Undaunted Love (PART TWO): Banished Saga, Book 3.5

by Ramona Flightner

  “You can make this right, Mrs. Bouchard,” Gabriel said. “You can speak with your husband and insist that Mr. Carlin be given his job back.”

  “It’s not that simple,” she rasped. “But I’ll discuss this … turn of events with him.”

  “And then you can inform the townspeople that you were misled by Cameron,” I said. “And stop blaming Amelia, Sebastian and me for all your misfortunes.”

  “Come, sister,” Mrs. Vaughan said, grasping Mrs. Bouchard’s elbow. They turned and descended the stairs.

  I moved over to a stack of books and lifted them aside to clear my stool. I collapsed onto it and gripped Gabriel’s hand. “I can’t believe it will now turn out well for Sebastian.”

  “There’s no guarantee, Rissa,” Gabriel said.

  “If they don’t give that man, who was injured tryin’ to save another man’s life, his rightful job back, the townsfolk’ll have plenty to say. We’ve spent enough time listenin’ to the wrong done to ol’ mouthy. Now she can eat a little crumble pie.”

  “I think you mean humble pie,” Gabriel murmured as he fought a chuckle.

  “Darn straight,” he said as he thunked his cane. “Well done, Missy. Although you looked a bit friendly with that rascal.” He raised his eyebrows at me as he stared at the photo of Cameron leaning in toward me.

  “How’d you know it was me?” I asked.

  “’Cause you were the only one able to get that man to admit to what he did. Always seemed to puff up like a rooster ’round you.” He sighed. “Good riddance.”

  “I agree, old man,” Gabriel said. “Although I wouldn’t be too quick to believe he’ll never return. If they find reason to suspect he harmed that man from Front Street, they might put a warrant out for his arrest.”

  I groaned. “I just want him out of our lives.”

  “If he’s convicted of murder, he will be,” Mr. A.J. said with an ominous stomp of his boot.

  ***

  “AMELIA,” SEBASTIAN WHISPERED as he entered the living area. The lights were turned down, and a soft glow lit the room. She sat on the settee, her feet curled underneath her, darning on her lap, her head to one side as she slept.

  He knelt beside the settee, reached forward and caressed her hand, his hand lingering over hers. His thumb traced a pattern over knuckles as he watched her sleep.

  “Liam,” Amelia murmured, her eyes flickering open with a warm, expectant glow.

  “No, not Liam,” Sebastian whispered, releasing her hand. He moved to rise but stilled when she traced his jaw with her fingers.

  “Sebastian,” she breathed. “I’ve been so worried about you.”

  “I’m fine, ma’am. No need to concern yourself for me.”

  She sat forward on one elbow, her darning falling to the floor as she came fully awake. She gripped his shoulder for a moment, noting the tension within. “Talk to me,” she urged.

  “Forgive me, Amelia. I came in and saw you asleep. I meant no disrespect when I touched your hand.”

  “Why are you upset with me?” Her brow furrowed as she tried to recall what had happened in her half-awake state. “Did I call you Liam?” At his terse nod, she sighed and stroked Sebastian’s long hair. “Forgive me. Liam used to wake me by stroking my hand. No one’s done that since … since he died.”

  “There’s nothing to forgive. I’m a fool for being jealous of a dead man,” Sebastian said with barely veiled rancor.

  “You’ve no need to be jealous of him, Sebastian. He’s dead. He’s never coming back. I’ve begun to learn the importance of living in the here and now.” She stroked his cheek and studied him. “What is it? What news do you have?”

  “They have Cameron in custody. They’ve charged him with the murder of Tommy and with stealing the money.” His eyes flashed with triumph.

  “Oh, thank heavens!” Amelia sat up and threw herself in his arms. He clasped her tightly to him, cradling her head with one of his big hands. She leaned away after a moment and sat on the edge of the settee. “This means you’ll get your job back.”

  “As you can imagine, the Bouchards are embarrassed and want to make amends for their accusations against me. However, they’ve already hired another man, a capable man. I don’t feel right taking his job away from him.”

  “That’s not right either, Sebastian. They fired you under false pretenses, accusing you of theft and destroying your reputation, when you acted honorably. With more bravery than most in such a situation. How dare they not insist you have your job returned to you?” An irate flush highlighted her cheeks.

