Violet stepped into view. “Of course I don’t have a date. Adella is bringing Albert over to meet Clint, and I want you to look your best.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “I also want you to be on your best behavior.”
“Picked the wrong day for that.”
Her stern expression wavered. “Please, Gage. This is important to Adella.”
His gut twisted. “Why?”
“Because getting your approval is important to her. She thinks of you and Clint like her family.”
He knew Violet was wrong, but he didn’t argue the point. “What’s so special about Mr. Rich Pants’ son?”
She cocked her head. “You know his name, so use it. I can’t explain what is so special about him, but I know Adella had been in love with him back in Lewiston.”
Pain pierced his heart. “If she loved him so much, why hadn’t she talked about him before? I really don’t think she loves him.”
Her smile lifted. “Obviously, you haven’t seen the way Adella beams when he’s around.”
His gut wrenched tighter and his heart dropped. “She can’t come now. Clint isn’t home yet.”
“He should be home shortly.”
“When is Adella bringing Mr. Owens?”
“Anytime now, I believe.”
He grumbled and quickly gulped down the last bite of the stew. “I’m done.”
Violet hurried to his side. Her smile widened as she took the tray. “Please try and be civil. Don’t get my cousin’s temper up, either.”
“Why?” He climbed out of bed. “Hasn’t Mr. Owens seen that side of her yet?”
“Gage, you know she only acts that way around you.”
He shrugged his good shoulder. “Yeah, aren’t I the lucky one?”
The clip-clop of a horse and churning of wagon wheels snagged his attention. “Blast it all! They’re here already and I’m not even dressed.” He glanced down at his bare chest as his hand brushed his stomach. “I need to find a shirt.” He looked further down to his bare feet poking out from his jeans. “And put my boots on.”
“I’ll go let them in.” She hurried into the other room.
He tried to hurry, but his movements were as quick as an old woman in a mud pit with high winds blowing against her. How could he prove himself a better man in Adella’s eyes when he was still an invalid?
He grabbed his shirt off the back of a chair then flipped it once through the air, releasing some of the wrinkles. Adella’s sweet voice drifted from the other room, making his heart hammer. It’d been three very long days since he’d last seen her, and although it was his fault she hated him, he still anticipated seeing her angelic face again. If only he could get her alone, he’d apologize for his behavior and tell her he loved her and wanted to marry her.
A man’s deep baritone voice mingled with the two feminine voices and grew louder the closer they came to his room. He turned his back to the door as he tried to slip on his shirt, but his injured shoulder stiffened and pain shot through his arm, restricting his movements.
From behind him came Adella’s soft gasp, and before he knew what was happening, she stood by his side and lifted the end of his shirt.
“Here, Gage, let me help you.”
Her kindness startled him and he turned and looked at her. Their eyes met and he held his breath. The ocean blue color of her dress softened her face. She’d even fixed her hair differently, pulling back the sides, letting the fullness cascade down the middle of her back.
Land sakes she’s pretty.
He smiled and tried to express his love through his stare. “Why, thank you, Adella.”
She stepped in front of him and began fastening the buttons of his shirt, her gaze dropping to her fingers. A grin tugged at his mouth. “I think I can handle the rest myself.”
Her cheeks darkened and she stepped back. “Oh, yes. Of course.”
Silence lasted only a brief moment before the man behind her cleared his throat. Gage’s heart wrenched when he looked at Albert Owens. Bile coated Gage’s tongue, and he hoped he could be polite. It still stung that Albert’s father didn’t think Gage good enough to buy land and live in Lewiston, and he needed to remember it was not Albert’s fault. Yet, at the same time, there were other reasons to dislike the man. Adella, being the main one.
Adella turned, took hold of Albert’s arm, and pulled him further into the room. “Gage, you remember Albert Owens, don’t you?”
“Yes, I do.” He reached out his right hand to shake. Albert took it and shook heartily.
“I have to admit,” the mayor’s son said, “that after you left Lewiston I never thought I’d see you again. Small world that you would be friends with Miss St. James’ aunt and uncle.”
