“I’d also like to know why those men wanted to kidnap you. Were they seeking some kind of ransom?”
She seethed. Why did he ask her that? If she answered one more question, that would lead to another, and then another... No, she couldn’t tell him anything.
“Turn right at this next corner.” She pointed in the direction.
After he’d made the turn, he looked at her. “Are you going to answer me?”
Inwardly, she groaned. “I think they wanted to kidnap me because they thought to get money from my father.”
“Why didn’t you give them the bag of gold coins in your wrist purse? Were you saving those to try and pay me off one day?”
Cocking her head, she arched a brow. “Mr. Morgan, let me tell you something about myself. I’m a stubborn woman. I don’t cater to thieves.”
“But you were outnumbered, three to one.”
“Until you came along.”
“What if I hadn’t? Then what would you have done?”
She wished he’d cease with these ridiculous questions. “Fine, Mr. Morgan.” She shifted in her seat. “I’ll admit I should have given them the gold coins. Are you happy now?”
Grinning, he chuckled. “Very happy, thank you.” He glanced at her. “Now the question I have is will you be that foolish again?”
She rolled her eyes. “You are incorrigible, did you know that?”
“I’ve never been called that, but I’m flattered.”
Quickly, she turned her head before he could see the smile tugging at the corners of her mouth. Heaven help her because she wanted to hate him but she couldn’t. He had a charm that even she had a hard time resisting. And he was just too sweet.
A few minutes passed in silence. Every once in a while he glanced at her before returning his attention to the road. Finally, he cleared his throat.
“Miss Parker, I’ve noticed you have a different accent than most people. Are you from around here?”
Her heart dropped. She couldn’t tell him...but she had to. “Billy and I are from Keandra. A few years ago, my father brought us here to live.”
He nodded. “That makes sense. Thank you for answering.”
The house was coming upon them quickly. She almost couldn’t wait to get away from him. Pointing up the road, she said, “That’s where I live.”
As they neared, he whistled between his teeth. “I don’t believe I’ve seen anything so grand in my life.”
She huffed and placed a hand on her chest. “I hope that doesn’t mean you would like to come inside?”
He pulled the buggy to the back of the house near the stable, stopped and set the brake. He met her stare and grinned.
“Thank you very much for the offer, but it’s getting late and I must return home.” He bumped her with his elbow. “We have an early morning planned for tomorrow, and I don’t want to keep you up late tonight.”
She scowled, but he’d jumped down before he noticed. He walked to her side and held out his hands. “May I assist you?” She didn’t sense it was a question. Though she really wanted to refuse his help, her limbs had a mind of their own and she slipped her gloved hands into his, allowing his help. Warmth spread through her and heated her face. Quickly, she looked away before he noticed her flushed expression.
As she stepped back, he offered her his arm. Surely he wasn’t serious, was he? She arched an eyebrow and waited.
“I wouldn’t feel right,” he began, “if I didn’t take you the rest of the way to make certain you reach your home safely.”
Shaking her head, she hooked her hand around his elbow. Silently, he walked her to the front door. Her heartbeat knocked against her ribs.
When they reached the door, she let go of his arm and placed her hand on the doorknob. “Thank you again, Mr. Morgan, for coming to my rescue.”
With a tip of his hat, he bowed and said, “Any time, Miss Parker.”
He turned and hurried back to the buggy to untie his horse. Although relieved he was leaving, her breathing became ragged as she couldn’t stop from gazing at his lithe movements. Her heart took on a different rhythm, and a smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Stubborn as she was, she still couldn’t deny he was a fine man, a very sweet and caring person.
But nonetheless, he was a man who wanted to know more than she was willing to tell.
FIVE
“Pleeeeease let me go with you.” Darby hopped awkwardly back and forth on his twisted legs as he stood in front of Chris. “I want to meet Miss Parker and her spoiled brother.”
It was really too early in the morning for Chris to argue with his friend. Yet, at the same time, he didn’t think Darby should come. “We aren’t going on an outing. We’re going to Mr. Sprat’s farm to teach Billy a lesson.”
