Page 22 of A Steadfast Heart
The man Amanda had spurned.
The hitch in his chest had made it difficult to keep his voice steady as he spoke his vows.
Had he felt the same when he’d spoken vows to Amanda? He mostly remembered the overpowering scent of flowers and his own joy when she’d promised she’d never leave him.
Turned out she’d only meant for as long as circumstances went her way instead of for as long as they both should live.
His marriage to Kaitlyn was supposed to be a business arrangement, but when she’d looked at him with guileless eyes and promised to stay, he’d almost believed she’d meant the vows she’d spoken.
Luckily, he’d regained his senses before he’d actually kissed her.
“We don’t need a new ma.”
Drew started, then spun to face his middle child. She’d stepped off the boardwalk into the lumberyard while he wasn’t watching.
Jo glared at him, her arms crossed over her chest. “Well, we don’t!”
Her glare faltered for a moment, and something else flickered through her expression. Fear? Hurt? If he knew the answer to that, maybe he wouldn’t need Kaitlyn. But would she be able to interpret Jo’s expressions any better?
He gently took Jo’s shoulder. “Follow right behind me. A lumberyard can be a dangerous place.”
Tillie slipped her hand from his and raced toward a butterfly. He caught her within a couple of steps and swept her up against his shoulder. Best not to trust her to her own feet.
He crossed the yard, moving through stacks of green-cut wood, checking behind him to make sure Jo was following.
She glared at him. “I’m not a baby. I know how to follow you.”
He entered the office. Mark Haskin sat at his desk, eyeing the mounds of paper that covered the surface. It looked a lot like Drew’s desk at home.
“Got a minute, Mark?” Drew set Tillie on her feet.
“Glad to take one.” The man ran a hand through his salt-and-pepper hair. “I didn’t start this business so I could spend my days moving papers from one pile to another.”
“I hear you.” Drew eyed Tillie, then Jo. “Stay inside the building, girls.”
“What can I do for you, Drew?” Mark waved to a chair across from his desk, and Drew sat down.
“I need to put up a small cabin on my brother’s homestead. I’m looking to trade for the lumber—a butchered cow.” Drew forced his hands to still. Bartering was a perfectly acceptable alternative to cash. “What do you think?”
Mark sighed. “Wish I could do that, but…”
Drew tried to ignore the heat that swept the back of his neck. “I could work a couple days a week. Or sign a note. I’m good for it.”
“I know you are.” Mark’s gaze held compassion. Or was it pity? “I just can’t do any credit right now, and I barely have enough work to keep my current men busy.”
Drew shoved his fisted hands into his pockets. It had been a long shot, but he had hoped. He’d just have to sell the bull quickly. The best place to get leads on a buyer was the general store. “I appreciate your time. Let me know if you need more workers.”
He stepped from the office and replaced his hat. If he was lucky, it would hide the heat in his cheeks. He took Tillie’s hand and signaled Jo to follow, then he crossed to the boardwalk, where David and Kaitlyn waited for him. “Get your telegram sent?”
She nodded but didn’t quite meet his eyes. Her hands twisted in her skirt, and roses bloomed in her cheeks.
The memory of their wedding kiss roared back through his mind. Except it hadn’t been a kiss. Would never be a kiss.
“I need to pick up some supplies.” His voice sounded gruff, even to his own ears. He cleared his throat and eyed the tweed traveling dress she still wore instead of Amanda’s old things. If those wouldn’t work, they’d have to find substitutes. “We’ll try to find you a couple of dresses and some shoes as well.”
“My shoes are still in good shape.”
“Shoes that work on eastern sidewalks can cause problems here.”
