Where the Heart Leads (10 page)

“Is that so?” A smile touched her soft lips, but sadness stole the life from her eyes. “I don’t think there’s one man in this town I’ve let help me into my buggy, who wasn’t an employee or a nephew-in-law.”

“Don’t try to use that against me.” He moved in, took her hand in his since she wasn’t being agreeable. The instant they touched, his chest cinched tight. A mix of old emotions, both good and bad, haunted him.

But so did new ones.

If they’d never met, if they’d never loved, he still would be standing here just like this, caught in the moment between taking her hand and helping her up into her buggy. When their gazes met, he could see into her, see the lonely heart some stupid young man had broken long ago.

If he’d never known her, this moment would still have changed his life. His pulse came to a stop at the silken warmth of her hand in his. He breathed in her faint roses scent. As she lowered her foot onto the running board, he caught hold of her elbow with his other hand to help her up.

Sweet emotion rushed into him—all brand new. His feelings weren’t coming back for her. This was a new love coming to life.

“Next time, promise me you aren’t going to make such a spectacle.” She gathered the reins in her hands, unaware of the way the sunlight glinted in her dark, rich hair and kissed the side of her creamy cheek. A pretend frown curved her mouth. “You’ve done it now, Gabriel. Fred has seen us. He’s the biggest gossip I’ve ever met.”

“Good.” Gabriel tipped his hat so he could get a better view of her sitting up with the wind in her hair.

“Good?”
She snapped the reins, backing the old mare away from the hitching post. “How can you say such a thing? It’s not good at all.”

“Sure it is.” He tossed her a grin. “It’s been a while since I’ve been gossiped about. I’m going to enjoy it.”

“If I had a whip I’d hit you with it. What a thing to say.” She tugged on the reins, turning the horse around in the road, apparently eager to get away from him. “Don’t tease me like that.”

“Who’s teasing?” He had to call out because she was driving away and he didn’t know if she’d heard him, but it didn’t matter. This wasn’t over yet. He’d caught sight of that smile she tried to hide.

Once, their love had been meant to be.

And it could be again.

Whistling to himself, he went in search of his daughter. Heaven knew what she was charging to his account.

It’s been a while since I’ve been gossiped about. I’m going to enjoy it.
Gabriel’s words had her fuming and she couldn’t stop. Aumaleigh jammed the trowel into the earth and dirt went flying. He wanted to be the center of attention, did he? Well, she did not.

“Is everything all right?” Louisa asked. The sweet kitchen helper had traded her apron for gardening gloves on this fine, warm spring afternoon. “You seem troubled. Can I do anything for you?”

“No, there’s no cure I’m afraid.” Not as along as Gabriel was alive and in this town.

No, she thought wistfully. Even dead, he’d still be trouble if he was buried in this town.
Wait, had she really thought that?
She tilted her head, frowning and then laughing at herself. She, of course, wouldn’t wish death on anyone, just like she wouldn’t actually want to shove someone into the mud. Or chase them with a snake stick.

But thinking about it did make her chuckle.

“Now she’s laughing to herself,” a different voice whispered. “Should we worry?”

“I heard that, Orla.” Aumaleigh slid a couple seeds into the earth and covered them gently. “You know I’m perfectly fine.”

“Right. You just have a lot on your mind.” Orla lumbered up, driving a wheelbarrow full of mulch and manure. “I heard all about it.”

“All about what?” Louisa wanted to know.

Aumaleigh’s stomach knotted. “You weren’t in town, were you, Orla?”

“Sure I was. I mixed up a good batch of fertilizer and took it in for my mama. Gonna help with her garden when I get off work.” Orla maneuvered the wheelbarrow over to the end of the acre-sized garden patch and swiped her brow with the back of her glove. “Do you know what I saw from the side street next to that new bakery going in?”

“What?” Louisa wanted to know. “What did you see? Was it something good?”

Aumaleigh cringed. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard the rumors. Fred is falling down on the job.”

“Oh, I’m sure he’s gossiping at full speed.” Orla’s words were laced with amusement. “I never thought the day would come. Just goes to show you can never give up hope.”

