Love Inspired Historical July 2015 Box Set: The Marriage AgreementCowgirl for KeepsThe Lawman's RedemptionCaptive on the High Seas

by Renee Ryan

  Garrick gave him a brief nod, then took Rosamond’s elbow and moved her toward Main Street. “Refreshments it is.”

  No sense in stirring up trouble. If Tolley learned that he was responsible for Adam being here, he might not let the lad work on the school, which could cause him to be left out of other activities. Garrick had forgiven Tolley for tripping him during the cattle branding, but he’d be foolish to trust him not to do some other bit of meanness. Adam shouldn’t have to pay the price for Tolley’s vindictiveness toward Garrick.

  *

  “We can set the trays there.” Rosamond nodded toward the back of an empty wagon. Miss Pam had filled two pitchers with ice-cold lemonade and provided a platter filled with her delicious ginger cookies. “Why don’t you go on back to the hotel site?” Rosamond asked Garrick. “I’d like to stay here for a while and watch the progress.”

  “Will Tolley permit you to stay?” Garrick glanced around. For some reason, he seemed reluctant to leave her.

  “I can manage him. I know he’s capable, but I also know he wants to prove himself without Big Sister watching over him. Still, this is my school.” She gave Garrick her warmest smile and added in a teasing tone, “And while you’re also capable, you can count on me to come check up on you in a little while.”

  “Hmm.” He narrowed his eyes, but they still held a twinkle. “Don’t hurry. We’ll manage to keep busy.”

  As he strode away, she felt the loss. How easily she could fall in love with him. The beginning of their acquaintance had been rocky, yet in just over a week, they’d become friends. Even so, she still must consider Tolley’s animosity toward him. She’d never seen her younger brother behave this way toward anyone, so why Garrick? Did he want to protect her? That hardly seemed necessary since Garrick was always a perfect gentleman, even protecting her just as her brothers would have from those rude workers. Did he resent Father’s unreasonable favoritism toward Garrick? That didn’t make sense, either. Father had never given Tolley much attention, as even Nate and Rand had observed. Maybe she’d never know because Tolley certainly wouldn’t admit to such ill feelings.

  She poured lemonade for the twelve boys, most of whom she’d known all their lives and whose ages ranged from thirteen to nineteen. The only boy she didn’t know approached her, tattered hat in hand, and received his glass.

  “Thank you, ma’am.” He glanced beyond her. “Did Mr. Wakefield leave?”

  “Yes. He’s over at the other building site.” She studied him briefly. Now she could get some answers about Garrick. “Are you Mrs. Starling’s son?”

  He grinned shyly. “Yes, ma’am. I’m Adam Starling. And you’re Miss Northam. I want to thank you and Mr. Wakefield for getting that sewing job for my ma. She likes working with Mrs. Beal a whole lot, and sewing’s a heap easier than washing clothes.” His eyes reddened slightly. “I don’t know what we’d have done without Mr. Wakefield’s help. I suppose he told you about Jack and the train.”

  She managed to hide her surprise. “Why, no. Perhaps you could tell me.”

  Over the next ten or so minutes, she listened with rapt attention as Adam unfolded a startling, inspiring story about the man she was so reluctant to love. And gradually, as he spoke, that reluctance flowed away as dross from refined silver.

  As they drove home that afternoon, they said very little. Perhaps Garrick was as tired as she was, but she also wanted to carefully assess what Adam had told her. He’d given her a whole new perspective on the man. Late into the night after she and Beryl went to bed, she could think of nothing else.

  The arrogant Englishman who’d spoken so judgmentally of Americans in the Denver train station had nonetheless risked his life for a small American child. He’d saved a starving family and found them a home and honest work so they could survive on their own. And all without saying a word to anyone.

  He’d even prevented Percy from asking about Adam in front of her and Beryl, probably to keep them from learning about and praising his kindness. And just today, when she’d tried to thank him for making sure the hotel builders respected her authority, he’d changed the subject and talked some nonsense about Roman fountains. All this from a man who’d grown up expecting to become an earl. She could hardly comprehend such humility and graciousness. Nor could she imagine him reporting to his friends back home in England that Americans were somehow lesser beings. Perhaps his haughty words in Denver were an attempt to cover some sort of uncertainty about being in a foreign country and working with people he didn’t know. He truly was a fish out of water, and yet, in a short time he’d figured out how to cope.

