When the Heart Heals (29 page)

“The back is quicker.” With Elijah's hand firmly against her side, she led the way through the sitting room and kitchen.

When she opened the rear door, Bodie shot past her. He scampered down the steps and raced for the greenhouse. Rosemary's skin prickled. Had the intruder returned? She craned her neck to peer through the windows as Bodie charged through the building's entrance.

The sheriff chuckled. “I reckon he knows where we're going, eh?” His long legs carried him along the path ahead of her.

With Elijah supporting her, she followed as quickly as she could, ignoring the pain that stabbed each time she drew a breath.

Sheriff Cooper stopped inside the door. When Rosemary caught up with him, he was studying the destruction left by
the intruder's hasty flight. “Anything missing?” He poked at a shard of broken terra-cotta with the toe of his boot.

Her gaze traveled to her garden implements, then across the shelves along the walls. “Everything's here. Except for what got broken when he knocked the table over, I don't see further damage.”

Bodie sniffed along the rear of the building, then pounced. Tail wagging, he brought a limp brown object to Rosemary and dropped it at her feet. She took an involuntary step away. At first glance, his offering resembled a dead rodent.

E
lijah crouched beside Rosemary and retrieved Bodie's find from the earthen floor. “A hat.” He turned the crushed felt object over and looked inside. “No name.”

“That would be too easy.” The sheriff snorted, then took the hat from Elijah's fingers. “Nothing special about this one. Half the men around here wear 'em.”

Elijah heard Rosemary sigh as she leaned against a wall shelf. When he turned, her face had paled and she held her hand against her midriff.

He jumped to his feet. “This has been a shock. There's no need for you to remain out here. I'll help you back inside.”

“But I—” Her hazel eyes appeared huge against her white skin. She swayed.

He caught her before she fell and scooped her into his arms. “Sheriff Cooper doesn't need your help—or mine, for that matter.”

“Doc's right. You get some rest. Let me figure this out.”

“I don't have much choice, do I?” She gave Elijah a weak smile and leaned her head against his chest.

His love for her threatened to overpower him. The moment
she recovered, he'd reopen the conversation about marriage. He felt certain he already knew her answer, but he wanted to hear it from her lips.

Faith dashed toward them when Elijah entered the kitchen.

“What happened?”

He gave her a wry smile. “My patient overestimated her stamina.” He strode to the next room and helped Rosemary recline on the settee, then bent and kissed her forehead. “I'm going to fetch my buggy and take Mrs. Saxon home. You and Bodie are going with her.”

“No. I'm fine. Really.”

Faith folded her arms and looked down at her. “You're not fine. I promise not to keep you a prisoner. As soon as your bruises heal, you're welcome to leave.”

“Just for the weekend, then.” Rosemary's eyes brightened. “While I'm there, Amy and I can decide on the flowers for her wedding.”

Elijah's heart bumped when she said “wedding.” He knew Thaddeus and the widow Dunsmuir planned to marry in July. Perhaps there'd be time to plan a double ceremony.

On Sunday morning, Elijah stopped his buggy in front of Judge Lindberg's house. After church, he'd promised to take Rosemary and her dog back home. He smiled to himself. As much as she'd chafed at staying with her family, he knew she benefited from the enforced rest. Once they were married, he'd insist on hiring a housekeeper. Not a cook, though. He enjoyed her unique recipes too much.

Rosemary's sister-in-law answered the door at his knock.

“Mrs. Saxon.” He swept his hat from his head. “I'm here to escort Miss Rosemary to church.”

She rested her hand on his arm. “Please. Call me Faith. I
have a feeling we're going to be seeing a great deal of each other in days to come.” A mischievous sparkle lit her eyes.

“Faith it is.” His hopes lifted higher. Rosemary must have shared her feelings for him.

Glancing over Faith's shoulder, he watched as Rosemary crossed the entryway, her steps light. She carried a shawl and wore the green dress he liked. He used all of his self-discipline to prevent himself from taking her in his arms. Instead he said, “You look fully recovered.”

“Almost.” She touched her hand to her waist. “I can breathe without pain.” She tucked the hand under his elbow, then paused beside Faith. “I'll come for Bodie after church.”

“He'll be fine in the back room until then. Don't worry.” Faith hugged Rosemary. “We'll see you in a few minutes. Curt's hitching up the horse right now.”

Elijah replaced his hat and cupped his hand around Rosemary's elbow while they walked to his buggy. He knew he was smiling too much but couldn't help it. He'd never seen a prettier Sunday morning. Or a prettier girl than Rosemary.

He leaned over and spoke in her ear. “How does a picnic at the lake this afternoon sound?”

“Lovely. But I don't have anything prepared.”

“My turn this time. Mrs. Fielder promised to pack sandwiches and a dessert for us. After church, I'll pick up our food from the restaurant.”

