Holding on to Heaven (4 page)

Remembering her conversation with her father in the library several months ago, Lauren closed her eyes.
What about
Father and my childhood friends? What will become of them now?
Those at the table seemed stunned into silence by the time she opened them.

Her uncle cursed, adding to her dread. "Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina, and Arkansas have joined the Confederacy. The remaining slave states, Delaware, Maryland, Missouri and Kentucky have sworn loyalty to the Union."

"We so hoped it would never come to this," said Estelle.

Lauren recognized the panic in her aunt's voice. "Come to what?"

"War." Mason put the newspaper down and glanced from his wife to Lauren. "We'll pray for all, Confederate and Union."

"I'll pen a letter to Father tonight."

"I think it's a good idea, Lauren," her aunt said. "Perhaps he'll be able to enlighten us, although the news is often stale by the time it reaches the settlements."

Her uncle changed the subject with a smile, lessening her concern for the time being. "When you're finished eating, I've something to show you in the barn."

Lauren perked up. "What is it?"

"A horse and this one won't throw you."

She pushed away from the table and rose. "Come on, I can’t eat another bite now."

In the barn, he told her to close her eyes. She heard him bang into the side of a wooden stall and moments later felt leather straps placed in her hands. "You can open your eyes now."

She'd never seen a finer steed, fell in love with him in an instant. His reddish-brown coat reminded her of the sun-dried cliffs surrounding Red Wing. A dark brown stripe ran the length of his back and matched his mane and bushy tail. Keen and alert, he stood apart from the rest of Uncle Mason's herd.

"Adobe." She nuzzled his snout. "I must name you Adobe."

"I purchased him in Dakota Territory last week with you in mind."

"Can I ride him?"

"Are you up to it with that sprained ankle?"

With a nod, she climbed into the saddle and urged him from the barn. Uncle Mason opened the paddock and she rode Adobe into a nearby field. Her breath escaped in a rush as they sped across the land. His leg muscles taut and hard, his gait solid, Lauren had never ridden a horse as fleet of foot.

Mason stood outside the barn when she returned. She scrambled from Adobe's back, threw her arms about her uncle's neck and fought back tears. "Thank you, I adore him."

Adobe nudged her arm and her uncle snickered. "Looks like the feeling is mutual."

* * * *

That evening, Lauren, Estelle and Mason sat on the front porch and took in the clear, fresh air. Nelly brought out beverages and joined them.

"Ah, here's my mint julep." Estelle reached for a glass. "The one thing I haven't been able to surrender since living in the South."

Mason made a face and plucked a glass from the tray. "Why can't I just have my brandy straight up without the frothy ice, mint and sugar?"

Estelle answered with a feigned sympathetic look. "You know you enjoy julep, dear, although you'll ever admit it."

Still nursing a sore ankle, Lauren rocked in a nearby chair. "How did Full Circle get its name?"

"I have a theory about life." Mason paused, tossed the drink back and then puckered his lips. "We're born and if blessed, grow to adulthood. Children come along and then grandchildren, perpetuating the never-ending circle of life. By the time we come to the end of our days, we've come full circle¾birth to death. Stella and I weren't fortunate enough to have children, but nonetheless, this is our full circle."

"Aunt Estelle says you also claim to be holding on to your own little piece of heaven here."

He nodded. "Look around you, girl. Have you ever seen such beauty?"

"No," Lauren said and meant it. "I haven't."

Mason raised his glass. "Here's to holding on to our piece of heaven, ladies."

Estelle raised her glass of julep and Lauren her glass of lemonade. "It’ll be difficult to return to Beaufort now. I'm bedeviled with the land
and
the people."

Mason placed his hands out as his sides and smiled. "Then stay, Lauren. Stella and I would love to have you remain at the ranch."

"But what of Father? I miss him already, promised to return soon."

"Don't decide this very minute, dear." Estelle's eyes met hers. "Give it some thought, that's all we ask."

"All right, Aunt Estelle, I promise to think about it."

* * * *

The weeks flew by as Lauren familiarized herself with the routines of the ranch. The work seemed endless, and no one, including her, was permitted slack time. She became adept at cleaning out stalls in the barn, forking hay, and grooming the horses. The environment suited her and she thrived in the balmy air of spring.

