Recollections of how Tony looked driving the big team of mules filled her thoughts. The bulging muscles in his arms, the visible strength in his legs as they braced against the front of the platform, the breadth of his shoulders, and the sound of his laughter as he joked with Nik, Kade, and Fred completely captured her interest.
When he strolled past her with his sweat-soaked shirt clinging to his back, she turned away, pretending to be busy pouring glasses of lemonade.
From beneath lowered lashes, she watched as he walked to the pump near J.B.’s barn and waited for his turn to wash his hands and splash cool water over his face. He started to unbutton his shirt and Ilsa held her breath, waiting to catch sight of him bare-chested. Nora thwarted her improper plans when she asked her to run inside the house to get more ice for the lemonade. By the time she returned with a bowl of ice chips, Tony was nowhere in sight.
As she dreamed of him, Ilsa gave herself a mental lecture about the unsuitability of her thoughts.
Instead, she turned her focus to finding an empty store and opening her business. She decided to give Aundy and Garrett time to recover from harvest before she brought it up. Eager to begin shaping her future instead of living off the generosity of her family, she wanted to learn how to take care of herself.
She’d gone from having parents, who both loved and adored her, providing for her welfare to watching Aundy struggle to fill the roles they left vacant. Before she could figure out what to do to help, Lars ran away and Aundy arranged for her to move to Louisa’s house.
Unable to rescue herself, she had to depend on her sister to save her from a situation that should never have come about. Now, she was at Aundy’s mercy until she got her shop up and running.
Although she’d never gone hungry, never had to do without, she did feel deprived of many things. Like the chance to be independent. The opportunity to struggle and grow because of it.
Everyone ordered her around and most protected her, but it left Ilsa feeling small and incapable.
She needed to learn to be self-sufficient, and she could think of no better teacher than her stubborn, determined sister.
Finally climbing from the tub and rubbing herself dry, she slathered cream on her cheeks and hoped the time she’d spent in the sun wouldn’t leave her freckled.
Thoughts of freckles brought images of her brother, Lars, to mind. He’d had freckles on his nose and a sprinkling across his shoulders as a boy. She wondered if he’d outgrown them in the years since she’d seen him. She supposed he would have filled out his thin frame, now that he was a man.
Wishing he hadn’t disappeared without a word about where to find him, Ilsa hoped someday he’d return to them. She knew Aundy was heartbroken when he left. It seemed so cruel and selfish for him to run off on the heels of them losing both their parents and the death of Aundy’s fiancé.
Then again, he was young and restless, determined to experience the world. Unlike Lars, Ilsa was content to go to school, be with her family, and live with that which was familiar.
As she dressed and pulled her hair back with a ribbon, she mused on how quickly everything changed.
She carried her dirty clothes out to the back porch where Aundy had a washing machine. The big pile of laundry gave her a moment of pause. She assumed that would be one of the first tasks on Aundy’s list in the morning.
“Tomorrow will be laundry day?” she asked, walking back into the kitchen and accepting the glass of cold water Aundy handed her.
“How’d you guess?” Aundy sat down at the table with a tired sigh. “If I wasn’t completely worn out, I’d get started on it now, but it can wait one more day.”
“We should go sit in the front room and put our feet up until Garrett comes back.” Ilsa tugged on her sister’s hand until she got to her feet.
“But I should…”
“Rest,” Ilsa supplied before Aundy could finish whatever she was going to say. “You work far too hard and I think you deserve to laze around the house this evening.”
Aundy sank down in her rocking chair and pushed her foot against the floor to set it into motion. Leaning her head back, she held her glass against her throat and sighed. “Maybe resting for a few minutes isn’t a bad idea.”
“You should listen to me more often.” Ilsa stretched out on the sofa and turned on her side so she could see her sister. “Aundy?”
“Hmm?”
“Do you mind talking about our parents? I think I’m starting to forget them and I don’t want to,” Ilsa whispered. “I can’t remember what Dad’s voice sounded like anymore.”
