Chapter 18
Chapter Eighteen
Jace quelled the urge to sing as he worked. He’d decided to stay. Yes, in part because the ranch was his, and he cared about it. In a sense, he owed it to Chet to run it well. Mostly, he was staying because Dianne asked him to. Together, they would—
“Jace, lookee here.”
He went over to see what Cal had found. The boys had moved a pile of debris—ashes, half-burned timbers, and pieces of blackened wood. Beneath, on what would have been the floor at the back door, a wooden sign looked up at him. Chet Berch. Cowboy. Ranch Owner.
Tears clogged Jace’s throat as he retrieved the sign. Chet had made this one winter when they’d been stuck indoors during a raging snowstorm. As soon as they could safely go outdoors, he’d nailed it to the back wall and then stood with hands on his hips, appearing pleased with himself.
Jace didn’t understand why.
“I guess seeing it there in bold letters reminds me of who I am and what I have. To God be the glory.”
Using his shirtsleeve, Jace rubbed the ashes from the sign. He’d hang it in a prominent place in the new barn once they had one. A reminder of all Chet had established.
Skip’s furious barking drew Jace’s attention.
“What’s wrong with the dog?” Skip peered over the bank where they’d dumped the garbage, then looked at Jace, and barked.
“Has a bear come to investigate?” He better make sure Eddie was safe, but when he turned to where the boy had been a few minutes ago, he blinked.
Eddie wasn’t there.
Jace’s insides echoed Skip’s barks, and he raced to the bank, Cal and Lee on his heels. His heart slammed into his chest with the force of a twenty-pound sledgehammer. Down the hill, Eddie lay in a heap.
Jace slid sideways to the boy. “Eddie!” But Eddie didn’t respond. He was out cold, a long bleeding cut on his forehead. Jace scooped the boy into his arms and struggled up the hill.
Cal reached down to assist him.
On level ground again, Jace raced for the house. “Dianne. Dianne.”
She opened the door at his call, and as soon as she saw him carrying her son, she rushed forward. “Eddie? Is he—?”
Jace didn’t let her finish. “He’s breathing.”
They clattered up the steps and crossed to the sitting room. “Throw that blanket over the couch.” As soon as she did, he laid Eddie there and knelt by him, brushing the hair from the bruised forehead.
Dianne pushed him aside and fell to her knees by her son.
“Is he—?” Her voice shattered into pieces.
She put her hand on the small chest, watched it rising and falling, and then focused on the cut.
After hurrying to the kitchen, she returned in seconds with a basin of water and a rag and set about sponging away the blood.
Eddie lay motionless.
“What happened? I thought you were watching him. I thought he was safe with you.” Her quivering voice rose higher with each word.
He touched her shoulder to express sorrow and regret.
She shrugged from him and bent her head over her son. “If something happens to him…” Her voice broke. She spared him an angry, accusing glance. Then, tears streaming down her cheeks, she leaned back over her son.
“I’m sorry. I should have been watching him better.” All he wanted was to hug her and comfort her, but she shook her head, shifting to block any offers from him.
He stood on wooden legs. She had every right to reject him. He’d failed again. Just as he had with Chet. He was a menace to those he cared about.
There was only one thing for him to do. His footsteps echoed in the silent kitchen as he strode from the house.
“Please, God. Please, God. Save my boy.” Dianne whispered the words over and over. She cleaned the cut on his head. She examined him for any other injuries and found none. Still, Eddie lay motionless.
Where were Jace and the others when this happened? Wasn’t anyone watching her child? Of course, that was her responsibility. And even when she was so careful, an inner voice reminded, he’d slipped away. That’s how they ended up at the cabin with Jace.
“Mama?”
A cry escaped her at the soft call. She cupped her hands to his cheeks. “You’re awake.” She did her best to sniff back tears, but warm moisture washed down her cheeks.
“I’s fine.” When he tried to sit up, she pushed him back to the couch. “You need to rest.”
“Where Jace?”
“He’s not here.” Did her shrug convince him she didn’t want him there?
It didn’t convince her.
“Mama, you cross with Jace?”
“No.” Well, perhaps a little. She wanted to blame him for Eddie’s accident, though she knew it wasn’t fair or even reasonable. Eddie was a little boy whose curiosity often got him into trouble.
