Page 34 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
He leaned close to murmur to her, “Did you mean what you said?”
“I’m certain I did but what exactly are you referring to?”
“You couldn’t ask for better?”
Her gaze came to his, full of stormy skies. Then she smiled and it was as if the sun had come out and driven away clouds.
He wondered what constituted clouds in her thinking.
She spoke clearly though quietly enough that the others wouldn’t hear. “I was referring to the chaperoning.”
He wanted to press her to include more in her approval. The ranch. The family. Him.
Him? Of course, he didn’t mean that. He sat back and turned his gaze to the passing scenery though he didn’t see trees or grass. For an unguarded moment, his heart had opened to her. He could not allow it.
After a few deep, steadying breaths and a good hard study of the feathery clouds etching the sky, he turned his attention forward again and saw they were almost back at the ranch.
A long Sunday afternoon lay ahead of them. They rested on the Lord’s Day. Ma had insisted on doing so and Pa had agreed. Only an emergency would be considered reason enough to break that rule. He almost wished one of the cowboys would come tearing into the yard to say they were needed immediately. Except he didn’t want to deal with the possible awful consequences.
They reached the barn and he helped Olivia down. She glanced up at him. Perhaps saw his mental state for her eyes darkened and she stepped back. “I’ll have lunch on in a few minutes.” She walked away, her head high. Honor and Luke watched her go.
“Kit, you head on home.” Honor spoke to the boy then both she and Luke fixed their attention on Riley.
“Why are ya so cruel to that girl?” Honor’s tone condemned and challenged at the same time.
“I beg your pardon. I am not cruel.” He gave Luke a look that demanded to know why he allowed his wife to question Riley in such a way.
Luke shrugged. “’Pears to me, you are.”
“What in the name of everything are you talking about?” He must have spoken louder than he meant to as Matt and Gwen looked toward them. Gwen shooed Lindy toward the house.
Oh great. Now they were coming this way. He didn’t care to be ganged up on by the twins. And their wives.
“I best be on my way.” He took a step toward home.
“I don’t think so.” Luke blocked his path.
Wally walked by on the way to his house and laughed. “Think you better hear them out.”
“There’s nothing to hear.”
Wally’s brows headed for his hairline.
What was wrong with everyone? He glanced toward the big house. Where was Andy? Why wasn’t he joining in the attack? Oh great. Here he came. At least Alfred and Mrs. Bennet had gone indoors.
Luke widened his stance. “Riley, why didn’t you make arrangements to marry that gal when you were speaking to the preacher?”
Riley crossed his arms and leaned back on his heels. “Don’t see it’s any of your business.”
Matt stood shoulder to shoulder with Luke. “She deserves the protection of your name.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.” He stubbornly refused to acknowledge that he did. “I’ll protect her if there’s any danger.” He made a show of looking around as if checking for intruders or wild animals.
“She’s been rejected and hurt once. Don’t you think she finds it painful to know you’re refusing to marry her?” Gwen’s words were spoken gently, chidingly but with the power of dynamite. “After all, she came here expecting that.”
Andy stood beside his brothers—the three of them an impenetrable wall.
Riley shifted to one side, hoping to get around them.
