“Ridge, look,” one of his classmates called out to him.
It was Jeremiah Johnston, and he was pointing over to where Georgiana was sitting on the steps to the schoolhouse, concentrating on untangling her boot laces.
Georgiana was always taking her shoes off. He knew she never liked wearing them much. While waiting for school to begin, she had taken them off and left them beside the steps before running off to play with Samantha. One of the boys in their class had tied her laces together in a million knots when she wasn’t paying attention. She’d gone to put them back on after a while, knowing Schoolmaster Robinson would never allow her into class without her shoes. Realizing what had been done, she’d immediately sat down on the steps and quickly began untangling the knots. She looked upset and frustrated.
“I dare ya ta tie Georgie’s braids ’round the stair railin’.” This time it was Jonas, Jeremiah’s brother, talking.
“She’s tryin’ so hard to untangle them laces, she’ll never know ya did it,” Jeremiah spoke again.
Ridge remembered looking over at her. She already looked pretty unhappy. He didn’t know if it was wise to push her any further.
“She looks pretty mad already,” he told them nervously, not really liking the idea anyway.
“Ah, come on, Ridge. It’s been a long time since ya pulled a good prank,” Jonas chided.
“Yeah, you’re not losin’ your touch, are ya?” Jeremiah teased.
“Course not,” Ridge answered. Then he smiled wickedly and added, “She’ll never know it was me.”
Carefully, so as not to be noticed, Ridge snuck around to the back of the school and made his way cautiously up the shaded side. As he neared the landing next to the porch, he crouched down low and inched up to it, cautious not to make a sound. When he got to the railing where Georgie’s back rested, he looked over his shoulder to see if Jeremiah and Jonas were still watching. He was still a little nervous about pulling the prank, and if they had wandered off, he didn’t intend to go through with it.
No such luck, however. They were keeping a close eye on what he was doing, and Jonas had given him an okay sign when he had looked back.
Reaching down, he very carefully lifted each end of a braid, bringing them together around one of the wooden posts. He had planned on just tying her ribbons together, but today she hadn’t worn any, so instead he took small strands of the ends of her hair and tied them in individual, intricate little knots so they would hold.
He was just finishing when Schoolmaster Robinson stepped out of the schoolhouse door and began to ring the bell. He froze for a moment and then ducked lower into the shadow of the porch. Georgiana didn’t even flinch when the bell rang out. She just kept working frantically on the knots in her laces.
Ridge looked over his shoulder again. The Johnston brothers were poking their heads around the corner of the schoolhouse, motioning for him to hurry away while both the schoolmaster and Georgiana were still distracted. He made his way over to them and back around the corner. After slapping him on the back and congratulating him, all three boys hurried around the schoolhouse and began casually walking up the steps.
As he walked past Georgiana, she looked up and smiled, unaware of what he’d done. He smiled back, a sense of guilt welling inside him. She’d just finished untying the knots and had slipped on her shoes. Quickly tying the laces, she tried to stand up to walk next to him. The smile froze on her face when she realized her predicament, and he watched as her expression changed into a hateful scowl, her eyes narrowing into pointed slits as she glared at him.
Ridge stood stock-still. She knew it was him. He should have known better than to think he could hide it from her since he was the only one brave enough to pull off such a prank. He regretted what he’d done instantly, but what could he do now?
“Come on, Ridge!” Jonas and Jeremiah called to him from the door, motioning for him to hurry inside.
He looked up in their direction, but he couldn’t move. Why had he listened to the twins anyway? He liked Georgie a lot better than he did either one of them. But they’d dared him! If word leaked out that he’d chickened out on a dare, he would have never heard the end of it. Looking down at Georgie’s face, he wasn’t so sure he cared about what everyone else thought. Unfortunately, he realized too late, he did care a lot about what she thought of him.
“Mr. Carson,” Schoolmaster Robinson said, startling him from his inner debate, “go take your seat.”
Ridge still made no effort to move.
“Mr. Carson!” This time the schoolmaster’s voice meant business.
