Lost and Found

Chapter Nine

The storm that blew in and continued to rage brought an end to the last remaining summer warmth, leaving a pristine blanket of snow on the ground announcing in no uncertain terms that winter had made its grand entrance at last.

After grabbing his coat, scarf, and gloves, Sawyer left with Riley, Durston, and John to check on the herd, knowing he'd lose a few cattle from the encroaching storm if it proved to be as bad as his gut told him it would be.

They reinforced several windbreaks before being able to head home through the heavily falling snow. Sawyer then made sure the ranch hands had everything they needed to wait out what appeared to be turning into a blizzard.

After deciding to stop for the day, Sawyer waded through the growing snowdrifts and made his way to the main house.

Mrs. Richardson hadn't made it out to the ranch, and Doc had yet to reappear as he'd threatened earlier. Sawyer couldn't help but hope the man wouldn't come at all. He didn't know how much longer he could hold back from planting his fist in the man's annoying face.

Frankly, he just wanted to spend some time alone with the three people that had come to mean more to him than he would have ever thought possible.

His sister, Charlie, had sent word earlier that week that she was returning after having been gone for nearly a month. Her brief telegram said she was bringing a surprise with her and would be back by the end of next week if all went well. He just hoped the weather cleared up enough that she could travel safely.

Sitting in his favorite chair by the hearth in the front parlor, he watched as Paul and Kitty sat on the floor, putting together an old puzzle he'd found in the attic. Lillian sat in the other armchair, reading a book his mother had bought him before her death many years ago and had never read himself.

A smile tugged at his lips as he watched Lillian, knowing she hadn't turned the page in the last fifteen minutes. If what she was doing was considered 'Reading,' then he was 'Basket Weaving.'

He studied her, wondering as he always seemed to wonder lately, what had happened to have brought her to him in such dire straits a month ago? It still amazed him how drastically different his life had been back then.

His world had changed so abruptly and yet with such relative ease. It felt entirely natural now to be in a room with Lillian and the children like this and made the loneliness that used to be his constant companion nothing more than a distant memory.

This afternoon, he'd come home from the harsh work and settled at the table to enjoy the dinner Lillian had prepared, as though it was the most natural thing in his world to do. She was an excellent cook, better than Jane had been. He smiled at the thought.

He was content. He just wanted to know who she was. The mystery surrounding Lillian ate at him. The more time they spent together, the more beautiful she became, but he didn't know anything about her other than her name.

After coming back from 'explorin,' Lillian had allowed Kitty to play with her hair, and it now hung in a loose, jumbled braid over her shoulder, held by a thin strip of leather halfway down its length. The clock on the mantel chimed half-past nine with a soft ding, bringing Lillian's gaze up from the book she held in her lap.

A soft blush stained her cheeks when their eyes met across the room and locked. She had read the same page four times before giving up and finally looking at him. He'd stared at her for the better part of the evening after attending to his dinner chores.

Did he have any idea of the havoc he was causing in her heart with a simple look? Studying his face, she saw an emotion written plainly in his eyes that sent a panicked thrill through her.