With the recent snowfall, they would likely need skis in order to reach the cabin, and neither she nor Hyacinth had skis. In fact, Hyacinth didn’t know how to ski, and Violet only knew as much as Sterling had taught her last winter. But it was enough that she could get herself and Hyacinth there.
Violet crossed to the kitchen window that overlooked the garden, clothesline, and shed. The skis were stored in the shed, which was never locked.
She hesitated. They technically wouldn’t be stealing the skis if they only intended to use them and then give them back. They also wouldn’t be trespassing in the miner’s cabin, since the Nobles often let people passing through the area use the place.
Besides, Sterling hadn’t given them much choice. He’d said they had to be out of his house by dawn. The cabin was the best option.
She just hoped Sterling wouldn’t realize the skis were missing and discover where they’d gone. Because if he did, she had no doubt he hated her enough that he’d kick her out of the cabin too.
4
Sterling stumbled out of bed, feeling as though he’d been run over by stampeding cattle.
A glance out the window told him that dawn was already breaking and morning light was creeping upon the ranch.
He hadn’t meant to sleep so late, had only planned to rest for a couple of hours. But after the past nights of dealing with the sick cattle and getting so little rest, the sleep deprivation had caught up with him.
Still in the flannel shirt and denims he’d worn yesterday, he crossed from his bed to the door and didn’t look into the mirror attached to the dresser. Every time he viewed himself there, it brought back memories of his wedding day, when he’d stood in his room with Maverick and had been getting ready, so full of excitement and hope.
Instead, Sterling combed his fingers through his hair, grabbed his hat from the hook on the back of the door, and headed out, not even bothering with changing into fresh garments. He had no one to impress, especially not Violet.
He paused in the hallway and listened for any sounds coming from the kitchen, where he’d left Violet and Hyacinth.
Silence met him—the same silence that had been present since his family had left.
The women were being awfully quiet. They’d probably thrown down blankets in front of the stove and gone to sleep too.
Guilt pricked him, as it had when he’d left them and walked upstairs. He could have offered them his sisters’ room for the night. He also hadn’t needed to order them to be out before he came down.
He’d been trying to justify his callousness, telling himself Violet wouldn’t leave anyway. She would probably plead for a ride back into town or maybe ask him for suggestions for where she could go next.
He started down the steps with a light tread so that he wouldn’t wake them if they were still asleep.
Could he blame his unkindness on being tired? The surprise in seeing Violet again so unexpectedly? Regardless, he shouldn’t have been a donkey’s hind end. Especially if what she’d told him about her father was true.
Sterling hadn’t wanted to believe her, didn’t trust her. But what reason did she have to lie about why she was out in the middle of the night with Hyacinth? Why subject herself and Hyacinth to the elements? Why visit him when she hadn’t bothered to respond to even one letter? Unless she was desperate.
As he reached the bottom of the stairs in the front hallway, he paused once more. Violet was here in his house.
His heartbeat stumbled forward. Not because he was anticipating seeing her again. No, all he was feeling was irritation that she’d sought him out. Really.
After running away from him and then closing herself off to any communication, she had a lot of nerve seeking him out now that she supposedly needed him. And her apology last night didn’t mean anything. She’d given it in reaction to his putting her on the spot and calling out her selfishness. She wouldn’t have apologized otherwise.
What exactly had she apologized for anyway? Certainly not for rejecting him or calling off their wedding. She apparently hadno remorse for leaving him or losing him. She hadn’t missed him or wished she’d stayed with him, had gone on with her life as if he hadn’t meant anything to her.
No, she was only sorry she hadn’t broken up with him in a kinder and gentler way.
He shook his head and forced down the pain that was crowding into his chest.
This was why he hadn’t wanted to see her again or be anywhere near her. Because just a few minutes in her presence was unearthing all the pain and heartache he’d worked so hard to overcome.
Scowling, he continued down the hallway, this time letting his footsteps echo loudly, hopefully warning the women he was coming and that he wasn’t happy. He paused at the closed kitchen door, half tempted to push through without knocking. But as frustrated as he was, he wasn’t an ogre. He wouldn’t barge in on two women, not even in his own home.
He knocked. “Violet, I’m coming in.”
Silence met him. From the absence of light coming from underneath the door, the women had turned out the lantern he’d left them. They were obviously asleep.
Should he let them slumber longer and come back later?