He hastened up the steps past the schoolmaster but paused in the doorway, waiting. Everyone had gone back into the schoolhouse except Georgie and him—and, of course, Schoolmaster Robinson. Ridge watched as she reached behind her head and tried desperately to loosen the knots.
“Miss McLaughlin, get up off those steps and make haste this minute!” Schoolmaster Robinson yelled down to her.
“I can’t,” she cried.
“You can and you will,” the schoolmaster ordered.
When she made no move to get up, but instead put her face in her hands, the schoolmaster walked down the steps and stood angrily in front of her. She did not lift her head, so he reached down and yanked her arm up, trying to force her to stand. When he did, she cried out as her hair was pulled at the roots of her tender head. The sound of her cry made Ridge cringe. The schoolmaster realized the situation and walked down the steps and behind her to see what could be done. Ridge still stood frozen in the doorway when the schoolmaster looked up at him.
“Mr. Carson,” Master Robinson spoke angrily to him, “bring me the scissors from my desk.” Ridge didn’t move, looking at the horrified expression on Georgiana’s face. “Mr. Carson,” Master Robinson shouted this time, “bring me my scissors at once!” Georgiana jumped. Even though the schoolmaster’s voice once again left no doubt he was to be obeyed, Ridge couldn’t seem to move his feet nor tear his eyes away from Georgie’s face.
Just then Samantha peered around the opening of the door.
“What’s the matter with Georgie, Ridge?” she whispered to him.
Upon seeing Samantha, the schoolmaster called to her.
“Miss Wallace, I need you to bring me the scissors from my desk at once!” Samantha gave Ridge a confused look before quickly running to obey the schoolmaster. When she came back with the scissors in hand, Ridge reached out and caught the end of her dress, knowing what would happen if she succeeded in delivering the scissors.
“Ridge, what are you doin’? Let go of me!” She yanked her dress out of his grasp and hurried down the steps to the schoolmaster. Ridge cringed for the second time as he heard Samantha cry out.
“Oh, Georgie, who did this to you?” Georgiana said nothing but continued to cry as the schoolmaster took the scissors and cut the ends of her braids off. Samantha knelt down by her and put her arms around her.
“Miss McLaughlin, you’re excused to go home if you like. Miss Wallace, come with me inside.”
Samantha made no move to leave her friend’s side, so the schoolmaster grabbed her arm and pulled her up. She reluctantly let go of Georgiana and headed into the schoolhouse. Georgiana looked up at Ridge one more time before turning and running home.
“Mr. Carson, go to your seat immediately. I’ll deal with you later,” the schoolmaster scolded as he brushed past.
Samantha narrowed her eyes at him, suspecting he was the one responsible. Ridge followed them into the classroom, ignoring the snickering coming from Jeremiah and Jonas. He sat down in his seat, fearing he may have made the biggest mistake of his life.
Ridge knew he had been terribly wrong to pull such an awful prank on Georgie. He knew he had to make it up to her, but it took him a whole week to get up the nerve to formally apologize. She hadn’t spoken a word to him or even glanced his way since it had happened. The guilt was eating him alive. So when he saw Samantha and Georgiana walking home one week later, he mustered
up the courage and ran to catch up with them.
“Hello, Georgie. Hello, Sam.”
“Now you just ignore him, Georgie, and keep walkin’,” Samantha ordered. “We’ll pretend he’s not even there.” She took her friend’s arm, coaxing her to walk faster.
“Oh, come on, Georgie. I really am sorry. I should’ve never done it,” Ridge pleaded sorrowfully.
“Ridge, will you just go away?” Samantha snapped. “Can’t ya see she doesn’t ever want to talk to you again?”
“Ever?” Ridge asked.
“Ever and ever,” Samantha repeated, “. . . and ever!”
Aghast, Ridge suddenly stopped walking, but when he did, Georgiana did too.
Turning to Samantha, she spoke, “Sammy, go on without me.” Samantha looked like she couldn’t believe what her friend had said. “It’s all right. I need to talk to Ridge . . . alone.” That made Samantha’s eyes go big.
