Once they were settled, he rapped sharply on the door then looked up at the driver and winked. “Make it a nice ride, Mr. Simons.”
The driver, perhaps remembering these two harridans, winked in return, his grin wide. “Of course.”
Wyatt returned his attention to Estelle and Odette and touched the brim of his hat with two fingers in a salute. “By the way, the house Sheridan inherited is a brothel.”
They gasped as he knew they would, which made him chuckle. Neither one of them could say a word though, as Mr. Simons snapped his whip and started the coach moving with a jerk, forcing Estelle and Odette to hold on, which made him laugh harder. He stood there for the longest time, watching the stagecoach disappear from view, his heart lighter than it had been in days. He couldn’t wait to get home and see Sheridan to let her know she was truly free.
CHAPTER 16
Now that their charade was over, Sheridan didn’t want to leave Stone Creek Ranch. The time she’d spent here had been joyful, despite Odette and Aunt Estelle. She’d learned a lot about Wyatt, not to mention about herself.
She loved him. She knew it now without any doubt. What she didn’t know is if he felt the same. He certainly acted like it, but then, how would she know? She’d never been in love before and no one, as far as she knew, had been in love with her. How did one act? How did one show love? If anyone had seen the way Wyatt had behaved the entire time her grandmother and aunt were here, they’d certainly say he was in love, but it wasn’t real. It was all for their benefit.
And it was over now. She and Wyatt had accomplished what they’d set out to do, their ruse a success with Odette and Aunt Estelle honestly believing they were married.
She didn’t think leaving would be so hard.
She finished packing her bags, though there wasn’t much, then just stood in the middle of his room. Her gaze flew to the bed and the memory of what they’d done made the heat rise to her face.
“They’re gone. I watched the stagecoach until it left town.”
His voice came from the doorway and seemed happy. She didn’t turn to look at him, not then. She couldn’t. Tears pricked her eyes and a lump was growing in her throat.
He didn’t come further into the room and when he spoke again, his tone had changed, the happiness gone, replaced with surprise. “You’re all packed?”
She turned then, her eyes roaming over him, memorizing every inch of him. “Yes.”Ask me to stay, the words popped into her head, unbidden, but that’s what her heart wanted—to stay with him.
He said nothing for the longest time, his gaze steady on her, and then he drew in his breath. “Did you say goodbye to my mother?”
She sniffed back her tears. “Yes.”
“And Royce?”
She nodded, completely undone, her heart breaking. She really didn’t want to leave, not now, perhaps not ever, but she didn’t quite have the gumption to tell him, as she’d never learned to ask for anything. And he didn’t ask, which hurt, too. Their time together had been just a favor, after all, despite how he acted. It was plain to see that he didn’t share her feelings. He wasn’t in love with her like she was with him.
“Well then,” he said, but it seemed like he wanted to say something else. After another long, uncomfortable moment, he simply nodded, then reached for two of her bags and left the room.
Sheridan watched him go, then picked up her small valise and followed him on legs that felt like they were made of wood instead of flesh and bone.
Delilah waited at the bottom of the stairs, though they’d already said their goodbyes. She drew her into a warm embrace. “I wish you weren’t leaving,” she whispered as she released her. “Come back and see me.”
“I will,” she promised, but at this moment, she didn’t think she could. The memories were too strong, the happiness, albeit brief, filling her heart. Had it only been a little over a week? How could so much have happened in that short a time?
Royce drew her into a hug as well, then released her quickly. “It’s been a pleasure, my dear,” he said, his voice gruff, his expression filled with sadness.
She nodded, unable to speak, then walked out the front door. Her bags were piled into the back seat of the buggy. Wyatt took her hand and helped her to alight. He said not a word, but there was a look on his face, like maybe he didn’t want her to go either?
Tell him. Tell him you don’t want to go. Tell him you want to stay with him.
The words were in her head, but she couldn’t say them out loud. She’d never asked for what she wanted, simply accepted what she was given. Where was her bravery? She’d had it for such a short time when she told Odette and Estelle what she thought. It seemed to have vanished as quickly as it came.
The ride back to town was made in silence. It seemed like Wyatt’s face was set in stone but the muscle in his jaw twitched and the closer they got to town, the faster it twitched.
Ask me to stay. The words kept repeating in her head, the rhythm coinciding with the steady clip-clop of the horse’s hooves. Why couldn’t she say them? She wanted to—wanted to demand he turn the buggy around and go back home.
Home.
The word echoed in her head. Yes, Stone Creek Ranch had become home in the short time she’d been there. She’d never felt so comfortable in a place, so cherished, especially before Odette and Aunt Estelle had arrived. It was idyllic, despite the demanding work. Riding out to the field, watching him interactwith Ken and Hank, meeting Hank’s lovely wife and baby girl. For a while, it was easy to believe she belonged there.
