Reclaimed Love: Banished Saga, Book Two (41 page)

“A real library?” I asked with wonder. “When will we find out?”

“Soon enough, I expect,” he replied. “We’ll have to find another way to keep that man of yours occupied,” he teased, moving his brows up and down.

I blushed, laughing as I moved onto another stack of books.

***

I RETURNED HOME AFTER a visit to Allenstein’s Grocers, tripping on the boardwalk planks and nearly spilling the food I had purchased for dinner in my agitation. Mr. Allenstein had packed the baskets well, and little except a potato and a carrot escaped. As I trudged toward home, my arms ached from the heavy baskets. The dry, hot summer weather had caused the streets to seem dustier than usual and each passing carriage, horse or bicycle raised a funnel that seemed to swirl in the middle of the street. As I neared my apartment building, I saw Amelia waiting outside, holding Anne and a basket, while little Nicholas played marbles in the dirt. “Amelia!” I called out. I smiled down at Nicholas. “Hello, Nicholas, Anne. Let’s go in.”

I put down my baskets for a moment and brushed off Nicholas. He squirmed and squealed but seemed to enjoy the attention. When I finished, I rubbed down his hair, dust sprinkling out with the movement. He giggled and moved to clasp Amelia’s leg. Amelia smiled her thanks, and I picked up the baskets to move toward the apartment.

Upon entering our rented rooms, Nicholas started to play marbles on the floor, and Anne was placed in the middle of my bed for her nap. “Clarissa, you seem out of sorts. I’m here to help you,” Amelia soothed. She pulled out a pair of clean aprons from her basket, tying it around her waist to protect her lavender floral calico dress. She reached up to repin a few strands of hair, waiting my response.

“Gabriel’s invited Aidan, and I invited Ronan.” I bit my lip as I tried not to wring my hands. “I’ve never cooked an edible thing in my life.”

“Well, I have, so this dinner will be a success,” Amelia said as she unpacked the baskets and laid out the food to be prepared.

“Now, Clarissa,” Amelia began, “it isn’t hard to roast a chicken and vegetables.”

I watched her as she walked me through the process of cooking. We stood side by side, and I mimicked her movements. We had the same ingredients, and we each prepared a chicken and vegetable dinner. Although it all seemed natural and second nature to her, I wanted to write everything down. I scribbled a few notes on paper at the kitchen table to expand on after she left.

I had hoped we would converse and become better acquainted as I learned to cook. However, I needed to concentrate so hard that I had no ability to think about anything else. At last the meal was placed in the oven, and I took a deep breath. “That’s it then?” I asked.

“Yes, though it always helps to stir up the vegetables some as they are cooking,” she said.

I collapsed onto a chair. “I like to think I am not an envious person by nature. But I do envy your composure and confidence in the kitchen.” I drank from my glass of water. “I never thought I would admit this, but perhaps my stepmother was correct. Maybe I did need to learn how to properly run a house.”

“Did she cook?”

“No, we always had a cook.”

“Then how were you to learn? It takes time to become proficient in the kitchen.”

“I have begun to fear that. I worry Gabriel will be upset with me,” I admitted.

“I’ve rarely seen a man as in love as he is,” Amelia reassured me with a smile. “If he had to eat at a café every meal for the rest of his life, he would, as long as he were with you.” She rose to go into my bedroom to check on Anne. “Ah, there you are, darling,” I heard her say. A few more murmurings and Anne was with us at the table area, sitting on Amelia’s lap.

“There’s the little angel,” I said. Amelia offered her to me. I brushed at her silky, wispy red hair, holding her tightly swaddled form in the crook of my arm. She gurgled at me, the corners of her eyes crinkling as I tapped her chin. “Ah, who’s a good girl?” I said, talking with Anne and sharing a smile with Amelia.

I looked up, surprised to see Colin entering. “Lord, that smells good,” he said on a long sigh, his eyes closed as he inhaled. He rubbed at his stomach, his blackened hands adding sooty patches to his sweat-streaked shirtfront. “Did you find a book then, Rissa?”

I laughed, and he opened his eyes.

“Hello, Mrs. Egan. Are you cooking for us?” he asked, unable to hide the eagerness from his voice.

“No, I’m teaching Clarissa,” Amelia said on a giggle.

“As I told you last night,” I muttered.

“Bless you,” he said with a wink. “Nicholas, prepare yourself. Once I have washed up, you owe me a marbles match.”

Nicholas looked up with glee as Colin strode toward his room. “He remembered, Mama,” Nicholas said.

