20

Cassie watched Mr. Fitzhugh stride south, she presumed toward the hotel. His strong resemblance to Garrett had given her the initial impression that they shared the same nature. But where Garrett had been relaxed and easygoing, she sensed in his brother a desire for control. If only he’d make time to give her news of her mother, she wouldn’t have to see him again tomorrow.

She pushed the thoughts away. An afternoon with Jacob lay before her. She wouldn’t ruin their time together by worrying.

Faith’s voice brought her back to the moment. “Who was that? He was rather rude to interrupt us without apologizing.”

“His name’s Patrick Fitzhugh. He’s the brother of my late fiancé.” She explained how he’d come to the station in Calusa as she was leaving and then showed up unannounced at the grocery yesterday. “He came to bring me news about Mother, but so far all he’s said is that she’s well. If that’s true, then why is he here? I fear he’s hiding something drastic.”

“He wants to wait until he can comfort you without Mr. West’s presence.”

“I don’t want his comfort.” Cassie shuddered. “I want him to give me whatever news he has, then go home.”

“Looks to me like Mr. West would be happy to comfort you.” Faith giggled. “Enjoy your buggy ride.” She hurried toward her waiting family.

Smiling, Cassie crossed the lawn to Jacob. “I’m sorry to keep you waiting. Sundays are my best time to visit with Faith. She’s either busy at home or in the mercantile—and of course, I’m busy too.”

“I understand. Perhaps once Becca’s familiar with the kitchen, you could take an afternoon off now and then.”

“That would be wonderful. The hardest part of my job is the lack of time to spend with friends. Without Mother, my cabin is a lonely place sometimes.” She bit her lip. Why would Jacob care about her friendships? As far as she could see, he seemed to get along fine with few friends of his own.

His gaze softened. “This afternoon, we won’t think about loneliness.” He moved as near as possible, allowing for the barrier his crutches created between them. “I asked Mrs. Fielder to surprise you with a picnic lunch to take with us on our ride. We’ll stop by the restaurant on our way.”

“A picnic sounds delightful.” She slipped her hand beneath his elbow. “Where are we going?”

“Pioneer Lake, although I can’t walk far on uneven ground. We’d have to stay in the buggy and watch everyone else do the walking for us, if you don’t mind.”

“I don’t mind a bit.”

Sunbeams skated over the ripples on Pioneer Lake. From their vantage point under a weeping willow, Cassie and Jacob watched children running and splashing along the shore. Couples strolled around the water’s edge.

Jacob’s coat lay folded over the seat back. When he turned up the cuffs of his shirt, Cassie fought the urge to run her fingers over the dark hair on his muscular forearms. Her improper thoughts caused her face to warm more than the heat of the afternoon warranted. What on earth was the matter with her? Her mother would be scandalized.

To occupy her hands, she tucked a cloth over the near-empty picnic basket. “Jenny outdid herself. Chicken, strawberries, biscuits—it was a lovely meal.”

“The first of many, I hope.” He rested his index finger alongside her chin and turned her face toward him. “Do you think you can work with me as your employer and still allow me to spend time with you away from the restaurant?”

“Oh, yes! With no trouble at all.”

She liked the way he appeared gentle and resolute at the same time. She liked the way his voice rumbled when he spoke. She liked his wavy black hair. At the moment, she couldn’t think of anything about him she didn’t like. She knew her mother didn’t share her opinion, but given enough time she’d change her mind. Jacob’s fine qualities outshone Garrett’s, and Mother had been fond of Garrett.

“Then it’s settled.” He lowered his voice. “I’ve never let myself get this close to anyone before.”

“But you and my friend Rosemary—”

“We were both lonely. Doc Stewart was the better man for her. Turned out she thought so too.”

Cassie leaned against the seat back, knowing the time had come to explain about Garrett, but reluctant to break the spell of the afternoon. After a moment, she straightened. Omission was as wrong as commission.

“As Mr. Fitzhugh mentioned, two years ago I was engaged to his brother. My fiancé, Garrett, died in an accident shortly before our wedding date.”

He stilled. She studied his face, but the leafy curtain over them shadowed his expression. After a few seconds he slipped his arm around her shoulder.

“Two years is a long time. Are you ready to care for someone else?” His rumbling voice drowned out the children’s laughter.

