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“I always felt the mountain belonged more to Anna than to me,” he quietly told his sister. “But it holds far too many painful memories for her now. The city just might be her salvation.”
Kathleen offered no comment, simply touched his arm gently. Wade continued to stare out at the girl and felt a sharp, piercing pain in his chest. No matter how much his sister made it sound like the right thing to do, Wade felt Anna belonged in the city as much as he did.
“Or her demise.”
* * *
“Does Wade know?” Anna must surely be having a nightmare, because she couldn’t possibly have heard Kathleen correctly.
The woman nodded her head. “We discussed it and concluded it was best if you returned to the city with me tomorrow night.”
She felt utterly miserable at Kathleen’s announcement. “So soon?”
Kathleen nodded. “I’ve been gone far
too long.”
Anna thought frantically for a reason not to go. “You don’t need to do this. I can find work in town.”
She smiled, leaned forward and touched Anna’s hand. “You won’t ever have to work again, Anna. Your days of being a servant are over.”
But she felt less than enthusiastic. “I’ll work harder, I promise. I’ll learn when not to speak or what silverware to put out. I’ll do better.”
Kathleen chuckled softly. “You don’t need to work harder. We’re going to find you a nice young man and you’ll become a gentleman’s wife. You’ll have servants.”
Anna felt her face drop. “Wife?”
“Yes. New Westminster is full of proper gentleman. John and I already have a list of suitable candidates.”
The blood drained from Anna’s face. “Wade approved this?”
A slight flickering of her brows was the only indication that Anna’s question puzzled Kathleen. “Of course.”
She took a deep, unsteady breath and turned her back to Kathleen. Closing her eyes, she felt an overwhelming urge to cry. If ever there was proof that he did not love her, it certainly was now.
“Anna?”
“I’m sorry,” she whispered, fearful her voice would fail her. “I’m sure you’re right. This is very generous of you.”
She heard Kathleen get up and approach her back. Then she felt her hands lay gently on Anna’s arms. “Anna?”
She turned and looked into his sister’s eyes. The pain she felt was clearly written all over her face, but Anna was not good at hiding her emotions. The woman sighed. “Are you in love with my brother?”
Her chin dropped and Anna wished wholeheartedly that she wasn’t. Next to the death of her family, this was the most painful thing she had to endure. “Yes.”
“Oh Anna.” Kathleen rubbed her arms in a reassuring manner.
“I know I’m stupid.” She closed her eyes in agony. “He doesn’t love me. Nor will he ever. I’ve heard everyone say that he’ll never marry, but I would be happy just to stay here and work for him for the rest of my life.”
“It’s not stupid.” She tugged on Anna’s arms and led her back to the sofa from which they had left. “And don’t listen to everything you hear. Rumors are dreadful and only cause pain. Wade very much has the ability to love. He loves me, doesn’t he?”
“You’re his sister.” She pointed out the obvious.
“And he’ll love the right woman when she comes into his life. He just hasn’t met her.” She reached up and brushed a strand of Anna’s hair aside. “Until now.”
Anna raised startled eyes. “That’s not true.”
“I told you Wade agreed you should return to the city with me.” Kathleen smiled. “He just wasn’t happy about it.”
