Chapter 9 #2
Their voices blended in perfect harmony, his deep and sure, hers higher. She barely finished before her throat tightened. She had never known a more holy moment.
When he indicated they should sit on a nearby log, she didn’t hesitate.
This scene was too beautiful to leave. The company was sweeter than the flowers.
She pretended she hadn’t thought that and sat beside him with a sigh of contentment. “The mountains are so majestic.” They surrounded them, some purple in the distance. Others breathing down their backs.
“I remember the first time I saw them.”
At the deepness of his voice, she shifted to watch him. His gaze drifted to the distance.
“What did you think?” she prompted.
“Ma was taking us west to Gib’s ranch. I admit I’d been somewhat fearful.
We were starting over without my pa. I couldn’t help but wonder what it meant.
” He plucked a yellow blossom from near his boot.
“When I saw the mountains, I knew everything would be all right.” He picked another yellow flower.
“I don’t know why I thought that, but I did. ” His gaze touched Addie’s.
When she realized he waited for her response, she spoke slowly, considering her words. “Perhaps the mountains remind us that we are so small and God is so big. Yet His love surrounds us like those mountains surround this lake.” She swept her arm across the scene.
“I doubt I thought anything so profound. After all, I was a callow youth.” His laugh carried a note of wryness. “But it’s certainly true.”
They sat side by side, soaking in the peace.
He continued to pick flowers and twist them together. “Life became so different for us after we moved.”
“How so?” Though losing one’s father and moving far away were big changes.
His voice rumbled in a chuckle. “I could say it was easier. And that would be true. But it was also tougher. Both Ma and I worked harder than we had before, but I don’t think either of us minded.
” He concentrated on the flowers in his hands, his voice deep, his words full.
“On more than one occasion, Ma said it felt good to be living a life where we reaped the benefits of our hard work.”
Hard work. Honest labor. They seemed to be the motto of his life. A good motto. One she admired. One that made her feel safe.
“Lean forward.” His words were a gentle invitation.
“Why?” She did so without an answer from him.
A wreath of yellow flowers hung from his hands. He lifted it and dropped it to her head.
“I crown you Lady of this Lake.”
She touched the flowers that lay on her head.
Lady of the Lake? Or was he crowning her Lady of his Heart? She had no reason to think that and yet…yet….
Nash drifted his hand across her hair, resisting the urge to cup her head and pull her close. Every beat of his heart whispered her name. Every flower breathed her sweetness. The lake reflected sunlight that echoed in her eyes.
“Addie,” he whispered. His index finger trailed down her cheek.
Her eyes widened.
Had he shocked her with his boldness? He hadn’t meant to, and he withdrew his hands to his knees and sat back. He should say something, but not a single word came to his mind.
“I remember the first time I glimpsed the mountains.” She spoke slowly, softly, making it possible for him to bring his thoughts into submission.
“It was only a few months ago. Preacher Stone had been invited to speak at a little church while their regular minister returned East to care for his dying father.” The words drifted off, carried to the placid blue water.
He waited as she grew silent, perhaps remembering that time. He was about to ask her to continue when she huffed out a breath.
“I should have been used to moving. It’s what we did. Always going where people needed help. But this time, I didn’t want to go.” Her eyes darkened. “I wanted to stay in one place long enough to decorate a house the way I’d like it and”—her voice lowered—“make friends.”
Her longings tugged at his heart, and he captured her hand and held it, offering sympathy and comfort. He smiled when she turned her palm to his and squeezed before she continued.
“We were on the train to our destination. Mother told me to look out the window. I did.” Her eyes sparkled.
“Past the nearby lake, the mountains rose, jagged, crowned with snow, and glistening in the sunshine. I felt like God reached out to me, saying that He—the maker of the mountains—was big enough to take care of me. I knew then everything would be fine.”
“You have such a strong faith,” he whispered.
“No, what I have is a faithful God.”
Their gazes connected, her eyes steady. He hoped his were as well, as they shared this moment with birds singing around them.
A splash jerked their attention to the lake, where a duck did a noisy landing.
“Come on.” He pulled her to her feet.
She readily followed him. “Where are we going?”
Did it matter where they went? Only that they walked hand in hand. “Let’s have a closer look at the lake.”
Grass bent before their feet. Flowers bowed out of the way.
Near the shoreline, the vegetation grew rougher, darker in color.
They reached a spot where water ran from a lively stream into the lake.
They could go no further in that direction.
But they didn’t turn back. Instead, they looked out at the blue, blue lake.
“Shorty has a beautiful place to live,” she said.
“Yet, he’s talking about leaving.”
“You’d think he’d want to stay here.” She nudged aside a rock at her feet.
“Given the books in his storeroom, I think the man is running from something. Or trying to find peace from his past.” Nash knew that urging.
“Father Stone often says that a man will be forever restless until he finds peace with God.” She pushed her braid over her shoulder. “But can you think of a better place to find that peace than right here?”
“I do know a place equally suitable. My ranch.”
The moment hung between them, full of possibility. Would she recognize his invitation? And if she did, how would she respond?
A pebble rolled away from under her foot. She bent to pick it up and toss it into the water. It landed near the shore with barely a splash.
Her answer was not to answer? Was she being kind, not wanting to hurt his feelings?
