A Love to Last Forever (12 page)

Waiting until they were nearly at the back door, Gwen turned and met Lacy’s curious gaze.

“What did you need help with?” Lacy asked.

“I didn’t really need any help at all, but I wanted a word with you. Don’t you think you were rather harsh with Dave?”

Lacy looked completely surprised. “I didn’t do anything wrong. I simply thought it was silly for someone to buy a ranch house without buying the ranch.”

“I think you hurt his feelings,” Gwen countered. “He looked upset.”

“Let him be upset, then.” Lacy shook her head. “I don’t see where it’s my fault. He explained why he wanted the house and land, and that much made sense. Of course, he neglected to say he needed to actually get elected to the position of marshal, but his plan made about as much sense as anything Dave does nowadays.”

“Lacy, I can’t believe you’re being so critical. I know you two have had your differences, but why are you so angry now?”

Squaring her shoulders, Lacy met her sister’s eyes with an intensity that Gwen had not expected. “It’s been almost a year, Gwen. A year since Pa was killed, and still no one knows who did it. No one has been punished for it—except for us. I tried to talk to Dave about it again, and he just shrugged and told me to stay out of it.”

“Oh, Lacy.” Gwen reached out to touch her sister’s cheek. “I’m sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”

“Well, I have been.” Lacy pulled away. “I feel like I’ve let Pa down, and I don’t intend to go on this way. I can’t keep that promise I made to you anymore, Gwen. I have to find out who killed Pa, even if Dave Shepard and the sheriff have given up.”

CHAPTER EIGHT

The sun headed slowly west as Beth made her way back to Gallatin House. She’d enjoyed her visit with Patience, talking much as a mother and daughter might, each needing to fill that role in the life of the other. Patience’s daughters were living back East, and she missed them sorely. Beth had been so long without her mother that she often longed for the comfort of speaking with an older woman.

That morning Beth had been bitter about no one remembering her birthday, but Patience had not only remembered it—she had a little celebration just for the two of them. Patience gave her a beautiful blouse, as well as several embroidered handkerchiefs. Then she surprised Beth with a special lunch that included little frosted cakes that Patience called Snow Cakes.

“I bake them in the muffin pan,” Patience had explained, “and then put a little cream filling in each one, then frost them.”

“But why call them Snow Cakes?” Beth asked.

Patience laughed. “Usually I only make them in the winter, because I cool the pans in the snow to make it easier to get the cakes out of the tins. I suppose I should call this batch something else.”

But Beth had assured her they were delicious, no matter how they’d been cooled or what they’d been called. The fact that this dear woman had gone to so much trouble on her behalf moved Beth deeply.

“I’m so glad you girls made it through the winter in good order. It seemed a godsend that you had Hank come into your lives,” Patience had told her as they discussed the future.

“He’s a good man, and he loves Gwen very much,” Beth admitted. “I wish I could find someone to love me half as well.”

Patience laughed. “You will. Just be patient. There’s no need to rush into a lifelong commitment.”

“I’m hardly rushing,” Beth now murmured as she headed home. “I’m twenty-three. Half my life is already gone.”

Hadn’t Justice Halbrook said as much in her latest read,
The Copper Canyon Renegade
? He was battling the regret of a life only half lived, and he was no more than twenty-five. Surely a year or two wasn’t important when it came to such matters. Beth could certainly share regret and frustration—even if she wasn’t a gunslinger.

Beth pulled her thoughts back to the road as the sound of an approaching rider caught her attention. There had been talk about highwaymen—less-than-savory characters who took advantage of poor travelers. Lacy had suggested she carry a gun with her, but Beth knew she could never shoot another person, even if he was threatening her life.

Glancing over her shoulder, Beth easily recognized Simon Lassiter’s dark brown gelding. She breathed a sigh of relief. Simon was, no doubt, headed home, as well, and thought to accompany her the rest of the way. Beth smiled and waved. Simon reined up as he pulled even with Beth’s wagon. “Howdy, Beth. Headin’ home?”

“Yes,” she said, smiling. “Looks like you’re doing the same.”

