A Love to Last Forever

by Tracie Peterson

  “Adrian . . . I . . . uh.” She couldn’t think of a single thing to say and looked to Gwen as if for an answer.

  CHAPTER SIXTEEN

  Beth found it impossible to sleep that night. She tossed and turned, and when dawn finally touched the skies in hues of faded pink and yellow, she gave up the battle and dressed for the day.

  Why had Adrian come back? Why now? Didn’t he realize the kind of problems this could cause for her? It was exactly like one of her romantic novels. Just when the heroine figured out what she wanted out of life, lo and behold, a complication would arise.

  “Of course, Adrian doesn’t have to be a complication,” she told herself as she loaded wood into the cookstove. There was the tiniest bit of warmth left from the night before, and the embers, once stirred, quickly ignited the dry fuel.

  But what am I going to tell Nick?

  Adrian had taken a room in Gallatin House the night before and would soon join them for breakfast. She could hardly avoid him as she had the earlier evening, when she’d made her excuses and hid in her room.

  Beth hadn’t wanted to snub him, but she honestly hadn’t known what to say to Adrian. He was still the kind and soft-spoken man he’d been before leaving last December. He was handsome and he certainly seemed to care for her. Still, since Nick had asked to court her, Beth had thought nothing of Adrian Murphy.

  “I hadn’t thought that much about him even before Nick asked to court me.”

  “What did you say?” Gwen looked at Beth oddly as she pulled on an apron. “Are you feeling all right?”

  Beth pressed her hands to her warm cheeks. “I’m fine. I’m just a bit perplexed.”

  “Because of Adrian?”

  “Yes.” Beth reached for a bowl in order to start mixing bread dough. “I didn’t expect to see him like that. It was rather shocking.”

  “Especially since you just settled things with Nick.”

  Beth stopped and looked at her older sister. “I don’t want to hurt Adrian. I mean, he’s very nice and all, but I thought I’d made it clear to him last winter that I wasn’t interested in courting him. Now I’ve said yes to courting Nick and . . . well . . .” She let the words trail with a heavy sigh.

  “Do you have any regrets about saying yes to Nick?” Gwen asked. “If you care more for Adrian, you shouldn’t lead Nick astray and make him think otherwise.”

  “I don’t. I mean . . .” Beth waved her hands in the air and went to the cupboard for flour. “It’s just a very awkward situation. I’ve waited all this time to find someone I could care about, and now this.”

  “Beth, just explain to Adrian that things have changed. If he’s the gentleman you believe him to be, he will understand and gracefully bow out.”

  “It didn’t stop the duke’s evil brother from interfering with Lady Effingham,” Beth murmured.

  “What are you talking about?”

  Beth brought several ingredients from the cupboard and deposited them on the counter. “It’s not important. I just know that some people cannot take no for an answer. Sometimes they try to interfere and cause problems. Adrian has come all this way and I don’t want to be cruel. I worried for part of the winter that I’d hurt him, but when he showed up here yesterday, I realized I hadn’t hurt him at all. He must have thought I was playing coy with him, or he wouldn’t have come back.”

  Gwen shook her head and began to measure flour into a bowl. “What if he truly loves you and came back because his hope that you might return his feelings was too strong to ignore?”

  Beth felt absolutely horror-stricken. “You don’t really think so, do you? I mean, what would I do?”

  Gwen studied her for a moment. “You would have to be honest with him and let him know that you have feelings for Nick. You mustn’t let this matter go without resolution. It wouldn’t be fair to either man.”

  “I know how I feel, I just don’t want a scene.” She thought of Lady Effingham once again. There was a horrible scene between her and the duke’s brother when Lord Wodehouse found out about the man’s intentions. The duke’s brother had demanded a duel and Lord Wodehouse was wounded. Of course, the duke’s brother had cheated, but what if Adrian cheated and Nick got injured? “What if Adrian refuses to leave or somehow challenges Nick?”

  Gwen shrugged. “I don’t know. I’ve never had that problem.”

