Daisy caught little of what Liam said after that as she was still trying to process what he’d told her. Clay had said nothing to her about staying in Butte. Not once had he mentioned it, and they’d been living with Liam for over two weeks now. Why had he not said anything?
By the time Clay came back home, she’d convinced herself that he didn’t love her at all. How could he if he was planning on staying without her?
Clay started talking to Graham the moment he saw him, and she ignored them both as she cooked. She’d been told they’d leave first thing in the morning, and she was equally excited to leave and dreading it all the same.
Clay touched her arm to get her attention. “What’s wrong? You’ve been awfully quiet.” Instead of answering, she glanced at Graham.
Her brother-in-law grinned and said, “I’m going to go walk the town. I’ve never been to Butte.”
Without another word, he left the house. Clay was still watching her when she looked at him. “Why did you not tell me you were staying in Butte?”
He blew out a long breath. “Graham said Liam told you about the offer he gave me. And I didn’t say anything because I hadn’t given him an answer yet.”
“Why not?”
“Because I have other things to consider besides myself.”
What sort of things? Was he talking about her? Her heart rate spiked. She was about to ask him what else he had to consider when he turned his head toward Liam’s bedroom door.
“Liam is calling for me.”
Of course he was. She nodded and turned back to the stove. By the time Graham returned, the food was done.
Liam had thanked her for the plate when she carried it in to him, but said nothing more. Clay had been in with him for a long while and had yet to say what they spoke about. He and Graham conversed the entire way through their supper. They were both trying to include her, but she was too preoccupied to pay much attention to the conversation. Not that it mattered anyway. Graham already said they’d be leaving at first light.
And she now knew Clay wasn’t coming with her.
Daisy was upset with him. Had barely spoken an entire sentence since he’d come home the night before, and it was all his fault.
Graham telling him Liam had told her of his offer had been poor timing. He’d wanted to tell her himself. Show her the house when he had that ring and ask her to marry him in what he hoped would be their future home. That plan was all shot to hell now. Graham was taking her back to Silver Falls, and he couldn’t go with her.
The sled Graham had borrowed from the livery stable in Elkin had two bench seats. It was roomy enough that Daisy could lie down in the back if she got tired, and he was sure she would. It was a long way home with all the snow that was on the roads. He wasn’t even sure how long it would take to get there in that thing.
There was a pile of blankets on the seat, and since Daisy had no belongings other than the book he’d given her, they were ready to go as the sun came up.
The livery stable was always cold when he got there, but this morning, it felt frigid. Daisy’s mood was the cause, and he wasn’t sure how to fix it.
You can ask her to marry you.
He wasn’t so sure she would say yes, though. The news that he might stay in Butte had upset her more than he thought it would. She must not like it here as much as he did.
When Graham said they’d leave this morning, she’d been eager to get going. She’d been the first one up this morning, breakfast already done by the time he woke.
Clay shut the barn door after Graham guided the horses and sleigh out. He turned to peer down the street at the town. Very few people were up and about at this time of morning, but the ones who were did throw their hands up in greeting when they saw them.
Daisy was by the sleigh when he turned back around, arms crossed under her breasts, and he wasn’t sure how Graham would react if he pulled her to him and kissed her the way he wanted. He wasn’t sure how she’d react either. Did she still want his kisses? Or had him keeping Liam’s offer from her taint her blooming affection for him?
“We need to go,” Graham said. “I’ll give the two of you a minute.” He grinned and walked into the barn out of the cold air.
He approached Daisy, tipping her chin up with his finger when she refused to look at him. “Why are you so upset?” She didn’t answer, but she didn’t look away either. “I can’t leave with Liam still laid up. It’ll be at least three more weeks before he can stand on that leg.”
Her eyes brightened. “Does that mean you’re not going to take his offer?”
“I didn’t say that.” Her frown was back. “It’s a lot to pass up, Daisy. I’ve never owned anything in my life, and I never will, doing odd jobs here and there. It’s an opportunity of a lifetime. I have to give it more thought.”
She blew out a breath and nodded her head. “I know. And I don’t mean to be so whiny about it.”
He grinned. “It just means you care for me.” Her smile was genuine, and he glanced at the barn before taking a step closer to her. “Can I kiss you?”
