Chapter 16

Since the engagement party was that night, Heath came in early so to clean up and go pick up Ellen. He had been hoping to see Ella that day, but she had not come down for breakfast before he'd left for the day. He and Nick had grabbed lunch from the chuck wagon, so he hadn't seen her at lunch either.

Heath dressed carefully, hating having to wear his tuxedo, but knowing it was required of him. Thankfully, he had managed to find another shirt besides the one with the ruffles. He had detested that one. So had Jarrod, from what he'd heard after Audra's nineteenth birthday party. What a night that had been. It was Heath's first formal gathering after finding his new family. The night had started well, but ended with Heath punching Evan Miles for taking inappropriate advances with Audra.

Heath slowly drove the buggy into town. He liked Ellen. A lot. She was a sweet girl and wasn't demanding. She never seemed to expect more than what Heath could give. She didn't chatter a lot, which he found refreshing, and she didn't play the games that so many women her age played. In many respects, she was perfect for him. So, if she was perfect, why was he not more excited about seeing her tonight? Heath knew the answer as soon as his mind asked it. It was because he didn't love her, not like he loved Ella.

"Stop it, you fool," he muttered. "You can't love a married woman. You can't! If you do, you're no better than..." Heath shifted uncomfortably. He was about to say he was no better than his mother. That thought hurt. He loved his mother and hated that her life had been so hard, but she made her choices. She chose to sleep with a man she wasn't married to. It didn't matter whether she knew Tom Barkley was married to someone else or not. Was this how his mother felt when she and Tom had spent time together? It disgusted Heath to think of breaking marriage vows. He'd judged his father on many occasions for doing that. And yet, in his mind, in his fantasies, that's what he was asking Ella to do. He was asking her to forsake her vows to be with him. He knew she loved her husband. Yet, Tom had loved Victoria, hadn't he? Was it just a moment of weakness? Or was it more than that? For the first time in his life, Heath felt he knew what his mother had gone through.

"Listen," he said to himself. "Don't mess things up with Ellen. She's a good woman. You can learn to care for her. Enjoy bein' with her. Let things come naturally."

Heath didn't feel much better, but he was now at the boarding house where Ellen lived. He knocked on the door and she opened it right away. Heath was taken aback by her appearance. He'd always thought she was pretty, but tonight she was beautiful. Where she usually wore it down with the sides pulled back, tonight her dark hair was swept up in a becoming style. Her burgundy dress fit her in all the right places and accentuated each and every curve. Her blue eyes sparkled, and Heath felt himself lost in their depths.

It would be so easy to love her, he thought. He smiled, told her she looked beautiful, offered his arm and the two walked to the buggy.

Abby was humming to herself as she sat at the vanity, dressed only in her dressing gown and brushing her long, dark hair. The engagement party was going to begin in just over three hours, and she promised her mother in law she would help with any last minute details. All she had to do was put her hair up and get dressed. Nick had come in from the range early and had just finished with his bath. He came into the room and grinned as he watched his wife. He loved it when his wife sang. She had a beautiful voice. He also knew that when she was humming, she was happy. He sighed with contentment as he walked over and planted a kiss on the side of her neck.

"Mmm," Abby responded, closing her eyes. Nick continued to plant tiny kisses along her neck, and Abby was finding it difficult to breathe.

"Nick," she said, her voice sounding like a moan.

"Hmmm?" he asked.

"I promised..." Abby began. Nick was good at making her lose her train of thought.

"You promised?" Nick asked, not stopping his feather-light kisses. He gently turned his wife around and knelt before her.

"I promised...something..." Abby whispered. Nick pushed his wife's dressing gown from her shoulders and continued his ministrations.

"Nick?" Abby whispered again.

"What?" Nick answered, his deep voice sounding husky. Abby opened her green eyes and saw how Nick's hazel eyes were darkened with passion.

"I'm glad we still have a few hours before the party starts," Abby said, smiling. Nick smiled too then led his wife to their bed.

Victoria looked around the room crowded with her friends and family. All were there to celebrate the joyous announcement of Jarrod and Melissa's engagement. Melissa was fairly glowing as she was introduced by her fiancé to his friends and neighbors.

