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  “In a few minutes. I wanted to talk to Gabe first. Abby has a gift idea for Doc and Mrs. Billings and wants to know if Lena and Gabe want to join us. Are you going tomorrow?”

  Caleb hadn’t thought much about it. He didn’t know Doctor Worthington well and had never met Mrs. Billings. “I’m not sure. I’ll have to ask Gabe who he wants to stay at the jail.”

  “Dutch McFarlin is due back in town before Christmas. If he rides in tomorrow, I’m sure he’ll volunteer to stay here.” Noah chuckled. “I’ve never seen a man with a bigger aversion to weddings than Dutch.” Shaking his head, he walked past, heading into the jail.

  Still reluctant to leave his spot on the boardwalk, Caleb shifted to get a better view of the other end of town. Several people came out of the St. James, a group of men stood outside the church, others talked near the general store. He couldn’t see May anywhere.

  It was time to go home to the little boy who loved him without reservation. The little boy Caleb needed more than his next breath. May might no longer have an interest in building a life with him, but he’d always have Isaac. That would have to be enough.

  Chapter Sixteen

  Charles didn’t want to let Clare go. They’d made two turns around town, and he found himself tightening his hold on her arm in preparation for a third.

  “When we pass by again, we’ll go into the boardinghouse for coffee and slices of Suzanne’s pie. Will that suit you, sweetheart?” Charles wanted to lean down and kiss her, not daring while there were still people around.

  He’d tried to convince her to return to the bedroom she’d been using at his home, vacating the St. James so they wouldn’t have to move her belongings after the wedding. For a time, Charles thought she’d agree. Instead, Clare dashed his hopes, deciding it wouldn’t be proper. It had been quite all right when the entire town knew she’d been recuperating from the effects of the fire. Now that most knew of her recovery, they’d need to live apart, if only for one night.

  “Pie and coffee sounds wonderful, Charles.”

  A few more minutes passed in quiet companionship before he opened the door of the boardinghouse, escorting her toward an empty table.

  The instant Suzanne saw them, she headed straight toward their table. “I understand congratulations are in order. I’m so happy for the two of you.”

  “Thank you, Suzanne.” Charles met Clare’s gaze, their expressions so intense, Suzanne couldn’t miss the deep love between them. Almost feeling as if she’d intruded, she cleared her throat.

  “May I get you coffee?”

  Tearing his attention away from Clare, Charles nodded. “Coffee and pie for each of us, please.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  After Suzanne entered the kitchen, Charles took Clare’s hand, his expression sobering. “After we’re married, I want to visit my lawyer.”

  The comment was so unexpected, Clare jerked enough for him to notice. “Why would you need to do that?”

  Kind eyes met hers. “To change my will, love. As it stands, Rachel gets everything, which isn’t much. Still, if something happens to me, whatever I have should go to you.”

  She glanced away, catching her lower lip between her teeth. When Suzanne approached with their order, Clare offered a smile she didn’t feel. Talking of wills and estates held no appeal, but if Charles thought this was important, he deserved to learn more about the estate Raymond had left her.

  “Thank you, Suzanne. The pie looks wonderful.”

  “You’ll have to tell me what you think, Clare. I’ll leave you two alone. Let me know when you’re ready for more coffee, or a second slice of pie.” She winked before walking away.

  Charles allowed a few minutes for them to eat and sip their coffee before continuing. “I own the house, but the clinic was donated by several prominent families in Splendor. There is some savings, enough to live on once I can no longer practice.” He grinned at her. “And the horse Rachel and Dax gave me when mine had to be put down. I realize it isn’t much, but it should all go to you.”

  Chuckling, she set down her fork.

  Seeing the expression on her face, Charles lifted a brow. “What has you so amused?”

  “Nothing, really. Your comment just reminded me how little I know of such things as estates and wills. If you hadn’t said anything, I wouldn’t have considered changing my own.”

  “Don’t feel you have to do anything because of me, sweetheart.”

