Addie woke to a clear sunny day. She couldn’t believe she’d been on Grant’s ranch for over two weeks. The memory of Mr. Tolliver’s letters had grown dim, and she’d found herself imagining more than once what it would be like to stay here forever. Even if Grant wasn’t interested in her as more than a friend, she’d willingly work with Connie or do outside chores if she could find a way to avoid a marriage that no longer held any appeal.
She’d come to realize over the past week or so that Grant might be right. Sam Tolliver wanted free help for his store as much or more than a wife. He’d never declared his feelings for her, or even stated he hoped they could grow to love one another. The best she could hope for was something better than an employee/employer relationship, perhaps friendship. Addie sighed as she finished dressing.
How foolish. She was certainly past the age for daydreams, fairy-tale endings, or even love at first sight. It would be best if she left for Mt. Dora soon. Another snowstorm had arrived after the first and kept them from leaving as the snow piled deeper. But yesterday Grant had said they might be able to leave today or tomorrow. If she stayed here much longer, she was afraid she’d throw herself at his feet and beg him to keep her on as an employee, if not to love and marry her.
She padded down the stairs in her stocking-covered feet. Connie clanked pans on the cookstove in the kitchen. Addie had helped ready breakfast each morning, but today she wanted to slip outside for a few moments. She needed a little quiet time before starting her day.
Drawing on her coat and slipping into her shoes, Addie thought about the last time she and Grant had been together. Yesterday afternoon he’d taken a couple of hours away from work and played with the pups, showing Addie how to teach Huntress to sit. She still wasn’t sure why he was so determined she lay claim to the dog. There was absolutely no possibility she could keep her, and it was going to hurt all the more when she had to leave.
And that was only a small part of the pain she’d experience when she left the ranch. When had she come to love this kind, gentle man? She hadn’t planned to—had even fought against it, but somehow it happened all the same.
She stepped out on the porch, relishing the warmth of the sun on her face. This was only the third day she hadn’t needed gloves or a hat, and a gentle warm breeze blew from the west.
“Good morning.” Grant’s voice, husky with feeling she couldn’t quite recognize, sounded behind her.
She pivoted and smiled. “I didn’t realize you were out here. I thought you’d be in the barn working.”
“I got up early and finished.” He looked deep into her eyes then took a long breath. “I think it’s time we got you to Mt. Dora. The sunshine the past few days has melted most of the snow, and traveling will be easy now.” He took a step toward her, something like longing shining in his eyes. “Unless you want to stay here instead.”
Addie could only stare as her mind danced around the possibility. Could she? Dare she? Her shoulders slumped as she realized she’d been given the chance she longed for but couldn’t take. Not now, or ever. “I can’t. I made a promise.” She whispered the words and started to turn away lest she change her mind and betray all she believed in.
Grant reached out and wrapped his strong fingers around her wrist with a gentle hold. “I understand, but I have to know. Would you stay if you could?”
She hesitated then gave a short nod. “Yes. Yes, I would. Without thinking twice.”
He slowly pulled her forward into an embrace, and she felt his lips against her hair, then he stepped back. “Forgive me. I won’t do that again. I know you belong to another man, and that only makes it harder on both of us.” He cleared his throat. “I’ve already eaten breakfast. I’m going to saddle the horses and pack a lunch in case it takes longer than I expect to reach town. Let me know when you’re ready, and we’ll head out.”
Addie nodded as a tight band wrapped itself around her heart, threatening to cut off all her air. Grant hadn’t said he loved her—it wouldn’t be appropriate, not any more so than the hug. But she knew deep in her heart that he cared, and she didn’t regret that hug one bit. She stared at him for a full minute, not speaking, then swiveled and walked to the house without looking back.
Grant finished saddling the horse Addie would ride as he continued to thrash himself for his actions. No matter how badly he’d wanted to hold Addie, it hadn’t been fair to put her in that position. But she’d said she would stay if she were free—did that mean she cared for him, too, or simply that she knew she didn’t want to marry Sam Tolliver?
Whatever the case, if he could convince her to stay, maybe he’d have a chance of winning her over time. He slipped the bit into his gelding’s mouth then grasped both sets of reins and headed for the house. Connie had promised to pack a lunch with extra food for his return trip in case he needed it, but he couldn’t imagine ever having an appetite again.
This was going to be the longest, and the shortest, trip to town he’d ever made. He knew it would drag as his imagination went wild thinking of Addie in another man’s arms, but it would fly by as every minute they traveled brought him closer to never seeing her again. And he’d make sure of that if she stayed in town. He couldn’t tolerate the thought of seeing her as Mrs. Sam Tolliver. Any trip he needed for supplies would be to Clayton, not Mt. Dora.
He wrapped the horses’ reins around the hitching rail and dragged himself into the house. Connie came down the hall with her arm around Addie and a glum-faced Thomas following behind. His old friend and housekeeper shot him a look that shouted for him to do something, but Grant only shook his head. Addie had made her decision.
“Are you ready to go, Addie?” He reached for the carpetbag that contained her few pieces of clothing and belongings she’d brought from the wrecked wagon, thankful it would fit behind his saddle.
Too bad it was still too muddy for the wagon, but the last thing he wanted was to get bogged down on the way. Or did he? It might prolong Addie’s stay if they couldn’t make it to town. But they’d simply trudge back to the ranch, rest a day, and start out on horseback again, with a lot of walking and trouble for Addie.
Maybe they’d be able to retrieve some of her other possessions, if they hadn’t already been found. The road the wagon had taken was fairly well traveled, so he had no doubt Clem had been found and buried. Did anyone in Clayton even know the name of the passenger he’d taken that day, and what had Sam Tolliver been thinking all this time when his bride-to-be hadn’t arrived?