“Me too,” Laurel said.
“You're looking forward to it?” Adam asked, sounding doubtful. “I thought—”
“Yes,” Laurel interjected. She hadn't told Adam she'd decided to stay. The last time they'd talked she'd still planned on leaving for school. Not wanting to inflict any unnecessary pain on her parents, she quickly added, “I'm looking forward to moving. I like it here. It feels like home.”
Adam raised an eyebrow but said nothing more. Plucking a long stem of grass, he leaned back on one elbow and chewed the drying shoot. His gaze rested on Laurel for a few moments.
Adam's eyes were warm and approving, and Laurel wished he'd look elsewhere. She grabbed an apple out of the basket and bit into it, acting as if she hadn't noticed he'd been staring.
“So, Adam, how much longer will you be staying?” Will asked.
“Probably another month. I'm already due back at the paper, but I convinced them to give me a little more time to wrap things up.”
At the mention of Adam's leaving, Laurel's mood wilted. For reasons she still didn't understand, she wanted him to stay.
“I'm hoping to return next fall for the colony's first harvest.” He scanned the fields and mountains, then his deep blue eyes settled on Laurel again. He cocked his square jaw slightly to one side, and his mouth nearly curved into a smile. “Have to admit to having mixed feelings about leaving. I'm going to miss this place and the people.”
Laurel felt heat rush to her cheeks. She looked away, hoping Adam hadn't noticed.
Will stood, picked up Susie, then held out his hand to Jean. “How about a walk before I go back to work?” Taking his hand, Jean allowed him to pull her to her feet.
Brian skipped ahead down the drive toward the road. “Can we go see Mr. Jenkins?” he called over his shoulder.
“Not today.” Will rested an arm around Jean's waist.
Adam and Laurel watched the two stroll away. An uncomfortable silence settled between them. Adam finally asked, “What happened to your plans for school?”
“I decided to stay.” Laurel took a bite of her apple. Juice squirted, and she wiped a droplet from her lower lip.
“You could get your schooling, then come back.”
“I suppose, but I don't want to leave. This feels like home now, and I just left my home in Wisconsin. I'm not ready to go through that again—not yet anyway.” She took another bite. “I might go to school some day, maybe if a university opens in Anchorage. I'm sure it sounds foolish to someone like you, but I don't think I ever want to leave.”
Adam bent one leg, leaned on his knee, and settled a disquieting gaze on Laurel. “You want to be a farmer's wife?”
“Maybe.”
“If you stay, that's what will happen. I thought that's the last thing you wanted.”
“There's nothing wrong with being a farmer's wife,” Laurel said defensively. Taking another bite of the apple, she hurled what was left of it into the bushes.
“I didn't say there was. You're the one who said it would be boring and thankless. I think you'd make a great farm wife.” His gaze didn't falter.
Laurel watched her parents. “I don't know what I'm going to do, but I do know I'm not getting married anytime soon.”
“What about Robert? Do you think he's going to wait long?”
Laurel met Adam's eyes. “Robert? Why would you think I'd marry Robert?”
“Why not? He's crazy about you.” He gave her a slow smile. “Laurel, I can't see you settling for a mundane life. You won't be happy if there's not something new and exciting on the horizon all the time.”
Angry, Laurel stood. “How do you know what kind of life I want?” She glared at him. “Life here is exciting enough for me.”
Adam shrugged. “If you say so.”
“Well, what about you? You're going back to the same place you've always lived, and you'll be doing the same thing you've always done. That isn't exactly exciting or adventurous.”
Adam pushed himself to his feet. “I'm not staying in Chicago. I'll be heading for Europe, probably before the year is out. The paper's been real happy with my work, and I was told by someone I trust that soon I'll be sent to Europe to work as an overseas correspondent.”
Laurel felt a catch in her throat. She didn't like the idea of Adam being so far away. “Well, good then,” she said. “At least your life won't be mundane.” She tugged at the quilt. “Would you please get off the blanket? I'd like to fold it.”
Glancing at his feet, Adam quickly stepped onto the grass. With a glint of mischief in his eye, he said, “Well, time to get back to work. Thanks for the lunch.” He tipped his hat. “Nice seeing you.” He turned and headed back to the house, carrying his tall, lean frame with his usual infuriating confidence.
The chiming of bells hanging from the door accompanied Laurel into the store. She hoped Celeste would be working. Since her conversation with Adam, she'd felt miserable. He'd been right. Farming life could be ordinary and monotonous. What would happen if she married a farmer, then found out she hated being a farmer's wife?
She considered the single men she knew in camp—none seemed interesting. She liked Robert well enough, but he felt more like a brother than a husband. Adam was the only one who intrigued her, but he was interested in world travel, excitement, and the high life.
“Hi, Laurel,” Celeste called from behind the counter. “How are you?”
“Angry and mixed up.” She glanced around the store to make sure no one was around to hear their conversation.
“What's wrong?”
Laurel sighed. “I don't know. I like living here, but sometimes I wonder if I ought to be doing something else with my life. I'd planned on staying just until my family got settled. I wanted to go to school— become a teacher.” She shrugged. “Somehow it doesn't seem so important anymore.”
