Heart of Integrity (Hearts of the West, #2)

Chapter 5

Susan tucked the letter she’d just been handed into themail bag with the other envelopes and parcels, and bid its sender goodbye. She watched as the lady moved gracefully through the door and down the few wooden steps.

Everyone else in Lone Pine seemed to have it together. They weren’t living under a cloud of shame like she was.

For what must’ve been the thousandth time that day, her thoughts returned to Ifor. Peace had practically emanated from his entire being.

A sigh caught in her throat. Sunday had come and gone and she hadn’t takenhim up on his offer to attend church. The whole morning had beenslow agony, wondering if she’d made the right choice, as she’d listened to her father waxing on about how much of a changed man he was, and how all he wanted now was to be the father he’d failed to be in the past.

She still didn’t believe him. Couldn’t trust him. But she wanted to, more than she ever had before.

Her thoughts were in conflict these days. Her father... Ifor’s invitation...

And now it was almost Sunday again.Maybe this week she could try going to the church meeting. But, no. How could she?

She wondered if Ifor had been disappointed that she hadn’t turned up. She scoffed inwardly. He’d probably forgotten all about her.

Footsteps approached, and she turned to the door, a measure of hope stirring within her that she’d see him standing there.

“Ah, my wee Susan. Look at ye, in your wee post office!”

Susan’s heart sank as she forced a smile to her father. “Da, what are you doing here? Did you ask Mr. Garvey about a job at the mill, like you said you would?”

He peeled off his hat and wrung it in his hands. His expression showed all too well the answer to her question. “Ah, well... No... Not yet. I was going to, mind you, but...”

Susan stifled a sigh. “What was it this time, Da?”

“Now, Susan, hold on, there. Let me tell you.”

Her heart ached within her as she waited for him to voice his latestweak excuse.

“I didn’t get asking yer man about a job at the mill, because I, well, because another opportunity has presented itself.”

Susan froze. “Opportunity?” Knowing her father’s history, that didn’t sound good.

“It’s... Well...”

Footsteps approached, and in strolled Ifor, a letter clutched tightly in his right hand.

Susan’s heart practically stopped. Shame curled its fingers around her shoulders. In all honesty, she didn’t want Ifor to meet her father. Didn’t want his pure manners to be polluted by such a man as Seamus Kelly.

“Good afternoon, Miss Kelly.”

She’d forgotten how rich and warm his voice was. “G-good afternoon, Mr. Morgan.”

Ifor gave a shy smile, then turned to her father and nodded a greeting, which he returned.

“I’ll head on now, love. I’ll tell you tonight, sure. I was going to tell you tonight, anyway.”

Susan could hardly speak past the lump in her throat. “Right.”

“Oh, you’re Miss Kelly’s father?”

Oh, no...

“That’s right. And you are...?”

Ifor extended his hand to her father as Susan observed themin silent overwhelm.

“Ifor Morgan. I met your daughter in the mercantile last week. How do you do?”

Her dad returned Ifor’s handshake. “Ah, I’m grand, thanks. Grand. From Wales, are ye?”

“Yes, my father and I moved here almost two years ago, from a little village in the south of Wales.”

“Ah, I see.”

“Miss Kelly told me that you recently joined her here, from Ireland.”

“Oh, she did, did she?” He glanced at her.“That’s right. It’s a bit of a change from back home. Will take a bit of getting used to, no doubt.”

Ifor smiled. “Yes. I still miss our little village at times. But Lone Pine is a wonderful place. I’m sure you’ll be very happy here.”

“Well, I’m sure I will, too. Thank you.”

Ifor nodded politely.

“Well, I’ll be taking my leave now,” her father said. He turned to face her. “See you back at the house later, love.”

“See you, Da.”

Susan released a slow breath as her father left the building. At least things had gone smoothly. Better than she’d expected, really.

Ifor smiled as he approached the counter. “He seems a nice man, your father.”

Susan hesitated. Nice? She knew of a fair few people back home who would’ve had a very different word for him. She forced a smile. “Thank you.”

“Oh, I, uh, brought this letter to post.”He handed the envelope to Susan. “For a friend.”

“Right.” She slipped the envelope out of his hand and checked it over. She looked back up at him, trying not to focus on how handsome he looked. “Should I put it on your friend’s account, or?—”

“Ah, no. She doesn’t send letters very often, so I’ll just pay for it now, if that’s all right?”

She? Why did that sting? “Certainly.”

Ifor handed her a few coins. “You’ll have to meet her sometime—my friend, Mrs. Gray. She’s in her eighties, thoughit hasn’t dulled herzest or wit any.” He grinned.

His friend was a married woman in her eighties. Why did that information ease the crushing ache that had crept in a moment ago?

Susan shyly returned his smile. “She sounds like quite a lady.”

“Oh, she is.” He paused. “She attends the church, too.”

Oh, no. What defense could she give for not showing up?

“I’m sorryI didn’t come. Last Sunday. To church. I was, I was?—”

“Oh, Miss Kelly, forgive me. I didn’t mean to bring it up to insult you in any way.” He shook his head, his warm, kind eyes looking into hers. “The invitation will always be open, but you must not feel pressured at all. It is entirely your own choice.”

Her own choice. Look where those had all gotten her before.

Fear grappled with the fragile hope deep within her.

She’d come to Lone Pine for a new life, hadn’t she? Well, then. She couldn’t allow the chains of the past to bind her all the way over here. They’d held her long enough already.

“Well, Mr. Morgan, I have every intention of accepting your kind offer this Sunday.”

There. She’d said it. And, unless she wanted to be just like her father, she would keep her word.

Ifor’s eyes lit with delight. “Wonderful.”

She smiled back.

And for the first time since she’d left Ireland, she was truly looking forward to what the future might hold.