Western Fate Page 8

  He didn’t mind admitting that Promise Creek was nothing as he’d first imagined it. And while he hadn’t a direct hand in it, the Copper Kings had built something here. Something he was proud of.

  With any luck, he would find the deposits they were looking for and keep the mine running for a long time.

  He made his way out of the tunnels into the fresh air and moved over to the temporary workbench he’d set up in the yard. He’d been running tests almost nonstop in hopes of discovering a rich pocket.

  He added chemicals to the different tubes, swirling each to speed up the reaction before setting them back in place.

  Lucas saw him from across the yard and waved in greeting before coming over. He scanned the tubes as he watched the colors change. “Any luck?”

  He gestured to the color changes. “It looks as though we found copper,” he said dryly.

  “Thank you.” Lucas rolled his eyes. “Do any look promising?”

  He scanned the tubes but didn’t see what he was looking for yet. “We have a few pockets that might do, but none that I’m completely satisfied with yet.”

  Lucas placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’ll find it,” he said with complete confidence. “I know you will.”

  Oliver nodded tightly. There was no doubt he would find the next location. He just hoped he could manage it in the next two days.

  Chapter 10

  It was dark out and Grace paced the living room floor in Oliver’s home. He worked late sometimes, but he’d always let her know.

  This time—there’d been no word.

  She chewed her bottom lip and glanced out the window as she had almost one hundred times in the last hour.

  Had something happened to him at the mine? Had there been an accident? Was he injured?

  She squeezed her eyes shut at the thought. She was doing it again—letting her imagination run wild. He was perfectly fine. He had to be. Someone would have sent her word if there was a problem…wouldn’t they?

  She growled in frustration and spun away from the window. Perhaps she should carry Arabella to the wagon and go to the mine and check on him. If there had been an accident, maybe she could help.

  But it was more likely he got caught up at work and everything was fine. If she did something so rash as to race off in the night alone with Arabella, surely, he wouldn’t condone such a thing.

  She paced the same path on the carpet, wondering how long it could hold up under such abuse. There would be holes in it by the time Oliver arrived.

  And as if she’d summoned him, the door opened, and he stepped inside the house.

  Her heart sped up, and she raced over to him. “Oliver! Is everything all right?” She quickly scanned him from his dark hair to his dirt-smudged shirt. He looked tired, and perhaps a bit dusty, but well.

  “Of course.” He seemed surprised by her reaction. “Why would I be otherwise?”

  She gestured wildly with her arms. “It’s so late. I got worried. You usually send word.”

  He blew out a long breath and lowered his head. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”

  He sounded tired. “Was there a problem at the mine?” She wished there was something she could do to help him. To reach out, run a hand through his hair. She wondered when the last time was that someone took care of him.

  He scrubbed a hand over his face. “There’s no problem. I’m just running out of time.”

  “Still can’t find where to excavate next?”

  “No. But I took more scrapings, and I should see the results in the morning. With any luck I’ll strike gold.”

  “Copper.” Her lips twitched.

  “Pardon?” He looked as if he were having trouble following the conversation.

  “Copper. With any luck you’ll strike copper.” She shrugged sheepishly at his confused look. “You said with any luck you’d strike gold.”

  He let out a small, tired laugh. “Yes. Hopefully, I’ll find copper.”

  She knew he’d insist on driving her home as he had the other late nights, but she couldn’t bear to make him leave yet. He looked so tired. “Why don’t you sit down, and I’ll bring you something to drink before we leave?”

  “I’m worried if I sit down, I’ll fall asleep.”

  She nudged him into a chair. “Don’t worry about that. I’ll wake you up if need be.” With him settled, she went over to a cabinet tucked in a corner of the room.

  “Just water, please.”

  She nodded even though he couldn’t see her. She pulled a pitcher from the cupboard and poured fresh water into a tall glass. It looked so refreshing she decided to pour herself one as well.

  Carrying the two glasses, she walked across the room and handed one to him.

  “Thank you.” He took a long gulp before he gestured to the open place next to him. “Why don’t you have a seat?”

  She knew she should select a chair opposite from him for decorum’s sake, but after the worry she’d had earlier, she wanted to be near him.

  “Thank you.” She lowered into the spot next to him, making sure to keep a large gap between them.

  After a moment of silence where they both enjoyed their drinks, he said, “I’m sorry I forgot to send a note. I’m not used to having someone concerned for my welfare.”

  She wanted to tell him that she would always worry about him, but she knew it was something he wouldn’t accept. “Arabella worries for you.”

  He accepted her statement with a nod. “I don’t want her to worry anymore.” He blew out a long breath. “I just want her to be happy.”

  “She is.” Arabella was very happy. And the longer Grace was around, the more she saw the girl open up and flourish. “She’s grown so much in the time you’ve been here. The town has been good for her.”

  His eyes met hers, and her stomach flipped. “I don’t think it’s just the town.”

  Grace gulped, and hastily took a drink, unable to hold the intense stare. “I don’t know what else it could be.”

  His soft laugh filled her ears. “Yes, you do.”

  She looked at him then and soaked up his tired, happy look. “It’s what I’ve been saying. I care so much about her, too.”

