“Yes, I can believe it.” Dad nodded. “Elaine is helping Ruth decide on how to decorate her place. She’s excellent with all of those domestic details.”
Laney and Ruth came through the front door and stopped cold at the sight of a guest. Still in the frocks they’d been wearing all day, they looked rumpled. Ruth’s hair had long since escaped their pins and tumbled around her in a wild profusion of curls. Hectic color filled her cheeks, making her look all the more fetching.
“Elaine Louise.” Dad’s voice held uncommon censure. “We’ve a guest. Go make yourself presentable.”
“She’s washed up. That’s good enough.” Hilda trundled over, wiping her hands on her apron. “Supper’s on the table. Waiting on a girl to go fancy up’s gonna make everything go cold.”
Crocker stepped forward. “I’d be happy to escort you to supper, Miss Elaine.”
“No, no. That’s Ruth Caldwell.” Dad jerked him to the side. “This is my daughter, Laney.”
“Miss Elaine.” Mr. Crocker gave her a polite nod and offered her his arm.
Josh cut Dad off and walked Ruth to the table. After seating her, he took the chair immediately beside her. “Dad tells me Mr. Crocker’s cousin is one of the gentlemen who’s considering a railroad to the east.”
“It’s more than a consideration. The decision was made.” Crocker took a sip of coffee, then added, “There are those who will yet need to be convinced of the need, but the railroad is an unstoppable force.”
“No one needs to convince me,” Dad said. “It’s a brilliant concept. Elaine, pass Mr. Crocker the bread.”
“Yes, Daddy.”
Josh’s eyes narrowed. As supper progressed, Dad manipulated the conversation shamelessly. He alternated between promoting the railroad and boasting about Laney’s accomplishments.
Mr. Crocker seemed like an affable fellow, but Laney rarely looked up from her plate. When he tried to engage her in conversation, she’d barely devote more than a sentence to an answer. Dad urged Laney to refill Mr. Crocker’s cup and to pass him various dishes. Clearly, Dad was trying to play matchmaker, and Laney wanted no part of it.
As Laney’s disinterest became apparent, Mr. Crocker turned his attention toward Ruth. “Your name is far more common than mine, yet I’ve never dined with a Ruth before now.” He flashed her a charming smile. “Boaz and Ruth. Imagine that.”
Ruth set down her fork. “Yes, my name is quite common. Please excuse me. It must be the excitement of moving, but I’m suddenly fatigued.”
“Me too.” Laney hopped out of her seat.
“Ruth, please feel free to go ahead and retire.” Dad gave her a smile that made Josh grit his teeth. “Laney, you’ve been working on a charming tune on the piano. Stay downstairs for a while and play for us men.”
“Daddy, I promised Ruth I’d spend the night with her.”
“Go ahead, Laney,” Josh said. “It’s important to keep promises.”
“Thank you.” Relief filled Laney’s voice. “We’ll just get a few necessities and be off.”
Hilda brought out big wedges of cherry pie. Josh wolfed down his slice, but he barely tasted it. When he’d discovered Dad’s embezzlement, he’d lost all respect for him. Now Dad was crossing a line Josh never imagined he’d traverse: He was trying to bully Ruth and Laney into marriages they didn’t want.
“Well, then,” Dad drummed the tabletop, “with the women retiring, we men can enjoy an after-dinner cigar.”
“Don’t mind if I do.” Crocker stood.
When Crocker preceded Dad onto the veranda, Dad growled under his breath at Josh, “You’re ruining everything!”
“We’re partners.” Josh stared him in the eyes. “If you have a plan, you need to run it by me first.” He heard the girls coming down the stairs and raised his voice. “Crocker, you’ll have to excuse me. I’m going to walk the ladies over to the cabin.”
Relief poured through Ruth when Josh entered the kitchen. She’d heard footsteps and worried that McCain was going to appear.
Features taut, Josh strode to her side and swiped the valise Laney had packed. “Let’s go.”
Laney all but ran to the front door. Ruth and Josh hastened to join her, and Josh murmured under his breath, “We’re going to stroll to the cabin. Slow and steady. Got it?”
Laney nodded.
