Undaunted Love (PART TWO): Banished Saga, Book 3.5 (19 page)

“I have you for a little while yet,” Amelia said, kissing the pulse at the base of his neck.

He leaned away, framing her face with his large hands, his thumbs tracing over her cheeks in a soothing caress. “You’ll always have me, Amelia. I might be down the valley in Darby, but I’m yours. I have been since I met you.” He leaned forward and kissed her softly on her lips. “The passenger train goes all the way to Grantsdale. However, I won’t be able to visit you on my day off because it would be too long a trip. You and the children could come to Hamilton for the day on the train, and I’d meet you there. We won’t have to wait until I’ve established a home to see each other.”

He bent forward and kissed her forehead and then her cheeks. “I know I have nothing to offer you right now. But I want you as my wife. As the mother of my children. I love you.”

“Sebastian,” Amelia rasped. “I love you too. So much.”

“I know you’ll always love your first husband. That’s right and proper. From all accounts, he was a good man and a good father. I hope I can be the same to you.”

“As I hope I will be the woman you want to come home to each night.”

“Never doubt how much I want that, Amelia,” he whispered, leaning forward to kiss her again before he pulled her close, a deep sigh of contentment escaping him as he held her.

***

I LAY IN BED, curled up against Gabriel, in that state between wakefulness and sleep, content to the tips of my chilled toes. Gabriel nuzzled my head and breathed deeply as though echoing my sense of well-being. “I hope Seb’ll be able to recover his job,” he murmured.

“Although it seems the man who’s working there now is competent.”

“And has a family to support,” Gabriel said.

“But, if they no longer suspect Sebastian of theft, he could work someplace else,” I argued.

“Yeah, although he was partially maimed. He’ll never be as strong as he was with that lame leg.”

“He’s not lame, Gabriel. He just walks with a limp. I bet you that he’s as strong as before.”

“Well, let’s hope the mill owners are as understanding as you.”

“I wonder why they no longer wanted us there to act as chaperones?” I asked on a yawn. Gabriel settled his arm around the upper part of my waist under my breasts.

“Amelia gave up trying to please the likes of Mrs. Bouchard and Mrs. Vaughan. She realized that those who knew her understood she was caring for an injured man who was a good friend.” I heard his voice begin to even out and knew he was on the verge of falling asleep.

“Gabriel?” I said as I picked up his hand and pulled it toward my mouth. I kissed his palm.

“Yes, my darling?”

“I felt the baby move today,” I whispered as I placed his palm on my belly.

His grip on me tightened, and I heard him stutter out a breath. I rolled so that I faced him and hugged him.

“Thank you, Rissa,” Gabriel whispered as he shuddered. “Thank you for your bravery. For daring to have our child.

“Shh … Gabriel,” I murmured as I put two fingers over his lips. “I’m doing nothing different than any other married woman desirous of a family.”

“But you’re not any woman. You’re my Rissa, and I’d be lost without you,” Gabriel said as he pulled me closer. This time, it was as though he were trying to burrow into me.

“And I you,” I said as I leaned away and caressed his face. “Have faith, darling. Life won’t be cruel again.”

Gabriel sighed again, tucking me against him. “I’ll borrow some of your faith, my darling,” he whispered as he fell again into sleep.

I laid awake, rubbing my hands through his hair and over his shoulders in an attempt to alleviate his fears and thus my own. After a while, when his breathing had deepened, I sighed, settling into him and sleep.

CHAPTER 16

I WALKED DOWN THE STREET holding onto Gabriel’s arm, careful to watch each step. A cold snap had arrived the previous day, bringing with it a biting wind that howled out of Hellgate Canyon, turning the muddy roads into a large icy crevice-filled challenge. I gave a startled, delighted yelp as I dodged snow falling off otherwise naked tree branches. Gabriel kept a firm grip and prevented me from falling.

I shivered appreciatively, and Gabriel muttered, “Finally,” as we turned up the short walk to his uncle’s home. A small pine wreath hung from the front door. Gabriel gave a perfunctory knock and entered, ushering me into the welcoming warmth. I shed my coat, hanging it on a coat stand in the hallway before moving to the living room.

