Nathan jumped again and let off another cry, groaning and grabbing his stomach again. “Bo is going crazy,” he gasped. “He’s clawing me and trying to get away. Something’s scaring him.”
“The mountain lion!” Ruby and her younger sisters said at the same time.
“Oh, exciting!” Zina added gleefully, and she turned around to look into the darkened valley behind the them. “I can’t see anything, but I bet there’s a big cat following us.”
“We’re almost home,” Mrs. Gardner said, turning toward Nathan with concern. “Can you hang on to Bo a little longer.”
Nathan grunted as Bo clawed him again and tried to break free.
Ruby handed the reins to her mother, and grabbed Nathan’s rifle at her feet. “Is this thing loaded?”
“Yes,” Nathan growled. “But let me shoot the thing, not you.”
“And me hold your cat? No thanks.” Ruby stripped the blanket off, and held the rifle off to one side. “Feels the same as Pa’s,” she said.
As soon as Mrs. Gardner brought the horses to a halt in front of the Gardner home, everyone scrambled out of the wagon and onto the porch. Ruby’s brother-in-law came out of the barn carrying a lantern, and led the horses toward the barn. Ruby started walking back down the dark road, carrying Nathan’s rifle.
Nathan ran after her. “Where are you going?” he ground out as Bo fought like crazy to break free.
“I’m going to put a scare into a mountain lion,” Ruby said.
“Not without me. You can’t walk out into the dark alone.”
“Okay,” Ruby said. “Shove Bo in Charlie’s room and shut the door so he can’t run off. I’ll wait on the porch for you.” She turned and walked to the front porch while Nathan ran Bo into the house.
Once Bo was secure in Charlie’s bedroom, the horses secure in the barn with Evan, and everyone else was in the house, Ruby and Nathan walked down the dark road together. “Are you going to give me my rifle?” Nathan asked.
“Maybe I want to shoot it.”
“Do you know how?”
“I can shoot my pa’s.”
Nathan couldn’t help chuckling. “Okay,” he said. “This is far enough away from the house and barn. Let’s see what you can do.”
Ruby raised the rifle to her shoulder and cocked the hammer. Nathan stood behind her close enough that he could smell lilac in her hair. “Anytime,” he whispered.
The blast from the rifle knocked Ruby backwards right into Nathan’s arms. “Well done,” he said, and he held her quite a bit longer than necessary.
Much later, in the early morning hours, when Nathan lay awake staring at the ceiling of Charlie’s room, he relived the evening of dancing and fiddling and holding Ruby in his arms. Bo lay curled up beside him, and he spoke quietly to the cat.
“You sure clawed my belly good, you good-for-nothing critter. I should have thrown you out to meet your cousin.”
Bo purred.
“It’s a good thing Mrs. Gardner had some ointment.” Nathan stroked Bo’s head and back. He wished Bo could advise him on what to do about Ruby Gardner. He had come to Clover Creek to start over and forget about a certain young lady, not to get tangled up with another one. He thought of moving on to Oregon, but he had recently started a new teaching year at the school. It would be unprofessional to uproot now and leave them without a teacher. Nathan was not totally sure that’s what he wanted to do anyway.
If only he hadn’t kissed Ruby! He wouldn’t be struggling with what to do now if he hadn’t kissed her. And if he hadn’t let Ruby shoot his rifle and fall into his arms, he wouldn’t be dealing with all the more turmoil now. If it wasn’t for those sweet moments with Ruby, her loveliness, her radiant smile, her musical talent, he could continue to teach school every weekday and not think about her. He could fiddle for the dances on Saturdays, and attend church on Sunday without thinking of her. And the rest of the time, he could keep to himself as he had been doing for the past year and a half.
“I couldn’t stop myself,” Nathan said, his fingers pausing over Bo’s fur. “I knew that rifle was going to kick her back into my arms, and I welcomed the feel of her against me. But, I was still filled with fire from those old-timers’ music working me into a dancing fever. Ruby was so dazzling, the way she danced, the way her hair flew about, the way her eyes met mine. Do you think she wore her hair all curly like that on purpose?”
Bo pawed at Nathan’s sore chest, and then went back to purring.
