Her parents were both deceased, but when she spoke of them, a sweet, affectionate smile touched her mouth. It seemed like she was alone in Butte. How had she come to be here? When his questions had neared recent years of her life, she’d stiffened and changed to one-word answers. Patience. He had to wait until she was ready to talk. When she trusted him.
He stood at the café’s back door and hesitated. Was he intruding? Taking liberties just because they’d had a few interactions over the last few days?
But he craved the chance to see Lilly again. He’d not been able to get her out of his head for hours last night. And surely his request would bring joy to Dahlia. She was such a cute little dark-haired angel.
He knuckled a few solid raps on the door. Scuffling sounded inside. Then it opened to reveal the dim interior.
And Lilly. It took several seconds for his eyes to adjust to the poor lighting, and he almost missed the look that flashed across her eyes. Pleasure? Too many shadows to be sure. Probably his wishful thinking.
“Yes?”
The word snapped him from his thoughts. “Hello. I, um, I thought I’d stop by and see if Dahlia wanted to go with me to the livery. To see the horses, and I hear Jackson has a little donkey now, too. I thought she might enjoy it.” He paused for breath and forced himself to hold his tongue until she responded.
Her face gave very few of her thoughts away. Indecision, maybe. At least she hadn’t spoken an instant no.
“Mama?” A droopy-eyed fairy appeared from behind Lilly’s skirts. “Marcus!”
With her rumpled hair and the sleepy smile lighting her face, hearing his name from Dahlia sent a surge of warmth through his chest. “Hi, princess.”
“Did you come to see me?” Too precious for words.
He reached forward and tapped her chin. “I sure did.”
His gaze wandered up to Lilly’s. What had she decided? Surely she could see what a good thing it’d be to get Dahlia out of this dark, crowded kitchen for a few hours. And the child seemed comfortable enough with him.
Lilly’s brow creased. “I…I’m not sure she should go alone.”
Alone? What was he, stewed tomatoes? But in a flash of vision, he could see the way their reality had been. Lilly had probably rarely left the child with others. That kind of connection wasn’t usually healthy sustained over a long period. And it could be very hard to work out of.
“How about if Dahlia and I play here at the café for a while. Then if you get a few slow minutes, we can all walk to the livery.”
Her shoulders eased, just a fraction, but he didn’t miss it. “All right.” She turned back to the stove to stir something in a giant pot.
Marcus honed his focus on Dahlia, still standing in the doorway. “What about you, Dahly-girl. How’s Miss Ann today?”
Her face formed a serious expression. “Still sleeping.”
Marcus tried to match the look and dropped his voice to a whisper. “Oh. We’d best be quiet then.”
She nodded.
“Would you like to ask your mama if it’s all right for us to sit on this step in the sunshine? I heard a new story you might like.”
As the little fairy tittered away to pull at Lilly’s skirts and beg, Marcus pinched his lips. Had he overstepped by asking Dahlia to come outside before clearing it with Lilly? Surely sitting on the stoop in plain view wouldn’t hurt anything. And Dahlia needed fresh air and sunshine.
Lilly quietly acquiesced, and he soon had the child snuggled in his lap and listening to the tale of a black-haired pixie who loved to ride her brown and white spotted pony.
It might possibly have been the best moment of his life.
Chapter Ten
IT WAS heaven.
The warm sunshine bursting through the November chill. The most beautiful woman in the city of Butte—make that prettiest in all the Montana Territory—strolling by his side. And the cutest little waif in his arms, her soft hands wrapped around his neck. This was better than striking it rich in a gold mine any day. If only those other men knew the truth.
“Claire said your parents are leaving for North Carolina this week.” Lilly was actually starting to initiate conversations with him, not just answer his questions.
“Yes. Pop’s missing his practice back home, I think.”
“He’s a doctor?”
“Yep. The only one in Charlotte, so far. But he’s talking about bringing on another physician to his practice. Claire used to work as his nurse some, but I think he’s finally realized things aren’t going back to the way they used to be.”
