“And he agreed to that?” Anthony asked incredulously.
“He’s agreed to speak with the council about it.” Tarah’s eyes narrowed. “Why shouldn’t he?”
A shrug lifted Anthony’s shoulders. “You’re mighty young and, well, small to be taking on a ready-made family, don’t you think?”
Tarah bristled and folded her arms across her chest. “If I thought so, I wouldn’t be doing it. And what does being small have to do with raising a couple of kids?”
“I don’t know.” Anthony raked his fingers through his thick hair and scowled. “Why do you have to get so riled up about things?”
“I don’t know!” Tarah stomped to the railing and untied Abby just as the door swung open.
Anthony’s gray-haired mother appeared at the threshold. “Where are you going, Tarah?”
“I was about to go home.”
“Her pa sent me a horse,” Anthony said sheepishly.
“How kind of him.” A broad smile split her plump face, and she gave a cursory nod toward the new animal. “It’s lovely. Anthony, have you forgotten we have a guest for dinner?”
Anthony’s ears turned red. “I suppose I did.”
“Well, you’ve left her to us long enough. You’d better get back inside.” She turned to Tarah. “Honey, tie that horse back up and come on in. Your ma will know you’re taking supper with us.”
“Oh no. I couldn’t intrude. Really. Especially if you have a guest.” And especially if that guest was who Tarah had a feeling it might be. The thought of watching Louisa Thomas fawn all over Anthony through dinner not only robbed Tarah of her appetite—the unwelcome image made her positively ill.
Mrs. Greene waved away her protest. “Nonsense. There’s always plenty in this house,” she insisted. “And you haven’t been out here since Anthony and Ella came back from the East. Anthony, tie up Tarah’s horse, and both of you come in to supper.” With that, she returned inside and let the door swing shut behind her, leaving no room for more argument.
Tarah glanced helplessly at Anthony.
“Ma doesn’t take no for an answer,” he said with an uneasy grin. “You’d better do as she says.”
“Oh all right.”
Anthony cleared his throat as they walked together up the steps. “Tarah, there’s something you should know about our dinner guest.”
“Louisa?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed as it always did when he was nervous, a habit Tarah found endearing, even now. He nodded. “I’m sorry. She just dropped by to bring Ma some quilting patches. And you know Ma….”
“She can’t help but take in wandering females?” Tarah gave him her best forced smile. “Don’t worry, Anthony. I can be civil to your young lady for a couple of hours if I have to.” She brushed past him and, without waiting for him to open the door, slipped inside, trying to choke back her humiliation.
Louisa’s icy smile greeted them. “Why, Tarah, how lovely you dropped by—just at suppertime.”
Heat rose to Tarah’s cheeks at the implication.
“Tarah knows she’s always a more-than-welcome guest in this house,” Mrs. Greene said, giving Tarah a pat on the arm.
Louisa’s nervous laughter filled the air, ringing Tarah’s ears. “Well, of course she is. In every town the schoolteacher and the preacher are fixtures at one table or another, aren’t they?”
“And even more so when they happen to be cherished friends,” Mrs. Greene shot back.
Tarah looked between the two women, wondering if either realized what the exchange sounded like. From the embarrassed look on Ella’s and Anthony’s faces, she had a feeling she wasn’t the only person in the room who recognized Anthony’s mother as her champion. Unbidden sympathy welled within her at Louisa’s red face.
Anthony held out Tarah’s chair for her, and she sat gratefully, knowing her trembling legs would give out at any moment if forced to continue standing.
Rounding the table, Anthony took a seat next to Louisa. The smug smile curving Louisa’s mouth said clearly, I belong here, and you don’t.
Tarah kept silent during the meal, speaking only when spoken to. She fought to maintain her composure amid the humiliating experience and longed for the last bite of dessert when she could be on her way.
Louisa’s incessant chatter grated on Tarah’s already taut nerves until she wanted to cover her ears and scream.
“Tarah brought Anthony a beautiful mare from her pa,” Mrs. Greene said during a pause in Louisa’s prattle.
