Cassie bit her lip, the old feelings of guilt ambushing her with unexpected force at his words. “I’m so sorry, Pa. About Ma, I mean.” Her voice cracked on the last word, but she managed to hold the tears back.
Her father appeared startled by her sudden shift in mood. “What’s the matter, Cassie girl? What about your ma?”
“It was my fault she was out in that garden, my fault she’s gone. If I’d been doing my own chores—”
His arms went around her again. “Gracious, girl, you been carrying that around with you all this time?”
He set her back and stared solemnly into her eyes. “You got it wrong, Cassie Lynn. Your ma asked me to take her to town that day. She wanted to buy some fabric to make new curtains for the parlor. If I’d said yes instead of telling her what a wasteful notion that was, she might still be alive today.”
“Oh, Pa, no.” His confession touched Cassie, helped her relate to him in a way she hadn’t in a very long time. “You can’t go blaming yourself.”
He brushed her hair with his gnarled, work-roughened hand. “I can and I did, for a long time. But I finally realized that thinking on such things does no one any good. You’ve got to trust in the Lord, forgive yourself and move on.”
Easier said than done.
He must have seen something of her thoughts in her face because he squeezed her hands. “Now that you know the part I played, you can’t take the blame on your shoulders without shifting some of that burden on mine, as well.” He folded his arms across his chest. “We’re tied together in this. You think about this anytime you go thinking the Lord ain’t big enough to forgive us.”
His words were a balm to the ache that had been gnawing inside Cassie for a very long time.
A few minutes later, as she turned the buggy back toward town, she felt as if a tremendous weight had been lifted from her shoulders.
She decided that, for the time being, she wouldn’t mention this visit and its purpose to Riley. He might misunderstand her motives, might feel an added layer of guilt for something that had been no one’s decision but her own.
She also didn’t want him to feel that she’d read anything into last night’s kiss that he hadn’t intended.
If he inquired about her husband hunt, she would merely respond that it was progressing just as it should.
He’d be gone in a week and that would be that.
And if she was lucky, she’d wait until then to fall apart.
* * *
Riley had spent the morning wondering just what sort of business it was that had taken Cassie away from the house. She’d said she was going by the livery, and the blacksmith’s place was just down from there. Was she proposing to Edmondson? It was all Riley could do not to march out there and stop her.
But he knew he had no rights where she was concerned.
Still, as one hour turned into two and then three, he found himself growing concerned on her behalf. Had she had to go down to the second or even the third choice on her list? Or was she merely spending time with her new fiancé?”
It was nearly eleven o’clock when Cassie returned to the house.
“How are the kids?” she asked promptly.
There was a new look about her, as if she’d accomplished some major feat, as if a burden had been lifted from her. So had she gone through with her proposal, after all? If so, why didn’t she just announce that she had a fiancé?
Pulling his thoughts back to her question, Riley answered as coherently as possible. “Noah is complaining about the itching. Mrs. Flanagan’s been trying to entertain him with stories and games, but she’s been meeting with mixed results. ”
“Oh dear, I don’t know whether to feel more sympathy for Noah or Mrs. Flanagan. I’ll go check on them in just a moment.”
Riley decided to do a bit of subtle probing to see if she’d reveal anything. “Did you get your business taken care of?”
“I did.”
That still didn’t give him the answers he wanted, so he tried again. “It all went well, I hope.”
Cassie nodded, a satisfied expression on her face. “It wasn’t an easy step to take, but yes, it ended even better than expected.”
She didn’t elaborate, and other than out and out asking her what she’d been up to, he had to be satisfied with that.
Later, as Riley brushed Duchess with long even strokes, his mind was still on that cryptic conversation. He’d just unhitched the animal from the freight wagon and the horse was now contentedly munching some oats while Riley groomed her.
Cassie had remained closemouthed as to the nature of her errand all through lunch and the cleanup after. Perhaps he’d misread her intent.
If she had proposed marriage this morning and one of her three candidates had accepted, surely she would have announced it? And if the man had refused her, she wouldn’t appear nearly so serene. There was a third option, of course—the man may have asked for time to think it over.
No, that couldn’t be it. She had the look of a woman who had settled matters. Perhaps she had been dealing with another matter altogether.
This was ridiculous. The only way he was going to get peace of mind was to come right out and ask her. Maybe tonight, when they were doing the supper dishes—
“Hello, Riley.”
Riley froze. He knew that voice, would know it anywhere, anytime.
Guy had found them.
Chapter Nineteen
Riley turned and faced his stepbrother, trying to keep hold of his emotions.
“You’re quite predictable,” Guy said with a selfsatisfied sneer. “When I arrive in a new town, I always check at the livery first.”
“What do you want?”
“What do you think I want? I want my kids.”
“Nancy entrusted them to me.”
“But Nancy’s not here anymore. I’m their father and by rights they belong to me, not you.”
“You talk about them like they’re animals or furniture. They’re not possessions, they’re children.”
“And they’re my children. And I aim to have them come with me.”
