He winked. “And whatever else you would like me to do, I’ll most certainly be up for the task.”
“I’m having a pleasant time with you now.” She slid her palm up his arm slowly. “I really appreciate you coming to talk to me about my brother, even though I know you have other things to do that are more important.”
He shook his head. “When Billy ran out of the classroom crying earlier this afternoon, I knew I had to come by to see how he is faring. I had to wait until class was out before I could come.”
Silence stretched in the room for a few awkward moments. Her expression turned from pleasant to worry in a split second as her forehead creased.
“That doesn’t make sense,” she said. “Billy had only gotten home about a half hour or so ago. When did he leave school?”
“During our lunch break.”
“That long?” She gasped and jumped to her feet. “Billy had been gone for three hours? Oh, that’s not good at all.”
She wrung her hands and walked to the window. She briefly peeked out of the laced curtains before turning to pace the floor.
He could understand a sister’s concern about her brother, but Chris didn’t understand why Ella fretted about Billy being gone that long. As a young boy, Chris used to play hooky from school and go fishing with his friends. They never really got into mischief, but they knew the area so well, it didn’t matter how long they were gone. This area looked to be a peaceful community, and he was certain Billy would have been all right. If so, then what was bothering Ella so much?
He stood and walked toward her. “I’d assumed he’d just come home after leaving the school.”
“No.”
She gazed at him with wide eyes, and she couldn’t stand still. What made her so nervous? Then again, he hadn’t been able to figure out the Parker siblings yet. The more Chris had gotten to know them, the more confused he became. They were hiding secrets, he just knew it. But he felt like they both needed someone to talk to, and he wanted to be that person. If only he could get them to trust him.
PANIC SURGED THROUGH Ella like hot lava, burning and twisting her gut. Where had Billy been all that time? He only had a few friends, but what if lately he’d made friends with people that she didn’t know about? What if one of those people knew Rodmilla?
Ella still worried one day her stepmother would come get them. Even now, she suspected the evil woman was watching and waiting.
“Ella,” Chris said, grasping her shoulders, stopping her. The trepidation in his gaze eased her nerves slightly because she knew that he would help her deal with this. If only she could trust him enough to tell him the truth.
“What?” she asked.
“Stop your fretting.” He gave her a warm smile. “Your brother is fine. He returned home, did he not?”
“He did.”
“Then there’s nothing to worry about.” He winked. “Take it from someone who used to sneak out of school and disappear for a couple of hours without his mother knowing. Billy is a tough kid.”
“Oh, Chris. It’s more than that. I just fear that the wrong people will—” Her thoughts skidded to a halt. What am I doing? The words had just rolled off her tongue without her knowing why. But she couldn’t say anymore. She’d already said too much.
He cocked his head. “The wrong people? What wrong people?”
She released an uneasy chuckle. “Just the ones who might be a bad influence on him.”
“My dear, Ella.” He stroked her cheek. “You can’t keep all the bad people away from him all of his life. He needs to learn how to deal with problems on his own. You need to let him experience the good and bad. How else will he grow and become his own man?”
It didn’t matter that Chris was right, he was speaking of something entirely different, but she wouldn’t let him know that’s not what had been on her mind. “Indeed, you are correct. I’ve been overprotecting Billy for so long, it’s hard to know when to stop.”
“I wish I’d had an overprotecting sibling, well...besides Darby.” His voice lowered and his smile disappeared.
“You are the only child?”
He dropped his hand from her face and stepped away. “No. I have an older brother, but he wasn’t what you would call overprotecting. Truth be told, he didn’t protect me at all.” He shrugged. “I suppose you could say he bullied me.”
“I’m sorry.” Her heart twisted from seeing the inner pain in his expression. She didn’t like his gray eyes appearing this forlorn. She’d rather have them vibrant and dreamy as they’d been not too long ago. “Do you still see him now that you two are adults?”