“Oh, you’re buying a horse from the St. Johns, Anthony?” Louisa asked, a frown creasing her otherwise flawless skin. “I’m sure you could have gotten a better price in Abilene.”
What does Louisa Thomas know about the price of horses? Tarah thought, defenses rising at the possible slight to her father’s pricing of their animals.
“The St. John ranch has the finest reputation for quality stock around,” Anthony said, his voice tense. “At an auction I wouldn’t know what I was getting. Besides, I couldn’t have asked for a better price. The horse was a gift.”
“A gift?” Louisa’s gaze riveted on Tarah, her eyes narrowing to two green slits, reminding Tarah of blades of grass peeking through the slats in the outhouse wall.
“My pa gave him the horse because of—”
“Because I lost Dodger,” Anthony broke in.
Eyes widening, Tarah stared at Anthony. He hadn’t told Louisa about Mr. Jenkins?
Seemingly oblivious to the exchange, Louisa pressed on. “Oh well, Anthony. I’m sure my father would be more than happy to buy you the finest horse in the state. Do be sensible and tell Mr. St. John you can’t accept his gift.”
Anthony’s lips twitched. “Thanks all the same, but I believe I already have the finest horse in the state. And I’m not about to part with her.”
He smiled at Tarah, sending her heart into a flutter.
“All right, Anthony, you keep whatever horse you want,” Louisa said, placing a slender hand upon his arm. She glanced around the table. “I’d much rather talk about the dance anyway. Of course, your country dances are nothing like the balls I attended when we lived in Charleston, but these little diversions every now and then do tend to break up the dreariness of life out here.” She turned to Ella. “I’m sure Tarah doesn’t know what I mean, having lived here her whole life, but you certainly do, don’t you?”
Ella sent her a kind smile. “We rarely attend fine balls, Louisa. I suppose we’re just country folk at heart. I am greatly looking forward to the dance. I only wish my Joe were here.”
“Uncle Anthony will dance with you, Ma,” Josie piped in.
“You can d–d–dance w–w–with m–m–me, Ma,” Toby said, regarding his mother with wide, adoring eyes.
Ella’s face softened considerably. “Thank you, darlings,” she said. “And just two days after the dance, we’ll all go home to your father.”
Mrs. Greene cleared her throat and stood. “Well then,” she said, her voice faltering slightly. “Who’s ready for dessert?”
Tarah’s heart went out to Mrs. Greene, knowing how much she would miss her daughter and grandchildren when they returned to the East. “May I help you bring in the dessert, Mrs. Greene?”
Louisa shot to her feet. “Of course, where are my manners? Do let me help you.”
The older woman gave a smile to include them both. “You two girls sit here and enjoy the conversation. You’re guests, after all.”
Louisa sat gracefully back into her chair.
Tarah stood. “I insist,” she said, noting the mist forming in the older woman’s eyes.
Once they reached the kitchen, Tarah lovingly reached out to comfort the older woman. “I know you’ll miss Ella and the children dreadfully, Mrs. Greene. I remember how it nearly broke my granny’s heart every day thinking of my aunt Olive not being nearby. Now that she’s been visiting Aunt Olive for a few months, she misses us dreadfully and can’t wait to return.”
“I suppose when your
children are grown, it’s too much to hope they’ll all stay close to home.” Mrs. Greene wiped her eyes with the edge of her apron and smiled at Tarah. “I promised myself I wouldn’t cry until Ella and the children were gone. But I suppose when the tears need to come, they just do, and there’s nothing a body can do about it.”
“No one expects you to be strong. And as happy as Ella is to be going home to her husband, I’m sure she’ll shed a few tears of her own when the time comes to leave her ma.”
Reaching up, Mrs. Greene pressed a hand to Tarah’s cheek. “Such a good girl. Any mother would be proud to have you for a…daughter.”
The kitchen door swung open, and Louisa burst in. “I thought I’d come and help, too.”
“Thank you, dear.” Mrs. Greene stepped back and moved to the counter.
Once Mrs. Greene’s back was turned, Louisa threw Tarah a scathing look. Leaning in close, she whispered, “I know you’re trying to make me look foolish, but it’s not going to work. If all goes as planned, Anthony and I will have an announcement to make at the dance.”
