Janie colored. "I don't have a beau," she mumbled, ducking her head to play with one of the pleats of her skirt.
"Oh. Your mother said there was a Mr...."
Mama turned in the wagon's bench seat, almost toppling Papa. "Don't be ridiculous, Janie, dear. I told Charlotte all about Mr. Bingley."
Charlotte's expression lit. "Yes, that's it!"
Janie looked back at Mama. "Mr. Bingley is only a friend."
Mama smirked. "Pish posh. You spent several days on his ranch."
Color leached from Janie's face.
"Janie recuperated there, thanks to Mr. Bingley's generosity," Liza interjected. "And it wasn't as if we had a choice, as the storms had flooded the creek."
Charlotte's expression was slightly chagrined, as if she were sorry she'd brought it up at all.
"Nothing happened," Janie said, and her voice was tighter than Liza had ever heard it.
Mama shrugged. "It doesn't mean the man can't be encouraged to make something happen. In fact, I'll take it upon myself to make sure Mr. Bingley pays attention to you today."
"Mama," Liza protested.
Mama smiled, smug that her idea was just right.
"I would prefer you didn't," Janie said. Her eyes sparkled, a little wild, and Liza thought perhaps unshed tears gave them their sheen.
But Mama just shrugged and turned back toward the front.
Janie frowned.
Liza tried to catch her eye, to give her an assurance that she would help corral Mama, keep him from Nathan today. Janie had confessed that Nathan had approached her in town and walked her home. The hope shining in Janie's face had excited Liza. Janie liked Nathan, even if she wouldn't say it outright. All the more reason for Liza to keep Mama out of the way to let the relationship progress.
The wagon creaked up to the Bingleys' ranch, and Papa pulled to a stop in a line of other wagons. Men and women were already gathering for the event, and children ran, laughing and shouting.
After settling the horses, Papa and Mr. Collins joined the men at the worksite next to the old burned-out barn. One side of the new barn had already been framed and raised toward the sky.
Lydia and Kitty rushed off to speak to their friends, and Mama made introductions for Charlotte nearby. Janie unloaded a picnic blanket.
Liza stood in the wagon bed and shaded her eyes as she searched among the men for the one person she wanted to see. Mr. Wickham. She had seen him one other time in town, when he'd been charming and suave. He'd promised to attend today’s event.
But she didn't see him anywhere. And instead, her eyes found Rob Darcy at the corner of the new structure. His broad-shouldered figure was instantly recognizable as he held a tall post upright. Her chest banded tight.
And then he turned his head and his gaze landed on her. She felt it like a touch and quickly knelt in the wagon. It was too bad he hadn't returned to his own ranch and left her in peace. The man irritated her like a boot that fit didn’t fit. And left blisters.
"Can you hand me the basket?" Janie pointed to the overloaded picnic basket at the rear of the wagon.
Liza's back was turned while she reached for it.
"Hallo."
Liza glanced over her shoulder to see Nathan had approached.
"Hello," Janie said quietly. She turned slightly away from him.
Nathan's welcoming smile faded.
Liza craned her neck to see where Mama had gone—there, two wagons over, talking to Mrs. Kimball.
"Are you well, Liza?"
She sent the man a smile. "Yes. And you? It's a lovely morning to build a new barn."
Nathan shifted on his feet. He took off his hat, put it back on. "You'll both save me a dance tonight, won't you?"
"Of course."
"I don't know."
Liza's instant acceptance nearly drowned out Janie's soft near-refusal. Janie glanced toward Mama quickly.
Had she even seen Nathan's disappointed expression?
"We partnered well at the town dance, didn't we?" he asked.
Janie nodded slightly.
Mama left off her conversation and started their way, dragging Charlotte.
"I suppose I should go find Mindy," Janie said quickly. "I haven't forgotten my promise. Will you excuse me?"
Nathan stood looking after her as she strode toward the ranch house.
