She tipped her head upward and gasped. “It’s like black velvet, the stars countless pinpricks of light. So beautiful.”
The silvery light danced on her face.
“Yes, so beautiful.” He didn’t mean the stars.
He would not let any of his mental arguments steal enjoyment from this moment.
Chapter Twelve
Over the following days, Amelia found herself growing more attuned to the small rhythms of their days. Pa’s occasional wandering became a call for her to distract him with a favorite tune or an old story, and Poppy’s infectious laughter brightened even the most mundane moments. The quiet evenings brought a kind of solace as she listened for the clomp of hooves signaling Zach’s return.
Although observing him come to the house, greeting him with a smile, watching him interact with Poppy, Kat, and Pa, brushed the edges of her disappointed soul, it didn’t fill the emptiness inside.
Daily, she reminded herself to take the life she’d been offered and enjoy it even if it was only temporary.
Often, after supper, they walked together, usually to his ma’s flower patch. As days passed with no rain, many of the flowers withered and died. She and Zach kept their conversation to mundane things. What Poppy had said or done that made them smile. How Kat had been eyeing the mustang again, and how that worried them both. How Pa’s day had gone.
Inside, she felt like those flowers. Drying up and dying for want of things she must deny herself.
Tomorrow was Sunday. “Are you going to go to church?” she asked Zach on their customary evening walk.
“If Pa seems settled in the morning.”
The next morning,she helped Gil prepare breakfast. The man kept looking out the window. Twice, he opened a cupboard needlessly, likely searching for a bottle.
When Zach came in, Gil said, “Boss, I thought I’d ride over and visit my old friend, Buster, if you don’t mind.”
Zach studied Gil. “I wish your old friend didn’t have alcohol to offer you.”
Gil shrugged. “Ain’t seen him in a long time. A man can’t work all the time.”
Zach nodded. “You deserve your days off.”
“Thanks, Boss.” Gil was suddenly laughing and moving at a pace Amelia had never before seen. He hurried them through breakfast and left Amelia with her hands in soapy water washing dishes.
She watched from the window. Zach spoke to him before he rode away.
“Do you think he’ll be back?” she asked when Zach returned to the house.
“He’ll be back, but I don’t know what condition he’ll be in.” He nodded to the clock behind the table. “I’ll get the wagon. Is everyone about ready?”
Pa descended the stairs, his suit coat buttoned crookedly, his hair slicked back with an abundance of oil.
“We’ll be ready.” She went to Pa. “Don’t you look nice?” She adjusted his buttons and wiped his hair with a towel.
They were soon on their way, Poppy between Pa and Kat in the back, Amelia beside Zach on the seat. How many more trips like this would she enjoy?
Not nearly enough.
She did not like the answer.
This time, they were ready when they arrived in town and hurried into the church with Pa between them.
Mrs. Stone paused to speak to them. She greeted Pa warmly, then turned to Amelia. “And how are you liking the ranch?”
“Very much, thank you.”
“You don’t find it too much work?”