Wanting to calm Laney, Ruth gave Josh a mock look of censure. “We’re ladies, Joshua. You don’t think we’d ever deign to move in anything other than a sophisticated glide, do you?”
Josh’s grin and Laney’s tense giggles made her silliness worthwhile. Ruth accepted Josh’s arm, and they dawdled all of the way to the cabin. Once there, Ruth promptly invited him in.
Wilting into a chair, Laney said, “I don’t know what’s gotten into Daddy. He’s not himself. He’s told me I’m too young to marry, but he’s flinging me at that stranger. He’s chasing after Ruth, too.” She heaved a sigh, then tacked on, “Ruth, you’re a wonderful woman, so I don’t want you to take this the wrong way; but I think Daddy’s just after you for your money.”
Josh led Ruth to the settee. As soon as she sat down, he took the place beside her. To her surprise, he reached over and clasped her hand in his. Rough and strong, his fingers closed about hers. “Dad’s behavior is erratic,” Josh confirmed.
“I’m glad I’m spending the night here.”
Ruth said to Josh, “I suggested Laney bring her riding skirt. We’ll go over to the O’Sullivan’s tomorrow, just as we planned.”
“Excellent.” Josh flashed her a lopsided grin. “I think it would be nice for you girls to have a private breakfast here tomorrow—to celebrate Ruth’s being in her cabin. If it’s an early one, I can meet you in the stable and take you over to the O’Sullivans’ before I dig into the day’s work.”
“We’ll be ready,” Ruth promised, knowing she’d be up with the roosters to avoid McCain.
“We make a good team.” Josh squeezed her hand lightly.
Ruth looked at him, willing him to see the trust and gratitude she felt for him. His gaze held hers steadily.
“You two know something. You have a secret.” Laney leaned forward. “What is it?”
Josh didn’t look away. His hazel eyes radiated warmth. “I haven’t kept how I feel about Ruth a secret from you, sis.”
The world tilted crazily. Ruth could scarcely believe what he’d said.
“That’s not it.” Laney hopped up and started pacing. “You two know something. Josh has kept my secret from everyone for years, and he’s got that same air about him now—only it’s the two of you who trade that confidential look.”
“Laney Lou, honey …”
Laney shook her forefinger at Josh. “Don’t you talk to me as if I were a little child. I’m not. Since Ruth’s come, I’ve learned a lot— not just about reading, but about myself. It’s time you stopped shielding me.”
Josh rubbed from the bridge of his nose to his hairline with the heel of his hand. “Galen said much the same thing—that you’d grow up if I let you.”
“Galen’s right,” Laney declared. “And if you discussed this issue with him, you can certainly tell me about it.”
Ruth tried to pull her hand away. “I’ll leave you two—”
“No, you won’t.” Josh snatched her hand back. He looked at Laney and said, “Dad’s bookkeeping for the ranch is …”
Laney gasped. “Did he make a mistake? Are we poor?”
“No, we’re not poor.” He heaved a deep breath, “If anything, the ranch is doing far better than I’d been led to believe.”
Ruth admired Josh for his tactful choice of words. He’d been more concerned for Laney’s feelings than his own hurt and phrased the matter in such a way that the impact wouldn’t be so harsh. Ruth rubbed her left thumb across the back of his hand, hoping he’d sense her support.
Brows knit, Laney said, “Dad’s been cheating you? Josh, how dreadful!”
“I hoped you wouldn’t have to find out. I know how mu
ch you love Dad.”
“Yes, I love him—but I love you, too! What he’s done is wrong.”
“He’s not aware that I know yet, Laney, and I don’t want him to. Soon he’ll be confronted. It’ll get ugly; embezzlement is a crime.”
“But Daddy’s always been so generous.”
Josh shook his head. “He’s been paying the hands and Hilda all less than we agreed upon.”
Sinking into her chair, Laney gulped. “That’s why Hilda always says he’s so cheap.”
“Josh already plans to give Hilda and the hands a raise and their back pay,” Ruth said. “When this is all ironed out, your brother is the only one who will bear the cost. His sense of integrity is impressive.”
“That’s not so.” Josh shook his head. “Laney, Ruth is part owner of the Broken P. She’s been wronged, too.”
