Chapter 6

Audra had been asked to dance by several of the young men, and Heath had gladly allowed her. He stood over in a corner, watching the festivities. He would tell himself not to look for Ella, but realized as long as she was in the same room as he, he'd always be aware of her presence. He continually chastised himself. Ella was a married woman, happily married from the looks of it. And even if she wasn't happily married, it wasn't right for him to have the thoughts about her he was having.

Heath felt someone touch his arm and noticed Victoria standing next to him. He smiled at her and asked her to dance. She accepted, and he led her out onto the dance floor. Just as the song ended, they found themselves next to Jonathon and Ella. Heath was trying to think of a way to excuse himself when Jonathon asked Victoria to dance. She accepted, leaving Heath and Ella. Ella smiled at him, and Heath knew it would be rude for him to walk away from her.

"Shall we, Ma'am?" he asked and at Ella's nod, Heath took her hand in his. It was soft and warm, just as he knew it would be. The fabric of her dress was silky against his work roughened hands. She fit perfectly in his arms and Heath found it difficult to breathe. It was easy for him to imagine she wasn't someone else's wife. That she belonged to him. That she wouldn't leave with another man and share his bed. Heath's thoughts were going to a dangerous place when he heard Ella speak.

"Heath, I...I wanted to apologize about...I mean...I feel badly about you not knowing about Jonathon."

Heath took a deep breath before looking into her brown eyes. Her skin was unmarred and looked like the color of cream. Her cheeks had a slight flush to them from the dancing she'd done that night. Her full pink lips screamed to be kissed, but they wouldn't be. At least, not by Heath. Tendrils of dark hair hung down around her long neck and it was all Heath could do not to take the pins from her hair to allow the tresses to fall down her back.

"It's alright. I'm sorry if I embarrassed you or made you uncomfortable," he said softly.

"No, not at all."

The sweet agony ended for Heath when the song came to an end. Ella thanked him for the dance and was swept up in her husband's arms again. Victoria had been asked to dance by Dr. Merar, and Heath found himself dancing with Audra again. Afterwards, Heath asked Audra if she was ready to go home and she agreed. Normally, she was one of the last to leave, but she was tired and ready for bed. She kept thinking about Nick's words from earlier and about Carl Wheeler. He never asked her to dance, but he had stayed close to her for most of the night. Perhaps he was still interested? Audra had a lot to think about and was eager to get to her own room for some peace and quiet.

Victoria told them she would be ready shortly, so Heath went to get the surrey. Nick and Abby had taken the light buggy home that Heath and Audra had ridden in earlier.

As Audra waited for her mother and brother, she watched the couples dancing. Her thoughts turned to Luke and Lucy, realizing she had never seen them at the dance. Heath came up quietly beside and watched with her. Again, his eyes were on Ella, even though he tried to look away. Audra watched Heath, wondering who it was he'd asked to the dance and how the girl could have said no. Heath was as nice a fellow as any, and Audra wanted to see him happy. She followed his gaze and found that it lay in the direction of Jonathon and Ella. For some reason she couldn't explain, it all fit into place.

"It was Ella, wasn't it?" Audra whispered.

Heath sighed and turned to Audra.

"I didn't realize she was married," he explained and hoped she wouldn't be upset with him. "I had been told she was Jonathon's daughter." Heath left out the part where he had gotten that information from Harry.

"Oh, Heath. I'm sorry."

He nodded.

"She and Jonathon are very happy," Audra paused. Then said, "Does that make you sad? That she's happily married?"

Again Heath sighed. "In a way. But it would make me more sad if she weren't happily married. If she were miserable. If Jonathon was cruel to her."

"He isn't. He's a wonderful man, from what I've observed."

The siblings fell silent, and Victoria announced she was finally ready to leave. Victoria noticed both were quiet on the way home, but chalked it up to being tired. She too couldn't wait for bed. Dances always made her miss Tom. She loved being held closely by him, looking up in to his blue eyes. He'd usually lean down and whisper how beautiful she looked and how he couldn't wait to get home. Victoria sighed, missing Tom more at that moment than she had in quite a while.

Ciego was there to meet them and took the horse and buggy from Heath. Audra and Victoria kissed Heath goodnight, then went up the stairs. Heath decided to get a nightcap first. After a few shots of whiskey, he went up to his room. He heard muffled laughter coming from Nick and Abby's room. He closed his bedroom door tightly to the sound, quickly divesting himself of his clothes and climbing into bed. He needed to get Ella from his mind. She was not someone he could pursue and that was that. He tossed and turned before finally succumbing to a restless sleep.

