Moonlight on the Millpond (10 page)

“But Doyle did the heavy work.”

“True, but it won't kill me. I'm sure of that.”

He didn't love the thought of her hauling crates and merchandise all day, but her hardworking attitude was easy to hear. Farming was hard work for men and women alike. It would include more lifting than was expected in the store. He was glad she wouldn't shy away from the jobs that came with being a farmer's wife.

It occurred to him that he hadn't asked her why she was thinking about heaven and death. He wondered for a moment if Doyle's condition had anything to do with it but then remembered that she'd had questions in Boston as well.

“I think they're done outside,” Maddie said absently after hearing the kitchen door. She shut the Bible and listened to footfalls from a distance.

Jace knew a moment of regret. He'd enjoyed being alone with her, not because he was ashamed of his thoughts or what he might do, but because when they were alone, Maddie was somewhat focused on him.

The three other adults joined them a moment later, and Woody said he was ready to go. Jace took his leave as he always did, wondering when he would see Maddie again.

Several hours later Maddie brushed her hair out, thinking about Jace Randall as she readied for bed. Even knowing that she would keep her heart to herself, she had to admit that he was one of the best-looking men she'd ever met.

For a moment, his green eyes swam into her mind, and she thought about the way his hair fell across his forehead, always looking a little messy but also rather fetching.

Maddie sat up straight, the train of her thoughts not amusing her in the least.
What's the matter with you? He's not to be trusted.
Not him or any man!

Ruthlessly pulling with the brush, Maddie finished her hair in a no-nonsense way, turned the light down, and climbed into bed. She wasn't tired enough to fall right to sleep, but that didn't matter. What did matter was that she had a will strong enough to keep Jace Randall completely from her mind.

“Douglas?” Alison called from the stairs before walking all the way down. She checked the parlor and her husband's study and found them both empty. The kitchen was next, but he wasn't there either. The door, however, was not completely closed. Alison put her head out and found her husband standing in the semidark moonlight at the side of their house.

“Douglas?” she whispered as she joined him.

“Come here.” He held open his arm, and she slipped under it to be pulled against his side.

“Are you praying for Tucker Mills?” she asked.

“And for us.”

“Us the church family or us the Muldoon family?”

She watched him smile before saying, “Yes.”

“Do you ever get discouraged?”

“Just with myself,” Douglas admitted. “I get impatient for answers and want things to happen. It's too easy to forget that I'm not in charge.”

“I pray for you.”

“I can tell that you do.” He turned his head enough to kiss her brow. “Kids all down?”

“Yes, it's nice and quiet.”

“Was that an invitation, Mrs. Muldoon?”

“It might be,” she teased as she scooted out from under his arm.

Alison reached the kitchen door ahead of him, but just barely. His own worries and troubles retreating from his mind, Douglas was right on her heels.

Jace was in the fields with Woody when he spotted her. She hadn't said when she was coming, and it was quite a walk from the train station, but she had done it. Eden Randall had come to Tucker Mills.

“I would have picked you up,” Jace said as she neared. “You didn't say what day you were arriving.”

Eden only smiled, not wanting him to know what week she was coming.

“You've filled out,” she commented, touching his arm, “but your face is leaner.”

Jace shrugged a little, pleased by her words but not telling her so.

“Hello, Eden,” Woody called as he came around the barn.

“Hello, Uncle Woodruff.”

“He goes by Woody,” Jace said as that man came to shake her hand.

“It's good to see you,” Eden told him with a smile.

“Welcome to Tucker Mills,” Woody said, surprised at what a fine-looking woman Eden Randall was. From the way Jace had talked, Woody had been expecting a spinsterish old shrew.

“Come inside. Clara's still here. I'm sure she's got the kettle on.”

“Clara?” Eden turned to Jace with raised brows, only to find her brother mute. He smiled at her and brought up the rear.

Right then and there, Eden knew fear. Jace had been telling her everything she wanted to know for as long as she could remember. When he'd left Pine River last October, he'd said he would write, but only one letter had come and nearly none of her questions had been answered. She wrote to him every week with inquiries about his life, but nothing came of it. Not even threatening to come to Tucker Mills had forced Jace to write.