“I wanna see Jace.” Eddie’s voice quivered, and tears washed his eyes.
“He’ll be back soon. You’ll have to wait.
” He’d be in for the next meal. Which reminded her— “You lie here and rest while I make dinner.” She handed him his carved animals to play with.
Preparations took longer than normal as she paused every few minutes to check on Eddie.
He was content to move the toys around on his chest.
The meal ready, she called out to the men. Behind her, Eddie’s feet thumped on the floor, and he rushed into the kitchen.
“You need to rest.”
Eddie touched the cut on his forehead. “It’s nothin’.”
Those words brought a smile to her lips. He was quoting Jace. She had to make the man understand that she didn’t blame him for the accident, though her earlier words might have suggested she did.
Cal and Lee stepped into the kitchen.
She looked behind them. “Where’s Jace?”
The cowboys glanced at each other, a silent message exchanged.
“What’s going on?” she demanded.
“Ma’am.” Cal shifted from foot to foot. “He’s gone.”
The world slammed to a halt. It took a concerted effort to find her voice. “Gone. Where?”
Lee took pity on his brother. “To take back the wagon and horses and—” He swallowed loudly. “He was getting supplies and going to the cabin.”
“He ordered us to hang around until Al—” Cal cast a glance at Eddie, then shrugged.
The blood drained from Dianne’s face, leaving her skin taut. “He left?” Not a goodbye or anything.
She clenched her teeth. She had no one to blame but herself. No doubt he felt responsible for Eddie’s accident, and she’d heaped accusations on his head.
“I’m going after him.” She studied Eddie. Was it wise to take him on a trip after his fall?
He crossed his arms as if knowing what she was about to say. “I’s going too.”
She didn’t have time to argue. Besides, who could she leave him with? “I’ll need the wagon and a driver.”
The cowboys eyed the food. Of course, they were hungry. “Go ahead and eat while I get ready.” She hustled upstairs to brush her hair, unhook a bonnet from near the door, and retrieve her drawstring bag containing the few coins she had.
Eddie and the cowboys were scraping their plates when she rejoined them.
Cal pushed away from the table. “I’ll hitch the horses to the wagon.”
While he did that, she cleaned the kitchen and chose a light coat for Eddie and a shawl for herself. No telling when they’d be back.
The wagon rattled up to the door, and she hurried out. Lee assisted her to the seat beside Cal.
“Ma’am, I’ll stay here and watch the place.” Lee lingered at the side of the wagon. “I hope things work out.”
She didn’t reply as Cal flicked the reins. Then they were on their way with her leaning forward as if to make the journey go faster.
Cal chuckled. “We’ll get there in time.”
“How can you be sure? What if he’s already left town?”
His lazy shrug might’ve hinted he didn’t care until he added, “We’ll follow him.”
Thus reassured, she relaxed and turned to check on Eddie. He sat with his back to the side of the wagon, a carved animal in each hand. His coloring was good, and the cut wasn’t bleeding. She chose to believe that meant he was fine. Or at least well enough to be dragged around the countryside.
Words and excuses bubbled up inside her, begging for release. “I blamed Jace for Eddie’s accident. Made him believe it was his fault.”
“Um.” Cal was listening even if he didn’t have anything to say, but then what was there to say?
“It was entirely unfounded. And almost cruel. I know how much guilt he carries over Chet’s death.”
“Guilt? Because he wasn’t here?”
“No. Guilt because he blames himself for the fire.” Should she be sharing these details with Cal? Chances were Jace wouldn’t like them spread around.
“He thinks he’s responsible?”
Shifting so she looked directly at the man, she met his dark gaze, read his confusion. “He told me what happened.”
“What did he say?”
She repeated the story Jace had told her.
Cal normally had a face that revealed little, but surprise widened his eyes when she finished. “That is what he thinks happened?” He shook his head. “Not at all.”
If that wasn’t—
“Ma’am, it’s true that Chet died in the barn fire, but it was two days after Jace left. We found him holding a lantern. The Mountie said he must’ve had a heart attack.”
Dianne sat back so firmly the bench protested. All this time, Jace had needlessly carried guilt. She couldn’t wait until they reached town, where she’d tell him.
Her palms would bear permanent fingernail marks by the time they drove down the rutted street. She leaned so far forward that Cal caught her shoulder. “Wouldn’t want you to fall.”
