When she stepped inside, several men stood around, but she saw only one. Father was but a few feet away, his expression hard as granite.
Eleanor gripped Clara’s hand so hard her fingers hurt. “Hello, Grandfather,” she said.
Father took a step forward.
For one brief second Clara shrank back. She thought to turn and drag the girls from the store, but she held her ground. She drew a deep breath and threw her shoulders back, stiffening her spine and her resolve. Never again would she be controlled by this man. Never again would she be controlled by her fear.
Father patted Eleanor’s head.
Clara urged her younger daughter forward.
“Hello, Grandfather,” Libby said hesitantly. Then she saw Blue in the corner of the store and ran to him. “Mr. Blue, you’re back.”
Clara sought Blue’s eyes. Did her gaze reveal the many things she felt, wondered, wished? She wanted to thank him for speaking on her behalf. More than anything, she wanted to know if he was going to be part of her future.
Petey, the stagecoach driver, had been lounging against the counter. “Missy, you still wanting to go to Fort Calgary?”
Did she? Did it still offer the best place to start over?
No. She’d already started over. Right here in Edendale.
Eddie spoke. “You’re more than welcome to come to Eden Valley Ranch until you know what you want to do.”
Clara nodded. “Thank you. I accept.” She turned to Petey. “I don’t believe I’ll be wanting passage to Fort Calgary, after all.”
“Fine. Then I’ll take Mr. Creighton back to Fort Macleod. We leave first thing in the morning. Now, if you’ll all excuse me, I’m going to have a chin-wag with Rufus.” He strode from the store.
“I’ll get a wagon,” Eddie said and also left.
Father turned away without another word. “Where is the best hotel?” he asked the shopkeeper.
Macpherson chuckled. “We ain’t got a best or worst hotel. In fact, we ain’t got a hotel.”
Father drew himself up. “That’s unacceptable. Where’s a man supposed to sleep?”
Macpherson shrugged. “Most men bunk down in my back room or sleep over in the livery barn.”
Clara could almost laugh at the shock in Father’s face. Instead, she looked at Blue. He had his hat on, making it difficult to see his eyes clearly, but she saw his mouth curved in a barely there smile. He nodded.
As if to say goodbye?
Her heart plummeted to the ground. Had she proved so thoroughly she could manage on her own that he didn’t want to be part of the picture?
Blue. Blue. Let me explain.
At that moment, Eddie returned with the wagon. “Are you ready to go?”
No. She had to talk to Blue. Make him see that she’d only needed to prove she was capable of taking care of the girls.
She did not want to do it alone. Not now that she’d come to know Blue. Come to love him. She must explain.
But Eddie waited at the door, and the girls tugged at her hands.
“Goodbye, Father. I’ll write.”
She gave Blue one more pleading look, but he only lifted his finger to the brim of his hat in a goodbye salute.
* * *
Blue forced himself to remain in the store as Clara and the girls left, even though every nerve in his body longed to hurry after her. Follow her to the ranch. Ask Clara’s permission to court her.
But she’d only just had assurances given that her girls could not be taken from her. Her plans had changed profoundly. She’d hopefully seen herself as others saw her—strong, capable, self-reliant.
She needed time to figure out who she was and what she wanted. He was prepared to give her that time.
He returned to the ranch later in the day when he was certain he wouldn’t overtake them, and he slipped into the bunkhouse.
Over the next few days he watched her take the girls for walks, saw her visiting the other women in their various homes. He always made sure to stay out of sight, patiently waiting.
Until Sunday. Surely she’d had enough time to sort things out by then. Even if she hadn’t, he could no longer stay away from her.
He was in the cookhouse, ready for the Sunday service, when she stepped in and saw him.
Her eyes flared with welcome. She didn’t move. He wasn’t sure she even breathed. Surely her reaction meant she was glad to see him, was as eager to spend time with him as he was with her. Then she curtained her feelings. He would not allow himself to think she’d planned a future without him.