Should've Said No (26 page)

“They fell deeply in love.” Milly puckered her lips in a smile.

Lindsey had no question about that. The old letters that she’d read—now just yellowed stationery and faded ink—had brought her to tears with the depth and futility of Brooks and Ruby Eileen’s love.

To want someone so desperately and not be able to be with them…

Her heart ached for them—for herself.

“Brooks’s wife recovered,” Lindsey continued. “But only after Ruby Eileen had become pregnant.” She recalled her shock when she’d learned that the Karlsson and Crenshaw bloodlines became mixed more than a century ago.

“But no one divorced back then,” Merri said gravely. “Or had illegitimate children—at least that people knew of.”

“Even so, Brooks wanted to do right by Ruby Eileen and their child.” Lindsey took a bite of one of the delicious tea sandwiches—chicken salad with tart cherries and pecans.

“He had already put a bid on Granddaddy’s land,” Merri said. “There was little doubt about its value. It could sustain a family for generations. But he couldn’t just give it to Ruby Eileen and their child—everything had to remain secret.”

Milly sipped her tea, nodding. “Ruby Eileen’s father wanted to kill Brooks,” she said. “But he was just as eager to keep his daughter’s virtue from question. So to save face for everyone, Brooks arranged for Ruby Eileen’s father to pretend to outbid him on the land. Brooks gave the Crenshaws the money to buy it with the signed agreement that it would be deeded to Ruby Eileen.”

Lindsey sifted through the documents and came up with the agreement signed by both a Karlsson and a Crenshaw.

“Because people knew Brooks had planned to buy the land, he had to feign outrage over the land being ‘stolen’ from him,” Merri said. “He created a fake feud to protect Ruby Eileen and their child.”

Lindsey was amazed that Brooks had gone to such lengths to protect the woman he loved—and himself, arguably, but it was still an astonishing love story. The man had gone to his grave perpetuating a myth to disguise his love.

“Then Ruby Eileen went to Denver?” Lindsey asked, although the letters proved as much.

“Yes,” Milly said. “Presumably to be a nurse to her brother’s wife, who was pregnant but died during childbirth.” She shook her head. “But there was no brother’s wife.”

“Back then,” Merri said, “no one could truly verify the facts.”

Back then?

“Ruby Eileen returned to Thistle Bend with her infant son and her brother,” Milly said, “and told the story until it became fact. Everyone thought little Hayward Carden was her brother’s child.”

Lindsey’s heart stuttered. “The baby’s name was Hayward Carden Crenshaw?” How had she missed that in the documents? Maybe that was why Carden carried around a picture of his great-great-grandmother. He was named after her son—who was also a Karlsson.

It had taken Lindsey some time to connect all the people. She’d once read an article titled “
Everyone Is Your Sixteenth Cousin.
” She was starting to see how that could be possible, considering she and Carden were very distant relatives—many times removed because of marriage and adoption—but definitely not by blood. Tansy had married into the Karlsson family generations after Brooks and Ruby Eileen’s baby was born, tenuously connecting Lindsey to the family through her grandmother. There was yet another degree of separation between her and the Karlssons since Lindsey had been adopted. Even so, being a very distant, non-blood relation to the Karlssons had caused her way too much heartache.

Ironically, the Crenshaws and the Karlssons had actually been related nearly all the years they’d been feuding. Best to have smelling salts handy when the news was delivered to Stella, Tansy, and Oscar.

“There hasn’t been a Hayward in a few generations,” Milly said. “But people around these parts are pretty familiar with the name Carden.” She shared a knowing look with Merri. Could it be that even women in their eighties thought he was hot?

Lindsey didn’t want to get on the subject of Carden. These ladies were much too insightful for her to pull that off without giving her heartbreak away. She gathered the papers and put them back in the envelope. Together with Ruby Eileen, they’d make one heck of an exhibit in the museum. “So Ruby Eileen left these documents in the custody of your grandfather?”

“She gave him the bear, too,” Milly said. “She made it herself.”

“Seems as if your grandfather was the real hero in this story,” Lindsey said.

Milly and Merri beamed.

“He kept a secret that wasn’t even his to keep,” Lindsey said, “And allowed Brooks to deride him publically without defending himself.”

