Tilly grinned as though she’d just come up with the best idea since spurs.
“It’s a perfect plan. I’ll call for Dora; she’s about your size and she has loads of dresses you can use. Pretty ones. We’ll at least get you looking like a proper lady in no time.”
Ray looked down at her plain leather skirt, her faded and worn shirt, and scuffed boots.
“Well, I guess I could use a few new dresses—but I don’t want to be beholden to Dora. I’ll pay her whatever the dresses are worth.”
Tilly’s grin grew ever wider.
“Oh, this is going to be such great fun. Billy isn’t going to know what hit him!”
Chapter Five
Billy tossed the last hay bale from the wagon and climbed down, eager to finish up his chores and find Ray. He had a lot to tell her, lots of details about his forced courtship with Miss DuCastille.
But he hadn’t seen hide nor hair of Ray the last two days and, to say that was unusual, was an understatement. Usually, she was underfoot all times of the day. In between completing her chores with the sheep and him working hard to make sure the breeding program ran smoothly, Ray would pop in unannounced and stick around for however long she had free. Sometimes, she’d help him with his work or would chatter his ear off. At other times, she’d try to talk him into leaving the chores alone and going down to the creek or into town, or out to the field behind the homestead to just be together.
Basically, if she wasn’t working or sleeping, she was with him.
But today…
Today, she was absent. Again. And he felt it. Deep down.
He didn’t have time to dwell on the empty feeling in his gut. His ma appeared over the rise from the house, waving excitedly.
Oh, boy. What now?
He didn’t have the heart to hear her spout on about how wonderful or lovely or marriageable Rebecca DuCastille was. He loved his ma, more than his own life, but the woman had become much too invasive. He couldn’t go anywhere without her asking him to take Rebecca with him to “get to know her better” or “to court her properly”.
Rebecca had been there for three days already and he’d spent more time with her than he had to spare. It wasn’t as though she were an unpleasant woman—on the contrary, she really would make some man a perfect wife. He just didn’t know if it was him.
He pulled off his gloves and met his mother on the rise. “Ma. What can I do for you?” Polite, be polite. He chanted the words she’d instilled in him. She only wants what’s best for you…
“Good afternoon, dear. Your father has concluded his business for the day and has asked me to go to town for dinner at the hotel.”
The Dry Bayou Hotel was a large, whitewashed building smack in the middle of town. It boasted twenty guest rooms, a fine dining restaurant called La Beau Bayou, and a large ballroom—financed and planned by the town’s founder, Monsieur Leslie La Fontaine.
“Well, that’s great. Have a good evening.” He was glad she didn’t go on about Rebecca as he feared she would.
“Oh, we will and so will you,” his ma informed him.
He tipped his head to the side, wondering if he’d heard her right. “What do you mean, Ma?”
“Well, since your father and I will be in town, you have the house to yourselves—you and Rebecca.”
He fought the urge to groan in frustration. “Ma, Rebecca and I have been together every day since she arrived. I haven’t seen Ray in two days—”
“Forget about that girl. She’s around here somewhere, she always is; collecting frogs in buckets or getting into trouble somehow. She’s nearing twenty, you’d figure she’d settle on a life and grow up a little. You two aren’t kids any longer and I think it best that you both grow up and take your responsibilities seriously.”
In his entire twenty-one years on earth, he’d never heard his ma say a bad thing about anyone. Though what she’d said about Ray wasn’t exactly mean, it was uncalled for.
“Ma, now I know you’re coming from a place of love, but you shouldn’t say such things about Ray, not when she isn’t here to say her piece. And you know I’ve been working hard on my breeding program. Ray has been working her tail off to make up for the loss of her pa.” He tried to keep his tone soft, so as not to let his ma know how much her words affected him.
She had the grace to a least look contrite. “Son, I’m sorry if I seem rude. You know that’s not in me. I just want what’s best for you. I want you to find someone worthy of your love, someone who can help you build the life you deserve as the future owner of this ranch.” She put a hand on his arm. “Ray cannot be what you need her to be. She’s the shepherd’s daughter and will always be. She cannot be the rancher’s wife.”
