Page 33 of The Gilded Lady (The Gilded West #3)

Chapter Seventeen

T he rest of the day was a whirlwind of preparations.

Glory barely had time to think much less dwell on the fact that Justin was coming for her.

She and Charlotte spent the day packing up the women and children in the boardinghouse.

The two women and children were booked for the first train out the next morning.

Sarah and her mother would be going out to the Jameson ranch with Clara, Emily, and Edward.

Glory had hoped to get them out on the first night, but everyone had agreed that leaving in the morning was best. No one wanted to travel at night, not with a threat looming over them.

It turns out they needed the extra time to pack their trunks anyway.

Glory stayed up late into the night to help Clara get her household packed.

Since no one knew how long they’d be gone, it was best for her to pack up everything she might need for the baby.

It had been midnight when Able escorted Glory back to her room.

She said good night at the door and closed it softly, only realizing in that moment how much she’d missed seeing Zane that day. She’d become accustomed to having him shadow her throughout her day. It hadn’t made sense today though with Able needing to help with packing.

The only light in the room came from the street lamp outside.

It cast a soft glow that barely reached the sofa where Zane was lying.

A part of her had hoped he’d be awake so they could talk, but she knew that he needed his rest. She’d get the details tomorrow, but she knew that he’d coordinated a round-the-clock watch with the men that had come into town from the Jameson ranch.

She’d see less of him now as he took his scheduled shifts.

Her heart clenched at the thought, as if she was already beginning to lose him.

“Hey.” His sleep roughened voice surprised her. He didn’t sit up, but she could just make out his features in the shadows. “Did you get finished packing?”

“Yes, but I’m afraid we’re going to have to find a buckboard or two to rent.

Clara has insisted on taking everything.

” She kept her tone light because for some strange reason she was feeling very insecure with him.

He hadn’t been avoiding her. Well, not exactly.

They’d simply been too busy to see each other, but no matter how many times she told herself that, she couldn’t seem to shake the feeling that something had changed.

Even though she hadn’t been particularly sober last night, she remembered how gentle he’d been with her and how he’d held her.

She could use a little holding tonight, but it seemed inappropriate to ask.

“It must be hard to have to pack up and leave on short notice, especially when she’s so close to having a baby.”

“I’m sure it is.” Glory stood there, wanting to bring back the intimacy of the previous night but feeling too awkward to accomplish it.

She was being silly. He was probably as tired as she was, if not more so, and standing here bemoaning the fact that they’d barely touched all day wasn’t doing anything but putting her in a bad mood. “Well, good night.”

“Night.”

She let out a breath, feeling the slightest bit defeated and walked to her bedchamber. She’d almost closed the door when he called out, “What time do we leave for the train station?”

“Six thirty,” she answered, silently chastising herself for expecting anything more.

The next morning was full of goodbyes. Glory said goodbye to the boarders at the train station, only to return home in time to help load the children and Clara off to the ranch.

It had taken her carriage along with the Jamesons’ carriage and two buckboards to get everything loaded.

Hunter and two of his men with big guns strapped to their hips and rifles fastened to their saddles were to ride mounted alongside.

She didn’t know why it hit her so hard, but as she watched the small caravan pull away she had to blink back tears.

Castillo rode in one of the carriages with Clara, Sarah and her mother.

From the other, two pairs of chubby arms waved enthusiastically at her, the twins riding with Emmy, Caroline, and Charlotte—Glory had begged her to go at the last minute so the children would have someone with them who was familiar with their routine.

They hadn’t wanted to leave her, but when she’d told them about the horses and rabbits waiting for them there, they’d become excited and hadn’t stopped talking about which horse they wanted to ride.

It didn’t matter that they’d never seen the horses. They had a whole herd of them in mind.

She was going to miss their whimsy. She knew that this was for the best and that they’d be cared for, she was only sad that she wouldn’t be the one doing it.

A large hand ran up and down her back in a slow caress.

She looked up to see Zane watching the last buckboard as it disappeared around the corner.