  Humble, handsome, charming, courageous, generous, hard-working. A man of faith and good humor. Unfailingly a gentleman.

  Yes, she could love this man. But did she dare?

  “Rosamond,” Beryl whispered, rolling over to face her on the bed they shared. “Are you awake?”

  “Yes.” Rosamond wanted to giggle at the conspiratorial tone in her friend’s voice. At the academy, they’d spent many a late night sharing secrets. “What’s on your mind?”

  “I’m so happy.” Beryl sighed blissfully and then grasped Rosamond’s hand in the dark. “Percy’s done something wonderful, and I can’t keep the secret from you any longer.”

  Rosamond’s heart stalled. “He proposed.” Garrick would be furious.

  Beryl giggled. “No, but maybe one day soon.” She lay back as if that were the end of it.

  “Hey.” Rosamond gently pinched her friend’s arm. “What wonderful thing did he do?”

  Another sigh. “He helped me get over my fear of guns.”

  Rosamond sat up with a gasp. “How? When?” Had the two of them been on their own long enough for such a remarkable change to happen?

  “We’ve been working together since last week. When I told him what happened to me, he was horrified. And pleased to know the man who shot me is in prison for the rest of his life.” She sat up and then leaned back against the mahogany headboard. “When I told him about my terror of every loud noise, he was so sweet and understanding. He said we’d overcome my fears together. First, he talked me into just holding my guns—the pearl handled Colt .45s I bought over in Del Norte—while we chatted about all sorts of things. His home in England, my folks’ ranch. School. We did that for days.”

  She sat quiet for a moment. “I learned to shoot when I was five, just like you and my sisters. Then…well, you know. Getting shot scared me in ways I didn’t understand. You’ve always been strong for me when some loud noise reminds me of that day at the bank, but I didn’t think I’d ever get over it.” A slight catch in her voice revealed the depth of her emotions.

  Rosamond squeezed her hand in the dark.

  “This afternoon,” Beryl said, “we rode out a piece and set up cans on a log. Consuela went with us,” she added quickly. Another brief silence. “He stood behind me with his hands on my shoulders. Not too heavy, of course, just enough so I’d feel his support. I was shaking real bad. But he kept saying how I could do it and not to be afraid. When I was ready, I took a shot.” She giggled, and her gleeful tone brought tears of joy to Rosamond’s eyes. “I flinched real bad. Badly, I mean. And missed, of course, being so out of practice. But I shot and shot until I didn’t flinch anymore.” She heaved out a great, satisfied sigh. “I’m over it, Rosamond, and all because of Percy.”

  “I’m happy for you, my dear, dear friend.” Rosamond wiped away her happy tears on the corner of her sheet. But nipping at the heels of her joy was the memory of Garrick’s disapproving frown whenever he saw Percy and Beryl together. Knowing how much influence Garrick held over his cousin, would he try to keep them apart?

  If so, then the perfect man she was in danger of loving too much had a fault she couldn’t overlook.

  Chapter Nine

  Even though he needed to rest for tomorrow, Garrick fought sleep. One moment, the successes of the day filled his thoughts and prompted fresh ideas for the hotel. The next moment, his stomach churned with anxi
ety on two fronts.

  His growing fondness…attraction—he wished he could define these irresponsible feelings for Rosamond—filled his mind and heart and sent them in a direction he mustn’t take. Friendship? That was insufficient to describe the depth of his emotions. Could he think of marriage? Impossible. Before he took such a sacred step, he must secure Helena’s future.

  Yet he couldn’t help but think of his own future. If he wanted Rosamond to be a part of it, he must make his feelings known to her, especially since other potential suitors, such as Nolan Means and Fred Brody, seemed desperate to meet her.

  For him, however, one thing was certain: responsibility must win out. Uncle had taught him that lesson well when they’d both thought Garrick would inherit the title and all that came with it. Even with the change in his expectations, the lesson held firm. Therefore, in spite of the other gentlemen attracted to her, he must put some distance between Rosamond and himself.

