It wasn’t that he was cruel. It was that she felt that she hardly existed around him. That reminded her of her parents, and that worried her. While Della didn’t want to return to New York City in the safe little prison that her parents had created, Montana wasn’t feeling like the freedom she had been looking for.
Chapter 12
Zack found his gaze continually drifting over to Della during church.
He hadn’t expected to see her. Leah had made mention that Della didn’t like going into town. It wasn’t that he was avoiding her, but it was unexpected. Even more unexpected when Ross suddenly let go of his hand to run to the young woman.
Her arms had opened immediately for his son who had practically jumped into them. She’d had to take a step back to keep her balance. When most children did such a thing, Zack wanted to smile because of the unadulterated joy he knew they were experiencing. But he hadn’t expected Ross to do that with Della. Then when she kissed Ross’s head, all he could picture was his late wife, Ella. There were so many things the two women had in common. A strong heart, kindness, and love for Ross.
Strange emotions made his chest tighten as he tried to think about what to do or even say to her.
Instead, when Ross returned to his side, they went to their seats.
Though he had wanted to give his son a mother for Christmas, Zack was only growing more anxious about the idea. He hardly knew Della and there had been too much going on. He thought of Ella and wondered what she would think. What she would do.
But thinking of her only made his heart hurt.
Zack dropped his head in his hands as the sermon continued. He searched his heart for the truth, seeking to better understand what he was doing and what he needed to do. Though he hadn’t promised Della marriage, for there hadn’t been a proposal, he hadn’t planned for not marrying her.
Was that an option? He wasn’t certain. It only prompted guilt and discomfort as he thought about telling her to leave.
After the closing prayer, Zack was one of the first people to stand up. “Let’s go,” he told Ross. “We’ll see your Aunt Leah and the others tonight. I want to check in on the ranch. We should leave now.”
Ross nodded, picking up his hat and making their way into the aisle. Everyone joined there as well, so it was difficult to make their way through the crowd. He grabbed hold of his son’s hand and nodded to the people he recognized.
“Annabeth,” someone said next to him, “It’s so good to see you again.” Everyone talked and chattered away as he walked.
“I can hardly believe the weather these days. It’s been so cold.”
“That was such a lovely sermon, wasn’t it?”
“We’re looking for our daughter, you see. She disappeared.”
One voice stood out, though he didn’t know why. He didn’t recognize the voice. But then he realized he had recognized the accent. It was similar to Della’s New York accent. When they neared the back of the church, he paused to look around.
Leah had her family gathered in the front of the church, talking to Nancy Heim, the pianist. Robert was the only one not in their group, for he was talking to the Calhoun family who ran the haberdashery. There were other familiar faces in the crowd as well.
His gaze fell upon someone who looked like Della. Zack blinked. But it wasn’t Della. It was an older woman who had the same hair, all pinned up. The woman was refined and looked out of place in Montana. He assumed she was the one with the similar accent and wondered if Della knew them.
“Papa?”
Ross’s voice pulled him from the daze. Zack shook his head and then turned to his son. “Right. Let’s go home.” He cleared his throat as they made their way home. Ross had toys to play with as Zack went out to check on his men and his cattle. They had things under control, of course, but it was good to spend some time with everyone.
And as usual, he grabbed Ross and they made their way over to the Ganey ranch for Sunday supper. They had missed it the week before with Ross’s ailment, but hopefully now, life could go back to normal. As they stepped inside his sister’s house, he could smell the roast cooking.
Ross ran down the hall, and Zack followed after him.
“Come in,” Leah called to them. “You’re nearly late. We’re about to say grace.”
Zack obeyed and found everyone seated. He took the seat beside his son and across from Della. After a short nod to her, he gave another nod to his sister who quieted everyone to say grace. Everyone then dug in cheerfully, talking and enjoying their food.
“Victoria cake!” Ross announced excitedly when dessert came around. “That’s my favorite!”
Henry laughed beside him. “And mine!”
“And Papa’s,” Ross added as he passed the platter to Zack. He grinned at his boy and nodded. If he hadn’t had his fork readily available, Zack was certain Ross would have dug in with his hands. “Mmm! They’re just like Mama’s. She makes them just like this. Well, she used to,” he added softly.
When he glanced over, Zack tried to give his son a smile. He patted him on his shoulder but couldn’t muster up the words. Ross was right. Everyone in town knew about the way Ella could make the perfect Victoria cake. People asked her to make it all the time. And he could never get enough of it.
“That’s very sweet,” Leah