Before Tarah could respond, Louisa stepped forward. “Let me take that tray for you, Mrs. Greene.”
“Thank you, Louisa. That’s very sweet.”
Louisa beamed. “Oh, I just love doing domestic things. I rarely have the chance at home, what with having Rosa to take care of menial tasks. You know, Rosa has been with our family ever since I can remember. Of course, we pay her now since we lost the war, but she doesn’t try to throw that in our faces one bit.”
Tarah released an exasperated sigh, then glanced quickly to see if the other two women had noticed. She found Mrs. Greene’s gaze studying Louisa, a worried frown etching her brow.
“Well now. Let’s not keep my family waiting on their dessert,” she said, opening the kitchen door ahead of Louisa. Tarah trailed behind, wondering again what in the world Anthony saw in Louisa Thomas.
Chapter 13
In the light of the full moon, Anthony watched wistfully as Tarah headed off toward the St. John ranch with his brother Blane as her escort. He climbed into his saddle and smiled as best he could at Louisa, who sat astride her own mount. “All set?”
Louisa eyed his horse dubiously and nodded, nudging her mount forward. “I know you were trying to be polite, Anthony. But I really think you could find a higher-quality animal.”
Irritation rose in Anthony. “I’m happy with this one, Louisa, but thank you for the offer.”
“Oh well, let’s not talk about that now anyway,” she said brightly. “I’d much rather discuss the dance. I’ll be the envy of all the girls, walking in on the arm of the most handsome man in town.”
Anthony felt the heat rush up his neck and burn his ears. He still wasn’t quite sure how Louisa had finagled the invitation from him, but he’d regretted it ever since. Still, she deserved to have a nice evening. And maybe—if God allowed him—he could snatch one dance with Tarah. Preferably a waltz.
As if reading his thoughts, Louisa released a regretful sigh. “It really is a shame Tarah doesn’t have an escort. I suppose I could ask my brother, Caleb, to invite her. Although she isn’t really the elegant sort of young lady he normally courts. And there is also Tom.”
“Tom?”
“A friend of Cal’s. He accompanied my brother home from the university. He’s even considering setting up a law practice in Harper, what with all the new people settling in the area. Of course, I don’t see how he’ll make the sort of living he could make in a city, but that doesn’t seem to concern him a bit.” Louisa paused to take a breath, then continued on as though speaking to herself. “Yes, I believe I’ll suggest Tom invite Tarah to the dance. He’s rather handsome. I suppose Tarah will be quite taken with him. I’ll have to warn him not to give her any false hope. B–because, Anthony, there is nothing worse to a girl than receiving false hope from a man she fancies.”
The way her voice faltered brought Anthony up short. He had supposed she had no idea how he felt. He’d taken great pains not to hurt her feelings over the past couple of months, but now he realized he had done her no favors by not being firm and refusing invitations. And furthermore, she was aware that he had been doing just that.
Taking a deep breath, Anthony sent up a silent prayer. “Louisa…”
The ring of false laughter filled the air as Louisa nudged her horse closer and reached out to place a hand on Anthony’s arm. “Father just said this morning that he would be asking your intentions soon if you don’t speak up. But I—I assured him you are too fine a man to trifle with a girl’s affections. Aren’t you, Anthony?”
The cautious hesitancy in her voice fanned Anthony’s feelings of guilt, and he swallowed hard past the lump forming in his throat. Louisa might be flighty and annoying at times, but this new show of vulnerability sent a wave of compassion through Anthony. The time had come to stop the charade before she was hurt any more than she inevitably would be now.
“Stop for a minute, Louisa,” he said, reining in his horse.
She did as he asked, and in the brightly lit night, Anthony saw the tears shimmering in her eyes. Her lips trembled as she stared back at him, a look of dread covering her delicate features. “Oh Anthony,” she whispered. “Please don’t say it.”
“I’m sorry,” he mumbled. “I never should have led you on the way I did when I’m in love with—”
“Tarah,” she said bitterly.
“Yes.”
