Rebecca (Angel Creek Christmas Brides #15) - Lily Graison Page 0,26
than anything. She was a complete mystery.
He cleared his throat and said, “So,” when the silence stretched too long. “What do you think of Angel Creek? Is it much different from Charleston?”
Something flashed in her eyes so quick, he wasn’t able to catch it but she gave him a tiny smile before fidgeting with her napkin again. “They’re not much different. Well, other than the number of people that live here.”
“Did you enjoy living there?”
She kept her eyes down. “For the most part. The city was beautiful before the war and the beaches were my favorite place. I could spend all day long hanging out by the shore.”
“Sounds nice. I’ve never seen the ocean.”
“It's the only thing I’ll miss about it.” She lifted her head. “Have you lived here your whole life?”
“In Montana, yes. Ruth and I moved to Angel Creek right before Amanda was born. My parents had already settled here. It wasn’t much more than a stagecoach stop along the trail back then so I’ve been able to see it grow over the years.”
“Do you like it?”
The question gave him pause. Did he enjoy living here? “I don’t know. I suppose so.” He shrugged. “Life is simple. I get up, go to work, come home, and do it all over again the next day.”
She nodded her head. “I know what you mean. It was that way in Charleston. Just the same old thing every day. My routine never changed. That's why I stayed on that train when I got on it.”
Her eyes widened a fraction as her cheeks went pink. He wanted to ask what made her face heat like that but their food arrived and neither said anything as they started to eat. Halfway through their meal, a shadow fell over the table. He lifted his head to find Julia Bailey and Caroline Larsen smiling down at them.
Julia was the first to speak. “I hate to interrupt you, Caleb, but we haven’t met your new bride yet. Cassie over at the mercantile mentioned she’d arrived so when we saw you come in, we wanted to come over and introduce ourselves to her.”
Caleb stood and acknowledged both ladies. “It’s fine, Julia. Diana this is Julia Bailey and Caroline Larsen. Ladies, this is Diana Hale. And we’re not married yet…” He let the sentence trail off. There wasn’t much he could say beyond that, anyway.
Julia barely paid him any attention. “It's so nice to meet you, Diana.” She held out her hand, taking Dianas when she lifted it. “It’s always a pleasure to see a new face around here. If you’re up to socializing, we have a sewing circle that meets once a week. We’d love for you to join us. It would give you a chance to meet the other ladies in town.”
“Oh,” Diana hesitated before saying. “I’d like that.”
She flicked a quick glance at him before giving her attention back to Julia. He wasn’t sure what the look was about but if he had to guess, he’d say she probably couldn’t sew either.
“Wonderful,” Julia said. She turned to him then. “As for you, we’re having a small Christmas gathering next week out at the ranch. We’d love to have you come. Bring your mother as well if she’s able to make the trip. You’d don’t have to bring anything but yourselves. I know Matt would be happy to see you. He’s been wanting to talk to you about something.”
“I’ll have to see how my schedule is and if Willie can let me leave early.”
Caroline joined the conversation but there was a scowl on her face. “He works you too hard, Caleb. I can see you from my window and I think you’re there more than Willie is.”
He laughed. “It feels like it most days.”
“Well, all work and no play makes for a dull life. I try to tell Adam that too but he’s as dedicated to his work at the land office as you seem to be at the livery stable.”
They chatted with Diana for a few more minutes before saying their goodbyes. He sat back down and watched them go, Caroline’s comment about him working too hard still ringing in his head. If he were honest with himself, he knew she was right. He was overworked. Had been for several years now and he wasn’t sure how much longer he could last. Life was passing him by and he was letting it.
Diana is here now. Things will get easier.
He hoped so. Despite his best intentions, life