  His other dilemma was no less distressing. He must separate Percy and Beryl. Something had happened today to intensify their attraction, if Beryl’s moon-eyed gazes at Percy over supper and his secretive smiles at her were any indications. His cousin mustn’t waste his life out in this wilderness when he could do so much good at home in England once he married well and entered Society.

  There was nothing for it. Garrick must forget impressing Rosamond, surrender his cowboy lessons with Pete, take Percy away from Four Stones Ranch and seek lodgings in town. Reverend Thomas had mentioned that the widowed church organist had rooms to let. Perhaps she had enough beds for their valets, as well. Tomorrow he’d locate her house and make his inquiries. He’d introduce Percy to Mrs. Starling and ask him to search for her husband. He’d make his excuses to the Colonel by saying he must be closer to the hotel. And he would somehow keep his heart from shattering through it all.

  The next morning over breakfast, he concluded that the Lord had paved his way. Beryl and Rosamond hadn’t yet risen for the day, so he wouldn’t be confronted by any questions they might ask. He also had plenty of time to explain his plans to Percy. Of course, he didn’t tell his cousin all that was in his heart, only about the missing Starling family patriarch.

  “You’ve always been clever at solving puzzles.” He spoke softly so Rita couldn’t hear him. “Finding the countess’s stolen spaniel, and all that. If you take Richards along and perhaps hire a local man as a guide, you’ll have everything you need for the task.” He took a bite of Rita’s delicious griddle cakes and then sipped his coffee. “I’ve no doubt you can locate the chap or, at the least, find out what happened to him. Think of the adventure!”

  “Well…” Percy’s conflict was evident in his frown. “It’s not that I mind helping the family, but perhaps the new sheriff would be the better man for the job.”

  Garrick hadn’t thought of that. He scrambled to think of a truthful way to dismiss Percy’s concern. “But he’s just getting acquainted with the area himself, so he really wouldn’t know much more than we do.” He chewed his lip, feeling like a liar and a conniver. But he must go on for Percy’s sake. “In any event, his duty is to protect the good people of Esperanza. I doubt he can take a week or even longer to search for a man no one’s heard of.”

  Percy tapped his chin thoughtfully. “I wonder whether Beryl would like to accompany me on the hunt.”

  Garrick inhaled sharply. “That would hardly be proper.” He needn’t pretend his concern. At home, such a jaunt with a female could end up in a forced marriage. For all of their rustic ways, these ranchers did care about their daughters. He could well imagine George Eberly holding a shotgun on Percy as Reverend Thomas bound him in marriage to Beryl. “Think of the young lady’s reputation.”

  Percy’s eyes widened. “Yes, of course. How foolish of me.” He stared down and shoved a bit of egg around on his plate. At last he gazed at Garrick, determination filling his eyes. “Very well. I’ll do it. You and I both know the grief of losing our fathers, so we mustn’t let this family do without theirs any longer.”

  Garrick sat back in his chair and nodded. He should feel satisfaction, victory, even. Instead, he felt a cold lump where his heart should be. But he must still accomplish more with his cousin. “I’m going to make arrangements for us to move into town. I need to be closer to the hotel site, and you should be closer to the telegraph office so you can send out inquiries.”

  “I suppose.” Percy hadn’t stopped frowning throughout this whole conversation. Now his shoulders slumped, and he breathed out a long sigh. Garrick’s merry cousin was depressed, and Garrick was to blame.

  *

  Rosamond greeted Garrick just as he entered the worksite. “My, you were out early this morning.” She had missed him at breakfast. After yesterday’s flurry of emotions, she couldn’t quite subdue a giddy hiccup in her chest. To her surprise and disappointment, he barely looked at her. “Where have you been?” Heat rushed to her cheeks. Why on earth had she asked such a nosey question?

  “Personal errand.” His tone was brusque, further deflating her spirits. “It came to mind last night that we should settle the matter of the chef. If we’re going to hire your Mrs. Williams, perhaps we should let her know. Otherwise, I must send for the French chef I originally planned to import to manage our kitchen. Of course, it’ll take him some time to sever his London connections and arrange his travels.”

