by Karen Kirst
“What? Why?” Something akin to panic seized him. Evelyn was leaving?
“I believe she put everything in the letter.” He shifted uncomfortably. “I’m here to load her stuff into the wagon.”
Ripping into the envelope, Gideon skimmed the lines. “Her brothers. Drake. They plotted to take this claim from me.”
At last...vindication. Evelyn had confessed she believed him innocent long before this. Still, their confession freed him, confirmed his version of events in her eyes and the eyes of the townsfolk.
Upon the heels of jubilation came a slow, simmering rage. “I’ve always known they hated us, but to embroil Evelyn in their schemes is unforgivable.”
Lije’s hand came down on his shoulder. “Nothing is unforgivable, Gideon. Take Maxwell Peterson, for instance,” he said, referring to the scum who’d tried to force Alice to marry him last month. “It would be easy to hate him for what he did to her, but that would only poison my own soul. I’m not saying I’ve completely forgiven him, but with the Lord’s help, I’m working on it day by day.”
“I know you’re right,” he grated out. “But it’s gonna take time.” Just as healing from Maggie’s loss would take time.
As he scanned the remainder of her letter, Gideon’s heart sank. The remorse she felt practically leaped from the page. “She blames herself. She doesn’t feel up to seeing me right now, if ever.” His fingers trembled, jostling the paper.
“Once Alice got her calmed down, she sat and talked with us for a while. She deeply regrets that you got caught up in this mess. From what I understand, she and her brothers have had a falling-out. That’s why she came to us. I have to admit, I feel like I’ve been placed in a tenuous position. As a preacher, it’s my duty to assist the needs of my parishioners. But as your brother, my first loyalty is to you.” He paused, searching for the right words. “If our helping her hurts you, I will look for somewhere else for her to stay.”
Humbled by his words, Gideon said, “I appreciate your thinking of me, Lije. But I want you to help her. I know that with you and Alice, she’ll be looked after properly.”
“Do you love her, Gideon?”
The direct question rocked him back on his heels. For the second time in the space of a few minutes, panic seized him. Only for a different reason.
“No.”
Lije’s brows lifted.
“Don’t get me wrong, I care what happens to her. I want her to be happy.”
He couldn’t love her. He’d been so careful to guard his heart.
“What do you think will make her happy? She clearly has feelings for you. Deep feelings.”
“It’s not what you think, I’m sure.”
The denial hadn’t left his lips before he found himself fascinated with the notion of Evelyn loving him. Could she...? Did she...love him?
“Furthermore, what will make you happy, Gideon?” Lije pressed. “Will living here alone make you happy? I know losing Susannah and Maggie took a toll on you. I know because it’s how I felt after losing Marybelle. It’s frightening to think of experiencing that pain all over again, but even a single day with Alice would be worth it.”
Turning away, Gideon gazed at the quaint cabin set amidst the cottonwoods, the prairie grasses swaying in the spring breeze, the ribbon of water bubbling a lazy tune. He’d poured his life into this place. Felled trees. Built a stable one log at a time. Dreamed of a long life here spent taming the land and raising his horses, all by himself. Independent. Alone. Above all, safe.
Now he could easily picture Evelyn rocking on the front porch and drawing in her journal, wading in the stream with Walt searching for lizards and frogs, standing in his kitchen cooking breakfast, heavy with his child....
No. If he ever lost her—
“I need time to think,” he told Lije. “Besides, she’s made her wishes clear. She doesn’t want to see me. Maybe that’s the wisest course.”
“Gideon—”
He pivoted and brushed past him. “I’ll help you load her things.”
* * *
Evelyn sat on the narrow cot in the rear of the infirmary after supper, running the brush through her hair, stroke after mindless stroke. She couldn’t seem to summon the energy to arrange it. In fact, she couldn’t summon much enthusiasm for anything. Food held no appeal. Drawing, a pastime that normally soothed her, was not the distraction she’d hoped it would be. She was lucky to get her chores done.
