Chapter 9
Daisy couldn’t concentrate and almost burned her biscuits as a result, but it wasn't her fault. That kiss Clay gave her had rattled her brain. Just thinking about it made her grin so wide her mouth ached. She probably looked like a crazy person and was glad he was still in there with Liam.
She didn’t know what possessed him to kiss her again, but she was happy he had.
For over a week now, she'd wondered why he’d kissed her the first time, then never mentioned it again, and had thought it was because he hadn't enjoyed it as much as she did.
Now she knew differently. But what did it mean?
Was he just kissing her because she was there, or was what Liam said true? Was Clay in love with her?
Her heart fluttered at the thought, and she wasn’t even sure why.
Violet had been telling her for over a year that Clay was sweet on her, and she’d never believed her.
Especially after seeing him and Veronica kissing before they left Silver Falls.
But here she was, getting breath-stealing kisses from him so intense, it made her toes curl in her shoes and left her wondering if he’d do it again.
She plated up Liam’s supper and set it on the tray before carrying it to his door. Clay had been in there with him for hours, and she wondered what they’d been talking about for so long.
Both of them looked over at her when she stepped into the room, Liam’s face lighting with joy at seeing her. “You’re going to spoil me rotten, Daisy. I’ve not eaten this good since my wife died.”
“It’s nothing. I enjoy it,” she said. “I feel most at home in the kitchen.” She handed him his tray and waited until he started eating before turning to go.
She caught Clay’s eye when she did. He was staring at her, and butterflies danced in her stomach when the corner of his mouth tilted in a little smile.
Clay stayed with Liam so long, she wasn’t sure he was going to come eat his own supper, but when he emerged, he looked deep in thought about something.
She fixed him a plate and watched him eat.
For once, he didn’t try to talk to her, and she wondered why his mood had changed.
Before going in to see Liam, he’d been kissing her breathless.
Now he would barely look at her. What had happened?
What brought about this sudden change, and did it have anything to do with her?
Snowmelt was dripping off the house, and the sounds from the street told him the town was back to business as usual.
Daisy was quiet this morning, and he knew it was his own fault. He hadn't said more than five words to her the evening before. His conversation with Liam had left him so distracted, he’d not even tasted the food she’d fixed.
She barely glanced at him as she ate her breakfast. He’d have to get her attention just to talk to her, but he wasn’t sure either of them was in the mood for conversation. He was still preoccupied with Liam’s offer, and she looked—hurt—by his silence.
When she finished eating, she got up to clean the mess without a word. He helped as much as she’d allow him to and knew he couldn’t let this—whatever it was—linger.
He caught her arm when she went to lay a clean pot on a drying towel.
She stilled but didn’t look at him. Lifting her arm, he kissed the back of her wrist. When she stood there without responding, he licked her soft skin before placing another kiss there.
She finally lifted her head, and he said, “I’m sorry. ”
“For what?”
“For being so distant.” He ran his thumb over her wrist. “Liam gave me a lot to think about, and I’m just preoccupied with that.”
“Oh.”
She looked away, but he didn’t let her do it for long. He reached up and tilted her face back up, raising her chin so she’d look at him. “Thank you for breakfast.”
Her throat bobbed as she swallowed. “You’re welcome.”
Even though he wasn’t sure it would be welcomed now, he lowered his head and placed a soft kiss on her lips.
Her eyes fluttered closed in an instant, and he smiled before deepening the kiss the way he wanted to.
She kissed him back as if nothing was wrong, and by the time he pulled away, her eyes were once again vibrant and void of the sadness he’d seen earlier.
“I have to go. I’ll be back around noon.”
She nodded and licked her bottom lip. He didn’t miss the action and gave her another brief kiss before heading out.
The day was cold, and the sky looked gray. It would snow again soon. He pulled the collar of his coat up over his neck and nodded his head at Everette, the stagecoach station owner, when he saw him through the window.
The livery stable was frigid as usual. Clay tended to the horses, breaking the ice on their water troughs before feeding them.
The first one to finish was let out of his stall, saddled, and led outside.
