“How about your father in Topeka? Would he help you?”
Undoubtedly the man owed her that at least.
“I thought about that, but I don’t think that would work if he hasn’t told his wife about Sarah and me,” Faye shook her head. “I don’t see him being part of my life after the letter he wrote to me.”
“I’m sorry, Faye, for the loss of your father, and your mother,” Rusty told Faye knowing it all played together in Faye’s mind. “But don’t let four years of your life define you for the next sixty years.”
Faye tilted her head and stared at him as the words sank in.
“That’s true, but my reputation is ruined nonetheless,” Faye said softly.
“Not every man would condemn you for your past. I certainly don’t,” Rusty said, wishing he could cover her hands with his own in support.
‘You don’t?” Faye’s question made Rusty want to set her straight.
“No. I think you’re a nice woman with a delightful daughter. I’d be proud to escort you anywhere,” Rusty said, but he had to clear his throat afterward because now he felt nervous at how she eyed him.
Faye’s eyes widened with disbelief…or was it excitement?
“Rusty Tucker, are you saying you’d court me?”
Whoa. Faye was jumping ahead faster than Rusty planned to move, but he had been thinking along that line.
“I don’t know if you’re ready for that step,” Rusty pushed back in his corner of the swing. “You’re just settling down with your family. You’re helping with your nephews and nieces…”
“But if we courted and married, I’d still be here with my family because you work and live here. And since you don’t mind my reputation, it seems like a perfect solution.”
Faye’s smile matched her words but worry still clouded her eyes.
“Faye, most women wouldn’t think of me as husband material, and I’m not sure if you should either. I’m just a foreman at a ranch. I doubt I’ll ever have the money, or the gumption, to buy my own ranch or home.
“You would do better to court a man with better income and a home. I live in a tiny shack compared to your sister’s house, or the Connely mansion where you lived with your grandmother.”
“I like your comfortable cabin, Rusty. I feel safe and secure sitting on its porch,” Faye argued.
“But it’s nice weather now, so you haven’t imagined what it’s like other times of the year. The cabin’s cramped during the winter months when you can’t be outside,” Rusty argued.
Faye’s shoulders deflated. “I wouldn’t mind a small home. I just want a place that’s safe for Violet and me.”
“Do you feel safe with me?” Rusty asked.
“Yes. You’re the first man who stepped up to help me here at the ranch, even before Isaac, since he was in shock over the whole situation.”
Rusty stared into Faye’s eyes, seeing more than just pleading, but also interest, in him.
“What about marital relations and more children?”
“I’d prefer both, rather than being married in name only. But,” Faye said, but abruptly stopped.
“But what?” Rusty asked.
“I’d like to be kissed too,” Faye asked with a hint of yearning in her voice.
Rusty went still, remembered Faye talking about that before with her customers.
“Why is that important, Faye?”
“I’ve never been kissed, anyway that I can remember. I suppose my mother might have when I was little, but never by my grandmother. It just seems like it means a person loves you if they kiss you.”
Faye craved love and attention, never getting it herself.
“Sometimes people who care for each other kiss, as a way to get to know each other too,” Rusty said while his eyes drifted down to Faye’s rosy lips.
Faye bit her lower lip, as if not sure that was true, but it made Rusty sure want to try it.
“Could you kiss me, Rusty? Maybe then you could decide whether or not to court me?”
Rusty couldn’t wait to give Faye her first kiss. But what if there was no spark between them? Then he’d know Faye needed to find another man to court her.
Rusty cleared his throat and put down his foot to stop the movement of the swing.
He turned toward her, seeing her leaning forward with her eyes closed and her lips puckered. She looked like she was ready for a punch in the face with her stiff shoulders.
“Faye, please open your eyes and look at me.”
She opened one eye, then her other. “Why?”
“Because I don’t want you all tensed up. I want you to enjoy your first kiss.”
“Oh. Then what should I do?”
