Will had done all he could do to quiet Laura’s protests as they rode away from the intriguing young woman he’d left standing under the dogwood tree a hundred yards back. He needed to think about what happened—or better yet, to shut out the vision of her tumbled red curls and green eyes so deep and vivid that a man could sink into their depths and never find his way back.
Once, he’d felt the same way with Lucinda. Her charm and beauty had swept him off his feet at first sight, but her beauty didn’t penetrate to her core. Still he’d pursued her, ignoring the gentle warning that must have been sent from God, only to have his heart broken a few weeks later as he was fixing to propose. A pretty face didn’t mean a thing, and Gracie Addison was more than pretty; she had a sharp tongue, to boot.
A pang of guilt smote him. In all fairness, he had yanked her from a tree and laughed at her when he’d thought her a silly girl. He guessed she’d had the right to set him straight. But it didn’t mean he would be taken in by another attractive woman—and certainly not one so reckless as to put herself in danger.
An image of his sister’s tragic death arose from long ago, and he shuddered, pushing it back into the dark cave of grief where it belonged. He’d meant it when he’d told Laura to stay out of trees, and Miss Daredevil had better not try to influence the girl.
“Laura, do you feel comfortable trotting for a bit? We’re later than I expected after running into Miss Addison, and I’m afraid the Warrens will have supper ready.”
She rolled her eyes and booted her horse into a slow trot—about the only speed the horse knew, and the reason he’d been purchased. “I’m not a baby, Uncle Will. You don’t let me do anything fun. Why can’t I wear trousers and have adventures like Miss Addison?”
“Because I said so, that’s why.” He snapped his lips shut and pressed them together. Laura would be safe and grow up to be a lady, if he had anything to say about it.
Chapter 3
Gracie stepped into the kitchen and eyed the huckleberry cobbler she’d baked yesterday. It was a little lopsided, but her father never seemed to mind. At least Jerold Carnegie had come down with a cold and had sent his regrets last night. It was enough that she’d had to put up with one insufferable man without coming home and being bored senseless by another.
Color rose to her cheeks as she suddenly realized how silly she must have looked to that handsome cowboy. A giggle started deep inside and forced its way out, and she pressed her fingers over her lips. Climbing trees was unusual for a young woman of her age, but she didn’t normally care. It relaxed her when life got difficult, as it had of late with Father pressing her to consider marriage—and to Jerold Carnegie, of all people.
She’d been thinking of driving over to see Deborah Warren to help ease her burden—especially since her life had been exceedingly busy after giving birth to twins a little over a year and a half ago. Maybe they would enjoy the cobbler.
Gracie tried to convince herself she didn’t care to bump into that bossy man again, but something inside was unsettled at the memory of his saucy grin and his arms around her. She sobered as she reconsidered the wisdom of seeing him again. But surely he’d be in Curt Warren’s workshop, so she needn’t talk to him. Besides, wasn’t it more important to help Deborah if she needed it?
A few minutes later she reined her horse and buggy to a halt in front of the cozy cottage on the outskirts of town. The front door opened and Curt stepped onto the porch, wiping his hands on a dish towel, his brows almost meeting in the middle of his forehead. His face relaxed at the sight of her, and he hurried forward. “Gracie, how good to see you. Was Deborah expecting you?”
She shook her head and plucked the pan of cobbler off the seat beside her. “I thought I’d surprise her. With all the extra work she has since the twins arrived, I hoped she might enjoy a treat, so I baked a berry cobbler and brought it with me.” She handed it to Curt then clambered down the one step and onto the ground beside him. “Maybe I can take over a few chores while I’m here if you need to return to your workshop.”
Curt gave a short nod. “Thank you, but you might not want to stay once you’re inside. I’m afraid things are a bit turbulent at the moment.”
He escorted her onto the porch and through the front door, balancing the covered pan on one hand.
