That thought hurt.
Eliza looked toward the Denver-bound carriage.
Caleb looked toward the north road.
Finally he said:
“Come with me.”
Eliza stared.
Caleb immediately continued.
“Not like that.”
“Like what?”
“You know.”
“No.”
His ears turned slightly red.
Despite everything, Eliza nearly laughed.
Caleb rubbed his beard.
“I have a house.”
“That is traditionally where people live.”
“Eliza.”
She smiled.
“Continue.”
“I have room.”
“You and Ruth can have the downstairs bedroom.”
“I'll take the loft.”
She stared.
“You're offering me lodging.”
“Yes.”
“For how long?”
“As long as you want.”
“And what do you want?”
Caleb stopped.
There it was.
The real question.
He looked at Samuel.
Then Ruth.
Then Eliza.
“I want you near me.”
Her heart pounded.
“Why?”
“Because the house feels different when you aren't in the room.”
Eliza’s breath caught.
Caleb continued.
“Because I trust you.”
“Because when something happens, you're the first person I want to tell.”
“Because Samuel knows your voice.”
He looked toward Ruth.
“And because I already care what happens to her.”
Eliza stared.
Caleb’s voice dropped.
“But I am not asking you to replace Margaret.”
She looked up sharply.
“I wouldn't.”
“I know.”
“And I am not asking to replace Ruth’s father.”
“He never wanted us.”
“Still.”
Eliza nodded.
Caleb took a breath.
“I’m asking you to come home with me.”
“As what?”
He hesitated.
“A woman I hope might eventually let me court her properly.”
Eliza laughed.
The sound surprised both.
“Court me?”
“Yes.”
“After you've watched me nurse your child, sleep three feet from you, testify in court, and threaten a doctor with a fireplace poker?”
“That last part was memorable.”
“I did not actually use it.”
“Still.”
Eliza shook her head.
“You are ridiculous.”
“Is that a no?”
She looked at him.
“No.”
Caleb’s face fell.
Eliza smiled.
“No, it is not a no.”
He stared.
“Then?”
“Yes.”
Relief crossed his face so openly that Eliza’s eyes filled.
Caleb took one step closer.
Then stopped.
“May I?”
She knew what he meant.
Her pulse accelerated.
“Yes.”
He kissed her.
Gentle.
Brief.
Careful because each carried a sleeping infant.
Eliza smiled against his mouth.
Caleb pulled back.
“That was awkward.”
“You had a baby between us.”
“So did you.”
“We'll improve.”
His eyes changed.
Eliza felt heat rise into her cheeks.
“Mr. Warren.”
“Yes?”
“That sounded dangerously confident.”
He smiled.
“For once.”