“Mr. Pickens!” I rushed toward him, sitting on a comfortable, overstuffed leather chair dragged out of the office and set by the fire. “How did you get here?”

“The missus’s fine lad, Sebastian, picked me up,” Mr. Pickens said. “Came ’round in a carriage an’ delivered me here.”

“How did you travel from the carriage to the house?” I shared a worried glance with Gabriel.

“He carried me like a sack of potatoes!” Mr. Pickens chortled with glee. “Said I didn’t weigh more ’n’ the little tyke.” He patted the arm of the black leather chair. “Don’t know as I’ve ever sat in as comfortable a chair.”

“We should see if we could obtain one for the depository,” I said as I looked around for a lap blanket.

“Or I’ll build you one,” Gabriel murmured, smiling at my nod of agreement as I tucked the blanket around his spindly legs.

“Stop your fussin’ an’ warm yourself by the fire. You look about chilled through.” He slapped his hand against his thigh in glee. “Woowee! It’s been some time since I heard that canyon roar like it is tonight.”

“Mr. Pickens, here is the mulled cider I promised you,” Amelia said as she entered with a tray of steaming mugs. “I thought you’d all like some after the cold walk here.”

I mumbled my thanks a moment before taking a sip of the warm liquid. Heat began to pervade me again, banishing the chill. I moved toward the fire in an attempt to warm my feet, smiling at Gabriel’s amused grin.

“Thank you for inviting us tonight, Amelia,” I said. “It’s been some time since I celebrated Twelfth Night.”

“For me too and I thought it a good excuse for us all to venture out on a cold evening.”

As the back door was thrust open, we heard a grunt from the kitchen area and then a crash. I heard a muttered, “Dammit,” and then the slamming of a door. Gabriel and I rushed to the kitchen to find Ronan sprawled on the floor with Sebastian standing over him, hands on his knees, his breath sawing in and out.

“Ro, you all right?” Gabriel asked as he reached down and picked him up.

I pulled out a chair, and Gabriel sat Ronan there at the kitchen table. “Where’s his wheelchair?”

“Strapped to Mr. Aidan’s carriage,” Sebastian said.

“You shouldn’t have attempted so much,” I scolded, earning a fierce glower from Sebastian. Gabriel rolled his eyes and slapped Sebastian on the back as the two men headed outside to collect the wheelchair and stable the horse. They detoured via the front door so Gabriel could don his coat and hat.

“Ronan, can I get you anything?” I asked.

“My pride?” he asked with a wry grin.

I squeezed his arm in reassurance and then moved toward the large pot on the stove filled with cider. I ladled out a mug for him and handed it to him. “I don’t have a tonic for pride, but I found this warmed me up.”

“Thanks, Rissa,” Ronan said. “Seems odd not having Colin around.”

“I hate that he’s so far away, but I know he’s where he wants to be. That brings some comfort.” I gripped Ronan’s arm again and rose to clear a space for the wheelchair. Gabriel and Sebastian returned, placed it next to Ronan, and he maneuvered himself from chair to wheelchair with no help.

I bit back my praise, knowing it was unwanted, but marveled silently at his ability to function as well as he did. He put the wheels in motion and maneuvered to the living room to greet Mr. Pickens.

“Hello, old man,” Ronan called as he entered the room. “Glad you could join us.”

“My Missy didn’t like hearin’ I’d spent Christmas and New Year’s alone. When this celebration was planned, she insisted I come, although I think she was surprised I managed to travel on such a night.”

“I’m glad you did. What stories do you have for us tonight?” Ronan asked, leaning forward with keen intent. “I’ve missed you since you left the workshop.”

“Well, I like to work with my Missy, and she’d have a difficult time sortin’ the books without my aid.” He glared at me as I coughed to cover my laugh.

“I don’t have a story for tonight, son. Least, not right now. Let me see how I feel after supper,” Mr. Pickens said. Ronan smiled, patting him on the shoulder, and they began to chat about mutual acquaintances.

