Mrs. Landry has kindly agreed I can stay until then, thanks to your arrangement. The conversation drifted to safer topics. The unusually mild weather they'd been having, the upcoming Founders Day celebration in Clear Water. Emma's apparent fascination with the colorful quilt on the bed.
Wyatt found himself relaxing in Lillian's company, drawn to her quiet intelligence and the gentle way she handled her daughter. As he prepared to leave, promising to return in a few days, Lillian stopped him with a soft question. Mr. Harmon Wyatt, may I ask why you're doing all this? For strangers, I mean, the question caught him off guard.
He considered several responses before settling on the truth. When I was 17, my family died of chalera parents, two younger sisters. Neighbors helped me through it, though there wasn't much they could do except offer a place to stay until I found my feet. He met her gaze steadily. I guess I'm just returning the favor.
Lillian's eyes softened with compassion. I'm so sorry for your loss. Wyatt nodded, uncomfortable with her sympathy. It was a long time ago I should be going now. The ranch hands will be wondering where I've disappeared to.
Of course. Thank you for visiting. Her smile was warm, transforming her face from merely pretty to truly beautiful. Emma and I look forward to your next visit. As Wyatt rode back to the ranch, he found himself smiling without quite knowing why.
The mystery surrounding Lillian Montgomery remained, but he was increasingly certain that whatever her past held, she was a woman of character and courage, and that, he reflected, was becoming dangerously appealing. Over the next two weeks, Wyatt's visits to the boarding house became a regular occurrence. He found excuses to go into town, supplies needed for the ranch, messages to deliver, errands that conveniently took him past Mrs. Landre's establishment. Each time he was welcomed with increasing warmth by both Lillian and Emma, the baby, now thriving under proper care, had developed a particular fascination with Wyatt's hat.
Her tiny hands would reach for it whenever he came near, and her face would light up with a gummy smile that never failed to warm his heart. Lillian, too, blossomed as her health returned. Her natural beauty, enhanced by restored vigor, drew admiring glances from townsmen when she ventured out for short walks with Emma. Mrs. Landry had loaned her some suitable clothing, and someone Wyatt suspected Martha Harrison had provided a few simple toys and garments for the baby.
Their conversations grew longer and more personal with each visit. Wyatt found himself sharing stories of his years on various ranches, his travels through the western territories, even memories of his family that he'd rarely spoken of to anyone. In return, Lillian told him about growing up in Philadelphia, her love of books and teaching, and her dreams of someday having her own school. What she didn't speak of was Emma's father, or the circumstances that had brought her west. Whenever the conversation veered in that direction, she would gently but firmly change the subject.
Wyatt respected her privacy, though his curiosity remained. As the end of the third week approached, the issue of Lillian's future could no longer be avoided. The money Wyatt had paid for her room and care was running out, and despite her improved health, her prospects for employment in Clearwater remained limited. Mrs. Landry mentioned that the widow Peterson is looking for help with her boarding house in Riverton.