Emma nodded and turned back toward the house. “It’ll be on the table in fifteen minutes. Come on in whenever you’re ready,” she called over her shoulder.
He was ready now. At least, he would be after he cleaned up a bit. In record time, he splashed his face and arms with some water and caught up with her. There were some advantages to having long legs. “So you’re not angry with me?”
“Why would I be angry?”
“For setting all this up without your knowledge.”
“I suppose I’d be more likely to be upset with my father...but even then, this isn’t my land. I may have opinions, but it’s up to Pa to make these kinds of decisions.”
“So what is your opinion?”
“My opinion?”
“You said you had opinions, but this decision was up to your father. I’d like to hear your opinion about building a hotel and spa on your land.”
“On my father’s land.” She turned to face him. “Honestly, I don’t know. If I had been asked, I probably would have worried about Pa’s health. This is a big undertaking, and I don’t see how the stress of it can be good for him. But he seemed pretty content today, watching you all work. There was a spark in his eyes, like he had something to live for besides sitting in his chair and being waited on.”
Riley nodded. “It’s important for a man to feel useful.”
“I suppose it is. And as long as it’s what Pa wants, I’m behind it. I’m still a little baffled by the whole thing, though. I’d like to hear more about what makes the springs so special, to bring such a big tourist boom.”
“I believe your father has some papers inside. After dinner, if you’d like, we can go over them, and you can ask me whatever you wish.”
She smiled then and looked down at her hands, and a single dimple kissed her left cheek. Riley put his hands behind his back to keep from reaching for her.
Working this close to Emma Monroe wasn’t going to be easy. What if she never saw him as more than her father’s business partner?
She started toward the house again, and he loped along beside her, feeling like a puppy wanting his master’s attention. And truly, he’d do just about anything to make her understand his feelings for her.
But first, he had to prove to her he wasn’t like his father. Until then, he’d have to bide his time.
Emma commanded her heart to stop pounding so hard, so fast. But Riley Stratton was having dinner, right here in their home. She wasn’t sure she could take much more, knowing his family wanted him and Clara to end up together, knowing he and Pa were now business partners. Looked like she’d be seeing a lot of him.
Best get her emotions under control.
“Would you like some more cornbread?” she asked, trying to still her shaking hands.
“I believe I would. No one makes cornbread like you do.”
“I’m glad you like it. There’s plenty.”
He took another big hunk and passed the plate to Lyndel, who took more as well.
The way Lyndel looked at Riley and mimicked his every move, she thought her brother would volunteer to wrestle an alligator, if Riley did it first.
And then there was Pa, who talked to Riley as an equal, a partner. And he kept calling him “son.” None of this did anything to help Emma’s wayward feelings. Oh, God, how am I supposed to do this? I really need your help. It would be easier if I could be angry with Riley about something...but he’s done nothing wrong. He’s a perfect gentleman. Can’t you plant a wart on his nose or something, to make it easier for me not to love him?
Oh, God. Did I just say that?
I love him. I do. And I know I can’t have him. Help me learn to live with that.
All three men looked at her. She’d gotten so lost in her thoughts, she had no idea what they wanted. “I’m sorry, did you need something? My mind wandered for a minute.”
They all laughed, and she laughed too, though she had no idea what the joke was. Finally, Pa said, “Riley asked if you were ready to become a lady of leisure.”
“What? What do you mean?”
“If the hotel is successful, and Riley feels it will be, you’ll be set for life.”
“Set...for life?”
“Yes. You and Lyndel both. What will you do with your time?” Pa looked at her with his honey-rich eyes, love pouring out of them.
“I...guess I’ll go to teacher college.”
“I was hoping you’d say that. I know it’s been a dream of yours,” Riley said.
“Yes, it has been. I suppose I’ll get my teaching certificate and go from there.” Emma sighed. If only he knew there was a bigger dream in her heart. One that would most likely never be reality. She wanted, more than anything, to be Mrs. Riley Stratton.
Chapter 18
The next morning, Riley tried to leave early again. He dressed in the dark and crept down the stairs. He wanted to examine a couple more places on the Monroe property for possible future building sites before the crew showed up. But when he got to the door, Dad’s voice startled him.
“Out early again, I see. Where you headed?”
“I...like to take Medina out for early morning rides. I enjoy the peace and quiet of this time of day.” That was true.
“I don’t blame you. You’ve been pretty scarce lately, though. You caught up on all the paperwork? Placed orders for feed? Checked the supplies?”
“Yes, sir.” That was true, too.
“You bored, son? If you don’t have enough to do around here, I can find more responsibility for you.”
“No, sir. Not bored at all.”
“I’m gonna ask you again, son. Where you spendin’ all your time?”
Riley sent up a silent prayer for wisdom. He wasn’t ready to tell his father about his plans to leave the ranch. Certainly wasn’t ready to tell him he’d joined forces with Charlie Monroe. “Just...this and that.”
Dad stared at him. He knows something’s up. Should I come clean? Get it over with?
Dad cleared his throat, saving Riley from saying more. “Since you’re not too busy, I want you to be around for Allison’s tea party this afternoon.”
