Where the Heart Leads Read Free Page A

them moving her furniture, Iris came over and took Aumaleigh’s hand.
    “Oh, you’re so cold.” Caring crinkles dug into Iris’s forehead. “Come on, let me get you some tea and talk you into forgiving us.”
    “Forgive you? No need for that. I already know why you didn’t tell me.” She patted Iris’s hand and they made their way toward the house together. “What were you going to say? And when? There would never be a good time to talk about Gabriel. He’s here, he’s coming to the wedding. It’s great he’s here for Seth.”
    “Okay, that’s great. Personally, when my ex-fiancée came to town, all the old hurt rushed back.” Iris stepped to the side as a pair of cowboys hauled a dining room table up the steps and into the house. “I felt like I’d been run over by a delivery wagon. A really heavily-loaded and speeding one.”
    “I was hit by that wagon too, but fortunately the shock wasn’t lasting. I’m tough. I’m over it.” A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “What about you? Are you and Milo talking about a wedding date yet?”
    “Shh, I’m not supposed to say anything. Not until Rose and Seth are married.
Then
we’ll announce it.”
    “Oh, so there is a date.” Aumaleigh followed her niece up the porch steps.
    “Say anything to my nosy sisters in there and I will deny everything.” Iris waggled her brows as she crossed the threshold and cast a scolding look at the rest of the McPhees. “Aren’t you done with those curtains yet?”
    “We were, but I’m still fussing.” Daisy gave one of the panels a final tug. The curtains framed the view of rain, vibrant green hillside and the misted glory of the nearby mountains. “There. Now they’re perfect.”
    Boots scuffled in the door. Burton cleared his throat behind her. “Where do you want this, Aumaleigh?”
    “Let’s see. The sofa should go here.” She gestured toward the middle of the room. Great. She intended to let the task of arranging furniture distract her from her feelings.
    Gabriel was not worth her time. She shouldn’t waste another thought on him. He’d been the one to leave her standing in the night, waiting in the meadow near the road for him. She’d stayed there until the morning star rose. She’d headed home with tears on her face and grief in her soul.
    There had never been a word, a note or an attempt at an explanation. He’d simply stayed away, making his feelings clear. He hadn’t wanted her.
    Decades had passed, but it surprised her how much it still hurt. That was proof of how deeply she’d loved him once.
    Not anymore.
    “Aumaleigh?” Daisy’s gentle voice broke into her thoughts. “I hate to say it, but school will be out soon.”
    “Definitely go pick up your sweet Hailie.” Aumaleigh gently squeezed her niece’s hand. “Thank you for helping out today.”
    “Where else would I be?” Daisy brushed a kiss to Aumaleigh’s cheek. “You send word if you need anything. Maybe you should come over for supper. I don’t see how you’ll get everything unpacked in time to try and cook.”
    Aumaleigh opened her mouth to thank her, but Rose cut in.
    “Too late. We’ve already got her, Daisy.” Rose said, wrapping an arm around Aumaleigh’s shoulders. “Unless you, Beckett and Hailie want to come over to have supper with us? It’s going to be fun. Gemma and Elise are coming. I think Penelope is going to try and make it.”
    “I promised Hailie chicken and dumplings tonight.” Daisy shrugged apologetically and slipped on her coat. “Where did my husband go?”
    “You mean that handsome guy over there?” Magnolia gestured in the direction of the dining room as she fussed an end table into place.
    “Yes. My Beckett.” Daisy filled with light as she gazed upon her husband, radiant with a quiet but deep joy. “I need to say goodbye to him. Excuse me.”
    It was hard not to sigh as Daisy slipped away, crossing the room. That’s how sweet they were, newly wed and so in love with one