“Move my way on the swing and wrap your arms around my neck,” Rusty told her as he slid his hands on either side of her tiny waist and pulled her closer to his chest.
His neck tingled where Faye rubbed her fingers across his skin.
“Now relax while I touch your lips,” Rusty advised as he lowered and angled his head, and then tentatively touched his mouth to her lips. He gave her two soft kisses before pressing firmer against her mouth, instantly enjoying the sensation it produced in his body.
Rusty pulled Faye against his chest, and she gave a faint moan of approval while still kissing him. Her eyes drifted shut as her lips moved in unison with his.
Rusty finally pulled away from Faye, shocked at the thrill of their kisses.
“Oh, I like kissing. It’s so simple, but yet it made my heart flutter,” Faye confessed. “What did you think, Rusty?”
What did Rusty think? That Faye was a perfect fit against his chest and lips, and he wanted to start courting her immediately.
“Miss Longoria, I’d like to court you. Could I take you on a buggy ride after supper tomorrow night?”
“I’d love that, Mr. Tucker,” Faye said with a grin on her face.
Rusty stood up from the swing, ready to go back to his home and think about what had just happened. He hadn’t expected that kind of reaction between them.
Was he genuinely interested in a lifetime of marriage with Faye, or just kisses on evening buggy rides? Time would tell as they explored the situation. But he definitely looked forward to tomorrow evening.
Chapter 14
“Chin up, Faye. People will see you and Violet are riding in my buggy and—”
“Wonder why you’re associating with me,” Faye said as she pulled Violet tightly against her chest. Her baby let out a little squawk in protest.
Now she was upsetting Violet too. Why didn’t she just move away?
Because she enjoyed Rusty’s attention, liked living with her sister’s family, and Isaac and Cate weren’t home from their honeymoon yet.
She was going to have to face her bullies and nip this problem in the bud. She belonged here as much as anyone else, no matter her past.
“Faye. We talked about this. Your past is past. Only today and the future is ahead of you,” Rusty reminded her as they pulled into the churchyard.
“Yes, you’re right. I’ll smile at their scorn, ignore their rude remarks, and…kick them in the shins if they don’t stop tormenting me.”
Rusty laughed as he pulled the brake and jumped from the buggy. He was still chuckling as he reached for her waist to help her down from the buggy.
Oh my. After spending a couple of evenings kissing Rusty, his hands set her skin tingling. If she didn’t have Violet in her arms, she’d wrap herself around Rusty and kiss him until they were both out of breath.
“Go on in with your sister. I’ll pull my buggy up by Marcus’ wagon.”
Marcus had already let Sarah and the children out in front of the church and parked their wagon in the long line of vehicles behind the church. Rusty would have to take care of the horse before he came in, so Faye hurried after Sarah instead of waiting for Rusty.
“Hello, Miss Longoria. We didn’t get a chance to finish our conversation during the dance last weekend.”
Faye froze and
looked up to see John Bellman standing in her path. Why couldn’t the man be a heathen and not attend church services?
“I don’t think there was a conversation to end, Mr. Bellman,” Faye said as she tried to pass the man. Unfortunately, he painfully grabbed her elbow at that moment, and she couldn’t move without hurting her arm or making a scene.
“I think you were confused by what you thought I wanted when we last talked. I’d like to take you on a buggy ride this afternoon to apologize. In fact, I’ll treat you to lunch at the café after church service. You can send your baby home with your sister, and we can spend the rest of the day together,” Bellman spoke low against her head so no one could hear their conversation.
“No thank you. Mr. Tucker drove me into town, and I will return to the ranch with him.”
“How about I pay for your services to entice you to an afternoon of pleasure with me? I’m sure you would like a little spending money instead of relying on your uncle’s allowance,” Bellman said as he released her elbow to stroke up and down her arm. Faye’s flesh crawled with distaste and fear, just as it had when certain men crawled into her bed at the brothel.
She frantically looked around, trying to see Rusty, Marcus, or anyone who could help her get away from this man.
