course,” Liam agreed. “My mother doesn’t get to town much, and it isn’t often anyone comes to the farm to visit her.”
Adele’s forehead creased. “All right.”
“Splendid!” Pa said. “Liam, help her onto the wagon seat. I’ll ride in the back.”
“Pa …”
“Don’t argue with me – help the lady up.”
Liam shrugged and complied, then sat next to her and took the lines. “You going to be all right back there, Pa?”
“Of course, son. It’s not like I haven’t ridden in a wagon bed before.”
Liam didn’t answer, just gave the horses a slap of the lines. Was he trying to avoid sitting next to Adele? Yes, actually. With Pa’s health assured, she’d become the last impediment to his plans to leave Clear Creek. Even though he’d spent part of his time with her thinking about those plans, the more he was with her, the harder it was to concentrate on them.
Which brought him back to Doc Drake’s diagnosis of Pa. If it had been more serious, he would have told him, wouldn’t he? Or had the man worked some miracle and didn’t think what had ailed his father needed mentioning anymore? That was the thing about the good doctor: you never knew what would happen. And what would he say in regard to the farm work? If there was a way to lighten his father’s load and allow Liam to fulfill his dream of leaving, he was all for it.
Then the only problem was the one seated next to him.
He stole glances at Adele on the drive home and forced back images that kept creeping into his mind: the two of them driving to church together, shopping in Dunnigan’s, having lunch or dinner at the hotel, celebrating Thanksgiving and Christmas. He saw her sitting at the other end of the table from him, their parents on either side. He was about to carve the turkey…
“Liam, have you mended that section of fence in the south pasture yet?”
His father’s words saved him from further thoughts of Adele. As much as he hated to admit it, he enjoyed picturing her in his life, doing common everyday things.
“Liam?”
“Yes, Pa, yesterday. Sorry I forgot to mention it.”
“Just making sure. This way I know what I need to get done this afternoon.”
Liam noted Adele’s silence and wondered what she was thinking. Was she planning her trip abroad? How long would she stay in England? Great Scott, what if she never came back? But what did it matter? He might not be here when she did. Really, he should be happy she was going – her absence would make it easier for him to leave.
He steered the team to the front of the house just as Ma came onto the porch. “Adele! What are you doing here?”
Pa started climbing out of the wagon. “She came to pay you a visit. Isn’t that nice?”
Ma clasped her hands and smiled broadly. “I’ll put the coffee on. And I have a fresh batch of cookies ready to come out of the oven.” She turned and went back inside.
Liam helped Adele down and tried not to think about how nice it felt to hold her or watch her dark lashes flutter against her pale skin, her hazel eyes, her dark blonde hair, the way she was looking at him … “What?”
“I should go in,” she whispered.
All he could do was nod.
“Liam?” She swallowed hard. “You can let go now.”
His eyes went wide as he released her waist. “Sorry.”
She smiled as if to say don’t be, then turned and went into the house.
Pa chuckled behind him and slapped a hand on his shoulder. “Well, son, looks like things have changed some between you two.”
Liam shrugged off his father’s hand. “There’s nothing between us, Pa. There never could be.” He was leaving, she was leaving, and Pa knew it. Why even say such a thing?
“Liam, my boy, there comes a time when the good Lord decides to act. Don’t resist Him.”
Liam turned around. “What does that mean?”
“Just that sometimes things don’t always go exactly the way you plan. Do yourself a favor and remember that.” Pa smiled and headed for the barn.
Liam watched him go, then glanced at the house. He wanted to go inside, but he had chores to do. He could get some done, let Adele have a visit with Ma, then take her home. Besides, it would give his mother a chance to ask about England – he was sure Adele would bring it up. Who wouldn’t be excited to talk