Dear Miss Cucinotta

by Kit Morgan

  She closed her eyes and looked away. “Maybe we shouldn’t.”

  He tucked a finger under her chin and brought her face to his. “If it’s any consolation, I wanted you to kiss me.”

  “You did?” she gasped.

  He smiled and nodded. “For quite a while now, if you don’t mind my saying so.”

  “And you don’t think it’s unladylike?”

  “Oh, it’s definitely unladylike, but most men don’t mind. I just couldn’t let you do it – not with your whole family in the house.”

  “Not all of my family …” She frowned. “Just half.”

  “It would have made things worse, honey.” He brushed another loose strand from her face. “Lord knows you need to be kissed.”

  Her eyebrows shot up. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  He smiled. “You never have been, have you?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “No.”

  He drew a little closer. “Never?”

  She shook her head and swallowed hard, her heart pounding like a drum. “Never.”

  “Well then…” Before she knew it, his arms were around her, pulling her close, and his lips gently brushed hers.

  Rufi thought she might faint! She licked her lips and looked into his eyes. “I guess I can’t say never now.”

  “Oh, honey, that wasn’t a kiss.”

  “It wasn’t?”

  “No.” He smiled. “This is.”

  And oh it was! Rufi melted in his arms as his lips claimed hers and his hand slid gently up and down her spine. For a moment she wondered what would have happened if she’d never brought it up. Then she forgot about everything but the feel of him, here and now.

  When C.J. finally broke the kiss, Rufi was breathless, speechless and maybe brainless. Finally she recovered enough to whisper, “that was a kiss!”

  “That was the idea.” He loosened his hold and kissed her on the nose, then drew away until he was just holding her hand.

  Rufi managed to look away but was immediately drawn back to him. “I … you …”

  He patted her hand. “It’s all right. Seeing as how you can’t talk, I’ll say what I have to say. Rufi, I like you, very much But …” He glanced around and back. “… but I don’t know if you feel the same. Though no matter how you may feel, stay away from Melvale. Mr. MacDonald told me …”

  That snapped her out of it. “What? That Melvale’s some sort of cad? I see nothing wrong with the man. Everyone loves him!”

  “Including you?”

  Her jaw dropped. “C.J. Branson, are you jealous?”

  “Jealous?” He stood. “No, I’m not jealous – I’m just trying to look out for you.”

  “Why? What’s wrong with him?”

  He folded his arms. “Mr. MacDonald warned me that he was a horrible rake.”

  “A rake? What … oh.” It took her a second to process that he wasn’t saying Melvale was a garden tool, but instead not a gentleman. “I don’t believe it.”

  “According to Mr. MacDonald the man has a terrible reputation, and he would know. I’m trying to protect yours.”

  She stopped and stared at him. “Well, you’ve done a fine job by kissing me just now.”

  Now his jaw dropped. “I was trying to show …”

  But the rest of what he said was lost the second Rufi looked away to find a low tree branch about ten feet away. And on the branch … “Look!” she gasped, and pointed.

  C.J. slowly turned to find what looked like a rooster without a crown, and with multicolored, iridescent feathers. “That must be him,” he whispered.

  She wondered if she shouldn’t have kept her mouth shut, so they could work out all the issues they’d been talking about. But they might not get another chance. “He’s looking right at us.” She stood and took a cautious step toward him.

  C.J. reached out to stop her. “Don’t get too close.”

  “Should one of us go back and tell the others?”

  “Yes, if we think he’ll stay …”

  Squawwwk!

  They both jumped as Clyde flew at them, landed on the other end of the log, then took off again in a wild flurry of wings. The bird couldn’t really fly so much as hop, but it covered a lot of ground quickly before it darted into the nearby bushes.

  “We can catch him!” Rufi cried. “He can’t go far in that brush.”

  “You’re right.” C.J. peered into the foliage. “He looks harmless enough.” He turned to her. “You’re wearing a petticoat, correct?”

  She gasped. “Of course. What of it?”