  “I wish I didn’t,” Beth said in a moan. Suddenly without willing it at all, she had more adventure on hand than she could have ever imagined.

  “I’ve heard it said,” Hank began as they gathered for lunch, “that the railroad has decided to go to the north of this area.”

  Adrian nodded. “Sadly enough, I believe that has been the decision, although it’s not yet common knowledge. Of course, many people have been certain that this choice would be the best. There are fewer obstacles and better water sources.”

  Hank stared at his coffee cup for a moment. “That doesn’t bode well for us as a community that would like to be a town.”

  “If the railroad goes in miles away from us, what will happen to the stage route?” Gwen asked.

  Hank looked to Adrian and waited for him to speak. The younger man shrugged his shoulders. “It’s hard to say. Even though they narrowed the distance to five miles north of here, it might cause the stage company to rethink their stop here.”

  “That’s what I would suspect,” Hank said, looking rather apologetically to his wife. “I’ve had my concerns.”

  “Why didn’t you say anything?” Beth asked.

  “I’d just recently heard of the new railroad plans and I didn’t want to worry anyone,” Hank admitted. “After all, we have no reason to believe our lives will change overnight. Even if the railroad goes north, there isn’t a town, proper, in place. We could consider moving our businesses to accommodate the railroad. Other towns have done just that and with more at stake than we have here.”

  Beth frowned. “But I don’t want to move.”

  “It wouldn’t be all that far,” Adrian said with a smile. “And just think of the adventure.”

  Beth got up from the table, shaking her head. “I’m beginning to think adventure is too highly esteemed.”

  She made her way out to the front porch and leaned against the rail. She loved it here. The mountains surrounded the valley and made her feel safe and protected. Except for Rafe and his saloon, Beth thought it absolutely perfect.

  A gentle breeze touched her face, and the air smelled of pine and wild flowers. She sighed and wondered how she could remain if everyone else moved north to accommodate the railroad.

  “I didn’t mean to upset you,” Adrian said, apologizing as he joined her on the porch.

  Beth turned and met his sympathetic gaze. “I just don’t want things to change. I love it here. I love the life we have here at Gallatin House.”

  “But you could have just as good a life elsewhere—especially with the right person at your side.” He moved forward. “I know you told me you wouldn’t wait for me, but I see you’re still here and not attached to anyone else.” He grinned and reached for her hand. “Can I dare to hope I still have a chance with you?”

  Beth shook her head and drew her hand away. “I’m not yet betrothed, but I have been asked to court someone.”

  “That Lassiter fellow?”

  “Yes.” Beth glanced toward the Lassiters’ property. She looked back at Adrian and saw his frown. “I’m sorry if that comes as a surprise. Nick and I have known each other for quite a while now.”

  “So you won’t even give me a chance? I came all the way back here because I couldn’t get you out of my thoughts. You aren’t engaged to this fellow, so why not let me try to prove myself to you?”

  Beth felt such a sense of frustration. Her well-planned thoughts from the night before fled her mind and left her feeling worse than ever. She hated hurting anyone, especially someone who had been as nice to her as Adrian. He had been so very kind and attentive. He enjoyed talking to her and always said such com
plimentary things. Still, she wasn’t interested in courting him. While at one time she had pondered such an idea, even daydreamed about the possibilities, she now only held thoughts of Nick.

  “Adrian—Mr. Murphy,” she began, “we are much too different. You told me yourself that you love the life you lead, moving from place to place, living out under the stars. I need a home—a stable place that won’t change every few days or weeks.”

  “But with the right person, you might very well enjoy living as I do.”

  She shook her head. “What kind of life is that for a lady?”

  “Then what if I told you I would give up my job? I could find something else to do with my life and settle in one place.”

  Beth wished he would just give up. She wanted to tell him to go away—to forget about her—but how could she do it in a polite manner that wouldn’t seem cruel?

  The sound of a wagon approaching drew Beth’s attention. They weren’t expecting a stage, yet one was clearly making its way around the curve of the road.

