Free Where the Heart Leads by Jillian Hart Page B

ranch.” She closed the door behind her and pulled a list out of her reticule. “You know it’s never ending. Keeping enough on hand to feed the horde of cowboys isn’t easy.”
    “I’m here to help.” Gemma closed the account book she was working on and came around the end of the counter. “Give me what you need and I’ll get right on it. I can have it delivered before suppertime.”
    “Perfect.” She handed over the long list. “What do you think about your new neighbors?”
    “Oh, I’m fuming mad. I can see their sign from here.” Gemma glanced at the list before setting it on the counter. “She’s already been in here to try and get her products back in here. Father wasn’t in, so I asked her to leave. I don’t like the way she does business.”
    “From what I’ve heard, neither do I. I’ve got to get back to the ranch and see if I can’t get some garden work done. Have a good afternoon, Gemma and thanks.” She took a step backwards and bumped into someone.
    “Oops! Sorry.” Leigh Daniels, Gabriel’s daughter, grabbed the skein of glossy white crochet thread she’d dropped. “I did kind of sneak up on you. Can we talk?”
    “I—” Aumaleigh searched desperately through her head, trying to find the exact right excuse—any excuse—to escape. Her brain failed her. Not a single excuse came.
    “Great! Gemma, could you please put this on my pa’s account? Thanks.” Leigh breathlessly bobbed toward the door and yanked it open. “I had wanted to ask you a few things at the wedding, but you didn’t get out of the kitchen very much.”
    “There was a lot to do behind the scenes, to keep everything running smoothly.”
    “Sure. That’s why I’m so glad we have this time now.” Leigh leaned against the railing. “I didn’t know I was named after someone until I met you. You must have been pretty important to my pa.”
    “At one time.” Her throat felt tight. “Maybe not important enough.”
    “You were in love with him, weren’t you? I can tell by your face.” Leigh played with her bonnet ribbons. “I think he loved you with all his heart.”
    “I hope so, since he once proposed to me.” Her voice sounded squeaky, not at all like her own. She stared off down the street where a sturdy, mannish woman came out onto the boardwalk to angrily shout at the workman who was straightening up the Dobson’s Bakery sign.
    “I can’t believe that. It’s hard to imagine Pa had a life before he met my ma.” Leigh shook her head, scattering her dark curls. “I’ve been trying to figure out why Pa would want me named after you. I mean, it’s not like it’s a common name and if he loved you enough to want to marry you—” The girl stopped, falling silent. “Was it painful, what happened between you? I won’t go on if it is.”
    “It was a long time ago. Water under the bridge.” Aumaleigh wished she didn’t like Gabriel’s daughter so much. “I’m sorry you lost your mother.”
    “Thanks. It was hard. It’s been five years and I still miss her every single day.” Leigh pulled at a thread in her bonnet ribbon, fraying it. For an instant she looked heartbroken, but shrugged it off. “Pa took such good care of Ma, especially after she got sick. Losing her was hard for him too. I think it’s nice that he’s found you again.”
    Aumaleigh felt her jaw drop even farther. The back of her neck itched, and she shivered as footsteps came to a stop behind her. She didn’t need to turn around to know it was him. Her entire being sensed him, soul deep.
    “Leigh, that’s enough.” Humor layered his voice. “What are you doing now?”
    “Nothing. Just talking with Miss Aumaleigh. You know me. I’m curious.”
    “Yes, well, go be curious somewhere else.” Gabriel planted his hand on his hips. “Go on.”
    “Oh, Pa.” Leigh rolled her eyes. “Fine. I’ll go look at yarn in the dry goods store, and I’m going to buy a lot of it. The expensive stuff too. Serves you right for