She was right. Ray was a grown woman and she did get into more trouble than other girls her age. Though she spent her free time fishing, riding, and whiling away any free time she could find, she was still the most honest, lively, compassionate, intelligent woman he knew. And it wasn’t like she didn’t work hard; she put in her hours, from sun up to late afternoon, caring for his father’s sheep herd and trying to fill her pa’s well-worn boots.
She’d stepped up without hesitation because she knew that, despite her sorrow and grief at losing her pa, there was still work to be done.
He admired her willingness to dust off her knees, plunk her hat on her head, and move forward. Ray understood that, though she was sad, the sheep still needed tending and her family still needed the money his family paid for their services.
She’d never actually told him any of that, but he could see it. He saw it in the determination on her face.
He was looking. He couldn’t help it. Ray was transforming before his eyes and he didn’t know what to think about it.
He just wished she’d let other people see that side of her. Most people, even his parents, only saw the rascal who flitted from field to creek and rarely the responsible, respectable woman she’d become.
His ma’s less than polite cough reminded him that he was supposed to be forgetting about Ray and focusing on the woman his ma and pa had picked for him to marry.
Billy sucked in a breath and tried to get his jumbled thoughts and emotions to form a straight line. “Ma, I’m not gonna marry Ray—we’re just friends, we’ve only ever been just friends.”
She’d been a constant companion; someone he could count on. A beautiful woman who just happened to be his first thought every morning and his last every night.
His ma’s smile took him by surprise. She patted his arm and then straightened her shoulders. “Good, I’m glad you’re at least making sense. Ray’s a loyal friend, but now you need to focus on a wife…like Rebecca…who is sitting alone in the ranch house right now, waiting for you to further your acquaintance.”
Suddenly, a thought occurred to Billy. “I’m not sure Rebecca and I, being alone in the house, is all that proper. Shouldn’t there be a chaperone?”
That’ll stop her plans right there. His mother would have to either put her plans with his pa on hold or let Billy go find Ray.
“I see no reason why two people who’re getting married can’t spend a few hours alone together in the comfort of the ranch house, especially since Eva is there and more than willing to keep an ear out for anything.”
The cook was his chaperone? How far was his mother willing to go to get him alone with the pretty Rebecca DuCastille?
“Unless you want to take her for a ride in the carriage; maybe a short jaunt to the pretty little spot by the creek.”
The place where he’d often meet up with Ray? That was the spot along the creek where he’d taken Ray that first day they’d met. She wanted to hunt frogs and he wanted to impress the fiery, little newcomer. They’d hit it off immediately. And ever since, they’d claimed that spot as theirs. It held a special place in his heart and he knew Ray felt the same.
Well, there’s a thought. If Ray was there, and he brought Rebecca along, he’d have to introduce the two…and he still wasn’t sure
how to explain the “mail order bride he didn’t order” debacle to Ray. He knew she’d be cordial, if a little confused, about the whole business, but he could count on her to help make Rebecca feel welcome.
Mind made up, he grinned down at his ma. “That sounds like a good idea. I’ll take her down to the creek for a bit and introduce her to one of the best spots in all of Dry Bayou.”
He didn’t inform his mother of his plans to introduce her to Ray, because his ma still believed that Ray and he were something more than friends. Also, he didn’t know for sure if Ray would be there.
Billy finished up his chores, cleaned off the dust and sweat as best he could, donned some of his best duds, and escorted Miss Rebecca DuCastille to the waiting surrey, complete with matching chestnut stallions—two of his best horses.
The trip to the creek took more than half an hour and he was surprised at how much he enjoyed his conversation with his supposed future wife. She spoke about her trip west, her favorite sights along the way, and how she liked baking.
