She’d planned to stay home that afternoon, but since the rain had stopped, she’d decided to take the opportunity to pull the weeds while the soil was still damp.
Resting back on her heels for a moment, she glanced up at the wispy clouds floating in the clear blue sky. An absolutely perfect day, she mused.
The rattle of harness from the front of the house caught her attention. Since Almira was at the mercantile stocking up on supplies and the older children were inside doing lessons, Olivia stood up and removed her work gloves, then draped them over the rim of the bucket holding the weeds she’d already pulled.
Brushing her skirt, she hurried around the side of the house to see who their visitor was. She stopped short when she saw Landry climbing the steps to the front porch.
Her heart leaped into her throat. She didn’t want to see him, wasn’t prepared to deal with him, but she had no choice if she wanted their wagon axle repaired.
And having the wagon to use for the picnic was more important than her feelings.
Taking in a few calming breaths, she forced his name past the tightness in her throat. “Landry.”
He turned at the mention of his name, his eyes widening when he saw her. Climbing back down the porch steps, he stopped in front of her. “Afternoon, Olivia. I didn’t expect to see you here.”
He seemed uncomfortable, even nervous, yet why he would be, she didn’t know. “Is that why you came today?”
“Of course not,” he said. “This is the first chance I’ve had.”
“I see,” she said softly. Still, something made her wonder if he was telling the truth - the way he was avoiding her gaze, his hands clenching and unclenching, shifting from one foot to the other as if he was unable to stand in one spot.
“Where’s the wagon you need fixed?” he asked finally.
She pointed to a long weathered building at the far edge of the property. “In the shed. I’ll show you.”
In silence, they walked around the side of the house. He stopped when he saw the garden. “Is that what you were doing?” he asked, his glance drifting over her soil-stained apron and mud-covered boots.
She nodded. “I enjoy it, and it means we don’t have to buy fresh fruits and vegetables.”
“That’s true.”
“Come with me,” she said. She took a few steps, then realizing he was walking behind her, stopped until he caught up. It made her feel uncomfortable knowing he was watching her walk. When they reached the shed, she tugged the door open and stepped inside.
Stale air and dust met her nose. “Here it is,” she said, then stepped aside so Landry could take a closer look.
The wagon was old, the blue paint peeled and blistered to reveal cracked weathered wood underneath. It listed to one side where the spokes from one of the wheels were broken or missing. The rusted metal rim lay on the dirt beside the wheel.
As he moved past her in the small space, he brushed against her. Her heart raced, and her skin tingled at his nearness. For a few moments, he paused. Their eyes met, and she found herself holding her breath.
His heated glance bore into her. The air between them sizzled. She shouldn’t want him to kiss her, but Lord help her, she did. At that moment, she wanted to feel his lips on hers and his arms around her more than she’d ever wanted anything.
The moment passed. He moved away, and even though the shed was stifling hot, a chill filled her.
Landry slowly made his way around the entire wagon, stopping every few seconds to examine something. He tugged at the wagon tongue and a moment later, the rusty pin attaching the tongue to the wagon box fell out.
“Can you fix it?” she asked. If it was beyond repair, taking the children on a picnic would be impossible.
“It’s in pretty bad shape,” he commented.
She nodded. “Almira told me it hasn’t been used in years, but I hoped it wouldn’t take much to make it usable. Can you fix it? I so hope you can. I can’t wait to tell the children—”
A smile creased his lips. He chuckled. “Do you always get like this when you’re planning a surprise?”
“Like what?”
“Like you’re about to bust out of your skin?”
Her face flushed. She couldn’t help herself. “I’m afraid so.”
“It’s nice,” he murmured.
“It is?”
He nodded. “But do you ever do anything nice for yourself?”
“Why … of course …”
“Like what?”
“Well …” She paused, trying to come up with something, anything, she’d done for herself to make her life easier or more enjoyable.”