Liza sat on the end of the wagon and slipped to the ground. Why was Janie acting so strangely? Was Mama's inference in the wagon that she would say something to Nathan causing Janie to act like this? Or was it something more?
"I'd better get to work." He doffed his hat to Liza, making a convenient escape just before Mama arrived.
Liza remained unsure about Janie's brisk departure. If she was unsure, the man must be even more so.
* * *
Janie found Mindy hiding in the farmhouse kitchen peering through the window. When Janie entered with a soft knock, she jumped back, a guilty expression crossing her features.
After Mama's antics in the wagon, Janie wanted to hide away, too. Nathan had come to say hello, and Janie had panicked. When he'd asked her to dance, she'd been afraid that Mama would see them together and start spreading rumors.
What a disaster.
"You should come out and join us," Janie said, offering the girl a warm smile. She well knew how scary new faces could be. "I'm happy to introduce you to the other girls from town. We're a nice bunch."
"I'd rather not," Mindy said stiffly.
Oh. "My sisters are out there," she tried again. "You didn't get to meet them when they came out to fetch Liza and me."
"No thank you." Mindy pointed her nose toward the ceiling.
Why must the girl be such a pill? Janie reminded herself that Mindy'd lost her parents and probably felt adrift.
There was a pause as Janie tried to think of a way to persuade the girl to come out.
"Nathan would appreciate it if you made an effort," she said finally.
"I'm sure he would. But I won't be in Calvin long enough for it to matter."
What did that mean?
"Never mind." Mindy flounced toward the parlor. "Why don't you go back outside and join the rest of the girls angling to marry my brother."
Heat suffused Janie's face. "I'm not—"
"There's no use pretending. I see the way you look at him. And I'm not going out."
Mindy whirled and rushed up the stairs. Moments later, a door slammed.
What had Mindy meant by her statement, I won't be in Calvin long enough for it to matter?
She remembered Nathan's expression on the boardwalk. She finds life here difficult and boring. It was clear he wanted a relationship with Mindy, but she wasn't willing to budge.
Had Mindy said what she'd said about Janie out of spite?
Between Mama's finagling and Mindy's accusation about her motives, all the anticipation Janie had had for this event had turned to dread.
* * *
Rob couldn't help being aware of Liza throughout the morning.
While he and an entire crew of townsmen constructed the four walls of the barn, she circled among the women with her arm threaded through her mother's, chatting and talking. They passed close to the barn site once, but not close enough for him to make out their conversation.
He couldn't stop thinking about seeing her with Wickham in the store. The memory stole his sleep. And was the first thing he'd thought about this morning.
He should warn her about the man's likely wicked intentions. Wickham. Wicked.
But warning her hadn't been the first thought on his mind when he'd seen them together.
A stab of what could only be described as jealousy had pierced him. He'd wanted to walk into the store and bodily remove her from Wickham's presence.
He'd left instead.
Possibly, the man had only been in the store to make a purchase.
But Rob had reacted to Liza's warm smile.
Had she ever smiled at him quite like that?
As the day wore on, the weather warmed considerably, and at one point, the crew he was working with took a break. He stood in the shade of the house and gulped cool water from the pail being passed around. He couldn't help dumping a dipper-full over his head, relishing the feel of cool streams flowing down his neck. He pulled at the front of his shirt, releasing it where it stuck to his skin.
And he noticed Liza across the way, staring. She held a baby on her hip, and a little girl tugged on her skirt.
When their gazes collided, she flushed and turned away.
She wasn't unaffected by him.
But was she involved with Wickham?
He was determined to find out.
He was on the framed roof when he heard her pealing laugh and nearly smashed his thumb with his hammer.
A glance to the ground revealed Liza with her mother and Janie, all three in conversation with Nathan, who was drinking from the dipper.
Janie's gaze flickered to Nathan and then away. Nathan spoke animatedly, but Rob thought he read tension in the set of his friend's shoulders.
