Shortly after Mr. Hart left, Melinda heard voices outside. She was about to rush Darla into the room they had been told to hide in, but then she recognized them.
“What in the world has happened here?” Savannah’s disembodied voice floated in through the window. “Melinda? Darla?”
Savannah’s voice grew increasingly panicked as she called for them, and Melinda rushed to meet her at the door. When she unbolted and opened it, she saw a wave of relief cross her friend’s face.
“Oh, thank goodness. We saw the windows. Whatever happened?”
Haltingly, Melinda began to explain what had transpired. She didn’t want to betray Mr. Hart’s confidence by disclosing the dealings with his brother, so she only told them that a menacing note had been left on the door and what had been done to the windows and the cows.
“A menacing note, huh?” said Mr. Winter. He looked like he understood more than she had told them. “No idea who from?”
Melinda felt uneasy. Her eyes darted from place to place. “I know who it’s from. But I think it’s only right that Mr. Hart tells you himself. I think the situation has gotten too big for him to hide any longer.”
Mr. Winter nodded. “I believe you’re right. I knew he had gotten mixed up in something bad.”
“This has something to do with his brother coming by the other day, doesn’t it?” asked Savannah.
Melinda looked down the path. She wished Mr. Hart would just come back so he could answer their questions.
“I really should let him explain. But in the meantime, I want to go back inside to Darla. She’s really been quite frightened by the whole experience.”
“Of course she has. The poor dear.” Savannah rushed inside.
“I’ll begin tracking down those cows,” said Mr. Winter. He gave Melinda a long hard look and then climbed back onto the carriage he and Savannah had arrived home in. “You keep inside now.” With a flick of the reins, he was gone.
Melinda stood outside a moment longer, willing Mr. Hart to appear in front of her. When he did not, she turned around and went back inside.
***
Luckily for Melinda, she didn’t have to wait long. She was thankful for this because she was beginning to tire of Savannah’s persistent questions and demanding stares.
“There, you see. He’s home now and can answer all your queries.”
He walked in with an apology written all over his face.
“I’m sorry to stay away so long. I went to see the sheriff and then rode to the mercantile to ask Jacob to stay with us. He can help
me with the windows and will be here for added protection.”
Melinda glanced at Darla, who was listening intently. “You think we need protection?” she asked.
Mr. Hart seemed to understand Melinda’s concern and knelt beside Darla.
“The sheriff said there’s nothing to worry about, and he’s smart. We should trust him. But I care too much about all of you to take any risks, so I asked Jacob here so we could all be more comfortable. Plus, I was going to ask you to help me board up the windows, but I imagine you don’t want to do that do you?”
Darla giggled. “No.”
“Precisely what I thought. Besides, you ladies have enough work to do with all your Christmas planning.” Mr. Hart stood up and looked around at them all. “I saw you collected some greenery in the woods yesterday.”
“Yes,” said Melinda. “We were only going to use it to decorate the table. As promised, we’re keeping dinner small … that is, if you’re still all right with having a dinner …”
“Of course, I am,” said Mr. Hart.
“In fact, I think it’s more important than ever that we celebrate after such an upsetting event. I was asking because I know I told you to keep things small, but after what happened, I thought maybe you would all be interested in decorating a little more? It will be a little dark in here without some of the windows, and we want things to look cheerful, don’t we?”
Melinda felt warmth spread throughout her body. Even while he was dealing with this dreadful situation, he thought of others.
“That would be lovely, Mr. Hart.”
“How about we head out to the porch, and I can show you how to make some wreaths?” Savannah said to Darla. She directed pointed looks at Melinda and Mr. Hart.
“That’s an excellent idea. Thank you. And keep your eye out for Mr. Garrett. He should be up here soon.”
A blush spread across Savannah’s cheeks, but she simply nodded and held out her hand for Darla. Melinda and Mr. Hart were left alone.
They looked at each other. It was the first time they’d been on their own since last night. The memory of the near kiss flashed in Melinda’s mind, and she felt her heartbeat begin to quicken.
“Miss Dalton … I wanted to apologize once again for my impropriety last night. I would never want to make you feel uncomfortable and–”
“You didn’t!” said Melinda breathlessly. “That is, I didn’t mind … or rather, it’s fine. It was fine. You have nothing to worry about.” Heavens, what am I saying? He’s going to think me a loose woman!
Mr. Hart smiled. “I’m glad I didn’t offend. I got carried away with the moment. I promise it won’t happen again.”
Melinda could almost feel her face fall. Here he was, being a perfect gentleman. Why did that make her disappointed? He continued to regard her with kindness, but all she could see was someone who only saw her as a friend. She must have been deluding herself after all. He didn’t have romantic feelings for her, and last night was purely a result of heightened emotions.
“Well,” said Mr. Hart, “I’m going to see to my cows, and then I shall be in to fix the windows. If you would be so good as to send Mr. Garrett along when he comes by?”
“Yes, of course,” stuttered Melinda. She watched him leave the room. After he was gone, she sat down and covered her face with her hands. She felt like such a fool. How could she have allowed herself to get so carried away?
No time to think about that now. She stood up, smoothed out her dress, and went outside to find Savannah and Darla.
***
Savannah was desperate for details, but she vowed not to ask Melinda any more questions. Once Mr. Hart arrived home, it had become obvious that both of them were quite upset by the day’s events, and she knew all would be revealed in good time.
But oh! How I need to know what was happening between them! The way they were looking at each other just now was so intense I feel sure there has been some romantic development since yesterday.
“Is this the right way to tie everything together?” Darla’s voice interrupted her thoughts. The child was attempting to tie the ends of two boughs together.