  “Oh, but I want to, Charles. As I said before, I received a good deal when Ray died. Even though I provided a home and allowance for his mistress and their children, I knew he’d made separate arrangements for them outside his will. Ray had given his lawyers instructions that once I died, whatever was left would go to his brother, Harry. If Harry has passed, then the funds would go to his widow and any children. The lawyer said I could change those provisions in my own will. At the time, I saw no need. Now…” Her voice trailed off as she thought of their upcoming wedding.

  “Don’t you want to provide for his brother, Clare?”

  After what she’d learned about Harry Billings, she couldn’t find even a small amount of guilt at making changes to her will. “Ray and Harry had been estranged for years. In truth, I never met him during the entire time of my marriage. Harry had a, well…very unsavory past. Much worse than Ray’s, which I found despicable.”

  Clare smiled at Suzanne when she refilled their cups and walked off. “After Ray’s death, his lawyer provided more information about Harry and his widow.”

  “Widow?”

  Clare nodded. “Oh yes. Seems Harry passed away almost two years ago, leaving a wife and son. Actually, the boy wasn’t his. He adopted his wife’s son, who was almost eighteen when they married. All of Harry’s estate passed to his widow and her son.”

  Taking a sip of her coffee, Clare set down the cup, leaning toward Charles. “According to Ray’s lawyer, Harry’s widow married a wealthy widower from New Jersey a few months ago. So I really see no need to provide anything more to the woman and her son.”

  Stirring a small amount of sugar into his coffee, Charles nodded. “I do see your point, Clare. Harry’s widow and her son have the funds from his estate and are now provided for by her new husband.”

  “I’d like to go with you when you visit your lawyer.”

  “All right, my dear. He has an office next to the bank.”

  Clare thought a moment, her eyes narrowing. “Do you think we should do it soon?”

  Charles rubbed his brow. “As I recall, he is leaving for Big Pine at the end of the week and won’t be returning until after the new year.”

  “Then we should see him on Thursday, unless you’d prefer to wait.”

  Chuckling, Charles brought the cup to his lips and took a sip. “I’d thought of spending the day in bed with you.”

  A flush appeared on her cheeks. “Of course.”

  “He leaves on Saturday. We’ll take care of our business Friday morning. Agreed?”

  Still feeling the heat on her face, an impish grin tilted up the corners of her mouth. “Agreed.”

  May needed sleep, but the same as the night before, it wouldn’t come. She couldn’t get Caleb out of her thoughts or her heart, wondering how much time would pass before she could forget him. She fretted it wouldn’t be soon.

  Turning to her side, May thought of all she had to do before the wedding tomorrow. The lunch Lena planned for Charles and Clare included several of her pastries. She’d need to rise well before sunup in order to prepare, bake, and arrange the sweets on platters before attending the wedding. And due to the large amount of food required, May would be assisting Gary with the rest of the meal.

  Sitting up, she picked up her pillow, throwing it across the room in frustration. Groaning at such an immature action, May slid out of bed, plodding to the window. Drawing back the curtain, she stared at a cloudless sky dotted with millions of bright stars, fighting the urge to glance in the direction of Caleb’s house.

&nbs
p; She hadn’t seen him all day, believing it best to keep her distance. When Sylvia went through the hard times with Mack, her friend admitted to enduring a crippling ache, sleepless nights, and a lack of appetite. Unlike her and Caleb, they were able to close the distance between them and marry.

  Pressing a hand to her chest, she felt a single tear slide down her cheek. It could be years before Caleb put his fiancée’s death behind him, finding room in his heart for another woman. There was the chance he might never get over Regina. There was an equal chance May simply wasn’t the woman who could make him forget, capture his heart the way he’d captured hers. The last felt as if a knife had been plunged into her chest, causing her to double over.

  Turning from the window, she slumped into a large, overstuffed chair. May wrapped her arms around her waist, curling into a ball while chastising herself for allowing emotions to cause such distress.

  She had to get control of herself or she’d never be able to forget Caleb and meet someone who could love her. A man who could offer her the life she’d always dreamed about. Marriage, children, a small home with a garden, maybe a few chickens.

