Gil and his mother joined them as Amelia went inside to make the noon meal.
Kat nudged Amelia. “He smells better, doesn’t he?”
He definitely did.
The day passed with agonizing slowness.
Suppertime arrived. They didn’t wait for Zach. Everyone seemed to be of the opinion that he wouldn’t join them.
She walked Jacob out to his wagon when he prepared to leave.
“I see no reason to wait.” His gaze skimmed the yard as if anxious to be done with it. “I’m satisfied with our arrangement. The sooner we start our new life together, the better for everyone. Would you be agreeable to coming to town tomorrow and getting married?”
Amelia’s insides churned like troubled water. She must accept that her place wasn’t here, even though she wished it could be. Her bones ached with disappointment. But there was no need to stay. Gil was sober and would remain so for however long he did. His mother was here and said she could stay a few days.
“I think that’s for the best.” Her fingers protested at how hard she clutched them together.
Jacob laughed. He bent as if to kiss her, but stopped when she backed away. Instead, he nodded and planted his hat on his head. “Tomorrow will see us man and wife and on our way home.” He squeezed her shoulder before he drove off.
He was a good and kind man. She and Poppy would find a loving home there.
She left a plate of food out for Zach but didn’t wait up for him. It was far too difficult to see him and wish things could be different.
She packed her belongings before she retired. On top of her things in the trunk, she’d put the picture her maternal grandmother painted, the one Debra rescued from being sold. It signified permanency and security. She’d hang it on the wall of her new home.
Amelia lay awake long into the night praying.Please, God, let me be certain of this.
How could she think of marrying Jacob when she loved Zach? There. She’d admitted it. If only Zach would ask her to stay.
The next morning,when she went downstairs to join the others for the breakfast Gil had prepared, Jacob had already arrived and sat at the table, his smile warm as morning sunshine.
Zach kept his head down as if he cared about nothing but the food about to be served.
If he would utter even one word to indicate he wanted her to stay…
They were almost finished breakfast when a rider thundered into the yard.
Zach rushed out to greet one of his cowboys.
They all overheard the message. “Boss, the cows have been stampeded. They’s all over creation.”
“Saddle my horse.” Zach returned as far as the door. “I’m afraid I have to leave. All the best to all of you.” His gaze slid over Amelia and rested a moment on Poppy, and then he was gone along with any hope that he might have even a sliver of affection for her.
That left her nothing but the farm in the Dakotas.
Once, it would have been enough.
Jacob pushed from the table. “Thank you for the hospitality.” He addressed Pa, who blinked in confusion.
Who would watch to see that Pa wouldn’t wander off? Gil didn’t keep a close enough eye on the elderly man, and Kat often spent time at the corrals, oblivious to her father. At least, Mrs. Morrow was here for the time being.
Jacob smiled at Amelia. “Are you ready to go?”
“I have a trunk and a crate upstairs. I’ll need help bringing them down.”
He followed her up the steps and grabbed a handle of the trunk. She took the other, and they lifted it. He backed from the room and made his way to the top of the stairs.
“Stop.” She let her end drop to the floor.