“A tea party? Why?”
“You don’t have to stay for the whole thing. But I’d like you to stick your head in and greet the ladies. It looks good to have a strong male presence in the house.”
“I mean no disrespect, but I think my presence at a tea party might look anything but strong.”
Dad snorted. “I can see why you might feel that way. But trust me. You give those ladies so much as a nod and a ‘how do you do,’ and you’ll have them eating out of your hand. Can I count on you?”
Oh, good gravy. Really, Dad? Riley wanted to argue, but he’d better save his arguments for bigger battles to come. “All right. If it’ll make you happy.”
“It will. It would also make me happy if you’d escort Miss Bridges home after the tea.”
Riley let out a breath. “Why?”
“She lives quite a ways from here. It’s the gentlemanly thing to do.”
Riley stiffened. “She doesn’t live any farther than the other ladies who will attend.”
“Be that as it may, I’d like you to escort Miss Bridges home.” The steel in Dad’s eyes let Riley know it wasn’t a suggestion.
Still. “But I—”
“I don’t want any arguments. Clara’s a fine young lady. And you need to settle down. The sooner, the better.”
Settle down? With Clara Bridges? This was going too far. Had Dad really stooped so low as to try and arrange a marriage, just so he could bend the mayor’s ear? Riley felt like a sacrificial lamb. Cold nausea oozed through his veins, and he felt sweat bead on his forehead. God, you sacrificed your son. But not for selfish reasons.
Sick as he felt, right now was no time to stand his ground. Not when he’d soon have higher ground to stand on. “All right.” The words tasted like bile.
Dad nodded. “That’s my boy.”
Emma stood in front of her mirror, tur
ning this way and that, trying to fuse the reflected image with the person she usually saw. Why, she looked every bit as...uptown?...as Clara. As Allison.
Never in her life had she worn such a lovely dress. Oh, she’d made gowns this pretty for other people. And her own dresses were always well made and serviceable. But this fabric...
It was the green silk plaid Mrs. Wesson had chosen for her. But oh, the hours it must have taken with all the detail work. Tiny folded pleats lined up perfectly, creating a fitted bodice that gently hugged her without being too tight. The full skirt was inset with panels of solid green, and each inset was topped with a puffed silken bow, and trimmed on either side with a delicate cream lace.
The same lace trimmed the neck and sleeves, and a green bow topped each shoulder. As if that weren’t enough, there was a wide-brimmed hat, trimmed in a band of the same green plaid, along with a few simple white flowers.
Emma had always known Mrs. Wesson was a creative genius, but this! Emma could never have thought up such details. She knew Mrs. Wesson only used a general pattern, and added her own special touches to each dress she made. It was as if the woman had summoned all her artistic ability and poured it into the dress Emma now wore.
It was far too pretty to work in.
But Allison had told her to wear it. After all, Emma was now an assistant, not merely a maid. So far, her job hadn’t changed at all, but today...oh, dear. Would Allison expect her to cook and serve and do dishes...in this dress?
The thought of it put such a frown on Emma’s face, she finally decided to take the dress off. She’d carry it with her, and put it on before the party.
Yes. That’s what she’d do. That way, if Allison truly wanted her to wear it, she could at least put it on at the last minute. She really did need to sit down with Allison and get a new job description.
She laid out the dress, then remembered the other garment Mrs. Wesson had sent along. Made of the same fabric—for Skye. The thought of Skye wearing this dress brought more joy to Emma’s heart than her own gown did. She couldn’t wait to fix her up like a doll. Wouldn’t Skye be the belle of the ball today.
Emma had dawdled long enough. She changed into a simple day dress and replaced the new gown and hat in the box, and folded the tissue paper around it.
“What’s all that?” Pa asked of the box when she set it on the table.
“It’s...a dress. It’s silly, really. I’ll explain later.”
“Hopefully you won’t have to work for those people much longer. Do you have a minute?”
She really didn’t have a minute. She was already late. But Pa so rarely asked anything of her besides the necessities, she hated to tell him no. “I always have time for you, Pa.” She freshened his coffee and took the chair next to him at the table.
He blew on the hot liquid before taking a sip, then set the cup down. “Your ma once told me you were sweet on Riley Stratton. Years ago, when you were still in pigtails.”
Emma grinned. She sure wished she could keep her face under control better. “That was a long time ago.”
“She also told me that she discouraged you.”
“Yes. At the time, I thought it was because the Strattons were so wealthy, and that we were in another class.”
Pa gave a disgusted “Hmphhh.” Took another sip of coffee. “If anything, she felt you were of a higher class. Not that she looked down on the Strattons, mind you. But she saw things that went on in that family...and she wanted to protect you.”
“Now that I’ve been around them some, I can see why she felt that way.”
“A few years before Mrs. Stratton died, she came to a new understanding of what it meant to be a Christian. She and your mother had been friends since they were girls, but while your ma had a close relationship with God, Mrs. Stratton only had a superficial knowledge of Him. By that time, Donnigan was already grown, and Colt was nearly out of school. They were both pretty set in their ways. But Riley...Riley and his mother were very close. And I think her influence on him, at the end of her life, might have had an impact on Riley’s character.”