  Closing her eyes, she drifted off to sleep, an image of chasing chickens out of her garden stuck in her mind.

  It had taken an entire evening of waiting, hiding in one of the alcoves of the hotel lobby before getting his chance. Checking his pocket watch, he groaned at the time. A few minutes before midnight. He thought the young man at the front desk would never close for the night.

  His chance came when the young man cleaned off the desk and tucked everything into drawers before making his way through the dining room and into the kitchen.

  Unable to contain his excitement, he ran to the desk, opening a drawer. He pulled out a wooden box while keeping watch on the kitchen door. Rummaging around, he picked up and set down several keys before finding the one he wanted. Palming it, he shoved the box back into place and closed the drawer.

  Voices from the direction of the kitchen had him hurrying away, dashing up the stairs to his room. Closing the door, he leaned against it, sucking in a deep breath. Another few seconds and he might’ve been caught.

  Walking to the table beside his bed, he picked up a single piece of paper, scanning the list. They were running out of time. He couldn’t miss a step or their second attempt to kill Clare might fail, and they might not get a third chance.

  Checking the time once more, he opened the door into the hall, looking each direction to make certain no one was about. Glancing down at the key in his hand, he walked the short distance to Clare’s room. He saw no light coming from under her door, but he hadn’t expected to. At this hour, most everyone was asleep.

  Sweat beaded on his forehead as he slipped the key into the lock. A damp hand turned the knob, releasing the catch. Shoving aside the hard ball of fear in his chest, he slowly pushed the door open, thankful the few lamps in the hall gave off little light.

  Slipping inside, he silently closed the door before making his way across the room to the bed. All he could hear was Clare’s soft breathing. She lay on her back, head turned away from him, resting on one of two pillows.

  His heart pounded painfully, certain if Clare were awake, she’d be able to hear it. Holding his breath, he reached across her, gripping the other pillow. Slowly, so as not to wake her, he held it above her head, lowering it quickly over her face when she shifted a little toward him.

  He hadn’t expected the way her body bucked under his hold. Crawling onto the bed, he straddled her legs, pushing harder, feeling sweat drip down his forehead to fall into his eyes. Ignoring the discomfort, he used all the strength he possessed, groaning under the effort.

  After a moment, her body stilled. He let out a ragged, almost giddy breath. He’d done it.

  Rising, he climbed off the bed, unable to keep his hands from shaking. Looking down at Clare’s still form, the reality of what he’d done settled over him. Voices from the hall had him whirling around, fear gripping him. He’d left the door ajar.

  Taking one last look over his shoulder at Clare, he hurried to the door, gently pulling it open. To his relief, the voices had faded. Peeking into the hall, he glanced in both directions, seeing no one. Stepping over the threshold, his heart raced at the sound of people coming up the steps.

  Swiping sweat from his face, he drew the door closed as two men reached the floor. Taking a couple steps away from Clare’s room, he nodded at them, then turned toward his room. Before he could move away, he froze, hands fisting at his sides at the sound of a loud gasp from the other side of her door.

  Eyes opening to slits, May frowned. Her back and neck ached, her body chilled to the bone. Glancing around, a memory returned of the night before. She’d fought sleep before curling into the large chair by the window.

  Bracing her arms, she sat up, glancing out the window to the still dark sky. In an instant, May remembered the wedding and the pastries Lena expected. Jumping up, she rushed to the vanity, completing her morning toilette before dressing and leaving for the restaurant.

  Ten minutes later, she finished tying her apron, thinking through all she had to complete before noon. May expected Gary would ask an unreasonable amount of work from her this morning, and she intended to do all she could. But it wouldn’t be at the expense of attending the wedding.

  Working without a break, she’d completed a decent portion of her work before Gary arrived an hour later. Giving her a curt nod, he pulled out pans, three large pieces of beef, several chickens, a large sack of potatoes, green beans, eggs, apples, and dried white beans.

