Abbie settles Coralie against her shoulder and sighs with contentment when she falls asleep. Why do babies smell so good, she wonders?
“Don’t worry Abbs, I will feed you,” Tucker offers a spoonful of pumpkin to Abbie and when she starts to protest, he pops it into her mouth.
Mason giggles loudly and covers his mouth with his hand. “You look funny!” he cracks up until Tucker does the same thing to him.
Tucker shouts with laughter at the look of outrage on Mason’s face.
“Don’t worry. No one messes with my son and gets away with it,” Abbie promises.
Mason smacks his lips and stares at her with bright eyes, “Your son?” he whispers.
“Yes. I’m adopting both of you and that means I will be your Mother. Don’t worry, Mason, you can call me Miss Abbie or whatever feels right. Now what do you think of the pie?” she asks.
“I like pumpkins, Miss Abbie,” he grins and spears a second bite. Unable to contain his excitement he jumps down and runs over to the glass cabinet holding the pastries and stares in wonder at the different colors, textures and flavors.
Tucker laughs, “We’re on the same team, Abbilene.” He scoops the apple pie bite and offers it to her. This time she leans forward and wraps her mouth around the spoon, slowly pulling the pie off and closes her eyes in ecstasy.
“I love apple,” she groans. Tucker is staring at her with a look in his eye that has her blushing.
“I’ll never look at apple pie the same way again,” he teases.
He cuts a piece of chocolate and Abbie watches as he bites it. The muscle in his jaw flexes and she is stunned by the images flashing through her mind. “Oh, my…” she whispers.
“Exactly,” he leans forward and her breath catches.
Mason comes back and rubs Coralie’s back before sitting down to stare at the rest of the pie.
“Let’s finish up and get back to the hotel. We have to pack up all our packages for the trip home.”
“Home sounds good,” Tucker says.
Chapter 46
Wyatt and Cooper take up residence in the room over the bakery. It has two windows facing the street which also happens to be across from the train depot.
Ozwald was happy to rent it out, especially once he found out they were friends of Tuckers from the city.
Stephanie was thrilled to meet them. She’d heard stories from Tucker. They are taking turns watching the station.
On the second day after they arrived a group of eleven arrive in town. Cooper watches from the window as they fan out down main street. His sharp whistle wakes Wyatt with a start.
“What’ve we got?” Wyatt snaps and leaps from his bed.
“They are here.”
“That’s got to be Marcus Hayden,” Coop growls.
“Let’s follow him, the rest are irrelevant,” Wyatt grabs his guns and straps them on before pulling his overcoat on.
Chapter 47
Sterling Matson frowns at the man sitting across from him. “I’m not sure I understand what you’re asking, Mr. Hayden. You’re already providing for our customers while we are in the process of rebuilding, surely you understood it’s only temporary.”
“Of course. I expect that it will take at least six months to a year for the build to be completed. In that time, you may have customers who no longer wish to leave. In fact, its highly likely that they won’t trust Gilbert Mill to provide for them.”
“What exactly are you saying, Mr. Hayden?” Sterling’s frown turns into a glare.
“I’m here with a friendly reminder that you could simply not rebuild. Why throw your insurance money away like that. Surely you have something else you can invest in. Like this sweet little general store?”
“I’ve heard enough, Mr. Hayden.” Sterling stands and walks to the door, ripping it open. “I’ll tell you what I’ve told all our investors as well as our clients. The Gilbert Mill will be up and running in four months. Enjoy my customers while you have them.”
“Four months is a pipe dream, but if you want to throw your money away be my guest.” He storms from the office and out the front door.
Sterling paces frustrated and angry at the way things are going. He’s determined that his cousins’ death not be in vain. After going through the plans, it is entirely possible for the Mill to be rebuilt. He just needs the money to go ahead get started.
Until Abbilene returns with the child he is stuck. The child, Burton’s son, he runs a hand over his face.
“Are you alright?” Minnie asks.
“I’m fine, thank you.” He hired Minnie to help out in the store for the past few weeks and surprisingly, she’s been an excellent employee.
“No, you’re not, Sterling. I didn’t think you had it in you to be so bold. It looks good on you.”
Sterling steps close to her and stares at her for a minute without speaking. How had he never noticed her simple beauty?
“Will you have dinner with me?” Sterling blurts out.
Minnie stares at him and slowly a smile spreads. “I’d love to,” she replies.
“Really?” he stammers, and she smiles.
“Loyalty is a hard quality to find in a man,” Minnie steps closer to him. “Burton would be very proud of you.”
Pain flickers in his eyes and she realizes that he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders. “I’m sorry for your loss, Sterling.”
“Thank you,” he replies hoarsely.
“I get off at six. My boss is very strict on that. Not one minute before,” she teases.
Sterling grins, “You will be worth the wait, Miss Minnie.”
“That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
“I find that hard to believe. Surely you know how lovely you are.