“Oh, sweetheart.” Aundy opened her eyes and offered Ilsa a tired smile. “I’ve been struggling with that, too. It’s Mother’s voice I’m starting to forget. I remember her fragrance, though. She always smelled like those cookies Dad loved so much.”
Ilsa smiled at the memory she’d forgotten. “Yes. And he would always steal a few still hot from the oven and complain about them burning his fingers.”
“Remember when you decided to make them and forgot a few ingredients?” Aundy asked, recalling the funny memory.
“That was my first and last attempt at baking cookies,” Ilsa said, thinking back to the experience. “Lars tried to bite into a cookie and almost chipped a tooth. When he tossed one outside, it broke that jar on the landing.”
“I’d forgotten about that,” Aundy giggled, remembering more of their adventures as children.
The girls continued sharing memories until the clomping of Garrett’s boots at the back door announced his arrival home.
“What are you girls doing?” he asked, walking into the front room from the kitchen, surprised to find the two women relaxing, with smiles on their faces.
“Just remembering happy times,” Aundy said, giving her husband a warm look.
Ilsa felt a pang of jealousy spear through her. She was so glad Aundy had Garrett, but she wondered if she’d ever experience the kind of love the two of them shared.
Thoughts of love brought images of Tony to mind, so she sat upright and stared at her brother-in-law.
“Aundy said you were cooking dinner tonight, so we’re ready whenever you are.” Ilsa tried to keep a straight face as she watched the look of surprise roll across Garrett’s.
“Oh, well, I’m sure we could… um…”
Aundy laughed and shook her finger at Ilsa. “She’s teasing, Garrett. I thought we could eat a cold supper, if you don’t mind.”
“I don’t mind at all, honey.” Garrett gave Aundy his hand as she rose to her feet. He popped her backside as she walked past him and grinned when she looked over her shoulder at him. “I might even help, if you ask nicely.”
Ilsa set the table and Garrett assembled sandwiches while Aundy sliced vegetables onto a platter. The oil and herbs she drizzled over them would bring out delicious flavors.
Garrett offered thanks, including his gratitude for a successful harvest, before they partook of the meal.
He asked them about childhood memories and the two women shared amusing stories.
After dinner, Garrett whispered something to Aundy that made her blush then disappeared out the door.
Quickly washing the dishes, Aundy encouraged Ilsa to do something for pleasure like reading a book.
Ilsa retreated to the front room with a book she’d started the previous week and settled onto the sofa when she heard the back door shut. She rose up and looked out the window, she watched Garrett pull Aundy up to sit across his lap on his horse and kiss her full on the mouth.
Whatever they were doing was none of her business, so Ilsa returned to her book. She’d been reading a few moments when the telephone jangled from the wall in the kitchen so she hurried to answer it.
“Miss Thorsen?”
The voice resonating across the line made her smile while delighted anticipation curled through her extremities.
“Yes, Mr. Campanelli. What may I do for you?”
“I want to know if you need ice. I’ve been
a little behind with my orders this past week and if you are in need of some, I can deliver it this evening.”
“That won’t be necessary. If you can bring a delivery tomorrow, that would be more than sufficient.”
“If you’re sure,” Tony said. He sounded hopeful she would change her mind, but the last thing she needed was to have Tony there while she was alone. Without anyone to keep her from living out her fantasy of kissing his full, teasing lips, she might succumb to the urge and fully embarrass them both.
Discomfited by her thoughts, she cleared her throat. “I’m quite certain, Mr. Campanelli. We do appreciate the offer, though. Have a pleasant evening.”
Before he could insist on making the delivery, she disconnected the call. However, Ilsa wished she’d told him they were in desperate need of ice. That he should make haste in delivering it.
The wayward thoughts rattling around in her head made her roll her eyes as she returned to the sofa and attempted to resume reading her book. Finally locating the place where she left off, Nik ran inside the kitchen, calling for her.
She hurried to the kitchen and stared at Nik as he stood near the sink, cupping his hands around something furry.
