Chapter Forty-Five
Sarah Elaine Livingston McKay cried all the way back to Boston. Thirty pounds heavier and a whole lot smarter, she knew the remaining months of her pregnancy would be a picnic compared with what she faced once the babies came. She chided herself for her inability to accept Walker’s roundabout apology. Wasn’t that what she’d wanted? Yet he hadn’t stated one good reason to make her stay. Oh, how she wished he had. She wouldn’t be crying her eyes out over a man who didn’t give a whit about her.
Stepping down from the train, she shaded her eyes, wondering how she would get home. She’d thought about wiring ahead but decided against it. How could she possibly explain in a few short sentences why she was returning? Her eyes traveled the terminal, pausing on Walker and then moving on. They switched back.
“Walker?” she murmured. Her heart sprang to her throat.
Pushing away from the post, the tall, good-looking rancher walked toward her. Stopping a few feet from her, he continued the argument as if they were still at Caleb’s. “Flo needs you in the kitchen.”
She raised her chin. “She does not. She hates me being underfoot.”
“Doc says it’s not safe to travel. You could hurt the babies.”
She put her hands on her hips—or where her hips used to be. “You haven’t talked to the doctor.”
“Have so. We had a long talk while you were waiting to board the train.”
“How did you get here before me?”
“I was on the same train—rear coach.”
“That’s not possible. You weren’t on it when I left town.”
“That’s true, but I can ride cross-country and Diamond’s one fast runner. We caught the train two towns later.”
She shook her head.
“What if I said I’d rethought this, and I now concede that a child needs both parents?”
“A fool would know that.” She picked up her valise and hailed a driver-for-hire. Walker trailed her out to the wagon and helped her onto the front seat. He stored the valise and then climbed into the rear of the conveyance.
She pivoted in her seat to glare at him. He said, “There isn’t a train back until tomorrow.”
After that the couple rode in silence. Sarah searched her mind for an explanation of her sudden appearance. What would she tell Papa? That he’d been right all along? That she should have accompanied him back to Boston months ago?
When the wagon rolled into the courtyard, Abraham came to greet the newcomers, a smile breaking out when he recognized Sarah. “Sarah girl!”
“Hi, Abe.” Sarah smiled as the old servant lifted her out of the wagon and set her on the ground.
Holding her away from him, he examined her. “My, oh, my. Baby girl is surely fillin’ out.”
Patting her burgeoning load, she sighed. “Aren’t I, though?”
Walker jumped down from the wagon and paid the driver. Then he turned to Sarah and the servant. “Abe, I’m Walker McKay.”
Grinning, the white-haired servant gazed up and down at the rancher. “So this is Mr. McKay. Well, now.”
Sarah reached for her valise and started off toward the house. Walker caught up, taking the bag out of her hand despite her protests. “I am capable of carrying my own luggage.”
“No wife of mine is carrying her luggage.”
“I am not your wife. Not anymore.”
Wadsy’s rotund bulk appeared in the doorway. “Oh, praise the Lord! Is that you, baby girl?”
“It’s me, Wadsy!” Sarah gave the nanny a big hug before hurrying into the house.
Walker tipped his hat. “Walker McKay, Wadsy. Nice to meet you.”
Wadsy turned to watch his swift passage after Sarah. “Pleasure to meet ya, sir.”
“Papa? I’m home!” Sarah announced as she breezed past the study.
“Sarah Elaine? Is that you? What are you doing home?” He appeared in the study door as she climbed the stairs.
“I live here, don’t I?” She walked down the hallway to her bedroom, with Walker in close pursuit.
“Is that Mr. McKay with you?”
“It is, sir,” Walker said. “We’ll be down in a minute. I’m trying to talk sense into your daughter.”
“Well, good luck!” Lowell said, retreating back into the study.
Sarah reached her bedroom and turned the doorknob. Walker’s hand blocked her. His breath was warm on her neck. “What if I said that I need you more than I’ve ever needed anything in my life? That life won’t be worth living if you’re not the first thing I see in the morning and the last thing I see every night? That I didn’t know what love was until you stepped into my life, and that I thank God that he knew better than I what I needed or wanted. You are my life, Sarah. And I love you more than words can say. If you walk out on me now, you’ll leave a hole in my heart I will never be able to fill.
She shook her head.
“I’ll take you to Ireland.”
She turned to him, suddenly feeling helpless. He’d never once ever said that he needed her. Her eyes gave away her indecision, and he took full advantage.
“I don’t just need you, I love you. I’ve been a fool.” He tilted her chin, kissing her lightly on the mouth. “I want what we first had, Sarah. I want it worse than I’ve ever wanted anything in my life. And so much more. Please say you’ll forgive me so we can get married again and start over. I’ve got sick cows, a bull down, a heifer in heat, fence to mend, a barn to rebuild, and planting before spring, sweetheart. I can’t be traipsing all over the country courting you.”
“This is your idea of courting me?”
“It’s my way of telling my woman that I love her.” His mouth closed over hers a second time as his arms went around her.
Closing her eyes, she tasted him, so warm, so Walker. Other than the kisses at finding her unharmed at Caleb’s, it had been ages since his lips had sought hers. Even longer since she’d felt this sense of hope. Their mouths brushed and lingered.
It was long minutes before she could bring herself to ask, “If I marry you again—if,” she emphasized. “Will the reverend officiate at a barbecue?”
He grinned. “This time we’re doing it right.” His lips left hers to toy with the nape of her neck. “Your papa will be there to give you away, and Flo and Wadsy will both help you dress.” Their lips drifted back together. “I love you. Please say you’ll repeat our vows, Sarah McKay, and let’s put the past behind us.”
He’d finally found the right words.
“Of course I’ll marry you, Walker McKay. What took you so long to ask?”
On the landing below, Wadsy, Lowell, and Abraham breathed a sigh of relief.
Abe smiled. “Looks like you finally got yourself a son-in-law, sir.”
Lowell nodded, grinning from ear to ear. “It does, Abe. A fine son-in-law. Maybe now we can all rest.”