“That was one of your father’s requirements, you know.” Rebecca’s eyes twinkled as she smiled at him from under her becoming, light pink bonnet.
“Requirements?” he asked like a half-brained mule.
A slight blush rose over her cheeks and Billy, again, thought on how becoming she really was.
Would it be all that difficult to marry Miss DuCastille? Why am I even thinking about this? His flip-flopping thoughts blurred the lines in his mind—where Rebecca ended and Ray began. But then his mind conjured up images of Ray; her red hair, her bright smile, her twinkling eyes, and his thoughts cleared again.
He forced himself to focus on Rebecca. He could think about Ray later, once he found her at the creek.
“Your father had requirements for a wife for you. They included being a skilled baker and cook, being well-versed in The Holy Word—oh, and embroidery.”
Billy’s laugh seemed to catch Rebecca off guard because she flinched, ever so slightly, before recovering enough to laugh with him—her ladylike titter seemed forced.
“Well, I do appreciate a good cook and some of my favorite foods are baked, but I don’t rightly know how your skills in embroidery would be much help to me.”
“Your father was very thorough—I’d never seen such a long, detailed advert for a wife before. I must say, I was rather glad that I met every single one of the things on his list. Including the ability to manage unruly people. I’m not quite sure what he meant by that. I can only guess he meant children.” She smiled, though it didn’t reach her eyes.
“I suppose you’re right.” He offered another quieter chuckle and returned his attention to the horses.
The special spot on the creek was right around the bend and Billy found himself holding his breath, suddenly anxious and strangely excited at the same time. Would Ray be there? What would she think of Rebecca?
What do I think of Rebecca?
He glanced at her from under the brim of his hat. She was lovely and sweet, and obviously worth the effort to court, but… He didn’t know if his heart was really in it. His parents were aching for him to settle down and fill their house with grandbabies. He honestly didn’t know why he was fighting against the current, the one pulling him toward holy matrimony with the woman on the seat beside him.
Ugh! The lines in his mind blurred again, but through the haze of images and sensations, a nearly inaudible voice whispered through his thoughts: She isn’t who you want…
The surrey travelled the curve right before the creek. As they rounded the bend, he craned his neck to see around the ash trees. The clearing came into view and his breath caught in his throat.
Ray wasn’t there.
His heart sank.
Chapter Six
For the second time in less than a week, Ray hid from her best friend; pressed up against the rough wood of the only ash tree wide enough to keep her from sight. She prayed to God that Billy wasn’t planning to stick around too long.
She didn’t know how long she could hide, especially since her horse was just over the rise on the other side of the trees.
If Billy caught sight of Fitz, he’d know she was creeping around somewhere and she’d be forced to reveal herself. And the dress she was wearing. Then he’d probably ask her why she’d been avoiding him.
Please don’t let it come to that.
She just wasn’t ready for him to see her, to face him after what she’d overheard on his porch two days ago and certainly not ready to meet his bride.
After another long day of chores, during which she’d tried to stay as far away from the stable and main ranch house as possible, she had plans to attend to. Once her work was done, she spent time at Tilly’s house getting fitted for Dora’s old dresses.
A little too big for Ray, the dresses were easily hemmed and taken in by Tilly’s deft hand with the needle. All in all, Ray now had four new ones. A lovely deep green one with black lace along the hem and sleeves, a fancy tan dress with cream lace around the collar, a light blue gingham dress with dark blue embroidered swirls, and a cream-colored dress that she was far too scared to wear lest it get coated in dust and sheep mess.
She’d chosen to wear the blue dress with the frilly embroidery because she actually felt pretty when she tried it on when she looked in the mirror. It was her tired, work-worn face that stared back at her, but the dress had transformed her body into the form of a lady. One Billy would notice. A lady Billy would fall in love with and cast aside his mail order bride for.
After her fitting, she’d ridden out to the creek, the one place in Dry Bayou where she felt at peace and took up her usual place on the big rock that hung out over the deepest part of the crystal clear creek. If her father were watching her from heaven, he’d wonder where his daughter had gone, because as she stood there, admiring her reflection in the water, she wondered why she’d never liked wearing pretty dresses before.
