Karen Witemeyer - Head in the Clouds

Head IN THE Clouds

Books by
Karen Witemeyer

A Tailor-Made Bride
Head in the Clouds

Head in the Clouds
Copyright 2010
Karen Witemeyer

Cover design by Dan Thornberg, Design Source Creative Services

Scripture quotations are from the King James Version of the Bible.

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any meanselectronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwisewithout the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.

Published by Bethany House Publishers
11400 Hampshire Avenue South
Bloomington, Minnesota 55438

Bethany House Publishers is a division of
Baker Publishing Group, Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Printed in the United States of America

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

Witemeyer, Karen.

Head in the clouds / Karen Witemeyer.

p. cm.

ISBN 978-0-7642-0756-3 (pbk.)

1. GovernessesFiction. 2. RanchesTexasFiction. 3. TexasHistory1846 1950Fiction. I. Title.

PS3623.I864H43 2010
813.6dc22

2010016353

To my mom.
Weve shared so many dreams.
I pray you will share my joy as this one comes true.

And to my second mom, Hilda.
You shared your son with me and believed in my abilities
while I floundered in uncertainty.
Youre welcome to raid my book closet anytime!

A mans heart deviseth his way:
but the Lord directeth his steps.
P ROVERBS 16:9

C ISCO , T EXAS A PRIL 1883

Tonight is the night. She could feel it.

Adelaide Proctor stared at the man across from her, so many flutters dancing in her stomach she couldnt possibly eat a bite of the apple pie hed just ordered for her. The secret smiles hed sent her that morning over breakfast at the boardinghouse, his request to dine with her so they might discuss the future

The future! How could it be anything else? Henry Belcher was finally going to propose.

Is the pie not to your liking, my dear? He set his fork down and glanced up at her. Always solicitous, that was her Henry.

Im sure its delicious, Adelaide said, looking down at her lap and fiddling with the hem of the white tablecloth. Its just that you mentioned you wished to discuss something with me this evening, and Im afraid my curiosity has stolen my appetite.

Of course. How thoughtless of me. He pushed his plate of half-eaten pie to the side and reached across the table, holding his hand palm up. I should not have kept you in suspense all through dinner.

With a hitch in her breath, Adelaide drew one arm from her lap and eased her fingers into his. His thumb rubbed the back of her handan intimate gesture that infused her with hope. And if it didnt stir her deeper emotions well, what did that matter? Not all marriages were based on a grand passion. She and Henry shared something much more likely to last: common interests and mutual respect. If carefully cultivated, she had no doubt such attributes would bloom into love.

You have come to mean so very much to me over this last year, Henry said, his tone oozing sincerity. Every month when I start my route anew, I long for the day the train brings me to Cisco so that I might see you again. Youve been so loyal to me, ordering books for your classroom or yourself. I cant tell you how much your generosity has stirred my heart.

Adelaide met his gaze, her own heart stirring. I love to read, and I I try to instill a similar value in my students. She gently squeezed Henrys fingers and watched as his mouth curved into a warm, masculine smile. You always go out of your way to find just the right books for us. Other peddlers try to foist only their most expensive volumes. But not you. You care about your customers. I could tell that right from the start.

I care about you , my dear.

Adelaides pulse hummed through her like a whirligig picking up speed. Before the T&P brought Henry to town, she had despaired of ever finding a husband. Shed signed a two-year teaching contract that precluded her from marrying within that time frame. The few suitors who had demonstrated interest when she first arrived lost patience and married elsewhere. But all her waiting was about to pay off.

Henry reached across the table with his other arm and cocooned her hand within both of his. I care about you a great deal, Adelaide. That is why Ive been reluctant to spoil our dinner with the news I must share with you.

Spoil our dinner? Unease slithered through her. What do you mean?

I received word from the home office. Im to be promoted from salesman to regional manager.

Relief so keen it nearly hurt washed over Adelaide. Henry, she scolded, shame on you. You had me thinking the news was going to be dreadful. A promotion is cause for celebration. Im so proud of you.

Henry patted her hand in a way that felt less like reassurance and more like sympathy. You dont understand, darling. Ill be working in Fort Worth permanently. I wont be traveling the rail lines any longer. There will be no more visits to Cisco.

Adelaide didnt care if she left Cisco. Didnt he realize that? Shed gladly resign from her teaching position and move to Fort Worth if it meant having a husband and family of her own. Shed yearned for such a blessing since the day her father died.

It breaks my heart to think that Ill not see you again. Henrys expression was so somber it frightened her. Was he not going to propose? Could he be so unsure of her answer that hed not risk asking her to choose him over her students?

Yes. That must be it.

How could she embolden him without being too brazen? Adelaide nibbled on her lip and leaned forward in her chair. With all the tales youve told me about Fort Worths burgeoning societythe concerts, the fancy hotel dining rooms, the parties of the wealthy cattle baronsI would think youd be pleased to settle in such a town. She lowered her lashes. I would be happy to call such a place home.

Adelaide peeked at Henry to judge his response. His sad smile remained fixed, his eyes unchanged. After a year of acquaintance she should have been able to decipher his mood better, but in truth, if she tallied all the days shed actually spent in his company, they would barely add up to a couple of weeks. Thats what came from stepping out with a traveling book salesman. Riding the rails was his business. Shed only seen him once or twice a month. Yet, in those few days, shed come to believe that Providence had brought him to her.

Henry released a heavy sigh and then slid his hands away from hers as he sat back. I wish I could take you with me.

Why cant you? Adelaide withdrew her hand and fisted it around the dinner napkin in her lap. Hes leaving me?

Before the panic could fully claim her, Henry smileda beatific expression void of all worry and disappointment. Who knows? he said. Fate may bring us together again.

Adelaide loosened her grip on the napkin and successfully inhaled a full breath. Everything would be fine. It would. Something was holding Henry back, but he still cared for her. He wouldnt have hinted at a future together otherwise. Perhaps this was simply the Lords way of testing her commitment.

As she looked across the table at Henry, she straightened her spine and nodded. They would meet again one day. Shed see to it. It didnt matter what obstacle kept him from offering for her tonight. They would overcome it. The happy ending shed longed for was within her grasp. Shed not let a little distance or a hesitant suitor steal it from her.

O NE MONTH LATER

The grandest adventure of her life waited on the other side of these tracks. That or the most humiliating debacle shed ever created. Either way, there was no going back.