Instead, she indicated the trail past the bunkhouse.
He glanced around with keen interest. “This looks like a nice place. Is this where you grew up?”
“I was raised in Ohio, but I came here expecting—” How did she explain this without making the man think he was second choice? Which was not a good way to start plans for a marriage. “I came here by mistake.”
“I see. But no matter. How soon can you be ready to leave? I don’t wish to rush you, but I need to get back as soon as possible.”
There was no reason for delay except that she needed time to get used to the idea of marrying this man. Time to make sure someone would take care of the family. Gil was too often incapable of the task.
Could she hope that seeing a man ready to marry her and take her away might jar Zach into action?
“Can you wait a week?” Would it be long enough for Zach to realize that she cared for him, that she wanted to stay and help him with his family, and so much more?
Jacob graciously agreed he’d stay in town for a week until they married and could make the return trip on the stagecoach. “It was a rough journey as I’m sure you remember.”
“I do remember.”
“But I intend to court you.” His smile was warm and sweet. Everything she longed for. Only she longed for it from Zach. He’d claimed a large portion of her heart, whether or not he wanted it.
His gaze was as warm and sweet as his smile, Jacob continued. “I’ll spend the nights in town. But I’ll be here every day. I look forward to getting to know you better.”
She wanted to say there was no need for him to travel back and forth. It was a long journey, and she’d be busy. He might aswell spend his time in town taking in the sights. Maybe he’d like to go to the goldfields, even try his hand at panning.
But they were all excuses and nothing more.
Zach stood inside the barn,hidden in the shadows, as Amelia and the Dakota farmer wandered past the bunkhouse. The farmer spoke, and Amelia nodded. No doubt they were making travel arrangements and?—
His ribs closed in, threatening to crush his heart.
They would be making wedding arrangements.
He shut his eyes and tried not to think of them standing before Pastor Stone vowing faithfulness to each other for the rest of their lives.
Slow, deep breaths did little to calm his erratic heartbeat.
The pair retraced their steps and headed toward the house. Amelia glanced toward the barn. Zach drew back into the shadows. He would not interfere with her chance at the life she’d dreamed of. A farm like the one she’d grown up on. A life she was familiar with. Her own sweet little family.
Amelia lifted Poppy and introduced the child to her prospective new father.
Zach groaned and tilted against the nearest post at the thought of another man getting the baby’s affections, watching her grow into the beautiful young lady she’d no doubt become. He didn’t want to watch any more of Amelia with her future husband, but he couldn’t stop himself. The man touched Poppy’s cheek, and she pressed her face into Amelia’s chest. It would take time for her to warm up to the stranger.
But hadn’t she come almost immediately to Zach?
Not that doing so meant anything.
Amelia introduced the man to Pa and Kat.
Even across the distance, Zach could see Kat’s expression grow hard.
Pa fussed with a button on his shirt. His gaze went to the horizon. He took a step toward the edge of the porch, then stopped as if uncertain what he meant to do.
Zach understood that Pa wanted to escape this upset in his routine. When Amelia left, Zach would have to keep a close eye on his father to make sure he didn’t wander off. A groan slid up Zach’s throat. He’d again be torn in different directions—keeping Pa safe versus dealing with Sobel.
Amelia handed Poppy to Kat, then strode toward the barn. Zach glanced around, but there was no place to hide.
“Zach?” Then her eyes adjusted to the dimness. “There you are. He’ll stay a week and then?—”
Why didn’t she finish? Why a week? Except that a week was far too short a time.
