The Kissing Tree

by Bice, Prudence

  He’d hardly said two words at breakfast, and when Georgiana had coaxed him into teaching her to drive the team, he had seemed so distant.

  On the wagon ride over, she’d spent the whole time contemplating their relationship. She decided she wouldn’t be hasty in giving up on Dawson, despite everything she had confessed to Samantha. She truly cared for him. Wouldn’t it be better if she made sure of her feelings before she broke his heart? Georgiana pushed the nagging feeling aside that the answer to that question had already been given to her.

  “Georgie!”

  Samantha was talking to her. Startled, she looked around. They were standing at the door to the social hall. Georgiana looked at her friend’s beaming face.

  “I asked if you’re ready.”

  Georgiana nodded her head yes.

  “Okay, but first you have to close your eyes.”

  “Sammy . . .”

  “Oh, come on, Georgie . . . I want it to be a surprise,” Samantha pleaded.

  Georgiana still wasn’t sure about all this, but she couldn’t bring herself to disappoint her friend.

  “All right,” she conceded, “but I’m warning you, Sammy, if this is any kind of trick to get me and Ridge—”

  “No, no, I promise . . . I told you, Ridge isn’t even here right now. He told me earlier he needed to run some errands and he’d be back later this afternoon.”

  Georgie could tell her friend was sincere. So she closed her eyes and allowed Samantha to lead her into the center of the hall.

  “Okay, now open your eyes.”

  Georgiana opened her eyes and could hardly believe what she saw. They were standing in the middle of the dance floor. Streamers, made from colorful strips of fabric, were strung back and forth to create a false ceiling. Randomly, bright-colored balls hung at different lengths intermittently and more streamers hung down the walls. On tables waiting to be loaded with every imaginable treat, were brightly colored cloths. In the center of each table was a big basket filled with the last of the summer flowers and adorned with bows. Every corner or wall in the room was decorated. The transformation was astounding. Ridge and Tiny had certainly got a lot accomplished in a short amount of time.

  Georgiana turned and looked adoringly at her friend.

  “Well?” Samantha asked.

  “Sammy, it’s absolutely wonderful!” Georgiana exclaimed, and Samantha beamed again.

  Grabbing each other’s hands, both girls shrieked excitedly.

  ◁ ◊ ▷

  Ridge was up in the loft when he heard some commotion below. He had to come back to fetch his toolbox he’d forgotten so he could make repairs to the widow Swansen’s roof. Leaning the ladder on the outside wall, he had climbed in through the open window. If he dragged the ladder back inside, he’d risk knocking down the decorations he and Tiny had hung that morning. Worried someone needed help, he looked over the railing to the dance floor below.

  Samantha and Georgiana were standing in the middle of the room, hand in hand, while Georgiana gazed about her in amazement. He felt a slight twinge of jealousy of how the two women had quickly reignited their friendship, but quickly pushed it aside. Of course, he couldn’t expect it to be the same between Georgie and him.

  Assured nothing was wrong, he turned to leave but nearly jumped out of his skin when both girls squealed loudly again. Setting his toolbox back down, he leaned over the loft to make sure none of his carefully hung decorations had come crashing down on them.

  Samantha and Georgiana were now waltzing around the room. Feeling foolish for worrying, he watched them for a moment. He should have realized it was a woman thing. They were always squealing and making funny noises when they were excited. The problem was they made the same sort of noises when they were in trouble. They sure knew how to keep a man on pins and needles sometimes, trying to figure out if they were happy or needed to be rescued.

  After a few minutes, both women tumbled to the ground in the middle of the dance floor, giggling and laughing as women do.

  Then they both became suddenly quiet.

  Ridge had a sense the conversation was about to turn intimate, and his conscience told him to leave, but curiosity got the better of him. He turned and sat down, leaning his back against the short railing of the loft. He was well hidden from sight by all the hanging decorations.

  Samantha spoke first.

