Page 51 of A Secret Heart
“There.” His eyes collided with hers. He didn’t dare linger too close for long.
The moment was broken when Kaitlyn scurried in from the kitchen, then stopped short. “Is that all the dishes? Ed, I didn’t know you were here.”
“Almost finished.” He shoved in another bite.
Tillie called out for her mother to help her with a word in a book. The front door creaked open. Ed noticed Drew pop his head and shoulders inside, though he couldn’t make himself look away from Rebekah.
“Ed? You ready?”
Ed stood halfway out of his chair, swigged the last sip of coffee.
“I’ll take care of your dishes.” Rebekah’s fingers closed over his as he gave her the cup. Sparks flickered up and down his arm.
“Thanks,” he coughed out.
He headed for the door.
“I’ll be sure to save you a plate for lunch,” she called out.
He couldn’t help looking over his shoulder, catching Kaitlyn’s raised eyebrows and Rebekah’s blush as she ducked into the kitchen.
Hope buzzed in his chest as he emerged onto the porch.
Drew was waiting nearby with both horses saddled and ready to ride out. He was staring at the new well. Drew looked up as Ed joined him.
“This is fine craftsmanship. Especially for a well covering.” Drew eyed him as he tapped the top of the well.
Ed didn’t want to discuss the well. He wanted to saddle up to ride out. Riding meant fresh air and plenty of time to think. Besides, the sooner they left, the sooner they’d get back. Back to Rebekah and her smiles.
“I couldn’t just throw together a haphazard cover.”
“No, you couldn’t.” Drew handed him the reins to Lightning, then swung into his own saddle. “But your older brother was trying to offer a compliment.”
All Rebekah’s words about his carpentry work flooded back to Ed’s mind as he placed his foot in the stirrup and pushed up to land in the saddle. Her words rolled over with the image of her placing that steaming hot plate of food at his spot this morning. He tugged slightly on the reins to signal Lightning to follow Drew.
“I would like more time to work on my carpentry.” There. He’d said it. Not so graceful as Rebekah would have wanted, but it was out.
“Haven’t you already been working on stuff?” Drew asked absently. His gaze was on the field ahead. “A…bookshelf?”
“A cradle.” Ed’s words emerged sharp. “And then a display case for the new bakery.”
Maybe it wasn’t Drew’s fault he didn’t know what Ed was working on. He was busy with his family, his new wife.
“It’s not enough,” Ed said, voice more even this time.
Drew was slow to answer. “There’s not much spare time around here.”
“The ranch will always be a part of me. But I want more.”
Drew frowned, but Ed rushed on. “Just think about the money I could bring in. For the family.”
Drew eyed him. “I didn’t know this meant so much to you. Why didn’t you say something?”
Ed was still at war with that sense of duty. He didn’t know how to explain it. He shifted the reins from one hand to the other as he wiped his sweating palms on his jeans. “I’ve felt selfish for wanting to ask time away from the chores. But now I’m asking.”
With a half chuckle, half huff, Drew continued scanning the field as if watching for the herd. “All the work you do around here? You’re about the least selfish person I know.”
But that was the problem. His brother didn’t know all of it. Didn’t know how selfish Ed felt at the moment, wanting Rebekah for himself when they’d all set out to unknowingly pitch her together with Isaac through that crazy mail-order-bride plan.
