Chapter Twenty-Eight
Sunday morning’s golden dawn bounced off the walls of the canyon in a magnificent display. Heath didn’t think he’d ever seen a more glorious sight. He rose and went about his chores. His mood had lightened considerably. This was the Lord’s Day, and nothing could put a damper on it. He had much to give thanks for.
He knew the distance he’d put between himself and Rachel had caused her confusion but it seemed the best course to take. She’d gotten too accustomed to his presence. He wanted her to realize that she shouldn’t take him for granted. Hopefully, this would jar her into making a decision about marriage as well as send a message.
She’d either want him or they’d go their separate ways.
But who was he kidding? With each passing day the possibility of her agreeing to spend the rest of her life with him grew more remote. He was fast losing hope and he hadn’t seen even a glimmer of the white dove.
After breakfast, Heath got out his Bible and announced that they were going to have a small service down by the lake.
Sally beamed. “I think it’s a wonderful idea, brother.”
“I’ll get Eden ready just as soon as we finish in the kitchen.” Rachel began clearing the table.
In a short time everyone had made their way to the lake. Heath was glad to see that Rachel hadn’t raised any objections. In fact, she seemed delighted about the prospect of celebrating the Lord’s Day to the best of their abilities.
He led them in Rock of Ages then opened his Bible. He chuckled at Jax sitting straight, his attention on Heath. Before he could read the scripture he’d selected, Becca joined them. She found a seat on a tree stump near Rachel and listened intently to the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. The girl’s coughing interrupted Heath several times. It was moist and came from deep inside her chest. He wondered if she was ill. But surely she wouldn’t have walked all this way if she was. It bothered him just the same.
Jax spied a squirrel and raced off chasing the varmint that dared enter his domain.
“I came to see Samuel Eden,” Becca announced when the last amen was said.
Rachel put a hand to the girl’s forehead. “Are you sick?”
“Just a little puny. Ain’t nothing.”
“You’re warm. Does your papa know?”
Becca shook her head. “Nope.”
“Why didn’t you tell him you weren’t feeling well?”
“On account of he was gone.”
“Where on earth would he be on a Sunday?”
“Fixin’ a windmill that got itself broke.”
Heath listened to the exchange. Becca’s father still seemed overwhelmed with his responsibilities and his daughter paid the price.
“Come to the house,” Rachel told her. “I’ll see what I can do for your fever and that cough.”
Sally put her arm around the girl. “We can fix some nice willow bark tea.”
Rachel nodded, shifting Eden to her side.
“Can I carry Samuel?” Becca asked.
Indecision was evident by the way Rachel chewed her bottom lip. Heath searched for a good reason to deny the girl but couldn’t come up with anything Becca would understand.
“Well…” Rachel hedged.
“I won’t drop him,” Becca begged. “I’ll be real careful. Please?”
“Let’s wrap her in a blanket. And if you need to cough, turn your head away from the baby. All right?”
Becca held out her arms and took Eden. “Hello, Samuel. It’s me. Becca. I came to see you on account of I’m your big sister. I’ve missed you.”
Heath grinned at the girl’s simple ways and took Rachel’s arm. There was no getting through to Becca that Eden was not her brother. But then, did it really matter? The important thing in the end was the love shining in Becca’s eyes. Love was truly all that really made a difference after everything was said and done.
His eyes met Rachel’s and he leaned to whisper in her ear. “Just relax. It’ll be okay.”
“I wish I could be sure. What if Becca makes Eden sick? What if she—”
“I’m sure Eden will be all right.”
Rachel knew she was being overcautious. Still, she’d seen firsthand how fast an illness could sweep through a family. She lengthened her stride to catch up to Becca and panic struck her when she noticed that the breeze had lifted the blanket from over Eden’s face. It took all the strength Rachel had not to cry out in panic and yank the child from Becca’s arms. But she didn’t want to frighten the girl.
As soon as they got inside the house, Rachel reached for her baby daughter. “I’ll take her. Eden needs to go to sleep now.”
Sudden tears filled Becca’s eyes. Rachel could only watch in alarm as the girl pressed her lips to the little forehead. Rachel took Eden and hurried into the bedroom.
“She was asleep as soon as I laid her down,” Rachel announced, entering the room.
“I noticed those droopy eyes. I’ll take Becca home after lunch.” Heath went to make a fire to take the chill from the room.
When Eden didn’t get sickwithin the next two days, Rachel began to relax. It seemed she’d worried for nothing. She went about her chores, breathing easier.
Becca hadn’t returned and that sparked some worry. Rachel wondered if the girl lay sick in bed. If it wasn’t so dangerous for her to leave the protection of the house, she’d hitch up the wagon and go check on the girl who set such store by Samuel Eden.
A heavy sigh left Rachel’s mouth. She wanted all this to be over with and soon. She yearned for a normal life, to be free to come and go when she wanted and to raise her daughter in peace.
But did that include Heath?
Her searching gaze quickly found the man who had given her so much. She touched her lips with her fingertips remembering his kisses. A life without him in it was difficult to imagine. Yet, despite his vow that he wasn’t going anywhere he’d become withdrawn and detached. She missed his warmth and the way his smile crinkled the corners of his eyes. And she’d give anything to have him gaze into her eyes and call her Little Mama in that deep voice of his that made tingles race along just under her skin.
The way he’d distanced himself from her could only mean one thing. She’d waited too long. Heath Lassiter had given up on her. Not that she blamed him. Lord knows the man had the patience of a saint but he’d reached his limit.
Eden’s insistent cries interrupted her thoughts. Rachel picked up a basket of clothes she’d just taken off the clothesline and hurried toward the house.
She might not know what to do about Heath Lassiter but at least she knew how to satisfy her daughter’s needs.