Page 41 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas
“Eliza, there’s something I need to ask you…” He cleared his throat again, determined to continue. “I was wondering if you’ve given any more thought to staying in Splendor.”
“I have. It’s a difficult decision. I feel I could do meaningful work at the clinic. It’s difficult, as my plans were always to go west.”
He nodded, trying not to let his disappointment show.
“I must admit, there are certain things making me reconsider leaving.”
“Like what?”
“Well, the children at the ranch, for one. I’ve grown quite fond of them.”
“Of course,” Spencer said. Though he had also grown attached to the orphaned brother and sister, he sensed her answer hid more.
“And also…” She shifted her gaze back to his. “I find myself not wanting to leave behind the new friends I’ve made here.”
“Anyone in particular?”
Eliza held his gaze. “Well…the doctors, the people at the ranch. And you, Spencer.”
They stared at each other. Before he could think better of it, Spencer reached out and took Eliza’s hand in his.
“I’d like you to stay.”
Unable to resist any longer, Spencer put an arm around her, drawing her close. Her lips parted in anticipation as he lowered his head for a brief kiss.
She leaned into Spencer’s embrace. For a blissful moment, the kiss erased all doubts and fears, leaving only longing and the thrill of new beginnings.
When they broke apart, both were breathing hard, faces flushed.
“I don’t want this moment to end,” she admitted in a hushed voice.
He smiled. “There could be many more moments like this one. If you stay…”
She returned his smile, but didn’t voice her thoughts.
“We should get inside for supper, before Rachel comes looking for us,” he murmured.
Eliza laughed, the sound soft and musical to his ears. “You’re right.”
As Spencer lay in bed later, his mind spun with thoughts of Eliza and a possible future together. Somehow, without even realizing it, she’d found her way into his heart…
The kiss lingered in Eliza’s mind as she readied for bed, replaying the moment over and over. The feeling of Spencer’s lips on hers had sent her heart racing in a way she’d neverexperienced. This gruff rancher had awakened something in her she didn’t know was there.
As Eliza drifted off to sleep, she dreamed of a life in Splendor with Spencer. A small voice of doubt crept in about whether a marriage between them could last, but she pushed it away. For tonight, she’d let the idea of a new beginning take over.
Chapter Nineteen
Eliza stood in Rachel’s kitchen, kneading dough for the evening’s biscuits while Rachel chopped vegetables at the counter beside her. As she worked the dough, Eliza thought back to the times the family cook had let her help in the kitchen. When her mother learned about her working with the hired help, she’d forbidden Eliza from doing it again. After a few weeks, she’d start sneaking in again. Looking back, she was glad for all the cook had taught her.
Ginny and Lydia’s laughter drifted in from the parlor as they set the table. The cheerful comradery ended when the front door banged open.
“Doc! I need the doc!” Billy’s panicked shout echoed through the house.
Eliza abandoned the dough, wiped her floured hands on her apron, and hurried to meet Billy in the foyer. His eyes were wild, his hair disheveled.
“What is it, Billy? What’s happened?” Eliza asked.
“It’s Shining Star…the baby…it’s coming early. She’s in awful pain.”
