Every Man Loses His Way
Chapter 1
November 1880
Nick made one last trip around the wagon, making sure the boxes and pieces of small furniture were secure and would not be falling off when they hit bumps in the road. His horse was tied to the back and looked a bit confused about his role – or lack of one – in this trip, but before long he idly nibbled at the shrubbery in front of Nancy's house instead.
Nick stood back for a look from a distance and was satisfied he had everything tied down securely. It was then he saw Nancy on the front porch, looking at the closed door of the house that had been hers for all of her life, but wasn't anymore.
Nick went up to the porch and put his arm around her. "It's tough, isn't it? All the memories."
"Yes," Nancy said. Then she looked at Nick. "I couldn't do any of this without you."
The tears in her eyes made Nick pull her close. "I'm glad I can help, but the hard part you've done all by yourself. Deciding to sell and make this huge move – that was a lot harder than packing up the furniture."
"Without you, I don't know if I could have made the hard decisions."
Nick lifted her chin and kissed her. "Well, no bother. I'm here. I know what a big change this is for you, but I'm here, and I'll help all I can."
"I do love you, you know."
"I love you, too," Nick said and kissed her again. "And I can't wait for you to settle in at Stockton where I can see you a lot more often."
As Nick led Nancy down to the wagon and helped her up, she said, "I hope you don't mind that I'm moving into the boarding house. It restricts our freedom a bit."
"For a while," Nick said. "But time will tell how long that lasts." After helping Nancy up, Nick climbed up beside her and took hold of the reins. He kissed her again, and asked, "Ready?"
Nancy beamed and nodded.
XXXXXXX
Heath leaned back from the table at the Pearson house and said, "Louise, that was a wonderful meal."
Suzanne smiled as she brought coffee cups to the table. "I'm taking lessons from her," she said. "Mother wasn't much on teaching me to cook. She preferred to do it herself."
"I'm looking forward to being your test subject sometime," Heath said to her and winked. Where did I pick up that wink? he wondered. I hope it didn't look too stupid.
Suzanne smiled. "Be careful what you wish for."
"The next time you come for dinner, we'll make sure Suzanne does the honors," Louise said, pouring coffee into everyone's cup.
"So, tell me, have you heard from Nick?" Suzanne asked and sat back down at the table.
"No, but we expect him and Nancy tomorrow or the next day," Heath said. "He'll get her settled into the boarding house and we'll store the things she can't take with her out at the ranch."
"I'm looking forward to meeting her," Suzanne said.
"I was thinking we'd have you both out for dinner at the ranch pretty soon," Heath said. "Jarrod and Maggie are starting to get out with J.J."
"That ought to make for a fun evening, all the women oohing and aahing over the baby," Steve Pearson said.
"Babies bring out the mothering instinct," Louise said. "And you men do your share of fussing over a baby, too."
"J.J.'s been fussed over like nobody's business," Heath said. "Sometimes he looks absolutely confused over being the center of attention. Looks at us like we're all crazy."
"Babies do have a way of looking at you like you're mad," Steve said. "And then you wonder if you are."
After more conversation and coffee, Heath invited Suzanne out for a walk, and they went out into the darkening twilight to stroll down the streets of Stockton. The gas streetlamps were beginning to come on. The soft light made for a warm, relaxing stroll.
In the weeks since they met, Heath and Suzanne found themselves growing closer and closer all the time. Suzanne rested her head on Heath's shoulder as she held his arm and they walked. Never one for idle chatter, Heath was content to stroll in companionable silence, and so was Suzanne. But after walking two or three blocks, Heath stopped and faced Suzanne. Her red hair glowed in the faint light, and without saying a word, he kissed her.
It wasn't their first kiss, but somehow this one was more intimate. Maybe it was the ambiance of the soft streetlight. Maybe it was just the companionable silence. But the first kiss was followed by a second one that lasted longer, and was more passionate.
Heath smiled a little. "Maybe that was a little too forward of me."
"No," Suzanne said quickly. "It wasn't. Not at all."
"I'm falling in love with you," Heath said.
"Are you sure?" Suzanne asked. "Are you sure it isn't all your brothers and sister falling in love around you that's making you feel that way?"
"They might have something to do with it, but you have more to do with it," Heath said. "What about you? Do you think you might fall in love with me?"
Suzanne sighed. "Yes, I think so."
Heath kissed her again, and then they fell back into walking again, in loving silence.
XXXXXXXX
Heath arrived home after ten o'clock, but Victoria was still awake, reading on the settee in the living room. As Heath came in and put his hat up, he saw her and came into the living room
"Are you waiting up for me?" he asked.
"No, not at all," Victoria said. "I thought you'd find your way home all right. How was your evening at the Pearsons?"
"Just fine," Heath said and sat down in one of the chairs facing Victoria.
"'Just fine'? That's all you can say?"
Heath smiled, a full smile and not one of his lop-sided half smiles. "No, I can say it was very, very nice."
Victoria closed her book. "I have been getting the feeling you might be falling in love with that girl."
"How would you feel about it if I was?"
"Just fine," Victoria said with a wicked smile.
Heath laughed. "She's beautiful and very sweet. I told her I was falling in love with her, and she said she was falling in love with me."
"Maybe two weddings next year?" Victoria asked with a twinkle in her eye.
"Well, let's not jump the gun."
"I'm just eager to get my children married off, now that we've started down that path. I got a letter from Eugene today."
Heath perked up. "Don't tell me."
Victoria nodded. "He's planning on coming at Christmas time and bringing his bride."
"Bride?!"
Victoria nodded again. "She wanted to be married in the church she grew up in, and I couldn't blame her for that. What with J.J. being born and Jarrod and Maggie still needing some help, he thought it was best they just go ahead and marry and come out here for Christmas. So, three down, two to go!"
Heath laughed. "I'll be darned. The kid's gone and got married. Well, I guess Nick and I are just gonna have to get moving and join the club."
"When you're ready," Victoria said. "Don't go rushing in if it isn't right."
Heath let his smile fade into one of his lop-sided grins, but his eyes lit up more. "Suzanne might be right. She might be the one."
"If she is," Victoria said, "we will all be very happy about it. AND neither you nor Nick will deny me the pleasure of a wedding here at the ranch. A big happy wedding with all the trimmings."
"Double wedding?"
"Well, we'll have to see about that. But I want whatever you want, really. As long as you're happy, I'll be ecstatic. And we'll talk about all the children you're going to have later."
Heath laughed. "Mother, be careful what you wish for."