Heart of Eden (Colorado Hearts #1)(3)

“This feels like a pointed arrow through my heart,” Mavis whispered. “Somehow, some way, I always believed we’d get a chance to be reunited.” She looked at the floor. “I was wrong.”

“Oh pooh,” Belle said. Mavis was too much of a romantic for her. “Why would you want to? He didn’t want us. Why should we despair now?”

Mavis’s lips wobbled. “He was our father. Regardless of how he treated Mother or us, we should show a little respect.”

“He never gave this family a moment’s thought. We were nothing to him, Mavis. And actually, saying that aloud does break my heart.” A strange image of a man stirred inside her. His scent, the rumble of his voice—she felt a faint longing for his gentle touch, a kiss good night . . . She blinked and looked away from Mavis’s censorious scrutiny.

“When did you receive word?”

“Last week.”

Mavis’s eyes widened again. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner?”

If Belle didn’t explain quickly, they’d have an argument on their hands. “I know you don’t like being kept in the dark, Mavis, but I was sheltering you. Darvid passed barely a month ago.”

“And the others? Do they know?”

Belle nodded. “You’ve gone through so much. I wanted to spare you for a little while—we wanted to spare you. Emma, Lavinia, and Katie agreed.” Well, sort of. Two out of three. “You’d do exactly the same for one of us. Aren’t you glad you’ve had this week to yourself, without it being more complicated?”

“Father shouldn’t be thought of as a complication.”

Time to change the subject. “Everyone is packed and ready to travel, as am I. Strangely enough, we’ve been summoned for the reading of Father’s will. Mr. Glass, an attorney in Eden, sent enough fare to cover our travel.”

Mavis pushed to her feet, her lips pulled into a frown. Belle knew all too well that her oldest sister didn’t like being left out of the decision making. She considered herself substitute mother and protector of them all. But her irritation lasted only a moment. She walked slowly to a window overlooking the gray day outside.

“What happened? Do you know? How did he die?”

“His horse fell, and he broke his leg. Infection set in.”

“How horrible.”

“I agree. And that’s all I know—except that the will can’t be read unless all five of us are present.”

Mavis turned, a wistful expression on her face. “I remember sitting in tall, green grass with you, Emma, and baby Lavinia. Katie wasn’t yet born. Someone was singing. A man’s voice. Father must have changed greatly.” She slowly shook her head. “I don’t think I have the energy to travel west. From what Uncle Vernon has told us, the little Father had has been lost over the years. A broken-down house on a small patch of land with a handful of cattle.”

“Then I guess we’ll have to go without you.” Belle gazed innocently at her hands, folded in her lap. “Though the telegram did say we all had to be present . . .”

Mavis returned to the sofa. “You can’t go without me.” Alarm tinged her voice. “Who’ll make sure Katie doesn’t become turned around in some station and get left behind? And Emma needs her cup of warm milk before bed. You know she can’t sleep in a strange place without one. Don’t get me started on Lavinia. She’s liable to be run over by a team of horses if a pretty bonnet catches her eye. I swear, I don’t think I want any children of my own after raising the four of you.”

Irritation rippled inside Belle. Mavis doesn’t have to act like she’s the only one with a brain in her head.

“What about me? You’re not the only one capable of looking after Katie and the others.”

A silly smile pulled at Mavis’s lips. “You’re right. I meant no offense. I worry, is all. You know you can be impulsive, Belle. When you get angry, you pay little attention to what’s happening around you. A train ride has dangers. Bad weather, outlaws, Indians. Snakes!”

Belle shuddered. “That’s plenty of peril to worry over.” She hesitated. She’s not going to like this. “The train doesn’t go all the way to Eden. We’ll have to take a stagecoach from Pueblo for the last three hundred miles.”

Mavis’s hand flew to her chest. “What about Katie’s claustrophobia? No, absolutely not. We’ll wire and tell Mr. Glass a trip like this is impossible. He can come to us.”

Belle’s patience vanished. “For heaven’s sake. She can sit by the window or up top with the driver.”

“You’re heartless, Belle.”

“Pack your things. We have tickets for tomorrow and will arrive in Eden in about a week and a half. We’ll stay long enough to hear what the lawyer has to say, pay our respects to Father’s grave, and get back on the train. Think about it, Mavis. Why does the reading have to be so formal?” She lifted a brow and let that thought simmer. “What if Father did have at least a little something set aside to leave to us? Any amount will help with Darvid’s medical bills, and more. We must go.”

Mavis’s mouth was still set in a stubborn line. “I can’t. I’ll lose my job. Being a widow, I depend on that income.”

“Your manager has already offered you time off, which you didn’t take. And he thought very highly of Darvid. He’ll understand, I’m sure. Especially when you tell him why you need the time away.” Belle stood. “Discoveries await.”