Page 49 of Westbound Awakening

For a moment she waivered and finally her lips tugged up to a reluctant smile. "Good morning John."

"Stay. I can send someone to tell them you are here. Your clothes look to be still damp."

Smile gone, she looked toward the doorway. "It's already going to be difficult enough to forget you. I must go and hopefully arrive before my absence is noted. I have to talk to Miss Lady and find out if she wishes to go back to Virginia for..." Her eyes darted back to him and he nodded understanding what she spoke of.

"I'll come with you. I'd like to see my son. Perhaps then go on to town and see about something."

Mae hesitated and neared the bed. "I shouldn't have come last night. But I am not sorry about what happened between us." With a brow lifted she seemed to expect a challenge from him.

"Nor am I," John replied and slid to the edge of the bed. He held out his hand and when she took it, he pulled her back to the bed. "Neither am I sorry for what is about to happen now."

They arrived back to the ranch and upon entering the kitchen they were greeted by an array of different reactions. Elma avoided eye contact and busied herself pouring water into the coffeepot.

From the table Joshua glared at John and shifted his gaze to her, his mouth in a tight line.

Oblivious to the tension in the room, Wesley climbed from his chair and ran to John wrapping his short arms around the bottom of his legs. John lifted the boy and hugged him before directing him to sit again and finish his breakfast.

On his feet, Alan cleared his throat finding a sudden interest in the wooden flooring and grunted something about going back to work.

After touching the brim of his hat, Joshua left the house and headed outside.

Elma looked to them and began to pour two cups of coffee. "We wondered where'd you were, and I called Joshua to ask him to go search for you." She placed the cups on the table. "I didn't say anything to Miss Lady, did not want to worry her."

"You're right Elma. I'm sorry to have worried you," Mae looked over her shoulder to a departing Joshua. "I should have left a note."

John reached for her shoulder. "I'll go talk to him."

"Thank you," Mae replied, "But there is nothing that can be said. Soon enough we'll have to discuss my returning to Virginia."

"What are you talking about girl?" Miss Lady stood at the doorway. "Mae, what nonsense are you thinking about doing now?" John froze at Miss Lady's tone and looked to both women.

Lucinda, ever present at her mother's side, looked around the room perplexed, excused herself and went past them to follow after Alan.

Miss Lady sat down, and Elma placed a teakettle on the stove turning her back to them.

"I planned to talk to you and discuss your plans Miss Lady," Mae told her and sat next to her. "We can go back to Virginia together. You like it there don't you?"

"What do you think Captain McClain?" Miss Lady looked to John whose eyes shifted to her before replying.

"I think Mae should remain here."

Mae balked and stood. "It's my life, and I have decided it's best if I leave. I need to see about my horse. She stormed outside only to stop on the back porch not ready to face Joshua. Truth be told, the thought of returning to Virginia saddened her deeply and the fact surprised her. But she knew remaining in Texas meant a broken heart upon seeing John marry another and Wesley accepting the woman as his mother. She could not marry Joshua, would never love anyone else. Her heart could not withstand it. She'd rather be away and keep the memories of their time together.

Shaken, she walked around the side of the house. The sun was still low. Its rays filtered through the branches of the trees surrounding the house giving the land around them a peaceful glow. Mae moved toward the oasis, refusing to think of anything for the next moments but instead reveling on the beauty of the day, the birdsong from the tree's branches and the soft rustling of the grass under her feet.

Mae looked up past the branches toward the sky. "Why have you forgotten me?"

John caught up with Joshua who'd made it as far as the fence and waited for him when he called.

The man did not look at him with scorn or anger, more resigned than anything. "You planning to marry her? Because if you don't I'll be forced to hit you and I like you McClain. But Mae, she deserves to be cared for."

"I care for Mae. And I will marry her if she will have me." John was surprised at his own answer, but he meant each word. He felt lighter. He was finally going to allow her the opportunity to choose whether or not she'd accept him as her husband.

"Then I have to accept it." Joshua looked past him toward the house. "Funny, I never really felt things would progress between us. It's obvious she has deep feelings for you."

"I'm sorry." John told him meaning it.

Joshua shrugged. "Don't be. I want a wife and children one day. I hope for a woman who loves me and don't want to share my wife's heart with anyone."