Elijah paused at the kitchen entrance to West & Riley's and peered through the screen. Mrs. Fielder had her back to him and was using a long fork to poke at something on the stove. The smoky aroma of boiled ham hovered in the air.

She turned in his direction when he entered. “Afternoon,
Doctor. Got your order right over here.” She favored him with a teasing smile. “We fixed everything mighty special.”

“Thank you. I'm sure you did.” He wondered at the “we” and decided she meant herself and one of her daughters.

Leaving the fork resting on a plate beside the stove, she crossed to a worktable in the center of the kitchen and handed him a round woven basket.

He lifted a napkin covering the contents. A plate of sandwiches, a wide-mouth container of pickles, and a jar filled with sugar cookies met his gaze. “You've outdone yourself. What a feast.”

Mrs. Fielder's cheeks pinked. “Your young lady should be pleased.”

“I told her to make chicken sandwiches. I know Miss Rosemary favors them.”

Startled, Elijah turned when he heard Jacob West's voice. The restaurant's owner stood in the doorway between the kitchen and the public area.

Jacob never spent time at the restaurant on Sundays. Masking his irritation at the man's proprietary tone, Elijah stepped toward him. “I didn't realize Mrs. Fielder had involved you in our plans.”

“Why wouldn't she? You paid for the food. When she told me who it was for, I wanted to be sure she included Miss Rosemary's favorites.” His lips curved with the suggestion of a smile. “Be sure to give her my regards.”

Elijah drew a deep breath and released it slowly. He wouldn't ask how Jacob knew what Rosemary liked. In fact, judging from the flare of jealousy heating his veins, he knew the sooner he left the kitchen, the better. He grabbed the basket and strode to the door. “I'll pass your message along.”

Someday. If he remembered. But not today.

Rosemary scooted close to Elijah on the buggy seat, her heart fluttering at his nearness. The idea of his planning a picnic for the two of them filled her with pleasure. He'd asked her to wait to give him her answer to his proposal, and she'd waited long enough. This afternoon would be the perfect time.

They passed Courthouse Square and turned west toward the edge of town, traveling past Ripley's Livery and a scattering of homes, including Judge Lindberg's. Once beyond the last house, the road narrowed. Chokecherries growing beside a stream displayed fruit, green now, but ripe with promise. Ferns and moss filled spaces between rocks at the water's edge.

She slipped her hand under Elijah's elbow. “I'm so glad you suggested visiting the lake today. It's a perfect afternoon.”

He squeezed her hand against his side. “Indeed it is.”

When the buggy rounded a corner, Pioneer Lake lay ahead on their left, gleaming with reflected blue from a clear sky. Elijah turned off the narrow road and followed a worn track partway around the lake, stopping beneath an umbrella-like weeping willow. After removing his jacket, he jumped to the ground and tied the horse to the trunk, then placed his hands on Rosemary's waist and helped her from the buggy. The tree's drooping branches formed a green curtain around them.

Rosemary drew in a breath. “It's beautiful here.”

“I drove out yesterday to find just the right spot. I'm glad you're pleased.” He turned her to face him and took her hands in his. The dappled light through the leaves washed him with splashes of gold. His expression softened when he looked at her.

“Ever since Friday . . .” He cleared his throat and began
again. “I hope you've had time to consider my proposal. I don't think I can wait any longer for your answer.”

Happiness left her dizzy. She gripped his hands, feeling a flush spread over her cheeks. “I could have told you yes a week ago. I'd be honored to be your wife.”

“My wife. I like the sound of that.” He slipped his hands from hers and cupped her face between his palms. Bending his head, he placed a tender kiss on her lips.

Rosemary returned the kiss, her pulse pounding in her throat. Her mind spun. “Elijah . . .” She slid her arms around him and leaned against his chest. His shirt smelled like soap and clean linen, and something else. Elijah's own special scent.

He rested his chin on the top of her head. “I have one more thing to ask.”

“What would that be?” She stepped away, gazing up into his eyes.

“Would you consider a double wedding with Thaddeus and Miss Amy?”

The thought of the sheriff's upcoming wedding sent a shock jolting through her. She pressed her fingers against her cheek. “Oh, no. When they marry, Curt and Faith are hoping I'll take Amy's place caring for Judge Lindberg. They want me to move in with them.”

She paced toward the buggy. “No one said a thing when I stayed there this weekend, but I know they haven't found anyone else.” She whirled. “What can we do?”

He joined her, shaking his head. “There's nothing we can do.”

“What are you saying?” Her light heart turned to stone. She grabbed the side of the buggy for support.

He burst into laughter and kissed her forehead. “Thaddeus told me that Miss Amy has no plans to stop caring for the judge.”

“Why didn't you tell me sooner?”

“I thought you knew. She'll spend her days with him, and return to Thaddeus's home in the evenings. That arrangement will work well for all concerned—including us.” He dropped another kiss on the top of her head. “Now, what do you say to a double wedding?”

“I say yes.”

At the edge of the water, a great blue heron squawked and rose into the air.