“Thankfully, no. He and my father are dead. That’s why I understand what Billy might be feeling with his father gone so much.”
Emotion choked her throat. She moved in front of him and took hold of his hands. “How awful. I’m so sorry. How did you and your mother handle their deaths?”
“She was strong willed. She tried her best to raise me alone, until her death.”
She sucked in a quick breath. “You are without parents, too?”
“Yes. I have been since about sixteen years of age. That’s when I met Darby. I consider him my family now.”
“I’m happy that you have someone like Darby.” Another pang shot through her heart. To think they shared similar backgrounds.
An awkward silence crept in the room, and she wondered if he suddenly became quiet because he couldn’t ask about her mother. Perhaps it was a good idea to change the subject, anyway. She didn’t enjoy feeling uncomfortable around him. She wanted to feel light-hearted and dizzy...like she’d been feeling right before he kissed her, and especially during the passionate kiss they’d shared.
“Chris, thank you for sharing that with me about your family. I feel I know you a little better now.”
His tender smile returned. He lifted one of her hands to his mouth and brushed his lips across her knuckles. “I feel I know you better, as well.”
As she stared into his caring eyes, she felt the urge once again to tell him everything. She’d held secrets for too long. Chris would understand, and he would help, she just knew it.
She took a step closer to him, yearning to release the burden weighing on her shoulders. Desire lit his eyes as he gazed upon her. “Chris,” she whispered, “I really need to tell you something.”
“Tell me.” He nodded, keeping hold of her hand as it stayed near his mouth.
“I...I...” Could she tell him? Her heart was telling her she should trust him. So why was she still frightened?
NINE
Ella’s mind brought her thoughts to a quick halt and she swallowed hard. No, she couldn’t tell Chris the truth. Not yet. Not until her birthday. She must remain strong, just as she’d instructed her brother to do.
But now Chris was waiting for her to tell him something—anything. Her mind went blank. What explanation could she give?
Her gaze dropped to his mouth and suddenly an idea popped into her head. There was one way she could deter his mind—and hers—from what she’d almost confessed.
Her heart hammered out of control once more, knowing she wanted to kiss this gorgeous man again. And as before, she’d be the one making the first move, but for some reason, she couldn’t move.
Slowly, Chris leaned closer, his attention focused on her lips. “No, don’t tell me,” he whispered, cupping her head, pulling it closer to his. “Show me.”
When his mouth landed on hers, it literally took the breath from her lungs, and within a heartbeat’s time, she released a heavy sigh of pleasure. He pushed her back against the wall, pressing the length of his body against hers. Immeasurable delight surged through her, and she slid her hands up his broad chest—marveling once again on his incredible build—and linked her hands behind his neck.
The kiss was very different from the one they’d shared earlier. A wild urgency took control over her actions, and she participated fully, moving her mouth back and forth with his.
So many emoti
ons ran through her, confusing her greatly. Happiness was one, along with pleasure, but fear and anger intertwined, and she couldn’t understand why. She didn’t want to feel fearful, and yet the more she kissed him this way, the stronger these feelings became. Yet at the same time, ending the kiss wasn’t what she wanted to do. She’d already experienced the emptiness that filled her after she withdrew from sharing such a tender moment with him.
Before she could summon the courage to break the kiss, Chris had removed his mouth from hers, and his lips traveled down her neck. On impulse, she tilted her head, giving him better access.
What am I doing? Although she should really stop this wonderful madness, the tingles flowing through every nerve in her body, and the way her heart fluttered with happiness overrode any other decision. His moist lips on her throat and his hot breath on her skin drove her insane with desire. Pleasant thoughts drifted through her mind, wondering...hoping...this man might be her Prince Charming.
“Oh, Chris,” she sighed audibly, not recognizing her own sated voice.
“Yes, my darling Ella?”
His voice was just as profound, which made her happy to know she hadn’t been the only one affected by their kiss.
“I...I need to catch...my breath,” she said.
