Jenny

by Bobbi Smith

  "This certainly makes me appreciate Philadelphia and a well-sprung carriage," Aubrey declared under his breath to Richard as they jolted along on a crosscountry horseback ride with Jenny, Melanie, and Rose later that day.

  "You're not giving up already, are you?" Richard taunted his friend.

  "Hardly. I'm no quitter. I just prefer a more civilized way of life, that's all. One of these days I'm going to have to stop following you on these adventures."

  "But think how boring your life would become."

  "Boring might be quite pleasant right now. You see, I don't have a reason for being here as you do."

  "You're here as my moral support."

  "As if you'd heed my advice anyway," he scoffed. "It all goes back to what I told you before we left: if you'd proposed to Jenny a month or two ago, we wouldn't be stuck here in the middle of nowhere now."

  "You need to learn how to relax and have some fun, Aubrey."

  "I know very well how to relax and have fun," he groused, "and this isn't it. It's bourbon and cigars at the men's club and then playing high-stakes poker until dawn."

  "I will do my best to find a saloon for you in town, my friend."

  Aubrey only grunted in response as the group slowed near a scenic viewpoint.

  "Rose-I thought you might want to get a picture from here," Jenny said as she stopped her horse. "What do you think?"

  The vista before them was magnificent. The mountains rose in majestic splendor over the lush valley below.

  "Each time I look in a different direction, I see a scene more beautiful than the last," Rose told her.

  Rose dismounted and, with Tom's help, started to unpack the eighty pounds of photography equipment that was loaded on a packhorse. This would be the sixth photograph she'd taken since they'd ridden out that morning, and she firmly believed that each one was better than the last.

  "I guess the rest of us can take it easy for a while," Jenny suggested.

  Rose was getting to be quite professional in her handling of the delicate equipment. She carefully assembled her camera and then insisted that her friends pose for her.

  "I want proof that you really were here," she explained.

  While they all held perfectly still, she took the photograph. She smiled with satisfaction when she'd finished.

  "That will be the best one so far."

  "If you want to take more than just photographs of the great outdoors, you could take the camera with you when we go into town for the dance."

  Rose suddenly smiled brightly at the prospect. "Cole said he was going to be there. Maybe I can get a picture of him to take back East with me, and maybe I can find my mystery cowboy and take his picture, too."

  "Still thinking about him, are you?"

  "Yes. He was the first real cowboy I ever ran into," Rose said with a grin, remembering her encounter with the handsome mysterious stranger. "I want to see if I made as big an impression on him as he did on me."

  "It will be interesting trying to find him. I guess we could start by asking George at the mercantile. He might remember what happened and know who he is."

  "You're right! We'll go there first," Rose decided.

  "And while you ladies are taking your photographs, Aubrey and I will take the time to explore the more manly entertainments in your town," Richard told them.

  "I'm sure you'll have a wonderful time," Jenny said.

  "The trip into town is still a few days away yet," Melanie said. "What are we going to do tomorrow?"

  As they got ready to ride again, Jenny told them of the day-long hunting trip Louie had scheduled for the men and the three-mile hike she'd arranged for the women. She was looking forward to having time with just Rose and Melanie. They had a lot to talk about and a lot of plans to make before the night of the dance.

  Richard was not a happy man. His whole purpose in coming on this expedition was to spend some time with Jenny, but it wasn't turning out that way. Every minute of his time had been filled with carefully scheduled activities.

  He had gone horseback riding.

  He'd hunted.

  He'd hiked.

  He'd ridden along on a roundup and helped repair a damaged fence line.

  Now as they were finally heading back to the ranch for the night, Richard decided that he'd had enough. He had not had a minute of privacy with her in all the days they'd been there.

  He intended to rectify the problem that very night.

  "Why are you looking so grim?" Aubrey asked as they rode along together a short distance behind the others.

  "I've been trying to get Jenny alone, but there's always somebody around. And now tomorrow we go into town for the dance."

  "That'll be the time for you to make your move."

  "I hope so. The only reason I made the trip out here was to be with her."

  "Talk to her tonight. You don't have anything to lose, and it's not as if she's being courted by anyone else. She's just really serious about making the ranch a success and probably isn't thinking too much about romance-or anything else, for that matter."

  Richard grunted in reluctant agreement. Jenny certainly had no social life to speak of, and the only other man who'd been around was her ex-fiance. Richard was certain Cole posed no threat.

  "I've been thinking. If you tell Jenny that she can use your money to fix the place up once she marries you, she'll probably rush you to the altar."

  "But then that would mean we would have to live here," Richard complained. He was more than ready to head back to civilization.

  "Maybe for only part of the year," Aubrey offered hopefully. "You do love her, don't you?"

  Richard didn't answer. He knew he desired Jenny and wanted her badly. But love and marriage? That was a far bigger commitment than he wanted to make. He would have to see how things went between them during the next day or two. He was definitely going to seek her out tonight.

