years now, and as things hadn’t gone well and they’d had to move, he wasn’t particularly anxious to get back out again, meet new people. He was glad they’d landed here in Tombstone, and everyone seemed real nice, but it wasn’t something he craved. At least he hadn’t thought so.
But Carol—she was different. He sighed as his face fell into his hand. No matter what had happened to her, of course she’d want to be out with people. Possibly have a life, a family.
He frowned as he thought of that possibility. Could it really happen? Could Carol be happy, have a family? Maybe. But he knew he couldn’t. It wasn’t in the cards for him.
He buttoned the sleeves of his shirt and tugged them from his leather vest, the one his father wore most times he went out. He walked to the mirror, but it took a moment for him to look up into it. It had been his father’s mirror, and although he’d hung it on the wall, he knew it really still belonged to his father, and sometimes when he looked into it he saw his father looking back at him.
“Son, the family will be yours someday. I know you’ll take care of them as any good man would. And you’re that good man. Adam, I’m proud of you.”
He closed his eyes, still feeling the grip of his father’s hand as the life had poured out of him on that horrible day that had changed all of their lives.
The day that changed everything.
“Adam, are you ready? We don’t want to be late to the Archers’.” Carol’s sweet voice wafted up the stairs and he turned away from the mirror. The sun had just passed the highest point in the sky. Everyone would be coming home from church now, and spending time with their loved ones. And they had to find loved ones somewhere else.
“Coming,” he shouted as he turned back to the mirror.
He tugged at the tie he’d chosen, pulling it from his collar and dropping it to the floor. Who was he kidding? Carol had mentioned wanting to be part of a family again—but they had one. The four of them were family. They didn’t need anyone else. He’d take care of them, just like Pa asked him to.
“I thought you might wear something a little fancier. We’re going to meet Saffron’s family,” Carol said as he hit the bottom step of the stairs. He glanced at her quickly, taking a sharp breath at the hope in her eyes.
“This is my Sunday finest, Carol. And this is just another day,” he said as he headed into the kitchen.
He pushed back from the counter and looked at the ceiling, running both his hands through his hair. Right. This was for Carol and the boys. His feelings didn’t matter and never would. He took a deep breath and walked back into the parlor.
“You—you look so handsome,” Carol said as he reached for his hat on the hook beside the door.
“And you look lovely. Your new dress is very becoming.” He smiled as Carol blushed and smoothed the skirt of her new, peach-colored velvet dress Saffron had helped her order in town.
Saffron. Half of him was grateful that she’d come into their lives, and the other half of him wished he’d never met her.
Carol flushed and raised her eyes to his. “Thank you, Adam. It means a great deal to me to hear you say that.”
As they wound their way up the drive to Archer Ranch, under the metal gate with letters arching over it, Adam wondered if maybe this was a huge mistake.
“Oh, how lovely,” Carol said as they passed a small, white adobe house with a garden out front, surrounded by a short white wall.
Adam smiled as he remembered the flower garden his step-mother had created at their home in South Dakota every spring and summer, the taste of her home-grown tomatoes fresh on his lips. He turned away from the garden as the memory turned painful, and he slowed the buggy as they reached the front of the house.
“Gosh, this is a big house,” Andy said in his usual statement of the obvious.
Luke nudged his brother in the ribs and said, “It’s not polite to stare.”
“What? I have to look somewhere,” Andy said as he rubbed his side. “Adam, tell him not to—”
Adam turned to his family as the buggy came to a halt. “All right, you two. I know we haven’t been out with people in quite a while, but I expect you to be on your best behavior. These are friends of Carol’s, and we’re going to make sure she has a nice night.”
“If the schoolteacher and the missus schoolteacher are here, you won’t get any trouble from us,” Andy said as he straightened the hat he’d borrowed from Luke that had fallen down past his ears.
Carol laughed. “Oh, I’d forgotten Saffron’s sister is a teacher at the schoolhouse.” She turned to Adam and their eyes met. “And they’re your friends, too, Adam. Don’t forget that.”
Adam sighed as he hopped down from the buggy and circled around back. As he reached for Carol and swung her from the buggy toward the porch, he stopped as the door opened and Saffron stood holding it open, her smile wide with joy as they walked up the steps.
He drew in a breath at the sight of her, much as it pained him. He’d steeled himself best he could, against her soft, olive skin, her deep brown eyes that he seemed to fall into every time they met.
His arms tightened around Carol as he passed through the open door, wishing that he didn’t feel that tugging at his heart every time he saw Saffron Archer.
Chapter 26
“It smells wonderful, Mr. Archer, Saffron. Thank you so much for inviting us,” Carol said as Adam set her in the chair next to his.
Saffron pointed to two chairs for Andy and Luke when they ran in, breathless from playing cowboys and Indians in the back garden while the adults had sat on the back patio, the warm spring breeze perfectly complementing the lemonade Maria had prepared.
Saffron had been sure to introduce Carol, Adam and the boys to her family and was pleased that her sisters Tarragon and Pepper
had taken a keen interest in her, asking all kinds of questions about what it was like to live in South Dakota. Carol had laughed and answered anything they’d asked, and Saffron was pleased to see that they were as enamored with Carol and the Benson family as she was.
Two of her three older siblings were absent this afternoon, but she raised her eyebrows at the two empty seats at the far end of the table, toward her father. “Papa?”
He looked toward the two chairs and frowned. “I believe we were expecting Sage and the new doctor that she volunteers with. What was his name? Howard? Henry?”
“Dr. Henry Folsom,” Sage said as she entered the room, followed by a tall, handsome man Saffron hadn’t seen before. “I’m sorry we’re late, Papa.” She pecked her father on the cheek as he stood and shook the doctor’s hand.
“We’re pleased you could join us, Dr. Folsom, and we’ve not started yet.” He held his hand toward the seat to his right and Sage scooted in next to him.
“Dr. Folsom is apprenticing with old Doc Hubbard. He’s retiring and placed an advertisement for someone to take over his practice,” Sage said as she unfolded her napkin and spread it on her lap.
Saffron raised her eyebrows. Sage had always had a keen interest in medical things, from delivering calves to stitching up cuts for her siblings. She thought better to remind her of the time she’d stitched her own hand, especially with company not in the family.
“Where do you hail from, Dr. Folsom?” her father asked as Maria, followed by Tarragon, set platters of chicken in the center of the long table, along with beans and rice, peppers and tortillas.
“Texas, sir. San Antonio to be exact. I studied in Boston, though, and when I had the chance, I wanted to come back out west. Even further than I was before.”
He stood as Sage introduced him to those at the table, including Saffron’s older sister, Rose, and her husband Michael. She laughed as both Luke and Andy stared at them with eyes wide. They’d likely never imagined they’d be having supper with their teachers, and thus were on their best behavior.
Saffron: A Sweet Western Historical Romance (Brides of Archer Ranch Book 1) Page 10