Chuckling, he raised his head as his gaze met hers. “You, too?”
She nodded. “I’m having...a hard time...breathing.”
“As am I.” He kissed her briefly on the lips. “Perhaps it is best we don’t become too carried away.”
“Indeed, we should not.” She took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. “I’m actually surprised we haven’t been interrupted yet.”
“By your brother?”
She shrugged. “Or one of the servants.”
He smiled and withdrew, stepping away from her. He cleared his throat. “Well, I suppose I should leave since I’ve done what I came here to do.”
“You have? You came here to kiss me?”
His laugh came out louder this time. “Not exactly. I came to talk to you about Billy.”
“Oh yes, Billy.” She grinned, but her heart sank. “Must you leave?”
“You don’t want me to?”
Chuckling, she shrugged. “I must admit your company has been rather nice.”
“So has yours.”
“And if you leave, I shall have nobody to talk with, except the servants, of course.”
“That’s true, but I really should be leaving. I do have some assignments to grade before tomorrow. However, if you are willing, can I take you on a picnic tomorrow around dinnertime?”
Her heart jumped with excitement. “Oh, yes. A picnic sounds wonderful.”
“Splendid.” He winked. “Is six o’clock too early?”
“Of course not.”
“Wonderful. Then it’s a date.”
Heat grew in her face again as she nodded. “Indeed, it is a date. One I anticipate greatly.”
He hesitated in leaving, and she wondered if he was going to bestow another kiss on her. Instead, he took her hand and placed a chaste kiss on her knuckles.
“Until then, my darling Ella.”
He turned and walked out of the door. Her heart cried out to have him come back, and yet she needed more time to sort through her confused feelings.
Maybe she shouldn’t have had so much enthusiasm in her voice when she’d replied to his dinner invitation, but she couldn’t help it. Did this mean they were courting? By the soft smile and twinkle in his gray eyes, she suspected he was just as happy about their date as she was.
CHRIS PRACTICALLY SKIPPED out of the house and to his horse. The grin on his face stretched so wide, his cheeks hurt. He couldn’t believe the excitement bubbling inside his chest, knowing that Ella had enjoyed his company—not to mention the kiss—and she wanted more. So far she hadn’t said anything condescending about him being a schoolteacher, and as far as he could tell, she didn’t seem embarrassed about being seen with him, either.
Not yet.
Something tugged at the back of his heart, reminding him that Rosanna hadn’t shown signs of being critical either, but she’d still wanted him to be something he could never become.
He’d have to take this relationship with Ella much slower. He couldn’t fall in love and get his heart broken again. She wasn’t like Rosanna, and really, their only similarities were that their families had a lot of money. He’d always believed people were naturally decent, yet lately, the rich had treated him like dirt. There was no way he could marry a woman like that.
Marry? Chuckling, he shook his head and urged his horse into a fast trot. Was he really thinking about marriage after only one kiss? Although, technically, it was two kisses...two very passionate and earth-moving kisses. He should calm his elation down a bit and remember that he really didn’t know her very well. The plan would be to take things slow from now on, especially now that he knew what kissing her did to his mind and how it weakened his soul.
He urged his horse into a faster trot. As he came upon the same location where Ella had almost been assaulted, he gripped the reins tighter. He scanned the area, searching for any signs of trouble. He hadn’t exactly lied when he told her he didn’t know who those men were. In truth, he did recognize one of them. Joe Edwards. Chris didn’t know Joe personally, but the man was associated with Daniel Morgan, Chris’s older brother.
His stomach churned with dread. If Joe was in town, did that mean Daniel was here as well?
Chris had been harboring a secret since he moved to this kingdom, and he prayed nobody would discover the truth about his family. He wanted them to stay dead, since he’d written them out of his mind and heart a long time ago.
