Ocie came to the table, smiling, and brought them large plates of eggs, sliced pork-belly, and a large loaf of sourdough bread, with sweet-cream butter and a container of honey. Nick immediately filled her plate, giving orders to eat.
Katie didn't argue. She was starving, and as soon as Nick graced the meal, she picked up her fork immediately.
Nick glanced from Lizzie back to her. "If the weather gets better this afternoon, I'll take you both out to see the lambs."
Lizzie grinned, and Katie gasped. "Would you? Truly? I would love to see them again."
"I'll come and get you. But do not, under any circumstances, try to go by yourselves."
She nodded eagerly. "I promise." When he winked at her, she blushed.
"Let me get a quick nap first. And if the weather gets worse and we can't go out today, I'll make sure you get to see them before we leave." A quick squeeze of her shoulder followed. "But I'm taking no chances with your safety. Either of you. Remember that."
Katie was delighted when he took them out that afternoon, as promised. The snow still fell, but not as heavily as it had the day before. They didn't stay long. The babies were nursing when they arrived, and Nick waited until they finished before lifting one of the lambs up for Katie to pet.
"You may hold him if you want, but he left a pretty strong scent on you yesterday."
Katie made a face. "He was still wet when I held him yesterday. And Nicholas, you are a beast."
"So I've heard. Lizzie? Want to pet him?"
Lizzie scratched the little lamb's ears gently, but when he bleated for his mother, Nick quickly set him down, giving him one final pat on the head. "There you go, little fellow." His voice was gentle, and it made Katie smile.
"And now," he said. "It's time to get the two of you back into the house. No, don't frown at me. Your safety comes before anything else. Both of you, go."
When Katie climbed into bed that night, she grinned, thinking of the way he'd held the little lamb. Her mother had always told her one of the qualities she should search for when seeking a husband was the way he reacted to children and animals. A man like that would likely make a good father to his own children someday.
She was still seeing Nick in her mind's eye, with a little boy perched on his shoulders, even as she trailed off to sleep.
Finally, Home
By the time they pulled up in front of the Adams House, several days had passed. Katie had relaxed and spent much of the trip chatting with Nick and enjoying his company. It seemed they could talk for hours. She had been waiting for him to ask her again about becoming his, and he hadn't done it. She wondered if he'd changed his mind.
She stood at the inside of the coach, waiting as he lifted Lizzie down first so she could go inside and say hello. Lizzie was already at the front door before he turned back to put strong hands about her waist and set her down on the ground. She looked up into his face, her eyes shining. "Thank you, Nick. For…everything you've done."
An eyebrow rose. "Everything?"
He was referring to the spanking he'd given her, and she felt the hot flush work its way up her neck and into her face. "Well, not everything."
He laughed. "Thought you'd say that. Keep in touch, short stuff. I won't let you be a stranger. Unless that's what you want."
"It's not what I want," she said softly.
Nick leaned down and kissed her forehead. "See you soon." He escorted her into the house, nodding as Giles held the door for them, and he laughed when Katie jumped into her father's arms.
"Ah. I was beginning to think you'd eloped and weren't coming home." Her father winked at her and glanced toward Nick.
Katie's face turned scarlet. "Papa. You know better. I would never do that," she scolded.
Nick's eyes crinkled at the corners in amusement. "We considered it, sir, but your daughter said I'd have to support her as well as you do. I had to back out."
"Nick!" Katie was glaring at him now.
Lizzie, standing in the doorway, was howling with laughter. Even Giles appeared amused. Katie groaned and rolled her eyes as her mother ran into the room with a delighted squeal.
"I saw the coach. Katie!" As soon as she saw her daughter, she ran forward, throwing her arms around her neck.
"The truth is, sir," Nick was speaking to Francis now. "We were stranded in Cooksville in the blizzard. It took us two extra days to be able to get on the road from there."
"Ah, I see. It came through here a few days ago, put most of the town in a hardship. The men tied ropes between the buildings so they could check on our widow population." Katie's father was frowning. "They used up a good bit of their firewood and the provisions they'd put back for winter. We have a group of men working now to replace it. But tell me, Nick. I hope Katie wasn't any extra trouble on the trip."