“What do you have there?” Ilsa asked, wary of what he had in his hands. When a faint mewling sound reached her ears, she smiled and stepped close to his side.
“I found this kitten in the barn. Dent thinks the mama left it because he’s the runt. I thought I’d see if Aundy would let me keep it here in the house until it gets a little bigger. Li and Dent both voted against keeping it in the bunkhouse and I’m afraid something might get it in the barn.
“Aundy and Garrett are gone, goodness only knows where, but you can ask when she gets back.” Carefully, Ilsa took the tiny ball of cream-colored fur from Nik. The kitten’s eyes were too big for its thin little face and she felt sorry for the pitiful thing.
“Garrett took Aundy sparkin’ down by the creek. We all know to stay away and leave them in peace.” Nik grinned at Ilsa as if he knew some big secret.
“Is that right?” Ilsa asked, wondering what shenanigans her sister engaged in out in the broad daylight where anyone could see. With the conclusion she’d rather not know, she focused her attention on the kitten. “Have you tried to feed it?”
“No, but I hoped you could help me.” Nik backed toward the door. “If you can hold the kitten for a few minutes, I’ll get some warm milk.”
Ilsa sat down at the table, holding the tiny kitten to her chest and humming softly. She could feel it relax in her hands and smiled, enjoying the opportunity to provide care for something instead of being the one cared for.
Nik soon returned with a strange looking bottle in his hands.
“Is that a baby bottle?” Ilsa asked as Nik took the kitten from her and held a rubber nipple to its mouth.
“Yeah. We keep a few bottles on hand for lambs and piglets that are either runts or lose their mamas.” Nik tried to get the kitten to accept the nipple. The little thing seemed too weak to try to suck. Raising his gaze to Ilsa’s she saw the compassion the boy held for all living things as he looked at her in desperation. “We can’t let him die. What should we do?”
“Let me hold him and you try squirting a little of the milk in his mouth.” Ilsa took the kitten and held it so Nik could push the nipple against the tiny mouth. The nipple seemed too large and she wondered if that was part of the problem.
Nik worked the rubber so milk came out and the kitten mewled, getting a taste of the warm liquid. Frantically, it latched onto the nipple and began suckling, pulling milk from the bottle.
“Oh, look! He’s drinking it,” Ilsa said, excitement turning her blue gaze even brighter. She glanced up and tried not to panic as Nik stared at her like a lovesick pup. From the first day they met, she knew the boy was sweet on her. It had been evident to everyone.
Although she was only three years older than he was, she felt much older and had no interest in a relationship with Nik, other than friends. Honestly, he was more like the younger brother she sometimes wished she had.
“Why don’t you finish feeding him and I’ll see if I can find something to use for a bed.” Ilsa carefully handed Nik the kitten and hurried to her room. She returned with a few soft pieces of flannel from one of her trunks of fabric and placed them in a basket.
When the kitten finished eating, Nik set it in the basket then placed it on the floor near the stove. Although the stove was cold, the room was exceedingly warm from the afternoon’s lingering heat.
“Will he sleep all night?” Ilsa asked, not relishing the thought of having her sleep disturbed.
“Probably not,” Nik said, realizing someone would have to take care of the kitten. “I’ll take him back to the bunkhouse with me and keep an eye on him.
“No. If Dent and Li told you they didn’t want him there, you better leave him with me.” Ilsa sat down on the floor next to the stove and stroked the kitten with her finger. His purr filled the room and made her smile.
Nik sat beside her and watched the kitten for a few minutes before he cleared his throat and stood.
He looked like he wanted to say something, but wasn’t sure if he should.
Afraid of what he might verbalize, Ilsa smiled at him. “Thanks for rescuing the kitten. If Aundy has any questions about it, I’ll tell her to ask you.”
“Okay.” Nik once again backed toward the door and bumped into one of the kitchen chairs. Stumbling, his face turned red and he rushed out the door, almost plowing over Aundy and Garrett.
“Nik?” Aundy called as he ran toward the bunkhouse. When he just raised a hand and waved, she stepped into the kitchen and took in Ilsa on the floor petting something in a basket.