“I know, but I think the excursion would be so much fun. I’ve never been on a farm, either. I want to see how Mr. Sprat runs things.”
Darby pleaded silently as well, staring up at Chris with his big, brown eyes. Even the man’s large ears twitched. They always did this when the man became too excited.
“Oh, please, Chris. I promise not to get in the way. I’ll stand back and not say a word.”
How could he tell Darby no? Especially when his friend’s expression was so childlike? It didn’t matter that he was older than Chris, he’d always thought of Darby as his younger brother. Chris was certain Mr. Sprat wouldn’t mind one more person. The man was quite surprised that Chris had suggested bringing the boy and his sister in the first place.
Chris blew out an agitated breath. “Fine. But I want you to stay back and...try not to get into trouble. It’s enough that we’re there to teach Billy a lesson. I don’t need him thinking this outing is just a game.”
“Oh, indeed! I shall be on my best behavior.”
As Darby dashed toward his room, Chris thought he’d spotted a gleam in his brown eyes, and a mischievous grin tugging on his mouth. Chris wasn’t sure he liked that look on Darby’s face. But...he did promise to be good.
Yawning, Chris sauntered outside to prepare the wagon. Within minutes, Darby hobbled out of the house, yanking a hooded cloak around his shoulders. Chris helped his friend in the back before climbing up front and taking hold of the reins. He peeked over his shoulder to see Darby pulling the hood down on his head as he tried to hide his appearance. Perhaps it was best he do that since people were a little startled the first time they laid eyes on the crooked man.
Darby was quiet during the drive. A few times, Chris had forgotten he was in the back. By the time he pulled up in front of the Parker estate, the sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, which gave the house a glowing appearance. Shaking his head, he whistled, still amazed at the grandeur of the place. It looked like a miniature castle, and was so strikingly breathtaking.
Just like Miss Parker.
He grinned. He shouldn’t think such things. Her vicious, arrogant tongue could ruin even the prettiest expression on her face.
Several times during the night and early morning, he kept thinking about those men who tried to attack her last night. If he hadn’t shown up when he did... He shuddered to think what might have happened.
He actually had known one of those men, even though he’d told Miss Parker differently. The man was friends of his father—the father that was still alive, but Chris had led others to believe was dead. It was a good thing the ruffians didn’t give any indication of how they knew Chris, though.
“Stay right here,” he told Darby. “I’ll go get them.”
Darby nodded. “I won’t move a muscle.”
Chris jumped down and hurried to the front porch, but before he could reach the door, Miss Parker and Billy walked out, closing the door behind them. Chris should have taken her word when she tried to explain to him she and Billy didn’t know anything about working on a farm. Both were dressed in impeccably fancy clothes, but they were far from being bright eyed and bushy tailed this morning.
Miss Parker’s puffy eyes appeared as if
she had just awakened and Billy’s constant yawn nearly had Chris feeling guilty for making them wake before the sun. Thankfully, he didn’t have to physically drag them out of the house just to prove his point.
“Good morning Miss Parker, Billy.” Chris grinned.
Billy threw glares his way, but his sister wouldn’t meet Chris’s eyes, even when she mumbled a greeting. Miss Parker’s gaze moved past Chris and to the wagon. Her brow furrowed.
“Who is coming with us?” she asked.
“That is a man who is like my brother,” he explained. “He’s never been on a farm, either, so he begged me to come with us.” He stepped closer to Miss Parker and Billy. “However, let me warn you about my friend’s deformities. He might look scary, but he’s the sweetest man you’ll ever want to meet. Please treat him with respect.” He aimed that last sentence on Billy.
“But of course we shall.” Miss Parker nodded and then elbowed her brother. “Won’t we, Billy?”
“Yes,” he grumbled.
Chris walked them to the wagon and then assisted Miss Parker up to the front seat. Billy jumped up and sat next to his sister. Both of them glanced Darby’s way, but he kept his head down and didn’t look at them.