  Mira gave a lot of thought to what she would wear to the dance the following night. Since Jenny was back in the area, she might very well show up, too, so Mira wanted to look her absolute best. She didn't want Cole to have any reason to look at another woman. She selected a dark blue gown with a lowcut bodice. She hoped the revealing decolletage would keep Cole's attention focused on her all night long and maybe a few other men's, too. A little competition from other men might spike his interest in her. She was ready and willing to do whatever it took to make him her own.

  When they returned to the ranch from the ride, Rose accompanied Jenny to the main house.

  "I want to take a look at your gowns. Whatever we choose for you to wear tomorrow night has to be really special," Rose advised her. "It's got to be romantic, yet exciting."

  "I hope I've got something like that," Jenny said, trying to think of what was in her wardrobe. When she'd packed so hurriedly to come back to the ranch, she hadn't worried about bringing any of her fancier gowns.

  "If you don't, I brought two gowns with me, and one of them just might work for you. We'll find something, don't worry. We are going to be staying overnight in town, right?"

  "Yes. It will be late when the dance is over, so we'll take rooms at one of the hotels."

  "Good. That will give us a place to fix your hair before the dance."

  "My hair?" Jenny was surprised. She'd always worn it tied back or she'd let it fall freely about her shoulders.

  Rose looked pensive. "I've been studying you today, and I think your hair would look wonderful if we styled it up some way. I'll experiment with it and see."

  "But-"

  "You love Cole and you want to win Cole over, don't you? You have to remember, this is war, and this will be our first attack. We have to make you look so gorgeous that he won't be able to take his eyes off you. Trust me in this."

  "If you're so good at capturing men's hearts, why haven't you married yet?" Jenny asked. She knew that Rose saw quite a variety of men, but she'd never gotten serious with any of them.

  Rose looked thoughtful, then finally ans
wered, "I've never been in love. I've liked a lot of men, and I've enjoyed their company, but no one's ever swept me off my feet. I guess I'm still looking for that handsome prince to woo me."

  "A prince?"

  "Every girl can have her fairy tale to believe in, can't she?"

  Jenny laughed. "If you say so."

  "I do. Now, back to you and Cole. We have to figure out a way to get him to dance with you."

  "I don't think he'll want to."

  "We'll make him want to," Rose insisted. "After all, he can't snub you in public. When he asks you to dance, there must be some way you can maneuver him into a quiet corner somewhere."

  Jenny smiled at Rose. "I like the way you think."

  "Good, but do you know what you're going to do with him once you get him alone?"

  "I've got a pretty good idea."

  "That's my girl. That will be assault number two."

  "How many `assaults' is it going to take?"

  "Does it matter? I think you're going to be enjoying every one of them."

  "You're right!"

  They made their way up to Jenny's room and spent the next hour going through her wardrobe. When they didn't find the perfect gown, Rose went out to the guest house and returned with one of her own. A few minutes later, Jenny was standing before her wearing a rose-colored gown that was stunning on her.

  "I never looked this good in it!" Rose protested good-naturedly as she surveyed her friend. "You're beautiful." She said the last a bit reverently.

  Jenny turned to look at herself in the full-length mirror and was surprised by the vision she made. The gown fit her perfectly, and the color highlighted her fairness. The neckline was revealing without being too daring.

  "Thanks, Rose." Jenny turned back to her friend, her eyes aglow with the realization that she truly did look lovely.

  "When we go into battle, we have to be prepared," Rose said with a grin as she stepped behind Jenny and unfastened her hair, freeing it to fall around her shoulders. She then lifted the heavy mass up and twisted it into a stylish knot, leaving a few tendrils loose to fall softly about her face. "And that's what I want to do with your hair. What do you think?"

  "I almost look like a different person."

  "Let's hope your intriguing new look works on Cole. I guarantee you're going to have every man at the social wanting a dance with you. They'll be standing in line."

  "As long as Cole is one of them, I'll be happy."

  They shared a conspiratorial look of eager anticipation.

  "What time do you think we should start into town tomorrow?" Rose asked.

  "You're the one who wants to take pictures around town and try to find your mystery cowboy. How early do you want to get there?"

  "Early," Rose said with conviction. "Because once I find him, I'm going to want to spend as much time with him as I can."

  "We'll leave right after breakfast."

  "I'll be ready, there's no doubt about that."

  Richard was ready when it was finally time for the evening meal. He'd cleaned up and changed clothes and felt almost civilized again. It was a pleasurable sensation.

  He and Aubrey left the guest house just as Melanie, Tillie, and Rose came out, too. They all walked up to the main house together.

  Frances's cooking was delicious, as usual, and the conversation centered on the next day's trip to town.

  "So we'll be staying the night?" Richard asked, liking the prospect.

  "Yes. Then we'll return to the ranch the following day."

  "We'll be ready to leave whenever you are," Aubrey said, equally glad to be going into town. He was eager to explore some of the saloons he'd heard about. He was looking forward to a serious round of poker and a strong drink.

  Everyone was tired from the activity of the day, so no one lingered too long after eating.

  Jenny walked out onto the porch to say good night to everyone as they started back to the guest house to retire. The night was clear, crisp, and cool with a slight breeze stirring in the trees. She stood at the railing, inhaling deeply of the sweet air. This was her heaven.

