A Love to Last Forever (29 page)

Lacy found Cubby watching her with such intensity that she stopped dusting the shelves of Bishop’s Emporium and put her hands on her hips. “What’s with you, Cubby? You keep staring at me like I’ve grown a second head.”

“I was just wondering how I could win your heart, Miss Lacy.”

“I thought we talked about this. I’m much too old for you.”

He looked at her as if he’d just gotten a brilliant idea. “If I killed that mean ol’ black bear, would you want to court me then?”

“No. It’s not about seeing you perform heroic deeds.” Lacy came to where Cubby was arranging a display of tools. “You are a sweet fella, Cubby, but you have to put this from your mind. I think of you as a little brother—not as a suitor.”

“I’m not that young!” he protested. “You aren’t that old. I could make a good husband for you. Besides, you’d marry me fast enough if I found your pa’s killer,” he countered as she turned to go back to her dusting.

Lacy whirled around and looked at him with barely contained anger. “That’s not funny, Cubby. You shouldn’t joke about something so serious.”

“I wasn’t joking.” He smiled rather satisfactorily and crossed his arms against his chest. “I heard something.”

She didn’t want to give in to his smug enticement, but she couldn’t help herself. “What did you hear?”

He grinned in full. “First tell me you’ll marry me if I catch your pa’s killer.”

Lacy shook her head. “I can’t marry anyone, Cubby. I don’t love you or anyone else in that way. If you were as much a man as you claim to be, you would know it wasn’t right to try to force a lady to do such a thing.”

His face lost its joyfulness as he considered her words.

“Tell me what you heard, Cubby. Please.”

He lowered his head. “I heard Pa and Wyman say something about what really happened the night your pa died. I didn’t hear anything else ’cause one of the girls came to ask Pa a question. But I’m thinking that if I worked it right, I might be able to get them talkin’ about it again, and maybe I could find out what they know.”

“Are you absolutely sure that’s what you overheard?”

“I’m sure. They were talking about all the problems they’ve had since that night. I’m sure they know plenty.”

“I’ve always suspected they did,” Lacy said, biting her lip to keep from saying more. There was no need to tell Cubby everything she thought. “So do you suppose you could get them to talk when another adult is in earshot? Maybe Dave or someone could listen in from the back room while you get them to talk at the bar?”

Cubby flailed his arms like a small child having a tantrum. “I’m man enough to overhear anything they got to say. I’m tired of you seeing me as a kid and nothing more.”

He stormed out of the store, muttering and cursing all the way.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

Fourth of July Sunday started much as any other Sunday might have. Services were held at Gallatin House, and afterward, folks moved outside to set up for the regular after-church dinner. The warm weather made it a perfect day for Beth to don her new gown. She’d worked on it for weeks in between mending and other chores. Now, knowing what she planned to do, it all seemed perfect. A new gown for a new life.

She had taken such special care with the pattern. The dress was stylish and fit her like a glove, with its short, puffed sleeves and rounded neckline. The blue-green calico was a good color for her eyes. With a quick glance in the front-room mirror, Beth smiled. Her sun-kissed face glowed with health and happiness.

Beth thought back on the conversation she’d shared with Patience Shepard that morning. Jerry had been handling the sermon and reading over his notes when Beth took Patience aside for some advice.

“I’m in love with Nick,” she told the older woman.

“That doesn’t surprise me,” Patience replied with a broad smile.

“Well,” Beth said, drawing a deep breath, “I wondered if maybe I should tell him.”

Patience laughed. “I suppose that would clarify the matter.”

“I love both of them—Nick and Justin,” she continued. “I just don’t want to waste any more time. Nick thinks I expect to be courted. Do you suppose it would be all right to explain to him that I don’t need the time to make up my mind? I know what kind of man he is, and I know my heart. I think the extra time would only cause Justin more heartache.”

“If this is what your heart is telling you to do, I think you should talk with Nick. After all, folks on the frontier have little opportunity to stand on ceremony,” Patience counseled.

Beth thought briefly of the bold and confident Lady Effing-ham and wished she could feel as capable. But Lady Effingham was just a character in a book.

Over the weeks, Beth had gradually lost interest in her books. Real life seemed far too interesting, and at night her mind was too full of questions and concerns to lose herself in anything other than her Bible reading. She hadn’t expected the change to come so quickly, but in fact, she found she didn’t really miss the romantic and intriguing tales at all. She had her own romance, and God was more real than ever.

Throughout the festivities that day, Beth observed Nick and Justin as they joined some of the other men and boys at play. They seemed happy to participate in the makeshift baseball game and later teamed up against Simon in horseshoes. Though she could still sense their hesitation around each other, Beth could clearly see that they were becoming a family. And she wanted to be a part of it.

By early evening the games gave way to dancing, singing, and, of course, more food. Beth danced with both Nick and Justin, as well as a bevy of others. She felt light as a feather and imagined that being at the grandest European ball could not begin to equal the joy she had in this simple celebration. It was nearly nine-thirty when Hank set off the first of the fireworks. The children were notably impressed and cheered for more. Silver ribbons cut across the skies, bringing even more approval from the observers. Over the next half hour, Hank arranged a display to rival that of Bozeman’s yearly festivities.

