Where the Wild Rose Blooms (9 page)

"Let me put it this way," he whispered caressingly. "If your feelings for me are even a fraction of what mine are for you, then you're head-over-heels in love with me."

"Oh, Robert," Eddie breathed, her heart in her eyes. "I only dreamed, but I never hoped to know this soon. I've loved you for months."

Roberts eyes closed for an instant, and then he reached for her hand. Eddie never imagined that it would happen so quickly. She had wondered what she would do if he left and she still didn't know his intentions. Eddie realized that her hand was being crushed, but she didn't care. Robert loved her and she loved him. Eddie asked the Lord right then to help her be the wife He would have her to be. Robert hadn't asked yet, but somehow she knew he would. With that she had a sudden thought.

"What is it?" Robert asked when she sat up very straight, taking her hand from his grasp.

"My father. You haven't met my father."

"Are you worried that he won't approve?"

"Maybe a little. He can be rather strict, and sometimes quite unpredictable."

With those words they both heard voices, one distinctly feminine and the other a mans. Eddie and Robert exchanged a look. Eddie's face was worried, but Robert was quite at ease. He gave her a tender wink as the voices neared. A moment later Morgan Fontaine entered the room.

"I hope you won't think me presumptuous to ask your wife to join our conversation, Mr. Fontaine, but I feel this involves both of you." It was hours after supper, and the three of them were seated in the living room. Morgan nodded equably to Robert's remark. It had never occurred to him that his daughters guest would ask for her hand in marriage this soon. Assuming Robert had some sort of business deal to discuss, he called Addy and then sat back comfortably. Indeed, Morgan hoped it was just that. Over dinner he'd become very impressed with this young man and felt it would be a benefit to both of them if they could work together in some capacity.

"I would like to marry Edwina."

Morgan was brought abruptly back to earth. He wanted to shout with outrage but worked at keeping his expression neutral. No easy feat this, with the way Addy was smiling from a brocade chair between them.

"Does Eddie know how you feel?" she asked, pleasure highlighting her voice.

"Yes, she does. I know it seems rather sudden, but she admitted to me today that she feared I would come and be interested in one of her sisters. It didn't seem that there could be a better time to tell her what's in my heart. I know I'm over ten years older than her 18 years, but Eddie tells me that doesn't worry her. I believe I could take very good care of her."

"But you only just arrived." Morgan finally found his voice.

Addy looked at her husband with compassion but wondered if he'd heard a thing Robert said.

"They've corresponded for many months now, Morgan," she reminded him.

Morgan looked at her as though seeing her for the first time. His gaze then became quite fierce.

"How does Eddie feel about this?" He asked his wife, but his eyes swung to Robert. "Can you tell me that?"

Robert remained silent. He hadn't known what to expect. Eddie had given him the impression that it had been her father's idea that he come, but now Mr. Fontaine seemed so offended. Before Robert could utter a word, Addy came to his aid.

"I'm sure Eddie is still awake," Addy said. "Would you like me to get her, Morgan?"

"Yes." He sounded relieved, as if Eddie would settle this misunderstanding once and for all. Addy rose, leaving an awkward silence in her wake. Robert was a guest and felt he should not try to make conversation. Besides, Morgan was looking very put out, so they just sat. A good ten minutes of this torture passed before

Addy was back, bringing Eddie with her.

"Please sit down, Ed," her father instructed.

Eddie was careful to not look at Robert or sit anywhere near him. Morgan took this as a good sign and jumped right in.

"Robert has asked for your hand in marriage. Did you know he planned to do this?"

"Well, I wasn't sure, but I thought he might."

"And how do you feel about this?"

"I hoped you could come to some sort of agreement."

Her words were almost more than Morgan could bear. It was all happening too swiftly.

"You'd like me to say yes." Morgan speared Eddie with his eyes, and all she could do was nod. "And if I don't?" he added.

Eddie bit her lip, and a look of misery covered her features. She looked at the hands clenched in her lap for

a moment and then back at her father. Her voice was just above a whisper when she replied, "Then I would tell him no.

Morgan couldn't think. How had things gotten so completely out of his control?

"You may return to your room, Ed."

Eddie did so without looking at anyone. Robert stood when she rose, and before he could be reseated, Morgan came to his feet.

"I'm going to need time to think about this. I'll talk to you tomorrow, Robert. Come, Addy."

Adaline dutifully rose and bid her guest good-night before she swiftly preceded Morgan from the room. The hallway was dark with the lantern behind her in Morgan's hand, but Addy didn't slow her flight. She nearly ran to the room they shared and waited only until the door closed before she turned on her spouse.

"How could you do such a thing?" She spat the words in fury, huge tears filling her eyes. Morgan's hard expression softened when he saw them, but Addy was far from through.