“Hope for what?” Louisa asked. “Why isn’t anyone telling me anything? I’m dying to know!”

“It’s nothing.” Aumaleigh spread her trowel into the row, neatly turning the earth this time. “Let’s change the subject.”

“Let’s not.” Orla picked up her shovel and stabbed it into the soft loam of tilled soil. “I saw Aumaleigh sharing a moment with a handsome man.”

Aumaleigh grimaced. “It wasn’t a moment.”

“Aumaleigh!” Louisa clapped her gloved hands, delighted. Tiny bits of dirt flew everywhere. “I’m so excited for you. There are several men in town who have been watching you for a while. How long has this been going on? Do you have a beau now?”

“No!” Aumaleigh patted more seeds into the earth. “I have nothing of the sort.”

“That’s not what I saw.” Orla added a shovelful of fertilizer into the garden row. “Gabriel Daniels looked pretty amorous, if you ask me. The way he helped you into your buggy, there was something serious about it. He’s a courting man, mark my words.”

“Ooh!” Louisa brightened. “Are you talking about Josslyn’s brother? He is terribly handsome. Much too old for me, but even then, he sort of stops your heart. Do you know what I mean, Orla?”

“Oh, I do, and I’m old enough for him.” Orla winked, mixing manure into the dirt. “Maybe I’ll knock Aumaleigh aside and take him for myself.”

“Be my guest.” She scooted down the row and dug in with her trowel. “He’s all yours, Orla.”

“Oh, I doubt he’d want anything to do with me, when he can’t seem to see anyone else but you.”

“It’s not like that.” Was it anger burning behind her sternum? Or something else?

“Then what is it like?” Louisa wanted to know, pausing her work planting the radish seeds to frown with concern. “You look upset, Aumaleigh. Why? You must be like me, not a spinster by choice. If a handsome and nice man likes you, what’s wrong with that?”

“Nothing.” She stared at the seeds in her hand. Neither Orla nor Louisa knew about her past love affair and its catastrophic failure. Did she finally open up and talk about that old wound? Or would it be better just to get back to work and let it blow over?

Fortunately, the mercantile delivery wagon pulled up and Aumaleigh left her employees to go deal with it. By the time she had everything unloaded and packed away in the pantry, it was time to start supper. Since the horde of cowboys would be frothing at the mouth if their meal was one minute late, it was best to get right to work.

With so much to do, there was no time to talk about men, handsome or not, until the cowboys were fed and the dishes washed. Everyone was so tired by then, it was all Aumaleigh could do to utter a farewell and stagger out the door.

“Hey, Aumaleigh.” Kellan greeted her in the barn. He’d been on the ranch a long time, first working hard for her mother and now for her. A man in his mid-thirties, he carried himself with that cowboy inbred sense of honor and might. “I got your mare hitched and ready to go.”

“Thanks, Kellan. You’re a wonder.”

“That I am.” He blushed, holding out his hand to help her into the buggy.

Always such a gentleman. She accepted his help, slipping onto the cushioned seat.

“I hear I’m not the first man to lend you a hand up today.” He tipped his Stetson, grinning from ear to ear. “News travels fast.”

“It’s all lies. It never happened.” She winked, taking the reins from him. “That Fred got it wrong again.”

“Nice try, but trying to derail the rumor’s not going to work. Everyone knows Fred gets the gossip right before he repeats it.”

“More’s the pity.” Aumaleigh gave a soft chuckle. The sun had set, painting a purple glow on the underbellies of the few clouds overhead. “I suppose it’s too late to stop the rumors?”

“They’ve likely set the countryside on fire by now.” Kellan strolled over to open the double barn doors. “I can see the flames from here.”

“Too bad there isn’t a way to put it out.”

“There’s no chance of that, believe me. Everyone will be talking about this for a while. A longtime spinster like you and a widower like Gabriel? You deserve happiness. I hope it works out for you.”

“I’ll drop dead first.” She laughed, although she wasn’t entirely joking and took charge of the reins, urging Buttons forward. “Good night, Kellan, and thanks.”

