Free A Love to Last Forever by Tracie Peterson Page A

unspoiled. He’s wanted to see it for nearly as long as the Lassiter brothers have lived here.”
    Beth saw this as a good opportunity to better know Nick, and posed a question. “I never have heard the story of why Nick and Simon settled in this area. Why did they leave Kansas, Millie?”
    The younger woman shrugged and gave the slightest hesitation. “I can’t really say. I know there’s something of a mystery about it, but the family keeps it quiet. There was some sort of trouble—that’s all I know.”
    “Trouble?” Beth prodded. “What kind of trouble?”
    “Like I said, I don’t really know. I came from Missouri to teach school long after they’d gone. I do know it involved Nick more than Simon, but because Simon was older, he took on the responsibility for his brother and brought him out here.”
    Beth was utterly intrigued. Nick had a mysterious past, just like Lord Wodehouse—who she’d just learned was actually a royal prince who had killed his best friend in a duel and was now on the run, hiding from his past. Could Nick’s life be similar in circumstance and situation? Oh, but the thought of it delighted Beth in a way she couldn’t explain. It thrilled her to imagine that Nick was someone or something other than he appeared to be. Perhaps he was hiding from an evil foe who planned to do him harm.
    Beth’s imagination ran rampant as she considered all sorts of problems Nick might have encountered. It made him mysterious . . . alluring.
    “Of course, Forrest said it will come in time.”
    Beth suddenly realized she’d not been paying attention and had no idea what Uncle Forrest Cromwell was advising would come in time. The clock on the mantel chimed four, and Gwen quickly put away her sewing.
    “I must get supper started. We have a stage due in at six if the roads in the mountains aren’t too bad.”
    Millie nodded. “I should get home, too. I need to get supper started for my menfolk.” She carefully folded the dish towel she’d been hemming. “It was sure nice to get to sit and talk with you gals. I hope we’ll be good friends.”
    Gwen smiled. “I think we already are.”
    Beth, too, folded her sewing and put it back in her bag. Gwen would need her help in the kitchen, as Lacy still hadn’t returned from the Shepards’ ranch. She stretched and headed for the kitchen while Gwen saw Millie to the door. Pictures of Nick battling with a sword came to mind. Beth giggled at the thought until the dashing image turned to stare at her. The dream seemed almost real enough to touch.
    “You certainly are given to daydreaming these days,” Gwen said as she bumped against Beth’s now-stopped form.
    Beth looked at her sister oddly, then nodded. “I suppose I am.”
    “Well, why don’t you dream a little while you climb down into the cellar and bring up some of that venison stew I made the other day? I’ll warm that up and make biscuits, and you can open some apple preserves and make pies. We’ll have a nice hearty meal.”
    With both of them working, tantalizing aromas soon filled the air. Beth had just finished laying a fire in the front room when a knock sounded at the door. Since most of the freighters and stage drivers tended to just walk in, Beth couldn’t help but wonder who it might be. She went to open it just as the knock began again.
    The sight of the handsome face caused Beth to stammer. “Adrian . . . I mean, Mr. Murphy.”
    He smiled at her and shook his head. “I much prefer you call me Adrian. You know that.” He took off his hat. “Could you walk with me for just a moment? I know it’s getting dark. I can’t stay so we won’t go far.”
    Beth nodded. “Let me get my shawl.” She hurried to the peg where her shawl hung. What was Adrian doing here? Hadn’t he returned to the railroad headquarters to discuss the survey plans?
    Well, obviously he hasn’t, she chided herself. He’s here, after all .
    She smiled as she made her way out onto the porch. “I can’t be