Page 57 of Mail-Order Bride Substitute
She poured him a cup of coffee. “That sounds like something your pa would have said.”
He held the cup between his palms and tipped his chair back. “Yup. He said Shannons didn’t let a minor discomfort slow them down.” He lowered his chair to all four legs with a thud. “Do you know Pa rode out to check the cows two days before he died. It’s why we didn’t know how ill he was.” His face lengthened with sorrow and regret.
Olivia had told herself she wasn’t going to cross any boundaries today—no touching and especially, no kissing. But she allowed herself to pat his shoulder. “I expect that’s exactly how he wanted it to be.”
His breath blasted out. “You’re right. He’d probably say that Shannons ride until they die.”
They looked at each other and laughed. Their gazes locked as they sobered. His eyes lowered to her lips. Heat crept up her neck and spread to her cheeks. She forced herself to turn away and hurried to the stove to tend to breakfast, her movements jerky. Her thoughts fractured and impossible to contain. She served the prepared food and sat at the table.
“I’ll ask the blessing.” He reached for her hand.
When she hesitated, he wiggled his fingers. She placed her hand in his and closed her eyes. It was only to unite them as he prayed. Nothing more. Nor could it. She must remember the discussion she’d had with herself last night.
“Amen.” He pulled his away, freeing her from his grasp and she stared at her plate.
He lifted a platter toward her, and she took an egg and a portion of the fried potatoes and concentrated on the food. They ate in silence which grew more awkward by the second.
She lowered her fork. “What are you planning for today?”
He reached for a slice of bread and spread jam on it. “I haven’t decided. We finished the new fence. The hay is in the loft. There are oats to cut but they’ll be wet after the rain. Maybe I’ll take the day off.”
A knock sounded on the door. Before either of them could call an invitation to enter, Matt and Luke burst through the door, their attention focused on Riley.
Luke squinted. “Honor said you wouldn’t be feeling well today. You look good to me.”
Matt nudged his brother. “Riley’s tryin’ to find an excuse to skip out on work and spend time with Olivia.” He shifted his attention to her. “Not that I blame him.”
“Thank you.” She felt three pairs of eyes on her and stared at her plate.
“Well, seeing as you look disgustingly healthy, don’t you think it’s time to get to work?” Luke was clearly impatient. Or was he teasing?
She stole a glance at him. He and Matt grinned at each other. Riley drank the last mouthful of his coffee before he answered. “You’ve got important things waiting?”
Matt grunted. “Weren’t you raised by the same pa as us? I recall him saying there was always work to do. No time for lollygagging.”
“Except in bad weather.” Riley’s response was lazy.
“What bad weather? It’s not raining today.” Matt sounded surprised.
“We need to check on the herd,” Luke said with infinite slowness as if he was explaining it to a child.
“Very well.” Riley rose and faced Olivia. “I won’t be back for dinner. Can you pack me a lunch?”
“Mrs. Bennet is preparing enough for all of us.”
The three of them clattered from the room. Olivia sat back. Finally, she could breathe without worrying about what Riley was thinking. Or what foolish thing she would do.
14
Riley endured his brothers’ teasing all day. It was the main reason he was eager to get home as the sun dipped toward the west. And maybe a little bit because he was anxious to see Olivia. What had she done all day? Had she missed him? How would she show it?
“He’s grinning again,” Luke shouted, and all eyes turned toward him.
Matt studied him hard then shook his head. “I sure would like to know what he’s so pleased about.”
Luke tipped his hat back and chuckled. “It’s Olivia. He can’t stop thinking about her. Say.” He squinted at Riley and then spoke to Matt. “Do you think there was kissing going on yesterday? He said they found shelter against the rain. He was wet. She was dry. I think—”
Riley didn’t give him or the others a chance to say what they thought. He kicked his horse into a gallop and raced toward home. Let them think it was because he was anxious to see Olivia when, in truth, he wanted to get away from them.
