Page 26 of The Drifter's Bride
“I remember when Ingrid was close to delivering. I didn’t want to leave her side. There is plenty of food to be had, so I know she’ll get something over to them.”
“I appreciate that.” Lukas looked around at the crowd.
“Looking for someone in particular?” Weston teased.
“Just looking.” The flower stems were being crushed in Lukas’s hand, and he wanted to give them to Addy as soon as possible.
“She’s over there, near the garden.”
“Thank you.” Lukas turned on his heel to make his way to the large hedges hiding Marmee’s garden.
“I’m only telling you because there are enough people around.”
He found Addison talking to Mrs. Baker near a large bush filled with pink blooms. He stopped before walking into the garden, as he knew his boots on the gravel would alert them to his presence. It gave him a chance to study Addy for a moment.
She wore a light purple dress with a square neckline. Layers of fabric gathered in a bustle that draped over her hips, with layers of dyed lace running along the edge. The sleeves were sheer and flared at the wrist. She held a fan in her hand and was using it to point to the various flowers as she talked to the older widow. She gave a little laugh that went straight to his heart. He’d be happy to hear that the rest of his days.
Addy’s hair was braided into several loops that were pinned under a lace day cap. Pearl earrings decorated her ears, and a long necklace graced her thin neck. She looked as though she belonged at a high-society garden party, not a picnic surrounded by dirty cowboys, young children, and cow pies. Lukas chuckled as he imagined her losing one of her kid leather slippers, getting caught in a cow pie.
He would just have to make sure that she wouldn’t lose them. He would carry her over the fields if needed. Looking at the flowers in his hand, the small yellow and red flowers didn’t look as fresh as when he first picked them. Stepping onto the gravel, the women turned to look at him.
Addison glanced at him and her face contorted into a frown before she snapped open her fan and moved away.
“Hello, Lukas,” Mrs. Baker said. “What beautiful flowers. Aren’t they Addison?”
Addy glanced back and gave a delicate sniff. “I suppose so. Looks like they need some water.”
“Well, why don’t I go get a jar and let you two young people talk, because I know you didn’t come to see this old woman.”
Lukas didn’t take his eyes off Addison. “Thank you, Mrs. Baker.” He let the older woman pass and then moved into the square garden, cutting off Addy’s means of escape.
“I should go with her,” Addy said.
“Why?” He moved forward, the gravel crunching under his feet. “She’s just getting a jar of water.”
“Aunt Ingrid might need me.”
“I’m sure she has plenty of help.” He stepped a little closer. Addison glanced around as if trying to make an escape.
“Why are you here?” she finally asked.
“I brought you these.” He thrust his hand out, the flowers making a pitiful sight. “There are some oxbow daisies in there.”
Addison reluctantly took the flowers. “They are beautiful. I don’t know why you are giving these to me.” She lowered her head and Lukas swore he heard a sniff.
“Hey now.” Lifting her chin with two fingers. “What happened in the last week?”
“I know what you did. And I think you should let that widow woman know before she makes a mistake. Thank goodness the only thing I hurt is my pride.”
Addison turned and flounced towards the far end of the gravel path where an iron bench rested. Sitting on the bench, she looked at the flowers and raised them to her nose and inhaled. He swore he saw a slight smile break out on her face. He walked down to join her, irritation clouding his every thought.
“I don’t know what you are talking about.”
She placed the bouquet on the bench next to her and picked up one daisy, carefully plucking the petals while dropping them on the ground.
“Addison, look at me.” She raised her eyes but continued plucking and dropping petals. “I don’t know what you think you know, but you must be mistaken.”
Taking off his hat, he rubbed the back of his neck.
