Afraid of scaring her, he jumped up and tapped her foot, making her scream anyway. The look on her face as she glared at him from her perch in the tree was one he’d never, ever forget.
Sunbeams dappled through the leaves, highlighting her hair and outlining the straining fabric of her bodice. In that moment, Riley knew he wanted Bertie more than he’d ever wanted anyone or anything.
When she fell out of the tree into his waiting arms, he fought the urge to carry her back to the grove of trees by the creek, lay her down in the cool green grass, and explore every inch of her.
However, he’d almost given in to his desire to kiss her. To finally taste the ambrosial flavor of her lips and lose himself in her sweet warmth.
Seconds before their lips connected, he mustered his last ounce of restraint and buried his face against her neck. Engulfed by her fragrance, the softness of her skin tempted him, but he let her go.
Let her go and retreated back into his sadness and loneliness.
No matter how much he wanted to declare his feelings for Bertie, he couldn’t.
Someone like her, someone so sweet and innocent, so young and untainted, deserved so much more than he could offer.
With a soul-weary sigh, Riley walked back over the hill to his work, resigned to carrying out his promise to leave Bertie alone.
Even if it killed him to stay away from her.
Chapter Fourteen
As the ranch hands left the bunkhouse after supper, Riley noticed Bertie sitting on the swing in the tree between the house and barn.
She brushed at her cheek, as if she wiped away a tear. The breeze carried the sound of her sniffle.
Although his head told him to keep walking and pretend he didn’t see her, his heart moved his feet her direction until he stood in front of her, watching a lone tear roll down her cheek.
Without thinking, he reached out and wiped it away with his thumb. The tear-filled eyes she raised to him cracked the wall he’d built around his heart right down the center.
“What’s the matter, Bertie, girl?” Riley hunkered down in front of her, grasping the rope on each side of the swing’s seat to hold it steady. “It isn’t like you to sit around all mopey.”
“I’m not mopey.” Despite her declaration, her lower lip quivered and the moisture in her eyes said otherwise. “I’m just… well, I’m a little disappointed and now I’m acting like a big baby.”
“What are you disappointed about?” Thoughts of the kiss that almost happened flew through Riley’s mind, but he didn’t think that would have left Bertie disappointed or upset. She’d been plenty mad when she stomped out of the orchard that afternoon.
It was on the tip of Bertie’s tongue to tell him the fact he’d not kissed her — again — had left her dissatisfied, annoyed, and just plain angry. If she wasn’t a lady, she’d grab his shirt collar, pull him close and kiss him the way she’d dreamed of doing so many times the last few weeks.
Since she was a lady, she instead released a sigh. It wasn’t just the lack of Riley’s affections that made her upset, but a combination of that with another cancelation from Nik. He’d telephoned the house right after supper and asked Aundy to tell Bertie that he was off to help Doc with an emergency and likely wouldn’t be home at all that evening.
Bertie had already bathed, dressed, and styled her hair when Nik called. Rather than change, she’d gone outside to pout. Mindful Nik needed all the training with Doc he could get to advance his medical career, the sudden change of plans still bothered her. It wasn’t the first time he’d promised to take her somewhere then canceled at the last minute.
She’d so been looking forward to seeing the show at the Opera House.
“Nik and I were going to the Opera House this evening.” Bertie sniffled again and swallowed, trying to keep her tears in check.
“Let me guess, Nik had to cancel at the last minute because he’s out on a call with Doc Reed and left you in the lurch.” Riley didn’t even attempt to hide the disdain in his voice. In the last few weeks, he’d noticed Nik would promise to do one thing or another then be called off to help Doc Reed. The reason he couldn’t follow through was understandable, but Nik needed to learn not to make promises he couldn’t keep.
Riley had witnessed the effects of some of the promises Nik had broken. A handful of horses went for most of a day without water in the summer heat because Nik told Garrett he’d take care of filling the trough and hadn’t. He assured Dent he’d repair the tire on the hay wagon but only got as far as taking it off. When Dent went to use the wagon, he and Riley had to hurry to repair the tire.
Several times, Riley had heard Nik discussing plans with Bertie only to head into town to help Doc Reed, leaving her alone.
If Riley was in Nik’s position, the last thing he’d do is take advantage of her understanding nature. In fact, if he were in Nik’s shoes, he’d keep every promise he made to Bertie. Every one.
Although he expected Bertie to defend Nik, she glanced down and stared at her lap as another tear rolled down her cheek.
Riley brushed it away and placed his index finger beneath her chin, lifting it until she met his gaze.
“If you still want to go, I’ll take you.” The invitation he uttered came as a complete shock to him. He had no intention of going to town, and especially of not being alone with Bertie for an extended length of time. But she seemed so sad and dejected, he wouldn’t leave without doing something to make her feel better.
Astonishment filled Bertie’s face as she gaped at him. The look in her eyes, one of surprise mixed with excitement, confirmed his suspicion that she would take him up on his rash offer.
“I don’t want to be a bother to you, Riley.” Her voice sounded hopeful even if her words would have let him make an escape.
