He pushed away from the rail, turned around, and settled his back against it. He crossed his arms. “I keep a tight rein on the household accounts. When I started getting an inkling that she was thinking in that particular way—and that was before Remington told me what he heard—I stopped giving her an allowance. I opened up store credit for her instead. Always had it at the mercantile, the feed store, leather goods, and such, but I set up credit at the dressmaker’s, the milliner’s, and the drugstore because Fiona does like her bath salts, soaps, and specially made fragrances. She has everything she needs but not the one thing she wants.”
“And you think that’s a ticket in her hand?”
“The money to buy a ticket. Yes.”
Phoebe said, “Is there more?”
“I don’t let her go to town alone any longer. There’s always a reason to send someone with her. Usually Ben goes along. She tolerates him better than the others.”
“Really? I thought it would be Remington.”
Thaddeus shrugged. “They’re a little like oil and water. They can be together for a while, but they prefer to be separate. It’s all right. Better than gun powder and a lighted match.”
Phoebe supposed that was true enough. “She wanted to take me shopping today. Would you have permitted that?”
“Of course. That’s even better.”
“I have a little money. You’re not worried that I’ll buy her a ticket?”
“I am depending on you to spend your money more wisely.”
Phoebe said nothing.
“You will, won’t you?”
“I’m not answering, and if I discover my money’s missing and you are the culprit, you will not like what I will do to get it back. I will promise you, though, I will not tell Fiona that I have it, nor will I put it anywhere she’s likely to find it. You’ll have to be satisfied with that. Besides, I think youhold enough sway in Frost Falls that you could persuade the station agent not to sell her a ticket.”
“Oh, I’ve already done that, but if she had the means, she could always get someone else to purchase one for her.”
Phoebe regarded him steadily until he was the one who looked away.
“I’m not proud of what I’ve done, or what I’m doing, but I am a proud man, and I love her, Phoebe. Iloveher.”
“Do you think I never came to know that?” she asked. “But Fiona can be careless with a man’s heart, and I worried on your account because I liked you so well. She’s never said ‘yes’ before. Not to a proposal. Did you know that?”
“She told me.”
“You probably didn’t believe her but it’s the truth. You need to do more than remember that. You need to embrace it. She had reasons for saying ‘yes’ to you. There were practical considerations, I’m sure, because Fiona is nothing if not practical, but she is also a romantic and in your case I believe love did not merely rule her heart. It ruled her head.”
Frowning, Thaddeus used his thumb and middle finger to smooth his eyebrows. He closed his eyes briefly. “What are you saying?”
“Look at me, Thaddeus.” When he did, she lifted her chin and regarded him frankly. “I am saying, quite plainly I thought, that Fiona married for love, and if she wants to leave, it is because you have been careless with her heart.”
Chapter Thirteen
“May I join you?” Remington stood beside the porch swing, one hand on the chain. Phoebe was either ignoring him or so deep in her own thoughts that she didn’t hear. He decided he’d go with the latter and put the question to her again. When her head came up suddenly, he knew he had chosen correctly.
She inched closer to the far arm of the swing to give him plenty of room. The swing bounced a bit when he sat, but the movement stopped once he stretched his legs and used his boot heels to keep it steady.
“Have I thanked you?” she asked without looking at him. It was late in the day and dusk was settling over the ranch, muting the colors that been so vibrant this afternoon. “I can’t remember if I thanked you.”
“I don’t recall if you said it outright, but it’s never crossed my mind that you weren’t grateful. Let’s just leave it at that.”
“I’ve never been good at leaving a thing. It niggles.”
“That doesn’t sound restful.”
“It’s not, so thank you.”