Frequent guests arrived at Full Circle, neighbors and friends seeking a short respite from the hard rigors of running farms and ranches. Aunt Estelle was the perfect host, just as Lauren's mother was. An assortment of homemade sweets made the rounds on these occasions—teacakes, slivers of pie and squares of cobbler, washed down by cold lemonade, coffee and tea. Estelle insisted every guest leave the ranch with a full belly.

Lauren realized how much her life had changed since leaving Beaufort. At Grand Cove, she met every day with detached resignation, knowing tomorrow would bring more of the same. At Full Circle, she awoke every morning eager to face the day, her heart light, her thoughts pleasant. She had to admit, ranch life suited her best.

This morning, while in the midst of her chores, Uncle Mason poked his head into the barn. "Your aunt and I are off to New Ulm for supplies. A new hotel just opened and they serve fresh trout every day at noon."

"Is that an invitation?"

He winked. "Time you show off Adobe."

Uncle Mason and Aunt Estelle rode in the buckboard while she trailed behind on Adobe. The vivid blue sky accommodated their outing by shooing down a soft breeze. The snow had melted and the river had overrun the massive slabs of ice. Spring had arrived in earnest. The land formed a level plateau surrounded by deep streams and tributaries, another breathtaking view.

"New Ulm is nestled into a scenic valley surrounded by green hills and inhabited mostly by German immigrants." Uncle Mason followed her gaze. "Agriculture drew them and the rich, fertile soil."

She drank in the beauty of the landscape. "They were well rewarded by their wanderlust."

When they arrived at the main thoroughfare in town, Mason turned the team toward the general store, a one-story structure in the middle of the block. The sign over the entry,
Knapp Mercantile and Dry Goods
, sported a fresh coat of red paint.

Estelle climbed from the wagon. "Let's get the new ribbons you wanted before we head to the hotel to eat."

Lauren dismounted and tied Adobe to the railing. A jangle of bells announced their arrival when they opened the front door. Her aunt didn't seem the least surprised when a young woman standing by the front counter waved to them before turning to the clerk again. The girl looked familiar and the man looked, well, love struck came to Lauren's mind.

Estelle removed her bonnet. "Hello Em and Frank. Allow me to introduce my niece from North Carolina, Lauren McCain."

The young woman straightened and turned to her with a warm smile. She realized then, Em looked like Creed.

Estelle continued. "I believe you met her brother, Creed." Her aunt nodded toward the man. "And Frank Knapp is Emily's beau."

Casual greetings were exchanged while Lauren's stomach twisted into a knot. She wondered if the insufferable man had accompanied his sister into town.
The moment the thought entered her mind,
the door opened and Creed walked in. A handsome, young man followed him.

Directing his conversation to her aunt, the Greek god nodded in Lauren's direction. "This is a pleasant surprise, Estelle. I didn't expect to see you in town today."

"Afternoon, Creed." Estelle lifted her chin and peered over his broad shoulders. "Finn." Her aunt flashed the boy an engaging smile. "Nice to see you again."

When a full grin spread his lips, Lauren smiled too.

"May I present Master Finn, another dashing lad from the Gatlin brood?" Her aunt liked the boy. "And you remember our Creed, don't you?"

Our Creed, indeed.
Lauren gave the eldest brother a curt nod, but flashed her best smile for Finn. An unruly cowlick jutted from the golden-brown locks of his forehead and his smile would melt the coldest of maiden's hearts. Lauren extended her hand. "Nice to make your acquaintance, Finn."

The boy removed his hat. "It's nice to see you Mrs. Morse." Still clasping Lauren's hand, he turned to her. "My pleasure, Miss McCain."

She snuck a glance at Creed, annoyed by his half-moon smirk. She knew he was recalling their first meeting. Turning her back to him, she rifled through a selection of fabric on a nearby table. Then she closed her eyes. Why did she have to remember every muscular curve, the broad shoulders and lean hips? His very presence exuded power and danger.

The memory of his pewter eyes loomed and the knot of tension in her stomach tightened. She couldn't afford to know what lay beyond that predatory look or what wicked thoughts lingered in his mind. She didn't doubt most of the man's thoughts ran along the lines of sinful pleasures. Bedazzled by his mere presence, she willed her trembling hands to still and opened her eyes and ears to the conversation behind her.

Estelle's voice again. "How's your mother, Finn, and our little Jack?"

