Page 4 of A Secret Heart
“What’s all this?” Aunt Opal’s words wobbled with emotion.
Rebekah leaned closer to her ear. “A little something to remind you of me while you’re gone.”
Aunt Opal gave Rebekah’s arm a squeeze before backing away to swipe at a tear with the back of her other hand. “We’ll be back, you know. Before you have time to even miss us.”
“I doubt that.”I miss you already.
Opal sniffed, then straightened. “Doesn’t your uncle know it’s high time for us to be leaving? I wish he wouldn’t overwork himself walking all around giving out instructions. As if the McGraws don’t know their way around a farm.”
“Stop your worrying, Opal.” Dear Uncle Vess leaned his lanky form into the doorway, blocking the view outside as another cough racked his body. “Everything is loaded but us. And whatever delicious-smelling bread you have there.”
Rebekah’s brow furrowed at his cough as she picked up the loaf and placed it in her makeshift bag. She had everything she’d need to remain in town for a day or two. Her regular trips to help oversee things at the newspaper office were usually a source of joy to her. If only her aunt and uncle weren’t catching a train. The only source of joy today, putting butterflies in her stomach, was the hope of Isaac driving them.
She’d thought she’d grown out of the feelings she’d held for him back when she’d attended the one-room schoolhouse with Isaac and his brothers. Until the day she’d caught a glimpse of him returning to town after serving as a marshal. He’d still exuded all the manliness of a genuine hero, striding from the train station to meet his brother Ed. No one else lived up to the legendary Isaac McGraw. Not back in school. Not now.
Rebekah smoothed her dark woolen skirt with one hand as she grasped her bag in the other, then followed her aunt out into the sunlight. She angled her free hand under her hat to shield her eyes as the McGraw near the wagon turned to greet them.
“Morning, Mrs. Boutwell.”
Not Isaac.
A lock of mahogany hair escaped beneath the edge of Ed McGraw’s hat as he greeted Aunt Opal with a nod. Awkward seconds passed before he offered a faint “Miss Edwards.”
Rebekah stiffened.Him. Hmph.Had no one else noticed the drop in his voice when he’d finally said her name? Did they ever notice his slights? Two weeks ago, he’d been by to change out a wagon wheel for Uncle Vess. She must have stood by the wagon for half an hour before Ed had acknowledged her only to refuse the lemonade Aunt Opal had insisted she take out to him. Infuriating man.
“I’ll load that for you.” He motioned to her satchel.
“I can do it.” She attempted to pull her satchel back from his reach, but not before his fingers brushed hers as they tightened around the handle, leaving her bristling.
Ed tightened his jaw. He didn’t glance her way as she let go. She knew that tic of his. He was none too happy to see her either.
“How is Isaac?” The words left her mouth unplanned.
Her aunt and uncle gave her a curious look.
“Haven’t seen him in a few days.” Ed flicked a glance her way as he pursed his lips. He placed her satchel under the seat with the other bags, then walked to the back of the wagon. He held out a hand to Aunt Opal. “I put in some hay to make the ride more comfortable.”
“You are too kind to an old woman’s aching bones.” Aunt Opal stepped toward him and slipped her hand in his.
Ignored again. Rebekah rolled her eyes to avoid the distraction of his muscled arms hoisting her aunt into the wagon. The very arms she had so easily envisioned belonging to Isaac earlier.
Vess handed the basket of food to his wife once she was settled, then turned to face Ed. “You will look after Rebekah, won’t you?”
“I’m a grown woman, Uncle Vess. I can look after myself.” Rebekah’s words fell on deaf ears as her uncle kept his eyes trained on Ed. Neither of them acknowledged her.
“My brothers and I will look after the place,” Ed hedged.
She barely held in a snort. Uncle Vess might as well forget getting a promise out of Ed to look after her. Which suited her just fine.
Vess lingered by the side of the wagon, his hand running across the top board. “Promise me you’ll be sure she gets to town and back safely. You’re a man of your word, and I trust you.”
“I’ll check with Drew to see if he can spare me.” Ed half mumbled the words, the way he’d always mumbled when the teacher had asked about missing homework back in school. He didn’t want to drive her any more than she wanted him to.
“Rebekah is precious to me.” Vess coughed again.
She swallowed hard, fighting the pull of concern over his illness that she’d been trying so hard to tamp down, at least until they got to the train. One quick turn of her head, and Ed’s stormy glance her way stilled the rising swell of tears, filling her with resolve.
“Don’t be silly, Uncle Vess. I’m perfectly capable of saddling up a horse and riding to town.” Surely her assurance would ease his mind and end this.
