Western Fate Read online

  Tucking those thoughts away, he decided to revisit them later. For now, they’d just gotten into town and they had to find their way to the house he’d rented. “Arabella, thank Miss Cooper for her help and the book.”

  “Thank you, Miss Cooper!” Arabella didn’t glance up from the story.

  The woman chuckled. “You’re welcome. And you’re also welcome back here anytime. Just let me know if you need another story. I’m sure we’ll find something you’ll like.” She clucked her tongue then. “At least, whoever is here will.”

  He should have left it at that, but curiosity drove him. “Are you not the librarian?”

  “Oh no.” She waved her hand. “Not at all. I don’t think they’ve hired someone yet. I’m just volunteering my time to get the library ready to open. Once it is, my work is done.”

  He cocked his head. “Then what will you do?”

  “I’m not entirely certain yet. But I’ll go wherever there’s a need.” She shrugged.

  He had so many more questions he wanted to ask but there was no point in pursuing them. He might be curious, he might be interested in her, but it would all come to nothing. So instead of asking a follow-up question, he nodded briskly and picked up Arabella’s bear. “Thank you again.”

  “Of course.” She followed them as they made their way to the door. “Let me know if there’s anything you need.” She looked at Arabella then and crouched. “And you, enjoy the book. Let me know if it’s any good, and maybe I’ll borrow it after you.”

  The girl giggled and nodded, hugging the book close.

  Oliver tipped his head in acknowledgement one last time before ushering Arabella out. He crossed the busy street, but instead of his mind being on his next task, he realized it was still on Miss Cooper.

  He needed to make certain their paths didn’t cross again.

  Grace came out of the mercantile, her basket full of essentials she couldn’t do without before her next major supply run.

  She patted the items, wondering if she could bribe Charlotte with licorice in exchange for another chocolate cake. She licked her lips just thinking of it.

  It was strange, but no matter how much cake she consumed, the flavor never diminished for her. It was always as amazing as if it were her first time tasting it.

  She shook her head, laughing at herself. If only she could love a man as much as she loved cake.

  She sighed. After almost a year in Promise Creek, the chances of that happening were slim.

  She looked over Main Street, watching as riders and wagons came and left town. Women were few and far between, and there were more men than she could count. How was it possible she hadn’t found someone yet?

  Her mind immediately went to Arabella’s uncle. When she’d seen him on the street yesterday, her attraction had hit her like a brick. But that had been nothing compared to how she felt after watching him with Arabella.

  His niece.

  The shock still surged through her. She’d been certain he was her father, married, and completely out of reach.

  Oliver.

  The name fit him well, and she wondered what his last name was. Would she ever find out? Grace wondered how long he would be in town for.

  Her feet paused. Did it even matter? He wasn’t Arabella’s father—but that didn’t mean he wasn’t married.

  She closed her eyes for a moment, hoping to stop the questions flowing through her mind. She didn’t know one way or the other whether he was married or not. She hadn’t noticed a ring. So the only question that truly mattered was if she wanted to find out.

  And as a flutter beat in her stomach, she realized she did. She wanted to know.

  After meeting so many men, it was unlikely he was the right one for her, but if she didn’t talk to him again, she would always wonder.

  Luckily, with the town still so small, there was only one place he could be staying. She smiled as she looked across the square at the Winthrop Hotel. Most were shocked to find one in such a backwater part of the country. But when Rhys Winthrop, owner of a vast hotel empire, followed his sister who had run away to Promise Creek, he fell in love and refurbished the one and only hotel in town.

  She hadn’t arrived in Promise Creek until after the hotel was established, but Grace couldn’t imagine the town without it.

  She moved across the boardwalk and was about to step around a puddle when a delicate voice pulled her up short.

  “Grace! Grace, over here!”

  At the delicate voice, Grace looked to her left down the boardwalk and saw Arabella tugging her uncle’s hand—her reluctant uncle if Grace was reading him correctly.

  But before she could say anything, Arabella broke free of his grasp, and the little girl raced over to Grace, wrapping her arms around her waist. “Grace, I found you!”

  Grace staggered as the girl continued to hug her, and chuckled when she realized she was stuck. She wrapped her arms around Arabella and squeezed her back. “Yes, you did. Were you looking everywhere for me?” She glanced up at Oliver for confirmation.

  He remained silent.

  All right then, she thought. He obviously hadn’t been looking for her.

  She gave Arabella another squeeze before releasing her. The little girl beamed. “I looked everywhere. You weren’t at the library.”

  Grace gave the girl her full attention. “I finished putting all the books on the shelves yesterday afternoon. They don’t need my help anymore.” She noticed Arabella’s bear was absent. “No Fluffy today?”

  “He was feeling tired so he’s taking a nap.” Arabella frowned and refocused on their previous topic. “But what if I need more stories?”

  Grace leaned closer as if telling her a secret. “I told you. They will help you. You can borrow as many books as you like.” The little girl squealed in joy, and Grace chuckled. “What about the story I gave you yesterday? Do you not like it?”

  Her uncle must’ve decided it was time to join the conversation. “We read it last night,” he said dryly. “I’ve never known anyone who wants to read as much as she does.” He ruffled the girl’s hair.