That’s when she first heard the crunch of wheels coming. Thank goodness her instinct for surviving humiliation kicked in, because she’d just made it behind the trees when the surrey came around the bend.
Her heart jumped into her throat when she saw who was at the reins. Then her heart dropped to her feet when she saw who was in the seat beside Billy.
His bride. The woman she’d put that stupid blue dress on to try and emulate.
Ray stared at the woman, her pretty pink bonnet, her sweet smile, her attentive expression… Ray looked down at her used dress.
“What am I doing?” she whispered to herself, suddenly feeling stupid, silly, and hideous. I’ll never be as pretty or genteel as Rebecca DuCastille. Billy will take a good, long look at me in this rag and have a good laugh. Then he’d give his bride a kiss.
A kiss he should give Ray. A kiss Ray would sell her left arm to experience.
She rolled her eyes at her own wayward thoughts and forced herself to be quiet so they didn’t discover her listening to them chatting.
The surrey pulled to a stop just on the other side of the ash trees. Ray heard Billy hop down from the seat, heard the crunching gravel as he walked to the other side, then heard the murmurs of polite conversation as Billy helped Miss DuCastille down from her seat.
Okay, so they’re spendin’ time together, as any soon-to-be-married couple should.
It was time to leave. Quietly. Before she got caught in that silly dress, trying to be someone she wasn’t.
A light female laugh, followed by Billy’s deeper, warm, tingle-inducing chuckle, cut through Ray’s thoughts.
Aw-dingit! What are they laughin’ about? What’s so funny?
Was Billy being charming for Miss DuCastille?
With a deep sigh, Ray peeked around the trunk of the tree.
Billy was holding Rebecca’s arm and they were walking toward the rock—her rock—the most beautiful spot along the creek. There they stood, smiling at one another, talking to one another about Lord knows what.
He brought her to our spot. Wher
e we meet and spend time together, alone. Sharin’ our dreams and hopes, and talkin’ about our day.
Pain pierced her heart.
He’s already replacin’ me.
“Oh, no he’s not!” she hissed aloud.
She knew, in that moment, that no matter how pretty or perfect Miss DuCastille was, Ray was just as worthy of Billy’s attention—and she’d take it if she had to.
An idea popped into her head.
Ray smoothed her skirts, brushing off bits of bark that had stuck to her bottom, straightened her shoulders, tipped up her chin, and moved around the tree, making as though she were just passing through. No need to let Billy and his bride know she’d been hiding. She had as much right to be at the creek as they did—even more so. She’d claimed that rock the same day she’d met Billy, fourteen years ago, when she’d asked him to go frog hunting.
“This here is the best place in the whole world to catch a frog,” she’d said, her little five-year-old world so much smaller and so much simpler. “I claim this rock as mine. But I’ll let you sit on it, too…if you’re huntin’ frogs with me, Billy Ducharme.” She’d invited him to sit down beside her. They’d dangled their bare feet over the side and spent the rest of the day chittering like magpies about frogs, horses, pie, lemonade, and whatever else came to their carefree minds.
They hadn’t caught a single frog.
Ray smiled at the memory.
She returned to where her horse was tethered. Torn between the need for Billy to see her and wanting to melt into the background, she tried to look relaxed.
“Ho, there!” Ray called out pleasantly, waving to Billy and his bride.
Billy and Miss DuCastille turned, an expression of shock shadowed Billy’s face.
“Ray? What’re you doing out here?” His usually deep voice was somehow deeper, which didn’t seem possible.
“I was out ridin’, sidesaddle, like a lady does, and I thought I’d stop in for a quiet moment at my favorite spot.”
“What’re you wearing?” he asked, his gaze pinned to her dress.
The Shepherd's Daughter (Dry Bayou Brides Book 1) Page 4