Savannah laughed. “Oh no, my dear. You want to have all the pieces face in the same direction. That way, you don’t have clumps of sticks and clumps of greenery. It just looked like a beautiful circle this way.”
As Savannah was helping Darla tie the boughs properly, she heard the sounds of a horse approaching. When she saw it was Jacob Garrett atop the horse, she started to get pins and needles all over her body. It was most peculiar; this seemed to happen quite often when he was around.
She was surprised to see he appeared quite concerned as he approached her.
“Are you all right?” he asked as soon as he was within speaking distance. His face was pale.
“Me? Why I’m fine, Mr. Garrett.”
“It’s just the windows and the cows ...”
“Oh, that’s a dreadful thing. But I wasn’t even here when it happened.”
“I know,” he replied. “But on my way up here, I started wondering if something had been missed. I thought maybe you were here after all and I just … well, I was worried about you.”
Savannah felt heat spread across her face. “You were worried about me? Well, I …” She looked into his kind, earnest face, happy he had been concerned about her. She liked that she had been on his mind. “Thank you, Mr. Garrett. That’s very kind. We’re all doing fine.”
“Including me!” said Darla. She had just successfully tied several boughs into a charming wreath.
“That’s beautiful, Darla!” said Savannah enthusiastically.
“Very nice,” said Jacob, examining the wreath. “And, of course, I’m glad you’re all right too. Is Curtis inside?”
“Why yes, he’s–”
Just as Savannah gestured at the door, it opened. Mr. Hart came out.
“Jacob! Thank you for coming so quickly. Was your father willing to let you stay?”
“Yes,” responded Jacob. He lifted a small bag off the back of his horse. “I’m all set for the night.”
“You’re staying the night?” asked Savannah. She could still feel the blush on her cheeks, and she hoped neither of the men noticed.
“Curtis asked me to. I’m going to help him take care of everything and stick around to make sure nothing is amiss.”
Savannah cleared her throat. It suddenly felt very dry. “How noble of you.”
Jacob gave her an amused look.
“Well, I am quite a noble gentleman. Shall we go find those cows?”
“Yes, said Mr. Hart. Before he left, he leaned close to Savannah, so Darla couldn’t hear. “I don’t want to say too much in front of Darla, but I will fill in your father, and he can answer any questions you might have. I appreciate your help with Darla.”
Savannah was flattered that Mr. Hart had taken the time to personally speak to her about the matter. Although she was still curious, she felt confident all would be revealed in time.
She watched the two men walk to the barn where her father had already succeeded in returning half of the herd. When they got there, Jacob turned around and smiled at her. She immediately busied herself by creating little bunches of holly.
Well, she thought, I guess I have feelings for Jacob Garrett.
***
By the time night fell, Curtis felt much more relaxed. All his cows were safe in the barn, and it was discovered that only five windows had been broken in total. The three men made quick work of boarding them up. Melinda then had the smart idea of pulling the curtains on all the broken ones so it simply appeared to be too sunny to allow light in.
So far, there had been no further contact from Jessie Lowry, and once dinner had come and gone, so had the deadline laid out in his note.
“I’ll sleep with one eye open,” promised Mr. Winter as he and Savannah prepared to go back to their house.
“As will I,” said Jacob. “You give me a shout if anything seems even slightly off during the night.” He seemed to say this solely to Savannah.
“We will, Mr. Garrett.” Savannah looked awkward for a moment before leaving with her father.
“And then there were three,” said Jacob.
Darla had already gone to bed.
“Do you have everything you need for a comfortable sleep, Mr. Garrett?” asked Melinda.
Curtis marveled at how considerate she was. It wasn’t even her house, yet she was playing the perfect hostess.
Jacob grinned. “I think I’ll be all right. Just as soon as I’ve poked through all of Ralph’s old things.”
Curtis rolled his eyes. “I don’t believe he’s left anything of great interest.”
“If he has, I’ll find it!”
Jacob looked between the two of them. Curtis thought he saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes, and a smirk danced upon his face. He yawned and reached up to give an exaggerated stretch.
“Well, I am exhausted. Best be off to bed. Goodnight, you two!”
Curtis glared at his friend, who walked away with a cheeky little twinkle in his eyes.
Curtis knew his friend had left him and Melinda alone on purpose so they could talk, but he found himself overwhelmed with exhaustion. Looking at her, he also saw the tiredness in her eyes.
“It’s been a long day,” he said.
“Excruciatingly so,” she agreed.
He looked into her deep blue eyes. He often found himself thinking about them when she wasn’t near him. He looked at her nose. She had the faintest dusting of freckles. She looked so sweet and beautiful, and for a moment, he considered telling her he had feelings for her right there and then.
But it had been a long day, and this wasn’t the right time. He wanted the moment to be perfect.
“Miss Dalton, there’s something I should very much like to speak with you about, but I fear tonight is not the time. Would you be so good as to grant me a moment alone after dinner tomorrow night?”
She looked at him curiously. “Of course, we can speak tomorrow evening. But are you sure there isn’t anything you’d like to discuss now? Or earlier tomorrow?”
Curtis thought about tomorrow and how busy it would be. He thought about the special dinner they were going to have, and how romantic it would be to tell her he had feelings for her after they’d both shared in a beautiful celebration.
It would be the anniversary of Alice’s death, and he thought about how excited she’d be about this new development. Perhaps he could even tell Melinda his feelings outside. If he were lucky, there might be a beautiful blanket of stars out.
“No, tomorrow would be perfect.”
She gave him a sweet smile. “Well, then, tomorrow it is. Have a good night, Mr. Hart.”
“Goodnight, Miss Dalton.”