“I think you’re right. I think she wore her hair all curly like that on purpose. Do you think she conspired with Mrs. Stribling to get me to dance with her?”
Bo didn’t flinch.
“You don’t think so, huh? You’re probably right. I don’t think Ruby is the conspiring kind. She’s a sweet person, unlike some I have known.”
Nathan continued to stroke the top of Bo’s head. “But now what, Bo? When I held her in my arms earlier tonight, I wanted to kiss her so badly. I think she wanted me to kiss her, but I panicked and stalked into the house. Her pa’s already going to skin me alive when he gets back. And besides, kissing leads to commitments, commitments lead to weddings, and then if the bride changes her mind at the last minute, the hurt changes your life forever.”
Nathan looked down at the sleeping fur ball beside him. “So what do I do now, Bo?” he whispered, a tightness choking his throat.
“You’re not helping me, Bo.”
9
The following morning, Ruby took her time getting ready for church. She had helped Nathan, Belle, and Zina with the farm chores earlier, and Nathan had avoided her eyes during the whole process. She wanted to march down the stairs now, and say, “Nathan Banks, what are your intentions? If you’re going to kiss me, or nearly kiss me one minute, and then scowl and ignore me another minute, you can just go stay in the barn.”
Ruby looked out her window and saw Nathan harnessing the horses and getting ready to drive the family into town for church. She wanted to yell at him that she didn’t need his protection, and neither did her little sisters. She could transport the girls to school and back each day, and she could scare off any old mountain lion with her father’s rifle.
“And the next time I shoot a rifle, I’ll remember to position my feet better, and not let the gun jolt me into anyone’s arms.” Ruby cringed and looked around her room, hoping that no one had been out in the hall and heard her rant. The thought of Nathan’s arms around her last night after she shot his rifle, mellowed her feelings, but infuriated her at the same time. “What kind of game are you playing, Mr. Banks?” she whispered as she stood next to her curtains.
Ruby sat on her bed and placed her head in her hands, her anger spent. She had had such a marvelous time at the dance last night. Nathan hadn’t smiled while fiddling for the second half of the dance, but he had come close to it. In addition, he had sung and laughed with the family on the ride home. Then, after she had shot the rifle and landed in his arms, he had held her close for several breathtaking moments, almost as if he never wanted to release her. When she turned to face him, she had thought he was going to kiss her for sure, but he hadn’t. He had suddenly grumbled something about losing his mind and bolted toward the house, calling for her to follow.
When Ruby decided that she had stewed and primped long enough, she went downstairs to a quick breakfast. Nathan was nowhere to be seen. When she and her family went out to climb in the wagon, she found him holding Bo and waiting patiently. She gave him an icy look meant to say, “You and I are going to have a talk.”
The ride to church was as pleasant as possible with the crisp morning air and fall colors. The fields lay fallow and quiet, ready for a long winter’s rest. Birds chirped and flew from tree to tree, convincing Ruby that her rifle shot had indeed scared any mountain lions over the distant hills. The clopping of the horse’s hoofs set a peaceful rhythm all the way into Clover Creek, and gave Ruby time to think.
She was convinced that Nathan had feelings for her, but every time he let his true
feelings show, he seemed to panic within a short time and withdraw. Instead of getting upset with him, she decided to be pleasant and supportive, to see if he would open up and talk to her about whatever bothered him.
For the rest of the day, Ruby smiled and talked cheerfully, like nothing had transpired between her and Nathan to make her upset. By the end of the day, she felt like she had succeeded in helping him feel comfortable with her family again. Nellie, Evan, Cora, and Alice had left right after dinner to rejoin Mr. Gardner for the upcoming week of surveying. They took leftovers with them to share with Mr. Gardner and Charlie. The rest of the family retreated to the parlor ready to enjoy fiddle and organ music.
Ruby hoped to have time in the evening to talk to Nathan, but the opportunity never presented itself. The younger Gardner girls had become so comfortable with having their schoolteacher living with them that they seldom left his side. All week long, the girls settled into a routine of helping Nathan with whatever he was doing, riding to school with him, and reciting their schoolwork for him and their mother in the evenings. They listened to Ruby and Nathan play music together and solo. And with the weather turning colder every passing day, the girls helped Nathan build a fire in the fireplace each evening.
