With Autumn's Return (Westward Winds Book #3): A Novel (39 page)

Jason stared at her, his expression mirroring his incredulity. “That will never happen,” he said, his voice steely with resolve. “If the sheriff agrees, I’ll be the prosecuting attorney. I intend to see that you pay for everything you’ve done. It’s the least I can do for Nelson and Elizabeth.”

“Would you have used the scalpel?”

It was two hours later. The deputy had regained conscious
ness, and after he’d heard Elizabeth and Jason’s story and the venom spewing from Tabitha’s mouth, he’d announced that Tabitha would be spending tonight and all the nights until her trial in jail. When the deputy and his prisoner had left, Jason had helped Elizabeth wheel Phoebe back into the infirmary, then left to take Laura Seaman home. Now he was back, sitting at the kitchen table with Elizabeth.

“I don’t know,” she said in response to Jason’s question. “I know I couldn’t have killed Tabitha, but I also knew I couldn’t let her hurt Phoebe. I kept stalling, and all the while I prayed that God would send you back in time. He did.”

Jason’s eyes glistened with an emotion Elizabeth could not identify. “He did more than that. He warned me to be quiet when I came inside. That way Tabitha didn’t know I was there.”

“I didn’t, either.” There had been a moment of confusion when Tabitha fell and the gun went off, but it had been followed by overwhelming relief that no one had died.

“Did you tell Laura what happened?”

Jason nodded. “I also stopped at the Taggerts’ house. Cyrus is going to print a special edition of the paper, revealing the truth about what happened in Phoebe’s parlor.”

“I’m glad.” Though Elizabeth could not condone Phoebe’s way of life, the woman did not deserve to be blamed for a crime she did not commit. “Thank you.”

Jason’s lips curved into a smile. “Were the thanks for talking to Cyrus or getting the gun away from Tabitha?”

“Both. And many more things. Without you, I would not have been able to trap Tabitha. I wouldn’t have been sure she was Nelson’s murderer.”

Jason’s smile turned into a full-fledged grin. “We make
good partners.” His voice deepened as he pronounced the last word. With a rueful glance at the stove and small dry sink, he stretched out his hands, capturing Elizabeth’s. “This isn’t the place I would have chosen,” he said, his blue eyes fixed on hers, “but I don’t want to waste another minute. Seeing how fast life can end made me realize that each moment is precious.” He swallowed deeply, then tightened his grip on Elizabeth’s hands. “I meant what I said about us being good partners. I don’t want that to end. Will you be my partner for life? Will you marry me?”

He wanted to marry her! Elizabeth’s heart soared, then sank as she recalled their conversations and the doubts Jason had shared with her. She closed her eyes, searching for the right words. “I want to,” she said softly as she once again gazed at him. “But I’m afraid.”

Jason laughed. “You? The woman who volunteered to be a decoy, the same woman who faced a gun without flinching, is afraid?” She must have winced, for she saw contrition in Jason’s eyes. He raised her hands to his lips and pressed a kiss on them. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have laughed. What do you fear? Is it me?”

She shook her head, then nodded. “I’m afraid of disappointing you. I’m afraid that after the initial . . .” She stumbled over the word “love.” Jason had never used it, and she would not be the one to introduce it. Instead, she settled for saying “feelings.” “I’m afraid they will fade and that you’ll regret our marriage. You’ve told me what your childhood was like and how much you missed having a mother’s influence on your life.” Jason nodded slowly, encouraging her to continue. It had been a night of drama, and though she had faced the possibility of dying, somehow that seemed less frightening
than watching the man she loved discover she was not the woman of his dreams.

“I know you want children. I do too, but I’m a doctor, Jason. I can’t give that up, even for you.”

He met her gaze, his eyes solemn as he said, “I wouldn’t ask you to.”

His words were brave, and yet she wondered if he truly understood just how difficult living with a doctor could be. “You’ve seen what my life is like. I never know when I’ll be called away. I might miss our children’s birthdays or Christmas, and there’ll be times when I’m gone for days on end.”

“I know that.” Jason tightened the grip on her hands, as if he were afraid she might try to flee. “Believe me, Elizabeth, I’ve thought about that. I can’t count the number of times I’ve asked myself if that was the life I wanted, and the answer was always the same. I’d rather have a few hours a day with you than all twenty-four with another woman.”

Elizabeth’s heart began to pound at the sincerity she heard in his voice, the emotion she saw in his eyes. Maybe, just maybe, they’d have the happily-ever-after they both wanted.

“At first, our lives won’t be much different during the day,” Jason continued. “I’m used to your having office hours. And if you’re called out at night, I could go with you. I could drive the buggy and wait for you. Heaven knows, I had plenty of practice waiting for the reverend.” Jason’s lips curved upward again. “It wasn’t bad then, but it’ll be much better when I know that the waiting will end with us going home together. You can’t imagine how often I’ve thought about that.”

As she had. Only she had tried to deny it.

As if he understood, Jason gave her a crooked smile. “When the children arrive, we’ll figure out the best way to raise them.
Together. That’s what I want. I want us to be partners for the rest of our lives.”