"Why did you think he'd come here, Morgan—to buy land? How could you look into your daughters face and put her through that? She loves and trusts you, but
you've asked her to pick between the two of you. And to leave them hanging! Neither one of them will get a moment's sleep this night. Now, isn't that a grand way to begin Roberts visit?" With that she turned her back on him, a sob breaking in her throat.

Morgan didn't think Addy had ever spoken to him in such a way. Then Eddies face came to mind, and he knew his wife had gone easy on him. He'd known very well why Robert was coming to Georgetown. Why was he fighting this when all he wanted was Eddie's happiness?

Addy was still crying softly when Morgan placed the lantern on the bedside table and lit another. Leaving one of the lights for his distraught wife, he moved back down the hall to Eddie and Jackie's room. The bed showed just one sleeping figure, and Morgan raised the light to find Eddie. She was in a chair by the window, and even though she'd scrubbed at her face with the sleeve of her gown, the evidence of tears was very clear.

Morgan stood for a long moment and looked down at her. While he did so, another drop slipped down her cheek. Morgan reached out to cup her face with one hand, and his voice was rough.

"Marry your Robert, Ed, with my blessing."

"Oh, Father, do you mean it?"

"Yes. I'm sorry I didn't tell you earlier."

Eddie would have risen, but Morgan put a hand on her shoulder. "Get ready for bed now and go to sleep. I'll see you tomorrow." With that he was gone. He took the stairs on silent feet and moved through the kitchen to the door of the small room they had prepared for their guest. He knocked and waited.

Only seconds passed before Robert came to the door. His jacket and tie were missing, but he was still dressed. The two men looked at one another for several heartbeats. Robert was much taller, but his look held respect.

"She's never had jewels or finery," Morgan began, "but she's had love. I would want no less for her."

"Love I can give her, sir, with all my heart."

'Then do so, Mr. Langley. I ask only that she be allowed to turn 18 and a half before the wedding."

Robert nodded, his mind moving. "That would be the end of February, wouldn't it?"

"Yes. Are you willing to wait until spring?"

"More than willing, Mr. Fontaine. Anything you ask in order to make Eddie my wife."

Morgan nodded, and his hand came forward. The men shook, and Robert smiled.

"Sleep well, Robert," Morgan added softly before turning away.

Roberts smile widened. "I shall, Mr. Fontaine. I shall indeed."

It was not with a light tread that Morgan took the stairs. He knew he'd done the right thing, but his heart was heavy. Boulder. His daughter would be moving away to Boulder in six months' time. Morgan stopped in his path. Or would she? Why did Robert have to live in Boulder? He and Eddie could settle here.

It was with a much lighter step that Morgan covered the remaining distance to his bedroom. First he had to thank Addy for helping him to see how harsh he'd been, but then he had some planning to do. It would take no small amount of talk to bring Langley around. It crossed his mind to make the marriage conditional on the move, but he knew that would not be fair to Ed. He wasn't daunted, however; he was quite a salesman and knew his strengths. He was certain he could make Robert see that he and Eddie needed to live in Georgetown.

"Did he change his mind?" Eddie asked Robert anxiously when he came in the door, but he only took her hand and led her into the living room.

That morning Morgan had gone off to work early, but he'd left word with Addy that he wished to see Robert at his earliest possible convenience. All the girls were expected to work in the store on Saturday mornings, so when they left Robert had gone with them. Eddie had remained home. She wanted to do some baking, and she and her mother were already making wedding plans.

"No," Robert spoke when they were seated on
the
 davenport. "He did not change his mind, but he wants me to move to Georgetown.*

Eddie sat back in surprise. "He what?"

"He wanted to know if I'd ever considered setting up a bank here, or going into some other business in town."

"Did you tell him you'd think about it?"

Robert shook his head. "That wouldn't have been fair, Eddie. Moving to Boulder was not some whim on my part. I think the town has great potential, and that's where I want to live. I assumed you'd be fine with the idea, but we've never discussed it."

"I am fine with the idea, Robert. I mean, I'll miss my family, but I never dreamed you'd want to live here." She paused. "Was he terribly upset?"

Robert smiled. "Oh, no. He's still certain he can talk me around."

Eddie sighed. "Its not going to be a very nice visit for you, is it?"

"On the contrary," Robert replied while looking into her eyes. "I'm sure it's going to be a wonderful time."

And without a moments warning, he leaned forward and kissed her. Eddie's
eyes
became very soft and warm, and Robert gently shook his head.

"You don't know how tempting you are, Eddie."

"Isn't that good?"

"It will be when you're my wife, but right now it's a lot of work."

Eddies look became very serious, and she gently placed her hand on Roberts coat sleeve.

"I won't do anything to make it harder for us, Robert."

"That I can believe, but I think that Boulder will be the best place for me in the coming months. Have you and your mother decided when I can come back and make you my wife?"

"I think so. The snow can be pretty heavy in February and March, but we're going to try for March 14. How does that sound?"

Robert pulled a small book from his breast pocket, and Eddie saw that it was a tiny calendar.