Emma shifted in her chair. What was Pa getting at?
“From what I can see, Riley isn’t like his father or brothers. I think he’s a good egg.”
“I...agree. I think Riley Stratton is a good man. But why are you telling me all this?”
“I think if you’re still just a little bit sweet on Riley, it would be fine to act on those feelings.”
Emma didn’t know whether to laugh or cry. So she laughed. “Thank you for that, Pa. But Riley Stratton sees me as a friend. He’s already set his eyes on Clara.”
“Clara Bridges? Pshaw. She’s a sweet girl, but a bit addlebrained and superficial for Riley. I can’t see him falling for her.”
“Pa! That’s a terrible thing to say. Clara is my friend, and she’s not addlebrained or superficial. She may be a bit...flighty at times, but she has a kind heart, and she’s beautiful, and any man would be fortunate to have her as a wife.”
“You’re right. I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said those things about your friend. But you also have a kind heart. And you’re also beautiful. And you’re not flighty, by anyone’s standards. Don’t sell yourself short.”
“You’re sweet, Pa. Thank you for saying those things. I’m sure, when the time is right, I’ll meet someone almost as wonderful and handsome as you, and I’ll be very happy. I just don’t think that someone is going to be Riley.” Even as she said the words, she knew Riley had her heart in a way no one else could ever claim. She wouldn’t be the first old maid, nor the last. For she was certain, if she couldn’t marry Riley, she wouldn’t marry.
Pa leaned back in his chair. “Fair enough. Just don’t rule him out yet.”
Emma kissed her father on the cheek. “Goodbye, Pa. I’ll see you this evening.” But his words stayed with her on her way to the Stratton home. What if Riley wasn’t interested in Clara? What if he only spent time at her home because of this project? What if it was the mayor he spent his time with, not Clara?
For the first time in a long while, Emma felt hope.
It was midmorning, and Riley wasn’t near ready to leave the work site. But he had to, if he was going to buy more time. Best appease his father and go to that senseless tea party.
Clara Bridges? She was nice enough, but good gravy. He was stuck between a rock and a hornet’s nest. He’d have to pretend to court her, to please his father. For a little while, anyway. But he had no desire to lead Clara on, when his heart belonged to Emma.
That voice in his head, which was becoming more familiar every day, told him he needed to come clean with his father. Let the pieces land where they would. The longer he waited to confront Dad with the truth of his plans to leave the ranch, the bigger the explosion, when it came. God, help us all.
Dad and Colt would be out until late this evening, checking on a few business deals. Riley’d make an appearance at the tea party, or Allison would be a living nightmare. He’d play the game. But first thing tomorrow morning, he would sit his father down and have a long talk with him.
Best make sure Medina’s shoes were in good shape for running...fast. Riley tried to make light of the situation, but there was no humor to be found. He loved his father, and he was about to break their relationship beyond repair. The only thing he could do was take the next step, and then the next. Right now, the next step was a stupid tea party.
Thankfully, he was able to sneak in the front door and upstairs without anyone noticing. He heard Allison and Emma in the parlor, talking about where to place the silverware tray or some other such nonsense. In record time, he stripped off his sweaty clothes, cleaned up, shaved and combed his hair, and dressed in clean, professional attire by the time he heard guests arrive.
No need to go downstairs yet. Give the hens time to cluck and chatter. He propped himself on his bed and took his Bible, the one his mother had given him, and continued reading in James chapter five, where he’d left off. The effectual ferv
ent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.
He’d certainly been doing a lot more praying lately. But he wasn’t sure he could be classified as a righteous man. Hopefully, someday he might be. What was that verse he read a couple of days ago? He flipped the pages back until he found his mother’s familiar script next to a verse in chapter one.
“If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”
Well, he’d certainly asked God for wisdom. And truly, he felt his present course of action was the right one. It sure would be easier if God would just put some big signs at every path, pointing the way.
After a time, he set aside the Bible and headed downstairs. Surely they’d had enough time to do whatever it was women did at these things. He’d best make his appearance before they all started home.
He stopped in the doorway and knocked on the doorjamb. “Hello, ladies. Sorry to disturb. I just thought I’d stop in and tell you all how glad we are to have you in our home today.”
Much as he expected, the ladies cooed and crowed over him, offering him tea and cake, and asking him to join them. Several of the married ladies moved aside to make room for him near Clara. What was this, a conspiracy?
He’d just settled himself on one end of the sofa, with a cup of tea that was far too small for his hands, when Emma entered, carrying a tray, followed by Skye, who carried a small basket of mints. Only, this wasn’t the Emma he was accustomed to seeing.
She wore a green plaid dress and matching hat that made her eyes stand out even more. Her golden waves were pinned up like one of those poster girls in the drug store. Her smile wavered only a moment when she saw Riley, then she greeted him and asked if she could get him anything.
He spilled his tea in his lap, causing the hens to cluck even more. Emma handed him extra napkins. Their fingers brushed, and a jolt flew up his arm. Did she feel it too?
He couldn’t take his eyes off her. She was far and above the most beautiful woman he’d seen in his life.
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