“Yup. I was over at the Vandercamp Ranch, helping to do some fencing. I guess you’re on your way back from the Shepard place.”

Beth nodded and stretched awkwardly. Her shoulders were stiff from the drive. Simon instantly noticed. “Say, how about I tie up Moe to your wagon and drive you the rest of the way?”

“That would be wonderful. I think I’d like that very much.” She pulled the horse to a stop and waited for Simon to join her. He made quick work of seeing to his horse, then bounded up into the wagon to squeeze into the seat beside her. Simon was a broad-shouldered man who stood at least six feet one. His presence made Beth feel safe, but he also forced her thoughts steadily on Nick.

“I nearly forgot. Happy birthday,” Simon said as he urged the horse forward.

Beth laughed. “I think a lot of folks forgot, so don’t you think anything of it. Thanks, though. I’ve had a better day than I figured. Patience gave me gifts and cake, and we talked for hours. It was a lovely way to spend the day.”

Simon smiled. “She’s a good woman. I think Jerry Shepard is one of the luckiest men in the valley.”

“I agree. Whenever I miss my mother too much, I just go to Patience. She always makes me feel welcome and loved.”

“I think there’s someone else who’d like to make you feel . . . well . . . both those things,” Simon said rather sheepishly. “I suppose it’s not my place to talk about such matters, though.”

“What do you mean?” Beth looked at him oddly. She knew he wasn’t sweet-talking her. Simon had eyes for little Ellie Martindale at Rafe’s place, and Beth seriously doubted he even thought about other women.

Simon laughed. “I wasn’t going to say anything because I don’t think it’s right to interfere in other people’s lives, but I care too much about Nick not to.”

Beth felt her heart skip a beat. “Then speak your mind.”

“He cares for you.”

Simon said nothing else for a moment, and Beth had no reply to offer. She was relieved when Simon finally continued.

“He thinks you care for someone else, though. Is that true?”

Beth shook her head. “I don’t know who else he thinks I’d care about.” Suddenly she remembered Adrian Murphy’s very public kiss a few months ago. “Oh, I suppose he’s still thinking on Mr. Murphy, but I thought we’d straightened that out.”

“I can’t be sure, but I’m supposing he still thinks Mr. Murphy holds your affections. I know you and Nick haven’t talked much all winter, and to my way of lookin’ at it, Nick might wonder if you’re mad at him.”

Beth felt a little irritation at this statement. “He’s the one who’s been avoiding me. I’ve seen him go out of his way to avoid me at church and at the store.”

Simon nodded. “I know. He’s just trying to guard his heart, Beth. If you don’t have feelings for him, then just forget everything I’ve said. I don’t want to see him get hurt worse in all of this.”

“But I
do
have feelings for him,” she blurted, surprising herself. “I’m just not entirely sure what those feelings are all about. I miss him when he’s gone. This winter has been hard, since he never came around for lunch or just to chat. I mean, I knew Millie was taking care of you boys, but we . . . I . . . still missed his company.”

She paused and looked away, embarrassed by her declaration. She’d never in her wildest imaginings thought she’d be sitting here talking to Nick’s brother about her heart.

“But do you really care about him?” Simon asked softly. “You know . . . do you . . . well, maybe . . . love him?”

Beth laughed in a nervous manner that she hoped Simon wouldn’t question. “I don’t know. I’m not sure I know what love is or what it requires. I think Nick is a wonderful man. I thought so even before he got right with God, but I especially think so now that he knows Jesus as his Savior and doesn’t go to Rafe’s anymore.” She stopped and fidgeted with her skirt. “I’m sorry, but it seems really strange to be having this conversation with you.”

Simon laughed. “I know. I sure never planned it this way. I apologize if I’ve made you uncomfortable. I just care about Nick, and I know he’s head over heels about you.”

Beth looked at him in surprise. “Do you really think so?” She thought back to her beloved romance books and all the tales she’d read over the years. Most men in the books were happy to confess their love. They were dashing, noble souls who easily swept the heroine off her feet. Had she expected no less from Nick?