Of course, he’d spoken out of turn. They didn’t know each other well enough for him to be speaking in that fashion. Practically inviting her to his ranch, which he’d already done. And she’d said she’d like to see his place. Only this time, he didn’t mean a quick visit but something more permanent.
She threw another rock. It went farther and plopped into the water, scaring away the duck, who gave a protesting quack. Shorebirds burst into the air with the rattle of reeds and rush of wings.
Pitching rocks seemed like a good way to relieve his disappointment. He grabbed a handful and tossed them into the water, one by one.
Addie threw with equal determination.
He scooped up another handful of stones. Several were flat, perfect for skipping, and he threw underhanded. The rock skipped twice.
Addie lowered her arms and watched him.
He skipped another rock.
She imitated his stance, drew back her arm, and let a rock fly. But it landed in the lake in a widening ripple of circles. “How do you do that?”
He illustrated by doing it again.
Her try failed. “What am I doing wrong?”
The appeal in her eyes brought him closer to her.
“Let me help.” He stood behind her and caught her arm to draw it back. “Flick your wrist.” He held her by the shoulders as she followed his instructions.
Again, the rock sank.
“Try again.”
Another failure.
He chose more rocks, handed them to her, and resumed his position behind her, holding her, showing her how to toss the rock.
The rock sank.
“Why can’t I do this?”
“Addie, are you crying?” The tears coursing down her cheeks were answer enough. “It’s just a silly little trick.”
“That’s not it.”
“What’s wrong?”
She sniffled and dashed away the tears. “My pa tried to teach me how to do this, and I couldn’t.”
He guided her to the nearby log and eased her down beside him, his arms clasping her shoulders. She held his gaze as she talked.
“I was maybe eight years old. Pa said he kept hearing wonderful things about a waterfall north of where we lived. He wanted to take Mama and me to see it. I don’t remember where we were living or what the falls were called, but I will never forget the trip.”
Hearing her voice quiver, Nash would have pulled her closer. But he didn’t want to break her intense stare, so instead, he let her find comfort in his steady gaze.
“Pa said it was too far to go in one day, so we took supplies to stay overnight.” Her audible swallow informed Nash just how special she found this memory.
“We couldn’t drive the wagon right to the falls, so we made a camp.
Pa set up a tent. Then we walked up the trail to where water raced to the edge of the rocks and then flung itself over to crash into the river below.
The rushing water echoed in my chest like music.
Spray wet our faces. I laughed with pure joy.
Papa wrapped his arms around Mama as they gazed at the display.
I think seeing their love pleasured me as much as seeing the waterfall. ”
Her sweet smile brought an answering one to Nash’s lips. He didn’t recall seeing that sort of love between his parents, although Ma had insisted Pa had been a different man when they first married. Before he gave into greed. Nash brought his attention back to Addie as she continued her story.
“That evening, Pa made a fire, and Mama cooked a meal over the coals. We laughed a lot. Mama and Pa hugged me often. That night we slept together in the tent, me between my parents. We visited the falls again in the morning—the sunlight fractured in the water. A rainbow hung over the falls. We stood hand in hand enjoying the spectacle. Pa skipped rocks on the water.” Her words crackled at her memory.
“He tried to teach me how, but I couldn’t do it.
I’ve never been able to. I feel like I’ve failed him. ” She ended on a wail.
Nash drew her to his chest and rubbed her back. “I don’t think he’d believe you’ve failed. I think he’d look at how you’ve helped the Stones, how you help others, and he’d be proud.”
“I hope so. I try.”
He held her as her muffled words breathed into his shirt.
Her crying ended, but she didn’t move. Nor did he. He’d hold her as long as she’d let him. But it would never be enough. The latter thought blasted through him.
With a deep sigh, she pushed upright and wiped her face on her dress sleeve. She wouldn’t meet his gaze. “I’m a mess.”
He caught her chin and turned her face toward him. “Addie, you are not a mess.”
Brown eyes met his. Although she didn’t say anything, he heard her silent request to say more.
“I’m glad you told me about your parents. It’s sweet that they were so loving and kind.”
She nodded, never breaking eye contact.
“They loved you very much.” That was evident in the way she talked about them.
Again, she nodded, drawing in a slow breath. “I miss them.”
“Of course.”
“I will always miss them.” A dark shadow darted through her eyes. “Their deaths were so needless.”
“They were so young.”
“Too young.”
Was it his imagination, or were her words edged with steel?
Then she smiled, driving away any hint of darkness. “I’ve dampened your shirt.” She touched the spot.
“It’s nothing.” He pressed his palm to the place. The cool spot warmed under his skin. Lifting his hand from his chest, he slid his fingers along Addie’s cheek, drying the last remnant of moisture.
She caught his hand.
The moment hung silent and brimming with possibility.
Her gaze lowered. Pink blushed in her cheeks. She moved his hand from touching her. “Thank you for your kindness.”
Kindness? The word barely grazed the breadth of the feelings flooding him.
But it was enough for now. A good start. “You’re welcome.” A very good start. “We should get back.”
Hawk would have returned. He’d have plans about getting the stagecoach on its way to Golden Valley.
The damp, slippery ground required that Nash hold Addie’s arm as they climbed the hill and made their way to the cabin.
Hawk greeted them once they entered. “Good. You’re here. I need your help.”
Nash paused only long enough to give Addie a shrug and hopefully convey his reluctance at leaving her. Then he followed Hawk. The man’s strides were long and rapid.
Why was Hawk in such a hurry?