The party was in full swing, and Jarrod watched as Melissa cut the birthday cake. Presents were piled high and would be opened later. Jarrod had given her his gift before the guests had begun to arrive: a beautiful charm bracelet. Melissa's blue eyes sparkled as she opened the box and then she looked at him.

"It's beautiful, Jarrod. Thank you so much," she said, gracing him with a smile.

"I only had them put a few charms on there. You can add more as you desire. A book, because you love them so," he explained. "And a heart...so that you will know that my heart will always belong to you."

Tears filled Melissa's eyes. In truth, she had been expecting a ring and a proposal from Jarrod and was a little disappointed when she first opened the box. She was thankful she had pushed aside her selfish desires. It would have ruined this special moment.

"Melissa, I love you. I've wanted to tell you for a long time, but it never seemed right until now."

Melissa's eyes filled with tears. She'd loved Jarrod from the first moment she'd seen him. Her father had been interested in purchasing a few mines in Mexico and had heard the Barkleys were selling some. He'd asked Jarrod to come to his home to discuss the sale. Melissa was the oldest daughter of Maurice and Elaine Ambers, and the only one still single. At the age of thirty one, she was considered an "old maid," but she didn't care. She enjoyed her work at the San Francisco Library. She had no desire to marry and had rebuffed every effort made by young men to gain her attention. Until Jarrod Barkley had shown up at her doorstep. Melissa had never seen anyone so handsome, and when Jarrod asked her to take a walk with him, she gladly accepted. Since then, whenever Jarrod had come to San Francisco, he would come and take Melissa to dinner or spend the evening with her and her parents. The Ambers were delighted in Jarrod's interest and glad that Melissa seemed smitten.

"I love you too," she whispered. Jarrod knew they would be interrupted at any moment, but he decided to risk it and pulled Melissa into his arms. He tenderly kissed her, wishing they weren't about to be surrounded by one hundred guests.

Melissa came to stand next to him, handing him a piece of cake. Jarrod looked up to see Maurice Ambers give him a slight nod. Jarrod smiled and set the plate down.

"Don't you want any cake?" Melissa asked.

"Maybe a little later. I wanted to talk to you in private for a few minutes though."

His face looked serious, and Melissa felt a twinge of fear. Had Jarrod changed his mind about her? She tried to smile, but found it difficult. If he had, then she would just have to deal with it, but she wished he had at least waited until after the party.

Jarrod led her to a balcony and closed the door behind him. Melissa had gone to stand next to the railing, her back to the city of San Francisco. They stared at one another for a few moments. Melissa was beginning to feel very uncomfortable.

"Jarrod, I-"

"Shhh...don't say anything," he whispered. "Just let me look at you."

Jarrod walked toward her and took her hands in his. His eyes roamed over her face, his hand coming up to cup her cheek. Melissa couldn't breathe and closed her eyes at his touch.

"I love you, Melissa, but I can't go on this way," Jarrod said softly. Melissa opened her eyes.

"What do you mean?" she asked, dread filling her.

"You've filled a void in my life that I thought would never be filled. You've given me so much joy over this past year. I can't go on, without having you as my wife. Melissa Ambers, will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?"

Melissa's eyes filled with tears. She wrapped her arms around Jarrod and hugged him tightly.

"Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes," she whispered. Jarrod laughed and pulled back from her.

"I take it your answer is yes?" he teased.

Melissa placed her hands on either side of his face, kissing Jarrod with the passion she'd been holding back. When they broke apart, Jarrod took only a second to decide to kiss her again.

Finally, they came up for air and Jarrod remembered the ring in his pocket. He pulled back to take it out and watched as Melissa's eyes lit up at the sight of the ring.

"Oh Jarrod. You didn't have to...it's beautiful!"

He slipped the ring on her finger and they kissed again. Reluctantly, Melissa broke the kiss.

"Everyone is probably looking for us. I'm surprised we haven't been interrupted," she said softly, stroking Jarrod's cheek.

"Your father is standing guard at the door," Jarrod replied, wanting nothing more than to stay out on the balcony with Melissa all night, but he knew Maurice was expecting them to come back in and make the announcement.

"With your permission, I will announce that the beautiful Miss Melissa Ambers has agreed to become Mrs. Jarrod Barkley."

"Mmm, I like the sound of that. Say it again?" Melissa asked.

"Mrs. Jarrod Barkley," Jarrod replied. Melissa kissed him.

"Mrs. Jarrod Barkley," Jarrod said again and was delighted to receive another kiss. They would have played this game for a few minutes more when they heard a small knock at the door. Jarrod and Melissa smiled at one another and made their way inside. There were cheers and congratulations from all around. Jarrod couldn't remember the last time he'd felt so happy.