I sat on the settee while Amelia continued to work in the kitchen. Gabriel and Sebastian had a quiet conversation in the dining room. Nicholas was relegated to the back room until supper, due to misbehaving during the day.

After a delicious meal of roasted ham, pickled beets, boiled onions and mashed potatoes we returned to the living room. Sebastian pulled out his fiddle, plucking at strings as he warmed up. I sighed, leaning into Gabriel with contentment.

“Missy, any word on that worthless scallion?”

I looked at Mr. Pickens for a moment before Gabriel laughed.

“I think you mean
rapscallion
, old man,” Gabriel said.

“Exactly. Any word?” He leaned forward, and I knew, if his cane were nearer, he’d thunk it on the ground for good measure.

“I’ve learned little more than what’s been in the papers. I can’t imagine they’d talk with me.”

“I’d think the lawyer and those making the case would seek you out,” Amelia said. “You saw him. You’re the only one here who can verify he was in Boston.”

“Yes, but now that he’s been returned here, and all can see he’s alive, my word isn’t needed. Everyone can see for themselves and come to their own conclusion that they were misled.” I hid my shaking hands in my skirt.

“I’ve heard they’re pressuring him to plead guilty and spend his life in prison rather than risk being hanged for murder,” Sebastian said as he paused in his soft playing.

“Why would one preclude the other?” I asked perplexed. “He killed the man. Why should pleading guilty prevent him from …” I blushed and couldn’t continue.

“Swingin’ from a rope?” Mr. A.J. asked with a touch of glee.

“Mr. A.J.” I shook my head in exasperation.

“Justice would be served. That man seems to elude it with too much ease,” Ronan said.

“Well, he’s in a cell here in Missoula, and, if he pleads guilty, he’ll be moved without much fuss to the state pen. Seems there are a few who’d relish doing him harm, and the authorities want little fanfare surrounding him,” Sebastian said.

“Appears they’re not succeeding with the newspapers,” Ronan said. “Headlines like ‘East Coast Arsonist Returns for Reckoning’ keeps the story in people’s minds.”

“It’s the best story they’ve had in years!” Mr. A.J. proclaimed. “For once it’s nothin’ to do with the goin’s-on with one of the Copper Kings or Butte. It’s a home-grown scoundral.”

I corrected him. “
Scandal
.” Mr. Pickens didn’t even acknowledge I had spoken, he was so enthralled by the topic.

He stomped his foot due to the absence of his cane. “Don’t seem right to me an upstandin’ man such as Mr. Carpin has to be forced away, due to those sisters.”

I choked back a laugh. “Mr.
Carlin
, Mr. A.J.”

He waved his hand at me. “However, maybe now you’ll get my Missy down to see the Bitter Roots. Have her in those mountains.”

“Mr. A.J., areas where they’re clearing forest is no place for nontimber people,” Sebastian said.

“The whole forest can’t be under a saw,” Mr. Pickens argued. “You’ll see, Missy. You’ll see.”

“Once our child is born, I think we’ll be close to Missoula for a while,” Gabriel said with a frown.

“Ain’t no easier time to travel than when the young’un is too little to walk. When they start walkin’ is when they start havin’ a mind of their own, and all peace is at an end. No, go early, when the baby’s swaddled tight.”

“We’ll consider it, Mr. A.J.,” I murmured, gripping Gabriel’s hand to forestall any further argument.

“When will you leave, Sebastian?” I asked.

“I’m not certain,” Sebastian said. “I think it may be a few months, in April or so.”

“Good,” I said as I watched Amelia relax imperceptibly.

***

SCANT LIGHT ENTERED the windows by the desk even though the curtains were tied back. I peered out the window at the unrelenting gray clouds, with little hope for the sun to break through on this dreary late-January day. Picking up my sheet of paper, I blew on it in an attempt to dry a letter I’d just completed to Colin.

“Rissa!” I heard Gabriel bellow from the workshop below. I rose, thankful for the reprieve, as I still had many other letters to write.

I descended the stairs but came to a full stop at the base of them. “What is that?” I pointed to a large crate filling the previously empty space near the doorway. Ronan’s workspace was quiet today as he was at his apartment awaiting a home visit from the doctor.