Page 27 of A Groom for Heather
“Cecily, why don’t you get me the yarn and thread and let me see if I can fix Miss Poppet’s hair for you.”
“You don’t have to…”
Dalton held up his hand. “I had to learn to fix my clothes when I was on the trail. I’m sure I can figure out how to fix a doll’s hair.”
Cecily ran out of the room and returned with a small sewing kit and the skein of yarn. “Can you make her hair longer?”
Dalton laid the supplies in front of him. “I’ll see what I can do. You go get your bath and I should have her fixed before you go to bed.” He looked up to find Heather staring at him with a peculiar look on her face.
“I – I…” she started. Shaking her head, she led the children away from the room. “Let’s get your bath.” Dalton watched as she carried a large Dutch oven with water to the bedroom. The sound of children laughing was silenced as Heather closed the door behind her.
He took a moment to look around the house. It was comfortable. Not the tidiest house he had ever been in, but comfortable. There were handmade blankets draped over several comfortable chairs and a rag rug covered the floor. Children’s toys were scattered by one wall and a small shelf hung from the wall with several frames on it.
Dalton put the doll aside and walked over picking up one of the frames. It was a picture of a much younger Heather standing under a tree. He could tell it wasn’t taken in Nebraska as the landscape in the back was different. She wore a white blouse with a black skirt and smiled shyly at the camera. Dalton put the picture down and picked up the next one. It was a picture of Heather in a wedding gown. She smiled at the camera as her hand rested on her husband’s arm.
So. This was Jackson.
Jackson Barnes looked like someone Dalton would be friends with. Jackson reminded him of his brother. He placed the picture back on the shelf. The other pictures must have been relatives.
Dalton gave a light sigh and returned to the table, picking up the doll. It didn’t take long to create a looped hairstyle for Miss Poppet and tack the yarn in place. He noticed that the doll’s dress was torn. He would talk to Cecily and see about creating a new dress for the doll.
The door to the bedroom opened and the children ran out in their nightshirts.
“Good night, Dalton,” Arthur said racing to put his small arms around the cowboy.
Dalton felt this throat thicken.Is this is what having a family felt like?No wonder his brother couldn’t wait to get home to his wife and son.
“Thank you, Dalton,” Cecily said picking Miss Poppet up from the table. “She looks much better.” She opened her arms to hug Dalton. As he wrapped his arms around the little girl, she placed a kiss on his cheek. “Good night. I love you.” Dalton watched as she skipped off to the bedroom.
“I need to empty the tub and then I’ll be right back in.”
“Let me get that for you,” Dalton offered. He carried the tub to the side of the porch and dumped the water in the grass. He leaned the tub against the side of the porch. “I’ll take that to the barn. I wasn’t kidding about wanting a bath.”
“If you can wait until tomorrow night, I’ll heat the water.”
“I’d like that.”
“Would you like more coffee?”
Dalton looked at Heather standing at the door of the house. The light from within surrounded her like a halo, shining from her blonde hair. Her features were hidden in the shadows, but it didn’t matter. Dalton had each freckle, line, and tic committed to memory. He had never felt such a longing before. The longing for a wife and a family. He had to remind himself that Heather was leaving. It wouldn’t do any good to start developing feelings for her.
Or had it already happened?
“It’s late,” Dalton said softly. “I should go.”
“Is the bed alright?”
Dalton shrugged. “Not as nice as the hotel, but it will do.”
Heather gave a little laugh. “I can imagine.”
“I heard talk in town about a memorial ceremony.”
“Ceremony?”
“Yes. I know the Indians buried or burned most of the bodies, but I guess they want to have some sort of remembrance ceremony here.”
Heather wrapped her arms around her sides. “How did you hear that?”
