But then he stopped. Not because the words weren’t there, but because the fear of what they might mean was too vast, too consuming. He shook his head slightly, a rueful smile tugging at his lips. “Never mind,” he muttered. “It’s nothing.”
She studied him, her expression unreadable, before offering a small smile. “Sometimes, it helps to share the nothing.” There was a glimmer in her tone—an invitation, perhaps, or a reminder that she was still there, willing to listen, even when he couldn’t find the courage to speak.
Side by side, they left the barn. The few inches between them both a comfort and a torment. Zach wrestled with his thoughtsas every step forward brought them closer to the moment he’d have to decide—hold on or let go.
They were almost at the porch. Amelia paused, turning to face him, her expression soft but searching. “Zach? Whatever it is you’re holding back… I hope you find a way to let it go. Maybe not tonight or even tomorrow, but someday.”
Her words settled over him like a balm and a burden all at once. He nodded, unable to trust his voice.
As she went indoors, he remained rooted to the spot, the import of her words sinking deep into his chest. He tipped his hat back, gazing up at the boundless sky. Just how could he find the courage to gracefully let her go?
He could pack his things and stay at camp with the hired hands. But that would leave Amelia to cope with everything on her own, and wasn’t his desire to protect her from that his reason for not asking her to stay?
With a groan, he reached for the door handle.
She laughed at something Poppy said. As he stepped across the threshold, he took in the scene. Pa sat at the table endlessly turning the pages of the book before him, his lips moving with words that had nothing to do with the reading material. Kat wasn’t there. She hadn’t done anything foolish for days that he was aware of. Would Amelia inform him if she did? Or would she think to protect him and his little sister by not mentioning it? He should have checked on the mustang before he came to the house. Should have counted the horses to be sure Kat hadn’t ridden off.
His resolve returned.
It would be selfish to ask Amelia to stay. The Dakota farmer was the best man for her.
Chapter Thirteen
Many days, Zach came home early with the excuse that he wanted to work with the mustang. But Amelia suspected he’d had his fill of dealing with Sobel, and she harbored a tiny hope that more and more he enjoyed her presence. Just as she increasingly enjoyed his. Not that she would admit to herself how she wished he would change his mind and ask her to stay. No, that would be foolish.
As had become his habit, he went to the corrals to continue working with the unbroken horse. She followed. Only, she reminded herself over and over to make sure no disaster befell him.
Often, he joined her at the fence to watch the horse. He was there today, having returned midmorning with the news that all was quiet with the herd. His elbow brushed hers as they both leaned on the top rail.
Zach’s attention shifted to the trail leading to the house. “Wagon coming.”
The approaching conveyance brought with it a tail of dust.
“No one I recognize. I wonder what he wants. One way to find out.” He swung over the fence and strode toward the laneway.
The men spoke to each other. Zach gestured toward her, and the stranger nodded.
Amelia forgot to breathe. Who was he, and what did he want with her? She didn’t have long to wait. He and Zach crossed to her.
Zach cleared his throat. “Miss Pressly, this is Jacob Wells.”
The man from the Dakotas. Her face felt cold, her hands clammy. She forced herself to concentrate. Mr. Wells was tall and slim, well built. He was clean-shaven, his skin darkened by work in the sun. His hair was the color of rich soil, and his eyes a pale gray.
“Miss Amelia—may I call you Amelia?”
She couldn’t move, couldn’t speak, had forgotten how to breathe, but he took her silence for permission.
“As soon as I read your letter, I knew you were the right woman for me. I couldn’t wait for more correspondence to go back and forth, seeing as we both want to get married and get on with our lives. So here I am. They assured me there’s a preacher in Golden Valley who would marry us. And then I’ll have the pleasure of taking you to your new home.” He rattled off the words. Words she had longed to hear. Home. Belonging. Someone who wanted her.
She shifted her gaze to Zach. Why couldn’t he be the one?
“I’ll leave you two alone to make your plans.” He disappeared into the barn.
Amelia’s gaze followed him out of sight. Then she forced in a strengthening breath and brought her attention back to Mr. Wells. Though she supposed she must call him Jacob.
“Can we walk a ways and talk?” he asked.
She couldn’t fault his manners, nor his way of talking. Though why was she trying to fault him? She found her voice. “Certainly.” But she would not take him to the slope where she and Zach had watched the sunset. Nor to the hollow of flowers.