“I know so,” Simon said. “Just don’t let him know I told you. A fellow ought to be able to speak those words on his own.”

They were nearing the house now, and Beth was almost sorry. “What about you, Simon? I know you’ve been sweet on Ellie for some time. Do you have plans for her?”

Simon frowned. “I spend as much time with her as I can afford.”

How could he talk so casually about paying for Ellie’s affections? She cleared her throat. “I think Ellie’s a wonderful young woman. I feel so sorry for her having to end up in such a position, just because her husband died.”

“Not everyone has family to turn to,” Simon replied.

Beth knew most of the prostitutes were either orphaned or deserted. “If it’s any consolation, she’s never wanted to be . . . well . . . working for Rafe.”

Simon halted the horses in front of Gallatin House. “I know. It tears me up inside, and as soon as I can do something about it, I intend to see her freed.”

Lacy came bounding out the front door, eager to help. “I see you got extra milk,” she said, reaching into the wagon to take up a wooden crate of eggs.

“I’ll get this stuff inside,” Simon said as he jumped down from the wagon. He reached up to help Beth down and lowered his voice. “Don’t be too hard on Nick. He’s had a lot to overcome in the past. He’s not proud of some of the things he did back then. But he’s a good man now, and you can depend on him to be honorable in every way.”

Simon hurried off to unload the wagon, giving Beth no chance to ask what exactly he meant. She sighed, tucked her presents from Patience under her arm, and followed him into the house.

“Surprise!” multiple voices cried out as Beth stepped through the door.

She could see that nearly everyone, short of Rafe and his bunch, had gathered in her front room. Words escaped her until she finally simply said, “I . . . I don’t know what to say.” Beth looked at the smiling faces of her family and friends and felt like crying.

“We’ve been beside ourselves trying to plan this and keep it a secret,” Gwen said, coming forward to hug Beth. “We have musicians and a cleared dance floor. We’re going to have a regular party.”

“And there’s a lot of good food,” Lacy added. “Patience even sent extra with the eggs. That’s why I hurried out to get it.” She grinned.

“Oh, but Patience should be here, too.” Beth instantly felt a sense of sorrow that the Shepards should miss the party.

“They’ll be here,” Gwen assured. “They were heading over just behind you. They wanted to give you enough of a lead that you wouldn’t suspect anything.”

Beth laughed. “Well, I have to say you’ve planned it all just perfectly. Thank you!” She hugged Gwen again and then gave Lacy a tight embrace. “Here I was feeling sorry for myself, and you’ve humbled me completely.”

“I say we start the music,” Forrest declared. “I didn’t bring my fiddle over to have it just stashed in the corner. Come on, Evan.” The two went to get their instruments—Forrest taking up a well-worn violin and Evan grabbing a guitar. Together they began a jaunty tune that soon had everyone clapping.

“May I have this dance?” Nick whispered in Beth’s ear.

His breath was warm on her skin and Beth couldn’t help but give a shiver. She turned and found him very close. She smiled. “I thought you’d never ask.”

He took her in his arms and began to move her around the room along with the other couples. Beth hardly noticed anyone else, however. She could scarcely draw a breath for the very nearness of Nick’s handsome face.

“Happy birthday,” he said, his expression quite serious. “I came over this morning to tell you, but they’d already sent you on your way.”

“Yes, I guess they wanted to keep me busy. I really had no idea that anyone but Patience even remembered my birthday, so this was definitely a surprise. Oh, look—here they are!” She let go of Nick long enough to give a little wave in the direction of Patience and Jerry.

Patience waved back and gave Beth a knowing nod. Beth couldn’t believe she’d been in on the plans all along and never once slipped up. “I’m no good with secrets.”

“What?” Nick asked.

Beth turned her attention back to him. Goodness, but he was dashing. He was dark and handsome—just like Justice Halbrook, the gunslinger in her book. Maybe Nick was full of regrets, too. Maybe he had secrets that haunted him. She shook the thought aside. “I was just saying that I have trouble keeping secrets. I’m always blurting out things when I shouldn’t.” She gave a sheepish shrug. “Guess that’s just one of my many faults.”