  “I could use it to catch him. Do you mind?”

  She glanced at the bushes and back. “Oh, all right. Turn around.”

  He did and made a show of studying the bushes in front of him.

  Once she was satisfied he wasn’t going to sneak a peek – not that he would; he was a gentleman – she carefully removed her petticoat and tapped him on the shoulder. “Here you are.”

  He took it without looking at her, hopped over the log and crawled into the brush.

  “What are you doing?” she asked as she peeked over the log. All she could see were his booted feet sticking out of the greenery.

  “There he is!” He disappeared completely.

  “C.J.?” She climbed over the log, crouched down and parted the bushes. There was no sign of him. “C.J.?” She studied the foliage before her. She didn’t recognize the bushes but noticed that the lower branches had no leaves other than what was directly behind the log. She got on her hands and knees and shimmied her way into the cover.

  C.J. was up ahead, pulling himself through the grass, dead leaves, dirt and bare branches with his arms. Beyond him the bird was clucking away. “Can you reach him?” she hissed.

  C.J., the petticoat wadded up in one hand, reached for the bird with the other. It pecked at him and backed up several steps. “Almost.” He crawled a little closer. Clyde backed up a little more. “Come here you silly bird.” C.J. reached for him again.

  Clyde walked to a large boulder on his right, turned and squawked at C.J. It sounded like a cat being throttled.

  Rufi giggled. “I don’t think he wants to be caught. Maybe we should fetch some of the others?”

  C.J. twisted his body to look over his shoulder. “There’s a wall of rock right behind him. I’ve got him cornered. Just give me a minute and I’ll have him. Then we can take him back and give him to Mr. MacDonald.”

  Rufi settled herself to wait. “Fine. But be careful – that beak looks wicked.” It was more like an eagle’s than a chicken’s.

  “That’s what your petticoat’s for.” He shook it out and crawled forward, disappearing behind the boulder. “Ahhhh … no! Why you little … ow! C’mere, you …” Silence.

  “I told you to be careful.” Rufi rested her chin in her hands, then worried about the lack of a reply. “C.J.?” She crawled forward – she’d be a mess by the time they got back, but at least they’d have the bird. “C.J.?” She reached the boulder, crawled around it and … “Oh my goodness. C.J.!”

  “I’m in here,” he called from the entrance to a small cave.

  Rufi gulped. She cleared the branches in front of her, crawled closer and found herself in a tiny clearing behind the boulder, no more than two feet square. But it was enough to let her get to her feet. “Can you see in there?”

  “You’re blocking the light, I’m afraid.”

  She crouched, peered into the gloom and saw C.J. standing to his full height, holding a lit match. This cave was bigger than she’d thought. “My goodness!”

  “Indeed.” He looked around. “Come on in.”

  “I’m not going in there!”

  “Ow!” he said as the match burned down to his fingers. The cave was bathed in darkness once more. He struck another match and his surroundings lit up again. “Don’t be afraid, it’s fine.” He bent to what looked like an old torch on the ground. “Hey, look at this!” He quickly lit the torch.

  She wondered how long it woul
d take to burn up. If C.J. didn’t pay attention, he’d say something stronger than “ow.”

  He studied the rock walls. “I think this is an old mine. Come on, honey, it’s fine.”

  Her heart flipped at the endearment. He’d been calling her “honey” ever since their kiss. “Where did the bird go?”

  He glanced around again. “Probably down there.” He tipped the torch toward the back of the cave. “I didn’t know there were mines in this area.”

  Rufi cautiously stepped inside and stood next to him. She didn’t like the dark and never had. She looked at the torch. “That’s convenient, isn’t it?”

  “Yes, but anyone can see how old it is.”

  “Don’t burn yourself,” she said sternly.

  He smirked. “I’ll try not to.” He took her hand and led her further in.

  She tugged at his hold. “You can’t be serious.”

  “I just want to see how far this goes. If we don’t see Clyde, we’ll go back, fetch Mr. MacDonald and bring him here.”