Katie held her breath, and Nick gave her a quick glance and a wink.
"Your daughter was perfect," he said, grinning. "Lizzie? There is a household waiting to see you. We'd better go."
Katie followed them to the doorway and hugged Giles before stepping down onto the porch.
"I missed you, Giles," she said softly.
"And we all missed you, too, Miss Katie."
Nick turned back to glance at her before getting into the coach, and she waved.
"Thank you," she mouthed to him.
He grinned back and, with a nod, was gone.
Nick took one last glance at Katie, standing on the porch. He didn't even realize Lizzie was staring at him until she spoke.
"You know she has saved herself for you, don't you?"
His gaze fell to hers. "Has she? You could have fooled me."
"Oh, Nick, it's the truth and you know it."
"Then why didn't you write me and tell me I was being an idiot?"
Lizzie glared at her brother. "If I'd known it, I would have." She sighed. "I'm sorry, Nick. What I'm trying to say is Katie cares for you. Deeply. I know her."
"I'm glad to hear it." He looked out the window at the house they had just left. "However, I won't give up so easily this time. I'm determined to marry that young lady, if it's the last thing I do."
Lizzie smiled. "I hope you don't give up. Because she will be very hurt and disillusioned if you do."
It was two days before Katie heard from him again. She sat in her window seat upstairs, watching for the carriage to come. She held the note she'd gotten from Lizzie, that morning, saying she needed to go to town and Nick was going to take her, asking if Katie wished to go. Was he going to say anything about their relationship to her? Or was he simply waiting for her to bring it up? But it wasn't her place, was it?
"You're quiet, sweetie. Is something on your mind?" A soft voice came from behind her, and she turned to see her mother's smiling face.
"I've just been thinking," she said.
Her mother sat down beside her. "About?"
"Nick."
"Oh. I see. And those are good thoughts?"
Katie laughed. "Most of them. Mother, I'm extremely attracted to him. I can't seem to help it. But he's such a…" She shook her head, unsure how to say what she meant.
"A maverick?"
Katie's eyes widened. "Odd you should say that. It's exactly what I was thinking."
Her mother smiled. "I've known him a few more years than you have, sweets. But your father was one, too. Nick seems very like him."
Katie was fidgeting with the ruffles on her gown now. "He told us on the way home about Miss Watson."
The expression on her mother's face changed to one of chagrin. "Did he? Katie, I was quite surprised when he asked for her hand. She's a troubled girl. And it was so unlike Nick to allow himself to be swayed by someone like her."
Katie turned to her when she paused. "Please go on?"
"Miss Watson is a very beautiful girl. But she's also…" She turned toward Katie, "There is something about her that makes one think she's unhappy inside. I wish I could describe her to you more accurately. The word 'calculating' comes to min
d, although I hate to use it. I don't wish to seem unfair to her."
Katie turned back to the window. "From some of the things Nick told us about her on the way home, the term fits her perfectly. But, do you think he loved her?"
It was a long time before her mother answered. Finally, she sighed softly. "The truth? I must say, that wasn't the impression I came away with. I think he felt responsible for her but loved her? I have my doubts." She nodded toward the drive. "Your ride is here. My advice is to take his word for what he felt, my darling. If there is one thing I can tell you about Nick, it's this. In all these years, I've never known him to lie."
Katie heard the rattling in the front of the house and turned to see the Wellington family coach. She glanced up at her mother.
"Oh, sweets. Your eyes betray you. This is more than fondness you feel for Nick, isn't it?"
Katie shook her head. "Is it so obvious?"
Her mother stood, leaning over to hug her. "It shows, darling. But perhaps only because I know you so well."
The coach had stopped just at the front of the steps, and the door opened. Nick jumped down and took the steps two at a time, until he reached the front door. Through her open bedroom door, she heard Nick's friendly, "How are you, good man?" to Giles, the butler, followed by his footfalls as he strode inside the house.