“I thought so,” he said. “Seems everything you do is for other people. Not that it’s a bad thing. It’s nice to see there are still people in this world who aren’t just out for themselves. But maybe once in a while you should take some time to be nice to yourself.”
He didn’t understand. Couldn’t understand that by being a good neighbor, by helping other people, she was being nice to herself She had no husband to care for, no children to love. Doing for others was the only thing that made her feel worthwhile, needed.
She couldn’t explain why it was so important to her to feel needed, and she suspected if she continued this conversation, his questions would become more personal, questions she couldn’t answer. “So, can you fix the wagon?”
He folded his arms across his chest as he stood and stared at the wagon for quite some time before he answered. “I could,” he said finally, “but it’s not worth fixing. I’d almost have to rebuild the whole thing.”
Olivia’s heart sank. She’d really hoped the wagon was in better shape than it looked. Bu, at least the children wouldn’t be disappointed, she consoled herself. “Oh … well, thank you for letting me know.”
“You’re welcome.” He stepped outside, and Olivia followed.
The pine-scented air was a welcome respite from the stuffiness inside the shed, and she took a deep cleansing breath.
“Look,” he said, pausing near the garden. “It’s a shame that the children won’t get their picnic, so you’re welcome to use my wagon if you want.”
“Really?” Her excitement began to build again. “Are you sure?”
He nodded. “I don’t use it much, just if I have to cart something from one of the ranches into town to fix.”
“Then I accept, with thanks.”
“Fine. Just let me know when.”
Together, they rounded the side of the house. Suddenly, she froze, her hand automatically reaching out and grabbing Landry’s arm when she saw Daniel standing beside the horse tied to the back of Landry’s wagon.
Fear surged through her. Daniel was so small, and the caramel-colored horse was so huge. Yet as she watched, Daniel reached up and ran his hand gently down the animal’s neck. The horse nickered. Daniel stopped, and the horse turned its head and nudged him. Daniel smiled.
“What’s the matter?” Landry asked.
Emotion choked her. “It’s … it’s the first time I’ve seen Daniel without a frown.”
“Is that so?”
For a few minutes, they waited, watching the little boy befriend the horse before they crossed the yard.
“Daniel?” she said softly.
The boy’s eyes widened when he saw them. His smile disappeared, guilt washing across his face.
“My name’s Landry Mitchell,” Landry said, holding out his hand. “I’m happy to meet you. And since Chester’s decided you’re his friend, that means we’ll be friends, too.”
Daniel stared up at him for a few seconds, then hesitantly reached out and let his small hand be buried in Landry’s.
“This is Chester,” Landry told him, rubbing the horse’s head. “Do you like him?”
Daniel nodded.
“Do you know how to ride?”
He nodded again.
Olivia wasn’t surprised. Daniel’s parents had owned a farm so it was likely they’d taught the boy to ride.
&n
bsp; “Would you like to ride him sometime?”
Interest sparked in Daniel’s eyes. With his glance glued to Landry, his face lit up in a grin. “Yes, sir.”
Olivia sucked in a breath. Daniel had finally spoken.
Chapter Seven
Olivia glanced up at the sky. She couldn’t have asked for a more perfect day for a picnic.
“Hurry, children. We’re wasting time,” she said as they gathered at the bottom of the stairs. “Mr. Mitchell has been kind enough to lend us a wagon, and we don’t want to make him wait. So everyone carry something and let’s go.”
A few minutes later, the picnic baskets they’d packed earlier were stowed in the wagon bed. The children were huddled together beside them, and Landry was sitting on the bench, his hand reaching to help Olivia up into the wagon.
A tingle seeped through her and settled low in her stomach as his work-roughened fingers closed around hers. “Thank you,” she murmured as she sat beside him. Their thighs met, his heat seeping through the fabric of her dress and petticoats. Her breath hitched in her throat.
“You sure you can handle the wagon yourself?” he asked as they slowly made their way down Rocky Ridge’s main street toward the livery.
“Of course,” she assured him.