Gracie followed him across the tiny entry and halted in the doorway to the kitchen, gazing at the unexpected mess that had descended on what was normally a well-ordered room. Dishes littered the cupboard beside the washbasin, and a pot of hot water bubbled on the woodstove, putting steam into the already warm air. Deborah leaned over a chair trying to spoon food into a wailing girl’s mouth while her towheaded brother banged his spoon on the floor where he sat sprawled in a puddle of spilled oatmeal.
Deborah looked up as a tear trickled down her flushed cheek. “Hello, Gracie. Please forgive the mess.”
Curt rushed forward to set the cobbler on the table. He scooped the little boy off the floor. “Deb, you should be in bed. I told you I’d care for the children.”
“They were crying, and you weren’t in the house, so I decided to feed them. I feel a bit shaky, but I’m stronger than I was yesterday. I can help.” She plucked a damp rag from the table and wiped the little girl’s face.
Gracie held out her arms toward the toddler. “I can take care of Samuel if you want to take Sarah and clean her up. It appears Deborah needs to go back to bed. I’m happy to stay and help.” She bounced the boy on her hip. “I can put this room back to rights in no time.” The child squealed in delight and reached a sticky hand up to pat Gracie’s cheek, depositing a fair amount of the oatmeal.
The thud of boots on the back porch and the squeak of a door hinge swung Gracie around. Laura, the child she’d seen riding with her uncle, stepped into the room, followed by Will Montgomery. Gracie’s heart gave a quick lurch. She met his eyes, and her heart rate settled into a rapid beat. He smiled as his gaze rested on her stained cheek, and warmth flooded her face. This man had already seen her in a poor light when they’d met—what must he think of her now?
She dipped her head. “Mr. Montgomery. I hope you’ve settled in all right?”
Deborah’s lips parted as she looked from one to the other. “You’ve met Will?”
Gracie nodded. She didn’t know whether to be pleased that he’d kept their meeting to himself, or disappointed that he hadn’t thought enough of her to share with his hosts. “I. . .bumped into him on the road.”
His brow raised, and the corner of his mouth quirked. “Yes, I’d say that was accurate.”
Laura snickered and tugged at her uncle’s sleeve. “You was holding her in your arms, Uncle Will.”
His face sobered, and he leaned over to whisper something into her ear. Her grin faded, and she nodded. “I’m sorry, Miss Addison.”
Gracie’s mortification faded at the sight of the little girl’s distress. “Please, don’t worry about it, Laura. I think I’ll clean Samuel up then help Deborah with the dishes. In fact, would you care to dry them for me?” She gave Laura a bright smile and was rewarded to see her expression clear.
Deborah swayed on her feet, and Curt caught her by the shoulders. He swung her into his arms. “That settles it. I’m putting you to bed this instant. You won’t mind watching the children until I return, Gracie?”
“Not at all. I’m happy to help.”
A knock sounded at the front door as Curt headed for the bedroom with Deborah. Gracie shifted Samuel to her other hip. “I’ll get that.”
Will stepped forward. “Allow me. You have your hands full.” He swung around and strode down the short hall to the entry.
As his footsteps faded, Gracie tuned her hearing toward the front door. Whoever had arrived hadn’t come in, but she could hear soft murmurs that sounded decidedly feminine. And where had Laura gotten to?
The little girl appeared in the doorway from the hall, her eyes wide. “My new teacher is talking to Uncle Will, and I think she likes him. She’s smiling re
al big, and she’s awful pretty with her cheeks all pink.”
Gracie wanted to sink through the floor. Carissa Sanderson was her best friend, as well as being one of the prettiest and sweetest women she knew. She wouldn’t blame Will Montgomery a bit if he was already smitten with Laura’s new teacher. Then why did her heart hurt thinking about it? She tried to shake off the sensation and forced herself to smile at Laura. “Miss Sanderson is a wonderful teacher, and I’m certain you’ll love her.”
Laura nodded and took a step closer to Gracie. She hesitated, peeked over her shoulder toward the front room, then lowered her voice: “Would you teach me to climb trees and fish in the stream? That’s the kind of teacher I want.” She wrinkled her nose. “I don’t care for school, not even if Uncle Will does like that teacher.”