Laney’s jaw dropped open, then she squeaked, “That’s why Daddy’s after you. Remember in that newspaper article? It said a wife can’t testify against her husband. Daddy wants your money, and he wants to keep you quiet.”
“No one,” Ruth said in a wry tone, “has ever been able to silence me.”
A short while later, Josh said a prayer for them to all have wisdom and solace. As he took his leave, he said, “I’ll meet you in the morning at the stable.”
After he left, Laney burst into tears. “Don’t you dare tell Josh I cried. He’ll think I’m a baby if you do. But I’m so mad! Josh works so hard. How could Daddy cheat him?”
“I don’t know the reasons why he’s done the things he has.”
“Well, I don’t care what reasons he has. It was wrong. And it’s wrong that Daddy is cheating you, too. I’m utterly embarrassed this has happened.”
“Laney, I’m not concerned in the least about what it might have cost me. What I care about is how hurt Josh is and you are. For now, Josh asked that we keep this between us. Let’s do our very best to pretend everything is okay. He’s counting on us.”
Drying her tears, Laney nodded. “We’d better start talking about something else so Hilda doesn’t suspect anything when she gets here.”
Ruth and Laney busied themselves by arranging books on the bookshelf, then turned in for the night. Early the next morning, Hilda woke them. “Josh said you’re to meet him at the stable. I brought some tarts and cheese for your breakfast. Best you girls get going. McCain and that guest he’s got sat on the veranda, making plans last night. I didn’t like the sounds of it, and you’re better off keeping far away from them.”
Ruth skimmed into her clothes and crammed pins into her hair willy-nilly. Laney managed to get dressed, comb, plait, and neatly coil her hair in the same length of time. As they stepped inside the stable, Ruth said, “I’m looking forward to visiting Mrs. O’Sullivan. I wonder how her husband’s faring.”
McCain’s voice rasped from the nearest stall, “What are you girls doing out here this early?”
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
Josh had already saddled the horses and led them outside, behind the stable. He’d hoped to catch the girls and ride off without Dad realizing they’d left. The minute he overheard his father’s voice, Josh knew this was going to be sticky. He headed around the stable to protect the girls.
“Daddy, you like to scared me half to death,” Laney scolded.
“You didn’t answer my question, Laney. What are you girls doing out here?”
“The O’Sullivans are expecting us today.” Ruth’s voice sounded crisp and determined.
“You can’t go today. You’ll have to arrange for another time. We have a guest.”
“Mr. Crocker is your guest, Mr. McCain. I fail to see any reason our presence is required.”
“Ruth, you wound me.” Dad actually sounded hurt. “Surely you must understand that the woman of the home radiates its welcome.”
“Laney already met Mr. Crocker and was his supper companion last night. She’s fulfilled her obligation. Now I—”
Dad interrupted, “You need to come for breakfast, too, Ruth. You represent our home as well.”
Josh strode up. “Are you girls ready to go?”
“Yes!” came the eager duet.
“They’re not going anywhere.” Dad’s jaw jutted forward. “Breakfast—”
Josh made a dismissive gesture. “I saw Hilda just a few minutes ago. She said the girls already ate.”
“They can sip tea. It’s the way I intended things to go. Ruth’s still supposed to come for meals.” He nodded to himself, then smiled at Ruth. “I understood why you chose to relocate. The proper thing was for you to be in the cabin while we courted.”
“Courted!” she repeated in a horrified tone.
Ignoring her reaction, Dad continued on. “As you’re in mourning for your mother, we’ll have a private wedding here in a few weeks.”
“We will not!” Ruth glared at him. “I don’t know where you came up with this notion, but you can put it away this instant. I’m not marrying you.”
“Of course you are.”
“Ruth’s not interested, Dad.”
“Stay out of this, son. It’s none of your business.”
Josh slid his arm around Ruth’s waist. Nestling her close, he looked down into her eyes. His voice softened as he said, “The simple fact of the matter is, I love Ruth, and she’s going to be my wife.”
She’d been trembling when he drew her close. At his announcement, Josh felt Ruth melt into his side. Her eyes didn’t flash with anger; they shone—but was it with gratitude, or love? Tearing his attention from her to his father, he said, “I’m sure you’ll enjoy having Ruth as your daughter-in-law.”