“He was a hopeless romantic,” Merri said. “He knew it was all about love.”

Lindsey gazed out the window, her heart heavy. “It’s such a sad story.” She had worked so hard to find out what had really happened with the land deal, but she’d hoped for a happier ending.

“About the damage caused by secrets and lies,” Merri said.

Lindsey stared at the crumbs on her plate, unable to look at the sisters.

Milly nodded. “And the sacrifices people make for love.”

“Brooks and Ruby Eileen never ended up together,” Lindsey said. “Even though they were so in love.”

“They didn’t have a choice.” Merri raised her eyebrows and set her gaze on Lindsey. “But you do.”

Lindsey furrowed her brow. Was Merri talking about her and Carden? She couldn’t bring herself to ask. They sat in silence for what seemed like way too long.

“Finish your cinnamon roll and come see what we’ve got growing in the greenhouse,” Milly said.

Lindsey ate the last decadent bites of the doughy roll, the delicious blend of butter, sugar, and cinnamon melting in her mouth.

Merri led them outside to the gardens, not nearly as bright as they had been before. The cooler temperatures had started to take their toll. “We’ve made you a goodie basket.”

“Oh, you shouldn’t have, but I’m glad you did.” Lindsey smiled. “Everything you gave me before was so tasty. We—I loved the salsa. And the rum raisin oatmeal cookies.” Not only because they’d been delicious, but also because she’d shared them with Carden.

They rounded the corner of the house, Milly and Merri as sure-footed as if they were twenty. Lindsey was surprised to see a man working. He stood next to a stack of shingles, adjusting a ladder leading up to the turret. Tall, lean, and sturdy-shouldered, with a killer tattoo scrolling upward from his elbow—

Carden.

He turned to face them, and Lindsey’s breath caught. Her heart slammed against her ribs. All this time, she’d prepared herself to see him in town. At a restaurant, at a store, on the sidewalk. She’d stayed in a constant state of readiness, bolstering herself just in case. But she’d never expected to see him at Milly and Merri’s.

To Carden’s credit, he grinned a little—but not at her. She imagined he’d been blindsided, too. At least she was looking her best, in a stylish sky blue wrap dress, her hair in a messy updo. He looked damn good himself, in worn-out jeans and a light green polo shirt—but a few pounds lighter than she remembered.

“Hello, Lindsey,” he said, his voice wrapping around her like his strong arms had so many times.

“Hi.” What else was there to say after that? Especially in front of Milly and Merri.

“Carden keeps the place looking spiffy for us.” Milly stepped over and clutched his biceps, sparking a ridiculous pang of envy in Lindsey.

If she could just touch him again, and not worry that he had ulterior motives. “Looks like he’s doing a great job.”

How many people did he help like that? Whether by himself or with his staff, and at his own expense? She knew about the work he’d done for Dean at the cabin, but this place was huge, high maintenance, and immaculate.

“Want to tell him about the story you’ve discovered?” Merri asked Lindsey.

Lindsey smiled ruefully and shook her head. “I’ll let you do that. It’s not my story to tell.” She caught Carden staring at her wrist, and suddenly realized she was wearing the lapis bracelet he’d given her. His questioning gaze met hers and she nervously bit her lip.

They didn’t have a choice. You do.

She couldn’t stand the weight of his gaze any longer, and she shifted her attention to Merri. “You wanted to show me something in the greenhouse?”

Chapter 26

T
HREE
M
ONTHS
L
ATER

Lindsey was a bundle of nerves for the official grand opening of the Thistle Bend Mountain Heritage Museum. Working long days, nights, and weekends had paid off. Every exhibit detail had been attended to, every sheet of glass polished to shining. Tonight there’d be champagne, soft drinks, and hors d’oeuvres. Music and mingling and merriment.

Before the caterers and the crowd arrived, Lindsey had taken pictures of each exhibit. She planned to catalog every one, build her portfolio, and start applying for jobs again in D.C.—and other cities. Her lease on the cabin was up next month. Maybe fate would be friendly and she’d find a job soon enough to leave by then. She definitely hoped to be gone before summer.

