She surveyed the array of dishes. “I think that’s everything. Shall we call the men to eat?”
“I will,” Lottie volunteered and headed across the yard toward the new barn.
Nora looked after Lottie and let out a gasp. “My goodness, is that Wesley up on the wall with Daniel?”
Tess shaded her eyes and smiled. “Yes.”
“Is he trying to kill himself?” Her voice shook. “Why didn’t they send someone younger up there?”
“You know Pa doesn’t think of himself as old.”
“Well, facts are facts, and your father is no spring chicken. If he makes it down without breaking his neck, I’m going to give him a piece of my mind.”
Tess caught Mary’s gaze and smiled broadly.
Nora fisted her hands on her hips. “Don’t you laugh at me, Mary Riedel. I know you would give Hank a tongue lashing if he were silly enough to be up there.”
“You’re probably right.”
Tess shook her head. “You’re both a couple of worriers. You don’t notice me having fits about Daniel, and he’s been up there most of the day.”
“And why should you?” Nora asked, her eyes narrowing on her daughter. “Didn’t you come with Nathan?”
Her smile faded. “You’re right of course. There’s no reason why I should worry.” She reached down to smooth a wrinkle in the tablecloth, avoiding her mother’s gaze. “I should check on Emily.”
Nora spoke sharply as she walked away. “I know she loves Daniel, so what is she doing with Nathan?”
“I have no idea,” Fay answered. “They’re both being foolish, and they’re miserable for it.”
Tess wished she had thought before opening her mouth. At least Lottie hadn’t heard her comment. Her sister had been gloating all morning because Daniel asked her to the dance. Despair weighed her steps. Everything was such a muddle.
She pushed open the mosquito net door leading to the back porch and smiled at Brenda Leighton. She and Rebecca were busy slicing a selection of cakes and pies.
“Come on out,” she said. “Everything is ready, and Lottie went to call the men.”
Brenda reached for a peach cobbler. “We will as soon as we finish with the desserts.”
“Is Emily still asleep?”
“We haven’t heard her stirring.” Rebecca set down the knife she was using and wiped her hands on her apron. “I’ll bring a couple of these pies out and be right back for the rest.”
“I’ll take a peek at Emily to make sure she’s not awake.” Her daughter sat on the big bed, blinking sleepily. Tess picked her up and hugged her, love for her child filling the empty place in her heart.
Brenda looked up when she entered the room. “I’m sorry, Tess. We didn’t hear a peep out of her.”
She smiled at the younger girl. “She just woke up. If she was unhappy, you would have known it.”
“I suppose so. I don’t have much experience with babies, not yet.” She patted her rounded abdomen. “But I do know they’re usually noisy when they’re awake.”
“They certainly are.” She laid Emily down on a blanket to change her diaper.
“I don’t know how I’ll manage when my baby comes.”
“You’ll do just fine, and you’ll have Hal’s mother right here to help you.” Tess swung Emily up in her arms. “Your in-laws are very nice people. Look how everyone turned out to help with the new barn.”
“We’re grateful,” Brenda said. “We know how busy folks are this time of year.”
“The men are glad to get away from their own work for a day, and the women are pleased to have a chance to socialize.”
“That’s why we decided to hold the dance.” Brenda left with a cake in each hand
Tess thought about the evening ahead. Nathan was her escort, and Lottie would be with Daniel. She forced the image of the two dancing together out of her head. She wanted Daniel to be happy, but not with her sister.
Shifting Emily onto one arm, she picked up a pie with her free hand and nudged open the screen door. She met Nathan half way across the yard.
“It looks like you could use some help.” He took the pie from her. “This smells good.”
“It’s huckleberry. Mama made it, so it will taste even better than it looks.”
Nathan stroked Emily’s soft cheek. She retreated, hiding her face against Tess’s neck.
“She just woke up, so she’s probably feeling a little shy.”
“She hasn’t warmed up to me yet.”
“She doesn’t have a lot of experience with men, just Daniel and my pa. She’ll get used to you in time.”