Four days without Gideon. That was ninety-six hours since they’d said spiteful things to each other, two days and two nights since she’d learned the truth about the stake. About her brothers. About Drake. About herself.
Glancing out the window she saw that the sun hung low in the orange-and-pink sky. Dread settled in the pit of her stomach. The nights were the worst. Lying on her cot in the darkness listening to Alice and Walt’s soft breathing, all the cruel things she ever said to him playing over and over in her mind. Taunting her.
Alice pushed the curtain divider aside and emerged from the infirmary, where she’d tended to a patient with a deep cut that had needed to be stitched. Lifting the crisp white apron over her head, she hung it on a nail and proceeded to wash her hands.
“Would you like a cup of chamomile tea, Evelyn?” she offered, her gaze bright with concern and, above all, kindness.
She and Elijah had welcomed her and Walt into their lives and homes with a generosity of spirit she’d never forget.
Smothering a sigh, she set her brush on the stand and folded her hands in her lap. “No, thank you.”
“Are you hungry? I noticed you didn’t eat much at supper.”
“The pot roast was delicious.” She rushed to assure her hostess. “It’s just I’ve a lot on my mind. I’m afraid I have some major decisions to make in the coming days.”
She and Walt couldn’t live here indefinitely. After the wedding, Alice’s mother would be joining the newlyweds and would likely stay here in the infirmary until more permanent housing could be built.
Swiping a bright strand behind her ear, Alice came and joined her on the cot they’d brought in and put beside Alice’s, placing a hand atop Evelyn’s. “Don’t rush into anything. You’re welcome to stay with me for as long as you’d like.” She glanced around with a rueful smile. “It’s a bit snug, but cozy, too.”
Evelyn dredged up a smile for the other woman’s sake. “Thank you for everything you and Elijah have done. I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“I’ve enjoyed having you around. Walt, too.” She glanced at where he was crouched on the rug with a crate bearing three tiny turtles.
“Mama, can I take my turtles out and give them fresh grass and water?”
“Sure. Stick close to the house, though.”
“Okay.” Cradling the small crate to his chest, he scooted through the door. Unhappy about their move to the infirmary, he’d repeatedly asked when they would see Gideon again.
Taking advantage of his absence, she said, “I’ve been thinking about returning to Virginia. I have cousins there who’d gladly take us in.”
“Pray about it first. I’m confident God will direct your steps.” Alice frowned. “We sure would miss you both. Elijah and I thought... That is, you and Gideon...” She bit her lip. “I shouldn’t pry.”
Sadness pulsed through her. “It’s all right. You’re aware we quarreled.”
“I saw him at services Sunday morning,” she confessed. “He left before the final prayer was said. I wondered if you’d seen him.”
A shard of icy pain pierced her heart. Gideon was at church? He’d sat yards from where she’d sat and yet he hadn’t said a word to her. He must loathe her.
Pressing a hand to her chest where a dull ache had set up, she said, “I don’t blame him for avoiding me. I would avoid me, too.”
> Alice squeezed her hand. “He cares about you. That much I’m sure of. Give him time to sort through this.”
Even if he ultimately forgave her, he wouldn’t want her like she wanted him. For so long, she’d tried to convince herself that she didn’t need anyone. How wrong she’d been. She needed Gideon. Needed his strength, his companionship and, most of all, his love.
She sighed. “Maybe I will take that cup of tea.”
“Certainly.” But when the redhead moved to the kitchen and pulled down the canister, her brows knit together. “Oh, I didn’t realize I’m all out. I’ll run over to Elijah’s for some of his. I’ll be right back.”
Shortly after the infirmary door closed, Walt burst through the rear door waving a folded piece of paper in the air. “Mama, Mama! For you!”
“What’s this?”
“A note.”
Bouncing from one foot to the other, he held it out to her.
“A note.”
