Page 31 of Beyond Montana's Sky
Finally, Caleb’s brick mansion came in sight, and Edith guided the team into the driveway and to the back near the stables. With a sigh, she pulled up and set the brake.
Jed raced from the stables at an ungainly run. “Mrs. Grayson, thank the Good Lord! We was so afeared.” His bearded face was alight with relief. “Mr. Livingston was about to drive out after you.”
Touched by the man’s concern, she handed him the reins with probably the most genuine smile she’d ever given him.
“Mama!” Ben dashed from the gate to the yard and bounded over to her, closely followed by her brother, and then Maggie.
She stepped from the seat of the buggy into her son’s arms.
Ben gave her a tight squeeze and held her for a long moment. When he pulled away, she saw his eyes were wet.
She dropped a kiss on his forehead. “I’m fine, my darling.”
Caleb’s embrace was just as strong. “Thank God. Thank God, you are safe. We were so worried.”
Guilt stabbed her. “I’m sorry, I’m sorry,” she babbled.
Caleb released Edith, and she turned to hug Maggie, who was crying.
“We were strong, really we were, Edith.” Maggie sniffed back tears. “We kept saying that you would have taken shelter. But the direst possibilities couldn’t help playing through our minds, and Caleb wasn’t going to wait much longer to find you.”
“I was prevailed upon to remain at the Driscoll Ranch.”True. Mostly.“They were very hospitable. I’m so sorry I worried you.”
Caleb shook his head. “I never want to go through that kind of worry again.” He frowned. “I’m making it my goal to see Mr. Bell’s telephone is installed all over Sweetwater Springs.”
Edith laughed weakly. “That’s quite a lofty goal, brother. Probably take you fifty years.” She tucked a hand around Caleb’s arm, and then put her other arm around Ben, and included Maggie with a smile. “In the meantime, I’ll take advantage of one of yourothermodern amenities—indoor plumbing—and have a much-needed bath.”
I’m home where I belong. With my family whom I love.But even as she basked in their reunion, some part of her heart knew these dear ones were no longer enough.
* * *
Cai watched until Edith drove out of sight and then waited longer, staring down the empty road, as if he’d see her surrey returning to him. He sniffed the air, imagining he could still smell Edith’s spicy rose scent. Then he turned Rascal and headed home, conscious of the ridiculous notion of missing someone he’d only known for three days.
The long ride under the pearl-gray sky gave him plenty of thinking time. As an adult, he’d been busy with the day-to-day running of the ranch, with the care of his sister, with the Andersons, and he hadn’t taken a lot of time to ponder his life…his future. He hadn’t thought much about a wife, figuring he’d somehow acquire one along the way, maybe by going to Concord and having his aunts find him a bride. That hypothetical possibility seemed far in the future and, if prodded to think about marriage while Aurie was still alive, he would have said he was fine without one.
But now he knew differently, and Cai didn’t like what he knew. Now hewanteda wife—a certain specific wife. One who was totally unsuited to life on a hardworking ranch. One who was leaving Sweetwater Springs and whom he hadn’t asked to stay, both from fear of rejection, but also because he didn’t know what he’d do with Edith if she did say yes.
Just love her.
He shook his head. Edith Grayson was an impossible match.Best put her out of my mind and wean my heart away from the beguiling woman.
Cai let out a slow breath, wondering how long he’d need to recover.
Now that I know happiness is possible, I can go about finding myself a suitable wife.However, that pragmatic thought didn’t make him feel happy at all.
By the time he’d finished mulling about Edith and wives, Cai had passed the outskirts of the ranch. Not long after, he heard the sound of hoof beats and looked up to see his best friend, Benton-Anders Anderson, nicknamed Bear, riding his big gelding, Odin.
A grin near splitting his face in two, Bear took off his Stetson and waved, acting as if Cai was a long-lost soul returning home from afar. His friend clapped his hat onto his head and wheeled Odin around to pace Rascal.
Cai rolled his eyes. “What are you doing out here?”
“Not that I was going todisturbanyone…,” Bear insinuated in his deep voice.
Thank goodness you didn’t.
“I was just riding out to make sure everything in thisareawas all right. Our first snowfall and all….” He shot Cai a merry look and waggled his eyebrows. “Could be a lot of damage.”
“That so-called snowfall is almost melted.” Cai was determined not to mention Edith Grayson.