“I hope so.” He set the pie down with the other desserts and led Tess to a spot in the shade. “Shall I fill a plate for you?”
“Thank you, Nathan, but not too much. I’m not very hungry.”
Tess settled Emily on a blanket, gave her a rattle to play with, and leaned back to observe the gathering. She caught Rebecca’s eye and beckoned her over.
Her friend sat beside her and arranged her skirts. “Nathan seems very attentive.”
“He is.”
She studied her for a minute. “I hear Daniel asked Lottie to the dance tonight.”
“He did.”
“My, aren’t we chatty today.”
Tess grimaced. “Sorry. How are you feeling?”
“Not so good. I’m afraid to look at the food for fear of getting sick.”
“You were slicing pies and cakes earlier.”
Rebecca groaned. “Unfortunately sweets are the only thing I feel like eating. By next winter, I’m going to be as big as the barn.”
“You’ll get over it.” Tess picked at a loose thread on the blanket. “It seems like everyone is expecting.”
“Jealous?”
She sighed. “It would be nice if Emily had a little brother or sister.”
“I’m sure Nathan wouldn’t mind helping out.”
She tried to imagine Nathan standing bare-chested beside her bed, his eyes filled with desire. But it was Daniel she pictured. Her body tingled, and she drew in a shuddering breath.
A light wind stirred the leaves on the ash tree above them and set the tablecloths flapping. The breeze made the heat tolerable. Two boys and a girl raced by, chasing one of the Leighton’s dogs. Tess sat up abruptly.
“What’s wrong?” Rebecca asked.
“I wonder where Shadow is.” She scanned the yard and settled back with a sigh of relief. “He’s with Daniel.”
“Speaking of Daniel, will you tell me what your comment the other day at the restaurant was about?”
“I’d rather not.”
“Tell me anyway,” she insisted.
Tess pried a rock from Emily’s grip before she could put it in her mouth. “I care about Daniel.”
“As more than a friend?”
She looked at Rebecca. “That’s all we’ll ever be.”
“Why, Tess? You two are perfect for each other.”
“He believes any romance between us would betray Rory’s memory.”
“That’s silly.”
“I agree, but there’s no convincing Daniel.”
“So you’re giving up?”
She felt her friend’s disapproval. Maybe she was making a mistake. But it served no purpose to wait when Daniel would never change his mind. Her lips tightened. “I’m moving on. Nathan is a very nice man.”
“Did I hear my name?”
She smiled as he handed her a plate.
Rebecca rose to her feet. “I suppose I should find my husband. I’ll talk to you later, Tess.”
Nathan watched her go. “Did I interrupt something?”
“Nothing important. This looks good.”
“Daniel helped me choose. He told me you hate coleslaw.”
She shuddered. “It’s the vinegar. I can’t stand pickles, either.”
“I guess there’s a lot I don’t know about you.”
She raised an eyebrow. “Such as?”
He loo
ked at Emily waving a leafy branch in the air. “Do you want more children?”
“Rebecca and I were talking about that. Yes, I do.”
“Good.”
“What about you?”
“I want a dozen. Being an only child is lonely.”
Tess made a face. “Funny, I always thought it would be wonderful.”
He laughed. “You and your sister really don’t get along, do you?”
“We never have,” she answered ruefully.
“Why not? Lottie seems nice enough.”
“She is to men.”
“Maybe that’s why Daniel is so taken with her.”
She looked toward the food table where Daniel and Lottie stood. Each held a plate, and he laughed at something she said. She smiled and touched his arm.
Tess swallowed the lump in her throat. She scooped a piece of macaroni up off her plate and fed it to Emily. “I don’t want to talk about Lottie. Tell me how your work is going?”
He frowned. “I got word Craven was spotted in Boulder. He was in a saloon playing cards when someone recognized him. By the time the sheriff arrived, he disappeared.”
“It was Craven!”
Tess jerked, nearly spilling her plate. Daniel stood above her. His eyes burned like blue fire in his pale face. Lottie stopped two steps behind him.