He paused, and as he did, Elizabeth felt the warmth from his hands spread up her arms, melting her last doubts. Jason did understand what their life would be like, and he was ready to do everything he could to make their marriage a success. He was right. They were partners. They worked well together. They completed each other’s sentences. And yet what they shared was more, much more than partnership. They shared love.

Jason was the man Elizabeth loved, the one she wanted to spend the rest of her life with. And, though he hadn’t said the words, she knew he returned that love. His expression, his actions, everything about him told her that. She knew it, and yet, though perhaps it was foolish, she longed for the words. Three simple words. Eight letters.

“Jason, I—”

He shook his head. “Please, let me continue.” He released Elizabeth’s hands and reached into his pocket, pulling out a square box that could hold only one thing. Elizabeth caught her breath, her heart leaping with joy at the proof that Jason’s proposal was not a hasty one. He had done more than think about marriage; he had acted to make it reality.

His expression once more solemn, as if he were uncertain of her response, Jason said, “I had hoped to give you this last night after the concert.” He opened the box, revealing the most beautiful ring Elizabeth had ever seen. Unlike her sisters, she had never fantasized about engagement rings, for she’d never believed that she would marry. But as she gazed at the round diamond surrounded by dozens of tiny ones, Elizabeth knew that if she had dreamt of rings, this would have been the one she would have chosen.

Jason removed the ring from the box and extended it toward Elizabeth. “Will you wear my ring? Will you take my name? If God grants them to us, will you bear my children?”

The smile he gave her was so filled with love that Elizabeth could hardly breathe. She should never have doubted him. Jason had given her many beautiful words. He’d done more than that. Every action had shown his love. There was no need for him to pronounce those three special words. Elizabeth took a breath, but before she could speak, Jason continued. “I love you, Elizabeth. Will you marry me?”

Somehow this wonderful man must have seen deep into her heart and realized how much she longed to hear those words. Her heart overflowing with happiness, Elizabeth gazed into Jason’s eyes and smiled. “There is nothing I want more.”

As he slid the ring onto her finger, tears of joy pricked her eyes. “I love you, Jason. I think I have from the very beginning. Yes, my dearest, I will be your wife.”

J
ANUARY
1888

Y
ou’ve outdone yourself, Charlotte.” Elizabeth smiled as her sister Abigail gestured toward the white velvet creation that had taken Charlotte the better part of two weeks to complete, seemingly oblivious to the fact that Elizabeth was in the same room and was wearing the dress that had garnered Abigail’s praise. “This is the most beautiful wedding gown I’ve ever seen.” Abigail let out a little chuckle. “Jason won’t be able to take his eyes off Elizabeth.”

“In case you haven’t noticed,” Charlotte retorted, “when our little sister is around, Jason wouldn’t notice if a bison strolled through the door.”

This was vintage Harding sisters. Though Abigail and her husband had arrived only ten days before, reuniting the three sisters for the first time in almost four years, she and Charlotte had fallen into old patterns, frequently acting as if Elizabeth were not present. Elizabeth didn’t mind, for it gave her a chance to observe her sisters, reassuring herself
that they were as happy as they’d appeared when they arrived in Cheyenne.

Charlotte and Barrett had exclaimed in delight when they’d disembarked at the new train depot, describing the red sandstone building that had been open only a few weeks to David, despite the fact that the two-year-old seemed more interested in the smells from a passing mule train.

The scene had been repeated three weeks later when Abigail and Ethan arrived, accompanied by Puddles, their now fully grown dog. Though Abigail had claimed that he was no longer as frisky as he’d been as a puppy, Elizabeth wasn’t sure. Whether it was the presence of David, who’d attached himself to Puddles like a tumbleweed to a skirt, or simply the fact that he’d been released from the confinement of the train, Puddles seemed as rambunctious as any puppy Elizabeth had seen.

Christmas had been the most joyous holiday she had spent in many years. Not only had she and her siblings been together, but Harrison and Gwen had joined the festivities at Barrett’s mansion. While the adults enjoyed a sumptuous dinner, Barrett’s cook and butler had taken Rose, David, and Puddles to the smaller parlor for a celebration that had provoked barks, shrieks, and an ominous crash. Barrett had only shrugged, pointing out that once Charlotte opened her school for blind children, crashes would become a regular occurrence until the pupils learned the location of each piece of furniture.

Though it had been a wonderful Christmas, nothing could compare to today. Today was Elizabeth’s wedding day. Soon the wait would be over and she would be Jason’s wife. In the meantime, she was surrounded by her sisters, one of whom was discussing bison.

“Far be it from me to correct my elders,” Elizabeth said, emphasizing the last word, “but bison do not stroll. They lumber, they charge, but they do not stroll.”

One eyebrow raised in feigned amazement, Abigail turned to Charlotte. “You’ll notice that she didn’t try to deny that Jason’s smitten.”