Ruby watched for a time to talk to Nathan as the days slipped by, but they were never alone for more than a few minutes. She wanted to talk to him so badly about what was bothering him, but she never found a good opportunity as he constantly interacted with her mother and sisters. But the more comfortable he got with Ruby’s family, the more comfortable he seemed to feel around Ruby. They both avoided any close affection for each other, but Ruby noticed him looking at her often with a gentle smile. She found that this attentiveness brought peace and joy to her heart.
Even Bo settled in with the family, strutting around like he owned the place. He managed to disappear each morning when Nathan and the younger girls left for school, ensuring that he stayed at the Gardner home during the weekdays. When Nathan first started searching for Bo to take the cat with him, Mrs. Gardner insisted that she enjoyed having Bo around during the day.
The following Saturday morning dawned crisp and cold. Frost blanketed the fields and a layer of ice covered the water troughs. After Nathan and the girls finished the morning chores and cleaned up, everyone prepared to leave for Clover Creek. Mrs. Gardner had shopping to do and people to visit before the dance that evening. Ruby was starting to feel desperate about missing an opportunity to talk to Nathan. It was the last day for him to stay with the family. The survey crew had sent word that they were finishing up in Aspen Valley and were expected to show up for the dance sometime during the evening.
“I’m sure you have a lot of things to do back at the school,” Mrs. Gardner said to Nathan as the family finished eating a light dinner and cleaned the kitchen. “We have appreciated your help and protection so very much. And it’s been a delight for the girls and I to have you in our home each evening. Your music has brought so much tranquility during this time when half the family has been gone.”
“It’s been a pleasure to be here and to play for you,” Nathan said. “And to accompany your daughters while they’ve sang or played the organ. I grew up with evenings filled with music and family. It’s been nice to enjoy that feeling again.” He smiled at the younger Gardner girls, and sighed slightly when he looked at Ruby.
“Every time I think that a mountain lion might have been following us home after the dance last week, I get chills,” Mrs. Gardner said. “I think I was as scared as Bo. I’m so thankful you frightened that big cat away.”
Nathan’s eyes rested on Ruby again. “Your daughter frightened the mountain lion away,” he said softly. “She’s quite capable with a rifle.”
Mrs. Garner nodded. “Oh, I know, but I still felt better having you in our home. I’m sure you’re anxious to return to your own residence and routine though.”
Nathan looked at her like he might argue that point, but he said nothing.
“I’ll go pack my bag with a change of clothes for the dance,” Ruby said after placing a clean tablecloth on the table. “Then I’ll be ready to leave. I’m helping Belle with Mrs. Stribling’s housework today.”
Ruby hated to bring up whatever caused her and Nathan’s relationship to fluctuate so drastically, but she felt that if anything more than friendship was to ever develop between them, she had to speak up soon. When she returned to the kitchen, she saw Nathan out by the barn harnessing the horses. Her mother and sisters were in their rooms getting ready for the day, so Ruby slipped out of the house. This might be her only time to talk to him alone.
“Do you need help?” Ruby asked when she reached the barn.
“No, I’m okay,” Nathan said, “but thanks.”
Ruby helped him anyway, liking the feeling of working beside of him. “I hope Mr. Jones makes it to the dance tonight,” she said, bringing up the subject of the dance on purpose.
“Hopefully he’ll be able to play for the dance pretty soon.”
Ruby couldn’t help but wonder if Nathan would prefer the accompaniment of Mr. Jones over her for the dances.
“The doctor said Mr. Jones should only play for part of the dance, and relax the rest of the time,” Nathan added. He smiled, making Ruby think he did like her accompaniment. She found his back and forth moods exasperating.
“Can I ask you a question?” she said.
Nathan stopped tightening the straps, leaned his hand against the big work horse, and tipped his hat back. “Now why do I have the feeling that I might not want to answer your question?”
“Because I asked you last week at the dance, but you didn’t answer me,” Ruby said. She smiled at him, hoping to put him at ease. “Why don’t you smile when you fiddle? You almost did last week, and it was so fun to see you enjoy the dance more. A lot of people wonder if you’re sad when you fiddle, or if something is bothering you.”