Mrs. Bennett laughed, but the sound rang false and made Rob grit his teeth.
Seeing them together reminded him that he hadn't come to Calvin seeking a wife for himself. He'd come to help Nathan get on his feet on the ranch. After what'd happened with Hildy, he'd also vowed to keep his friend from being hurt again.
Nathan spoke to Janie, and her eyes skittered away. She couldn't even look at him, wasn't smiling. Was she indifferent to him?
Rob wouldn't let his friend get hurt again. Even if he had to step in and say something about Janie Bennett.
* * *
"Liza?"
Evening shadows were falling as she turned, sure her eyes were wide at the query from Rob Darcy. He was close, between their wagon and the neighboring one. The family was assembled to eat their picnic supper, and no one seemed to have noticed his approach.
"Will you save a dance for me?" he asked.
The barn had taken shape over the course of the day. Now the sun was going down and the last of the wooden shingles were being applied to the roof. There was still work to be done on the barn's interior, but with the help of almost all of Calvin, Nathan had recovered much of what was lost.
And Rob wanted her to save him a dance?
The moment stretched long as his gaze and hers melded. She nodded, and he turned and strode away.
She squatted in the shadow of the wagon, heart pounding against her ribcage.
Had that just happened?
And why had she agreed?
She didn't even like Rob. He was highhanded and disdainful...
And he'd helped rescue Janie.
But he'd also mistreated George.
Her thoughts were a muddle.
Even before folks were finished eating, lanterns were lit inside the new barn. The empty building was perfect for dancing and visiting. The sound of a fiddle beckoned everyone inside.
Nathan approached their picnic blanket, his hand extended to Janie. She hesitated, and his smile fell.
"Oh, go on, Janie!" Mama encouraged.
Was Liza mistaken, or did she see a minuscule wince cross Janie's face at Mama's words? But Janie smiled tentatively, and Nathan's joy returned as she placed her hand in his. They were among the first inside, and Liza caught glimpses of her sister through the large open barn doors as Janie twirled in the dance.
Janie deserved a happily ever after. Please, God.
Kitty and Lydia disappeared into the new barn, as did Mr. and Mrs. Collins and Mama. Liza lingered on the picnic blanket gathering up plates and utensils. Long enough for Papa to ask, "Aren't you going to dance?"
And then Rob was there, appearing out of the shadows, hatless, his hair almost as dark as the night.
Heart racing, she stood.
He didn't offer his arm or take her hand as they approached the barn, where sounds of music and laughter filtered out. If she'd expected it, she would've been disappointed.
She didn't know what to expect from the enigmatic man.
Inside, the musicians called for everyone to square up. The bow was drawn across the fiddle, and the caller gave their first set of directions.
Rob's hand closed over hers as he twirled her. His warm skin against hers ignited a cavalcade of sparks along her nerve endings.
If she’d been dancing with anyone else, she’d have welcomed it.
Unlike the other dancers, who smiled and laughed with each other, Rob's face was almost comically serious.
And she was filled with a sudden desire to draw some reaction out of him. Any reaction.
"I'm glad Nathan recovered his barn," she said as she passed by his shoulder, following the caller's directions. Her skirts swished against his pants. "It was a fine turnout."
"He must still bear the cost of the lost hay and farm implements."
She ground her teeth. Couldn't the man see anything positive?
"You seemed to enjoy yourself today," he said.
"You were watching?"
He whirled away from her, they crossed behind another pair of dancers. When they came together again, his jaw was clamped shut, and a muscle in his cheek ticked.
She bared her teeth in a fierce smile. "It isn't a crime to enjoy oneself. I don't often have a chance to visit friends who live out of town. Papa's shop keeps me too busy to make calls very often."
The caller demanded a different move, and Rob's hand settled at her waist, the weight of it hot and heavy. She was close enough that she had to tilt her face up to see his.