  “Oh, Georgie, I’m so glad you came back. These last weeks have been so much fun, almost like you never left.” Samantha paused for a moment, then asked. “How much longer do you think you’ll be able to stay?”

  Ridge held his breath as he waited for her to answer.

  “I really don’t know for sure. It depends on a lot of things, I suppose.”

  On how long it takes Dawson to convince her to return with him, Ridge thought sarcastically but quickly turned his attention back to the women when Georgiana started speaking again.

  “Grandfather got a letter from Aunt Cecelia. When I came back from my walk this morning, I saw it sitting on the edge of the table. I asked him what it was about, but he told me not to worry. It had made him angry though, I could tell right away. Nothing good comes from Aunt Cecelia.”

  “I’m sorry you were forced to live with such an awful woman.”

  “Well, for three years I didn’t have to live there. I can be thankful for that. You would have loved the Harriet Wilmington’s School for Proper Young Ladies.” She pronounced the name in the tone he imagined Ms. Wilmington did herself, and it made Samantha laugh.

  Again he felt a twinge of jealousy. They were so comfortable with each other.

  Ridge called to mind the few days before they’d left for the mountain. When she began confiding in him some of her feelings, he’d felt a closeness returning. Then all those letters arrived, and he remembered that she had a life without him hundreds of miles away. He began to doubt himself and the solidarity of their returning friendship. He knew things would never really be the same. However, it hadn’t done him any good to try avoiding her. The more he forced his thoughts away, the more powerful his thoughts of her became.

  Ridge heard the two women giggle, and he sorely wondered what he’d missed when his thoughts had run off.

  “Remember the spring social when we were nine and we talked your parents into letting you spend the night over at my house?” Georgiana asked. “They never did let us stay at the socials very late. It was always so awfully unfair.”

  “Yes, they’d send us home to bed and then stay and have all the fun,” Samantha bemoaned.

  “It was a good thing they’d decided on old Mrs. Wickers to babysit us that night. I never knew a woman as senile as she was.” Georgiana laughed.

  “How old was she then anyway?”

  “I don’t know. I was amazed to hear she’s still around, but even back then she was so . . .”

  “Old!” they both said it in unison and laughed.

  “We told her we were going to bed, and we promptly climbed out my bedroom window and snuck into the back of the wagon under a blanket.”

  “That’s right,” Samantha exclaimed. “Your grandpa had gone to check on that old pregnant mare for your grandmother before he headed back to town.” Samantha added, “Were you as scared as I was?”

  “Probably more than you!”

  “Nah, you were always the brave one, Georgie.”

  “No, I was just better at pretending.”

  Neither one of them said anything for a while. Finally, Georgiana spoke again. “It was worth it though, wasn’t it?”

  “Yeah, it was worth it . . . all except the part of seein’ Agnes Fitzgerald kiss Harvey Hancock under the kissin’ tree.”

  “Eeew!” They both spoke in unison again, and they both laughed, harder this time.

  “You know, we only thought it was disgusting because we were nine.” Samantha pointed out. “It wasn’t too many years later you kissed Ridge under that same tree.”

  “You dared me!”

  “You never took dar
es, Georgie. You only took that one because you wanted to kiss him,” Samantha accused.

  Both women were silent for a moment, but when Georgiana spoke again, her voice was almost a whisper.

  “That was a long time ago.” Georgiana said thoughtfully.

  “Yeah, I suppose it was . . . but . . . but was it worth it?” Samantha asked.

  There was silence again, and Ridge wondered if she would answer. Did Samantha know that wasn’t the only kiss they had ever shared?

  “Oh, Sammy, it doesn’t matter anymore anyway. Call it fate . . . call it destiny . . . but that very day, I unknowingly walked out of his life for good.”

  Ridge sighed deeply at her admission.

  “Don’t say that, Georgie . . . I know you still love him.”

  Ridge’s heart began to beat faster as he awaited her reply. This was the moment he was hoping for.

  “It doesn’t matter,” Georgiana finally blurted out.

  Ridge sighed, his disappointment sinking deep.

