The door opened, and Beau turned, smile pasted onto his face and expecting another person come to ask after mail. But it was Faith, returned from her visiting, her face alight with July sunshine and cheer. She smiled at him then, and some of his worry vanished.
“Did you have a good visit?” he asked, stepping forward to take her hat and her reticule.
“I did. Altar was visiting too, with her babies, and it was such a delight to see her. And Millie asked after you. She said you were most helpful to her the other day when she needed to post a letter.” Faith looked up at him with that radiant smile of hers, and not for the first time, he considered how fortunate he was.
“I aim to be of service to all who enter this establishment,” he said with mock seriousness.
Faith laughed, and the sound of it made it hard to remember what had bothered him so thoroughly before she arrived.
But the worry must have still shown on his face, because she tilted her head and frowned at him. “What’s on your mind?”
Beau sighed. The letter crinkled in his pocket as he moved, reminding him of exactly what prickled at the edges of his mind.
“Beau,” Faith said, stepping forward and taking his hand.
If he hadn’t been so worried about what had been in that letter, he might have been more able to appreciate her sweet, trusting gesture. “It’s a letter from my mother,” he finally said.
Faith scrunched up her face in concern. “Is she well?”
“She is. She’s still seeing a widower gentleman who lives nearby,” he said with a little grin. Maman loved his father so much that he thought she might live out the remainder of her days a widow. And yet she’d surprised him. She was, he supposed, a lot like Faith in that way. She’d simply needed time to grieve.
“I’m guessing that you approve of him.” Faith tilted her head. “Because that isn’t what has you so worried.”
He didn’t want to scare her, but he didn’t want to lie to her either. A portion of the truth would have to do. “Someone forced their way into my mother’s house. It does not look as though they took anything. And, thankfully, she wasn’t home at the time.”
Faith pressed a hand to her mouth. “Is she all right? I know you said she wasn’t hurt, but does she feel safe?”
Beau shrugged helplessly. “I don’t know.” He took out the letter and tapped it against his hand. “I wish . . .”
“There was something you could do?” Faith filled in for him.
“Yes.” He crumpled the letter again and pushed it into his pocket, hoping to shove away the worry that came with it. “I telegraphed a friend to look in on her. I hope that between him and her beau, everything will be fine.”
“I’m sure it will be,” Faith said. She took his hand again and squeezed it. “It’s likely someone who will never come back. Someone who simply took advantage of an opportunity he saw.”
Beau looked down at her gloved hand, so soft and comforting. She could be right. It was possible. But he couldn’t shrug away the nagging feeling that it was all related to the mess he left behind. Why hadn’t he insisted she come with him?
“Why don’t I run over and ask Nate if he’ll watch the office for a spell and we can eat at the diner?” Faith said. “Most folks have come for their mail already, I assume, and he should be able to handle anyone else who arrives. And besides, he’s doing well with the telegraph. Thanks to you.” She gave him a dazzling smile that did wonders for the worry that hung about the edges of his mind.
He smiled at her. It amazed him every time how simply looking at her could ease his soul. And ease he certainly needed. As many times as his mother, LeClere, and his other friends had reassured him that he had done the only thing he could possibly have done and remain alive, Beau never could quite shake the horrible guilt he felt from having been responsible for taking another man’s life.
Part of him thought he should tell Faith everything, but yet he couldn’t stand to see that beautiful face crumpled. He couldn’t bear the disdain she might feel for him when she knew. She might forgive him. She might understand. Or she might not, and then where would he be? He would lose her forever. He was almost certain she wouldn’t approve of the choices he made that had led to that moment. The gambling, the drinking, the so-called friends he’d thought he had. It was a black stain on his life. And if he could, he would take it all back.
But if he did, would he have met Faith?
It was all too much to think about right now, when her small hand clasped his and she smiled at him. He needed to focus on her, and on the safety of his mother.
“Dinner is a great idea,” he said. “Would you allow me to escort you to Dawson’s Diner?” He removed his hand from hers and crooked an elbow.
She tilted her head, and placed a finger to her lips as if she were considering his offer. “I suppose I have nothing better to do,” she said. “I’ll allow you to buy me dinner.”
He laughed wholeheartedly, until his belly hurt. And off to fetch Nate and eat dinner they went, and Beau promised himself he would not worry any further until he heard back from his friend.
If further action was required then, he would find a way to handle it.