A tense smile stretched Dad’s face. “I reckon any woman would rather have a strong young buck instead of a crippled old goat.”
“I’m sure you wish us every happiness.” Josh stared at his father.
Dad nodded curtly. “As I’ve said all along, Ruth is like family. Things can continue on as they always have.”
“So let’s go, Laney,” Ruth said. “We always go visit the O’Sullivans.”
“No, no.” Dad shook his head and stretched out his hand for Laney. “Mr. Crocker will be coming to the breakfast table any minute now. You hurry on upstairs and put on your pink dress.”
“I can’t. That dress is ruined. Besides, I don’t like Mr. Crocker.” Laney shuddered.
“You’ll learn to like him.” Dad’s announcement held great certainty.
Josh wondered why his father had been so quick to scare away any other suitor and enthusiastically embraced Mr. Crocker.
Dad continued. “I promised your mother you’d marry well. He’s from a fine family. Rich.”
Laney shuffled back a step. “Daddy, I think—”
“Sweetheart, your job is to look pretty. I’ll think for you. Mr. Crocker is a good man. You need to come to breakfast in one of your better dresses—this riding skirt won’t do. Ruth and Josh will be there, too. We’ll all share a nice meal, and you’ll come to see how pleasantly things will work out for all of us.”
Keeping one arm around Ruth and wrapping the other about Laney’s shoulders, Josh led them toward the door as he said, “Dad, you and I will speak later. I’m taking the girls over to the O’Sullivans’ now.”
Toledo stepped into the wide-open doorway. Scratching his elbow, he said, “Boss, a couple of the hands wanna hit town. You were in Sacramento last payday. We figure to get our pay now.”
Josh took advantage of the diversion. He sped the girls around the stable and off to the neighbors’. Ruth barely said a word the whole ride. Josh held her back and let Laney take the lead as they approached Galen’s. “Are you all right?”
She nodded. “Are you?”
“I meant every word I said back there. I love you. It wasn’t how I pictured proposing.”
Her eyes suddenly took on a sparkle. “You still haven’t.” She kicked her horse and galloped off.
Josh sat in his saddle, threw back his head, and belted out a laugh. He yelled, “This is
the last time I let you get away!”
Saturday morning, Ruth accompanied Hilda to the main house. Supper the previous evening had been strained. McCain acted jovial, but something about the watchfulness in his eyes made Ruth’s skin crawl. She’d been glad to leave and spend the night in her cabin, but leaving Laney in the big house bothered her. By coming early, she could slip upstairs and come back down with Laney—thereby insulating her from Mr. Crocker.
Hilda plowed into the kitchen and stopped abruptly. Ruth bumped into her.
“Good morning, Hilda.” Josh sat at the kitchen table with none other than Mr. Crocker. Both men rose as Josh added, “We were up early, so I put on some coffee.”
Hilda sniffed. “Scalded it. You never could brew a decent pot, cowboy.”
Mr. Crocker chuckled. “He’s one up on me. I wouldn’t know how to make a pot at all.”
Josh gestured toward a chair. “Ruth, come have a seat. We need to talk for a few minutes.”
Shaking her head, she said, “I need to go help Laney.”
“You’ll be helping her more by staying.” Josh pulled out the chair.
Ruth shot him a quizzical look, but accepted the seat.
Mr. Crocker lounged back into his place and said quietly, “I’d appreciate it if you’d let Miss Laney know I’m already interested in another woman. Regardless of what Mr. McCain seems to have planned, I came here strictly on railroad business.”
“He showed me a picture of his intended,” Josh said.
“I assure you, business was my only goal in coming here. My cousin asked me to come here because a certain Mr. Farnsworth made inquiries in Sacramento. Due to his interest, we looked through the agreements for land acquisition. Mr. McCain put forth that he was the sole owner of the Broken P.”
“The man’s a skunk.” Hilda thumped another pot of coffee onto the stove.
“The railroad’s already signed agreements along the proposed route with several people,” Josh told Ruth.
Crocker nodded and winced. “Which puts us in a difficult spot. By agreeing to plot a line across a specific portion of the O’Sullivans’ land, it means we have to lay track straight through the Broken P.”
Letter Perfect Page 32