  Arabella stuck out her tongue playfully. “And I’ve never known anyone who eats so much cake.”

  Grace choked. “What was that?” She looked at Oliver questioningly. She must have misunderstood the girl. “What was that about cake?”

  He shook his head. “It’s nothing—”

  “Uncle Oliver loves cake. In fact, he ate a whole cake all by himself on the train here. He didn’t even share a piece with me!”

  Grace laughed. She tried to suppress it, but then another escaped, and finally, she dissolved into giggles. The little girl joined her, giggling for the joy of it.

  Oliver shifted uncomfortably.

  Grace wiped a tear from her eye. “I apologize. I’m not laughing at you.”

  He raised a brow. “No? It appeared you were.”

  “No.” She shook her head, a final giggle escaping. “I was only surprised. You see, I’m quite enamored of cakes myself. In fact, the other women I used to live with would tease me for hiding cakes around the house.” She winked at Arabella. “I didn’t want to share either.”

  The little girl laughed hysterically. “You’re just like Uncle Oliver.”

  When she looked back at Oliver, he looked at her curiously. “Is that true?”

  Grace bit her lip and nodded. “It is, embarrassingly enough. Although in my defense, my friend Charlotte owns the bakery down the street.” She pointed toward it, even though it was a little ways down Main Street. “She makes the best cakes you’ve ever tasted. Trust me when I say it’ll change your life.”

  “I’ll have to sample them sometime.” His lips twitched, but the smile didn’t fully develop. It only made her want to try harder.

  Feeling a surge of bravery, she asked, “Would you like to go there now? I’m sure Charlotte would be happy to give us a sample.”

  Arabella’s eyes widened, and she looked at her uncle. “May we?” she asked hopefu
lly.

  He gave her an indulgent smile. “What about our picnic?”

  “We can have cake at our picnic.”

  Grace chuckled. “Sounds like the perfect picnic to me.” She looked at Oliver. “She also makes delicious sandwiches. I’m sure she wouldn’t mind packing a basket for you if you haven’t already made arrangements for something else.”

  Arabella tugged on his coat. “Please, Uncle Oliver?”

  Grace smothered her smile. The little girl sure knew how to win over her uncle.

  But before Arabella could ask again, he shook his head. “Not this time, sweeting. But maybe we can go by there tomorrow.”

  Arabella frowned, but she didn’t argue further. She finally nodded her acceptance, and Grace felt a tug on her heart. She wanted to give this little girl all the cake she could eat.

  Arabella looked up at her with a shy smile. “Would you like to come on our picnic with us?”

  “Oh. That’s so kind—”

  Oliver’s spine straightened. “But she can’t make it. She’s obviously very busy.” He gestured at Grace’s basket, and Arabella’s eyes followed.

  “You really can’t, Grace?”

  She looked so disappointed Grace’s heart clenched. She wanted to take the girl in her arms and hug her until she looked happy again. Grace didn’t know what had happened to her parents, but if she was living with her uncle, it couldn’t have been anything good.

  But with her uncle’s wishes clear, she swallowed back her acceptance, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, Arabella, but your uncle is right. I can’t today.” When her face fell, Grace rushed to say, “But maybe another time, all right?”

  Arabella shuffled, then nodded. She didn’t ask again, didn’t try to bargain. She just accepted. Had she learned to do this because of her uncle? Or was it because of what had happened to her parents?

  She was about to ask but didn’t think Oliver would appreciate the question. She took Arabella’s hand and squeezed. “I’m glad we ran into each other.”

  “Me too, Grace.”

  Oliver cleared his throat in Arabella’s direction. “Miss…” he prompted the girl.

  Arabella’s look turned mutinous, and she scowled, refusing to call her Miss Cooper. Grace was happy to see that bit of spirit.

  Oliver ushered his niece forward, nodding his farewell. “Good day, Miss Cooper.”

  “Good day,” she said, watching as they continued along the boardwalk.

  Arabella peeked under her uncle’s arm, waving goodbye and mouthing Grace’s name. Grace snorted her amusement and held a finger up to her mouth, gesturing silence, before waving goodbye.

  There was something about Arabella that touched her heart. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but she couldn’t deny it either. She’d always liked children, but none of them had ever stood out to her before. Not like this.

  But her uncle? Grace could only shake her head.

  There was no doubt of her attraction, but the man was prickly. She didn’t know if he had something against her, against all women, or if he was just prickly by nature, but he’d made himself very clear.

  He had no desire to become further acquainted with her.

  His rejection of Arabella’s invitation stung. Grace was honest enough to admit that even though she wanted to spend time with the little girl, she wanted to get to know Oliver as well.

  The feelings were not reciprocated.

  It shouldn’t matter, she tried to convince herself. She’d already known they weren’t a match, but she would’ve liked the opportunity to figure that out on her own.

  Instead, he’d decided it for her.

  Chapter 3

  “We need to make one more stop before we go on our picnic,” Oliver told his niece after he’d awkwardly navigated the conversation with Miss Cooper.

  The little girl frowned. “A quick stop?”