  “Oh dear,” she said, hurrying for the door. “Gwen, we have a stage.” She rushed inside. “I don’t know how many people are on board, but there’s at least the driver and his shotgun.”

  Gwen jumped up from the table. “Lacy, put on some more coffee, then get out the leftover roast and we’ll slice it for sandwiches. I’ll get some more bread.” She glanced over her shoulder. “Beth, you greet the visitors and show them to the table.”

  “Can I help?” Adrian asked.

  Gwen shook her head. “I believe we’ll have everything under control shortly.”

  Beth went back to the front porch just as the driver set the brake and jumped down from the stage. “Howdy, Miss Beth. Guess you’re surprised to see us.”

  “I’ll say. We weren’t expecting another stage until evening.”

  “We had so many passengers heading to Butte, we had to make the extra run.”

  “Well, we’re making ready for you. How many passengers do you have?”

  The driver opened the door. “Six. Two are staying on here.”

  Beth turned back to the house and called out to her sister, “Gwen, there are eight total for lunch.”

  An older man handed a young boy down to the driver. Beth thought the child looked to be nine or ten. He wore a suit of brown serge and looked quite uncomfortable. The man followed after the child and looked around him as if trying to figure out where they were.

  Beth smiled sweetly. “Welcome to Gallatin House. We have a meal just about ready for you.”

  “I’m looking for someone,” the man stated rather curtly. His expression betrayed a heavy burden. Dark smudges circled his eyes, making the man look sickly.

  “I know most everyone in the area,” Beth answered with a smile. “Perhaps I can help.”

  The man shook his head. “I’ll need a room for the night.”

  “Would you like separate beds for you and your son?” Beth asked.

  “The room is for me. The boy will be staying with his father.”

  Beth looked behind the man as the others debarked the stage, tipping their hats as they passed her. They were sweaty and dirty but still saw to the proprieties. None stopped, however, to claim the child. Beth turned back to the man and boy. The child was watching her as if to judge her importance in his life.

  “Hello. What’s your name?”

  He frowned. “Justin.” He pulled on his collar and looked away.

  Beth smiled. “Are you hungry? We have some applesauce cake for dessert. Of course, you would have to eat something more substantial first, but at least it would give you something to look forward to.”

  The boy’s frown faded. “I like cake.”

  Laughing, Beth nodded. “I do, too.” Beth looked to the older man and then back to the boy. “Why don’t you come on inside? You can introduce me to your father. We’ll make sure he doesn’t mind if I cut you an extra-large piece of cake.”

  The boy’s frown reappeared. “I don’t know my father. He’s a no-account, and I hate him.”

  “Justin!” The older man’s exclamation immediately quieted the boy.

  Beth looked at the man in confusion. “I’m sorry. I presumed the boy’s father was onboard the stage.”

  “No,” the old man said, shaking his head. “His father is Nicholas Lassiter. He’s the man I seek.”

  CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

  “We’ve got trouble,” Simon told Nick.

  Nick joined his brother at the open door. “It’s just an unscheduled stage. It won’t be any problem. I’ll get the team unhitched and you bring up the fresh horses.”

  “It’s not just the stage.” Simon took hold of his brother’s arm. His expression left Nick feeling suddenly cold inside.

  “What is it?” Nick turned and looked across the road to Gallatin House. The first thing he noticed was Beth. She stood speaking to a man and small boy. But it was the man who stood directly behind her that caused Nick to drop his jaw.

  “What’s he doing here?”

  “I was just wondering the same thing.”

  Nick shook his head. “He’s got some nerve, coming here.”

  Simon turned to his brother. “What are you doing to do?”

  “Well, hopefully Beth will have told him the truth about us.” Nick felt a wave of concern. Beth had assured him she didn’t have feelings for Adrian Murphy. Surely his appearance here wouldn’t change things. But what if she told Murphy and he didn’t listen? Then I’ll just take things into my own hands and tell him my own way, Nick decided.

