The Widow of Rose Hill (The Women of Rose Hill Book 2), стр. 65

It was probably wrong to think such, but she was glad he hadn’t known of the proposal. “I didn’t accept him.”

“But you said you would consider it?”

She nodded. “Samuel’s inheritance lies in Rose Hill and Langford Manor. I can’t run the plantations alone. Alexander promised to make them prosperous again.”

“Is that what you want?”

His question resurrected the tangle of emotions that had swirled through her mind ever since Alexander proposed. Was marriage to Alexander what she wanted? Her heart cried no, but she had no other options if she hoped to keep the land. “I want what is best for my son.”

“Do you love Lopez?”

“No,” she whispered.

He walked around the desk, stopping when they were inches apart. “Come to Pennsylvania with me,” he said, his hand moving to caress her cheek. “We’d have a simple life, but a good one. Samuel would have cousins to play with, and perhaps … a brother or two.” The smile that played on his lips sent her heart racing.

Her mind could barely focus on what he was saying, so distracting was his nearness and touch. “But Texas is our home. Rose Hill and Langford Manor are all I have left. I can’t abandon the plantations.” Daring surged through her. His proposal meant he cared for her. “You could stay here, with us,” she said before she lost her courage. Her pulse hammered, feeling brazen for voicing the suggestion, but oh, so hopeful. “When the Army leaves, you don’t have go with them.”

It took a moment, but the passion in his eyes dimmed, and he took a step back. “Natalie, my home is in Pennsylvania. My family is there. I want my children raised with my brothers’ children, and with their grandparents. Generations of Maishes have lived in Pennsylvania. Texas has nothing to offer me.”

“Except me.” Even to her own ears, the words sounded childish.

“You know that isn’t what I meant. I am asking you to come to Pennsylvania with me, as my wife and Samuel as my son.”

He offered everything her heart desired, but to leave Texas? “How can you ask me to leave the plantations behind? Rose Hill is Samuel’s future, his birthright.”

A tense silence filled the space between them. As though a wall had suddenly gone up, blocking out the light and happiness she’d felt only a moment ago. A wall so thick and impenetrable, there was no hope of scaling it.

“Will you marry Lopez?”

The hard tone in his voice cut to her heart and tears sprang to her eyes. “I don’t know.”

They stood in agonizing silence until Moses’ voice came through the doorway. “I got the things from the attic loaded in the wagon, Miz Natalie.”

She nodded, drawing herself up. “Thank you, Moses. Please wait by the wagon. I’m coming.” When he walked out of sight, she looked at Levi, willing him to change his mind.

But his face remained stony. “I’ll need to document the items you’re removing from the house.” It was as if the past week had never happened. As though they hadn’t kissed. As though he hadn’t saved her son. He’d become once more the stranger who’d interrupted her life.

She exited the room without a word. He followed her down the hall and out the front door. Moses stood next to the wagon, talking with Corporal Banks, but when they heard her stomping across the porch and down the steps, they hushed.

“The colonel feels the need to document the items we’re taking with us.”

Moses nodded and removed the canvas he’d thrown over the bed to reveal an old rocking horse and the small trunk she’d requested.

She whirled to face Levi. “Satisfied, Colonel? Does the great Union Army truly care about a child’s toy and old baby clothes that were once worn by my long dead brother? They hold no value to anyone except me, but search them if you must. Write them on your list. Do whatever you wish.”

She found herself in tears when her speech ended. Aggravated and hurt, she turned to Moses. “Let’s go home.”

“Natalie.” Levi’s soft voice was very near. When she wouldn’t look at him, he took her by the shoulders and gently brought her around to face him. “I’m sorry for acting like a cantankerous old goat.”

She sniffled.

“May I come to Rose Hill this evening so we can talk?”

Looking into his dark eyes, seeing the sincerity there, she couldn’t refuse. When she nodded, he offered a slight smile. With the help of his strong hand, she climbed onto the wagon seat. Moses joined her and set the team into motion. She desperately wanted to turn around, to see if Levi stood watching them drive away. Instead, she closed her eyes and prayed, asking God to please change his mind.

Rose Hill and Langford Manor were Samuel’s inheritance. Their future lay in this beautiful land.

Somehow, she had to convince Levi that his future was here, too.