“Have they thought about staying in Butte?”
Marcus considered the question. “They haven’t mentioned it. They’re so settled in Charlotte, I can’t imagine them leaving everything.”
“Even though their children are here?”
Her tone was so wistful, it made him pause. Was she thinking of her deceased parents? He needed to tread carefully.
“I’m not saying they haven’t thought of it. They just haven’t talked to me about moving here. But I think it’s more than that. They worked for twenty-five years to raise Claire and me. To teach us how to be hard-working, competent adults. Now we’ve spread our wings. Claire’s married a decent chap.” He paused to give her a sideways grin. “And I’m where God’s called me. The hard work is done for my parents.”
She remained quiet, so he took a chance to lighten the mood. “Now when there’s grandchildren, that might be a different story.”
Those words actually brought a smile to her lips. A small one, tinged with sadness, but still…a smile.
She didn’t speak for a few moments. “Do you ever think about going back?”
He shot her a look. “Back to North Carolina?”
Her lips pinched and she bobbed her chin once.
“Not unless God said go. I like it here in Butte. There’s so many good people. And still so many that need the Lord.” He shrugged, trying to keep his voice casual. “It feels like home.”
~ ~ ~
DAHLIA LOVED the horses at Jackson’s Livery, just like Marcus had known she would. And when Zechariah, the donkey, let out a honking bray to greet them, Dahlia clutched tighter to Marcus’s neck and giggled. The joyful sound bubbled up warmth in his midsection.
And with Lilly by his side, her quiet presence so strong, he’d never felt so whole—so complete—in his life. He wanted desperately to make this a permanent sensation.
The feeling only grew in his chest as they finished at the livery, said goodbye to Jackson, and strolled toward the café. Dahlia seemed to have worn herself out with the animals and rested against his shoulder.
Lilly didn’t say much, but it wasn’t the tense, uncomfortable silence of withdrawal. Her face held a softness, almost a quiet happiness, as she strolled along beside him.
Should he say something about his intentions? Now would be an opportune moment. He’d always believed in clear honesty, and he’d never been very patient. Especially when he knew what he wanted.
And this woman… The more time he spent with her, the more his heart opened to her. This feeling of peace. Of rightness when they were together. It was more than attraction, although the Lord knew there was plenty of that. On his side at least. Did she feel the same? She seemed to be settling into his company. And every now and then, she’d look at him in a way that made his heart skip a beat and his breathing hitch.
They were a block away from the café now. If he was going to say something, this was the time.
But she spoke before he could gather his words. “Thank you for the outing today. And for playing with Dahlia earlier. She enjoyed it.” A pause. “We both did.”
He dared a glance at her face. Softness there, even a sparkle in her dark eyes. Her cheeks had a pinkish glow, although that could be from the cold. Over the last half hour, the temperature seemed to have dropped quickly.
He summoned his courage. “Lilly, I love being with you. With you both. I…I wonder if you’d allow me to court y
ou. Formally.” His words were muddling in his mouth. Not coming out the way he’d planned. He forced himself to stop talking and watched her face.
Something flashed through her eyes. Fear? Vulnerability, maybe? And something else. But then that impenetrable mask settled in place, hiding it all.
She started walking again. He hadn’t realized when they’d stopped. Lilly didn’t speak, and the silence reigned heavy and thick. She strode faster. Trying to outpace him?
“Lilly?” He shouldn’t have said it. Shouldn’t have rushed her. She’d only just started opening up to him these last few days. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have spoken yet. I just… I wanted to be honest with you.”
They’d reached the back yard of the café, and she spun to face him. “Thank you for your honesty.” The words lacked any semblance of warmth, or decoration of any kind. Stark. Clipped.
His chest felt like it might cave in on itself. How could he have been such an imbecile? She’d been wounded severely in her past. He still didn’t know the extent of it, but did know how guarded she was. After he’d worked so hard to break through, he’d wrecked it all with his wretched impatience.