He slid a glance at her. “You look real pretty today.”
“Thank you.” Her cheeks pinked. She had to admit she’d taken pains with her appearance, knowing she’d see Landry and hoping he’d find her attractive. After going through her wardrobe, she’d finally settled on a pale yellow dress patterned with tiny flowers and trimmed with white lace. She’d had compliments when she’d worn that dress before, so she knew it was becoming on her. She’d also taken the time to curl her hair, pinning it on her head and leaving a few tendrils to frame her face.
The children chattered behind them, making it unnecessary for Olivia and Landry to carry on a conversation. Finally, Landry did break the silence between them. “You’re taking the children yourself?”
She nodded. “Mrs. Potts decided to stay behind with the babies and the young ones.”
“I see. You sure you can handle them all yourself?”
She wasn’t sure, but she hoped the older children would help her with the younger ones. The children had all promised they’d be on their best behavior, and she had threatened that if one of them misbehaved, the picnic would be over and she’d immediately take them home. She hoped that would be enough. “We’ll see,” she said, giving him a hopeful smile.
“You can let me off at the livery,” he said. “Just bring the wagon back whenever you’re done with it.”
Olivia nodded, but disappointment filled her. She’d wondered if he might offer to join them, but apparently he had no interest in spending the day with a horde of children.
A minute or so later, they reached the livery. Landry pulled on the reins and handed them to her.
“Thank you again for lending us the wagon,” she said. “Are you very busy today?”
“Not particularly,” he responded. “Why?”
Should she? Her teeth worried her bottom lip for a few moments as propriety warred with desire inside her. Desire won. “Would you like to come with us?”
Lines formed between his brows. “You mean on your picnic?”
She nodded. “I’m sure the boys would enjoy having you there.”
“What about the woman? Would she enjoy having me there, too?”
How was she supposed to answer that? She could lie and say she had no preference either way, but she’d never been good at masking her feelings. Yet admitting she wanted to spend time with him was highly improper. Then again, being proper had never gotten her anywhere. “She would,” she said quietly, smiling. “Very much.”
Their gazes locked but he didn’t speak for a few moments. “I didn’t want to intrude, but if I’m invited …” Then he reached over, smiled and took the reins back out of her hands.
***
The older children’s’ squeals and laughter rang through the quiet meadow surrounding the mill pond. Two of the younger children were sleeping on blankets beneath the shade of a weeping willow. Olivia and Landry sat on a blanket beside them, keeping an eye on the older children in the pond. Three girls sat nearby, playing with rag dolls.
She smiled at the children jumping off the bank into the pond, pleased she could give them a day of enjoyment rather than the humdrum existence they usually led at the orphanage.
Almira had a set schedule for everything from mealtimes to baths to lessons and playtime. Today was the first time since she’d started helping out at the orphanage that the schedule had varied.
She cast a glance at Landry. He was sitting at the base of the tree where she’d spread a blanket, his back resting against the trunk. His gaze was focused on the children in the pond, and she was grateful to have an extra pair of eyes to watch over the children as they swam.
A faint smile quirked his lips, the tiny lines at the corners of his eyes crinkling. Olivia had never been partial to men with facial hair, but somehow, the dark stubble shadowing Landry’s jaw only made him even more handsome.
As if he sensed her eyes on him, he turned and met her gaze. Olivia’s heart skittered in her chest at the raw desire in his eyes. She forgot to breathe.
“Whatcha doin’, Mr. Mitchell?”
Olivia started. She’d been so caught up in Landry’s heated glance she hadn’t even noticed Daniel approaching. She’d been sure Landry was about to kiss her. And what was worse, she was about to let him. With children watching! Heaven’s, what was she thinking?
Landry grinned at the little boy. “Just sitting, Daniel. Enjoying the sunshine. Why aren’t you in the water? You don’t like swimming?”
He shook his head, then dropped onto the blanket beside Landry. He squirmed until his back was against the tree, his ankles crossed, his arms folded across his chest, exactly the way Landry’s were.