  “Did you hear me?” Simon asked, looking at Nick oddly.

  “I . . . uh . . . I guess not. What did you say?”

  “I asked you why Beth should have anything to do with this.”

  “Well, she did just agree to court me. If Adrian Murphy thinks he can just waltz in here and steal Beth away, then he’s going to have a fight on his hands.”

  “What are you talking about? What does Adrian Murphy have to do with this?”

  Nick looked at Simon and shook his head. “You’re the one who saw him first.”

  “I wasn’t talking about Murphy.” Simon turned Nick around and pointed across the road just as the man standing in front of Beth moved to face them. The distance closed in, and Nick felt a band tighten around his chest.

  “Claude Foreman.”

  The past came rushing at Nick like a winter storm blowing over the mountains. In his mind, he was sixteen again and Annie Foreman was telling him that she was pregnant.

  “I’m sorry, Nick.” He remembered her eyes had been red-rimmed from crying. “I’m so scared.”

  Nick had taken her in his arms. He longed to give her the reassurance that everything would be all right, but he had no hope of that for himself. Her father and brothers would be livid when they learned the truth, and he’d be lucky if they didn’t come gunning for him.

  Shaking the memory away, Nick saw the child turn to stare at him. He was the spitting image of his mother, with his own coloring. Nick’s breath quickened. This wasn’t happening. It couldn’t be happening. He looked to Beth, who held an expression of complete confusion.

  Nick ran his hand through his hair. “I have to explain this to her. I should have told her a long time ago.”

  “I think you’re going to have to deal with Foreman first,” Simon said. “He’s coming this way.”

  Nick could see that much for himself. Annie’s father looked so much older than he remembered. The years had obviously been difficult for him, and he walked with a slight limp.

  The boy—his son—trailed behind his grandfather. He didn’t appear pleased to be here, nor even remotely interested in meeting Nick. In fact, he looked quite angry, but how could Nick blame him?

  I’ve never been a part of his world. He’s never known me, and I can only imagine what his grandparents have told him.

  But knowing how the Foremans felt, Nick couldn’t understand why Claude would suddenly come to Gallatin Crossing, much less
bring Justin.

  “Do you want me to go?” Simon asked.

  “No. Stay. I’m not sure I can do this alone.” Nick drew a deep breath and blew it out slowly. “Pray.”

  Nick gave one last glance to where Beth stood. But she was gone. So, too, was Adrian Murphy.

  Claude Foreman halted some five or six feet away and looked Nick up and down. He then glanced over to Simon. “I’m certain this is a surprise to both of you, but I had no choice in the matter.”

  “Would you like to come in the house and sit?” Simon asked.

  Nick could see that the old man wasn’t well. “We could offer you something to eat and drink.”

  “No. I think I’d rather stay right here and have my say.”

  The boy peered around his grandfather at Nick and Simon. He seemed to be sizing them up—maybe even trying to decide which one was his father. Nick noted again how much the boy looked like his mother. He had Annie’s mouth and nose—a rather pert nose that would hopefully take on a more masculine look as he aged. It was the boy’s dark eyes that pierced Nick’s heart, however. It was like looking into his own soul.

  “Regina passed on a few weeks ago,” the man began. “Just before her death, the doctor told me I have a cancer. He gives me a couple of months at the most.” He looked at the boy. “Regina and I talked it over before she died and decided it would be best for Justin to come and live with you.”

  “Why?” Nick asked. He felt a rise of bile along with bitterness. “You threatened my life because of what happened with your daughter. You wouldn’t let me marry her, even though I wanted to make things right. You said she was ruined—that there was no way to make it right.” Nick narrowed his eyes. “We weren’t the first ones to make a mistake—to give in to temptation. Yet when she died giving birth, you put her brothers on me like I was some kind of common thief.”

  Justin looked at Nick but said nothing. It was clear he was considering the conversation, however. Nick had no desire to cause his son pain by relaying the issues of the past, but he felt confident the child had never been told the truth.