“Any time.” He gave her a farewell salute as she rolled through the door.

Goodness! Did everyone have to know her business? And why did Fred feel compelled to tell everyone about it? Perplexed, she guided Buttons down the long sloping driveway, beneath the sign that said
Rocking M Ranch,
and onto the road to town.

“Good evening, fair madam.” Lawrence called out in the dark. He was heading up the road as she headed down. He pulled his donkey to a stop. “I hope you are well.”

“Very much so.” She pulled Buttons to a stop too. She rather liked her odd little neighbor. “How are your new lambs doing?”

“Very well.” Lawrence’s handlebar mustache quivered with excitement. “I have fifty little ones now, and every one is as cute as could be. They don’t survive very well, you have to take extra good care of them, you know. This is my first lambing and I haven’t lost a single one.”

“You have a gift, Lawrence.” She felt rather motherly toward the strange little fellow. She wondered if he had any family of his own. He’d spent Christmas Eve at the ranch, when she’d thrown a big party for her family and the cowboys. “I saw you and a certain young lady spending time together at Rose and Seth’s reception.”

“Oh, you noticed, did you?” He bowed his head, self-conscious. “I was fortunate enough to enjoy Miss Dottie’s company. Not only is she lovely, but she’s quite the conversationalist. I’m sure she’ll be an excellent manager of your nieces’ bakery.”

“Yes, I think so too.” Wasn’t it funny that Lawrence, who’d been so bold and gallant, seemed shy and unsure of himself when he talked about Dottie. “Perhaps you’ll want to drop by and pay a visit to her at the bakery. She’s new in town, and I’m sure it would mean a lot to her to make a friend of you.”

“Do you think so?” Lawrence leaned forward in his seat. “I mean, if she’s in need of a friend, I suppose I could step in.”

“Yes, or perhaps she needs more than a friend. You never know until you try.” She just liked the idea of Dottie and Lawrence together. Were they made for each other? Only time would tell.

“Thanks for the advice, Aumaleigh. I hear you have a bit of a romance going on with that new widower in town.”

“Not a romance,” she corrected, because it was only the truth. She was proud of herself for not even sounding defensive. “He simply helped me into my buggy. That’s all.”

“I hope he is interested in you.” Lawrence snapped his reins, and his donkey stepped forward. “Maybe he’s in need of more than a friend too.”

She chose not to argue. What good would it do? Besides, Lawrence meant well. She waved goodbye and sent Buttons trotting down the lane. The road was dark and empty up ahead (thank goodness). Luck was with her. She didn’t come across anyone else. When she saw the lights of town, she let out a relieved sigh. In hardly any time at all she would be home.

“Hi, Aumaleigh!” A friendly male voice called out in the gathering darkness. “You must be on your way home.”

“Yes, thanks, Tyler.” She drew Buttons to a stop to wait for the horse and buckboard to approach. “I hardly saw you at the wedding.”

“I was there for the meal but left right after.” Harnessing jingled as he pulled his horse, Clancy, to a stop. “Father had this big deal he had to put together. He’s not one to put off making money for any reason.”

“True. I’ve known Lance for a long time.” She stared down the road, where the lights of town gleamed like a beacon. She could make out Fred stepping out onto the boardwalk and locking the post office door behind him. “Why didn’t you tell me about Gabriel Daniels moving in next door? You could have warned me. Surely you know the history.”

“I do, but it wasn’t my story to tell. Mr. Daniels asked me to keep it confidential, so I did.” Tyler’s tone rang sincere. “After hearing about you two dancing at the wedding—”

“The wedding?” she interrupted, heart rat-tat-tatting in her chest. What was he talking about? The waltz in the kitchen when she’d been breathlessly, horribly in his arms? Did people know about that too?

“And after your romantic moment in town with him today, or so I hear.” His voice warmed. “I guess things are going well after all with you two. I’m off to have supper with Magnolia and the girls. Do you want to come? I’m sure they’d love to have you.”

“I’d love it too, but I have things to do at my new house. It takes a lot of work to settle in.”