Tess put her hand to her chest. “You startled me, Daniel. What’s wrong?”
“Craven was the man in the shooting contest on the Fourth. I knew I recognized those eyes. Damn it, why didn’t I realize it at the time?”
Nathan stood. “You weren’t expecting to see him. Are you certain?”
“Positive. He covered his face with a bandanna on the train, but I’ll never forget those eyes.”
“Why would he come right into town?” Tess’s stomach churned, knowing she’d seen Rory’s killer, and he’d walked away.
“I bet he heard about Nathan’s speed with a gun and wanted to see what he was up against. I’m glad you out shot the bastard,” Daniel said fiercely.
Nathan spoke slowly. “He’s fast.”
“Rory didn’t stand a chance.”
Lottie laid her hand on his arm. “There’s nothing we can do about it, so I suggest we eat.”
“You’re right, Lottie. This is actually good news. Now we know what he looks like.”
Daniel frowned. “A lot of good it will do. I don’t imagine he’ll show his face around here again.”
Tess fed more of her macaroni to Emily with a shaking hand. When her daughter shook her head and clamped her lips together, she set the half-finished plate of food aside and wrapped her arms around her knees. She ached with missing Rory.
“Not hungry?” Daniel asked quietly.
“Thinking about Craven took away my appetite.”
“I should have told Nathan later.”
She shrugged. “I wasn’t hungry, anyway.”
“I didn’t mean to spoil your day.”
“It’s not spoiled.”
“Are you sure?” His blue eyes looked straight into hers.
She lowered her gaze. Watching Daniel with Lottie bothered her more than talk of Jack Craven. The men finished eating and returned to work on the barn, leaving her alone with her sister. Lottie’s gaze followed them across the yard. Tess wanted to scream.
She jumped to her feet. “I’ll help clean up if you’ll watch Emily for me.”
Lottie studied her niece. Emily pulled up handfuls of grass and tossed them over her shoulder. “Fine, I’ll call you if she starts fussing.”
She stood there a moment longer, knowing she should mind her own business, unable to hold back the words bottled up inside her. Finally she blurted, “Don’t hurt Daniel.”
Lottie frowned. “You think I will?”
“How do you imagine he’ll feel when you drop him for someone new in a few weeks?”
“Maybe I won’t drop him.”
She stared at her sister. “What do you mean?”
“I like Daniel. He might not be as handsome as Nathan, but he’s kind and funny, and he doesn’t bore me the way Simon did. He’ll make an excellent husband.”
Tess grabbed the trunk of the ash tree, feeling light headed. “Have you two discussed marriage?”
“Not yet, but I’m sure it’s only a matter of time.” Her eyes narrowed. “So you see, Tess, there’s no reason for you to worry about Daniel. He’s in good hands.”
Her chest ached. She pressed the spot between her breasts, trying to ease the pain. “I hope everything works out. Daniel deserves to be happy.” She gathered up their dirty plates. “I’ll be back for Emily shortly.”
“Take your time. Watching her will be good practice. Who knows; maybe I’ll have a baby of my own soon.”
The pain in Tess’s chest intensified.
* * * *
The new barn smelled of fresh lumber and hay. The men finished construction just before supper, and everyone went home to eat and change for the dance. Tess wasn’t certain she wanted to return.
Bales of hay lined the walls to provide seating, and lanterns hung from the beams, illuminating the interior. In one corner, hay was spread and covered with blankets. A few babies and young children slept there, Emily among them. In the opposite corner, Doc Fredericks played the fiddle while Ned Blaylock accompanied him on the accordion.
The make shift band was taking a break. The back of Tess’s neck prickled, and she turned slowly toward the open barn door. Daniel and Lottie stood in its shadow. Her gaze met his and held for a long moment before she looked away.
“I love your dress, Tess,” Rebecca said. “Is it new?”
She shook her head. “It’s old, but I changed all the trim. The piping used to be dark.”
“Tess is clever at sewing,” Lottie said, joining the group. “I’m all thumbs. Mama washed her hands of me years ago.”