  She glanced around the cave. “All right,” she said reluctantly.

  He put his arm around her and pulled her close, which helped. “I won’t let anything happen to you.” He glanced at the torch and back. “You’re afraid of the dark?”

  She swallowed hard. “I’m not fond of it, no.”

  “You don’t have to be. You don’t have to be afraid of me either.”

  “Good to know … oh! C.J.!”

  He held the torch higher.

  Squawk!

  “Quick, catch him – I’ll hold the torch!” she offered.

  He handed it to her, unfurled the petticoat and turned to Clyde. “Here, chicky, chicky …”

  Clyde cocked his head, clucked and scratched the ground a few times, never taking his eyes off C.J.

  “He looks like a bull getting ready to charge,” Rufi giggled.

  “Let’s hope not,” C.J. said dryly.

  “He doesn’t look afraid of us,” she observed. “I also don’t think he wants to be captured.”

  “Well, who does?” C.J. blew out a breath then wrapped his hands in the petticoat. “Come here, Clyde. Nice bird …”

  Rufi giggled again. “What makes you think that’s going to work?”

  “You’re not helping.”

  “Sorry.”

  Clyde took a few steps toward C.J. “I think it’s working,” he chuckled. “Hey, Clyde … a lot of people are looking for you …”

  Squawwwk! Clyde turned and ran further into the cave.

  “Consarnit!” C.J. turned to Rufi. “Come on, let’s go get him.”

  “But C.J. …”

  “This tunnel can’t go far – at least I don’t think so. Besides, we’re sure to get him. And don’t you want to see what’s down here?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Why do you have to be so curious?”

  “I can’t help it. I’ve always been this way. Maybe if you spend more time with me, you’ll know.”

  Against her better judgment, she followed him. “What is that supposed to mean?”

  “Only that I’d like to spend more time with you.”

  She stopped and stared at his back. “You would?”

  He turned around. “Like I told you before, I like you, Rufi. And I’d like to get to know you better.”

  “But … my family and I are leaving.”

  “I know,” he said gently. “But if you find you’d like to get to know me too, then we’ll make things work. “I’d …” He sighed. “I’m saying I’d like to court you.”

  Her heart stopped beating. “Court me? But …”

  His arm went around her and he kissed her again. “We’ll make it work. But the choice is yours – I can’t force you. I’ll abide by your decision, yes or no.” His eyes darted to her lips, then the torch. “Come on, let’s see if we can get that bird. If we can’t, we’ll get out of here.”

  Rufi looked around warily. “You don’t think it’s safe?”

  C.J. looked at her and smiled. “Yes. But not because of the cave, honey.”

  “You’re talking about me, aren’t you?”

  “Yes, I am. And if we don’t get moving I’ll be tempted to kiss you again.”

  What would be wrong with that? Rufi thought. Yet she knew men had their limits, and better not to tempt them past those. “I see. Then we’d better find Clyde.”

  C.J. nodded, shifted the petticoat in his hands and motioned toward the tunnel. “Let’s go.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Rufi followed C.J. deeper into the cave. Torchlight bounced off the walls, the flickering shadows making her jumpy. She certainly hoped there wasn’t anything lurking in the darkness other than themselves and the darn bird.

  “I see him,” C.J. whispered.

  She peeked over his shoulder. “Do you think you can catch him?” she whispered.

  He gave her a determined look, then quickly faced forward again. “All right, Clyde – this time you’re coming with us.” He slowly approached the bird, talking softly.

  She didn’t know if his patter did anything for the bird, but it certainly affected her. She relaxed and closed her eyes, opening them just as Clyde darted into the shadows. “This isn’t working,” she sighed. “We should go back.”

  “I suppose you’re right.”

  Squawk!

  C.J. groaned. “He seems to agree. But we’re so close! Give me the torch.” She handed it to him as he gave her the petticoat. “Let’s see how far back this cave goes. Maybe we can block the entrance and trap him inside. Then it will be easy to catch him later.”

  “And let Melvale do it?”

