Homespun Bride

loved.
    “It’s been a tough day.”
    “Exactly.”
    “You won’t mind if I bank the embers?”
    “Not at all.”
    The leather of his boots squeaked slightly as he eased down beside her. Over the clank of the fireplace utensils, he spoke. “I’ve been trying to keep out of your way. That’s why I’ve kept to the stable, for the most part. I know it’s gotta be hard having me near.”
    She couldn’t deny it, but she didn’t want to say the words, either. She steepled her hands in her lap, feeling raw and worn. “I’m grateful for you. You made a difference for Robert. Matilda said she saw your shadow through the snow this afternoon. She said it was hard to be sure, but it looked as if you were protecting Robert. That you could have been as badly hurt, too.”
    “An injury like Robert’s is serious business. I’ve seen quite a few in my line of work.”
    “I imagine you have.”
    “Not many pull through with a head injury and a bad kick to the chest, but I have seen it.” There was another click of the shovel against the grate. “How’s your aunt holding up?”
    “She refuses to leave his side. For all her confidence and bluster, I think she would be lost without him. I’m scared for him. For my family. You know what that’s like.”
    “I do.” He’d lost his father more than ten years ago, and Bo McKaslin hadn’t been the good, strong father Noelle was used to. The real loss in his life would always be her.
    He stood, doing his best to hold in his feelings. “I have a good suspicion that Robert will be all right.”
    “It’s g-good of you to stay.”
    “It’s my pleasure. Good night, Noelle.”
    “At least let me send some blankets out with you.”
    “No. Sleeping indoors is treat enough for me. I’m used to bedding down in unheated bunkhouses and on the trail. I can’t tell you the number of summer nights a storm rolled in when we were in the high country and I got snowed on.”
    “Didn’t you sleep in a wagon when the weather was bad?”
    “What wagon? There was usually the chuck wagon, and that was it. Besides, it wouldn’t have been good for a cowboy’s reputation to act as if a little bit of snow could trouble him.”
    “Cowboys are overly concerned about their reputations, are they?”
    “The tougher you act, the better cowboy you can fool yourself into thinking you are.”
    “I suppose you fooled yourself into thinking you were a very fine cowboy?”
    “I surely tried.” There it was, the hint of a grin in his voice and it warmed her a little in the hopeless places where she felt so cold. “I’ll be right enough out there. Don’t you worry. If your family needs anything, send word to me.”
    “Fine.” She rose. Her skirts swirled around her ankles as she took a stumbling step. When she was sure she’d put a safe distance between them, she stopped and turned toward the front door, where she supposed he must be. “Tell Sunny good-night from me and to keep warm tonight.”
    “I surely will. I know he’ll be glad to know you wish him well.”
    Something in Thad’s voice made her believe he knew she was speaking not only of the horse. She could feel her heart unraveling string by string. She took another step, careful to skirt the edge of the end table next to Henrietta’s favorite sofa. “He’s rather a good man for helping out tonight.”
    “I’ll tell him. I know that means a lot to him, that you think he’s a great man.”
    “Good, not great,” she was quick to correct.
    “Right, I’ll let him know that he’s got some proving up to do.” His voice had a hint of a smile again, warm and wonderful and so substantial it was hard to believe he’d ever let her down.
    “Definite proving up.” She took one step and realized she was lost.
    She’d forgotten to count her steps.
    “Good night, Thad.” She set her chin, hoping she looked rather as if she meant to stand somewhere in the parlor like a statue.
    His steps moved away and the hinges of the front door whispered open. “Good night.”
    The way he said it sounded more like goodbye. She waited until she heard the knob click shut before she groped her way in the dark. Once she’d found the end post to the staircase she lowered herself onto the bottom stair, feeling alone in the dark. So very lost and alone.
    Her heart ached, her spirit ached, her very soul felt cracked apart. She sat a long time in the dark, until the clock struck one, before she went upstairs to check on her aunt.

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