Lilly reached for Dahlia, who now slept with her head on his shoulder. He stepped back. “I can lay her down inside.”
She spun around without answering and led the way inside to a little pallet of blankets in one corner of the kitchen. Dahlia made a cute little wining noise as he lifted her from his shoulder and settled her on the quilts. One more blow to his collapsing heart.
He straightened and scanned the kitchen. Aunt Pearl wasn’t in sight. Lilly stood at the stove, shuffling pans around with her back to him. This was his last chance to salvage it.
Taking a step toward her, he kept his voice gentle. “Lilly, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that yet. Please forget about it. I’d still like to be your friend, though. I hope you won’t shut me out.”
No answer. She stirred one of the pots, the wooden spoon scraping against the cast iron base. Her shoulders formed a rigid line. No way to penetrate that barrier.
He breathed a long sigh and turned to the door.
~ ~ ~
LILLY SCRUBBED the pot harder as she fought against the thoughts whirling in her head. If only she could keep her focus on the bean residue caked on the iron sides.
Marcus wanted to court her. What had she done? How had she let this man come so close to her? He’d seemed so trustworthy. Was trustworthy. But that didn’t mean she should let him so close.
Men did damage. That lesson had been pressed so firmly into her mind, she shouldn’t even be having these thoughts.
She poured the last of the rinse water in the pot and swirled it around, then dumped the liquid into the bucket in the sink.
“You girls go on home now. It’s getting’ cold out there. Some of the men said it looks like our first snow’s acomin’ soon.” Aunt Pearl placed a solid hand on Lilly’s shoulder. “Go on.”
Without looking at the woman, Lilly removed her apron and hung it on a nail in the corner. Had Aunt Pearl sensed her unrest? Despite the woman’s brusque exterior, she often had a keen way of reading people. “Thanks, Aunt Pearl.”
As usual, Lilly had to wake her drowsy daughter to bundle her for the cold outside. This small kitchen stayed constantly warm from the oversize stove, but the weather outside had already chilled when they’d returned from that ill-fated trip to the livery with Marcus. With Dahlia in her arms, a bag of leftover food clutched in one hand, and her revolver in the other, Lilly set out.
The cold smacked her face as she stepped outside. Darkness permeated the air as thick clouds hung low, almost covering the pale moon. This would be her fourth winter in this freezing territory, and she still hadn’t come to appreciate the months and months of biting cold.
The shadows hung thick as she scurried through the back alley. Once she reached the boardwalk, light from a few windows lit more of her path. Wind whipped against her in the open space though, piercing her wool cloak as if it were thin cotton.
Would she see the shadow man tonight? Surely the biting cold would keep him away. She simply didn’t have the strength to run from him tonight. Didn’t have the mental energy to deal with her fear. She was used up.
They’d made it through the first block of saloons in the red light district before that familiar tingle ran up her neck. No. She tightened her grip on the revolver and shifted Dahlia to one arm so she’d be ready. Without a backward glance, Lilly picked up the pace. She wasn’t about to give this man more attention than absolutely required.
Lilly strained to hear any footsteps, but the sounds from the saloons rang too loud to be sure. The gooseflesh on her arms prickled stronger. Against her will, she glanced back. No one. Nothing except the light dancing from the Irish Castle.
Turning back around, she screamed.
A man loomed in front of her. Not five feet away. His lanky form, the way he stared at her with his face covered in shadow, sent a jolt of fear through her body.
The stranger who’d been following her. Here. Two steps away.
She forced herself not to shrink back. Not to succumb to the terror lighting her veins. Instead, she cocked her revolver. And pointed it.
“Good to see you again, Miss Arendale.”
That voice. A fresh wave of shock washed through her. It seized her muscles, even her throat. That voice. That man.