And now she'd shown him—as she always did—that she wanted an answer, and he'd not said a word. She didn't think she could lose him this swiftly but suddenly feared that very thing.

“Clara?” Woody called as he stomped his way through the front door. “We've a guest.”

Eden's heart calmed a little when an older woman—probably older than Woody and definitely the house help—came down the stairs.

Eden had written to Jace to ask about how they ate and who prepared the meals, but he'd not answered. Well, that was why she was here: to get answers. She was also certain Jace had a girl somewhere in town. And she intended to find all about that as well.

Woody performed the introductions between the women, and completely comfortable with her place at the farm, Clara offered to show Eden to her room. Eden, although very congenial, waited only until she and Clara were alone upstairs to make herself at home.

“I'm going to be here for a few days, and I'd be happy to cook and look after the house for you.”

“If that's what Woody wants,” Clara said easily.

“I don't think he'll mind.”

“Well, he'll be the first to tell you if he does.”

Clara led the way back downstairs and to the kitchen. Eden would have liked to freshen up, but she didn't trust Clara to present her suggestion properly, so she came directly behind as the older woman returned to the main level.

“Miss Randall wants to cook for you for a few days, Woody,” Clara said, checking a pot on the stove and then turning back to him.

Woody's head came up from the paper he was writing on. Jace also looked up to see his sister near the door, waiting for an answer. Woody looked to Eden for a moment and then to Clara.

“You want a few days off, Clara?”

“Not particularly.”

Woody's gaze transferred to his niece. “Thanks for the offer, Eden, but Clara knows the way I like things done.”

Both Clara and Woody went back to what they were doing, but Jace had eyes only for his sister. Eden looked to find him smiling hugely at her. She couldn't help but smile back at him, shaking her head a little.

“I'll be upstairs if you need me,” Eden announced, not sounding the least put out.

Jace waited just a moment before following her. Once the kitchen was quiet, Woody spoke to Clara again.

“Everything all right, Clara?”

“Everything's fine. You all right?”

“Um hm.”

Clara heard the satisfied tone in her employer's reply, and although she didn't comment, she was pleased as well.

“How are things at Randall Boardinghouse?” Jace asked, not knocking as he entered her room.

“Things are fine. May took over for me.”

“I figured as much. Did you rent my room?”

“Yes, but it took a while. So what's her name?” Eden dropped all attempts at subtlety and asked outright.

“You don't waste any time do you?”

“No. Are you going to tell me?”

“Believe it or not, Eden, I do not have a string of women in Tucker Mills.”

“Not even one?”

“No,” Jace answered truthfully.

Eden didn't believe him, but Jace didn't try to persuade her. Even if she stuck around for a good long time, Maddie Shephard was not returning his looks. If Jace kept his eyes to himself, Eden would never be the wiser concerning his feelings.

Almost as soon as he had this thought, Jace felt guilty. Maddie was not some passing fancy. He genuinely cared for this woman and was impressed enough to pursue her. She was the very type of woman he
wanted
Eden to know about, but he knew she would never believe him to be serious.

“I'll find out,” Eden suddenly said, causing Jace to wonder what his face had been doing.

“You do that,” Jace said, sounding almost bored and causing Eden to doubt but also to hear herself.

“The house is nice, Jace—the whole farm is,” Eden said kindly, not wanting there to be anything between them. “I'm happy for you.”

“Thanks, Eden. Can you stay a while?”

“A train goes back Monday morning. I was going to stay until then.”

“Good. You'll be here through Sunday then; it's the only day things slow down.”

Eden nodded, her heart aching with love for this brother who had left the nest. She knew she could be difficult and overbearing, but she believed with all her heart that it was in his best interest.

Clara called them to dinner just a short time later, but in the few minutes they had together, Eden and Jace went back to old times. They were comfortable with each other, occasionally disagreeing but genuinely fond of one another, and until Eden grew bossy, they enjoyed each other's company.