A Western Christmas: Yuletide Lawman / Yuletide Reunion. Renee Ryan

Чтение книги онлайн.

       Chapter Six

      As he waited for Ellie’s answer, Caleb choked down an unexpected bout of nerves. Say yes, he silently willed.

      Say something, he amended two seconds later. Anything.

      Why wasn’t she speaking?

      Why was she staring up at him, standing motionless, moving only her eyelashes in a quick, fast flutter?

      Perhaps he’d been too abrupt with his words, too quick to get to the point.

      At last, Ellie’s lips parted slightly, as if she meant to say something, but then she snapped her mouth shut.

      Caleb’s agitation increased.

      He couldn’t bear her silence a moment longer. “Before you respond, let me say again—”

      “You want to marry me?”

      He nodded, not sure why she sounded so confused. The more he worked the idea around in his head, the more he wanted Ellie to mother his daughters.

      “Why?”

      “Excuse me?”

      “Why do you wish to marry me?”

      Every muscle in his body tensed. He thought he’d made himself clear. The catch in her voice said differently. “I told you.”

      She blinked again, three rapid flutters, then clasped her hands tightly together in front of her. “I... I think I need you to restate your reasons.”

      Ah, now he understood her confusion. Apparently he’d spoken too quickly. An oversight easily fixed.

      “Ellie.” He took one of her hands again, gently pressing his palms to hers. “You’re good with the girls, patient and kind. They like you. You seem to like them...and you’re frowning.”

      “Am I?”

      He gently squeezed her hand and immediately felt a sense of calm, as if all was right in the world.

      The connection didn’t seem to have the same effect on Ellie. A storm of emotion brewed in her eyes, even a hint of pain.

      Caleb hadn’t meant to upset her with his proposal, though it seemed he’d done just that. “Tell me what I said that’s made you so sad.”

      “I’m not sad, I’m merely confused.” Her frown dug deeper. “I don’t understand why you want to marry me. Is it only for your daughters’ sake?”

      He heard what she was really asking, but chose to bypass the loaded question. “The girls have experienced much uncertainty in their young lives. I’ve provided what stability I can, but they need a mother. A mother like you. You’re the steadiest woman I know.”

      “There are other women in town who are equally steady.”

      “Perhaps, but you’re also trustworthy, stable and reliable. And—”

      “Kate Riley is all those things.” Still frowning, Ellie pulled her hand free of his. “As is the local schoolteacher, Lillian O’Hare. Either woman would make a perfectly acceptable mother for your daughters.”

      True, and he’d considered them in the past, had even approached both women. Now he was grateful they’d declined his offer.

      Ellie was special. They had a history. They were friends. He cared about her, liked her. “We’d be good together.”

      Their home would be free of turmoil.

      Sighing, she reached up and fiddled with the top button of her collar. “You don’t really want to be married. You’re simply looking for a woman to mother your daughters.”

      “That’s not to say we won’t enjoy a comfortable, peaceful life together. I’ll keep you safe, Ellie. I’ll take care of you. I’ll never leave you, or allow harm to come to you.”

      “What about love?”

      Caleb’s throat seized at the question. His relationship with Lizzie had been a love match but had become tumultuous quickly, bringing only pain and disillusionment to them both.

      “Love isn’t what the songs and poems claim.” He took his time, carefully choosing his words. “Love wanes with time. But friendship, now that, Ellie, lasts forever.”

      “Do you really believe friendship is better than love?”

      He didn’t just believe it. He knew it in the deepest part of his soul. “Yes.”

      The disappointment in her eyes made his shoulders bunch again, the muscles drawing so tightly together a knot formed in the middle of his back.

      “The kind of marriage you’re suggesting isn’t for me. I want to build a home, a future and a life on the solid foundation of love. Anything less would be nothing more than existing.”

      “Companionship has its advantages.”

      “God intended marriage for more.”

      Caleb had never heard Ellie speak that passionately before. As he stared into her expressive gaze, he felt a moment of regret.

      “As much as I like and admire you, my answer is no. I won’t marry you.”

      The sense of defeat that shot through him nearly dropped him to his knees.

      “I understand.” He sensed he’d just lost something precious, something that might have been, were he a different man.

      His friendship with Ellie was strong. Even Lizzie had noticed their connection. СКАЧАТЬ