  He nodded solemnly and made an invisible cross over his heart. “Yes. I just need to talk to a lady in the office for a moment.”

  He was relieved when she agreed. He knew she was still upset Miss Cooper hadn’t joined them, and now their outing was delayed.

  They stepped across the street to the Copper King’s office in town. He opened the thick wooden door, and a woman with fiery red hair glanced up from the desk.

  She smiled when they walked in and stood to greet them. “Mr. DeHart?” Oliver nodded once, and her smile widened as she looked at his niece. “And you must be Arabella.”

  The little girl’s eyes widened. “Yes. How did you know?”

  The woman winked one of her sapphire-blue eyes. “I know a lot of things.”

  “You must be Mrs. Eversley.” Oliver held out his hand, and she accepted the handshake.

  “I am. But call me Lily. We’re practically family.”

  Lily had been personal assistant to one of his partners before she married another one of the Copper Kings. From everything he’d heard, she was intelligent and savvy, and they wouldn’t have flourished in this operation if it weren’t for her. “All right. Lily it is. Please call me Oliver.”

  Arabella’s eyebrows scrunched as she looked at the two adults.

  Curious, Oliver asked, “What is it, sweeting?”

  “Calling each other by your given names isn’t proper,” she mumbled, looking miffed.

  When Lily raised a questioning brow, he shook his head in amusement. He knew his niece was thinking of the correction he’d given her in addressing Miss Cooper. “We had a lesson a few minutes ago about proper etiquette when addressing others.”

  “Ah.” She turned her attention back to Arabella. “Sometimes, when there’s a close connection, it’s all right to call others by their given names.”

  Arabella considered this then accepted it.

  With that seemingly settled, Lily turned her attention back to him. “We didn’t expect you in the office so soon. Is anything the matter?”

  He held up his hands. “No. Nothing like that. However, I was hoping there was something you could help me with.”

  “Anything.”

  “With the celebration coming up and my duties in the mines, I’ll need someone to look after Arabella when I’m working.”

  Lily was already nodding before he finished. “Of course. And I know the perfect person.”

  His shoulders relaxed. He hadn’t realized how concerned he was with finding proper care for Arabella. “Thank you. You’ve relieved my mind greatly.”

  “Of course.” Her expression softened, and he knew Chase must have filled her in on what had happened to Arabella’s parents. “If there’s anything else you need, just let me know.”

  “Thank you.”

  He’d been so overwhelmed when Arabella had first come into his life, he would have killed for such an offer. In the first few weeks following his brother and sister-in-law’s deaths, he’d learned quickly that being an uncle wasn’t anything like being a parent. He’d spent his fair share of time with his brother’s family, but making every decision for and spending every spare moment with another person was unlike anything he’d prepared for.

  It had been a trial by fire.

  And even though they still had a ways to go, he felt confident that Arabella was adjusting to her new life. She wasn’t crying every day any longer, and she had smiled more in the last few weeks than he’d seen in the first several months after coming to live with him.

  It would take time to heal, but he wished there was more he could do. In fact, he hoped coming here, to a place that didn’t remind her of what she’d lost, would help.

  He hadn’t been prepared for her to run away though.

  Shaking himself out of those thoughts, he focused on Lily. “Thank you.”

  “Of course.” She smiled. “I’m glad you’re here.”

  “Well, this celebration is important. It isn’t something I would miss. Plus, it’s time to locate more rich deposits.” He looked around the office. “This operation has been more successful than anything I’d ever imagi
ned.”

  “I think it surprised everyone. In a good way.” She winked.

  He laughed. Good was putting it lightly. Because of this one investment, he had enough money to last ten lifetimes.

  He was about to say something else when Arabella tugged on his coat. “Is it time to go yet?” she whispered loud enough for Lily to hear.

  Lily’s eyes filled with mirth. “Business talk is so boring.”

  His niece nodded seriously, and both Lily and Oliver laughed. “We should be off,” he finally said.

  Lily waved. “You two have fun. If all goes well, the woman I’m thinking of can start tomorrow. I’ll have her meet us here before our meeting in the morning.”

  He nodded gratefully. “That’s perfect. Thank you again.”

  They said their goodbyes, and Oliver wrapped his arm around his niece, hugging her close to his side as they headed out on their adventure.

  Grace walked down Main Street, grateful for Lily’s note because it stopped her from thinking of Oliver. She might’ve been interested in him—even if she didn’t know his last name—but he’d made it perfectly clear he had no desire to get to know her further.

  It wasn’t as though this was the first time a man hadn’t been keen on her, but it was the first time it had bothered her. Why couldn’t she stop thinking of him and Arabella?

  Her heart ached for the little girl. It was obvious she wanted a woman’s affection, and Grace felt an answering tug in her own heart. But it was impossible.

  She opened the door to the Copper King’s office and stepped through before smiling at Lily. “Hello. I got your letter. What’s going on?”

  Lily smiled. “I knew you’d come.”

  “Of course. You said you needed help.” She looked around the small office, not noticing anything out of place. “What can I help with?”

  Lily rounded her desk and took Grace’s hand. “Not anything here. At least not right now. How are you with children?”