She nibbled her lip.
“It won’t bother anyone for you to stay here, but if you’d be more comfortable, I can take you to town and rent a room at the hotel.”
She looked as if she were fighting to not cry. “I truly hate to ask you to do that, but I think it would be for the best. My family has created enough trouble for everyone here.”
Rebekah Evans was a kind woman who put others before herself. She was lovely, inside and out. If she weren’t already engaged, he’d seriously consider asking her to stay. But she was, and he couldn’t hurt another man like he’d been wounded, by stealing his bride. Austin nodded and held out his arm again. He’d take her to town, and then he needed to find himself another bride.
But his heart sure wasn’t in the task.
Rebekah sat on the side of her bed in the lonely hotel room, staring at the floor. Her heart ached. But was it from her sister’s abandonment or Austin’s? He’d rented her a room, escorted her upstairs, and then said good-bye. Her chin trembled. She’d never see him again—the man she was sure now that she loved.
If only he’d asked her to stay. She would have with a happy heart.
But she was doomed to a loveless marriage with a man she could barely tolerate. A man who couldn’t find it in his heart to take in her sister.
She thought of the happy faces of the Hart woman and longed for the joy they had. No, it was more than that, she wanted to be one of them. Part of the large, supportive family. She wanted to share in their excitement of the babies that were soon to come and the announcements of more on the horizon.
She wanted to wake up every morning in the arms of the man she loved and to grow old with him. She wanted to be Austin’s wife.
Tears burned her eyes, and she didn’t have the strength to fight them. She despised feeling sorry for herself, but this time she couldn’t help it. Tears dropped in her lap, darkening the blue of her skirt.
What was she going to do? Could she return home and marry a man she didn’t love? Live her whole life with Herman Riggs? The thought of it made her stomach churn. She could have settled for him before, but now that she’d met Austin and grown to care for him, she realized how dreadful her marriage to Herman would have been. No love and affection. Little happiness. It seemed wrong to marry Herman now.
She rose and walked to the window, looking out at the small town. Was there any hope she could find work here? If so, she would still be able see the Hart women at times and be friends with them. She shook her head. That would make things so awkward, especially if Austin never married and lost his land. Would he blame her?
The thought of it all made her groan. What a fool her sister was. Why couldn’t Jenny see what a good man Austin was? How could she settle for a poor cowboy instead? Her only comfort was knowing her sister wouldn’t hang for being a horse thief. But what if things didn’t work out with Cody? What would Jenny do?
Worrying about her sister did no good. There was nothing she could do about Jenny now. Her sister had made her own choices and would reap the consequences.
Rebekah needed to decide if she was going through with her marriage to Herman. Now that she was alone, it might be possible for her to stay with a friend for a short time. Perhaps Leona or Thelma Lou wouldn’t mind taking her in until she could find some kind of employment.
What she needed was some guidance and direction. She removed her Bible from her satchel and sat at the desk. She turned up the lamp and thumbed through the pages, hunting for something to encourage her and show her what to do.
After reading for thirty minutes with nothing jumping out at her, she decided to go downstairs for a bowl of soup. She doubted she could eat much, but the nourishment would help her get through the long night ahead. Tomorrow, the stage would take her out of Hartville and home to an unknown future.
Chapter Nine
Rebekah gave Annie a farewell hug then climbed into the coach. She was grateful most of the Hart women had come to town this morning to try to talk her into staying. Only Emma, the one with child, hadn’t come. Rebekah waved good-bye, knowing she’d disappointed them. But staying simply wasn’t possible. Still, she deeply appreciated that they had cared enough to try. Her friends gave a final wave then walked down the street. Rebekah had promised to write to Annie, but she didn’t see what the point was. She wouldn’t return to Hartville or El Regalo.
The coach door slammed shut and Rebekah settled back in her seat. She was thankful no other passengers were on the stage today. She wanted to be alone and ponder her future. Ponder what might have been.