“Faye, it’s nice to see you this morning,” Kaitlyn Reagan said as she eased between Faye and Bellman, efficiently blocking the man from Faye like a good cutting horse would do when sorting cattle.
“John, Pastor is waiting to greet you at the door. I want to talk to Faye while she’s waiting for Rusty to escort her into church.”
“Yes, ma’am,” Bellman sighed as he tipped his hat to the preacher’s wife and moved toward the open church door.
“I hope you don’t mind I joined in the conversation. I sensed you needed help?” Kaitlyn asked as she moved them to the side of the church where Rusty would soon be walking towards them.
“Yes, thank you. He…was wanting something I no longer do,” Faye confessed because Cate had told her she could always talk to the pastor’s wife about anything.
“Good to stick to your guns, or new life, I should say,” Kaitlyn replied, then thoughtfully added. “Do you carry a peashooter though, to protect yourself and Violet? Many women do here, including me,” Kaitlyn said as she patted her reticule.
Faye’s eyes grew large when she realized what Kaitlyn meant. The pastor’s wife was carrying a concealed firearm in her reticule?
Faye looked up from Kaitlyn’s purse to see the woman smiling. “We might be the fairer sex, but we should also be able to defend ourselves and our loved ones. Do you know how to handle a firearm, Faye?”
“Yes, actually I do.”
“Then talk to your family about arming yourself. It will give you peace of mind when you’re in a frightening situation.”
Hello, Mrs. Reagan,” Rusty touched the brim of his hat when he walked up to them.
“Good morning. I was glad to see you, Faye, and Violet in church today. Looks like my husband is trying to get our attention. Shall we go inside and take our seats?” Kaitlyn asked as she turned away to walk toward the door.
“Everything okay?” Rusty asked Faye as he took her elbow to usher her into church. “I saw you talking to Bellman.”
Was Rusty concerned, or jealous?
“He was just saying hello before he went into the church,” was all Faye said. She didn’t want him to worry about her and confront Bellman. Next time Faye talked to Bellman, she’d have a peashooter in her reticule and a whole lot more confidence to tell him to leave her alone.
*
“How about I treat us to lunch at the café today?” Rusty asked as they walked out of the church after service. He held Violet in one arm while keeping her hand tucked in his other arm against his side. She liked the feel of protection and easiness he radiated from his body.
Faye saw Bellman scowling at them from across the way, and she smiled back to show him she was with Rusty, instead of him.
“I’d like that, Rusty. Thank you. We better tell Sarah and Marcus, so they don’t expect us home right away.”
“I’ve already told Marcus,” Rusty coughed to cover his chuckle. “I figured you’d say yes.”
“I heard chicken fried steak is the noon special at Clancy’s Café today,” Faye said as she squeezed Rusty’s arm.
She liked how he turned to smile down at her in acknowledgment.
“And I heard there’s lemon meringue pie for dessert too. That’s reason enough to eat at the café today.”
“Definitely. Is it all right Violet is with us?” Faye thought that Bellman didn’t want her baby along. Maybe Rusty felt the same way.
“Of course. I love spending time with Violet. I consider it a treat to have two special ladies with me today.”
Faye looked down at the ground to hide her blush. She could get used to being around Rusty all the time.
“Let’s leave the horse and buggy in the churchyard and walk down to the café.”
Faye held her head high as they strolled down the street arm in arm. If Rusty wanted to declare them a couple, she was fine with that.
The café was filling up as they entered the building, but they were able to grab a table in the back of the room. Faye liked this spot because she could watch people from this angle.
“Mind if we join you? All the tables are full,” Marshal Adam Wilerson and his wife, Millie, stood beside their table.
“Please do,” Rusty rose to shake the marshal’s hand. “We’re at a table for four, so we’d love for you to join us.”
“Hello, Faye. Can I hold your daughter while we wait for our food? She’s so precious,” Millie asked as she walked around the table to touch Violet instead of sitting down in the chair her husband had pulled out for her.