Bitterness coated his tongue and made him want to gag from just thinking about his father and brother’s occupation. His father had turned to a life of crime only a few years after Chris was born. When Daniel was old enough, their father had taught him the trade, mainly to be the alibi. Chris hadn’t seen them in years, but he’d heard gossip that his brother and father were still traipsing around the kingdoms, robbing people or kidnapping for a high ransom. It surprised Chris they hadn’t been caught yet.
Joe had teamed up with Daniel in the beginning, and quickly became part of the gang. So what was Joe doing here? Chris hoped his father’s gang hadn’t decided to come to this kingdom.
From the corner of his eyes, a shadow in the trees pulled his attention. On instinct, his hand flew to the pistol he kept in his overcoat. Immediately, three familiar faces popped into view—the same three who’d tried to kidnap Ella.
Chris slowed his horse and glared at Joe. The years hadn’t been very kind to his brother’s friend. Of course, it had been nearly ten years since he’d seen anyone in his father’s gang. Fresh scars across Joe’s cheek and upper lip were evident, and the man had put on a little weight around his mid-section. Joe’s once-thick head of hair was now thin and receding. The other two men appeared worse, with more scars, missing teeth, and unkempt hair.
“Lookie boys, it’s the uppity schoolteacher again.” Joe grinned.
Although all three held a club, it was their evil scowls that worried Chris the most.
“Joe,” Chris said with a nod as he stopped his horse. “It’s a surprise to see you here. Did you and my family run out of people to rob in Caittea, so you’re now working your way to other kingdoms?”
The portly-sized man threw back his head and laughed. “That’s close enough to the truth, I su’pose.” He slapped his club against his palm. “Daniel and your pa were bored in Caittea and so they moved on. I decided to move on after that, as well.”
Chris glanced briefly at the other two men. “Who are these two? Part of Pa’s gang of outlaws?”
“Now, Chris,” Joe shook his head, “I see you’ve got it all wrong. We’re not outlaws,” he whined. “We’re just men tryin’ to make a livin’.”
“By robbing and kidnapping?” Chris shook his head. “I’m sorry to inform you, Joe, but in this kingdom,
that’s considered a criminal act.”
The three men standing near his horse exchanged glances and seconds later, belted out in laughter. Chris shook his head. He didn’t know why he wasted his breath. These men obviously loved their life of crime, just as his older brother and father had.
“But Joe,” Chris said louder to be heard over their boisterous laughter, “you haven’t told me if my father and brother are around these parts. Are they?”
Joe held up his hands and shrugged. “We lost touch a few months past when the sheriff was after us and we had to split up.” He huffed. “I heard that Daniel changed his profession a little. He is now workin’ for wealthy people who have lost their family and need someone to find them. He calls himself a tracker. Now, your brother seems to think he’s too good for the likes of me. But if’n you ask me, he’s still takin’ money from wealthy people no matter what he calls himself.”
Chills ran through Chris, churning his stomach once more. He didn’t want to have anything to do with his outlaw relatives, and he certainly didn’t want anyone knowing they were family. Hopefully, they would get bored of this area and leave soon. “That’s good to know.”
“I think yer pa is still around, but I haven’t seen him,” Joe added.
Chris prayed Joe was wrong.
“If’n I see them,” Joe continued, “I’ll tell them you’re lookin’ for them.”
Chris shook his head as he adjusted on the saddle. “No, don’t, because I’m not looking for them. I don’t care what they do anymore. They are dead to me.”
“If’n ya say so.” Joe chuckled.
Chris held Joe’s stare and sternly said, “I do say so.”
He shrugged again and bounced the club off his palm. “So are ya still protectin’ that rich lady, Miss Parker?”
Chris tightened his grip on the reins, anger seething through him like fire. “Yes, I plan on protecting her from now on.” He narrowed his gaze. “And I’d better not see you or your friends anywhere near her again. Is that clear?”
“Cry-stal,” Joe said in a strong twang. “I’m a guessin’ you want her money just as much as we do.”
Keep on Believing Page 9