“Are ya sure, Georgie? I could walk a few feet behind or in front of ya. You know, just to make sure he doesn’t try anything,” Samantha offered earnestly.
“Sammy, I’m sure.” Georgiana smiled at her friend reassuringly. “And if my mother’s outside when ya pass by, tell her I’ll be home shortly.”
“Well, I guess . . . if you’re sure.” She looked at Ridge. “You’d better not try any stupid pranks, or I’ll get my brother Theo to teach you a lesson or two.” Ridge held his hands up in surrender, and she glared at him one more time before hurrying off ahead.
“Thanks.” Ridge looked at Georgiana gratefully. Suddenly a sense of shyness came over him. He looked at the ground and stuck his hands in his pockets as they started walking again.
“For what?” she asked.
“For givin’ me a chance ta apologize.” He looked up into her face so she would know he was sincere.
“Well, I know you’re feelin’ bad, but it was a very mean thing to do . . . even for you, Ridge,” Georgiana admonished him.
“I s’pose you’re right,” he admitted. “Well, you’ll be glad ta know I’ve decided ta give up pullin’ pranks,” he announced.
“And teasin’ too?” She looked stunned.
“Nah,” he said, shaking his head. “It would be too hard ta give up the teasin’. Usually teasin’ don’t harm no one, as long as it’s all in good fun.” He smiled over at her, and she smiled back. Boy, she’s pretty, he thought, with those gray eyes and all that blonde hair. He studied her golden hair for a moment and how it was noticeably shorter than it was a week ago. “Pranks are different,” he began again. “Ya never know when someone is gonna get hurt.” He stopped and turned to her, picking up the end of one of her braids. “I’m sorry ya got your hair cut ’cause of me. I’ve always kinda liked your long hair.” Her cheeks turned slightly pink, and he let go of her braid.
“Well, to tell ya the truth, Ridge, I think ya did me a favor. I like it better this way. Its lots easier to brush out at night, and ’sides, it’s not that much shorter.”
He could tell she was trying to make him feel better, but it actually made him feel worse. After school was out that fateful day and he had been scolded by Schoolmaster Robinson for failing to bring him the scissors, Ridge had walked to the railing where it all had happened. The ends of her braids, at least four inches long each, lay forgotten on the ground.
It hadn’t been necessary to cut so much, but Schoolmaster Robinson was mean by nature, and Ridge bet he had cut that much on purpose.
“Anyway,” Ridge said, feeling the shyness returning, “I bought somethin’ for ya, ta sort of show ya I really am sorry.”
Georgiana’s eyes lit up immediately as he reached into his pocket and retrieved a small brown paper package. He handed it to her and waited for her to open it. As she tore the paper away, two long, bright blue ribbons fell to the ground. She quickly bent to pick them up and examined them lovingly.
“Oh, Ridge, they’re perfect.”
“I was thinkin’ maybe they would match that blue dress you’re always wearin’,” he nervously added.
He noticed her cheeks glow pink again, so he turned and started walking once more so she wasn’t embarrassed. She folded the ribbons up, putting them in her apron pocket, and hurried to catch up with him. When they got to the turnoff to her family’s ranch, she stopped and turned to look at him.
“I forgive you, Ridge, for bein’ a rotten apple to me, but I will say one thing.” She took a step closer to him so her face was mere inches from his. His heart began to race. She was so cute, and he wondered what it might be like to kiss her, in a year or two anyway. But then she narrowed her eyes at him. “If you ever . . .” She poked her finger into his chest then and tapped it with each syllable she spoke. “I mean, if you ever try to pull a prank like that on me again, Ridge Carson . . .” She paused for emphasis while she stared into his eyes. “I can promise ya, you will wake up the next mornin’ shaved as bald as the day you were born.”
Stepping back, she gave him a broad grin before turning and skipping down the road to her house.