When Chris was seated beside Miss Parker, he urged the horses forward. Keeping her back straight and chin erect, she stared ahead at the road.
As the horses pulled their vehicle, Chris glanced at the woman perched next to him, still not looking his way. “I’m happy to see you’re ready for your adventure to the farm this morning. I half expected you and your brother would be kicking and screaming.”
She kept her gaze ahead, but shrugged. “Did we have a choice, Mr. Morgan?”
He chuckled. “Actually you did, but I’m glad you decided to do it my way this time.”
Since he could tell she didn’t want to talk, he wasn’t going to push the issue. Instead, he whistled a lively tune as he drove them to Mr. Sprat’s farm. Miss Parker continued to keep her silence even after they reached the farm. Chris helped her down before leading her and Billy toward Mr. Sprat.
The older man gave them a tour of his farm and explained what he did every morning. Just as Darby had promised, he stayed behind and didn’t say much. Thankfully, Billy didn’t stare, either.
They ended their tour at the chicken house. Mr. Sprat politely showed them how to collect the eggs from underneath each chicken then carefully place them in a basket.
Billy reached out to touch the fowl, but quickly pulled his hand back before making contact. He curled his upper lip in distaste. Chris switched his gaze to Miss Parker whose expression resembled her brother’s. She grumbled and shook her head.
As they stepped around the chickens, Miss Parker clutched her skirts and lifted them to the ankles of her black boots. She studied the ground carefully as she walked. Chris knew he’d be cleaning those fancy boots of hers as soon as they arrived home. He’d hate to think she would throw them out just because she didn’t have the slightest inkling how to do any cleaning.
“Billy,” Mr. Sprat said, “why don’t you take an egg from under that chicken?”
Billy grimaced and shook his head.
“Come now,” Mr. Sprat encouraged, “the chicken isn’t going to bite you.”
Chuckling, Chris took a peek at Darby who stood back by the gate. His hood wasn’t hiding most of his face this time, and his eyes lit up as he watched. Chris moved his attention back to Billy. The boy slowly walked to the chicken.
“Slip your hand easy like, underneath the bird, and grab the egg,” Mr. Sprat said.
Billy took a deep breath and slowly released it as he followed the farmer’s instruction. Chris kept his eyes on the chicken. The fowl sat still as Billy pulled out an egg.
He beamed and showed the egg to his sister. “Look!”
“Yes, very nice, Billy.” She smiled. “I knew you could do it.”
Billy moved to the next chicken, but just as he slid his hand underneath, something sparkled around the bird...like glittering stars. Before Chris had time to analyze what had created such a substance out of thin air, the chicken screeched and squawked, flapping its wings in chaos.
Billy screamed as if he was being attacked, and jumped back. This action caused the animal to become more distraught. The chicken flew through the air and pecked at Billy’s head.
Miss Parker grasped Chris arm and yanked hard. “Do something!”
Chris tore away from the woman and assisted Mr. Sprat in chasing the angry fowl. Between Billy’s screams and the shouts from Miss Parker, the whole henhouse was in an uproar.
Mr. Sprat grabbed the chicken, but then the hen slipped out of his hands and ran between his legs. Billy darted toward his sister. His feet slipped in the mire, and he knocked into her head on. Miss Parker teetered and flailed her arms, trying to grab at anything that might keep her from falling, but she found nothing to stop her.
Chris spun around and lunged toward her. He caught her mere moments before she landed in the mire. Gasping, she wrapped her arms around his neck, holding on tight. Fear plastered across her expression. He figured she was more frightened of falling and getting dirty than she was of him holding her so close.
When their gazes met, something sparked between them. The noises around them seem to disappear. Chris felt it like a lightning bolt. He really should step away—far away—but he couldn’t. His arms wouldn’t move. He didn’t want to release her. The softness in his arms was too cozy, and he wanted to experience this feeling for as long as he dared.
She cleared her throat and slipped out of his embrace. No words in the form of an apology came to his tongue. The brief experience had left him speechless.
