Her Daughter Was Mocked For Having No Father, Cowboy Knelt And Said “You Have One Now”
Chapter 7
The confrontation came sooner than Grace expected.
She was walking home from the schoolhouse, Lily’s hand in hers, when Prudence Harrison stepped out of the general store, blocking their path.
“Mrs. Donovan. A word.”
Grace’s stomach tightened, but she kept her voice calm. “I’m on my way home, Mrs. Harrison. Perhaps another time.”
“This won’t take long.” Prudence’s eyes swept over Grace’s dress, her worn shoes, the ribbon in Lily’s hair. “I’ve heard some concerning things about your relationship with Mr. Hartley.”
“I don’t see how that’s any of your concern.”
“Everything that happens in this town is my concern.” Prudence stepped closer, her voice dropping. “I have a niece, Amelia, who has been waiting for Caleb Hartley to come to his senses for two years. She’s a proper young woman from a good family. She deserves a chance to be courted without interference.”
Grace felt a cold fury rising in her chest. “I haven’t interfered with anything. Mr. Hartley has been kind to my daughter and me. That’s all.”
“Kind.” Prudence’s lips curled. “Is that what you call it? The whole town is talking about how he’s been bringing you gifts, how he danced with you all night at the picnic. My niece was there, Mrs. Donovan. She saw.”
“Then perhaps your niece should speak to Mr. Hartley directly, instead of having you threaten me on a public street.”
Prudence’s face flushed. “You’re a schoolteacher, Mrs. Donovan. You’re supposed to be setting an example for our children. Instead, you’re conducting yourself like a—”
“Like a what?”
The question came from behind Grace, and she turned to find Caleb striding toward them, his face like thunder. He must have been in town for supplies; his horse was tied outside the livery stable.
“Mr. Hartley.” Prudence’s composure flickered. “I was just having a conversation with Mrs. Donovan.”
“From where I was standing, it looked like you were harassing her.” Caleb stopped beside Grace, his hand coming to rest on her lower back. “And I heard you about to say something I don’t think you want to finish.”
Prudence drew herself up to her full height. “I am the mayor’s wife. I have a duty to protect the moral character of this community.”
“And I have a duty to protect the people I care about.” Caleb’s voice was steel wrapped in velvet. “Grace Donovan and her daughter are under my protection. If you have a problem with that, you can take it up with me.”
Prudence’s eyes widened. “You would choose a penniless widow with a child over—”
“Over gossip and spite?” Caleb’s hand tightened on Grace’s back. “In a heartbeat.”
The silence that followed was heavy with defeat. Prudence turned on her heel and walked away, her spine rigid with fury.
Grace let out a breath she hadn’t realized she’d been holding. “You didn’t have to do that.”
“Yes, I did.” Caleb turned to face her, his hands cupping her shoulders. “I have been trying to be patient, Grace. To give you space. To let you come to me when you were ready. But I can’t stand by while people like Prudence Harrison make you feel like you don’t belong here.”
“I don’t know if I belong here.” Her voice was barely a whisper. “I don’t know if I belong anywhere.”
“You belong with me.”
The words hung between them, raw and honest. Lily had wandered away to pick wildflowers, leaving them alone in the middle of the dusty street.
“Grace, I’m not asking for an answer today. I’m not asking for anything you’re not ready to give. But I need you to know that I’m not going anywhere. I’ve been waiting my whole life for someone like you, and I’ll wait as long as it takes.”
She looked up at him, this man who had appeared out of nowhere and changed everything. This man who had defended her daughter, who had filled her firewood and her pantry, who had given her books and danced with her in the moonlight.
“I’m scared,” she admitted.
“Me too.” He smiled, that crinkling at the corners of his eyes that she’d come to love. “But I think that’s how you know it’s real.”