Page 48 of A Redemption Mountain Christmas
Shining Star looked at Billy.
“We’ve decided it would be best to stay here,” he said. “If you and Rachel are both gone, then it might be best to go. What do you think?”
Eliza thought a moment. “It may be best. Bull is taking the large wagon with two bench seats, so there will be room for you. She’ll need to stay warm, so we should bring extra blankets.”
“What do you think, Shining Star?” he asked.
“Maybe we should go with the doctor. All the women and children will be gone, and Spirit Bear wants to go, too.”
“All right. We’ll go with you.”
“Excellent,” she said. “Spencer said we should leave early.”
“I’ll ask Bull,” Billy said, taking Shining Star’s hand in his.
“Well, then, I’ll see you at the wagon this afternoon.” Eliza headed back out into the cold.
Her breath clouded before her as she glanced around, hoping to spot Spencer. But the yard was empty save for two ranch hands tossing hay into the horse corrals.
“Eliza.” She looked toward the house, seeing Rachel waving to her from the porch. Crossing the distance, she walked up the steps.
“Lucien and Booker had decided to ride into town this morning to speak with Horace Clausen about their need for a house. When Tommy and Sherilyn heard the news, they became upset.”
Eliza’s brows drew together. “Feeling abandoned again?”
“Perhaps. Ginny and I were going to drive to town early to help Martha deliver the presents to the orphanage. Dax suggested we all go early. Once the presents are delivered, we can meet at the church. Would you like to come with us?”
“I would, except Spencer asked me to ride in with him.”
“I do recall hearing him talk to Bull about driving the larger wagon. We’ll be leaving soon and meet you at the church.” Rachel grinned as she hurried to get ready.
Several minutes later, the wagons rumbled down the road toward town. Eliza waved after them before she turned to scan the ranch area once again.
Spencer had been noticeably absent all morning. She wondered if he’d been sent to check on the herd. She also couldn’t blame him if he was ignoring her, maybe having second thoughts. This thing between them was complicated, with no easy answers.
Part of her urged caution, knowing she still might move on come spring. Another part insisted she stay, discover if a life with Spencer was possible.
She sighed, her breath fogging the air. She cared a great deal for him, but was it enough to alter the course she’d charted for herself?
Whatever she decided come spring, for now, this place had become home.
Spencer continued to toss hay onto the ground from the feed house north of the ranch house. He and two others had ridden out early to make sure the cattle had enough until the following morning.
Stopping, he leaned against the pitchfork, allowing himself a minute to rest. He thought of Eliza and how she’d allowed him to see her tender heart the previous evening. The woman he’d come to know was unexpected. Nothing about her was the same as how she’d presented herself when first arriving in Splendor.
Her distress witnessing the children reuniting with their uncle had come as a surprise. He wondered how he could’ve ever thought Eliza possessed a cold heart. Hers was as warm as any woman he’d ever known.
He thought of what he planned and how she’d respond. They’d known each other for such a short time. Less than a month. Could he rely on his feelings after a few weeks? Spencer had no answer.
“Hey, Spencer,” Tom called out, using his one good arm to spread out the hay.
He turned to look at his friend. “What?”
“We’ve spread out enough hay. Let’s get back to the ranch.”
They rode into the stable an hour later, removing their saddles and tack. Spencer left to find Bull, expecting him to be in one of the other barns. Glancing toward the house, his pace slowed. Eliza sat on a rocker with a blanket covering her legs while she read something in a large book.
Stopping, he turned around. So engrossed in whatever she was reading, she didn’t look up until his boots sounded on the steps.