He nodded rigorously.
“From who?”
“You’ll see.” His smile reached from ear to ear.
Unfolding the paper, her pulse skittered as she read, “Care to share an evening stroll and a slice of ginger cake with me? G.”
“This is from Gideon?” By now her hands were shaking. “Gideon is here?”
“Yep. Right outside. Can you believe it?”
No. She couldn’t believe it. She’d assumed he wouldn’t want to see her again.
Chapter Twenty-Six
She flipped the note over, took up a pencil and hurriedly wrote, “I’ll meet you at the stream.”
“Take this to him. Then I want you to go next door to Elijah’s and wait with him and Alice until I come for you. Understand?”
His brown eyes filled with hope. “Does this mean we can move back to Gideon’s stable?”
“I honestly don’t know, Walt.”
She didn’t know what Gideon would say. It could be something as simple as “You forgot a trunk in the stable and I’ve brought it to you.” Or “Writing a letter was the coward’s way out. I want a face-to-face apology.”
How was she supposed to face him and act normal? How was she supposed to resist throwing herself at his feet and begging forgiveness, not to mention doing her best to convince him to give them a chance?
After Walt had gone, Evelyn hurriedly slipped into the peach dress—Gideon’s favorite—and left her long locks hanging free. Feeling dizzy and not a little bit out of control, she prayed for equanimity. Poise.
Pausing at the door, she took a deep breath and emerged into the lazy spring evening. There in the distance stood Gideon, gazing at the water trickling past, his broad back to her as she silently approached. On a low rock near his boots sat a plate with two forks, a napkin protecting the favored dessert from insects.
Maybe the cake was a thank-you. For what, Evelyn? Wreaking havoc with his life?
Of course he sensed her presence. Pivoting sharply, he stared hard at her. “Evelyn.”
The audible caress raised goose bumps along her skin. His black shirt, paired with the black Stetson, made his eyes glitter like silver in the pastel light of late day.
“I found something.” From behind his back, he produced a wooden stake flaked with dirt.
“Your stake,” she breathed. He released it into her hand without a word. Thornton, Gabriel A.
“I went searching yesterday. Came upon it by chance, really. The top edge was sticking out of the ground and my boot grazed it.”
“Where was it? Near where Drake lay injured?”
He nodded, wincing in apology.
Coming close, he lifted his hand and gingerly fingered a lock of her hair. His knuckles grazed her collarbone.
She shivered. It took Oklahoma-sized willpower to keep her arms at her sides.
“I’ve missed you,” he murmured, intense yearning blazing to life in his beautiful face.
“You have?” The breath whooshed out of her lungs. He had?
“Everywhere I look, I see you.”
There was no condemnation, no distaste in his frank gaze. For the very first time, Gideon was allowing her to see everything. He held nothing back. And it humbled her.
“When I think of all the rotten things I said to you—” Her voice broke. Overcome, she buried her face in her hands.
His gentle fingers trapped her wrists, tugging downward, urging her to look at him. “That’s all in the past. We didn’t know each other then.” He gifted her with a wry smile. “You’re not the only one who said things worthy of regret. I’m not completely innocent here.”
“No,” she countered, “you were so kind and good. You endured our onslaught with a noble spirit few men would’ve displayed.”
Releasing her wrists, he cupped her cheek. “I didn’t come here to say goodbye. I came here to tell you that I don’t care about the land. I don’t care about the feud. All I care about is being with you.” Setting his shoulders as if gearing up for battle, he took an unsteady breath. “I want you with me always. Till death do us part.”
The sorrow and uncertainty of the past four days began to ease. His wonderful, simple words unraveled her determination to remain calm. Sliding her arms up and around his neck, she pulled him down for a kiss. An eager, messy, uninhibited kiss fueled by pent-up longing for the man she adored.