“They’ll be fine,” he said.

“I know.” But she sniffled anyway.

Putting his arm around her shoulder, he drew her against his chest. “I know it’s hard, but you’ll see them again. I promise you that.”

She closed her eyes and allowed herself a moment of comfort. “I sent the telegram to their mother yesterday.” She’d made herself do it, despite the hustle and bustle of making all the other arrangements. She needed to finally tie up this loose end.

“It’s good that you’re getting that settled. You need to move on one way or the other.”

She nodded and looked up at him. This time he looked down at her and his gaze was as deep and intense as she remembered.

His thumb caressed her cheek, giving her chill bumps even though the morning was already quite warm.

There were so many things unsaid between them, but she didn’t know how to broach them or if he even wanted to.

He’d made it clear that he didn’t want any permanence in his life.

“I have to go. We’re taking stock of the cellar today. Do you have watch?”

“Afternoon and early evening. We’ll talk tonight about how the men will be stationed. I want to wait for the rest of the men from the ranch to arrive before we finalize things.”

“Would you like to discuss it over supper?” She bit her lip, for some strange reason nerves twisted her belly as she waited for his rejection.

It didn’t come. He hesitated, but then gave a nod. “In your room. I think we need to keep you out of sight as much as possible.”

She didn’t like that. She was a fixture at Victoria House. The last thing she wanted was for people in town to become suspicious. She didn’t want Justin to know that he’d rattled her. But instead of arguing, she nodded. They could talk about it more tonight. “See you then.”

“We have to close Victoria House.” Zane sat across from her at supper that night. He’d been a little late and looked tense as he’d taken his seat. She realized now it was because he’d known that she wouldn’t like what he had to say.

“We are not closing.”

He raised a brow as he picked up his utensils and cut into his mutton. “I knew you’d see it that way.”

She shrugged and gave him a smile. “That’s because you know it doesn’t make good business sense.”

Taking a bite, he chewed it slowly as he studied her. She tried not to analyze too closely why the sight of him eating was so appealing to her and looked back down at her plate. She wasn’t particularly hungry, and hadn’t been since Justin Dubose had come back into her life.

“I suppose it doesn’t, but I’m more concerned about what makes sense for your safety.”

“I can’t let my business fail because I’m worried about my safety.”

“Do you really think the House will fail if you take a few days to lay low?”

She honestly didn’t know what to think. Aside from the occasional ailment that had her taking a nap during the afternoon before the crowds started, she’d never taken any time away from her work.

This past week had been the least amount of attention she’d ever given the place.

Victoria House was the focus of…well, everything in her life.

“I don’t know. It might.” It was a poor argument, but it was all she had.

When he didn’t answer right away, she looked back up at him to see a smile pulling at the corners of his lips.

“You find that funny?” she asked.

He shook his head and carved off another bite-sized portion of meat, smile firmly in place. “You wouldn’t know what to do with yourself anyway.”

Something about the way he said that ruffled her.

“That’s not true. I have my books.” She motioned toward the small corner shelf currently stocked with about a dozen books.

She’d already read them, but kept them to pass around to her ladies who liked to pass their time reading.

Despite the fact that she’d donated to the local library and had been involved in getting the vote to the ballot to change the library from subscription to free, she didn’t feel comfortable walking into the place.

She either sent Charlotte or she ordered her books, which could sometimes take months to arrive.

“And…” Her voice trailed off as she looked around her parlor. Even she had to admit that she didn’t have much to do. Without the twins and the boardinghouse, her business and her advocacy work, she had nothing. “Fine. You’ve made your point.”

He laughed and she kicked him under the table.

On one hand, she could see the humor, but on the other hand, it was a keen reminder of what she didn’t have.

A fresh ache welled in her chest as she remembered the domestic scene at the Jameson town home from yesterday.

She’d probably never have that rich home life with a family.

For years she’d been telling herself she was fine with that, but she really wasn’t and she didn’t know if she ever would be.

“Ouch!” He scowled at her and made a show of rubbing his leg.