Shane braced his back against the wall of the barn. Dorie faced him still holding his hand. Unable to contain her joy, she simply grinned.
Shane put his head down. He wouldn’t look at her. “Shane?”
“This isn’t easy, Dorie.”
“What’s not easy?” she asked, puzzled.
He looked into her eyes finally. “Coming here, saying what I have to say.”
“You can say anything to me, Shane. Fact is, you pretty much have in the past.”
Shane winced, then on a heavy breath, he announced, “I’m getting married tomorrow.”
“Married?” She dropped his hand and blinked her eyes. The joy she’d felt just a second ago vanished.
“Marilee is home. Barkley found her. He set the wedding for tomorrow.”
“No, Shane. No.” She shook her head fiercely then turned away from him as overwhelming grief struck her system. She didn’t even try to hold back tears.
Shane braced her shoulders from behind. “I’m sorry. I didn’t want to hurt you, Dorie. I didn’t want any of this.”
“I…didn’t think this would ever truly…happen.”
“I know, but I never lied to you, honey. This is how it has to be.”
She spun around to face him, wiping at her tears. “But tomorrow, Shane? It’s so soon. And what of Marilee?”
“She’s resigned to the marriage. Her father has given her no choice.”
Dorie closed her eyes. She halted her tears, realizing she had to face facts. Shane hadn’t lied to her about this. She’d known he was destined to marry another, but the ache of losing him sliced through her like a mortal wound. “Will you sleep with her?”
Stunned by the question, Shane snapped his head back. “She’s with child, Dorie. I won’t touch her.”
“And what about after…when she has the baby you’re intent on raising?”
“She’ll be my wife,” he said quietly.
“And you’ll be honor bound to do your husbandly duty?”
Shane’s patience seemed at an end. He flung his arms up. “Hell, I don’t know. I’ve haven’t given it a thought.”
“Well, I have! I can’t abide the thought, Shane. I can’t.”
Shane paced the small distance of the barn length with his hands on his hips. “Damn it, Dorie. Don’t think I want this. I don’t want to marry Marilee. I never did.” He turned to her then, his green eyes cast in shade and shadows looking dark as midnight. “I want you. I want you so bad I can’t sleep at night. I can’t eat a meal or take a drink without it burning in my gut.”
Dorie’s heart fluttered at his pronouncement. His words warmed her enough to thaw out the bitter cold consuming her. “Shane, there has to be a way.”
His face flamed with anger for a moment. She saw his frustration and pain and knew it matched her own. “Tell me, Dorie? I’m listening.”
“We could run off?”
Even she didn’t believe that would work, but she was desperate to find a way out of this situation.
“We can’t and you know it. And what’s worse is that I’ll be married to someone else and worrying over you, all the time.”
Dorie stood strong now, her self-respect taking a direct blow. She didn’t want Shane’s friendship any longer…or his protection. She wanted his love. She wanted to live her life with him by her side. If she couldn’t have that, then she wouldn’t have him living down the road from her, married to another woman, worrying about her. She folded her arms around her middle and lifted her chin. “You won’t have to worry about me. If you marry Marilee, I’ll leave town.”
Shane’s frustrated expression changed to bafflement. “What do you mean? You can’t leave town. Where will you go?”
“New York.”
Shane narrowed his eyes. “New York?”
She nodded and picked her pride up from the gutter. “The Parkers offered Jeremiah and me their home. They want us both, Shane. And they’d even set me up with my own dress shop. So you see, you won’t have one care about me, not one.”
“That’s where you’re wrong. I’ll always care for you. But it’s a good offer, Dorie. I’ll understand if you take them up on it.”
“You want me to go?” She couldn’t help raising her voice.
Shane ran his hand down his face before gazing into her eyes. He stepped close to her, near enough for her to see the flecks of gold sparking from his green eyes. Taking her hands in his once again, he spoke gently, “Dorie, you know what I truly want. It’s not to be. But moving to New York would be good for you and Jeremiah. You’d want for nothing and—”
“Nothing, but you,” she interrupted.
He continued on a sigh. “And you’d have a dress shop all your own. You could do what you love to do.”
“It’s always been my dream, Shane.”
“Then do it, Dorie.”
To love someone means to want what’s best for them. She recalled Mrs. Whitaker’s words. But she’d never told Dorie that doing what’s best could break your heart. Finally, she’d come to understand that there was no hope left for her and Shane. She’d had faith enough to spare, but it had all withered away the moment Shane stepped onto her land a minute ago with news of Marilee’s return.
Her mind made up, she nodded. “Guess I have no choice, either. I can’t stay here, knowing you’re…living with another woman. I can’t, Shane.”
Shane stared at her then in stony silence. He put his head down and spoke with regret. “I can’t imagine my life without you, sweetheart.”
Dorie couldn’t either. She’d expected life would have offered her better than this. In her heart she knew she’d never love another man again. She also knew that she couldn’t fathom seeing Shane and his new wife on the streets of Silver Hills with a new baby in tow. She couldn’t fathom seeing him smile at her or hold the child that should have been theirs. She couldn’t fathom aching for another woman’s husband every night in bed.
