She opened her eyes and sat up straight at the sight of GW Hart standing in her parents’ yard.
“Mr. Hart.” She began to rise, but he lifted his hand to stop her.
“Please don’t get up on my account.” He crossed the yard and indicated the spot next to her on the bench. “May I?”
Emma nodded and then looked about to see whether Hays was anywhere near.
“Hays stayed out at El Regalo,” Mr. Hart said, sighing as he took his seat. “I told him to take a nap since he didn’t sleep last night.”
Emma didn’t know what to say, so she simply watched Mr. Hart and waited for him to tell her why he had come.
GW looked around the backyard, apparently in no hurry. “I’ve always liked this little house.”
She had to admit it was a beautiful home, perfect for her parents. The whole family had enjoyed the pleasant cottage. “It’s been very comfortable for our family.”
“Did you know my father built this house?”
Emma’s gaze drifted from the house to the man beside her. “I didn’t.”
GW nodded. “After he built his own home and sectioned off a corner of his property for this town, he built the church and this house and invited Pastor Darby to come be the minister.”
“My father is only the second pastor in Hartville?”
“He is. Pastor Darby was a young man when he came, and for the first little while my family was the only congregation.”
“I’ve heard good things about Pastor Darby. Many people miss him.”
“He was a good man—none better. He impacted this community more than anyone else.” GW shook his head. “He almost left Hartville that first year. He wanted to go back to Boston. I don’t think he liked Texas much.” He looked toward the church and Main Street. “I don’t know what this town would be like if he hadn’t stayed on.”
A smile tilted Emma’s lips, suspecting the reason for his visit. “Why did he choose to stay?”
“He fell in love.”
“I thought your family members were the only people in town.”
“They were. Pastor Darby married my sister Martha, did you know that?”
Emma shook her head.
“She was the first teacher in Hartville, and she taught in that little church, just like you.” He chuckled. “’Course her only students were her brothers the first couple of months, but the four of us rode into Hartville every morning for our lessons, and we went home every evening when they were done. At home, we could call her Martha, but in school we had to call her Miss Hart.”
Emma made David do the same thing.
“When Pastor Darby married Martha, she moved into this little house, and I used to come here and visit her. She made the best chocolate cake, and she always added extra icing just for me.”
“I can tell you loved her.” Emma paused. “But I thought Pastor Darby was a single man without children.”
GW gazed at the little cottage with a sad smile. “Martha died on their first anniversary when she was trying to birth her baby boy. Darby never married again, but he stayed on here.” GW ran his hands down his mustache. “I guess he finally saw it through Martha’s eyes. He never regretted the year he had with her, even though he spent the rest of his life alone.”
Tears sprang to Emma’s eyes. “I’m so sorry.”
GW patted Emma’s knee. “I didn’t mean to tell you this story to make you sad, my dear.”
She wiped at a tear as it slipped down her cheek. “It’s a beautiful story.”
“It taught me something important.” He studied her closely. “Loving somebody is a risk, but true love is always worth it, no matter how long it lasts.”
Emma clasped her hands on her lap, unable to meet his penetrating gaze. The sparrow continued to sing, and the breeze blew across her face as she thought about his words.
“I suspect you’re thinkin’ on leaving Hartville,” GW said, “but I’m asking you to stay and give our town a second chance. Who knows, you might fall in love with it like Darby did.”
Emma glanced at the church and the town beyond, believing for the first time that it could be possible.
GW stood with a grunt. “I should probably get home. Perla is making enchiladas for lunch. Have you ever had enchiladas?”
Emma also stood. “No, I haven’t.”
“There’s always a place at our table for you.” He winked. “I’d even have a special chair monogramed with your initials, if you’d like.” He patted her cheek. “Good-bye, Emma.”
Emma blinked several times before she realized what he meant. “G-good-bye, Mr. Hart.”
He walked across the yard, but just before he disappeared he looked back to her. “For what it’s worth, whatever mistake you think Hays made last night, he did it because he loves you, of that I’m certain. I can’t fault him for that.” He dipped his hat. “Good-bye.”