“I told you he would.”

Soon Colin had washed and changed, and he and Nicholas were sprawled on the floor, a fierce marble battle underway.

Amelia watched the proceedings with a warm glint in her hazel eyes. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that Nicholas has these amazing men in his life.”

“He is a wonderful boy.”

“How are things between you and Gabriel?” she murmured, taking Anne from me to soothe her as she became fussy.

“Better every day. I still have trouble believing I have his love and support after…” At Amelia’s long stare, I flushed.

“He’s only ever wanted you,” Amelia said.

I nodded, smiling fully as Nicholas threw himself in Colin’s arms with a whoop as he won the marbles match.

“Best of seven!” Colin yelled, kneeling, holding Nicholas upside down. Nicholas giggled as Colin laid him on the floor to tickle him. Amelia and I laughed too, the boy’s joy infectious.

“Colin, quit torturing Nicholas and help me with Ronan,” Gabriel said from the doorway. He grinned, flashing his dimple as he looked at me and winked. He wore clean black pants and a burgundy shirt with no wood dust in sight. He turned and disappeared down the stairs. They were gone for a few minutes and then I heard groaning, a few muttered words, and I busied myself readying a chair for Ronan.

“I think the armchair, don’t you?” Gabriel asked on a grunt as Colin tripped and almost dropped Ronan.

Ronan gripped them tighter around their necks, nearly strangling them in the process.

“Let go of my neck, you bleedin’ idiot,” Gabriel hissed. He gasped as Ronan relaxed his hold, and they settled him in the chair. Gabriel and Colin fell to their knees on either side of Ronan.

Ronan’s spindly legs folded in front of him, and he pushed backward with his hands to keep from slipping out of the chair.

“Gabriel?” I asked.

“Water,” Colin rasped as Gabriel nodded his agreement.

“You don’t look to be such a heavy ba…” Colin began but stopped as he remembered Nicholas. He ruffled the boy’s hair.

“Sorry to be such a nuisance,” Ronan said, flushing with embarrassment. His bright blue shirt was at least two sizes too big, as was the black jacket washed to gray. The slight flush on his cheeks and neck emphasized his now protruding cheekbones and slender neck.

“Nonsense,” I said as I approached with two glasses of water. “It’s about time you visited, and those two were in danger of wasting away into decrepit old men from lack of physical exertion.” I moved toward him, gently touching his arm. “I’m very happy you are here.”

“Uncle Ronan, Uncle Ronan!” Nicholas said, crawling onto his lap. “I beat Mr. Sullie twice in marbles.” He chortled with glee. “Why can’t you walk?” he asked as he played with the buttons on Ronan’s shirt collar. His weight acted as an anchor, preventing Ronan from sliding to the floor.

“I was hurt in an accident, Nicholas.”

“What do you do all day?” Nicholas asked. “If you laid on the floor, I could play marbles with you.”

“Thank you, Nicholas, but I am looking for work.”

“What happened to your beard?”

“It’s too hot for a beard this summer, Nicholas. I shaved it to cool off.”

Nicholas reached up to pat his cheeks, tracing his sharp cheekbones.

“Any leads for work, Ronan?” Gabriel asked as he stood. He moved toward me, leaning down to casually kiss my forehead.

I brushed a lock of ebony hair off his forehead and he tilted his face into my touch.

“Not yet.”

Aidan poked his head into the apartment, the door left ajar.

“Well, something will turn up. Uncle,” Gabriel exclaimed as he turned toward the door.

“Hello, everyone,” Aidan said. “I’m sorry if I am late.” He stood next to Gabriel, equal in height although his shoulders were slightly stooped. He was the most formally dressed in a brown suit, waistcoat and tie. He handed me a loaf of warm bread.

His affectionate smile boosted my confidence as the time to serve dinner neared.

“I thought this would go well with dinner,” Aidan said.

“Thank you,” I murmured and then sighed. “Well, no use postponing dinner. Find a seat everyone, and let’s see how it tastes.”

After everyone was arranged at the cramped table, I pulled out the matching pair of roasted chickens and vegetables, closing my eyes in appreciation at the delicious smell, and saw that they appeared to be cooked perfectly. The vegetables looked soft and flavorful, and the chicken was moist. I could detect no difference between Amelia’s meal and the one I had prepared. I heaved a sigh of relief as I attempted to carve one of the chickens. However, my abilities at carving were even worse than cooking, and I worried I would soon mangle a perfectly cooked meal. I glanced around, uncertain what to do, and met Aidan’s concerned gaze.