“Indeed I am,” she whispered.

“Good. We’ll agree to let the past stay in the past.”

Thoughts of Garrett vanished when Jacob pressed his lips to hers.

After the breakfast rush ended on Monday, Cassie paced from the kitchen to the dining room, her thoughts bouncing between her afternoon with Jacob and Mr. Fitzhugh’s promised arrival. The westbound train would depart at nine. So far, he hadn’t appeared. Surely he wouldn’t leave without seeing her.

“Are you going to make those pies or wear a track in the floor?” Jenny folded her arms around her middle. The aroma of apple cider hung over the room like a sugary cloud. “Becca’s got the filling about ready, and I need to use the range. It’s time to get stew cooking for dinner.”

“I’m sorry.” She took pie pans from the shelf. Besides the six that she prepared for the restaurant daily, she had three orders to fill. “I know I’m wasting time, but Mr. Fitzhugh said he’d be here this morning. I don’t want to be up to my elbows in flour when he arrives.”

Jenny pretended a long-suffering sigh. “I reckon I can wait a few more minutes.” She took a cup, filled it with leftover coffee, then sank onto a chair near the worktable. “Might as well get off my feet.”

Cassie heard Jacob approach before he reached the kitchen. He stopped at the entrance and glanced around, his gaze settling on her. “Your friend is here. He’s waiting in the grocery.”

“Oh, good. I was afraid he wasn’t coming.” She smoothed her hair back from her face, then removed her apron.

She caught Jacob’s frown before he turned away. Once they left the kitchen, she placed her hand on his arm.

“After he answers my questions about Mother, he’ll be on his way.”

“Not a minute too soon to suit me.”

Mr. Fitzhugh bounded forward when they reached the grocery. “Mr. West, with your permission, I’d like to have a few minutes of Miss Haddon’s time away from your establishment.”

“By all means. As it is, she’s waited far too long to hear why you came.”

Cassie frowned at Garrett’s brother. He should have asked her permission, not Jacob’s. Did he think she was a child?

He gazed down at her. “Miss Haddon. Shall we get some fresh air?”

She ignored his extended elbow and marched out the door ahead of him, turning right on Main Street. “The morning is quite warm. That tree across the street will offer shade while we talk.”

He put his hand on her elbow and guided her to the butternut tree that stood as a sentinel in the middle of the block. As soon as they stopped, she tugged her arm free and faced him. “What’s wrong with my mother? She must be dreadfully ill if you needed privacy to inform me of her condition.”

“Your mother’s in fine health.”

“But isn’t that why you came? You said my mother sent you.”

“No, I said your mother told me where to find you. Actually, Reverend Greeley sent me.”

Cassie stepped backward until the flat ridges of the tree’s bark pressed against her shoulders. “Reverend Greeley sent you?” Her voice squeaked. “I’ve spent this whole weekend worrying about my mother. Why didn’t you say so to begin with?”

His jaw tightened. “It’s rather a delicate matter. Fortunately, your pastor opened the door with his sermon yesterday.”

She stared at him, wishing she’d stayed in the grocery with Jacob. Mr. Fitzhugh was obviously deranged. Inching away from the tree, she tried to leave enough space between them so he couldn’t touch her.

He held up his hand. “Please listen. If you recall, part of yesterday’s passage in Deuteronomy dealt with the duty of the brother of a deceased man to marry the man’s widow.”

She shook her head slowly as comprehension dawned. “That’s Old Testament.”

“Reverend Greeley says God’s law stands as written. I’m responsible for you now.”

“So this is all Reverend Greeley’s idea? Tell him I said no.”

He gentled his tone. “Give yourself time, Miss Haddon. Cassie. I’m not a bad fellow. Having you as my wife would fulfill my scriptural duty, and it would certainly ease your poor mother’s heart for us to live in Calusa. I’m sure in time we’d learn to care for one another.”

“No!”

“I realize I’ve botched this.” He took a step forward.

The train’s whistle rolled through the humid morning. He stopped and turned in the direction of the sound. “The next time I come, I’ll court you properly.”

“Don’t come back, Mr. Fitzhugh. The answer will still be no.”

She picked up her skirts and bolted toward West & Riley’s.