34

Cassie dropped the flour scoop to the floor, where it landed with a clang. “What did you say?”

“The boss wants to see you in his office.” Timothy spoke with an air of importance. “As quickly as you can, he said.”

“He’s back?”

The boy grinned at her. “He was here when I came to work this morning.”

“I didn’t see his horse in the alley.”

Timothy shrugged as if to say “So?”

“Did he say what he wanted?”

“No, miss, he didn’t.”

Cassie’s heartbeat pounded in her throat. If she’d known Jacob planned to return today, she would have come in early to review the ledger and be sure her work was faultless.

He’d left without saying good-bye, and returned unannounced two weeks later. Uncertainty tempered her excitement at the prospect of seeing him again. He may believe she’d deliberately deceived him and used his time away to decide how best to end their courtship. Why else would there be such a long silence? And why send Timothy to fetch her, when he could have stopped by the kitchen?

Timothy waited by the door. “Shall I tell him you’re on the way?”

“Yes. Thank you.”

She patted the sides of her head to be sure her hair looked tidy. From the burning in her face, she knew there was no need to pinch her cheeks to bring out their color. Shoulders straight, she sailed across the dining area and into the storeroom.

A broad smile lit Jacob’s face when she entered. “I’m glad you could spare a couple of minutes. There are a few matters I’d like to discuss.”

His business-like tone crushed her hopes that he’d forgiven her. “Did you find errors in my bookkeeping?”

“Not at all.” He lifted Timothy’s list from the tabletop. “I see you’re running low on the supplies you need for the bakery. How long do you think the inventory will last?”

“A week, maybe more.”

He made a note on a scrap of paper. “Have you seen any increase in customers for the dining room?”

She wondered why he asked the questions. The ledger had totals for every day. Still, if he persisted in treating her like a clerk, she’d respond in the same manner. “We have. Railroad workers are stopping in Noble Springs for the night before continuing west.”

“Good.” He made another note, then leaned against the back of his chair with a relieved expression. “I wanted to share this news with you first. I made a large expenditure while I was away, and need to watch every penny for a month or so.”

Cassie’s knees wobbled and she sank into a chair. “Watch . . . every penny?” Her dreams of a new range took wing and flew away. Light-headed, she bent forward and took a deep breath. Her mouth opened but no words emerged.

“Cassie, what’s wrong?” His voice spiked with urgency. “Are you ill?”

She stared at her lap until he gripped her hands.

“Talk to me.”

“Oh, Jacob. I’ve done something presumptuous. I should have waited until you got back.”

He tipped her chin up with his thumb. “Why don’t you tell me, then we’ll see if it’s presumptuous or not.” The warmth in his gaze flowed over her like a balm.

What a homecoming. She’d expected him to be happy with the store’s success in his absence and hoped that happiness would spill over into forgiveness of the way she’d spoken to him when they parted. She cast about for a way to gloss over what she’d done, but in her heart she knew truth was best served unadorned.

“Between serving meals and filling orders for pies, we’re often tripping over one another in the kitchen when we juggle use of the range.” She swallowed, then blurted, “I went to Faith yesterday and picked out another range. Smaller, just what we need for the bakery. But she didn’t order it,” she added hastily.

He gaped at her. After a few seconds, a corner of his mouth twitched. “You are full of surprises.” He pushed himself to his feet and held out his arms. “Come here,” he said in a husky whisper.

Without a second thought, Cassie fell into his embrace. He pulled her close and kissed her forehead, then bent his lips to meet hers. His arms tightened around her. After a long, tingling moment, she drew away.

“You’re not upset?”

He dropped a kiss on top of her head. “We are partners, after all.”

“I was afraid you left because you were still angry with me.”

He stroked her cheek with his forefinger. “I left for you, not because of you.”

“What does that mean?”

“Would you be willing to go on a buggy ride with me this evening to find out?”

She snuggled back into his arms. “You know I would.”

Cassie glanced out when Wash drove Jacob’s buggy past the screen door. She untied her apron and dropped the soiled garment into a basket for Timothy’s mother to launder. Within a minute or two, Jacob entered the kitchen, Wash a few steps behind him.

Jacob’s mesmerizing gaze settled on her. “If you’re ready, Miss Haddon, I’ll see you home now.”

“Thank you, Mr. West. I’m quite ready.”

When she turned to say good night to Becca, she noticed that Wash had moved close and rested his hand on her shoulder. The pleading in the young woman’s eyes stopped the words in Cassie’s throat. She’d been so absorbed in her own happiness that she’d forgotten her promise.

“I’ll ask him,” she mouthed in Becca’s direction before turning to join Jacob at the door.

Twilight shadowed the alley. As soon as they were out of sight of the kitchen, Jacob drew her close to his side. “I thought today would never end.”

“I felt the same way.” Warmth from his body radiated along her arm. She wished she’d had time to go home and change into her rose chintz dress. The blue calico she wore had been washed so many times the garment had faded to the color of smoke.