  “Amelia, what would you have me do? Turn out a man, who did nothing wrong except accept a job from Mr. Bouchard? That doesn’t seem fair to me.”

  “What does that mean? What will you do?” Amelia paled, balling her hands in her lap.

  “I’m taking a post at one of his sawmills outside of Missoula.”

  “You’re leaving Missoula?” Amelia whispered. “Leaving …”

  “Yes,” Sebastian rasped. “It’s the only way, Amelia. I’ll have a good position. Build this new sawmill up almost from the very beginning.”

  “I see. We’ll be sorry to see you go. But I understand a man’s ambition,” Amelia said as she rose. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should check on the children and go to bed.” She’d lowered her head, preventing Sebastian from seeing her eyes.

  “Amelia.” Sebastian gripped her arm, preventing her from sliding past him. “Look at me. Please.”

  “If you please, sir, there are things I must still do this evening.” Her voice shook as she stared resolutely at the floor.

  Sebastian held one of her arms but used his other hand to tilt up her chin. Her shattered gaze met his. “Amelia, love, I’m going away—”

  “And you’ll never return to me. Yes, I understand. Please let me go. I thank you for your kind friendship to my children. They will miss you.”

  “Will you miss me?” Sebastian asked, his brow furrowed with confusion as he studied her shaking form.

  “As I would any friend.” Her defiant tone sparked his temper.

  “Oh, really? As you would any friend?” His irate gaze clashed with her resolute one. He swooped forward, his lips claiming hers in a passionate kiss. His hand traced along her cheek, then into her pinned hair, scattering pins as he kneaded her scalp. Her long hair began to tumble free, and he clasped her head in a gentle, yet unyielding hold, kissing her with months of pent-up longing. She raised her hands, gripping his shoulders, tugging him toward her, wanting him as close to her as possible.

  After many minutes Sebastian broke the kiss and backed up a step. She instinctively followed him, not wanting to break her contact with him. “That is what I think of being just any friend to you, Amelia.”

  Tears trickled from her eyes, and soon a silent stream coursed down her cheeks. He caressed her cheeks, scrubbing the tears aside, but was unable to forestall more from falling.

  “Sweetheart, don’t cry. I’m leaving, but I’ll come back for you. I need time to become established in Darby, and then I’ll return for you and the children.” He kissed each cheek as he made his vow.

  “I can’t bear for you to leave,” Amelia rasped. “I can’t handle losing another man I …” she choked on the word.

  “I can barely manage to go,” he whispered. “And I have no desire to become another man you’ve loved and lost.” His teasing failed to ease her torment. “Hush, love,” he crooned as he pulled her into his arms.

  “Darby?” she asked. “Where is that?”

  “It’s down the Bitter Root Valley. There’s a lot of timber in those mountains, and Mr. Bouchard wants to have a sawmill there.” He kissed her head. “He’s got the bare bones of one now, but, come spring, he wants a proper one built.”

  “When do you have to leave?” Amelia wrapped her arms securely around him, holding him tightly to her.

  “I’ve told Mr. Bouchard I won’t leave until after Christmas and until after the trial.”

  “
I have you for a little while yet,” Amelia said, kissing the pulse at the base of his neck.

  He leaned away, framing her face with his large hands, his thumbs tracing over her cheeks in a soothing caress. “You’ll always have me, Amelia. I might be down the valley in Darby, but I’m yours. I have been since I met you.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly on her lips. “The passenger train goes all the way to Grantsdale. However, I won’t be able to visit you on my day off because it would be too long a trip. You and the children could come to Hamilton for the day on the train, and I’d meet you there. We won’t have to wait until I’ve established a home to see each other.”

  He bent forward and kissed her forehead and then her cheeks. “I know I have nothing to offer you right now. But I want you as my wife. As the mother of my children. I love you.”

  “Sebastian,” Amelia rasped. “I love you too. So much.”

  “I know you’ll always love your first husband. That’s right and proper. From all accounts, he was a good man and a good father. I hope I can be the same to you.”

  “As I hope I will be the woman you want to come home to each night.”