  “Of course it matters,” Samantha argued. “Why ever would you say it doesn’t?”

  “Because I’ve already made my decision, Sammy.”

  “And?”

  “And what?”

  “Have you decided to follow your heart or follow your head?”

  “I’ve decided to do what hurts the least, for everyone involved.”

  “Everyone but you?” Samantha accused.

  “Listen, Sammy, I really don’t want to discuss this right now.” He heard her sigh of frustration. “Look, we really should get back. We have lots to do, remember?”

  “But, Georgie . . .”

  “Come on, Sammy . . . let’s go,” Georgiana said firmly.

  A second later, he heard the doors open and close.

  Ridge didn’t move for a while, just sat contemplating everything they had talked about and what it all really meant. He had to admit it didn’t sound very encouraging.

  Before he could think any more about it, another thought suddenly turned up the corners of his mouth.

  She really had wanted to steal that kiss.

  18. Shall We Dance?

  Dawson sat with Samantha on her front porch, waiting for Georgiana. She had known she’d be helping Samantha for most of the afternoon and had asked him to pick her up here for the social. He had arrived a little bit early, so he couldn’t fault Georgiana for making him wait. Besides, Samantha had come out to keep him company while he waited.

  He glanced over at her for a moment.

  She was pretty. Her hair wasn’t quite as blonde as Georgiana’s, but it boasted the softest hint of red, which gave it highlights and complemented the ivory color of her skin. Her eyes were a deep emerald green and matched her dress perfectly. He had always been partial to the color green.

  Looking at her more intently, he thought, She isn’t as stunningly beautiful as Georgiana, but nevertheless, I have to admit she is quite comely. In fact, if he weren’t already in love, he had a feeling this woman could easily steal his heart.

  Samantha looked over at him and smiled. By the way her cheeks turned red, he realized she had been mindful of his staring. He smiled back and quickly turned away.

  “So are you enjoyin’ your stay?” she asked all of a sudden.

  “You have a lovely little town. I find it quite refreshing,” he answered honestly.

  “I’d have to agree with you because I am quite partial to it myself. I wouldn’t mind seein’ a big city one day, though. I don’t think I’ve ever been farther from this town than right there.” She pointed to the large outcropping of mountains not too far in the distance. “Is it exciting living in New York? I’ve always dreamt of going to the theater.”

  “Well, if you’re ever out my way, I promise I’ll see that you get there.”

  She smiled again, and he was genuinely glad to see it.

  Georgiana had confided in him what her friend had gone through. He could only imagine what she had suffered.

  “Maybe I should go and see if I can help Georgie with anything,” Samantha offered.

  “No, I don’t mind waiting. I was early, after all,” he reassured her.

  “Yes, I suppose you were . . . and we unfortunately finished up late,” she said, slightly embarrassed.

  Standing up, he looked down at her.

  “Why don’t you show me around your home? I thought I saw a pond out back when your little brother and I were trying to fly that kite.”

  “All right.” She stood up, and he offered her his arm. “I’m afraid it’s not much of a pond, though,” she said, taking his arm and giving him an amused look as they began walking. “Father had it put in. It wasn’t here when the house was built.”

  “Is it for decoration then?” he asked. “My mother had one put in last summer.”

  “Not quite.” She laughed softly before continuing. It was a pleasant sound, Dawson noted. “When Father gave up farming and bought the bank, we moved to town. He told Mother the only thing he missed was ‘ye olde fishin’ pond,’ as he called it,” she said with an animated tone. “Banking takes almost as much time as farmin’, except of course, he has Sundays off.”

  “Of course!” he repeated. “That’s the best part of the job!”

  She smiled at his playful banter and then went on.

  “Sadly, mother won’t let him fish on Sundays because there’s church and family time, and Mother usually entertains guests. So, with no hope of ever making it out to visit ‘ye olde fishin’ pond’ . . .” She stopped as they came around to the back of the house, “he decided to bring the pond here.”