"He never did learn to walk, Mrs. Morse, went from crawling to running."

Lauren felt Creed's stare boring into her back. She flipped through the bolts in perfect sync to the mad pattering of her heart. She wished she could read minds, know if he planned to tell Aunt Estelle about her foul mouth.

"Thank you for helping Lauren when the horse threw her, Creed." Aunt Estelle's voice dripped honey.

"Happy to be of assistance. She bore up well considering the sprained ankle. She knows her manners, Estelle, thanked me for helping her."

Liar.
Anger rushed through her. Over her shoulder, she pinned him with a withering glare.

"I'm thankful you were working nearby in the barn." Estelle seemed oblivious to the undercurrents in the air. "Allow me to buy luncheon today for all at the Dakotah House—Finn, Em, you too, Frank."

Lauren whirled around with her mouth open. "Oh, no, Aunt Estelle, I don't—" Stopped short by the challenge in Creed's eyes, she halted in mid-sentence.

"Lauren, dear, we have plenty of time, and I hear they serve a wonderful trout." Her aunt turned to Frank. "What do you say; can someone mind the store for a while?"

"We'd love to join you." Em turned to Frank. "Can you find someone to cover for you?"

The store clerk nodded and scurried off. "I'll fetch Henry."

Lauren couldn't believe the turn of events. Good God! She wanted to forget about her first meeting with Creed Gatlin. Mortification ripped through her.

Frank and Henry returned. They left the store en masse and strolled down the boardwalk to the new hotel. Mason had already arrived and seemed delighted to see their companions. With the restaurant filled to capacity, her uncle lassoed a table on the veranda. Fresh wildflowers in a pottery vase adorned the white linen, eliciting nostalgic memories of her mother and Grand Cove.

A waiter in a starched white shirt and black breeches appeared to take their order. Everyone chose the fresh trout accompanied by wild rice and fresh sourdough biscuits.

Despite her initial qualms, Lauren enjoyed herself. Creed talked to Mason about the new construction in town and then entered into a light banter with Emily and Frank about impending wedding plans.

Mason asked, "Is Belle in town with you today?"

Finn's face lit up with another smile "Oh, yes. We dropped her off at the lumber mill so she could pester Simon."

"Polly tells me there's a wedding on the horizon." Her Aunt Estelle looked at Finn. "When do Belle and Simon plan to marry?"

"This coming fall, and they plan to ask Mason to officiate."

"Polly and Sam must be pleased about the wedding
and
the prospect of grandchildren on the horizon."

"You know our mother." Creed's rich voice. "There could never be too many children around as far as she's concerned."

After the meal, Mason headed off to the blacksmith's shop to see about shoes for the horses. The rest of the group returned to the store.

"Estelle, Miss McCain." Creed tipped his hat. "We enjoyed the visit over lunch."

Taken aback by the sincerity in his voice, Lauren couldn’t find her tongue, but managed a nod.

Estelle took Creed's hand. "Mace and I will be hosting the annual barbeque and barn dance soon. Don't forget." She faced Finn. "Tell your mother to bring the peach cobbler¾the melt-in-your-mouth-peach-cobbler."

"Yes, ma'am, I'll tell her." Finn returned the wide-brimmed hat to his head and tipped it in Lauren's direction.

Disconcerted over the entire ordeal, Lauren uttered a feeble, "Goodbye."

She and Estelle left Knapp's store a short time later with several purchases, a bolt of green calico fabric for Nelly and the dozen hair ribbons she’d longed for.

"One more stop, girl." Her aunt slipped an arm in hers. "I'd like you to meet Belle, the eldest of the Gatlin sisters."

Before Lauren could object, Estelle dragged her toward the lumber mill.

Standing inside yet another store, Estelle made the introductions between Lauren, Belle and Simon.

Vivacious and pert, Belle smiled at Lauren. "We heard about your arrival¾all good things, of course."

Lauren nodded. "Nice to meet you, Belle, Simon." And then wondered what Creed had told his siblings.

Lauren studied Belle as the girl conversed with her aunt. Creed's sister resembled Finn. Shiny hair, the color of wheat, framed her small face and delicate features. Several loose strands tumbled from her forehead and drew her gaze to the sparkling blue eyes. Simon looked learned, leaving little doubt in Lauren's mind one day he’d be a prosperous business owner.