My dearest Caroline,
I’m writing to express my condolences on the loss of your sister. I was as shocked as you must’ve been, when I came to help Simon and discovered the house in mourning. He said you had left for Nebraska the previous day and did not know the date of your return.
Therefore, I pray this note reaches you in time, and that it finds you well and safe. Be assured all is well here, save for everyone’s grief. My thoughts and prayers will be with you until I see you again.
Yours faithfully,
Walsh
She breathed a sigh of relief followed by a deeper one of longsuffering, obligation, and doubt.
Walsh had begun paying calls only weeks after Jackson left. And though he hadn’t officially proposed, he’d made his feelings clear two years ago: he knew she didn’t love him, and he wanted her anyway.
Caroline suspected Walsh would have gotten down on bended knee already if he didn’t fear backing her into a corner and forcing a refusal. So long as they continued courting, he could keep her in his life.
Time spent with him was convenient and often enjoyable, but the fact he was a willing participant didn’t absolve her. Theirlopsided alliance had limped around too long. It was time to reciprocate Walsh’s interest or set the miserable man free.
At the sound of boots and masculine voices below, Caroline pulled the bare essentials from her trunk, tucked the letter inside, and fastened the latch and the straps. “It’s ready to go,” she told them when she came downstairs to prepare lunch.
Noah and Jewel were playing with Noah’s wooden horses in the corner of the room.
“Stay out of your Papa’s way,” she cautioned.
While the men grunted and wagged the cumbersome trunk out of the bedroom and down the stairs, Caroline stirred up a bowl of cornmeal batter and mixed in chopped ham left over from breakfast. “I’m heating the skillet,” she called over her shoulder. “The corn cakes will be ready shortly.”
The floor vibrated under her feet as they set the trunk down with a thump.
“I appreciate the offer,” Mr. Ames said, catching his breath, “but I can’t stay.”
She crossed the room to tell him a proper goodbye. “Thank you for all you’ve done.”
“You’re more than welcome.” He nudged the trunk with the toe of his boot. “This is going to be awful heavy for you and Jackson to manage. I can take it now and hold it for you till you get to Sagebrush Springs, if you like.”
Caroline looked to Jackson, who raised his brows and shrugged, so she took a moment and considered her options.
She didn’t want to inconvenience Jackson or get stuck on his farm, all because they couldn’t hoist her trunk onto his wagon. And leaving would be difficult now that they’d mended fences. If her trunk was already in town, she wouldn’t be tempted to stay.
“Yes. Please, take it.”
Mr. Ames gave a nod. “Hang on,” he said to Jackson. “I’ll go pull the carriage closer.”
Caroline returned to the stove, leaving Jackson standing by her trunk with a vague expression.
He saw Mr. Ames off then kept to himself most of the way through the meal. It made her sad, because her time with him was dwindling.
“Are you going to work Jonah some more when you go back out?” she asked, hoping to spark some conversation.
“Maybe. I’ll have to gauge his mood.”
Jewel was nodding off, so Caroline carried her to the fluffy chair and covered her with a blanket.
She had finished eating but sat back down. Jackson was still picking at his food, and the dishes could wait.
“May I be excused?” Noah asked.
Jackson nodded.
Noah stood and headed for the back door, then paused and turned around. “May I go outside?”
