The Sheriff's Mail-Order Bride (The Watson Brothers #2)(24)

Chapter Eight





Rory looked forward to seeing Gina in town today. He’d all but invited her in since she’d resisted every day so far since they’d arrived, insisting she go to the cottage. Preferring to spend her time working, she’d taken a bit of convincing to meet him for a coffee after she’d done what she considered were her chores. Hopefully she would let Callie look after Fisher and they could have some time alone together. He’d decided to take her into the jewelry store and buy her a ring, making his intentions clear. Chance was right, he was going to marry her regardless of his initial reaction and she deserved to know that. It might make her relax and trust him more too. He got the feeling that she was waiting for the axe to fall and he hated the unsettled look in her eyes when she thought nobody was taking any notice of her.

Last night he’d made peace with himself and Cindy’s memory. She wouldn’t want him alone for the rest of his life and it was over three years since she’d died. It was time to move on but it had taken him days of arguing with himself to finally come to the realization that if he let Gina go, he might not be so lucky next time.

He’d lain in bed, looked at the ceiling and spoke to his wife for the last time.

“I’ve missed you every single moment since you left. You were my first big crush, my first love. Seeing you walk into the room would make my day brighter, Cindy.” His throat thickened as he said her name. “But I can imagine you looking down on me with a scowl on your face, saying how stupidly I’ve been behaving.” Rory swallowed.

“I know you’re right but that doesn’t make it any easier. I lost big part of myself when I lost you and the baby. I’ll never forget you or the life we’d started but I know I have to make the effort to move on, to live again. Gina, well, she needs someone. Her and Fisher need saving, almost more than I do.”

The sound of a baby giggling in his sleep came from next door. Rory smiled, amazed at how quickly he’d fallen for the toddler. “Thing is, I think we all deserve a chance so I’m going to go for it. Since she’s been here, she’s worked harder than I think is necessary but she’s not the kind to sit back and wait for life to happen. I admire that about her. She’s a doer. I think we’ll be good together.”

Emotion clogged his throat and he cleared it. “So, this is the last time I’m going to do this. I’m letting you lie in peace while I try to get my life back together. Don’t think I’ll forget you, because I won’t. That I promise you.”

Rory wiped his hand across his eyes and sighed. Had he done the right thing or was there still some doubt in the back of his mind? Time would tell. He rolled over and slept, the burden of survivor’s guilt lifted from his shoulders.

*

The following morning, Rory walked out past the front desk and spoke to the officer on duty. “I’m going for a walk around town, see what’s happening on the streets today. Call if you need me.”

“Sure thing, Rory.”

The sun shone bright and he tipped down his hat over his eyes. He spied Milly Forester, their father’s neighbor, over feeding the birds in the park as was her daily habit. He checked the road and crossed over to say hello to her.

“Mrs. Forester. Nice day for a sit in the park.” He walked over and sat down on the picnic stool, watching her crumble up the bread she’d brought from the bakery as she did every day.

“That it is, young man.” She threw the handful of crumbs and the sparrows squabbled over it like noisy children. “Hear tell your daddy is keen to see you. Been back home for long enough to make the effort if you ask me.”

“Don’t pull any punches, do you?”

“Why would I do that? Known you long as you’ve been on this earth. Smacked that butt of yours a time or two as well.” She laughed and nudged him with her elbow.

“That so? Not sure I remember that.” He smiled as he remembered the quick slap of her hand when he’d thought he’d gotten away with something. It was always a shock to find he wasn’t a smart as he thought he was.

“Yeah, well, only had to do it a couple of times and then you got yourself sorted out. Stopped you giving your poor father a hard time and got you to do what you should have done in the first place.”

“From what I remember growing up, not sure he deserved too much from his sons. I figured he thought more of his bottle than us boys.” Rory sighed. He hadn’t meant to get into this conversation with her today, he had only intended giving her a respectful hello.

“Now you listen to me, young man. When your poor mother passed over, well your daddy almost died along with her. Not saying it’s right or wrong, just the way it is. Broke his heart and he couldn’t function no more. Lucky you had your big brother to help out when he did.”

“So I hear.”

“He’s done well the last few years, you know. Your daddy’s been to AA and kicked the bottle. Starting to get himself sorted out.” She threw more bread to the birds before she looked up at him. “You should know what it feels like, son. You’ve been though it yourself. I thought of you when I heard the news, Rory. Wish I’d been closer to help out; sadly what’s done is done.” She screwed up the paper bag the bread came in and pushed herself to her feet. “Don’t go making the same mistake your daddy did either. You’ve got a chance at making a go of it with that lovely little girl I met last week when she came into town. Don’t blow it.”