His head fell back on a laugh. “It never occurred to me.”
“It was a thought.” Her voice softened. “The past is done, Spencer. It’s time you started living again.”
He stared at the flickering fire, turmoil in his eyes. At length, he looked at her. “I have a good life here, Dorie. I’m not sure I need anyone else in it.” His mouth quirked. “Eliza would be a lot of work. I won’t go out of my way to track her down, but if I see her, I’ll be cordial.”
“Thank you.” She stood, bending to kiss his cheek. “You’ve a good heart, Spencer. Allow Eliza to see all the wonderful parts of you.”
He huffed a laugh as she left. “We’ll see.”
After following her outside to round up Joel for the wagon ride to town, Spencer reflected on their conversation. He’d become comfortable with his life at the ranch. All the men got along, Pelletiers were good bosses, the food was excellent, and the job was to his liking. Why bring an unknown into his life when everything was working fine?
Alone with his thoughts, Spencer sank back into brooding. He walked into the largest barn to toss hay into the stalls. It was work he could do while thinking about something else.
He pictured Eliza’s clear blue eyes and sharp wit. And domineering nature. She was used to throwing out orders and people jumping to comply. As Dorinda suggested, spending a little more time with her could help him understand her prickly nature.
Eliza glanced around the Pelletier ranch house the following afternoon, admiring the festive Christmas decorations. Popcorn and holly adorned the fireplace mantel while a large pine tree stood ready to be trimmed.
“I’m so glad you could come for another visit.” Rachel walked toward her from the hall.
“Thank you for sending a wagon for me. Billy is such an interesting man.”
Rachel nodded. “Yes, he is. He’s so worried about Shining Star. It’s a wonder he can keep his mind on his work.” She clasped her hands together. “We’ll be decorating the tree right after supper.”
Eliza smiled, pushing down a flutter of anticipation. “It looks wonderful already. I can’t wait to help.” She hesitated, clearing her throat. “Will Spencer be joining us?”
“Dorinda, Dutch, and Joel plan to come out from town. So, I imagine he’ll stop by.” Rachel gave her a knowing look.
Heat rose in Eliza’s cheeks. She busied herself examining a porcelain nativity set. “This is lovely, Rachel.”
“My parents sent it to us as a Christmas gift several years ago. It’s an exact match to the one in their home.”
Eliza continued to study the set, unable to recall anything so special in her parents’ home.
Chapter Twelve
Eliza sat at the long dining table, pushing the remnants of supper around her plate. The sound of conversations and laughter drifted around the dining room, but she barely noticed. Her gaze kept straying to the empty place across from her, where Spencer had been expected to sit. His absence tonight left an odd ache in her chest.
She nodded or answered when a question came her way, not wanting to appear disinterested. With a sigh, she stood and carried her plate into the kitchen. Rachel gave her a sympathetic smile as she set another plate of roast chicken on the table but didn’t comment on Spencer’s absence. She knew Rachel suspected there were deeper feelings between them, though neither Eliza nor Spencer had spoken of it aloud.
When everyone finished eating and moved into the living room, she helped the women clear the table and clean the dishes. Returning to the dining room, she looked around, disappointed when Spencer still hadn’t arrived.
Stepping out onto the front porch, Eliza drew her shawl tighter against the chill. The sun had dipped below the distant mountains long ago, casting the ranch in almost total darkness. She watched as several of the men left the house to fetch boxes from the barn, their breath frosting the air.
Returning to the entry hall, she shrugged out of her shawl, draping it over a bench. Ginny and a few other women emergedfrom the kitchen, arms laden with strings of popcorn and cranberries. Despite herself, Eliza felt a spark of anticipation. Christmastime was upon them, and the entire ranch was busy with preparations.
Footsteps sounded behind her, and she turned, pulse quickening. But it was several of the Pelletier children, their faces flushed from the cold. They darted past her, their excited laughter lightening her mood.
Eliza’s breath caught at the sight of the open boxes. Gold, green, and crimson bows, carved wooden ornaments, garlands, pinecones, and strings of popcorn and cranberries. Near the base, Spencer knelt with a box of glass baubles, glancing up as she entered. Their eyes met, and Eliza’s heart stuttered. How had he entered the house without her noticing?
Then Billy called for Spencer’s help, and the moment passed. Spencer set down the ornament he was holding and walked over to help Billy move a heavy trunk closer to the tree. Eliza watched him as she wandered farther into the room, taking in the festive scene.
Little Charlotte Pelletier and Chloe Mason ran to a box of homemade ornaments, excited over the whittled wooden shapes, painted pinecones, and scraps of fabric tied with ribbon. The two three-year-olds found joy in all the Christmas activities.
“Look, Miss Eliza, I made this star!” Chloe held up a lopsided wooden star painted in bright colors.
Eliza smiled. “It’s wonderful, Chloe. Your star will look lovely on the tree.”
All around her, people were laughing and chatting as they continued decorating. Ginny stood on a stool hanging strands of cranberries while Rachel unwrapped a hand-carved horse with a wreath around its neck.