“Is that the wagon?” She pointed. But he didn’t need to answer as Jace left the store and climbed to the seat. “Catch up. Hurry.” The wagon rumbled closer.
“Jace!” Cal called, bringing Jace around at the sound of his name.
His gaze lit on Dianne, and his eyes widened. Then he jumped to the street and trotted over.
“Eddie?”
“He’s fine.” She pointed to the back.
Eddie bounced up. “Where you goed?”
Jace’s eyes narrowed. “I had things to take care of.”
“Help me down.” Dianne held out her hand.
Jace hesitated, then assisted her.
She turned to Cal. “Watch my boy.”
“Yes, ma’am.” He drove away and parked down the street.
“Can we talk?” she asked, though it no doubt sounded more like an order than a request. As well, it might. She would not allow Jace to decline.
“Over there?” He indicated a grassy spot between two buildings, and they crossed the street and stopped beneath a tree laden with newly minted leaves.
“What’s wrong?” he asked.
“Cal told me the truth about what happened to Chet. You weren’t responsible for the fire that claimed his life.” As she relayed the details, his expression went from disbelief to surprise, and then air hushed from his lungs. “It really wasn’t my fault?”
“Not at all. Any more than it was your fault Eddie was hurt. He’s a little boy who has gotten into trouble before. Jace, you must know I don’t blame you in the least.” She looked at him, touching his arm, lifting her face, hoping he’d accept her invitation for more. Like a kiss.
He examined her face as if searching for a hidden truth. As if unwilling to believe her.
“Jace.” She wasn’t above begging. Life was too uncertain to let good things pass her by. “I care about you. Very deeply.”
“I can’t promise I won’t mess up. I can’t guarantee I won’t disappoint you.”
She splayed her fingers across his cheeks, reveling in the roughness of his whiskers.
“No one can ask for or expect perfection for ourselves or anyone else.” She let the words sink in.
“The ranch is our home. To have and to hold together, but I’d like it if we were more than partners.
” He hadn’t exactly offered her that, only a home.
She wanted more. So much more. Would he understand? Were her feelings returned?
He captured her hands and held them to his chest. “Dianne White, I have loved you since you banged on the cabin door holding an ax, ready to defend yourself and Eddie. Oh sure, you were annoyingly stubborn about insisting I return to the ranch.” His sweet smile and deep chuckle erased any sting from those words.
“You love me?”
“Heart and soul.”
“Jace.” She slipped her hands from his to circle her arms around his neck. “I love you forever and always.”
She might have said more, promised him her unfailing, enduring love, but his lips on hers, claiming her heart, promising her his love, silenced her and made words unnecessary.
A little later, they leaned against the tree, discussing the future.
“Perhaps you should stay in town until we’re married.” He nudged her shoulder. “I wouldn’t want there to be gossip about you.”
“I appreciate your concern, but why don’t we go across the street and ask the preacher to marry us?”
He shifted to study her. “You’re that certain?”
“I couldn’t be more certain.” She caught his hand and drew him forward.
“Wait!”
Doubt flared like a burst of hot flames. Was she rushing him too much?
“Shouldn’t we find Eddie?”
She muffled her laughter behind her hand. “Would you believe I forgot about him?”
Jace’s chuckles brought heat to her cheeks.
Hand in hand, they crossed the street and told Cal and Eddie they were going to the preacher to be married.
Eddie climbed from the wagon and took Jace’s hand. “You’ll be my papa?”
“Yes, I will. Is that all right with you?”
“Yes, yes.” He jumped up and down.
Cal grinned at them. “Glad you’re doing this, boss. She’s a good woman.” He nodded. “It’s what Chet would want.”
“Thank you.”
“Boss, you can take your family home, and I’ll return your borrowed wagon.”
Jace clapped the man on the back. “Remind me to give you a bonus next payday.”
Dianne smiled her thanks to Cal before the four of them crossed the street and knocked on the door with the white cross above it. The preacher’s wife answered, and when they explained what they wanted, she ushered them inside and went to the garden to find her husband.
Recognizing both of them, he nodded. “It’s plain you’ve found what your hearts need.”
A few minutes later, they exchanged vows. “To have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part.”
In a reverent whisper, Dianne added, “Forever and always.”
Jace echoed the words just before his lips caught hers.