“What’ve you got there?” Garrett asked, hunkering down by Ilsa.
“A kitten. Nik found it in the barn. Dent thought the mother left it behind because he’s the runt of the litter. We got it to take a little milk,” Ilsa said, feeling proud of her efforts. “Nik said Li and Dent were against keeping it at the bunkhouse, so he brought it here.”
“I see,” Garrett said, running a big, work-roughened finger along the soft fur of the kitten’s back. “Then I guess we’ll have to take care of this little one.”
“And when you say we, you mean me and Ilsa, right?” Aundy gave her husband a sassy smile and he chuckled.
“You know it, honey.”
Ilsa took in Aundy’s damp hair that flowed down to her waist. Garrett’s shirt clung to him in wet patches, and they both avoided looking her in the eye.
“Nik also said the two of you went to the creek to do some sparking, whatever that means, and the rest of us were to stay away.”
Aundy rolled her eyes while Garrett sat at the table and pulled off his boots.
“Seems that boy is just a fountain of knowledge this evening. What else did he say?” Garrett asked, leaning back in a kitchen chair.
“Not much. He was mostly worried about getting the kitten to eat.” Ilsa rose and washed her hands at the sink then poured a glass of lemonade for each of them. She slid a plate of cookies toward Garrett and he took one.
“Why was he hightailing out of here when we came in?” Aundy asked, dishing sliced peaches into individual bowls and topping them with cream. She set one in front of Garrett. Ilsa noticed he kissed her sister’s palm and gave her a private smile before she moved away.
“I don’t know. He’s sixteen. Why do boys his age do anything they do?” Ilsa asked.
“You are aware he’s sweet on you.” Aundy gave Ilsa a bowl of peaches then sat down at the table.
“Yes, I’m aware of the problem.” Ilsa released a sigh and sat down across from Aundy.
“Has Nik said or done anything to make you uncomfortable?” Garrett asked, not wanting to have a talk with the boy, but willing to do it if necessary. He figured Nik would soon realize Ilsa was too old for him and turn his attentions elsewhere. He’d also been infatuated with Caterina when she first arrived, but he got over
it quickly once it became obvious she was in love with Kade.
“No. Nothing at all, other than looking at me all moon-eyed.”
“Well, you better get used to it, because a pretty girl like you is going to get plenty of attention, whether she likes it or not,” Garrett observed, eating his peaches. “You had half the threshing crew ready to propose before they left today. I had to assure all those forlorn fellows you weren’t interested.”
Ilsa set down the fork in her hand and stared at her brother-in-law, trying to decide if he was teasing or serious. She’d already learned in the short time she’d been in Pendleton that both Garrett and Kade were terrible teases.
Humor flickered in his gray eyes, and she knew he was teasing.
“You have my sincere apologies for leading the men astray. I’ll do my best not to flirt so much next time.” Ilsa picked up her fork and took a bite of peaches.
She discreetly watched Garrett look at Aundy and saw her sister try to hide a smile.
Garrett smirked and pointed his fork at her. “I do believe, little sister, you’re trying to give me a dose of my own medicine. Is that so?”
“That may be correct,” Ilsa said, enjoying the easy camaraderie she felt with Garrett and his friends, with the exception of Tony. That particular man left her flustered, confused, and befuddled most of the time.
“I guess I probably deserve it.”
“Yes, you do.” Ilsa grinned at her brother-in-law. Since she’d arrived at the ranch, he’d teased her about something at least once every day, sometimes more. Thankfully, he hadn’t said anything about the incident in the chicken coop, but he did embarrass her in front of all the hands one evening.
Aundy kept a bucket of scraps that she took out to the pigs each day. She asked Ilsa to dump it and on her way to the pen, she encountered Garrett.
He told her the pigs got so excited about the scraps, they could break down the fence around their pen and trample her. The only way to keep them calm, or so he said, was to sing the chorus to The Band Played On.
Ilsa (Pendleton Petticoats Book 3) Page 9
