Sterling straightened his tie.
Beckett narrowed his eyes. “Reckon we can send the preacher on home now that we don’t need him.”
Sterling didn’t want to argue with Beckett about his relationship with Violet right here and now. “I’ll see what Violet wants to do.”
If her kisses from the past day were any indication, then her passion and her desire for him had grown. He hadn’t imagined it. There was something different between them. At least, he wanted to believe they were different this time.
Sterling started up the steps.
Beckett followed more slowly, probably wanting to chastise him to be careful but holding himself back.
As Sterling entered, he listened for the sound of voices.
“In the kitchen.” Beckett nodded down the hallway.
Sterling hadn’t been sure what to expect when he entered the kitchen, but he was unprepared for Mr. Berkley to be weeping openly at the table. Hyacinth was gently washing the abrasions on his neck, and Violet was sitting beside him, holding his hand. Reverend Livingston was also seated beside him, speaking with him.
At Sterling’s appearance, Mr. Berkley lifted a handkerchief to his nose and blew noisily, trying to compose himself. He’d taken quite a beating from Claude’s men, probably had bruises and cuts in places they couldn’t see, maybe even broken ribs. But he was alive, and he would eventually heal. Hopefully he could find healing both outwardly and inwardly.
Violet released her father’s hand, stood, and crossed to Sterling, her eyes bright with unshed tears. She started to reach for him as if she might throw herself against him in a hug, but she stopped short and clasped her hands together.
“Oh, Sterling,” she whispered with a tremulous smile. “I don’t know how I can thank you.”
She was just as beautiful in her green gown now as she’d been at dawn. The vibrant color made her eyes all the greener, like a mountain forest, and he wanted to wander in them all day. The color also made her pale skin look like silk so that he wished he could skim his hands over it.
Sterling could feel everyone staring at them, and a flush began to work its way around his collar. He needed to have an important conversation with Violet about their future and what to do with the reverend now that he was at the house, but he didn’t want to have an audience. “Let’s talk in the hallway.”
They stepped out of the kitchen, and he closed the door for privacy. Beckett was nowhere to be seen, had probably gone out to the field to start separating the cattle to sell.
“You don’t have to thank me, Violet.” He fidgeted with his tie again.
“You’re amazing.” Her voice held reverence, and she clasped his hands and brought them down between them.
The clanging in his head, which had been getting louder, turned suddenly silent. Maybe everything would be all right. Maybe he was worrying for nothing.
“You didn’t have to do any of what you did,” she continued, a soft smile playing at her lips.
Those pretty, kissable lips that tasted like everything good in the world. Holy sweet heavens, what he wouldn’t do or give to kiss those lips again. But he couldn’t at this moment. He needed to focus on the conversation they needed to have about their future.
“I’m in debt to you.” Her voice was earnest.
He didn’t want to think about her being in debt to him. That hadn’t been his intention in helping her father. “Your father will have to work it off.”
“But you have no guarantee he will.”
Sterling curled his fingers around hers more firmly. That was true. It was also true he would have to start saving all over again, which would take years. That meant he wouldn’t have the means to build a house for a wife anytime soon…a house for Violet?
“I’m hopeful, though,” Violet continued. “Father seems truly sorrowful. After all that’s happened, I think he understands the mistakes he’s made.”
“That’s a start.”
She squeezed Sterling’s hands.
He loved her closeness and wanted to throw away all caution and just draw her into his arms.
“I’ll never be able to thank you enough.” Her eyes turned glassy again. “I owe you everything for saving me and Hyacinth and my father.”
Debt. Owe everything.