“That’s not going to happen.”
“Shall we let the law decide?”
“Your record with the law is far from stellar.”
“But I’ve done my time, and now I’m a changed man, ready to walk the straight and narrow.”
Riley very much doubted that. “I’ve heard that all before.”
“But this time, it’s true. And you can’t prove otherwise. So, take me to my kids.”
“You might want to wait on that. They have chicken pox.” The surprise on Guy’s face was quite satisfying to see.
“You’re lying.”
“Not at all.”
“Do you mean to tell me that you went off and left them on their own with them being sick?”
“Who said they were by themselves?”
“I want to see for myself.” Guy straightened. “I can just ask around town if I want to know where they’re staying. A little backwater like this, everyone here likely knows everyone else’s business.”
It appeared there was no putting this off. “Let me finish up here and then I’ll take you to them.”
Guy tugged his sleeve in that irritatingly superior way he had. “I’ll wait.”
* * *
“Riley, why’d you knock? You know you can bring a visitor right on in,” Cassie said as she opened the door.
Before Riley could respond, his stepbrother doffed his hat and stepped forward. “Good day to you, ma’am. I’m Guy Simpson, Pru and Noah’s father.”
“Oh.” Cassie’s gaze flew to Riley’s and he saw the surprise and uncertainty there. She recovered quickly and gave his stepbrother a nod of greeting. “Good afternoon.” But
she stepped out on the porch, casually pulling the door shut behind her.
If Guy noticed anything awkward in her greeting, he gave no sign of it. “Riley tells me the kids are a bit under the weather right now, but didn’t mention the cause. I hope it’s not anything serious?”
So Guy was trying to confirm his story.
“It’s chicken pox.” She tilted her head slightly, her nose wrinkled in apparent concern. “May I ask if you’ve had this illness yourself?”
An uncertain look crossed Guy’s otherwise smooth expression. “I’m not really sure.”
She lifted a hand in a gesture of dismay. “Oh, dear. Chicken pox is highly contagious, so we have the children under quarantine. And according to Dr. Pratt, it’s much worse for an adult to catch it than a child.”
Guy rubbed his jaw. “I don’t care so much for myself, but I don’t suppose it would do the kids any good for me to finally show up just to become too sick to care for them.” Then he met her gaze, his expression troubled. “Are they suffering much from it?”
Riley wanted to roll his eyes. Guy was a consummate actor.
But Cassie was continuing to speak to him as she would to any genuinely concerned parent. “They’re definitely uncomfortable and a bit cranky when they go through the worst of it. But thankfully, they’re not suffering any real pain.”
“Well, thank the Good Lord for that.” Guy gave her one of those charming, self-deprecating smiles of his that could make women swoon. “It’s very kind of you to be caring for them. I hope you’ll allow me to repay you for all your trouble. I’m afraid I don’t have much in the way of funds, but I’m willing to help out in other ways.”
“Thank you, but there’s no need. Mr. Walker here has been doing some fix-up work around here and he’s really been doing a lot of the looking after Noah and Pru.”
“I’m glad my little brother here has been doing his part, but I’m their father and I like to pay my own debts.”
“There’s no debt here.” Her tone was firmer this time. “I’ve grown quite fond of the children and I am happy to do what I can to help.”
“Miss Vickers is very forthright,” Riley said.
Guy ignored his comment and kept his smile focused on her. “I can see why Riley was so comfortable leaving them in your care. Tell me, how much longer do you reckon they’ll be contagious? I certainly don’t want to impose on your kindness any longer than necessary.”
“Another week, at least. And as I said, it’s no imposition.”
“Well then, since I can’t see the children just yet, I guess I’d best find myself a place to stay for the next week.” He turned to Riley. “Where are you staying—the hotel? A boardinghouse?”
“Actually, I’m staying right here, where I can help take care of the kids when I’m not working at the livery.” He rather enjoyed the flash of irritation he saw in his stepbrother’s face.
Guy frowned. “I’m surprised that you would impose on the kindness of this lady, not to mention put her in such a socially precarious position.”
Before Riley could respond, Cassie spoke up. If anything, her spine got straighter and her chin higher. “I believe you are under some misapprehensions, sir. Mr. Walker was invited to stay here by Mrs. Flanagan, my employer and the owner of this house. She issued the invitation so he could be close to Pru and Noah. He’s a welcome guest, there is nothing socially precarious about his presence here and he has been nothing but a gentleman his entire stay.”
Riley felt a little prickling of guilt at that statement. That kiss last night didn’t exactly qualify as a gentlemanly act.
But Guy was already bowing to her in his courtliest fashion. “My apologies, ma’am. I meant no offense.” Then he turned to Riley. “Perhaps you will be so good as to show me the way to the hotel and we can catch up on the latest news while we walk.”
Riley was tempted to refuse, but decided it was best to hear what Guy had to say.