Tess forced a smile as she greeted her sister and Daniel. Judging by his closed expression, he was no happier than she was. She couldn’t imagine why Lottie sought her out at these gatherings. She certainly hadn’t in the past. Maybe her sister had guessed how she felt about Daniel and was flaunting their relationship to punish Tess. If so it was working. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.
“Tess, are you all right?” Nathan asked. “You look pale.”
She opened her eyes and smiled. “I’m fine, just a little tired. The music is starting. Shall we dance?”
“It would be my pleasure.”
Taking her hand, Nathan led her out to the center of the barn floor where other couples gathered. They danced to Little Brown Jug. Her cheeks heated, and her hair slipped out of its knot. She was relieved when the next song was slower.
“Have I told you how lovely you look tonight?” he asked. His hand tightened at her waist as they circled the barn floor.
She pushed a loose strand of hair off her face. “You may have mentioned it, but I don’t mind hearing it again.”
“Leave it. I like your hair that way.”
“Messy?”
“Natural. I imagine that’s how you must look first thing in the morning.”
She laughed softly. “It looks much worse than this.”
“I’ll have to believe you, since I have no first hand knowledge. Not yet.” His voice rumbled low in her ear.
Tess blushed. She enjoyed dancing with Nathan. She liked the secure feeling of his arms around her, but their conversation unnerved her. She couldn’t imagine waking up beside him and shied away from the thought. It was too soon after Rory’s death to think about being with another man. She refused to acknowledge her vivid dreams of Daniel.
The song ended, and Nathan led her off the dance floor. She checked on Emily before rejoining their friends. Hank suggested the men take a walk outside. For Tess, it was a welcome respite.
“What’s the attraction?” Lottie asked.
“They have a bottle stashed somewhere,” Mary said. “Hank has been like a little boy with a secret all evening.”
>
Bonnie Jaffee and Susan Avery joined them. Bonnie regarded her enviously. “You’re so lucky, Tess. Nathan is the most handsome man I’ve ever seen.”
He was handsome, and she was a fool to take his attention for granted. “I am lucky.”
“What about you, Lottie?” Susan asked. “This is twice I’ve seen you with Daniel.”
Bonnie sniffed. “You should warn him his week is nearly up. That’s how long poor Simon lasted.”
Lottie raised her chin. “It’s not my fault Simon and I didn’t have much in common.”
Bonnie glowered back but didn’t say anything more. She flounced off, pulling Susan with her.
Mary laughed and squeezed Rebecca’s arm. “Aren’t you glad you’re married?”
“Definitely. There’s my husband, now. I believe I’ll ask him to dance.”
“I’m going to sit with Nora and Fay,” Mary said. “Being around you girls wears me out.”
She left, and Lottie turned to Tess with a frown. “Why am I the one who always gets teased?”
“I’ve warned you about seeing so many different men. You have to expect a little ribbing.”
“None of them were right for me.”
“How can you be certain?”
She watched Daniel and Nathan approach. “I just know.”
Nathan reached them first, and Lottie touched his arm. They’re playing my favorite song. Dance with me. Tess won’t care.”
He looked at Tess.
“Of course I don’t mind.”
“I would be delighted.” Nathan touched the small of her back, leading her toward the dance floor.
Tess looked away, and her gaze collided with Daniel’s.
“I guess no one cares if I mind.”
“Do you?”
“No.” They stared at each other. He took her hand. “Shall we?”
She nodded and a moment later danced in his arms. When Nathan held her she enjoyed the ebb and flow of the dance. Daniel left her breathless. She was conscious of his hand at her waist, his breath stirring her hair. She inhaled his musky scent and smelled whiskey.
She poked his chest. “It appears Mary was right about the bottle.”
His lips curved. “I only had a sip.”
“I wasn’t criticizing.”
“No, you’ve never been one to nag a fellow.”
“Nagging doesn’t have much effect. If I’m displeased, I take a more direct approach.”
Bittersweet Page 14