The appearance of Nick and Abby caught her attention, and Victoria hid a smile. Abby had promised to be on hand to help with any last minute tasks that needed doing, but she had shown up about a half hour before the first guests arrived. She apologized, mentioning that the time had gotten away from her. The flush on her cheeks and the self satisfied smile her son wore told Victoria Nick had had something to do with it. It didn't bother Victoria in the least though. She remembered well the first year of marriage, and how she and Tom couldn't seem to get enough of each other. Somewhere along the line, they'd let that passion fade away. Eventually, it was rediscovered and remained until the day of his death.

Audra was talking with some of her friends as they watched the others dance. It surprised Victoria that her daughter had not accepted one of the many invitations she'd received for an escort to the party.

She looked over to see Heath and Ellen standing near the door to the parlor. Ellen was talking with another young woman, but would look to Heath every few seconds. Heath didn't seem to be paying a lot of attention to his date, and was glancing up the stairs every so often, as though he were looking for someone.

There was a knock at the door, and Silas went to answer it. It was Jonathon, dressed in a tuxedo. Victoria had known he was still planning on coming, but he wasn't going to be staying for the party. Victoria walked over to him and told him where he could find Ella. He smiled his thanks. The orchestra had just started another song, so no one noticed as he walked up the stairs.

Heath was curious. He excused himself from Ellen and began to meander toward the stairs. He wanted to be close, just in case Ella needed him. He gradually advanced on the stairs.

"Don't think that would be wise, little brother," Nick said, leading Heath back toward Ellen.

"Let me go, Nick. I just wanna be there in case she needs me."

"Why would she need you? That's her husband going up those stairs, or have you forgotten that?"

Heath's jaw clenched. Nick hoped he hadn't pushed him too far. Both brothers glanced about to see if anyone noticed their tension. Neither wanted to ruin Jarrod and Melissa's night. Now was not the time for a scene. A second later, Heath turned on his heel, returned to Ellen and took her by the hand, swinging her out on to the dance floor.

Ella sat on the edge of the bed, listening to the music as it wafted up the stairs. She could just imagine the happy couples as they danced with one another. Tears filled her eyes, and she wiped them away. In the letter she'd written to Jonathon, she asked him to come by on Sunday so they could talk. Ella was wishing she'd asked him to come by Saturday instead. She stood and walked to the small vanity in the room and sat down to brush her hair. There was a knock at the door, and she thought perhaps Audra had come to check on her.

"Come in," she called. Her eyes widened as she saw Jonathon in the reflection of the mirror. She turned around as he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

"Jonathon," she said in surprise.

"Ella," he replied, wanting to take her into his arms. He wasn't sure if she'd let him, so he stayed where he was. It didn't escape Ella's notice how handsome her husband looked.

"I wasn't expecting you until tomorrow," Ella said.

"I know. I couldn't wait. I want to explain what happened with Wilma," Jonathon began, but stopped when Ella shook her head no.

"I'm not ready to hear it, Jonathon. I just need to go home."

Jonathon's shoulders sagged. He had known it was a possibility that Ella would leave him, but he never thought she'd actually do it. He was determined to fight for her; to do whatever he had to win her trust again. If that meant her going back to live with her parents for a while, that was fine. He'd go with her. He'd follow her anywhere and do anything to please her.

"I'm assuming you want to stay here until I can make the arrangements?" he asked softly, each word dearly costing him.

"What arrangements?" Ella asked, thoroughly confused.

"There's only one train that leaves from here to Oregon. Unless you want to go back to San Francisco and leave from there-"

"Jonathon," Ella interrupted. "Why would I want to go to Oregon? I want to go home, to our home."

"But you said...you didn't want to talk about..."

"No. Not tonight. I want you to take me to our home. I want you to help me forget what's happened...just for tonight. Then tomorrow, we'll face it and deal with it. I love you, Jonathon. I have since the moment I saw you. I'm still angry that you didn't tell me about Wilma and even angrier that you kept her on as an employee."

Jonathon opened his mouth but Ella held up her hand to stop him. She walked up to her husband and wrapped her arms around his waist. He gladly held her in return.

"Take me home, Jonathon. We'll talk tomorrow," she murmured against his chest. Jonathon sighed with relief. What had he ever done to deserve her?