Bittersweet (50 page)

The next day, Dale ran out to the field. “Galen! Galen—Ma’s sick!”

CHAPTER FORTY

I
t’ll take a month or better before she fully recovers.” Laney shifted Annabelle to her shoulder and patted her until she burped. “We’re doing fine here, Galen. Truly, we are. Rheumatic fever is nasty, and your mother needs to rest. Doc said he’s seen a few folks get rheumatic fever like this after scarlet fever. He doesn’t know why, but Hilda told me Doc said if she doesn’t take it easy, she’ll relapse and end up with heart problems. We can’t allow that to happen.”

“You look tired,” he blurted out.

Laney raised her brows. “And you think you don’t? Galen, Ivy was a dear friend to me. She trusted me with Annabelle. You need to, as well.”

He heaved a deep sigh. “I’m free of the Pony now. As of yesterday, the final stop for them is Placerville. Rick Maltby said the Pony’s operating at a huge loss and can’t pay their bills, so they’ve agreed to allow me to keep two of the mares to settle their debt. Your brother offered … um …”

Laney knew that Galen was trying to choose his words carefully. “Josh mentioned you were thinking of building up a stable of horses. He’s always praised your talent. I’m glad he offered to loan you our stallions.”

Galen twitched her a smile. “We received a small reward for the thieves we caught. Ishmael and I thought it ought to go toward replacing the things they stole. As it turns out, there was just enough left over to pay for fencing in another paddock and getting a few harnesses. In the weeks ahead, I’ll be coming over so Josh can give me pointers so I can benefit from his experience. I’d like to see Annabelle whenever I’m around.”

“Of course you would. She’s a precious little girl, Galen.”

“I’ve been fighting to keep from grabbing her from you,” he said, reaching out as he said the words.

Laney released her. “Have a seat. I’ll get you some coffee.”

More evenings than not, Galen stopped by. Ishmael came on the days Galen didn’t. Laney teased Amanda that it was hard to tell whether he paid more attention to the baby or to Amanda.

In early August, Galen sank down into a wicker chair. He leaned back and studied Laney as she gently rocked Annabelle to sleep. “It’s hard to fathom how clear across the country they’re suffering the horrors of war. Reports about the Battle of Bull Run or Manassas are catastrophic. News of that new income tax leads me to believe this isn’t going to be the brief spat most of the experts predicted. Man is inflicting grievous wounds on his fellow man, yet here I sit on a quiet summer night and enjoy the sight of a lovely young woman and a content baby.”

Laney looked at Galen, not sure what to think of his words. “She is a content little girl. Just this afternoon, Ruth was saying she hopes her baby has such a sweet temperament. Josh nearly choked on his coffee. He predicts if their children are anything like Ruth, he’s going to be gray by the time the first one is a year old.”

“How did Ruth react to that?”

“She agreed.” Laney laughed. “Then she tacked on that if their children take after Josh, he’ll be completely gray in six months.”

Galen grinned. “Whose side did you take?”

“Neither.” Laney waited a beat. “I said if their child inherits even the smallest scrap of each of their dispositions, they’ll both be tearing out their hair and end up bald by the time the baby is a month old.”

“They’re lucky to have you here. You’ll be such a help to them when the baby comes. I know how blessed I am for all you’ve done for me and Annabelle.”

“It’s been an honor. I promised Ivy I’d help you however I could.”

Galen leaned forward and rested his forearms on his knees. “I don’t think I ever thanked you for how kind you were to Ivy. Any other woman in your position wouldn’t have befriended her.”

“I can’t say it was easy—especially at first. But Ivy had a good heart, Galen. I grew to cherish our friendship, and I miss her. I’m sorry for all you’ve gone through. You’ve endured so much in the past year.”

“But God brought me through. Many times, He used you to ease the burden. I sit here now and look at you—all grown up. For so long, I thought of you as Josh’s little sister. I was an idiot for not realizing—”

Afraid of what he might say, Laney interrupted. “I really was a pesky little sister, wasn’t I? I think Josh despaired of my ever growing up.” She pasted on a smile. “In fact, now that I think of it, it’s probably a miracle that with me around, Josh and Hilda both didn’t yank out every last strand of hair they had.” Galen didn’t say a word or respond in any way.

All these months, I’ve told myself he was Ivy’s husband. I’ve denied the
feelings I held for him. It was wrong to have feelings for a married man …
but he’s not married anymore
. Panic streaked through her.
I’ve got to get
away from him. If I don’t, I’ll say something that will embarrass us both
. She rose. “I hope you don’t mind my leaving you. I need to put Annabelle to bed.”

“O’Sullivan?”

Galen gave the nail one last smack and straightened up. “Lufe. What brings you here?”

“My love for Laney. It brings me here.”

Galen looked at his neighbor. “You love Laney.”

“Ja, I do. I would be a happy man to have her as my wife.”

“Have you asked her? Have you asked Josh?”

“No.” Eddie’s chin lifted. “Laney—she is a dear woman. She is kind to me, but she does not feel toward me in the way a woman would love her husband. There is only one man who can hold her heart, and that is you.”

