Where the Heart Leads by Jillian Hart Page A

help her up.
    Sweet emotion rushed into him—all brand new. His feelings weren’t coming back for her. This was a new love coming to life.
    “Next time, promise me you aren’t going to make such a spectacle.” She gathered the reins in her hands, unaware of the way the sunlight glinted in her dark, rich hair and kissed the side of her creamy cheek. A pretend frown curved her mouth. “You’ve done it now, Gabriel. Fred has seen us. He’s the biggest gossip I’ve ever met.”
    “Good.” Gabriel tipped his hat so he could get a better view of her sitting up with the wind in her hair.
    “Good?”
She snapped the reins, backing the old mare away from the hitching post. “How can you say such a thing? It’s not good at all.”
    “Sure it is.” He tossed her a grin. “It’s been a while since I’ve been gossiped about. I’m going to enjoy it.”
    “If I had a whip I’d hit you with it. What a thing to say.” She tugged on the reins, turning the horse around in the road, apparently eager to get away from him. “Don’t tease me like that.”
    “Who’s teasing?” He had to call out because she was driving away and he didn’t know if she’d heard him, but it didn’t matter. This wasn’t over yet. He’d caught sight of that smile she tried to hide.
    Once, their love had been meant to be.
    And it could be again.
    Whistling to himself, he went in search of his daughter. Heaven knew what she was charging to his account.

Chapter Seven

     
    It’s been a while since I’ve been gossiped about. I’m going to enjoy it.
Gabriel’s words had her fuming and she couldn’t stop. Aumaleigh jammed the trowel into the earth and dirt went flying. He wanted to be the center of attention, did he? Well, she did not.
    “Is everything all right?” Louisa asked. The sweet kitchen helper had traded her apron for gardening gloves on this fine, warm spring afternoon. “You seem troubled. Can I do anything for you?”
    “No, there’s no cure I’m afraid.” Not as along as Gabriel was alive and in this town.
    No, she thought wistfully. Even dead, he’d still be trouble if he was buried in this town.
Wait, had she really thought that?
She tilted her head, frowning and then laughing at herself. She, of course, wouldn’t wish death on anyone, just like she wouldn’t actually want to shove someone into the mud. Or chase them with a snake stick.
    But thinking about it did make her chuckle.
    “Now she’s laughing to herself,” a different voice whispered. “Should we worry?”
    “I heard that, Orla.” Aumaleigh slid a couple seeds into the earth and covered them gently. “You know I’m perfectly fine.”
    “Right. You just have a lot on your mind.” Orla lumbered up, driving a wheelbarrow full of mulch and manure. “I heard all about it.”
    “All about what?” Louisa wanted to know.
    Aumaleigh’s stomach knotted. “You weren’t in town, were you, Orla?”
    “Sure I was. I mixed up a good batch of fertilizer and took it in for my mama. Gonna help with her garden when I get off work.” Orla maneuvered the wheelbarrow over to the end of the acre-sized garden patch and swiped her brow with the back of her glove. “Do you know what I saw from the side street next to that new bakery going in?”
    “What?” Louisa wanted to know. “What did you see? Was it something good?”
    Aumaleigh cringed. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard the rumors. Fred is falling down on the job.”
    “Oh, I’m sure he’s gossiping at full speed.” Orla’s words were laced with amusement. “I never thought the day would come. Just goes to show you can never give up hope.”
    “Hope for what?” Louisa asked. “Why isn’t anyone telling me anything? I’m dying to know!”
    “It’s nothing.” Aumaleigh spread her trowel into the row, neatly turning the earth this time. “Let’s change the subject.”
    “Let’s not.” Orla picked up her shovel and stabbed it into the soft loam of tilled soil. “I saw Aumaleigh