“Indeed, it is a very small world.” Gage nodded.
“And I must also admit,” Albert continued, “that I’m surprised to hear how much her family raves about you and your adventures. They tell me you have been working alongside the sheriff to try and capture that legendary bandit, Buchanan and his gang.”
Gage chuckled and shook his head. “Actually, they have exaggerated if they told you that. I’ve only helped Clint out a few times.”
“That’s not what Miss St. James said.” Albert grinned, his gaze resting on Adella.
Gage smiled and stepped closer to her. “So, Adella, what have you been telling this man about me?” He slipped an arm around her small waist, pulling her to his side, mainly to get her away from Albert Owens.
Adella’s body stiffened. “Just the truth.” She gave him a pasted-on smile. “My younger cousins have been putting you up on your pedestal again. After all, you’re the town hero.”
“Me? I thought you were.”
She chuckled. “No, Gage, you are.”
“What’s this?” Albert interjected. “Why would Miss St. James be the town hero?”
“Haven’t you heard?” Gage asked.
“Gage, no,” Adella warned in honey-sweet tones, but her stare blazed through him.
Gage continued as though she hadn’t spoken, “Let me tell you, then.”
Keeping his arm around Adella, he proceeded to explain to Albert about Adella’s stagecoach rescue. During his lengthy and very descriptive tale, Adella’s struggled to free herself from his hold in a subtle way, but he wouldn’t let her go. No, he liked her this way. Liked it almost too much. Her rose scented soap tickled his senses and made him ache, and all he wanted to do was kiss her endlessly.
As he finished, he glanced down into her angry eyes and winked. “It just makes me so proud my girl acted that way. She’s so brave.”
From out in the hallway, Violet’s laughter rang through the cabin. He tried to ignore it.
“Gage, you’ve stretched the truth quite a bit,” Adella bit out slowly.
“Heavens no.” He glanced back at Albert. “If you doubt my story, ask anyone in town. They’ll tell you what happened.”
Albert laughed. “It really is hard to believe. In Lewiston, she was also so prim and proper. You remember how she was like, Mr. Grayson.”
“Yes, I do, but I’m happy to say, she has let her hair down so-to-speak, and showed us that little hoyden buried deep inside of her.”
“That’s enough.” Adella held up a hand, still trying to wiggle out of Gage’s hold. “I wish you two would stop talking about me as if I weren’t here.”
“I’m sorry, my darling.” Gage bent and kissed her forehead, letting his lips linger longer than they should. He grudgingly released her and stepped back. She almost fell to the floor, but quickly regained her footing.
“So, Mr. Grayson? How are you feeling?” Albert asked. “The Lancasters told me about your escape from the bandits, and a bullet wound to show for it. You’re lucky to be alive.”
Gage flexed his sore arm, mainly to show off his acquired muscles, which were considerably more than Albert had. “Yes, I’m extremely lucky. Each and every day I feel a little better.” He moved to the single chair in his room and sat. “I hope yo
u don’t mind, but I really need to sit.”
“Maybe we should leave,” Adella suggested with anticipation in her voice.
Gage quickly extinguished her hopes. “No, stay a little longer until Clint arrives. I’m sure he’ll want to meet Mr. Owens, as well. In fact, Adella, why don’t you go into the kitchen and fetch a couple of chairs for you and Albert.”
Gage stared at the man who’d captured Adella’s interest, and with a sinking heart he knew Albert was the perfect man for her. It injured Gage’s pride knowing he’d never be rich like the mayor’s son, and he’d never have the acquired manners this man possessed. In every way Albert was perfect, and Gage should let her go...just like he’d let Violet go. That was the only way Adella would be happy.
With a tight chest, he realized Adella’s happiness was what mattered most.
ADELLA MARCHED INTO the kitchen like an obedient dog. Did she act this way so Albert wouldn’t see her bad temper? Who was she trying to impress, Albert or Gage? And why in heaven’s name would she want to get hurt by Gage again?