  “Of course.” Rosamond stiffened.

  What had happened to destroy their blossoming friendship? Had he argued with Tolley? Whatever the problem, she wouldn’t let him embarrass her in front of the builders, especially after the support he had given her yesterday. Two men were already staring at them with too much interest.

  “Let’s go speak to Miss Pam right away.” She started to reach out and take his arm but thought better of it. Instead, she turned toward the street and walked away. To her relief, he fell into step beside her.

  And held out his arm.

  She gave him a sidelong glance before setting her hand on it. “Thank you.” She injected a cool tone into the words. He must learn right away that she wouldn’t accept rudeness from him any more than she would from the workers.

  They walked in silence all the way to Williams’s Café. Cross words and angry questions churned through Rosamond’s mind, but she held her tongue. Mother never spoke in haste and rarely in anger. Rosamond always tried to follow her sweet example, but today it was harder than usual. She accepted responsibility for her part in this odd situation. Just because he had many admirable qualities, she’d let her feelings for him grow out of proportion. He was wise to take a step back from her. She’d step back from him, as well. After all, they’d only known each other for two weeks. Maybe he was frequently moody.

  There! She’d found another fault and must remember it whenever her maverick heart tried to get away from her again.

  He opened the café door and stepped aside so she could enter. The scent of freshly baked bread filled her senses, and her mouth watered. “Oh, my. That makes me hungry, and I ate plenty of breakfast just a short while ago.” Silly how such an aroma could improve her disposition. Now who was being moody?

  Garrick chuckled. “I know what you mean. I’m hungry all over again.”

  His laugh broke down the last of her crossness. Maybe she’d been mistaken about his mood. After all, she’d been terribly nosey to ask where he’d been.

  “Morning, folks.” Miss Pam emerged through the swinging kitchen doors. “Have a seat.” She waved to a table by the window. “What can I bring you?”

  “Coffee for me,” Rosamond said.

  “And I’m guessing you want tea.” Miss Pam gave Garrick a knowing look, as any good merchant gives a favored customer. “Right?”

  “Right.” He gave Miss Pam that glorious smile, and Rosamond’s heart plunged into danger all over again.

  *

  Once again, Garrick felt at war with himself. He’d been pleased to find sufficient accommodations for himself, Percy and their valets at Mrs.
Foster’s house. Not quite so pleased that Rosamond awaited him at the building site and asked a perfectly innocent, entirely friendly question, to which he’d barked his reply. Hurt feelings flickered briefly in her lovely eyes before she’d lifted her chin and answered him in kind. Good for her for not cowering like a housemaid in fear of her master. In fact, he’d wanted to kick himself for inflicting even the slightest pain on this sweet, intelligent lady.

  Why not answer her question? Why not tell her he was moving to town? Because he was a coward of the worst sort. Instead of straightaway confessing all, making amends and reaffirming her authority before the nearby workmen, he’d changed the subject.

  Not that this business of the hotel restaurant could be delayed. What he’d said to Rosamond about time being of the essence in regard to importing the chef was certainly true. Then the instant they’d entered the café, the aromas of baked goods, roasting chicken and coffee had filled his nostrils and incited his appetite, and Chef Henri was forgotten. Garrick could easily imagine guests waking to such delightful smells and recommending the hotel based on the cuisine alone.

  Miss Pam brought their beverages and set them on the table. “Would you like a cream puff fresh out of the oven?”

  “Yes, indeed.”

  “Oh, yes.”

  Garrick and Rosamond answered in unison and then shared a smile. Perhaps their moment of discord truly was at an end. They watched as Miss Pam returned to the kitchen and came back with two small plates containing large fluffy yeast rolls with white icing drizzled across the top.

  “Do you want to address the subject with the lady?” Garrick hoped that by deferring to Rosamond, he could regain more of her good opinion.

  “What subject?” Miss Pam set the plates in front of them.

  “Do you have a minute to chat?” Rosamond waved toward one of the empty chairs at the table.

  Garrick quickly stood and held out the chair. “Please join us, won’t you?”

  “Well…” Miss Pam glanced toward the kitchen. “We need to get dinner ready for our customers.”