Gracie didn’t know whether to gasp or laugh, but she settled for a smile. “I’ll have to see what your uncle thinks. I can’t imagine he’d mind you learning to fish, but I do remember him saying something about not wanting you to climb trees. Did you fall out of one and hurt yourself?”
Laura’s expectant look faded, and she dropped her gaze to the floor. “No. I think Uncle Will’s being mean. He doesn’t want me to have any fun at all.”
Compassion swept over Gracie, and she reached for the girl and pulled her close. “I’m sure that’s not the case, sweetie. Tell you what—I’ll do my best to teach you to fish and climb a tree—”
“Don’t make promises you can’t keep, Miss Addison.” Will stood in the doorway to the kitchen, his expression cool. “Laura, why don’t you go play outside while I have a word with Miss Addison?”
Will worked to soften his tone and leaned his shoulder against the door frame. He wanted to stride forward and make sure this stubborn woman listened this time, but he wasn’t an ogre and refused to act like one. “You were saying?”
She tilted her chin to the side and narrowed her eyes. “You are certainly quick to jump to conclusions, Mr. Montgomery. If you’d listened another few seconds you might have discovered what I planned to say to your niece, instead of assuming and scolding us both. I’m not a child. I’m as old as Carissa Sanderson and quite able to make my own decisions.”
He straightened, all pretense of ease gone. “Not where my niece is concerned. And I’m not sure what Miss Sanderson has to do with anything. She seemed like she had a sensible head on her shoulders and acted every bit the lady. I expect she’ll make a fine teacher for Laura.”
Will wanted to bite his tongue after the words left his mouth. Why had the teacher been brought into the conversation? Of course, she was a nice enough young woman, and she certainly seemed capable. Gracie Addison, on the other hand—he couldn’t even begin to say what he thought of her—a spitfire who appeared to take foolish chances with her life, but who cared enough to offer to help Deborah Warren and the children. Not to mention her fresh beauty, sparkling eyes, and the determined spirit she’d shown from the moment she dropped into his arms under that tree.
Gracie’s face paled, and she took a step back. “Miss Sanderson is an excellent teacher, and yes, she’s also a fine lady—unlike me. So don’t worry, Mr. Montgomery, I won’t taint your niece or lead her down a dangerous path. I’d already told her, before you interrupted, that she must have your permission for me to help her. Not that I understand your hesitation, but be that as it may, I’ll not interfere.”
If Will could kick himself across the kitchen and back, he’d do so. What an idiot he’d been—and now he’d hurt Miss Addison and implied he didn’t believe her to be a lady. “I apologize, miss. It appears we’ve gotten off on the wrong foot. Again. And it’s my fault.” He extended his hand. “Friends?”
Gracie hesitated. Then she stepped toward him and smiled. “Friends.” She placed her hand in his.
A shock of awareness jolted him so hard he almost dropped her hand. “Thank you.” He gently squeezed the soft fingers before he released her. “I don’t have to start work in the shop for a few days. How about I help you out here? It looks like you’ve taken on a big job, what with Deborah ill and the babies so fussy. I hope they aren’t coming down sick, as well.”
Gracie’s eyes widened. “Aren’t you worried about Laura? I think Deborah is mostly worn out and has a cold, but maybe you and Laura should stay somewhere else to be safe.”
Will shook his head. “I promised Curt I’d start work sometime late next week. We were going to start sooner, but he wants to stay close to the house. Laura has always been incredibly healthy, and I’m not worried about myself.” He grinned. “I meant what I said about helping. In fact, I’m not a bad cook. How about we get these dishes done and whip up some supper so Deborah can rest?”
Surprise registered on Gracie’s face before she swiveled toward the sink. “All right, if you insist.” She tossed a saucy grin over her shoulder. “I happen to be a terrible cook, so you’d better be able to stand behind your boast. What’s your specialty?”
He chuckled and moved up beside her, snagging a dish towel from a hook nearby. “You wash and I’ll dry?”
She giggled. “No specialty, huh? Just as I thought.”
“Not what I said. I happen to prefer surprises, that’s all. You’ll have to stick around long enough to find out.”
