Page 20 of A Groom for Heather
“Musta been the liquor,” Nate mused. He pinched the bridge of his nose and Heather could see a tear start to fall. “I wish I had died that day as well.”
“Hush, Nate,” Charity pleaded. “Don’t say that.
Heather reached out and touched the man’s arm, gently squeezing it. She was in shock that she couldn’t respond emotionally. “It wasn’t your fault, Nate. Jackson and Red Hawk were doing what they loved. It wasn’t your fault. Was Red Cloud able to help you?”
“It took two months before I could talk. My skin was so frostbitten I lost an ear, finger, and part of my scalp.” He snorted. “They gave me an Indian name as well.Tatanka Ska. Darn if I know what that means.”
“White Buffalo. It means white buffalo.”
“White Buffalo,” Nate rolled the words around on his tongue. “I guess I should be honored or something.”
“It means you are a member of their tribe. It is a great honor.” The temperature was starting to drop, and Heather could smell the rain in the air. “You better head home. It looks like a storm is approaching.” The sound of thunder could be heard in the distance. “I’ll stop by with that tea.” Heather gave a little wave and ran towards the livery, arriving just as fat raindrops started to fall.
“Crazy weather we are having,” Dave called as she ran inside the shelter.
“Yes, it is.”
“I’ll get your horse ready. Get your business sorted?”
“I did, thank you.” Heather didn’t want to talk about anything else. After the meeting with Mr. Cairn and Mr. James and then the discussion with Nathaniel Green, her head was starting to hurt. She leaned against the doorway of the livery and watched the rain pummel the ground. Storms tended to creep up on the small town without much notice.
Thank goodness the weather in the East was more predictable. Heather was happy to be going home. She missed her family. Perhaps she might even remarry in Philadelphia.
Mr. Cairn pleaded the case that she needed to get married to push the adoption through. Heather was certain the lawyer was in cahoots with Pastor Collins. The lawyer said the adoption could still go through; it would just take longer. She had plenty of time right now. At least until October.
There wasn’t a law that said she had to adopt the children before she left. She didn’t want some relative showing up and tearing the children from her home. They were a family. Maybe she should consider getting married again. Heather shook off the thought. She’d wait until they were settled back in Philadelphia before they did anything.
Closing her eyes, she listened to the sound of the rain falling. It was soothing. She allowed her daydream to guide her to thoughts of a house filled with children and a husband. She tried to imagine what her future husband might look like.
Instead of a man dressed in dapper clothes, the image of Dalton James appeared behind her eyes. He was laughing at something and Heather wanted to know what it was. The scene pulled back and she could see Cecily and Arthur running around Dalton’s legs. A toddler with chunky legs was chasing them. Dalton grabbed the toddler and lifted her in his arms. He turned towards Heather and pointed. She looked at the child and gasped. The child looked exactly like her.
Heather snapped her eyes open and took several breaths.
“You alright Mrs. Barnes?” Dave asked.
“I – I am. Thank you.” She looked out at the rain coming down. “I hope the rain passes soon.”
“Just a spring shower. It will be gone quickly. You can hear the rain easin’ up.”
As quickly as it started, the rain dissipated, and the sun was shining once more. Dave hitched the horse to the black buggy and Heather climbed on board. She needed to leave Last Chance. It was a matter of principle now. After her shocking behavior at Millie’s house, she felt as if she had no choice.
And now her farm had been sold.
She’d be happy once she arrived back in Philadelphia.
Why then, did she feel so miserable at the thought of leaving Last Chance?
Chapter Seven
She was avoiding him.
He rode out to the farm the day after the purchase. He wanted to see what exactly it was that he purchased. He had done a quick ride by with the lawyer, but now it was his.
JH Ranch was the most beautiful place he had ever seen. Not too large, maybe 20 acres or so. It butted up to a field of horses on one side and a small creek on the other. Heather wasn’t home and the little boy who answered the door didn’t know when she would return.
When Dalton asked where he might find her, the child innocently replied, “I dunno. She’s avoiding someone in town.”
“Arthur!” a voice called from the back and a young girl, younger than ten, came and pulled the boy inside, shutting the door in Dalton’s face.