He took a half step forward, washing his face of shadows. That face. Even sunken and hollowed, she’d never forget those thick black brows. The nose that flared at the ends…just like Dahlia’s.
Pure, undiluted hatred roared through Lilly. How dare he show his face again? How dare he seek her out?
“What…do…you…want?” The words ground from her like a knife scraping metal. If he came one step closer, she would pull this trigger without a second thought. Her hand shook under the weight of the gun and her fury. Blast her traitor hand.
“Mama?” Dahlia chose the worst possible moment to raise her head from Lilly’s shoulder and look around.
The man’s beady eyes narrowed as they roamed Dahlia’s features. “I thought it would be nice to meet my daughter.”
Lilly took a step back, tightening her grip on the girl. “You have no right to her.” Blood boiled inside her, building speed as it raced through her ears.
“On the contrary.” That baritone, a little throaty, sent a wash of terror and memories through her. “I’ve been keeping my eye on you two. And I think the girl’s old enough to meet her papa.”
Lilly’s whole body shook, and she raised the gun to aim. “Get away from us, or I’ll shoot.” That icy voice couldn’t have come from her quivering mouth.
The man, Barlow, tilted his mouth in a perverted grin. Then he stepped to the side and raised two fingers to his forehead in a salute. “We can meet later if you prefer.”
Everything in her demanded she spin around and run as far and fast as she could. Clutch tight to Dahlia and leave the town where this vile man still wandered the streets.
She sent him one more venomous glare. “If you follow me, I won’t hesitate to shoot.” Clenching her teeth, she turned slowly with her chin high.
At the end of the block, she glanced back for one last look. He still stood there, watching her.
The man who’d ruined her life in one terrible night.
Chapter Eleven
LILLY MARCHED ON, clutching Dahlia with both arms. The shock of seeing that man still had her legs shaking. She was almost back to the café before she realized her surroundings. Where was she going? Back to Aunt Pearl? Lights still shone through the café window. Were there patrons inside lingering over coffee?
Aunt Pearl would take her in, but where would she and Dahlia stay? In the single room above the café? That wouldn’t be any worse than their shanty. But if Barlow had been watching her for two years, he would know about the café. He would find her there.
She forced herself to keep trudging. Past the café, her usual place o
f safety. Where else could she and Dahlia go in the middle of the night? She would have to leave town tomorrow. Good thing she always kept her money tucked inside her skirt pocket. It was safer there than left in their shanty while she was gone all day. But her journal… An ache settled into Lilly’s chest at the thought of leaving it behind. Maybe she could sneak back in the morning to get it and some clothing before she left.
But where to now? Marcus’s earnest expression from earlier flashed through her mind. No. Absolutely no way was she turning to a man for help with this.
What about Claire? She would help, there was no doubt in Lilly’s mind. But…would her new husband be angry if Lilly showed up on their doorstep in the middle of the night? No, not Doc Bryan. He was one of the kindest men she’d ever met.
Like Marcus.
She brushed that thought away.
Within minutes, she reached Claire and Bryan’s new house on the outskirts of town. Her boots thudded loudly on the wooden porch, especially loud against the stillness of the night in this part of town.
Lilly eased Dahlia down. “Stand up for a minute, honey. You’re heavy.” If the child grew much more, she’d have to start walking everywhere they went.
She raised her fist to the door and cringed before her knuckles touched it. Was she really going to wake a newly married couple? What if they were doing something in there? Warmth blazed up her neck, but Lilly squared her shoulders and gave a firm knock. Doctors were accustomed to people coming with emergencies at all hours, right?
After several minutes, she knocked again. A scuffling sounded inside. Then Doc Bryan’s voice. Lilly stepped back and gripped Dahlia’s hand.
The door swung open, and a tousled Doc Bryan held a lantern, blinking at her. “Lilly. What’s wrong?”
“Is Claire here?” She heard the urgency in her own voice.
The Lady and the Mountain Promise (Mountain Dreams Series Book 4) Page 7