Lord can it be true? I know what I want, but is that what you want?

“I have my pride. I cannot ask a woman to marry me when I know she loves another. There was a time I thought if I tried hard enough, I could change her heart, but I cannot. You, alone, can make the difference. So I come to you. If you do not love her, you must tell her. Only then will she be free to see that I could be the man for her.”

Longing radiated in Eddie’s eyes and voice. Galen knew what he had to do.

“Ma, she’s coming home today.”

“It’s about time. You have no notion how much I’ve ached to ride over to the Broken P and claim my darlin’ lassie.”

Galen gave his mother a long, telling look. “I’ve felt the same way about another darling lassie at the Broken P.”

“And what are you planning to do about that?”

“Did I ever tell you what Da said about my knees?”

“Your knees?” Ma looked completely baffled.

“My knees.” The memory of his father sharing this snippet of wisdom as they worked together in the fields made Galen smile. “Da told me to save my knees for three things—to pray, to propose, and to play with my children.”

“Now, then. That sounds exactly like something my Cullen would have said. So tell me, son—which of those three are you planning to use now?”

“You’ll have to wait and see.”

They’d barely finished their conversation when Laney and Josh arrived. When Galen went out to the buckboard, he could tell straight off that Laney had been crying. She held Annabelle close to her heart and didn’t want to turn her loose even for the moment it took for Josh to lift her down. Annabelle didn’t seem any too pleased to be out of Laney’s arms, either. She let out a healthy squall. Laney took her back and crooned softly as she swayed. Annabelle hushed immediately.

Josh folded his arms across his chest. “Laney’s grown quite attached to Annabelle.”

“I don’t blame her. I’ve a fine little daughter.”

Ma came to the door.

“Your mother looks like she’s planning to keep the baby here now,” Josh said.

“’Tis a fact, she wants to.”

“Hello,” Laney said in a shaky voice.

“Come on in, our Laney. And bring that precious babe. You and I, we’ll have tea. As for Annabelle, well, I have all the makings for one of her feedings all ready.”

Laney headed up the steps. “We’ve been praying for you. Hilda says you’re doing much better.”

Galen jerked his head to the side in a silent bid for a private discussion with Josh. Once he and Josh were a ways off, Galen didn’t waste time. “I was an idiot. Instead of seeing what a wonderful young lady Laney was long ago, I pushed her away. I’ve kicked myself over that at least thrice a day.”

“To my estimation, it should have been at least five times a day.”

Galen couldn’t read Josh’s shuttered gaze. “Just after Christmas, I gave you my word I’d not speak to Laney of my love for her. Release me of that vow, Josh.”

Josh didn’t say a thing.

“I can’t make up for lost time. I’m not wanting her now just to get a woman to tend my child. Josh, I never stopped loving Laney. I know it’s soon after burying Ivy, and I mean no disrespect to her memory, but Laney fills my heart. I married Ivy because I had no choice; but this time, I’m choosing, and I’m choosing your sister.”

“Are you asking me for Laney’s hand?”

Galen shook his head. “No.”

“Last time you at least had the manners to ask for her left hand. You’re getting old and cranky. Can’t you do anything right?”

“I’m telling you I’m marrying her. I’m seeking your blessing, though.”

“It’s about time.”

Galen came into the house. “How are things going?”

“Grand for me, but Laney’s heartsick about leaving Annabelle here.”

Galen took the baby from his mother and cradled her against his chest. He bowed his head and murmured soft, sweet noises to her. To Laney’s surprise, he turned and passed his daughter back to Mrs. O’Sullivan.

“Laney, I’m thinking mayhap we ought to give Ma a little time alone with Annabelle. That way if Ma is feeling tuckered out or nervous, you’ll be able to take her back for a day or two. Do you mind?”

“No.”

“Fine, then. Ma, I’ll just take Laney for a wee stroll.”

“Take your time.” Mrs. O’Sullivan looked up only long enough to flash a smile at him.

Though he said they’d stroll, Galen took Laney to the stable.

“I thought you’d like to see what I’m starting out. ’Twill be a few years ere the horse business turns a profit, but I’m pleased with my stock.”

Laney walked along and looked in the stalls. “These two are the ones you got from the Pony Express?”

“Aye. They ride well. Here. I’ll saddle up.”

“It’s not necessary, Galen.”

“’Tis a favor you’d be doing me. They’re accustomed to being ridden, so I try to take each horse out at least every other day.

With Ma being under the weather, it’s been two days now.”

“Okay.”

Galen headed north by northwest, and Laney rode alongside him. “Where are we going?”

“To a little spot. I hope you’ll like it.” Ten minutes later, he turned to her. “So what do you say?”

Laney patted the mustang’s neck. “She rides like the wind. If the rest of your stable is half as spirited and hale, your business venture will be a huge success. Don’t you think we ought to get back?”

“This is just where I wanted to be.” While saying so, he dismounted. Laney didn’t want to get off her horse. Since the day Galen and Ivy wed, Laney hadn’t come back here. Without asking her permission, Galen curled his long, strong fingers about her waist and pulled her down to earth. They stood together by the fence that separated the McCain land from the O’Sullivans’.