He mounted him and headed to the far edge of town.
Liam told him where his partner, Lewis’s cabin was, and he wanted to see it.
It didn’t take long to find. It was on the outskirts of town, farthest from the train station, and Liam had been right.
It needed work. Thankfully, it was still abandoned.
While securing the horse's reins to a nearby post, he spotted an old barn behind the house. It wasn’t very big, but it had enough room for a few horses and some livestock.
The cabin itself was sturdy. The window panes were all intact, but the door got stuck when he tried to open it, the bottom edge scraping the floor as he pushed.
He'd have to fix that. The inside was untouched. Dust covered everything, and it smelled musty since being shut up so long, but to his surprise, it still held all the furnishings. He’d not need to do anything but move in at this point.
Everything one needed to live comfortably was right here.
Like Liam’s home, this cabin was similiar in layout, only there were two extra rooms off the main living area.
Both were a good size, the kitchen at the back of the house, big too.
A narrow set of steps along the right wall led to a large loft that covered half the living area and was empty.
It would make good storage or an extra sleeping space.
He stood in the middle of the living room, staring at the kitchen.
He could picture Daisy here. Could also see a gaggle of kids running about as she happily hummed a tune only she could hear.
It was a pleasant dream. One he could make a reality.
All he had to do was accept Liam’s offer.
Then ask Daisy to marry him.
The only question he had was—would she leave her family to be with him?
The ride back to town wouldn’t take long. One could walk it in less than ten minutes. There were a few other houses out this way, but not close enough to feel as if anyone was living right on top of you.
The livery stable door was open when he rode back into town. He hadn’t seen a single person all week, and the one time he left, someone came in.
Clay hurried inside, looking into the darkened space before closing the barn door and blocking off the cold air. He saw her a few moments later. Callie, the girl who had shown Daisy around town the week before, came from the back of the barn near the tack room.
“There you are,” she said. “I was beginning to think you and Daisy headed back home.”
He unsaddled the horse, draping the saddle over the rail. “Not yet. I had something to do this morning.” He led the horse back into its stall. “Daisy is down at Liam’s. He fell last week and broke his leg. We’ve been staying over there to help take care of him.”
“Oh. I see.” She looked around the barn before saying, “Do you think it would be okay if I stopped by to see Daisy?”
“I’m sure she’d enjoy that.”
She grinned. “Perfect. Where does Liam live?”
He gave her directions and nodded his head at her when she said, “See you around.”
He watched her go. She was exactly what Daisy needed at the moment.
Someone to talk to other than Liam and himself.
Even though she’d not complained, it couldn’t be fun doing nothing all day but cleaning and feeding an old man who was bed-bound.
A friend would be good for Daisy, especially if she accepted his marriage proposal and stayed in Butte with him.
He paused at the thought. Did that mean he’d decided, then?
Was he seriously thinking of taking Liam’s offer?
Subconsciously, he did, or he wouldn’t have had the thought.
Staying felt—right. It was too good an opportunity to pass up.
He’d be stupid to turn it down. But Daisy missed her family, and getting her to stay wouldn’t be easy.
He wasn’t even sure of her feelings for him.
She seemed to enjoy his kisses, but that didn’t mean she’d leave the life she had in Silver Falls and stay with him.
Unless she had good reason to. He spent the next hour on chores and by lunch, was eager to see Daisy, but first, he had a stop to make.
The mercantile was busy when he walked inside.
It was larger than the Campbell's place in Silver Falls, but with a town this size, he supposed it needed to be.
Several clerks were behind the counter, with even more out on the floor stocking shelves.
He looked at the goods on display before making his way to the front of the store.
An older woman with a kind face spotted him and smiled.
“Good afternoon,” she said. “You look lost.”
“It's my first time in here.” He looked around the store again. “It’s a lot to take in.”
“That it is.” She gave him another smile. “And welcome. I’m Deloris. The owner. Is there anything in particular you were looking for?”
He nodded. “I’m looking for a ring.”
“For a man or woman?”
“A woman.” He smiled and said, “I’m getting married.” I hope.