Slowly, the noises from inside the hen house came back. Billy still screamed. Mr. Sprat still called after the chicken, and the fowl continued to squawk.
Chris focused on the commotion and what he needed to do to help. Just then, the chicken landed in front of his feet. He dove for the animal, pinning it with his body against the ground. Billy ran into his sister’s comforting arms as they both glared at the panicked chicken.
Chuckling, Mr. Sprat picked up the bird and stroked its feathers as he calmly assured the animal everything would be all right.
Chris lifted himself off the ground and brushed the dirt from his trousers. Hay and animal droppings also coated his pants. Inwardly, he groaned. So much for trying to look presentable today.
When he met Miss Parker’s eyes, he expected to see disgust dripping from her face, instead her lips twitched as if she held back a grin, but the twinkle in her blue eyes let him know she found the situation humorous. Ease spread inside him, calming his ire. He laughed, and was joined by her and Mr. Sprat.
Billy scowled. “I don’t know what you’re laughing about. That chicken could have killed me.”
Chris laughed harder as did Miss Parker. He shook his head. “Billy, the worst that chicken would have done was peck at your feet.”
Mr. Sprat walked up to Chris and patted his shoulder. “I think the lad has had enough excitement for the day.”
The boy’s eyes widened. “You mean we can go home?”
“Yes, you can.” Mr. Sprat nodded.
“Are you certain?” Chris asked the older man. “Don’t you want to show Billy how to milk a cow?”
The boy’s face paled and he folded his arms and clamped his lips in mutiny. “I won’t do it, I say. I just won’t,” he muttered while shaking his head.
Miss Parker stood next to her brother and smoothed back the hair that had fallen across his forehead with her gloved fingers. “Billy, I hope you have learned something today. If not, I will make Mr. Sprat show you how to milk a cow.”
Billy pouted. “Oh, Ella. Please don’t let them do that.”
Hearing her name made Chris’s heart skip a beat. He really wished he hadn’t experienced that kind of reaction.
She arched an eyebrow at her brother. “Did you learn something from all of this?”
Sighing heavily, B
illy rolled his eyes. “Yes. I learned not to shove my hand underneath a chicken.”
She grasped his chin and forced his face toward hers until their gazes met. “I wasn’t referring to that. Have you realized what Mr. Sprat does every morning to prepare to sell the eggs and how important they are to him?”
“Yeah, I suppose,” Billy grumbled.
Shock vibrated through Chris as he watched Miss Parker deal with her brother. Tilting his head slightly, he studied the pair. It surprised him that Miss Parker would say that to Billy when only last night she was totally against this morning’s outing. Chris wondered what had changed her mind. Was she doing this all for show?
She glanced his way then quickly looked back at her brother. A blush brightened her cheeks and moved down her neck. Chris would give anything to know her thoughts right now.
She squeezed Billy’s shoulders and faced him toward Mr. Sprat. “Billy, I want you to apologize to Mr. Sprat for what happened yesterday.
Billy kicked his shoe into the dirt. “Well, I didn’t originally set out to cause Mr. Sprat any problems.”
Clearing his throat, Chris folded his arms and aimed his gaze at the boy. “You may have not targeted Mr. Sprat, but setting that briar trap on the steps of the store meant you were up to no good.” He nodded toward the older man. “I think you owe Mr. Sprat an apology, anyhow.”
Anger sparked Billy’s glare at Chris, but he moved his attention toward the old man and frowned. “I’m sorry.”
“Apology accepted.” Sprat nodded.
Billy stepped past his sister, and with his head ducked, squeezed by Darby, and then left the henhouse. Miss Parker smiled at Mr. Sprat. “Thank you for understanding.”
“And thank you for coming with your brother.” The older man winked. “I’m certain it wasn’t an easy outing for either of you.”
Chris trailed Miss Parker as they headed toward the wagon. His steps slowed to match Darby’s . His friend’s expression had mischief written all over it.
Chris arched an eyebrow and said in a low voice, “Let me guess, you put a spell on that chicken, didn’t you?”
Keep on Believing Page 5