“Are you having a good time?” Nick asked Beth.

She glanced up from where she sat on the ground. “I am. It’s been a wonderful day.”

Nick sat down beside her on the blanket. “I’m glad you’re sitting back here away from the others. I had hoped to get a chance to talk to you privately.”

Beth laughed softly. “I have to admit I had the same thing in mind when I chose this spot.” She looked around. “Where’s Justin?”

“He fell asleep, and Simon offered to take him back to the house for me.” He reached out and brushed back a wisp of hair that had fallen down around Beth’s cheek. “So what did you want to talk to me about?”

Beth knew the moment of truth had come, and she wasn’t about to play coy and timid. This matter was much too important. “I don’t want to waste time courting you, Nick.”

He looked momentarily confused and started to protest when Beth put her hand to his mouth. “I already know I love you,” she said with a smile. “I just think for Justin’s sake, we shouldn’t wait to marry. If you and I need to get to know each other better, we can just do it as a married couple. Justin needs to have a family in full, and I want very much to be his mother.” She paused and let her hand trail against Nick’s jaw before adding, “And your wife.”

Nick just stared at her for several moments. There was enough of a glow from the moon to make out his features. Beth thought him more handsome than any other man in attendance. When he took hold of her hand and pulled it to his lips, she thought she might very well forget to breathe.

“You know, I thought all day long about how I might convince you to marry me right away. I went through at least a dozen ideas, but none of them seemed just right. Then I come over here to bare my heart and soul, and you just propose to me, calm as can be.” He laughed, and Beth could see the pleasure in his expression. “Someday I’m going to enjoy telling our children how you offered to marry me, just as bold as brass.”

Beth laughed then. “For a moment I thought I’d offended you—that you were going to tell me you’d changed your mind, that you and Justin didn’t need me in your lives.”

Nick took hold of her hands. “That will never happen. I need you for more reasons than I can attempt to express.”

“So what should we do now?” Beth asked.

“The pastor will be here in two weeks. Do you suppose you can wait that long?” He leaned in close and pulled her to him. Their faces were only inches apart.

“Can you?” she whispered with a smile.

He shook his head and pulled away. “It won’t be easy, but I’ve heard it said that good things are worth waiting for.”

“Two weeks will seem like an eternity,” she said finally, “but I suppose it will give Justin time to get used to the idea.”

“If anyone’s already used to the idea, it’s Justin. He’s asked me twice today if I intended to marry you soon so that he could have a mother.”

Beth felt tears come to her eyes. “Oh, Nick. I already love him so much. He reminds me of myself—the pain and sadness. I just want to make it all go away.”

“And I want to make it go away for you,” Nick said, gently stroking her cheek, “and for me. I want it more than you can possibly know.”

The crew that assembled to eat breakfast at Gallatin House the next morning was a bit subdued after the previous night’s festivities. Beth’s announcement, however, changed that. “I’m getting married in two weeks to Nick.”

Gwen dropped her fork. It clattered against the plate. “You’re what?”

“I’m getting married,” Beth said matter-of-factly.

“In two weeks,” Lacy offered, and Beth nodded.

Gwen looked at Beth in disbelief. “When did you decide this? Does Nick know?”

Hank and Dave began to laugh. “With a Gallatin girl involved, he probably hasn’t heard yet.”

“Of course he’s heard,” Beth said, putting her hands to her hips. “I told him last night.”

This only caused Hank and Dave to laugh all the more. Dave nearly fell off the bench as Hank punched him in the arm. “Do you . . . do you . . . hear this? She told . . . him,” Hank stammered out between gasps for air.

Gwen looked at the men with clear annoyance. “Will you two settle down? I need to hear what Beth has to say.”

“I think . . . she’s . . . said . . . enough.” Hank’s blue eyes seemed to gleam as he waggled his finger at Beth. Dave clutched his side, and Beth thought for a moment tears might stream down his face from the sheer hysteria of the moment.

“Men.” Beth rolled her eyes and looked at Gwen. “I know it’s short notice, but we don’t want anything fancy. The pastor will be visiting in two weeks, so we decided that would be perfect. We just think it’s important for Justin. We want to give him a family, and the sooner, the better.”

The shock had worn off her sister’s expression. “As long as you’re sure,” Gwen said. “As long as you love him.”

Beth nodded. “I do. I love him very much.”

“Will you still be able to come over and help us with Gal-latin House?” Gwen asked. “We still have most of the summer and fall, and we’ll be busier than ever.”

“I’ll be here. Justin can come and help, too. Unless, of course, Nick wants his help with the horses.” She considered that as a strong possibility. “I don’t think there should be any problem.”

“Just tell Nick what he’ll be doing,” Hank said, still snickering.

Beth picked up a dry piece of toast and threw it at Hank. He dodged just in time, but it hit Dave in the face, causing Lacy to laugh.

“Well, this day is off to a great start,” Gwen said, shaking her head.