  “You two have a bond,” he agreed.

  “But that doesn’t lessen the bond she has with you,” she quickly said. She didn’t want Oliver to think she’d taken his place. “She’s always going to need you no matter what.”

  “I know. But I can’t deny what she needs even more. Something I might not ever be able to give her.”

  Grace stilled. Was he talking about marriage? About giving Arabella a mother? “If you give her everything you have, it’ll be enough.” There was so much more she wanted to say. Her feelings for both Oliver and Arabella were on her tongue, but she choked them back.

  Be content with what you have.

  “I want her to have everything. Everything my brother and his wife would have given her.”

  “Do you think she needs a mother?” she asked, finally.

  He closed his eyes and leaned his head on the back of the couch as if he couldn’t think about it any longer. “Don’t you?”

  She remained silent. There was so much she could say, but she worried if she said any of it, all her feelings would spew forth, unable to be recalled.

  “Thank you for everything you’ve done for her.” His voice trailed off, and she wondered if he’d fallen asleep.

  After another minute, he was breathing heavily.

  Surprise filled her, and she let out a soft laugh. Here she was, completely tied in knots, and he had fallen asleep.

  Humor and pity wove through her. He was so tired, had been working so hard. He was a good man and was doing everything he could to meet his responsibilities. He needed to rest. He needed a break.

  But if she returned home without him, he would be upset. He cared about her safety, and she didn’t want to treat his feelings lightly.

  But there was no harm in letting him rest for a bit. She wasn’t sleepy at
all. Sitting here with him for a bit while he had a short nap wouldn’t hurt anything.

  She stifled a yawn with her hand and set her cup on the table before plucking his from his hand. It wouldn’t do to have the cup tilt and spill water all over the sofa.

  She watched him for a while, the way his chest rose and fell in rhythm. His features softened in sleep, completely free of the world-weary expression he constantly wore, and her earlier thoughts came back—when was the last time someone had taken care of him?

  From what she’d gathered, it had been a very long time. She ached to fill that void, to ease his burdens, to bring love into his life. Would he ever allow that?

  She wasn’t certain, but she hoped she would have the opportunity someday. He hadn’t told her if he’d made a decision about her returning East with them, and she hadn’t wanted to ask in case he was still deciding.

  She wouldn’t push him, but she saw no other future for herself now. His answer needed to be yes. She just had to figure out how to convince him.

  She yawned again, deciding it wouldn’t hurt to rest her own eyes for a moment. She would allow him another five minutes, and then they’d be on their way…

  It was the last thing she thought before drifting off to sleep.

  Groggy, Oliver woke to giggles.

  His neck ached from the position he’d slept in, and as he rubbed his eyes, he realized he was sitting upright. Where was he?

  “Uncle Oliver, did you sleep on the couch?”

  His eyes slitted open, and he glanced at his niece. “Apparently, I did.” He shifted and froze when he realized he wasn’t alone on the couch.

  More giggles. “So did Grace.”

  He held still as he looked over Grace. She lay on his shoulder, curled toward him as if looking for warmth. She looked so sweet and innocent, and warmth immediately spread through him.

  He’d been exhausted from pushing so hard to find copper, he hadn’t realized what his late nights and long hours were doing to her.

  He tried to think about what had happened last night—remembering how concerned she’d been for his safety. Gulping, he filed away the warm feeling that wove through him. He couldn’t remember the last time anyone had cared about him like this.

  What was happening to him? One moment he was pushing her away, and the next, all he wanted to do was pull her closer.

  Unable to help himself, he smoothed a hand over her hair where a tendril had escaped. The blond curl was silky and smooth, and he ached to release the rest of her hair and run his fingers through it.

  “Grace! Grace, wake up!” Arabella yelled as she climbed up Grace’s lap.

  He jerked his hand away, not wanting to be caught doing such a thing, just as her eyes fluttered open. “Arabella?”

  She rubbed her eyes and stretched, not realizing she was pressing herself even closer to him. He straightened at the feel of her as desire washed over him.

  This was dangerous even with his niece acting as chaperone.

  As he shifted away, she must have woken enough to realize the situation. She jerked upright, and her wide eyes met his. “Oliver! I’m so sorry!”

  Her horror amused him. “For what?” he asked as though it was commonplace for them to spend the night pressed up against each other.

  She gestured around the room. “Last night! You were so tired, and then I closed my eyes for only a minute.” She closed her eyes tight. “I thought to let you rest before I returned home.”

  He chuckled. He didn’t know why but he felt happier waking with her than he had in years, and her reaction only amused him. “It’s my fault. I should have known better than to sit down when I’m that tired. I hope you aren’t too scandalized,” he teased.

  She huffed out a breath. “My reputation is the least of my worries.” She glanced over at Arabella meaningfully, and he realized her worry.

  His niece looked at him, and he held out his arms for her. She wiggled from Grace’s lap to his, and he cuddled her. “Now, Arabella. I have a secret to tell you, but you have to promise to keep it a secret if I tell you.”

  The little girl’s eyes widened, and she bounced. “I will! Tell me!”