Ridge smiled at the memory again. The girl had a lot of spunk, and he believed she’d do exactly what she had threatened that day if he crossed the line again. He hadn’t pulled another prank. Jeremiah and Jonas had pestered him for months before they finally started to believe he had been reformed.
He really did possess a bushelful of fond memories from his childhood. They had been good friends, Georgiana and himself, after she’d forgiven him. When Samantha finally forgave him too, they became an inseparable threesome and had spent many fun times together. After Georgiana’s father had been trampled and killed, both he and Samantha had been there for her. Then, suddenly one day, her family was gone.
Ridge pulled a blue ribbon out of his pocket for a moment and stared at it. The color had faded some, but it still felt soft between his fingers.
“Well, hello there, lad.”
Ridge was startled from his thoughts when Angus walked up and leaned against the bunkhouse wall beside him. Discreetly, he folded the ribbon and slipped it into his pocket again.
“Thought it might be ye standin’ out here all alone,” Angus said.
“Figured everyone had hit the hay long ago. What brings ya out so late this evenin’, Angus?”
“Ginger should be birthin’ her new colt any day now. Thought it’d be best if I looked in on the old gal once more tonight before I turn me old bones in.”
“Wouldn’t mind keepin’ a closer watch on her, if ya like. I seem to be up a bit later these days,” Ridge offered.
“Been havin’ trouble sleepin’, have ye now?”
“Seem to be.”
“Wouldn’t have anythin’ to do with that pretty girl of mine, now would it?”
Ridge looked over at the old man, who wore a grin on his face and a twinkle in his eye.
“Aye, she’s been gettin’ to ya, hasn’t she, now? I may be old, but I ain’t blind. Been seein’ how ye set me girl off huffin’ more than yar fair share.” He let out a soft chuckle. “If there be one thing that girl of mine inherited from her da and old Irish grandparents, it be her Irish temper.” He chuckled again and continued, “And you, me lad, are right grand at flarin’ that temper of hers easily enough.”
Ridge gave Angus a forlorn look. “That can’t be good, can it?”
“Awk, don’t be so certain, lad.” Angus grinned and gripped Ridge’s shoulder, squeezing gently. “There be an old Irish tale me good da told me once. Said his own old da told it ta him as a young lad. Don’t know who told it to me granda, but if it be true, ye still have hope. Well then, if I can just be rememberin’ how it goes.” He looked thoughtful for a moment. “Aye, I remember now.”
When Irish born, then Irish blood
Runs through a lass’s veins,
The truth of where her true love lies,
Be how her temper flames.
If when first ye steal a lover’s kiss,
She warms within yar arms,
Her heart will not be give
n true,
Ye are not the one she loves.
But if when that kiss be stolen,
Her anger burns like fire
She’ll bind her heart and soul to ye,
And none but ye desire.
Mark me words and listen well,
T’were not mere legend ye be told.
Take heart, me lad, she’s yar true love,
If her flame with ye be bold.
“Me Shannon were like that, and she was the great love of me life.” He sighed deeply, and they stood in silence for a moment. “Well, lad, best be gettin’ off to me bed now and ye best be doin’ the same. Mornin’ comes early on a cattle ranch. Good night, then.” He turned and ambled back toward the house.
“Night, Angus,” Ridge called quietly after him, “and I thank ya . . . for the advice, I mean.”
“Anytime, lad . . . anytime,” Angus called over his shoulder.
Ridge stared into the night, pondering. A few moments later he heard the door to the ranch house close. If Irish tales were true, maybe she did like him a little. He smiled thoughtfully at the idea of stealing his own kiss from Miss Georgiana McLaughlin. After another moment of pondering, he headed into the bunkhouse to try to get some sleep. If he was going to be able to keep his wits about him around that woman, he’d need it.
4. Reunited
“Grandad,” Georgiana addressed her grandfather as she served the men their breakfast, “I have a list of things I need from town. Is there one of the men who can drive me there? I haven’t yet learned to drive the team myself.” Her grandfather looked about the table into the hopeful faces of the men before his gaze settled on Jimmy.
The Kissing Tree Page 5