  “Exactly.”

  She smiled at him. “Good idea.” She followed him as he slowly headed further into the tunnel. “Do you see him?”

  He stopped with her directly behind him, as if shielding her. “You don’t have to be scared, Rufi,” C.J. said, as if reading her thoughts.

  She smiled sheepishly. “Do you see him?” she repeated.

  “Yes, he’s right in front of us. Walking around like he owns the place.”

  She peeked over his shoulder again and laughed. “Why, the little brute!”

  C.J. took her hand and brought her alongside him. “Watch.” He started walking. Clyde started walking too, several paces in front of them, looking here and there without a care in the world.

  “How … infuriating,” she said. “That’s the right word, isn’t it?”

  “That’s a good word.” He let go of her hand and took a few quick steps forward. Clyde didn’t move. “Pass me the petticoat.”

  “I think he’s baiting you,” she said as they exchanged the torch and petticoat again.

  “He’s a stupid bird – not smart enough to bait me.” He took a slow step forward. Clyde still hadn’t moved. He leaped, the petticoat spread before him – and promptly landed flat on his face.

  “C.J.! Are you all right?” Rufi said as she ran to his side.

  He turned onto his back, his eyes squeezed shut. “Blast it!”

  Rufi covered her mouth as she laughed. Clyde strutted to their side and cocked his head at them.

  “Evil little monster,” C.J. commented as he sat up.

  Clyde clucked a few times and began to walk back toward the entrance.

  “Oh no,” Rufi said. “We can’t let him leave the cave.”

  “You’re right – if we don’t trap him here, we might never catch him. We’ll have to turn him around.” He got to his feet and started after the bird.

  Rufi followed, doing her best to hold the torch high enough so C.J. could see. They trotted after Clyde as he darted back and forth, making it hard to follow. “Come back here, you little devil!” C.J. called.

  “Don’t scare him,” Rufi advised. “You’ll just make him run faster.”

  C.J. stopped, his hands on his hips, and took a few deep breaths. “I’m beginning to think this isn’t worth it. Let’s head back. If he gets out, he gets out. He’s Melvale’s problem, not
ours.”

  She smiled playfully. “You just figured that out?”

  “Stop, or I’ll kiss you again.” He took the torch from her, held it up and studied their surroundings.

  Rufi watched him in the dim light. Here she was with a handsome man who admitted he wasn’t just attracted to her, he liked her. To him, she wasn’t just a pretty face. Another thrill went up her spine, and her chest swelled. She’d never felt so exhilarated.

  C.J. looked around before he took her hand and started off again. “Where did he go?”

  “He was right in front of us – he couldn’t have gone far. Unless you think he left the cave already.”

  “That’s just it,” he said. “We should have returned to the entrance by now, but I don’t see it anywhere.”

  Rufi felt the first hint of panic. “Don’t be silly, it can’t be far.”

  He gave her hand a squeeze and continued on. After several more minutes he stopped again. “This isn’t right. I don’t think we came this way.”

  She drew closer to him. “What do you mean? We’re in the same tunnel, aren’t we?”

  He put an arm around her. “I hate to say this, honey, but I don’t think we are.”

  She put her hand on his chest. “But …”

  He held her against him and kissed her hair. “Don’t worry, I won’t let anything happen to you. We’re going to be fine. I was so intent on catching that beast before he got out, I didn’t notice he led us down a different passage.”

  “But we didn’t see any other passages earlier,” she said.

  “You’re right. That’s what I get for not paying attention and taking my eyes off that blasted bird.”

  Squawk! came from behind them, and they spun around. “How did he get over there?” Rufi asked.

  C.J. took her hand again. “I don’t know and I don’t care. Let’s get out of here.”

  Rufi squeezed his hand in agreement and let him lead her back down the passage. They’d find their way out eventually. Her bigger worry was the torch burning out. She didn’t want to be in the dark, having to feel her way along the cave walls to the entrance. She was glad C.J. was there or she’d be hysterics. He’d get them out.