  "It is a beautiful night, isn't it, Jenny?" Richard said in a low voice. He knew Evelyn had gone back inside to go to bed, but he spoke softly for he wanted to keep their conversation as private as possible.

  Jenny was a little surprised to find that Richard had lingered behind.

  "Yes, it is," she agreed. "Aren't you tired? Everybody else sounded as if they couldn't wait to call it a night."

  "I was just regretting that my stay here is nearly half over and we really haven't had the chance to spend much time together," he remarked, thinking how pretty she looked in the moonlight. Her remark about calling it a night had excited him. He would love to go to bed-if she would go with him.

  "Things have been busy," she agreed, suddenly feeling a bit awkward. She knew Richard was interested in her, but her feelings for him were not amorous.

  "You haven't had a moment's peace in a long time, have you?" he sympathized as he came to stand beside her.

  The porch was dark except for the glow of the lamplight coming through the front parlor windows.

  Jenny wanted to step away from him to keep some distance between them, but she felt foolish backing away. She could handle Richard.

  "It's been a difficult time."

  "I'm sorry about your father's death, Jenny," he said sincerely. "But once you get things straightened out here, you can go back to living your life again."

  She glanced at him, realizing he didn't understand her at all. "This is my life, Richard."

  "What about Philadelphia? You had a good life there with your Aunt Evelyn. You were happy there, weren't you?"

  "You're right. I was happy, but once I came home, I knew-This is where I want to be."

  "With all that you've just been through recently, you can't be really sure of that, can you?" he said, reaching out to Jenny.

  Richard's tone was soothing enough, but his attitude irritated her. She allowed him to touch her shoulder, but did not move any closer to him.

  "I know you're trying to be kind, Richard, but I do know my own mind. I won't be going back to Philadelphia. This is my home. I'm staying here."

  "Jenny-" he said softly.

  When she glanced toward him, he moved quickly to take her in his arms and kiss her.

  Jenny didn't fight him. Richard seemed overly attentive tonight, and so she was not surprised by his ploy. She accepted his kiss. The whole while his lips moved over hers, though, they evoked no response from her at all. She felt no physical attraction to Richard. She was remembering another kiss Cole's kiss.

  Cole's kiss had been wild and passionate. It had seared both her heart and her soul, and had awakened within her the truth of her feelings for him.

  Richard's kiss aroused no desire in Jenny other than the need to move away from him. When he tried to draw her closer and deepen the exchange, she broke off the embrace and distanced herself from him.

  "It's been a long day, Richard. I'd better go in now," she said, smiling a little to soften her hurried exit.

  As Richard watched her disappear inside and close the door, his jaw locked in anger. Damn the woman! Jenny was as elusive as ever. He was not used to being denied. He was Richard Donathan III, and he didn't like her attitude one bit.

  Richard believed he could use his money to entice Jenny, but he wasn't accustomed to having to buy a woman's affections. As a Donathan, he was guaranteed entry to the best homes and the attention of most of the marriageable females in his social class. He didn't understand why Jenny was proving to be so hard to win over. He wasn't about to quit, though. That would be admitting defeat, and a Donathan was never defeated.

  Richard stalked off into the night, not quite ready to return to the guest house. Tomorrow they would go into town for the dance. Surely he would get another chance to be with Jenny there, and perhaps it was time that he gave some serious thought to Aubrey's suggestion....

  Maybe he should thin
k about marrying her.

  Rose's excitement was even greater than usual the following day as she and Jenny left the hotel and began their search for "her cowboy," starting at the mercantile. Because she wanted to take the camera with her, Tom had been recruited to come into town with them and help carry things. He trailed after them now, weighted down by the expensive equipment.

  "I'm ready. Are you?" Rose asked.

  "We'll give it our best effort," Jenny promised. "I hope George remembers the man we're talking about."

  "Even if he doesn't, I'm going to find a way to track him down."

  "Why is this cowboy so important to you?" Jenny was curious. She hadn't noticed anything unusual about the man.

  "I'm not sure," Rose said thoughtfully. "There was just something about him - I mean, the moment our gazes met, I..." Rose stopped talking, realizing how ridiculous she sounded.

  "From the moment your gazes met, what?" Jenny prodded. This wasn't a normal conversation with Rose. She'd never known her friend to give in to romantic flights of fancy.

  "Oh, nothing. I'm probably just imagining things, and that's why I want to see him one more time to find out."

  "Well, if he's in Durango, we'll find him. I promise."

  "I'll hold you to that."

  They reached Lansing's Mercantile.

  "Here we are," Jenny announced as they stopped out in front.

  "I hope the same gentleman is working."

  "George should be here. He's the owner."

  They entered the store to find the older man hard at work behind the counter.

  "Why, Jenny! It's good to see you again. Are you in town for the big dance tonight?"

  "We sure are, George. You remember my friend Rose, don't you? And this is Tom; he works for me."

  "Of course. Nice to see you, too, miss." He was staring with open interest at the camera equipment. "Is one of you a photographer?"

  "I am," Rose told him, "and I was wondering if I could get you to pose for me, George? I've been tak ing pictures out at the ranch and I wanted some from around town. I'd love to get one of you standing in front of the store."