That moment, the connection between them expanded and slowed. His dark eyes glittered down to her. He didn't smile, but even so, there was no denying that he was handsome. Striking.
"But not too busy to flirt with your customers?” he said. “Or perhaps just one customer in particular?"
He spun her away, making her slightly dizzy even as his words registered and her temper sparked.
"Do you mean Mr. Wickham?" she asked sweetly. "He was charming enough when he came into the shop."
He stepped into her space, the jolting movement out of place among the dancers who were still spinning and laughing. His face was serious, almost angry. He drew her away from the dancers into a shadowed corner of the barn, not allowing her space to retreat.
No one seemed to notice.
"I suppose Mr. Wickham is a charming sort of snake."
How dare he? "At least he has the decency to attempt charm."
He stopped advancing on her, taken aback as if she'd slapped him.
The music ended, and in the sudden quiet, each of his breaths was audible.
And then his expression went carefully blank. He nodded once. "Thank you for the dance. And the enlightenment."
And he was gone.
Chapter 13
"I hate it here! I want to go back to St. Louis!"
Mindy's shout preceded the slam of the back door by seconds.
Rob attempted to ignore both as he shoved the post-diggers into the ground, still soft from last week's storms. With the barn completed, they'd needed to adjust the corral fence to accommodate the new placement. A new post laid on the ground next to where he worked.
The morning sun gave him a headache. Or possibly it was the sleepless night he'd passed.
Liza's words about his lack of charm had run through his brain like a steam locomotive with no brakes. She found Wickham charming. Not him.
He'd come to grips with his lack of social graces a long time ago. But the recent events made him realize what that lack would cost him.
And ranch tasks wouldn't wait. The corral and a few other chores needed to be completed. They were down to the last of it.
It was time for him to return home.
Nathan trudged toward him from the farmhouse. Except for Mindy, his friend had things on the ranch well under control. The livestock was thriving. The barn had been rebuilt.
There was nothing for Rob here. And his ranch needed tending.
; He swiped the back of one hand over his sweaty forehead, dislodging his hat slightly. He judged the depth of his hole to be sufficient, and Nathan hefted the fence post to place it.
Nathan gave an apologetic glance. "I'm sorry about Mindy."
Rob exchanged his post-diggers for a shovel and began packing dirt beside the post as Nathan held it steady.
"It isn't an easy life for a woman," he said. "My sister—" He didn't have to finish the sentence. Nate knew his history. Rob's actions had resulted in Danna almost dying when she'd been sixteen.
"I've been thinking about sending her back. To St. Louis. If she attends that girl's school for another year or two, she might meet some eligible man. Or at least be a year or two closer to her own inheritance."
Nate's shoulders drooped. His friend wasn't one to give up. Rob knew how much he'd wanted to connect with Mindy, to be a real brother and sister.
How much this must be hurting him.
"Do you want me to stay on and watch the place until you return?" If Nate left today, that meant another week in Calvin. If Rob stayed away from town, he wouldn't have to see Liza with Wickham.
"No." Nate rubbed one hand on the back of his neck. His expression revealed uncertainty. Something else was bothering him. He whirled, facing Rob directly. "Do you think Janie Bennett fancies me?"
Rob tapped the post, ensuring it was stable. Finally he had no choice but to return Nathan's direct look. "I don't know."
"I know her mother is..." Nathan cast about for a polite way to say what Rob was thinking.
"Obnoxious?” Rob suggested. “The biggest gossip in town?"
Nathan gave him a hard look. "That wouldn't really matter. If we married, we'd live on the ranch—"
"It wouldn't matter, if Janie fancied you," Rob said.
Nathan looked as if Rob had gut-punched him. "You don't think she fancies me."
Rob scrubbed a hand over his mouth. Liza was right. He didn't have a gentle way with words.
Nathan looked away, squinting in the sunlight. "I thought we’d made a connection. I had hoped... but last night she was..."
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