She thought she’d be leaving here with her sister safe in Austin’s capable hands, but instead, Austin’s hopes and dreams had been dashed, as well as her own desire to see her sister happily married. She was returning home not even knowing where Jenny was, and that left a deep void. Would she ever hear from Jenny again?
She yawned, leaning her head against the window as the driver walked past. He winked at her, then shinnied up the side of the stage, and settled on the bench seat. Her whole body felt heavy, as if right on the verge of sleep, but sleep had refused to come. She’d been restless most of last night. She’d doze for a few minutes then jerk awake, and each time she’d awakened, she had prayed. Prayed for guidance and direction. For wisdom. But when morning dawned, she still had no answers.
Now she was headed home, while her heart stayed here in Texas. More than likely, Herman would meet her at the depot. What would she say to him? How would she find the words to explain why she couldn’t marry him?
She hated hurting him, just because she’d changed. But she wouldn’t marry one man when her heart belonged to another. Maybe in time, what she felt for Austin would fade and she might be free to marry. She doubted that would happen for a long while.
“Wait!” someone yelled. A man ran down the street toward them, waving a paper in the air. “Wait!” He paused on the boardwalk, breathing hard, and stared up at Fred, the driver. “Is a Miss R. Evans in there?”
“Yep.”
“Got a letter for her.”
Rebekah’s heart jumped. Had Jenny written her again? “Here!” She leaned out the window and held out her hand.”
“Whoo-wee! I just caught you in time.” The man grinned and passed her the missive. “I heard you were leaving today, but I just stumbled across the letter a few minutes ago as I was sorting the mail.” He tipped his hat. “Have a safe journey, ma’am.”
“Thank you.” She sat back, frowning at the masculine handwriting. Was the note from Jenny’s beau? Had something happened to her sister? Her heartbeat thundered as she tore into the envelope and shook open the folded page.
Dear Miss Evans,
It has come to my attention that your sister has led a somewhat greater immoral life than I had first realized. After discussing her improprieties with my mother, some of which I have just recently been made aware of, I have decided that I cannot in good conscience sully my family name by marrying you. While I do realize you are not at fault, the close connection with your sister casts suspicions your way. Mother’s heart is simply not strong enough to endure the gossip and scandal surrounding your sister’s escapades.
Please accept this letter as a formal withdrawal of my marriage proposal.
No longer yours,
Herman Gilbert Riggs III
The stage lurched into motion, throwing Rebekah back against the seat. She gasped as she read the part about suspicions being cast on her. She’d done nothing to deserve them, other than perhaps not be stricter with Jenny, but then she wasn’t Jenny’s mother. Her sister had resented her trying to make her see reason.
She drew in a deep breath. Herman no longer wanted to marry her. The thought should upset her, but instead, it brought a freeing release she couldn’t have explained if asked to. She may not have a place to live when she got back home, but at least she wouldn’t be stuck with a man she didn’t love for the rest of her life.
Austin was a coward—no doubt about it. He’d spent the night in town so he wouldn’t have to fend off questions or sad looks from his family members. But attempting to sleep in a bed other than his own had been a waste of time. He’d tossed and turned all night and then paced since sun up, making the leg he wounded in the war throb. Several times, he’d wanted to march downstairs, rap on Rebekah’s door, and tell her that he finally realized he loved her. But he hadn’t.
Instead, he stood there, watching out the window as the stage rolled out of town with the woman he loved on it. For the first time in his life, he felt brokenhearted. All his hopes and dreams were on that stage. It suddenly dawned on him that all the land in the world meant nothing without Rebekah.
And he just let her go.
He heard a commotion in the hall, and a loud knock at his door jolted him from his morbid thoughts. He didn’t want to see anyone so he didn’t respond.
“Austin, we know you’re in there, so open the door.”
We? It sounded like Coralee. What did she want? Had something happened to Houston or maybe his pa when the men were out searching for Jenny? The knock sounded again, longer this time. With a loud sigh of resignation, he padded across the room in his socks and pulled open the door.
Annie, Coralee, Jane, and Caro stood there, each with her hands on her hips, four pairs of eyes flashing.
Annie stepped forward. “Are you just going to stand here and let her go?”
“Who?” He eyed the women, knowing exactly whom she meant. Emma was the only Hart woman not in the hall. She must have stayed home since her baby was due fairly soon.
“Rebekah, of course.” Coralee swung her head, sending her ringlets flying behind her. They bounced up and down as they returned to their normal position.
“Yes, Rebekah. You cannot let her go.” Caro stared solemnly at him.