  “Never doubt how much I want that, Amelia,” he whispered, leaning forward to kiss her again before he pulled her close, a deep sigh of contentment escaping him as he held her.

  ***

  I LAY IN BED, curled up against Gabriel, in that state between wakefulness and sleep, content to the tips of my chilled toes. Gabriel nuzzled my head and breathed deeply as though echoing my sense of well-being. “I hope Seb’ll be able to recover his job,” he murmured.

  “Although it seems the man who’s working there now is competent.”

  “And has a family to support,” Gabriel said.

  “But, if they no longer suspect Sebastian of theft, he could work someplace else,” I argued.

  “Yeah, although he was partially maimed. He’ll never be as strong as he was with that lame leg.”

  “He’s not lame, Gabriel. He just walks with a limp. I bet you that he’s as strong as before.”

  “Well, let’s hope the mill owners are as understanding as you.”

  “I wonder why they no longer wanted us there to act as chaperones?” I asked on a yawn. Gabriel settled his arm around the upper part of my waist under my breasts.

  “Amelia gave up trying to please the likes of Mrs. Bouchard and Mrs. Vaughan. She realized that those who knew her understood she was caring for an injured man who was a good friend.” I heard his voice begin to even out and knew he was on the verge of falling asleep.

  “Gabriel?” I said as I picked up his hand and pulled it toward my mouth. I kissed his palm.

  “Yes, my darling?”

  “I felt the baby move today,” I whispered as I placed his palm on my belly.

  His grip on me tightened, and I heard him stutter out a breath. I rolled so that I faced him and hugged him.

  “Thank you, Rissa,” Gabriel whispered as he shuddered. “Thank you for your bravery. For daring to have our child.

  “Shh … Gabriel,” I murmured as I put two fingers over his lips. “I’m doing nothing different than any other married woman desirous of a family.”

  “But you’re not any woman. You’re my Rissa, and I’d be lost without you,” Gabriel said as he pulled me closer. This time, it was as though he were trying to burrow into me.

  “And I you,” I said as I leaned away and caressed his face. “Have faith, darling. Life won’t be cruel again.”

  Gabriel sighed again, tucking me against him. “I’ll borrow some of your faith, my darling,” he whispered as he fell again into sleep.

  I laid awake, rubbing my hands through his hair and over his shoulders in an attempt to alleviate his fears and thus my own. After a while, when his breathing had deepened, I sighed, settling into him and sleep.

  CHAPTER 16

  I WALKED DOWN THE STREET holding onto Gabriel’s arm, careful to watch each step. A cold snap had arrived the previous day, bringing with it a biting wind that howled out of Hellgate Canyon, turning the muddy roads into a large icy crevice-filled challenge. I gave a startled, delighted yelp as I dodged snow falling off otherwise naked tree branches. Gabriel kept a firm grip and prevented me from falling.

  I shivered appreciatively, and Gabriel muttered, “Finally,” as we turned up the short walk to his uncle’s home. A small pine wreath hung from the front door. Gabriel gave a perfunctory knock and entered, ushering me into the welcoming warmth. I shed my coat, hanging it on a coat stand in the hallway before moving to the living room.

  “Mr. Pickens!” I rushed toward him, sitting on a comfortable, overstuffed leather chair dragged out of the office and set by the fire. “How did you get here?”

  “The missus’s fine lad, Sebastian, picked me up,” Mr. Pickens said. “Came ’round in a carriage an’ delivered me here.”

  “How did you travel from the carriage to the house?” I shared a worried glance with Gabriel.

  “He carried me like a sack of potatoes!” Mr. Pickens chortled with glee. “Said I didn’t weigh more ’n’ the little tyke.” He patted the arm of the black leather chair. “Don’t know as I’ve ever sat in as comfortable a chair.”

  “We should see if we could obtain one for the depository,” I said as I looked around for a lap blanket.

  “Or I’ll build you one,” Gabriel murmured, smiling at my nod of agreement as I tucked the blanket around his spindly legs.

  “Stop your fussin’ an’ warm yourself by the fire. You look about chilled through.” He slapped his hand against his thigh in glee. “Woowee! It’s been some time since I heard that canyon roar like it is tonight.”