The sorrel whinnied when he saw them coming. Jacob helped her into the buggy, then lit the lantern and untied the reins. Keeping the horse to a slow walk, he turned south when they reached the street. Fireflies danced beneath trees as they traveled through the quiet neighborhood. With each sway of the buggy, Jacob’s shoulder brushed hers, sending tingles over her.

She wiggled a bit closer. “Where are we going?”

“You’ll find out soon.” He guided the horse around the block and up to High Street, where he turned left. They passed homes with lighted windows, the closed livery stable, then traveled on west.

Puzzled, Cassie glanced at him. “We’re not going to your home, are we?”

“No. Just be patient another minute or two.”

She saw the road to Pioneer Lake through the dusk, but he didn’t turn there. A short distance farther, he pulled onto a grassy verge and stopped the buggy. He tied the reins to the brake.

“Look.” He pointed below, where a full moon reflected its light across the satin surface of the lake. A fish jumped and ribbons of moonlight spread a circle in the water.

She drew in a sharp breath. “How beautiful.”

“I hoped you’d think so.” He shifted on the seat and clasped her hands. “I brought you here because I have something important to tell you.”

Her heart threatened to stop beating. A warm evening, moonlight. The setting couldn’t be more perfect. She tipped her face to his.

“What do you want to tell me?” she whispered.

“I’ve been in Boston this past week and a half.”

She blew out a long sigh. Her expectations had run off with her once again. “You didn’t need to bring me here to give me a report on your travels.”

“I know I’m awkward, but please let me have my say.” His jaw tightened. “I was born in Boston, but haven’t been back since before the war. I went there now to settle several matters, business and personal, from my past. I needed to know I was free . . . to ask you to marry me.”

Cassie pulled her hands away and pressed them to her chest. Leave it to Jacob to over-explain. She didn’t care why he went to Boston. All she cared about was that he’d come back and was asking her to marry him. She couldn’t be sure. She cocked an eyebrow at him.

“And are you?”

“Am I what?”

“Jacob! Are you asking me to marry you?”

“Yes. Yes I am. Will you?”

“Only if you love me.”

“Are you giving me conditions again?” He swept her into his arms. Nuzzling his face in her hair, he spoke in her ear. “I’ve loved you since the day you came in to ask for a job. It just took me some time to realize it.” He kissed her earlobe. “The expression on your face . . . you were so determined to try. You’re a wonder, Cassie Haddon.”

She ran her index finger over his moustache, then lifted her lips to his.

If it weren’t for his arms holding her, she knew she’d float away.

When Cassie awakened the next morning, she burrowed down in the bed and let her mind drift to the previous evening. Jacob asked her to marry him. Warmth flooded her. The memory felt like a dream, but her heart told her otherwise.

She wanted to remember every detail, so when her children asked when she and their papa had decided to marry, she could tell them precisely. Her mother had always refused to talk about how she and Cassie’s father had met. Even questions about their wedding elicited vague answers.

An icicle stabbed through her daydreams. Her mother had made her feelings about Jacob quite clear.

Cassie swung her feet to the floor and hunched on the edge of the bed with her head bowed. She’d have to let Mother know of her engagement.

Perhaps she and Jacob could elope. At twenty-five years of age, she could do what she wanted. After all, judging from her last letter, Mother was happy enough in Price City. She hadn’t mentioned Patrick Fitzhugh at all.

Then Cassie shook her head. Regardless of what her mother’s reaction might be, Cassie was obligated to honor her. She had to tell her of Jacob’s proposal.

She threw her wrapper over her shoulders. She’d write a letter now, before leaving for the restaurant. Then when she had a free moment this afternoon, she’d dash to the post office and send the news to Price City.

While she performed her morning ablutions, she tried to think of how best to phrase her letter. As she donned her faded blue dress, she mentally composed and discarded several different approaches. At last, she threw her hairbrush on the bed and stomped to the next room. Just tell her straight out. No matter what she said, or how she said it, Mother would be unhappy at the news.

She carried writing paper and ink to the table. The first paragraph flowed with good wishes for her mother’s health, comments on the hot weather, and a brief account of last Sunday’s church service. Then she paused and chewed the end of the pen holder. If the telegraph extended to Price City, she could say everything in ten words or less.

The ink dried on the nib while she pondered her next words. Finally, she bent over the page and dashed off her news.

Last evening, Jacob West asked to marry me. Of course I said yes! I love him so very much, and have for the longest time. He’s kind, gentle, and protective—all the qualities I could hope for in a husband. Since Father is dead and you are far away, we had to dispense with the formalities of asking permission. I pray you will forgive the lapse of etiquette.

You’ll be happy to hear he possesses a fine home, although I’d marry him if he lived in a cabin.

We haven’t set a wedding date yet. Perhaps before winter sets in?

I will, of course, keep you fully informed and hope you and Uncle Rand can take time away from your duties at the hotel to attend our union.

Praying for your blessing, I am your affectionate,

Cassie

Feeling like a soldier who’d fired a shot into enemy camp, she tucked the letter into her handbag and hurried out the door.

Given the difficulty of transportation to Price City, she hoped for at least a two-week silence before receiving a return volley.