* * *
As Cassie watched the men walk away, her hands began to tremble. The only thing that had kept her from panicking earlier was Riley’s reassuring presence. It had been obvious, to her at least, that he wasn’t happy with the circumstances—undoubtedly a major understatement—but he had remained calm and businesslike.
She hugged herself with arms crossed tightly over her chest. Riley’s fears had come to pass. The children’s father had caught up with them.
What would happen now? Surely there was something they could do to prevent Guy from gaining control of the children. She understood now why Riley was so protective of them. The thought of those precious little ones falling into the hands of a man who would use them in the manner Riley had described was absolutely unthinkable.
Would Sheriff Gleason help them? Or would his hands be tied by the law?
Cassie stepped back inside and closed the door, leaning against it while she tried to pull her thoughts together. She should tell Mrs. Flanagan as soon as possible, but she would leave it to Riley to tell Noah and Pru, when he thought the time was right.
How would the kids feel if they knew their father was here? Would they want to see him? Would they fear him?
It was hard to believe the man she’d just met had done all those things Riley had described. Even though he’d told her his stepbrother was charming, she’d pictured a brute of a man with a boorish demeanor, not this very pleasant-looking, well-mannered gentleman. Not that she doubted Riley’s story.
Which made his stepbrother all the more dangerous.
She looked into the dining room, to find Mrs. Flanagan reading a book, flanked by the children. Cassie took a moment to savor that sweet picture, then reluctantly cleared her throat.
The trio glanced her way and she flashed them all a calm smile. “What story are you reading?”
Noah gave a wide grin. “Mrs. Flanagan is reading us a story about a prince who was turned into a frog.”
“Oh my, that poor prince.”
Noah puffed out his chest. “I think it would be fun to be a frog. You could hop around and get as dirty and wet as you want and never have to do chores.”
Pru wrinkled her nose. “But you would be green and squishy and have to eat flies.”
Noah merely shrugged, as if he didn’t consider that a hardship.
Cassie smiled and then turned to Mrs. Flanagan. “Can I speak to you for just a minute?” She tried to communicate the importance with her eyes.
“Of course.” Her employer handed the book to Pru as Cassie moved to the back of the wheelchair. “Why don’t you continue reading while I see what Cassie Lynn needs?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Cassie pushed the chair into the kitchen and then quickly updated Mrs. Flanagan on the situation.
“That man is going to have to climb over me to get to those little darlings.” The widow’s grim expression made it clear she meant every word.
After she returned Mrs. Flanagan to the children, Cassie went back to the kitchen and finished chopping the carrots that would be a side dish for this evening’s supper.
What was Riley doing right now? Was he still with his stepbrother? Had he taken River out for a gallop so he could think?
Waiting for him to come back was excruciating. She needed to know what he was thinking, what he might be planning to keep the children safe.
Because there had to be a way.
As she’d hoped, Riley soon reappeared, entering through the back door. She immediately turned to him and her heart nearly broke at the drawn, worried look on his face.
“Where are Noah and Pru?” he asked.
“Mrs. Flanagan is reading to them in the dining room.”
He nodded and crossed the room.
“Oh, Riley, what are we going to do?”
He dropped down on one of the chairs. “Whatever
I have to do to keep Guy away from those kids.”
She grabbed the coffeepot and poured a cup, figuring he needed something to grab on to. While she was still at the counter, he shot her a suspicious look. “You didn’t say anything to them, did you?”
“Of course not.” How could he think she would scare them that way? She set the cup in front of him and crossed her arms.
“I’m sorry, I should have known better. It’s just...”
“It’s just that your stepbrother’s arrival has rattled you.”
He grimaced. “That’s an understatement.”
She sat at the table across from him. “I did tell Mrs. Flanagan, though. I thought she needed to know.”
Riley nodded, but didn’t respond.
“Are you going to tell the children that their father is here?”
He absently turned the cup of coffee in his hands. “I don’t want to put that burden, and that fear, on them.”
“But he may find a way to make his presence known.”
Riley nodded. “I know.” He stared at the cup as if just now realizing it was there, then took a sip. “I’ll tell them. But I think I’ll wait until morning. Let them have one more night of peace.”
“Perhaps, in the next day or two, this detective of yours will find what he needs to put your stepbrother away.”
“Doubtful. He only left Tyler today.”
“What did the two of you discuss just now, when you left here? Did Guy tell you what his plans are?”
“He did all the talking. He tried to convince me that he was truly reformed, that he had learned his lesson and paid for his transgressions, and that he was ready to be a proper father to the children.”
“But you don’t believe him.”
Riley grimaced. “I’ve been fooled by that kind of talk from him too many times. He comes to you with eyes filled with sorrow, and confides how deeply he regrets the wrong he’s done. You hear the emotion in his voice, see it in his expression and bearing, and you just know that this time it’s genuine.” Riley waved a hand in disgust. “But as time passes, you watch as he slips back into his old ways, begin to doubt that he ever truly abandoned them, and you come to realize that the only thing he truly regrets is having been found out.”
Texas Cinderella Page 16