Nathan jerked on one of the harness straps. “Why do people care?” he said. “It’s none of their business.”
“I care,” Ruby said, trying to arrange her words so she wouldn’t frustrate him any more than she already had. “I care because . . . I care about you. And sometimes I think you care about me, but then you suddenly retreat into a sad place or something.”
“You have no idea,” Nathan grumbled.
“No, I don’t.” Ruby gently laid her hand on his arm. “But I’d like to know. Why do you seem to withdraw when you fiddle? You love to play the fiddle, and you’re so amazing.”
“I don’t want to talk about it,” Nathan snapped. He walked over to the wagon tongue and picked it up with a jerk, lining it up with the horses. “Look, I don’t want your pity, or anyone’s pity. I’ve had enough people feeling sorry for me to last a life time.”
Ruby placed her hands on her hips. She hadn’t expected him to snap at her. “Who says anyone pities you? Everyone I know admires you.”
Zina, Fern, and Beth came running out of the house before Nathan could respond. “We’re ready!” Beth yelled when they reached the wagon. “And Ma said she’ll be out in five minutes.”
Nathan finished hitching the horses to the wagon and Ruby helped him. He worked with sharp movements, and then double checked his work, never looking at Ruby again. When he stood back with a look of satisfaction, he took off his hat, and stalked into the barn. Fern and Beth ran after him and within seconds, Ruby could hear him teasing them. It was as if Ruby upset him, but the fun and innocence of the younger girls made him happy.
Ruby turned abruptly and walked toward the house. If Nathan Banks was going to treat her like that when she was just trying to help, he could crawl into his shell and stay there as far as she was concerned. He could also quit kissing her or looking at her like he wanted to kiss her. She didn’t need someone who was affectionate one minute and cold as ice the next.
“Hey, Ma,” Ruby called as she opened the kitchen door, “do you need any help?”
Mrs. Gardner came out of the house a few m
oments later, carrying her handbag and an empty gunny sack. She offered the gunny sack to Nathan. “Do you want to put Bo in this?” she asked. “If you wrap him in the bag, and let his head stick out, he might feel more comfortable.”
“Good idea,” Nathan said, rubbing his hand over his stomach where Bo had scratched him on the way home from the dance last week. “Anything to make him feel more secure while we travel.”
What would it take to make you feel more secure? Ruby thought as she carried her own bag with a change of clothes for the dance. She wanted to say the words out loud, but stopped herself. She wished she knew what was hurting Nathan, but if he wanted to hang onto his gloomy outlook in life, that was his choice.
The ride into Clover Creek was quiet except for the chatter of the younger girls in the back of the wagon. Mrs. Gardner attempted to start a conversation with Ruby and Nathan a couple of times, but gave up when neither of them responded with more than a word or two. When they reached the schoolhouse, Nathan thanked Mrs. Gardner for the ride and took off with Bo. Mrs. Gardner dropped Ruby and Belle off at Mrs. Stribling’s, and took the younger girls with her to help with the shopping.
“How are you, my dear friends, and how’s your family?” Mrs. Stribling asked. “I’ve looked forward to you coming all week.”
“We’re all doing well,” Ruby said. “Pa and the survey crew are expected back sometime tonight, or tomorrow morning if they can’t make it tonight. We’re looking forward to having them home.”
“Oh, I’m sure you are. But what about Nathan Banks? He’s been helping out at your place, and I’m dying to know if anything’s coming of it between the two of you.”
Ruby’s eyes widened at Mrs. Stribling’s outspoken comment.
Belle smirked. “That’s what Ma and I would like to know. Ruby and Nathan play beautiful music together, but the rest of the time, watch out!”
Ruby shook her head. She had no idea that her mother and sister could see what was happening between she and Nathan. “That man is infuriating,” she said, drawing in a breath and releasing it before speaking again. “He’s haunted by something from his past, but he won’t talk about it. He allows himself to be happy around my family, but never when he fiddles for the dances. You should hear him play the fiddle in our home. It’s the sweetest, most beautiful music, and he smiles when he plays. But put him in front of the dancers on Saturday night, and he practically turns to stone.”
Ruby's Rhapsody (The Surveyor's Daughters Book 2) Page 8