She grabbed two chairs and dragged them back to the bedroom. When she entered, Gage was in the middle of telling Albert about the cattle ranch and Veterinarian services Gage had planned on starting soon. Albert kept his attention on Gage, but he looked completely bored. She groaned in silence, knowing she’d have to change the subject onto something more interesting. Albert took the chairs from her and placed them across from Gage then they sat.
“So, Albert,” Gage kept talking, “what has taken you out of Lewiston and to Bonner County?”
The other man grinned. “I wanted to see Miss St. James again. I do miss her.” He looked at Adella and winked.
Heat encased her face. “I really haven’t been away that long.”
“Nonetheless,” Albert patted her hand, “I couldn’t wait to come see you.”
Once again, she didn’t know how to answer him. She couldn’t tell him that she’d only thought of him once since arriving in this town. She switched her attention to Gage. Although he tried to appear strong in front of her, she could tell his injury pained him. She could also see a different pain that grew from deep in his eyes. Was he jealous? Then again, did it matter? Her mind scrambled to think of a way out of here before Gage said something that would really embarrass her, because knowing him, he would!
Gage relaxed in his chair, grinning in that knee-buckling way of his. “So, Albert,” he began. Gage quickly glanced her way.
Adella panicked. Oh, no! Here it comes.
Gage looked back at Albert. “How serious are you about courting Adella?”
“Gage,” she snapped.
“Will we be hearing wedding bells in the near future?” Gage continued.
Albert choked on a laugh and hid his smile behind his hand, but she didn’t think it was funny at all. With anger firing her actions, she stood and pulled Albert with her. “I think we need to leave now. Gage, you’d better get more rest so you’re not as rude to whoever else might want to drop in on you.”
Gage stood, still grinning from ear to ear. “If you must.” He stretched forth his right hand. “Albert? It was certainly nice to see you again, and it’s good to see our little tomboy has finally captured herself a beau.”
Mortification washed over her and if there was a hole big enough, she’d crawl into it—either that or take a gun and shoot Gage Grayson. She hadn’t felt this much anger toward him since the first day they’d met. Without saying goodbye, she dragged Albert out of the room and out the front door.
Violet and Clint stood on the porch very close together, and when Adella charged out, they quickly pulled apart. Clint took a step toward Albert. Adella breathed a fortifying breath and regained control of her emotions. Straightening her shoulders, she forced a smile even in this stressful situation. “Clint, I’d like you to meet Albert Owens.”
As Clint politely conversed with Albert, Adella’s thoughts escalated into rage. How dare Gage treat Albert that way? Why was Gage acting as if he were her Pa? Why did she even care what Gage thought, anyway? She hated him...didn’t she?
Unconsciously, she followed Albert to the buggy, and with each step her anger intensified. Gage had to be put in his place once and for all. She couldn’t allow him to treat her new beau with such rudeness.
Albert’s hand clutched her elbow, preparing to help her into the carriage, but she withdrew. “Albert? I forgot something inside the house. Stay right here and I’ll be back.”
She marched back into the cabin and by the time she reached Gage’s bedroom, she felt like a cannon ready to explode. She’d let Gage feel the brunt of her thoughts and give him what for.
As she walked into the room, Gage was sitting on the edge of his bed with his hands covering his face. The wilted way his shoulders hunched while he rubbed his forehead made her pause, but when the floor squeaked beneath her, he jumped to his feet. All expression was wiped clean from his handsome face, and she thought she’d just imagined his sorrow. His shirt had been unbuttoned and hung open, and she tried not to look at his bare chest.
“Did you forget something?” he asked.
“You have no right.” She walked up to him and pointed her finger to his chest. She tried to ignore the heat seeping through her skin. “I think you owe Albert an apology.”
“Why?”
“You know why. You were extremely rude to him.”
“I was not. I thought I was quite polite.”
“Fine then, you were very rude to me. You have no reason not to like Albert. He’s a wonderful man.”
He nodded. “From what I remember about him in Lewiston, Mr. Owens seems like a true gentleman.”