It had suddenly become clear in her mind that she had to leave the only home she had ever known. She’d regret never seeing her new garden bloom or the house painted up pretty again, but Dorie couldn’t stew on that any longer.
With sadness, she offered Shane a smile.
They stared at each other for a long moment.
And when Shane took her into his arms, she entered his embrace freely, knowing this was the last time she would ever feel his warmth. She let it seep into her, absorbing all the comfort she could.
He tipped her chin and kissed her soundly, a final farewell that lingered for more moments than was wise, Shane clinging to her this time, refusing to break the bond.
And when he did finally, his eyes softened to hers in a way they never had before. “Have a good life, Dorie.”
She swallowed, watching him turn from her and walk away.
When he was halfway through the yard, she called out, “I love you, Shane Graham!”
Shane stopped. He put his head down. She witnessed his chest heave. He didn’t look back but continued to walk away and out of her life.
She whispered quietly into the noontime air, “And I always will.”
Dorie spent the next few hours lying on her bed, sobbing. The thought of losing Shane forever was almost too much for her to bear. She loved him so. Tomorrow, he would marry another.
The past two weeks had led her down a path that she couldn’t have ever imagined. She’d kidnapped Shane, taken him hostage, implored him for help and then she’d fallen deeply in love.
Her life hadn’t been her own for so long. After losing her mother, she’d had the responsibility of raising Jeremiah. She’d struggled. They both had to keep what was theirs. She’d tried to make sense of what the Almighty had planned for them. She’d told herself that life would somehow get easier. She’d prayed for the day when she’d have some stability in her life.
Now, she had that. The Parkers had offered her a way out of the hard life she’d known. Little did she know that the very prayer that had been sent up ev
ery night for the past three years would solve her problems, yet make her the most miserable.
Dorie felt that she had no other choice. She’d been dreadfully honest when she told Shane she couldn’t live in this town knowing he was married to Marilee. Imagining him bedding her at night, putting his hands on her, making love to her, would surely destroy her. Dorie couldn’t stay in Silver Hills once Shane had married. The Parkers’ offer had come at the most opportune time. She would take them up on it.
Dorie rose from her bed. She poured water into a bowl and splashed her face with the cool liquid. Taking deep breaths she steadied her nerves. She needed to speak with her brother, to make him understand. When she heard the door slam and footsteps entering the house, she knew now was the time. “Jeremiah,” she called from her bedroom door. “Come in here.”
Within moments, Jeremiah popped his head inside her door. He took one look at her face and immediately asked, “What’s wrong?”
Dorie mustered a small smile. Her younger brother had become a blessing in her life. She noted the telltale signs of stubble developing on his otherwise baby face and realized that one day soon he’d be all grown up. “Come and sit down. I have something to tell you.”
Twenty minutes later, after explaining to Jeremiah what she felt in her heart and all the reasons the move to New York would be good for them, Dorie took his hands in hers. He’d met her with resistance at first, not understanding why they had to leave, but in the end he’d finally agreed reluctantly. “I don’t want to go,” he said.
“I know. I don’t want to either. But we must, and I bet once we’re there we might be glad of it. Trust me, Jeremiah. We’ll always be together. That won’t change.”
He slumped his shoulders and nodded. “If you think it’s best.”
“I do. It’s the only way for us now.”
“Okay,” he said quietly.
Dorie’s heart broke again seeing the trepidation and confusion on his face. She rose and helped him up, hugging him to her chest. “It’ll work out, Jeremiah,” she reassured bravely keeping doubt from her own voice. “Go into town and fetch your grandparents. Invite them to supper. They’ll be glad to see you, I’m sure. We’ll tell them together tonight.”
Once Jeremiah took off for town, Dorie set about making the meal for the Parkers. Though her heart wasn’t in it, she fussed in her kitchen, dusted the furniture and straightened out the house the best she could. Wishing she had flowers to set on her table, her thoughts turned to the garden she would never see flourish. She held back tears, refusing to cry anymore. She’d shed enough tears to fill a wishing well.
Dorie washed up then donned the blue cotton dress Shane had given her. Wearing it made her feel feminine and brought back tender memories that she kept close to her heart. She fastened the necklace the Parkers had given her around her throat and its new mate dangled prettily from her wrist. Next, she pinned up her hair partway, keeping it out of her eyes and allowing her curls to fall to her shoulders.
When Jeremiah returned riding in the Parkers’ rented buggy, she was ready. Standing outside the front door, she welcomed them graciously with the full realization that her life was about to change drastically in the next few hours.
“Hello,” Helene said, coming up the steps. She always wore the finest clothes, tonight a beautiful sunny yellow taffeta gown and a matching hat that relayed her position of great wealth, yet her smile was genuine and her face was lit with joy. Dorie had liked her from the moment they’d met, though she’d feared what both Helene and Oliver represented—a means to take Jeremiah away from her. But now, Dorie looked upon both of them differently. If truth be told, they had become surprisingly like surrogate parents to her.
“It’s good of you to come,” Dorie said graciously.
“Why wouldn’t we come?” Oliver boomed in that big voice of his. “We’d love any chance to see both of you again.” When he winked her way, Dorie’s nerves settled down.