“Yes, of course.” Faye had just taken Violet from Rusty’s arms, and now she was passing Violet on to another person. Faye was proud that people wanted to make a fuss over her baby. If nothing else, maybe people would accept Faye through her daughter.
Millie gently picked up Violet and moved to sit down in the chair the marshal still held out for her.
“I brought my two-year-old nephew, Tate, with me when I moved to town earlier this year. After getting used to his antics, I forget he was this tiny and helpless not that long ago.”
“He’s not helpless now,” the marshal stated shaking his head. “I assume you noticed Sweet Potater got away from his mother during church and was crawling underneath the pews.”
Rusty chuckled. “He went down the pew in front of us quicker than anyone could catch him.”
“The little carrot-top boy?” Faye asked, now guessing who they were talking about.
“Yep. I called Tate ‘Sweet Potater’ when he lived with us, and the nickname stuck. I better quit calling him that before he starts school, or I’ll be the reason he’s in fights.”
“By the time my sister, Darcie, caught Tate running down the aisle, both his shoes and socks were missing,” Millie explained.
“At least he wasn’t running around the church buck naked like he’s done down Main Street,” Marshal Adam wiped his hand over his face, maybe remembering that particular scene?
“Violet is petite compared to Darcie’s baby, Amelia,” Millie observed, causing Faye to stiffen.
Rusty put a hand on Faye’s knee under the table, knowing it would upset her.
“Every baby is unique. My sisters’ heights vary at least eight inches. Even the twins aren’t the same,” Rusty commented.
“Twins? You never mentioned you had twins in your family, Rusty,” Faye commented.
“That’s why I’m so good with the Brenner kids. Multiples run in my family. Out of us ten siblings, there are two sets of twins.”
Faye stared at Rusty, never knowing anyone who had more than one set of multiples in their family.
The marshal slapped his hand on his knee, heartily laughing out loud. Then he stopped, lifted an eyebrow and looked at Faye.
> “You know what courting with Rusty could end up being, besides married to the foreman? Having lots of babies.”
Oh. My. Word. Faye had thought about having more children if she married but hadn’t thought about how many.
“Faye is already a good mother, plus she helps take care of the eight Brenner children. She’d do fine with whatever came her way,” Rusty said as he winked at her.
“I can’t wait for our first child,” Millie blushed up at her husband. “But in the meantime, I’m helping my sister, and baking pies for the café.”
“Will we be eating your pie today? I heard Dan mention today’s dessert is lemon meringue pie,” Rusty asked, probably to change the subject from marriage and babies.
“Yes, and you know how good it will be. Millie’s baking skill was one of the many reasons I married her,” the marshal said as he gave his wife a one-armed hug.
What reasons would there be for Rusty to marry her? She was tarnished, unschooled, and didn’t know how to cook or bake.
“It was her Baker’s Kiss that won me over,” Adam leaned over the table to whisper to Rusty and Faye.
“A Baker’s Kiss?” Faye asked and noticed Millie’s blushed face as she leaned against her husband’s shoulder.
“When Tate was living with us, and he’d have a little boo-boo, I’d dip a little cookie in powdered sugar, pat Tate’s ‘sore’ spot with the cookie, then kiss the powder-sugared skin with my moistened lips. Then he could see my kiss in the powdered sugar.”
“Then she started pressing me with those powdered cookies, kissing the sugar off my face, my neck, my—”
“That’s enough, Adam!” Millie gasped and then turned her beaming face to stare lovingly up at her husband.
Rusty chuckled at the couple and then leaned close to Faye.
“Your kisses are sweet enough you don’t need sugar to bribe me,” Rusty whispered in her ear.
She sighed, knowing her face was turning pink with the thought of kissing Rusty. Millie winked at her across the table, probably guessing what Rusty might have mentioned to her.
But would kisses be enough to start a marriage on, and keep Rusty happy with her for the rest of their lives?
Faye Favors a Foreman: A Historical Western Romance (Brides with Grit Book 11) Page 9