It was Miss Constance's voice they heard next. "Mr. Wellington, do you not ever wait to be announced?"
Nick's good-natured laugh rang out as Katie reached the top of the staircase. She heard a shriek and peeked over the staircase to see Miss Constance's face had turned a reddish haze and her hand was raised to her face. Katie knew Nick had just kissed the housekeeper's cheek.
"Hello, Nicholas." Merrie Adams was halfway down the staircase. "Katie is coming. I'm assuming you didn't come here to see the rest of us."
Nick's grin was sheepish. "I always love seeing the rest of you. But I would indeed like to see Katie." He looked up toward the top, where she stood. "Hurry, brat. Lizzie's waiting."
Katie descended the steps and made her way to the hallway, grabbing her cloak.
As she started back toward the door, he shook his head. "Have you nothing heavier than that?" he scowled, looking at the cloak in her hand. "That's what you were wearing when I found you in the snow. It's flimsy, and today, it's quite cold outside."
The first thing Katie saw, from the corner of her eye, was her mother's curious glance. She sent a provoked glance his way and went back, returning a moment later with a heavy coat in her hand.
"Better." He took it from her and wrapped her in it, turning her so that she faced him. Then he brought her hood over her head and fastened it under her chin. "Now."
Katie glared at him. "I am quite old enough to fasten my own wraps, you know."
"Sure of that, are you?" He was grinning as she met his eyes. "Come, before Lizzie gives up on us and we have to walk to town in the cold." Taking her hand, he led her outside.
She laughed with delight when she saw the step between the ground and the body of the coach. "You fixed it."
"I did. I was tired of your complaints. But it's still high for you." He took her by the waist to steady her as she climbed upward. When she looked over her shoulder at him with disgust, he chuckled.
Lizzie was waiting inside, and Katie sat down next to her. "I'm so glad you could come. I haven't been to the General Store since we were home last summer. I'm looking for some linen and some thread. And a pattern. You?"
"I've no idea. I still have a project that's unfinished." A grin crossed Katie's mouth, and she glanced up to see Nick's eyes crinkling at the corners. There was a fondness in them, and she found herself smiling back. Lizzie glanced from one to the other.
"I thought Katie and I might go to the Tea Room for lunch, Nick. Care to join us?"
"Me? I planned to take you both to Marie's. You can go to the Tea Room a day when I'm not with you. It has too many adjectives on the menu for me."
Katie laughed, and Lizzie wrinkled her nose. "Coward."
"I have my reputation to protect."
He took them to the front of the General Store and had Kimbrow pull the coach outside to a stop.
"I need to go down to the blacksmith. How long will you be here?"
"A half-hour?" Lizzie turned toward Katie, who grinned.
"I'll be back for you." He winked toward Katie and turned on his heel. She watched his long-legged stride as he made his way down the street and then followed Lizzie inside. The bell tinkled as they opened the door.
"Well, well. If it isn't Lizzie and Katie. How are you?"
Lizzie smiled as Katie approached. "Hello, Mr. Greene."
He chuckled. "You never change, Katie. Lizzie, I think you look more like your mother every day. And what may I do for you young ladies?"
Katie turned to look at the colorful selections of materials. "I really don't need anything, sir. I just came to drool at all the selections you have."
"And she came to keep me from buying out the store," Lizzie added.
Sam Greene laughed. "In that case, Katie, you should have stayed home. Perhaps I could retire."
They both laughed and began to peruse the store. Lizzie found a pattern, and Katie helped her find the threads to use. Katie ended up buying a bit of ribbon that matched some of her gowns, and finally walked to the window to look for Nick while Lizzie paid and her things were wrapped up.
Katie moved away from the door as the bell rang and two ladies came in. Neither of them looked at her. Katie smiled. They had to be the Wilder sisters, Eleanor and Audra, her mother had written about. They hadn't been in town long. Both were in their fifties and had been married to brothers in the past, but now were widowed. One was tall and thin, and her younger sister was short and round and seemed to bounce from side to side as she walked. They were funny to watch; however, Mother had said they were the two biggest gossips in town, now, and to be careful what she said if she was around them.
