Page 41 of Mail-Order Bride Runaway
She did so and realized they were climbing toward them. “Like castles,” she murmured.
He held her gaze a moment. “Just waiting to be explored.” Did he intentionally refer to her desire to explore castles? But mountains were not the same as centuries-old stone buildings.
“There are so many trails and valleys I want to see,” he said. “Remember I told you about a mountain man who brought Kit to Luke and Honor?”
“I remember.” She hadn’t forgotten a single word he’d spoken.
“He lives up in the mountains and told me of the trail he follows to get there. Said his cabin nestled beside a lake that in the summer was a deep turquoise color and in the winter was a wonderland of snow and ice.” He darted a sheepish look at her. “His words, not mine. I’ve been wanting to see it for myself.”
Della’s eyes refused to blink as she imagined such a sight. Maybe even camping there. A shiver ran up her arms.
Andy continued, “His name is Hob. He even invited me to stay with him if ever I took the notion to climb his mountain.”
She drew in a deep, deep breath and let it out slowly. The action did nothing to settle her excitement… longing… wishing… She didn’t know how to describe this feeling. Only that she ached to go places, do things.
“It sounds as if you have an urge for seeing beyond your normal life just as I do.” Though, in her case, it was more than that. She wanted to see her pa’s world and fulfill her promise to him.
“I suppose that’s true.” Andy leaned forward, his forearms on his legs. They rode in silence for a spell. He sat up. “I forgot to tell you one of the best parts of our ranch. That’s our family. We help each other, take care of each other. I always know that my brothers would defend me to the death. And maybe their wives as well though I wouldn’t let them.”
The sigh she’d recently released returned, filling her lungs and brushing her heart. “It sounds wonderful.”
“I’m sorry you never had any brothers or sisters.” He grinned. “Though they can be annoying at times.” The humor in his eyes carried so much warmth and love that she couldn’t blink.
An ache as big as the sky swallowed her insides. “After Pa died, there was just Ma and me. That’s my family.” Her words caught on their way up and jerked out as if the wagon bounced on a rough road.
Andy squeezed her hands where they lay wrapped together in her lap. “It must be hard to think of leaving your mother to go to Europe.”
The truth of that statement rattled into her heart. “I could only do it thinking she was happily married.”
“And now?”
“I don’t know. I can’t leave her alone.” She had to adjust her plans. Perhaps postpone her trip to Europe. Would Sadie wait or find someone else to accompany her? It wasn’t as if Sadie didn’t have a number of friends she could choose. “Things have not gone the way I anticipated.”
“I’m sorry.” His warm hands on hers said far more than his remark, and she found comfort in both.
“I can’t give up. I’ll have to find another way of keeping my promises.” Determination made her words loud.
11
Andy squeezed Della’s hands, wishing he could erase the disappointment this trip had brought her. If things were different between them—their marriage not temporary—and if she wasn’t set on going to Europe, he’d offer to take her exploring the mountains. But he couldn’t change what was, nor what he’d promised.
“There is also a trail I discovered one time when I was up at the westernmost line cabin—”
She interrupted him to ask what a line cabin was.
He explained, “There are several on the far borders of the ranch. A cowboy stays there all summer to turn back cattle that wander out of bounds.”
“It sounds remote.”
“It is. Usually, the cowboy is by himself for weeks at a time. Some of them can’t take the loneliness.”
She nodded understanding and he continued.
“It’s barely a trail even, something wildlife must use. I followed it for a distance. It climbs and climbs, opening up in places to wild vistas of deep valleys, filled with rushing streams of water. I had to turn back before I reached the top, but someday I am going back and all the way up.” Urged on her interest and questions, he spent the rest of the morning telling her of trails he’d explored. He told her of the little shack Riley had built at the waterfall which was one of his mother’s favorite spots.
“You make me want to see it all.”
He blinked as he realized that was exactly what he’d meant to do.