  “I’ll need you to peel potatoes, clean and slice the green beans, boil several dozen eggs, and soak the dried beans. Afterward, I expect your help preparing the chickens.” He didn’t look at her as he spoke, the orders coming in a crisp, hard voice. “Mrs. Evans is expecting close to a hundred people.”

  May had already heard Lena’s estimation. The thought of so many people celebrating Charles and Clare marrying gave her a rush of joy. She couldn’t think of two people who deserved love more after so many years apart.

  “Did you hear me, girl?”

  Biting back a sharp retort, she nodded. “Yes. I’ll start as soon as I prepare the next batch of pastries and the tarts are out of the oven.” Turning her back on him, she busied herself, ignoring the man’s snort of disapproval. Over her months working in the kitchen, May had learned the best way to work with the older man meant participating in as little conversation as possible.

  The next hour passed quickly as the two worked at a rapid pace, May doing her best to ignore Gary grumbling his displeasure at how she completed her tasks. She had lived through his disapproval for months, knowing it would continue as long as the two shared the kitchen.

  Hearing a sharp knock, May shot a look at Gary, wiping her hands down her apron as she walked to the door. Pulling it open, she gasped. Caleb stood outside, Isaac perched on his shoulders, his little hands grasping a wooden horse. Keeping her gaze on the boy, she focused on the new toy.

  “What do you have there, Isaac?”

  He held it toward her. “My horse.”

  “It certainly is a beautiful horse. Did you carve him?”

  Giggling, Isaac shook his head. “Noooo.”

  “Hex whittled it for him.” Caleb’s deep, husky voice held a sad edge she’d never heard before.

  Casting him a concerned look, she studied the lines on his face, the wariness in his eyes. “Hex is a very nice man.”

  Shaking the horse in front of him, Isaac’s head bobbed up and down. “Uncle Hex.”

  “Did you come all the way over here to show me the horse, Caleb?”

  Adjusting Isaac on his shoulders, she stilled as his gaze skimmed over of her. “Isaac wanted to show it to you.”

  It wasn’t what she’d hoped to hear, but Caleb had never lied to her. She didn’t want him to start now. Clasping her hands in front of her, May forced a grin.

  “I’m glad you did. It’s a very beautiful hors
e.” Inhaling a shaky breath, she touched Isaac’s hand. “Thank you for showing it to me. I need to get back inside. We’re preparing for lunch after the wedding.”

  “Will you be able to attend?” Caleb’s features didn’t show how much he hoped she’d be there.

  “It all depends on how much of the food preparation we can finish. I’d very much like to be there. What about you?”

  “Dutch rode back in late last night. He and Zeke have volunteered to stay on duty while the rest of us go. They did ask us to bring them back some food.” He grinned, although the usual brightness in his eyes had faded.

  “Then I’ll make certain to save some for them.”

  Caleb hesitated, as if wanting to say something more. Instead, he bounced Isaac on his shoulders, producing a giggle from his son. “Guess we should let you get back inside.”

  She nodded, not ready for him to leave but having no reason for him to stay. “Thank you for bringing Isaac by with his horse. I’m sure it won’t be long before he has a real one.”

  “I suppose not.” He gave her one last look before turning toward the street.

  Feet rooted in place, May watched them leave, the feeling of loss so intense it stalled her breath. At some point, she knew Caleb would reconcile the loss of Regina and his guilt over Sadie. When that time came, whomever he fell in love with would be the luckiest woman in the world. She just wished it could’ve been her.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “It’s so wonderful of you to invite me for breakfast.” Clare looked around the table, warmth spreading through her at the friends she’d made in such a short time.

  Lena, Suzanne, Sylvia, Abby Brandt, Allie Coulter, Isabella, Nora Evans, Caro Davis, and Ginny Pelletier had surprised her. Clare had thought it would be only her and Charles’s niece, Rachel Pelletier. She’d been shocked to see so many familiar faces when she walked into the boardinghouse.

  “We wouldn’t have dreamed of letting you start your wedding day without a celebration. I can’t wait to see your dress.” Lena took a sip of coffee, all gazes turning toward Allie, who’d finished the gown late the night before.