She pursed her lips together. Nothing was sinking through his thick skull. Sighing heavily, she dropped her hand. “Why don’t you like him? Is it because you’re jealous?”
“Jealous? Why would I be jealous?”
“Because he’s a gentleman and his father is wealthy, and because...because he likes me.”
Gage crossed his arms over his masculine chest, covering the spot her gaze couldn’t stay away from. “Listen Duchess, I’m not jealous in the least. So his father is the mayor, whoop-tee-do. And so what if Albert is a fine gentleman? I’m happy for him. I’m happy for you. He’s exactly what you need, Adella. Grab him while he’s still interested.”
Her heart ached from his words. Gage acted as if he didn’t care at all if she fell in love with Albert. Whether he knew it or not, Gage actually gave his permission for her to marry Albert. Her heart cracked a little more. She had wanted him to be jealous. She still sought a marriage proposal from him even though he’d shown her time and time again what kind of man he was.
She straightened and lifted her chin. “You’re right. Albert is exactly what I need in a husband. He respects me and treats me well, and he’s not so full of himself he cannot see other people’s needs. Albert is everything you’re not, and I’d be stupid to let him go.”
Gage held the same blank expression, but his jaw tightened. She’d give anything to know what he was thinking.
“Then go get him, Adella,” he said calmly. “Don’t let him get away.”
Tears threatened her eyes, so before she embarrassed herself anymore in front of Gage, she turned and ran out of the room, running to the man she hoped would be able to take Gage from her heart forever.
Chapter Eighteen
Adella sat ramrod straight in the horse and buggy as Albert drove them to Poppy’s Meadow. The past week had gone extraordinarily slow, and she anticipated the day Albert would leave. He hadn’t mentioned anything about moving on, she just hoped he would. But until that time, she’d play the part he wanted. She’d act as if she enjoyed his attentions. Besides, it seemed to make her uncle happy that she was finally courting.
She hadn’t seen Gage since she and Albert had been at his house. Her spirits dropped lower, and she silently scolded herself letting her thoughts wander where they didn’t belong. At least she knew Gage had graciously b
acked down. He’d accepted her decision to see other men. She could tell he wasn’t happy about it, but it’s what she’d wanted.
“Adella,” Albert spoke, breaking the silence. “I’ve noticed your cousin has been looking at me a lot. Do you know why?”
“Which one? Violet?”
“No. Your younger cousin, Elizabeth.”
She loudly blew out a gush of air between her lips. “Don’t think anything of it.” She flipped her hand through the air. “Lately, Elizabeth has been looking at anyone that wears their sideburns long and has a mustache.” She laughed. “Of course I am worried about old widow Larsen. She’s gotten to be very hairy.”
When she met his gaze, a withered expression creased his forehead and dulled his wounded eyes. Perhaps she’d spoken out of turn or had been too blunt...or maybe he didn’t get the joke about the old widow.
Trying to cover up her blunder, she waved her hand through the air again and laughed. “However, this time, I must admit Elizabeth has chosen a fine looking man to dream after.” She gave him a grin. “That is, if it’s all right with you that she’s looking?”
He shrugged. “Well, she’s a little young for me.”
“She’s in her sixteenth year.”
His expression warmed. “Besides, I’m in the company of a beautiful woman, so why should I be thinking about another?”
She refused to comment, not willing to make another blunder.
When he pulled the buggy into the meadow, he stopped the vehicle and set the brake. “This looks like a wonderful place for a picnic.”
“Yes. This was one of my most favorite spots as a child. See over there—” She pointed to a small stream. “When I was young, I’d take off my shoes and stockings and go wading.” She pointed in the opposite direction. “And over there in that small group of trees is where I used to play hide-and-seek with my sisters and cousins. I always won because I was a better tree climber.”
Albert laughed. “You sound like you had a fun childhood.”
She nodded. “I did. Especially the times I spent with my grandfather in the livery. He taught me everything from shoeing a horse to repairing a wheel for the rigs.”
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