“Here, Clarissa, give me that before you harm yourself,” Aidan commanded, taking the knife from my hands. He winked at me as he carved. “I used to help the ship’s cook, and I think I still remember how to cut up a chicken.”

I watched with envy as he easily separated the meat from the bone.

After serving everyone, I saw Colin eyeing his plate of food. “It won’t bite,” I muttered.

“With your cooking, you never know,” he said as he ate a forkful. His eyes closed with delight. “Ah, finally. Mrs. Egan, thank you.”

I smiled my thanks to Amelia as Gabriel clasped my hand under the table. I watched as everyone ate.

“When do you think Cameron will arrive?” Colin asked in a lull in the conversation about the day’s activities.

“He’s coming then?” Ronan asked.

“Who?” Amelia asked.

“Clarissa’s ex-fiancée,” Colin said.

“He’s chasing after Clarissa,” Gabriel said.

“Why is that?” Aidan said as he studied me. When I shook my head, Aidan said, “It’s about money, isn’t it Clarissa?” At my jerky nod, Aidan looked around the table. “When Gabriel told me of his concern about Clarissa, and the other man interested in her, I made inquiries.”

“And what did you discover?” I whispered.

“That Mr. Wright’s family is near financial ruin due to hazardous speculation on Wall Street. He looks to you to replenish the family’s coffers.”

“That’s absurd,” Colin said with a snicker. “Rissa has little more than the money she saved from teaching.”

“Col, I’m afraid I haven’t told you everything,” I whispered. “I have a dowry.”

“A dowry?” Colin and Gabriel asked at the same time.

Ronan watched me with frank curiosity, Nicholas balanced on his lap.

“From the grandparents. They wanted to ensure I would marry someone acceptable. They maneuvered Sav into marrying Jonas, and I was to be manipulated into marrying Cameron.”

“Their definition of
acceptable
is perverse,” Gabriel growled.

“By going against their wishes, I won’t receive their money,” I said.

“I wouldn’t want it anyway,” Gabriel said as he gripped my hand.

“So this Mr. Wright is en route intent on marrying you,” Aidan said. He looked toward Gabriel.

“Yes,” I said on a wavering breath, battling my fear.

“We’ll marry. Remove any possibility that Cameron can force her into marriage,” Gabriel said.

“Good,” Aidan said with a nod.

I glanced around the table to see that everyone had finished eating. “Gabriel,” I whispered.

“Clarissa,” Gabriel murmured. “Walk with me?” He smiled at me, running a finger down the side of my face to my chin.

Gabriel rose, plucked my shawl from the peg by the door and wrapped it around my shoulders. He turned to the room, sharing a long glance with Colin before nodding to Aidan, Ronan and Amelia. He gripped my hand, leading me from the room.

As we emerged onto the boardwalk, I glanced toward the hills surrounding the town. It was my favorite time of night, with the light softly glinting off the hills, making them seem to shimmer like gold. I closed my eyes for a few moments, taking a deep breath of air.

Gabriel kept a firm grip on my hand, urging me to walk with him by the river. “It will be cooler there. The air is fresh, and we will hopefully have a bit of privacy,” he said. “We need to talk.”

Gabriel turned left on Front Street, and we walked alongside the Missoula Mercantile, continuing along Front Street a few more blocks before cutting over toward the river. A small, informal path wound through the knee-high grass, and we followed it to the river’s edge. Gabriel finally stopped as we approached a large log, leading me around to sit on it.

He remained silent, giving me time to relax as I listened to the water, inhaled the mossy, earthy, elemental smell of the river, and heard the birds trilling in the nearby bush as they prepared for dusk.

“Thank you,” I said. I squeezed his hand. We studied each other for a moment. “Gabriel, I don’t want you to feel that you have to marry me. To marry me in haste.”

“Clarissa,” Gabriel said, gripping my arms and leaning forward so our eyes were level, “you must know we have to marry. There is no way I’m going to leave you unprotected.”

“This is what you truly want?”

He beamed at me, his dimple shining in his right cheek, his beautiful blue eyes filled with joy. “Think back to my letter I wrote you, darling. The letter I wrote you after you had written me about your dreams for us.”

“Remind me,” I whispered.

“
I dream of exploring this new world with you, finding delight in new experiences. I dream of holding you in my arms. I dream of listening to you talk about your day, your exuberance and interest about the world around you infectious. I dream of having a family together, growing old together. Spinning new dreams out day by day. Dreams grow and change, and I’d like to grow and change with you
.
”