  “Miss Cooper was so tired last night she fell asleep on the couch. I worked too late this time.”

  Arabella nodded seriously. “You do get home late, Uncle Oliver.”

  “I do. But Miss Cooper isn’t supposed to stay over for the night—”

  “—and we don’t want her to get in trouble.” Arabella nodded wisely. “It’ll be our secret.” She grinned at Grace. “Your secret is safe with me.”

  Grace looked amused and ruffled the little girl’s hair. “Thank you for protecting me.” She stood and tried to smooth the wrinkles from her skirt. “I don’t think I can fix this,” she said sheepishly.

  “Why don’t you go home and fetch fresh clothes? I could stay with Arabella until you get back.”

  “Oh no. It’s all right.” She smiled conspiratorially at Arabella. “I think there might be cake under my bed at home. And I need help eating it.”

  “I’ll help! I’ll help!” Arabella chanted as she danced around the room.

  Grace’s eyes twinkled, and Oliver realized he couldn’t look away. He’d always thought Grace was beautiful, but there was something more right now. Here, with him and Arabella, in this intimate moment usually reserved for families—she was breathtaking.

  His chest ached, and he wondered what it meant. Was he in love with her?

  She took Arabella by the hand and smiled at him. “We’ll go get Arabella dressed and head out now. Will it be another late night?”

  Although his feelings confused him, he didn’t like the worry etched in her brows. “No. I should be home on time.” He gave her a reassuring smile and watched her frame loosen.

  “All right. We’ll see you later, then. Have a wonderful day.” She nudged Arabella forward, and his niece kissed him on the cheek before scampering out with Grace.

  He knew he should head to his room to wash and dress quickly before returning to work, but he couldn’t make himself move from the sofa.

  We spent the night together.

  He’d never spent the night in the company of another. And although he knew it was improper and her reputation would be destroyed if anyone heard of it, he couldn’t bring himself to regret it. He felt happier, more content than he’d ever felt in his life.

  He couldn’t deny it any longer—Grace made him happy. She also made Arabella happy. Perhaps it was time to consider marriage, regardless of the risks.

  But as he tried to come to a decision, circling the issue again and again, he couldn’t bring himself to settle.

  Groaning, he scrubbed a hand over his face and forced himself to stand. He needed to work. Perhaps by focusing on something else, the answer would come to him about what he should do.

  Chapter 11

  Arabella bounced on Grace’s bed, her entire body vibrating with anticipation over the cake she’d been promised. “Which kind is it, Grace? Chocolate? Lemon?”

  Grace finished the last button on her cuff before tapping Arabella’s nose. “You’ll just have to wait and see.”

  The little girl moaned and flopped dramatically on the bed, her blond curls fanning around her head. “Are you almost finished dressing? It’s taking forever.”

  Grace chuckled at the girl’s theatrics. “And to think I even picked one of my simpler gowns today. Perhaps I should dress in the one with the long row of buttons. Hmm—”

  “No!”

  Grace’s laugh echoed through the air. “I didn’t mean it.” She tickled the little girl until they both flopped on the bed, gasping for breath.

  Arabella’s body curled into Grace’s, and she sighed at the joy of having the young girl in her arms. Running her fingers through the girl’s silky locks, Grace’s heart ached, hoping there would be thousands of these same moments in the future.

  Arabella nuzzled Grace. “You smell good. Like Mama did.”

  Grac
e’s hand paused a moment before she continued stroking her hair. “Do I?”

  “Mm-hmm. Like flowers.”

  Grace used lavender sachets in her drawers and wondered if Arabella’s mother had done the same. “It helps keep my clothes smelling nice.”

  “I like it.”

  “Good.” She brought Arabella in tighter and gave her a gentle squeeze.

  After a few moments, Arabella pulled away to looked at Grace seriously. “You won’t leave me too, will you?”

  Grace’s heart broke. “Sweetheart, what do you mean?” She reached out and rubbed the little girl’s back, wanting to give her comfort when she was visibly distressed.

  “My mother left,” she said softly.

  “I know, sweetheart. She went to Heaven.”

  “So did Papa.”

  Grace nodded, swallowing the lump in her throat. “But they’re always with you. Remember?”

  “But I want you too.”

  “You have me. I’ll always be your friend.”

  Arabella’s eyes watered. “I love you, Grace.”

  “Oh.” Grace’s heart melted, and she gathered Arabella’s little frame in her arms once more. “I love you too. I’ll always be there if you need me.”

  “Promise?”

  Grace took a deep breath, knowing her life was about to change forever. “Yes. I’ll always be there for you.”

  Grace’s words settled the little girl, and she snuggled another moment before bounding off the bed, asking again about the hidden cake. The little girl’s life continued on as if nothing had changed when everything had just changed in Grace’s. She’d made a choice. Whether Oliver permanently took her on as Arabella’s nanny or not, Grace would be leaving with them when they returned East.

  Everything would be much simpler if she were her nanny, but Grace was determined to make it work. If necessary, she would find a job somewhere near Arabella’s home and visit as often as possible.

  She would do whatever was needed to fulfill her promise to Arabella.

  Oliver stared at the results he’d been searching for.