* * *
Gideon snaked his arms about her waist and held her fast, ignoring the twinge in his sore ribs. Against his chest, he detected her heart beating wildly, like a bird trying to take flight. Her fingers playing in his hair sent delicious tingles along his spine. He matched her fire with a fire of his own, letting her know without words just how deep his feelings went.
That Evelyn had initiated the embrace shouldn’t come as a surprise. His beloved was nothing if not bold and courageous, a woman with a lion’s heart, a woman who’d make him a fine wife and partner. If she agreed to his proposal.
Easing his mouth from hers, he breathed words he’d never thought to utter. “I love you, Evelyn Chaucer Montgomery. What do you say we get hitched?”
Her beautiful brown eyes cleared. Laying her palms flat against his chest, she carefully searched his gaze. “I thought you’d decided marriage wasn’t for you.”
He smiled. “That was before a lovely, spirited widow came into my life.”
“Be serious, Gideon.”
“I am deadly serious, sweetheart. I love you, and I want to build a life with you and Walt. If that’s what you want, too.”
“I do. Very much. I love you, Gideon Thornton.”
Thrilling in the love and affection shining in her eyes, he said, “I can’t deny a part of me fears losing you, but I realize there are no guarantees in life. My brother made me see that I have to accept each day as a gift. I’m determined to live each one to the fullest, making sure those closest to me know how much I love them.”
When Evelyn cradled his face and gazed at him as if he were a priceless treasure, his heart expanded with gratitude and wonder. “The answer to your question is yes.” She smiled tenderly, “I will happily marry you.” She cocked her head. “Do you know of a preacher who could do the honors?”
Laughing, he lowered his mouth for a lingering kiss. “As a matter of fact, I do.”
Epilogue
“Where are they?”
Gideon checked his pocket watch. It was only three minutes later than the last time he checked. He couldn’t very well get married without his brother to stand up with him.
Unconcerned, Elijah nodded his head toward the horizon. “Relax. I told you they’d be here.”
Spinning at the stable opening, he waited as Clint and Lars raced across the lush fields. The instant they drew near, he knew they’d discovered something. Something huge.
His brother swung down from the saddle. At least he’d had time to wash up and change into a proper Sunday suit. Gideon blinked at the sight of Lars wearing pants, a button-down shirt and a string tie.
“You were almost late to my wedding,” Gideon accused, hands on hips. “This better be good.”
Clint and the big Dane exchanged a look.
“You’ll never believe what Lars witnessed today.” Clint gestured for him to proceed. “I’ll let you tell them.”
“I discovered a cave outside of town. This cave contains a large amount of ammunition. I decided to watch this place. Just before dawn, I saw two men enter. Private Reeves and Private Wellington.”
Elijah exhaled sharply. “I can’t believe it.”
“I can.” Gideon felt familiar anger rise up. He’d never cottoned to those men, and Reeves’s proposition had confirmed his suspicions. They weren’t to be trusted. “What are we gonna do?”
Again his sheriff brother exchanged a look with Lars.
“We have a plan to smoke them out.”
“And that is?”
“Sorry.” Clint’s gaze was unflinching. “The fewer people who know the details, the better.”
Another wagon entered the yard, a straggler arriving for the wedding. Evelyn hadn’t wanted to wed in a tent, and with Brave Rock’s church still lacking a roof and bell tower, they’d decided to have a simple affair here on the ranch that would be their home. After sharing the news of their engagement with Elijah and Alice, they’d gone straight to the land office to withdraw their complaint. The hearing had been canceled, of course.
Elijah settled a hand on Gideon’s shoulder. “Time enough to worry about all that. Right now I have a wedding to officiate. And you, dear brother, have a lovely bride waiting for you.”
Clint cracked a rusty smile. “Never would’ve guessed you’d beat Lije to the altar.”
“Evelyn didn’t need a fancy ordeal.”
“And you couldn’t wait to make her yours, am I right?”
“Just wait,” Gideon warned with a wicked grin. “One of these days a little filly will lasso your heart.”