“Come in,” she offered, “please. Supper is heating on the cookstove.”
They both entered while Jeremiah saw to the buggy and horse. “Please have a seat.” Dorie wished her sofa was in better repair, but it couldn’t be helped. She wasn’t ashamed of their home but she wondered what the Parkers’ had thought about the meager surroundings.
Helene and Oliver took a seat on the sofa.
Dorie asked, “Would you care for something to drink?”
“Not unless you’ve got a cold beer in there,” Oliver said with a grin.
Helene jabbed his arm. “Honestly, Oliver. Must you always tease?”
Dorie chuckled, releasing the tension she felt moments ago. The two seemed hopelessly devoted to each other, even through their silly bantering. “Sorry, I have no beer. But I have iced tea and lemonade.”
“No, dear. We’re just fine. Mmmm,” Helene said lifting her nose slightly. “Something smells very good.”
“It’s nothing fancy. Beef stew, vegetables and biscuits.”
“Oh, how lovely. Is there anything I can do to help?”
“No, not at all. I thought while supper is cooking we could take time to talk.” Dorie swallowed the lump in her throat. “Jeremiah and I have come to a decision about your kind offer. We, uh, would very much like—”
Loud knocking on the front door startled her from her next thoughts. Had Jeremiah been locked out? She didn’t think so. She hadn’t put the latch on the door that she could recall. “Excuse me. I can’t imagine who that would be,” she said, rising and walking to the door.
When she opened the door, the last person on earth she thought she’d ever see on her doorstep stood ramrod still, beseeching her with marked desperation in her eyes. “Hello, Dorie.”
“Marilee?”
“I’m sorry to disturb you, I must speak with you. May I come in?” She darted her gaze behind her to the path, the gate and the road beyond that. “Father doesn’t know I’m out. I have to get back home quickly.”
Dorie had never liked Marilee with her prim and proper, I’m-better-than-you ways, but she realized that most of her disdain had stemmed from Shane’s involvement with her. In truth, she didn’t know Marilee all too well. The woman standing before her now didn’t appear prim and proper at all. No, she looked frightened, determined and distressed. Seemed the roles had reversed. Dorie stood there appearing the prim one now. “Come inside,” she offered, stepping out of the way to allow Marilee entrance.
Relief registered quickly on her face the moment Marilee stepped inside. “I don’t have much time.”
“What’s wrong?” Dorie didn’t have an ounce of pity for the woman about to marry Shane Graham. What she wouldn’t do to be in her shoes. “Why are you here?”
Dorie realized that the Parkers were privy to the conversation but she didn’t feel it appropriate to make introductions. Marilee hadn’t much noticed them anyway. “I couldn’t marry Shane tomorrow without speaking with you first.”
Anger bubbled up. Had Marilee come for her approval? Well, she wouldn’t get it, or her blessing. “I know about the wedding. Shane rode over this morning to tell me.” She let go a labored sigh. “You’re getting a good man, Marilee.”
“I know, but that’s just the point.” Marilee looked Dorie directly in the eyes. “There’s no way to ask this politely. Do you love Shane?”
“With my whole heart,” she answered without hesitation. “Not that it’s any of your business.”
“It is my business. And yours, too, if you’ll hear me out.”
Dorie didn’t want to see Marilee gloat over her admission of love for the man she would marry. Marilee and her devious father had won the battle. Dorie had lost Shane. There weren’t enough words in the world to make things right now. Dorie opened the front door for Marilee as cool evening air wafted inside. “I think I’ve heard enough. What more is there possibly to say?”
But Marilee persisted refusing to use the door Dorie had opened to see her out. “So much more, if you truly love Shane.”
No one was more surprised than Shane that his feelings ran so deep. He hated hurting her and couldn’t imagine any joy in his life without her.
He stood in that room like a man going to his own execution. When Tobias Barkley walked in dressed in a three-piece suit in true father-of-the-bride fashion, Shane’s day went from bad to worse. “What the hell?”
“You’re in the Lord’s house, boy. Be careful what you say.”
“You’re a fine one to speak about the Lord, Barkley. Last time I noted, the Lord didn’t hold much for blackmail.”
“Not blackmail, just incentive. As soon as you are properly married to my daughter, those notes I’m holding on your ranch will be burned. And as a wedding present to you and Marilee, I’ll be adding to your herd with one thousand head. A man’s got to be able to feed his wife and child properly.”
“I can provide for my…family.” Shane had trouble getting the words out. Lately, he’d come to think of Dorie and Jeremiah as his family.
“I insist. The heir to my fortune won’t want for anything. I’m just making sure of that in advance.”
“Forgive me if I don’t thank you.”
“Now, now.” Barkley slapped him on the back. “I hope we can put all this unpleasantness behind us, Shane. Soon, you’ll be married into the family, raising my grandchild.”
Barkley poked his head out the door and nodded. “Yep, soon. The church pews are all but filled. Won’t be long now. I’ll leave you. Oh, and I made sure there won’t be a repeat of what happened last time. I have men watching out for that McCabe woman. She won’t get within fifty feet of the church.”
Abducted at the Altar Page 23