“Then why, Anthony?” she said, her voice thick with tears. “Why did you take me on picnics and ask me to the dance?”
What could he say without humiliating her? He had never asked her to go one place with him. He had even tried to refuse invitations from her, but she wouldn’t take no for an answer. “I suppose I’ve been a cad, Louisa. I hope you’ll forgive me.”
“I don’t know, Anthony,” she said stiffly, jerking her reins and nudging her horse forward once again. “After all, you did lead me on. You aren’t going to back out on escorting me to the dance, are you? Why, I’d be the laughingstock of the entire town.”
Relieved that indignation had replaced the tears, Anthony smiled into the darkness and followed her. “I’m not backing out on the dance.”
“That’s little comfort for the humiliation I’ll endure when the whole town finds out you preferred that mousy little country schoolmarm to me,” Louisa huffed. “But it’s better than the alternative.”
The thought of his beautiful Tarah as a mousy little country schoolmarm brought a sudden smile to Anthony’s face. Spunky, tenderhearted, and generous were traits that came to mind. He prayed she would hold off on answering Mr. Halston until after the dance so he could speak his heart freely. If only she shared a portion of his feelings, there was hope.
Dear Mr. Halston,
I am pleased to inform you of my recent decision to accept the teaching position you have so graciously offered to me. I will make arrangements to travel to Starling shortly after the New Year. Further correspondence will follow to inform you of the specific date of my arrival.
Sincerely,
Miss Tarah St. John
Tears blurred the words on the page as Tarah attempted to reread the letter. Once this was posted, there would be no turning back. She hadn’t informed the family of her decision because she had just decided this very night to accept the teaching position. Louisa’s presence at Anthony’s house had proven she was holding on to a foolish dream.
Her heartbreak knew no bounds, but she couldn’t be angry with Anthony. She loved him too much, and his happiness meant the world to her. But neither could she stay and watch as he became another woman’s husband.
A soft rap sounded on her door. “Come in,” Tarah said, tears thick in her voice. She tried to compose herself as Cassidy stepped into the room.
“I wanted to say good night.”
Tarah nodded, afraid to trust her voice.
“Tarah?” Cassidy stepped closer. Cupping Tarah’s chin, she inched her head up until they met e
ye to eye. “What’s wrong?”
Hot tears sprang to Tarah’s eyes, and she handed Cassidy her letter to Mr. Halston.
A troubled frown creased Cassidy’s brow as she read. Gathering a deep breath, she gave the letter back to Tarah and sank down on the bed next to her. “I see you’ve made your decision.”
“Yes.”
“You’ll need to tell your pa soon.”
“I will.” Tarah sniffed and brushed away a trail of tears with her fingertips.
“You don’t seem very happy with your decision,” Cassidy said, her eyes searching Tarah’s face. “Are you sure you want to do this?”
A shrug lifted Tarah’s shoulders. “I don’t have a choice. Anthony is going to marry Louisa.” With that she threw herself into Cassidy’s arms and sobbed.
“Oh Tarah, I’m so sorry. When did they make their announcement?”
“Huh?” Tarah pulled back and stared at her stepmother.
“Their betrothal announcement. When did they make it? I hadn’t heard.”
“Oh,” Tarah said, waving a hand in dismissal. “They haven’t yet. But it’s only a matter of time.”
“I see.”
But Tarah could tell from the confusion on Cassidy’s face that she didn’t see at all. “I just can’t stay here and watch Anthony marry her!”
“Are you sure this is what God wants you to do, Tarah?”
“I—I don’t guess I’ve really prayed about it, Ma. I’ve been waiting to see…”
Cassidy drew an exasperated breath and planted her hands firmly on her hips. “Do you mean to tell me you are running off twenty miles from home just because the man you love doesn’t love you in return?”
When she puts it that way…
Still, Tarah felt her defenses rise. Her life had been perfectly wretched the last few months. Between Luke and Jo making trouble in class, Anthony’s love for Louisa, and Louisa always rubbing her nose in it, she needed to make a fresh start to regain her shattered dignity. And Starling was as good a place as any to do it.
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