“As if your husbands aren’t.” Gazing into the long mirror that Charlotte had set up in her former bedroom, Elizabeth could watch both sisters. “Mama and Papa would be so happy if they could see us today—all of us happy and married.” She wrinkled her nose. “Well, almost married.” In little more than an hour, Elizabeth and Jason would be man and wife. Then the three Harding daughters would be living the lives Mama and Papa had wished for them.

“Stop wiggling. I’ve got four more buttons to fasten,” Charlotte groused. “Honestly, Elizabeth, you squirm as much as David. In fact, I think you taught him how to squirm. He was a lot calmer before he met you.”

Elizabeth suspected that Puddles was the real cause of David’s activity. Abigail and Ethan were living with Charlotte and Barrett until they found the right location for their ranch, and David and the dog had become inseparable. Though now was not the time to mention it, Elizabeth would not be surprised if Charlotte and Barrett added a puppy to their household.

She wouldn’t deny that she doted on David. “Can I help it if I spoil him? He’s my only nephew.” Elizabeth had been amazed at how much the two-year-old was able to do, despite being blind. There were times when, if she hadn’t known otherwise, she would have thought him a perfectly sighted child. And, if she spoiled him, wasn’t that an aunt’s prerogative, practically her duty?

“I hope you’ll dote on my child as much as you do Charlotte’s.” Abigail’s words were muffled as she bent to straighten Elizabeth’s train, and for a second, Elizabeth wasn’t certain she’d heard correctly.

“Your child?” she cried at the same time as Charlotte.

Abigail nodded, her cheeks a rosy red that might have been caused by embarrassment. “I hadn’t meant to let it slip out.” She gave Elizabeth a rueful smile. “Today’s supposed to be your day, little sister. But, yes, I believe I’ll be having a baby in about seven months.”

Heedless of the wrinkles she might put in her gown, Elizabeth hugged her sister. “Oh, how wonderful! That’s the best wedding present you could have given me.” She turned to Charlotte, who remained uncharacteristically silent. “It’s grand news, isn’t it?”

Though Charlotte nodded, her expression was enigmatic. “Of course it is,” she said, giving Abigail a quick hug. “It’s just that I have some news of my own. Barrett and I are also expecting a baby in about seven months.”

“I don’t believe it!” Abigail threw her arms around Charlotte, then opened one and drew Elizabeth into the embrace. “When we were growing up, I always wanted cousins. Now my baby will have at least two.” Shooting Elizabeth another smile, she added, “You and Jason better hurry so they can all be playmates.”

“Let’s get her married first.” Charlotte straightened an imaginary wrinkle before pronouncing Elizabeth ready to head for the church.

Half an hour later, as the organ played the processional, Elizabeth placed her hand on Harrison’s arm and began the slow walk down the aisle behind her sisters. It was a walk
that would change her life forever, uniting Elizabeth with the man she loved so dearly.

She smiled at the guests, some her patients, others Jason’s clients, still others friends they’d both made. In the almost two months since Tabitha Chadwick had been arrested for her husband’s murder, both Elizabeth’s practice and Jason’s had grown. Though she would never have chosen it as a way to gain acceptance, the tragedy of Nelson’s death and Elizabeth and Jason’s role in uncovering his killer seemed to have brought the city together in support of them. Today Cheyenne’s residents were here to celebrate their marriage. Only Miriam and Richard were absent, for even though Miriam had pleaded, Elizabeth had not wanted her out of bed for an extended period. The baby was almost due, and Elizabeth would take no chances.

Her smile broadened when she reached the front pew. Gwen stood there, Rose and David at her side, her eyes glistening with tears of happiness. Elizabeth suspected she was recalling her own wedding, less than a month earlier. Since then, other than Christmas Day, Elizabeth had seen Gwen only briefly, but each time, she’d been struck by the pure joy that radiated from her. Gwen had found the love of her life, and though it was too soon to know for certain, Elizabeth suspected that Rose would have a little sister or brother by next Christmas.

Thoughts of Gwen vanished as Elizabeth focused on the man waiting for her, his face wreathed in the sweetest smile she had ever seen. This was the man she loved, the man who returned her love, the man who wanted to share her life, no matter how unpredictable it might be.

“Dearly beloved.” The minister intoned the familiar words. When Jason tightened his grip on her hand, Elizabeth’s smile
widened. How could she have ever doubted that this was what God had intended for her?

“I now pronounce you man and wife.”

As the minister’s words faded, Jason’s lips curved. “I love you,” he whispered as he pressed his lips to hers. “I love you, Mrs. Nordling.” It was a brief kiss, as befitted the surroundings, but it was so filled with tenderness and love that Elizabeth knew she would remember it for the rest of her life.

“And I—”

Before she could complete her sentence, the church door banged open. “You gotta come!” Delia shouted. “Miss Miriam’s having her baby.”

Jason’s laugh echoed through the sanctuary. A second later, he grabbed Elizabeth’s hand. As they raced down the aisle, ignoring the guests’ shocked expressions, he laughed again. “Come on, Dr. Nordling. We’ve got work to do.”