Her brows arched, and her lips opened when a shout from outside sounded through the open kitchen window.
“Uncle Will! Come see! I’m way up in the tree like Miss Gracie, and I can go even higher.”
Will froze, his heart in his throat and fear gripping his insides so hard he thought he’d double over and retch. He bolted from the room, his thoughts flashing to his dead, daredevil sister. “Like Miss Gracie,” Laura had said. He shouldn’t have gotten friendly with Gracie Addison. He should have known better than to let Laura be influenced by her behavior, and now it could be too late.
Chapter 4
Gracie stood rooted to the floor, not comprehend-ing what could possibly be the problem. Laura was climbing a tree, but Will had raced from the room as though some tragedy were about to occur. She knew he didn’t want his niece climbing, but children had done so and taken tumbles, but rarely come to harm, for centuries. She wiped her damp hands on a towel and headed for the door. What could make a grown man anxious about something as innocent as climbing a tree?
She stepped outside and looked into the branches of the nearby maple. Will stood at the base looking up through the leaves, and Gracie could barely see Laura about fifteen feet from the ground.
Will gestured toward his niece. “Laura, I said come down this minute. It’s not safe to be that high, and you’re going to tear your dress.”
“No fair, Uncle Will! I’m not near as high as Miss Gracie was, and she didn’t get hurt.” Her high-pitched voice drifted through the leaves. “Please let me stay. I want to do fun things like she does. Please?”
“Come down this minute, Laura.” His voice shook with intensity.
The leaves trembled as the little girl made her way down a few more feet until she was hardly out of his reach. Gracie moved closer, wondering at the tension stiffening Will’s body. “Laura, honey, I know you’re having fun, and you were very brave going so high, but it’s time to come down.” She raised her brows and smiled at Will but only got a glower in return.
“Don’t encourage her.” He hissed the words, and his eyes shot sparks. “Laura, come down to the next branch where I can lift you down the rest of the way.”
“Nuh-uh.” Laura’s face peeked through the branches, and she scowled. “Gonna do it myself.” She shimmied over to the trunk then wrapped her arms around it and stepped to the branch below. As her foot touched the branch, she released her hold with one hand and reached down to grasp the one below.
Will growled deep in his throat and walked toward a spot beneath her at the exact moment her foot slid off the branch and she pitched headlong toward the ground.
Will darted the last stride, his arms extended and his heart pounding in his chest like a blacksmith swing
ing a hammer against an anvil. He couldn’t let anything happen to Laura. He clenched his jaw and snatched the girl out of the air before she hit the ground. He set her down gently and knelt in front of her. “Are you all right?”
She pulled back, her earlier scowl reappearing and deepening. “Why didn’t you let me climb higher? You aren’t fair to make me come down when I was having fun. Miss Gracie likes to climb trees, and she understands, don’t you?” She swung her gaze to the silent young woman standing nearby.
Gracie stared at Laura then turned her attention on Will, her eyes soft and inquisitive.
A lump formed in Will’s throat, but he pushed it down. He would not be influenced by a warm gaze, no matter how beautiful the woman. “I’m sure Miss Addison does understand, as she takes foolish chances herself, but that does not mean you are allowed to do so. You go straight to your room now and stay there until supper. You disobeyed me by climbing that tree, and you need to think about your actions.”
“But Uncle Will—”
He placed his hands on her shoulders and gave a gentle shove. “Now, Laura.” Hardening his heart against the sniffles coming from his niece as she tromped away, he turned toward Gracie. “This wouldn’t have happened if she hadn’t seen you in that tree.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. “You’re blaming me for your niece’s misbehavior?” She shook her head. “You don’t make a lick of sense, and as far as I can see, you’re taking this too far. Laura was doing a very competent job until you demanded she come down and she scrambled to obey. If she’d taken her time, I’m certain she would have been fine.”
Will closed his eyes as memories again flooded his mind. When he opened them, Gracie was staring at him with something like compassion shining on her captivating face. “Would you please come back inside so I can explain?”
The 12 Brides of Summer Novella Collection #3 Page 7
