A Vote of Confidence (26 page)

If Gwen could turn back time, she would have. But then she would not know what it felt like to be held in Morgan’s arms. She
would not know the power of his kisses. She wouldn’t have heard him express his affections for her.

Neither of them spoke during the brief drive from his home to hers. The only sounds were the puttering of the automobile’s
engine and the splatter of raindrops upon the car’s roof. Upon arrival, Morgan reached across to open the passenger door.
The nearness of his arm made her heart palpitate.

“Thank you.” She opened her umbrella. “You needn’t bother to get out.” She stepped to the ground, umbrella in her right hand,
sheet music clutched to her chest with her left. “Good evening, Mr. McKinley.” She hurried up the walk to her front door,
thankful he didn’t try to escort her. Better for them both if they were together as little as possible from now on.

Once inside, she leaned her back against the door and listened to the sound of his automobile as it drove away. After the
sound faded into the distance, she was engulfed by the silence of her empty home.

Too silent.

Too a lone .

But that was ridiculous. She loved her home. She liked her solitude.

Her favorite color
was
pink. All shades of pink. And blue
was
a close second. There was no denying that her favorite cologne was lilac. She wore it always. She
had
considered attending the Methodist church with her father and sister when she first came to Bethlehem Springs, but her heart
had pulled her back to her Presbyterian roots.

Tears welled in her eyes, and this time, she allowed them to fall.

She
did
take great joy in nurturing her flowerbeds, and music
did
speak to her soul.

A tiny sob escaped her throat as she slid down the door until she sat upon the floor.

Morgan was right. Nothing made her happier than to see one of her students excel.

“And I
am
independent and stubborn.”

How was it that Morgan had come to know her so well? And why did it matter to her so much that he had?

By Thursday, all signs of the storm had been erased. Clear skies and warming weather had evaporated the puddles and dried
the streets of Bethlehem Springs. However, there were still parts of the road to New Hope that were less than desirable. It
took Morgan an extra fifteen minutes to reach the spa in his touring car.

“So here you are,” Fagan said in greeting. “Sure and I’ve been wondering when you would return. There’s been plenty of talk
among the men about your speech last Saturday. Is it true? Have you given your support to Miss Arlington?”

“It’s true. She deserves it.” With a sweep of his arm, he indicated the buildings in various stages of completion. “This is
where I need to be.”

“What if you continue to have problems with the county commissioners? We need the railroad spur, and without their cooperation
— ”

“Billy assured me that the delays will soon be a thing of the past.”

“Has he that kind of authority?”

“Billy’s opinion does carry a lot of weight in government circles. I imagine the state can apply pressure to make sure certain
things happen. Have a little faith, Fagan. Isn’t that what you’re always telling me?”

His friend grunted.

As they walked toward the lodge, Morgan said, “Looks like we should be able to get telephone lines strung between here and
town by midsummer. That will ease communication between you and me. And I’ve learned that telephone service between Bethlehem
Springs and the capital city will be available by autumn.”

“Well and good. Does the need for the telephone mean you plan to remain in town even if you don’t win the election?”

“For now.”

“Plan to help the presumptive new mayor?”

Morgan turned his gaze upward, as if the color of the sky was of the utmost interest. “If she’ll let me.”

Fagan coughed.

Morgan thought it sounded more like a strangled laugh.

Gaining control, his friend cleared his throat. “Before we go into the lodge, let me show you what’s been accomplished on
the chapel since you were here with the senators.”

“Good idea.”

“The men have made real progress on the second staff barrack. You’ll want to have a look at it while you’re here. But it’s
time we were about hiring a larger crew, Morgan. The men we’ve got are spread too thin. We can’t keep working them as hard
as we are. I’m thinking we’ve signed on just about every able-bodied man Bethlehem Springs can provide, so it’ll be time to
cast a wider net.”

Morgan nodded. A year ago, he’d hoped that the spa would be in operation by this summer. He knew now that wasn’t possible,
not with the delays they’d encountered. But if Billy came through on his promises, New Hope should be able to open its doors
by late fall or early next spring. Guests would have to travel to Bethlehem Springs via coach or automobile until the railroad
brought a spur up this way. Even the good senator couldn’t get tracks laid overnight. Especially not in these mountains.

An hour later, Morgan and Fagan returned to the automobile. Morgan had made a mental list of a number of things he must see
to as soon as he returned to town. And a trip down to the capital city was probably in order within the next week. There was
only so much a man could do with letters and telegrams.