Lindsey had been lucky that her secrets had been kept after she revealed them to a select few. Amazing in Thistle Bend, where keeping secrets was supposedly impossible. Even the story of what really happened with the land deal had remained under wraps until the exhibit unveiling tonight. Stella had been the first to be told the story—reportedly by Milly, Merri, and Carden. Milly and Merri had also sat down with Oscar and Tansy, and delivered the news to them. They’d all been shocked and amazed. But they’d had a few months to get used to being distant relatives, and to adjust to the fact that their feud had been borne from love, not hate.

Much to Lindsey’s surprise, they’d all been good sports about letting her use the story as a publicity hook for the museum opening. There were signs all over town inviting people to find out what really started the legendary Karlsson/Crenshaw feud, and tonight they’d turned out in numbers.

“You outdid yourself here, Lindsey,” Fred said. He stood in a group next to the Memories and Milestones exhibit, with Dean and Holly and two older men from town.

“We can’t wait to come back and get a closer look at everything.” Dean smiled. “Dang surprise about that land deal though. Who would’ve thought?”

“Not me.” Lindsey had imagined plenty of unfathomable scenarios, but nothing like the story that had unfolded.

“I’m still trying to process that the Karlssons and the Crenshaws are related.” Holly nudged Lindsey’s elbow. “And that all of you have kept it a secret since August.”

“You’re not the only one.” Lindsey grinned, seeing Stella across the room, near the acoustic guitar player, huddled with Travis and Emily.

And Carden.

Lindsey had seen him every so often, doing some work in the museum, or at the High Country Pub with Travis. They were cordial to each other, but it was never more than that.

Never would be.

Milly and Merri had gotten all dolled up for the evening, both wearing ruby-colored dresses in honor of Ruby Eileen—Milly’s with a touch of lace.

“Your donation is the ‘star’ of the grand opening.” Lindsey gave each of the tiny women a hug. “And it’ll be the talk of the town for years to come.”

“I wish Granddaddy could’ve been here to see the exhibit,” Milly said. The combs in her hair glistened with rubies.

“You took documents and papers and a teddy bear and brought the story to life.” Merri clutched Lindsey’s hand in hers. “And we love how you put Granddaddy’s pocket watch with his picture and explained its importance to the railroads. We’re impressed with your talent, but not surprised.” She winked.

“Thank you.” Lindsey had vowed not to get emotional tonight, but her eyes welled. “That means a lot coming from you.” Milly and Merri were two of her favorite people in Thistle Bend. They had entrusted Ruby Eileen and her story to Lindsey, and she had desperately wanted to please them with their presentation.

People crowded around the model town and railroad, awed by the detail and artistry of the piece. Since the museum depended heavily on donations, Carden had come up with the idea that a quarter donation would trigger the model train to chug around the tracks several times, complete with sound effects. So far, it had been a hit. She’d heard quarters dropping in the metal box all evening, and the little train whistle hadn’t stopped.

“Awesome job, Lindsey.”

Lindsey turned at the sound of her aunt Tansy’s voice. She and Uncle Oscar were as decked out as she’d ever seen them. Tansy had on a fancy dress and a little eye shadow, and Oscar even wore a tie.

“It was a rocky road getting here,” Lindsey said. “But I’m proud of how the museum came together.”

“We’re sorry we put you in an awkward position.” Oscar gave her a contrite look, and Lindsey knew he was sincere. She also knew how hard it was for a stern man like him to apologize.

“It all worked out,” Lindsey said.

Tansy leaned in and whispered, “Any chance you and Carden will get back together?”

Lindsey shook her head, thankful that Tansy and Oscar had kept quiet about her brief relationship with Carden. “Did you see The Canary items in the exhibit over there?” She pointed them in the right direction and they headed that way, smiling.

Lindsey glanced at her watch and the knots inside her pulled tighter. It was almost time for her to speak to the crowd. Nothing formal or long, but she’d had very little practice speaking in front of an audience—much less an audience with Carden in it. She took a deep breath and smoothed her hand down the front of her gunmetal gray satin sheath dress—one of her favorites from when she’d lived in D.C.

Darlene hurried to her side. “You ready?”

“To get it over with.” Lindsey grinned.

They’d set up a little platform next to the model train and railroad, central to both large rooms, where Lindsey could be seen above the crowd. She stepped onto the platform as Darlene rang a generations-old dinner bell that Fred had donated from the Birdsong family’s farm.