  “Mr. Pickens, here is the mulled cider I promised you,” Amelia said as she entered with a tray of steaming mugs. “I thought you’d all like some after the cold walk here.”

  I mumbled my thanks a moment before taking a sip of the warm liquid. Heat began to pervade me again, banishing the chill. I moved toward the fire in an attempt to warm my feet, smiling at Gabriel’s amused grin.

  “Thank you for inviting us tonight, Amelia,” I said. “It’s been some time since I celebrated Twelfth Night.”

  “For me too and I thought it a good excuse for us all to venture out on a cold evening.”

  As the back door was thrust open, we heard a grunt from the kitchen area and then a crash. I heard a muttered, “Dammit,” and then the slamming of a door. Gabriel and I rushed to the kitchen to find Ronan sprawled on the floor with Sebastian standing over him, hands on his knees, his breath sawing in and out.

  “Ro, you all right?” Gabriel asked as he reached down and picked him up.

  I pulled out a chair, and Gabriel sat Ronan there at the kitchen table. “Where’s his wheelchair?”

  “Strapped to Mr. Aidan’s carriage,” Sebastian said.

  “You shouldn’t have attempted so much,” I scolded, earning a fierce glower from Sebastian. Gabriel rolled his eyes and slapped Sebastian on the back as the two men headed outside to collect the wheelchair and stable the horse. They detoured via the front door so Gabriel could don his coat and hat.

  “Ronan, can I get you anything?” I asked.

  “My pride?” he asked with a wry grin.

  I squeezed his arm in reassurance and then moved toward the large pot on the stove filled with cider. I ladled out a mug for him and handed it to him. “I don’t have a tonic for pride, but I found this warmed me up.”

  “Thanks, Rissa,” Ronan said. “Seems odd not having Colin around.”

  “I hate that he’s so far away, but I know he’s where he wants to be. That brings some comfort.” I gripped Ronan’s arm again and rose to clear a space for the wheelchair. Gabriel and Sebastian returned, placed it next to Ronan, and he maneuvered himself from chair to wheelchair with no help.

  I bit back my praise, knowing it was unwanted, but marveled silently at his ability to function as well as he did. He put the wheels in motion and maneuvered to the living room to greet Mr. P
ickens.

  “Hello, old man,” Ronan called as he entered the room. “Glad you could join us.”

  “My Missy didn’t like hearin’ I’d spent Christmas and New Year’s alone. When this celebration was planned, she insisted I come, although I think she was surprised I managed to travel on such a night.”

  “I’m glad you did. What stories do you have for us tonight?” Ronan asked, leaning forward with keen intent. “I’ve missed you since you left the workshop.”

  “Well, I like to work with my Missy, and she’d have a difficult time sortin’ the books without my aid.” He glared at me as I coughed to cover my laugh.

  “I don’t have a story for tonight, son. Least, not right now. Let me see how I feel after supper,” Mr. Pickens said. Ronan smiled, patting him on the shoulder, and they began to chat about mutual acquaintances.

  I sat on the settee while Amelia continued to work in the kitchen. Gabriel and Sebastian had a quiet conversation in the dining room. Nicholas was relegated to the back room until supper, due to misbehaving during the day.

  After a delicious meal of roasted ham, pickled beets, boiled onions and mashed potatoes we returned to the living room. Sebastian pulled out his fiddle, plucking at strings as he warmed up. I sighed, leaning into Gabriel with contentment.

  “Missy, any word on that worthless scallion?”

  I looked at Mr. Pickens for a moment before Gabriel laughed.

  “I think you mean rapscallion, old man,” Gabriel said.

  “Exactly. Any word?” He leaned forward, and I knew, if his cane were nearer, he’d thunk it on the ground for good measure.

  “I’ve learned little more than what’s been in the papers. I can’t imagine they’d talk with me.”

  “I’d think the lawyer and those making the case would seek you out,” Amelia said. “You saw him. You’re the only one here who can verify he was in Boston.”

  “Yes, but now that he’s been returned here, and all can see he’s alive, my word isn’t needed. Everyone can see for themselves and come to their own conclusion that they were misled.” I hid my shaking hands in my skirt.