“You and Christopher are doing a fine job, Fagan, managing things up here. I want you to know I appreciate it.” He pulled
open the door. “Turn the crank for me, will you?”

“Aye.”

Morgan slid across the car seat, and when he was ready, he gave Fagan a nod. A minute later, he drove away from the building
site, his thoughts churning along with the sound of the engine. And for a few miles, those thoughts were about New Hope and
not the pretty piano teacher who’d stolen his heart.

Gwen clucked to Shakespeare, urging the gelding into a faster trot as they neared the bridge. She was anxious to reach the
ranch, eager to be with her sister and father for a few hours. Being with them again would put her world aright. They had
that effect on her. Perhaps it was because they wanted what was best for her and loved her unconditionally.

Why did he kiss me?

In her memory, she heard his reply,
“Isnt it obvious? I have come to care for you. To deeply care for you.”

Over the years, other men had declared their devotion, but she had turned away every suitor — without a single twinge of regret.
Morgan was different. She didn’t want to be courted, and yet she couldn’t bear the thought of not being with him. She didn’t
want a serious suitor, had no desire to wed, and yet the idea that he might turn to another woman nearly broke her heart.

A double-minded man is unstable in all his ways, she reminded herself. And her recent thoughts and emotions certainly must
be what the Lord meant when He caused James to write that verse. She was definitely of two minds when it came to Morgan.

“Lord, I need Your peace.”

As the horse’s hooves fell on the wooden surface of the bridge, Gwen remembered the day she’d first seen Morgan. If she closed
her eyes, she could picture him still, the top down on his touring car. How could she have guessed what impact he would have
on her life from that moment on? No man had ever made her feel this way before.

Feel what way?

Gwen drew back on the reins, stopping Shakespeare in the middle of the bridge.

Feel what way?

Excited but scared.

Lost and found.

Sad yet happy.

Perplexed.

Befuddled.

Gwen was a person who liked order. She wasn’t given to wild flights of fancy. Her feet were planted firmly on the ground.

Well, they used to be.

She slapped the reins against the horse’s rump. “Walk on, Shakespeare.”

Cleo rested her knuckles on her hips and gave Gwen a hard look. “Gwennie, it’s clear as the nose on your face. You’re falling
in love with him.”

Gwen shook her head. “No, it isn’t — ”

“You may be the pretty one, but I’ll be doggone if you aren’t the silly one too. Otherwise you’d recognize your feelings and
give in to them.”

Gwen sank onto one of the feed bins in the barn. “I
can’t
be in love.”

“Why not? Land sakes! Falling in love isn’t a disease. It’s the most natural thing in the world.” Cleo leaned against a post
and crossed her arms over her chest. “So he told you he cares for you and he kissed you. Didn’t you like his kisses?”

“That’s beside the point.”

“Is it? I may not know much about these things, but I suppose liking a man’s kisses must be a good thing if the both of you
are falling in love.”

“I am
not
falling in love.”

Cleo clucked her tongue. “You trying to convince me or yourself, Gwennie?” She leaned forward. “If you could’ve seen your
face last Saturday when McKinley was talking. Land o’ Goshen! You were hanging on his every word. Like pearls were dripping
from his mouth. And when he said he was going to vote for you come Election Day, there was a second there when I thought you
would jump up and give him a hug right there in front of everybody.”

“It’s not true.” Gwen covered her face with her hands. “It’s not true, Cleo.”

“You know how some say the ostrich down in Africa sticks its head into a bush or the sand. I heard that’s just a myth, but
it’s a good description all the same.” She pushed off from the post. “Don’t go being an ostrich, Gwennie. My guess is that
Morgan is a man among men. One in a million. If he’s everything I’ve observed, you won’t have to worry about living under
his thumb. My guess is he’ll love you so much that pretty soon you’ll be thinking he hung the sun, the moon, and the stars in the heavens.”

Gwen groaned as she lowered her hands, feeling miserable.

Cleo’s expression said she was losing patience fast. “I’d be happier than a fox in the hen house if I was in your shoes. And
there you sit, looking like the world’s about to end. If you don’t beat all.” She grunted her disgust. “Maybe the good Lord’s
got you and me mixed up. I sure wouldn’t turn a fine man like Morgan away if he loved me the way Morgan loves you.” With that,
she spun on her heel and strode out of the barn.

Was Cleo right? Was Gwen falling in love with Morgan?

Oh, it was all so mixed up in her head that she couldn’t think straight. And instead of making things better, her visit to
the ranch had only made things worse. She was more confused than before, and she couldn’t remember a time when Cleo had been
this angry with her.

If it weren’t for that kiss…