“What do you like to do, Daniel?” Landry asked.
Daniel shrugged. “I like to plant things like my Pa did.”
Strange, Olivia thought, he’d never shown any interest in the garden at the orphanage. “You’re welcome to help me whenever you’d like,” she told him.
He shook his head but didn’t answer.
“I used to like to plant things, too, when I was a boy,” Landry said.
“Why don’t you plant things now? You’re a man so you get to do anything you want.”
Landry chuckled. “I wish that were true, Daniel. Even when you’re a man you can’t do whatever you want to do.”
“My ma always said …” Daniel’s voice trailed off, and he looked away, but not before Olivia noticed a brightness in his eyes that hadn’t been there moments before.
“I’m going to check on the children swimming,” Olivia said, getting up. “It’s almost time to get back.”
Olivia strolled down to the edge of the pond, adjusting her bonnet to shade her eyes. The sun beat down, and as she watched the children frolicking in the water, she was glad she’d been able to give them some enjoyment, at least for a few hours.
She glanced over her shoulder and caught Landry watching her. Heat stole over her and settled low inside her that had nothing to do with the sunshine. He smiled, and even though she was too far away, she could easily imagine how his eyes twinkled and tiny creases appeared at the corners of his eyes. Then he turned back to look at Daniel and nodded, lowering his head as they fell into a deep conversation.
A smile tugged at her lips. It looked like the two of them were forming a friendship, a bond that she was confident would help them both.
***
Landry couldn’t remember ever feeling more comfortable with a woman. He’d never been lonely for a lady’s company, but until the day he met Olivia, he hadn’t realized what had been missing. He enjoyed spending time with women, enjoyed what they’d offered, but he’d never really liked a woman. Until now.
He liked Olivia. Liked her sweetness and her ki
ndness, and even her stubbornness when she set her mind on something. She made him forget about the horror of being behind bars, and made him think about the future. And he liked looking at her, liked the freckles that dotted her nose, and the way her eyes changed from brown to gold depending on her mood. He liked her curves and the way he hips swayed when she walked, and the way she fit against him when he held her close, as if they were two parts of one whole.
But she also made him want things he wasn’t sure he’d ever have now, like a real home. A wife. A family.
She would overlook his past, even though it would ruin her reputation. But he couldn’t bring himself to be selfish enough to let her sacrifice the life she’d built here for him, no matter how much he wanted to. And the truth of it was, he wanted her. Beside him, and in his bed. He wanted to smell the lavender scent that filled his nose with every breath, wanted the soft yellow hair he itched to run his fingers through, wanted the creamy skin he ached to touch …
Spending the afternoon with her was a mistake. He’d pay for it later, when her face filled his dreams and his body lusted to hold her and love her. But if he had to do it again, he knew he would.
“Thank you for spending so much time with Daniel this afternoon,” she said quietly once they’d packed up all the remnants of their picnic and Landry was stowing them in the wagon bed. “He still doesn’t speak to anyone, and although he does his chores, he doesn’t spend time with any of the other children. It seems you’re the only one who can break through his wall of silence.”
“Maybe he knows I understand what it’s like to be alone at that age.”
“Were you? Alone, I mean?”
He nodded. “Might as well have been. My ma died when I was ten. Pa took to the bottle and we stayed out his way as much as we could until he died. Then there was nowhere for me and my brother to go, so we stayed at the farm. A few neighbors helped, showed us how to plant enough vegetables to keep us going for the winter. Tobias found work in town and made sure I was looked after and went to school.”
“Oh my …”
At the stricken expression on Olivia’s face, Landry realized he’d said too much. He didn’t want her sympathy. “It wasn’t so bad. We got by, but then Tobias started staying out late, got caught up in things he shouldn’t have. The sheriff tried to keep him out of trouble, and for a while, it looked like things would turn out okay—”
Landry's Back in Town (Rocky Ridge Romance Book 1) Page 7