  Dawson looked over to where she was pointing and smiled.

  Indeed, there it sat, complete with rocks, an overhanging tree, and an old wooden bench seat, in the middle of their pristinely manicured backyard.

  “Mother was horrified at first, but I think it’s finally grown on her.”

  “So does your father actually fish in it?” Dawson asked, genuinely interested and somewhat amused.

  “Most certainly, but not as often as he would like. He keeps it well stocked with trout though, just in case he finds the time. Mother says she’s going to order a pair of swans, to make it look more . . . um . . . elegant?” This time when she laughed, her smile finally lit up her eyes.

  For a moment, Dawson was taken aback as his heart skipped a beat. Abruptly he let go of her arm.

  “We probably should go check on Georgiana,” he said quickly.

  “Yes,” Samantha answered, appearing a bit flustered herself. “She might be concerned where we’ve wandered off to.”

  When they came around to the front of the house, Georgiana was sitting on the porch swing. Dawson hurried up the steps to her.

  “There you are. I’d wondered where you two had gone,” she said, smiling.

  Dawson looked at her appraisingly. She was a vision in her blue gown. When she stood, he offered her his arm. Turning, he offered his other arm to Samantha.

  “Well, ladies, shall we go?” He smiled at each of them. “I think I just may be the luckiest man alive tonight, and I know I will be the most envied when I walk into the dance with you two angels on my arms.” Both women laughed as they descended the porch steps and began strolling toward the social hall.

  In no time at all, they had arrived.

  ◁ ◊ ▷

  Ridge watched intently as Dawson entered the room with both Georgiana and Samantha. He had been leaning against the far wall for ten minutes now, not so patiently awaiting their arrival.

  Georgiana was wearing a blue dress, his favorite color. He loved her in blue. He remembered well the blue calico dress she often wore when they were young, the one he had bought the blue ribbons to match. This blue dress could easily become one of his favorites too. The neckline was modest, though flattering, resting just wide enough to show off a hint of her soft, creamy shoulders. The rest of it complemented her figure almost too well. It made him wish he was the man standing next to her right now.

 
Gazing at her reminded him once again how long she’d been away. Gone were the ponytails and ribbons. They had been replaced by . . . Ridge suddenly smiled broadly. Upon closer examination, he realized she was wearing tiny blue ribbons scattered in her hair amid her mass of cascading locks. She looked beautiful!

  The dance was already in full swing, and the band was playing a lively tune. Immediately, Dawson turned to Georgiana and appeared to ask her for a dance. Ridge watched as she shook her head and pointed over to a bench. He walked her over and helped her to sit. She’d been on her foot all day, he guessed, and the deep cut, still so new, had probably started giving her pains.

  She gestured for him to come closer, and as Dawson leaned in, Ridge thought she was going to kiss him. Instead, she turned her head slightly to the side and whispered something into his ear.

  Dawson stood back up and looked to where he’d left Samantha at the door. Georgiana nodded her head encouragingly, and he turned and walked back to Samantha.

  When Dawson leaned forward to whisper into Samantha’s ear, she smiled and followed him to the dance floor.

  Ridge turned back to watch Georgiana just as she reached up and began playing with the chain that hung about her neck. He hadn’t noticed her wearing it when she’d come in. It must have been tucked in the bodice of her gown.

  He smiled to himself, happy that she’d found where he had put it.

  When he had pulled it from the creek, he had recognized it immediately. It was the gold chain her father had given her for her tenth birthday. It had come all the way over from their family in Ireland. Her great-grandfather had given it to her father when he had turned ten. A medallion hung from it, engraved with the McLaughlin family crest.

  He hadn’t even realized she’d lost it. It must have fallen from around her neck that morning when they had been playing down in the water, the day before she had moved away.

  He was amazed it had been lying at the bottom of the creek these last five years and he’d never seen it, probably because he always fished on the other side. He was further surprised it had never washed downstream. It must have somehow become lodged under a rock that had secured it where it had fallen all this time.