Page 34 of A Forgotten Heart (Wind River Mail-Order Brides #5)

“Finally, someone I can talk business with. Your man looks quite capable.” The last words were thrown over Jakob’s shoulder, aimed at Lilly, whose hands fisted at her sides.

“He’s not my man.”

Jakob let the sting of Lilly’s rejection roll off as he used his body to block her from the man who’d looked like he was ready to take a swing at her.

Even without looking at her, Jakob felt the familiar pull of affection, an invisible cord that drew him to her. He might not be her man, but women should be treated with kindness and respect.

“You’ll want to move along, sir.” The man blinked up at Jakob, then scowled, but when Jakob didn’t relent, he turned without another word. The fool headed down the boardwalk muttering about how he’d take his business to the other livery in town.

Leaving Jakob to face the woman he’d once wanted to marry.

Her cheeks were pink with cold, and strands of her auburn hair had escaped her braid to frame her heart-shaped face. And her green eyes flashed with challenge. He couldn’t seem to look away now that the threat was gone.

“Why did you do that?” Lilly side-stepped Jakob and moved the wheelbarrow to one side of the big barn door. “I had things under control.” She said the words over her shoulder as she heaved the big door all the way open.

Jakob wasn’t so sure. He’d seen the wheelbarrow tip, watched the man stiffen with indignation and barely contained rage when she dumped the manure on his boots.

Lilly was clever that way. When they’d been in school, kids teased Jakob for his height and awkwardness, and she’d found ways to defend him.

Like putting crickets in Tommy Freedman’s lunchbox.

Part of him wanted to smile at this latest shenanigan, while another part wanted to scold her for provoking the man.

He realized she was standing in the open doorway with hands on her hips, waiting for his answer.

“I didn’t do anything.” He raised his hands, palms outward.

She seemed stumped for a moment, then sighed. Her eyes flitted over his shoulder to the pair of dark brown Morgan horses hitched to the wagon. Jakob followed her gaze to see Jorunn snort while Pia stomped and shook, rattling the harnesses and shaking off the accumulating snow.

“The storm is coming on too fast. I’d appreciate a place to keep the horses.

If you’ve got room.” The words rushed out of him, and he gave her his profile as heat crept up into his ears.

All these months apart, and she still could still render him a foolish schoolboy.

He ran a hand over his beard and worked to steady his heartbeat.

She nodded. “I’m surprised you came to town at all, with this weather threatening.”

“I was roped into it against my better judgment,” he admitted, moving to take Pia’s bridle in one hand. He clucked his tongue, and the pair started walking slowly toward the stable door.

Lilly stepped to the side for him and the rig to pass by.

“It’s Christmas.” As if that explained everything. He felt Lilly’s stare as he led the horses inside, and more words tumbled from his mouth. “I came to get sugar and flour and cinnamon for the cookies my new sister-in-law wanted to bake. Also, to pick up the gifts Mor ordered.”

Lilly sniffed, and he went on, “It was foolish. I know. But Marta begged me. ‘Please Jakob,’” he made his voice high in an imitation of his youngest sister. “‘We can’t have Christmas without cookies.’”

Lilly used her entire weight to tug the big door closed as the wagon passed inside. Was it sticking a little?

He gave a soft command, and the horses came to a stop. With the door closed, it was much quieter inside, and Lilly’s voice carried.

“She won’t have them now.” She must’ve realized how sharp the words sounded, because she softened her expression. “She’s still got you wrapped around her little finger.”

He couldn’t deny the affection he felt for his family, especially Marta.

“I should have stayed put. Albert said he’s closing the General Store early, and all the boarding houses are full up.”

Lilly didn’t look at him as she moved behind the package-filled wagon and then near Jorum’s side, where she started undoing the horse’s harness. “The marshal told me. Where are you planning to stay?”

Her voice was cool. Almost stiff. The teasing Lilly of moments before had disappeared. Had she remembered how things were between them now? The awkwardness of a broken friendship?

Albert had suggested Jakob lodge here at the livery. With Lilly. The young man couldn’t have known his simple suggestion would stir up such turmoil inside Jakob.

“I’ll figure something out?—”

“You should stay here.”

Her words tumbled over his, leaving an awkward silence as they faded.

Jakob fumbled with the buckle on Pia’s harness. Alone for a day or two to ride out the storm? Stuck inside the barn—or worse, her living quarters for all those hours?

“I don’t think it’s a good idea,” he said.

Though he kept his eyes on the harness, he felt her glance like a spark across the horses’ backs.

“Don’t be ridiculous. You can’t sleep outside.

” She slipped the harness strap from Jorum’s back.

“I have my quarters, and you can bed down in your wagon out here. No one can say anything inappropriate went on.”

Her tone was calm, matter-of-fact. Completely the opposite of how his stomach felt, twisted in knots.

When she glanced up at him again, he ducked his head and pulled off his stiff gloves, shoving them in his back pocket. Pretending it was his half-frozen fingers that slowed his task, not her outlandish suggestion.

Stay with Lilly.

The drumming in his chest quickened its rhythm.

His mind whirled as he unbuckled the harness.

He had harbored feelings for Lilly from the first moment they’d spoken.

She had been his anchor in a new world when his family emigrated from Sweden and settled near Calvin.

When she’d become engaged eighteen months ago, he’d distanced himself.

Prayed desperately for his feelings to fade.

Now, after only a few minutes in her presence, everything he had worked so diligently to bury was rising to the surface, sharp enough to make him bleed.

Wind blasted against the stable door. His gaze snagged there.

Lilly’s followed. “You cannot go back out in that blizzard, Jakob. Soon, you won’t be able to see a foot in front of you.”

He wouldn’t risk the horses, and they both knew it. There seemed to be no other choice.

He couldn’t look at her when he said, “Thank you, Lilly. You are a good friend to let me stay.” There. They had been friends once. It would be enough.

Her brows drew together. “Are we still friends, Jakob? We haven’t spoken in sucha long time, and I…” Hurt chased the ghost of a smile from her face before she blanked her expression.

He had caused that hurt by his silence.

Regret thickened his throat. He rested one hand on Pia’s back, waited for Lilly to meet his eyes.

“Yes, we are always friends,” he said softly.

Saying the words aloud, he realized they were true.

He would always be her friend. “I’m sorry I didn’t come after your father died.

” After the broken engagement, Jakob had wanted to come and see her.

But he’d been exchanging letters with Astrid, and Mor had discouraged it.

“You’re not the only one to blame,” Lilly said softly. “I’ve been busy since Pa passed. We’ll both forgive each other. All right?”

She didn’t wait for an answer but led Jorunn to one of the empty stalls. Jakob followed her with Pia, settling her in the stall next door.

The quiet companionship he and Lilly had once shared seemed to be rekindled. Maybe he could make it enough.

He wouldn’t hope for more. Never again.