"I saw him, I did," said the tall one. "He's coming this way. Handsome young man, too."
"Did you, now? So did I. Poor young man. And I hear he's heartbroken after the girl broke off the engagement. She even kept the ring, you know. How could she?"
Katie's smile was gone. They had talking about Nick and Miss Watson.
"Well, she was used to getting anything she ever wanted, that's what I heard. Poor boy. And I heard he's got his eye on the little Adams girl. Looks just like her beautiful little mother, they say. But you know, Audra, he's just trying to rebound. He can't possibly be serious, it's too soon."
At the mention of her last name, Katie stiffened. It was obvious they were discussing Nick. She was unable to make herself turn and face them. But she heard Lizzie clear her throat, and the ladies silenced abruptly.
Lizzie sounded angry when she spoke. Her green eyes were narrowed and her lips were tight. "I assure you, it's quite the other way around. He was quite relieved, when it happened. And he's hardly a boy, nor is he poor. And in addition to that, 'the little Adams girl', as you call her, is standing right behind you. You might be more discreet when you decide to gossip. And you might get your facts straight." Lizzie's voice grew louder by degrees, the longer she spoke.
Both ladies gasped and stared, first at Lizzie, then at Katie. One, the oldest, opened her mouth and then closed it again several times, reminding Katie of a fish out of water.
Lizzie's glance moved to Katie. "Come, Katie. We don't need to listen to this."
Katie instantly felt sorry for the ladies. She knew Lizzie was being loyal, but they were new in town, after all. Neither of them knew her. She couldn't believe they were deliberately trying to hurt her. Her back straight and shoulders back, Katie forged a sweet smile. "Hello. Have a lovely day." Then she moved toward the door and left, Lizzie right behind her. Turning, she looked toward Lizzie and sighed.
"Right on time, short stuff," Nick's voice spoke, above her head. He waited and took her elbow. Katie was blinking, and he put a hand on her sho
ulder. "Katie? What is it?"
Lizzie gave her brother a knowing glance and shook her head, and he looked down toward Katie once again. "Are you ready to eat?"
"Please, Nick. I just want to go home." Her voice was resigned.
His brows came together, staring at her. Suddenly, he glanced up through the window and saw the two sisters inside the store, staring outward. When they met his eyes, they quickly turned away, horrified. He ushered Katie and Lizzie into the carriage and sat down, drawing Katie down next to him. "And if you'll be kind enough to tell me what they said?"
Lizzie opened her mouth, and Katie held up a hand. "No."
Lizzie scowled. "It's not your decision, Katie. They were talking about Nick. He deserves to hear it."
Katie shook her head and turned toward the window. "Suit yourself, then."
Listening, Nick kept his eyes on Katie, as his sister explained.
"I see." His voice was a growl. "Those two have been spreading gossip all over town. I hope they enjoy their few moments of fame. Ignore them, Katie. They haven't been in Strasburg very long, and people are already refusing to listen to them. Gossip around here has a way of getting old, fast." He turned toward Katie and took her hand in his.
Almost, she pulled away, but his firm grip on hers prevented it.
"And now, you'll listen to me, Kaitlynne. What Lizzie said to them was the truth. I was rebounding when I ended up spending time with Miss Watson. I came to my senses from the moment she said yes, and I realized what I'd done. I can't tell you what a relief it was to me when she threw my ring back and said she refused to marry me. I knew then, I'd once again pursue you. You can choose to believe me, or you can choose not to. It's up to you. But that's the truth."
He kept her hand tightly in his until they reached the circled drive that led to her front door and then he released his grip, but did not move his hand. Katie still refused to look at him.
As the carriage pulled to a stop, he lifted her down to the ground and led her, not toward the front door, but away from it. Giles stood with the door open, watching, but even when it became evident Nick wasn't bringing her inside, he continued to hold it open. Nick stopped when they reached the side of the house and turned her to face him. Pinning her against the outer wall with his arms on both sides of her, he refused to allow her to get away.
Katie's Maverick (Strasburg: The New Generation Book 2) Page 6