Unlike Nik, though, Riley intended to stand by his word.
“You could never be a bother to me, Bertie. However, before we venture off to the big town of Pendleton for an evening of fun, I do need to run home and change my clothes.” He stood and offered her his hand. She took it and rose to her feet with a warm smile.
“I could go with you to your house then we could proceed to town from there. It would save you coming all the way back here. Or I could meet you in town. I’m sure Garrett would let me borrow the buggy or the surrey.”
Riley frowned. He didn’t want Bertie anywhere close to his place, mostly because at night he dreamed she was with him. If he actually saw her in his home, waiting for him outside, he’d never get over the longing to have her there.
Nevertheless, he absolutely didn’t want her going into town alone. It was too dangerous for her and he’d worry about something happening to her the entire way.
“You can come back to my place, but let me ask Garrett about borrowing his buggy. It would be far more comfortable for you than my wagon.” Bertie looked so happy, Riley couldn’t keep from smiling at her. “Run in and get your hat and whatever other paraphernalia you need while I find Garrett.”
“He and Aundy are in the machine shed, tinkering with the tractor again. For a new piece of equipment, it sure seems to require a wealth of attention.” Bertie grinned as she took a step backward toward the house.
“That’s why I’ll stick with my horses and mule. I don’t have to fuss with changing belts and hoses or oil leaks.” Riley waved a hand at Bertie. “You go on and I’ll meet you out front in a bit.”
Bertie turned and rushed into the kitchen. Riley lambasted himself all the way out to the machine shed where he found Garrett leaning over the tractor and Aundy reading from an instruction manual.
“Hi, Riley. Figured you’d be long gone by now.” Garrett wiped greasy hands on a rag and straightened his back.
“I have a favor to ask of you.” Riley removed his hat and nervously twisted it in his hands. For some strange reason, he felt as if he was fifteen again, asking the daddy of the girl he was sweet on if he could take her to the church social.
“Ask away.” Garrett grinned
and tossed aside the rag.
“May I borrow your buggy to take Bertie into town this evening to the show at the Opera House? She said she was going to go with Nik, but…” Riley didn’t feel the need to finish his sentence.
Aundy’s sigh carried a hint of irritation. “I’ve told Nik more times than I care to count to stop making plans and promises when he’s at Doc Reed’s beck and call. Bertie takes it all in stride, but she did seem upset when he canceled their plans for this evening. They’ve both been talking about the show all week.”
Garrett nodded in agreement. “Sure, Riley. Take the buggy. You’ll be more comfortable in it. Do you need help hitching it up?” He started to step around the tractor, but Riley shook his head.
“No, sir. I can take care of it. Thank you for allowing me to borrow it. I promise to have it, and Bertie, back at a reasonable hour.”
“We know you will, Riley. Enjoy yourself this evening.” Garrett picked up a wrench and glanced over at his wife. “If we weren’t trying to get this tractor up and running, we might just join you.”
Aundy laughed. “Oh, you would not. The last time we went to a performance you said you’d rather be hogtied and dragged through the streets in your drawers than sit through another show.” She stuck her hand in her apron pocket and pulled out a small envelope, handing it to Riley. “You might as well take these tickets, or they’ll just go to waste.”
“Thanks,” Riley said, offering them both an appreciative nod. At the barn, he hitched Mud to the buggy, took a minute to wash his hands at the pump, and then drove to the house.
Bertie bounded down the front steps and across the walk with a spring in her step. The golden curls not pinned up beneath her hat bounced around her face, accenting her bright blue eyes and dewy skin.
Inwardly groaning, Riley was setting himself up for a torturous evening of blocking her entrancing scent from his nose, her charming laughter from his ears, and her engaging warmth from his heart.
The white gown she wore, dripping with lace, looked like the same one she’d donned for the Fourth of July. Instead of the blue sash, it now sported one the color of freshly churned butter. Soft yellow and white roses adorned her hat and she tugged on a pair of lacy yellow gloves.
As she walked toward him, the sight of her reminded him of all the wonderful things he loved about summer.
“You look lovely, Miss Hawkins. Are you ready to go?” Riley pushed open the yard gate and waited for her to sail through before latching it again.
“Thank you, Mr. Walsh. I believe I am ready.”
He offered her his hand and helped her into the buggy then stepped in beside her. A flick of his wrist snapped the reins and Mud moved forward, tossing his head to let Riley know he didn’t appreciate being made to pull the buggy.
“Isn’t that your saddle horse?”
Riley nodded his head. “It does Mud good to do something different on occasion, even if he thinks pulling the buggy is beneath him.”
Bertie frowned at Riley. “Why on earth did you name that beautiful horse Mud? He seems far too dignified for such a terrible name.”
“When I was thirteen, I was walking home from school and noticed a boggy spot in a nearby pasture had been churned into a muddy hole. Smack in the middle of it was a colt covered in mud. Completely covered. I tossed down my books and jumped the fence to see if I could help him. The more he struggled to free himself, the more he sank into the mud until only his head showed. I was terrified he would die right there, so I did my best to get him out of the hole. I was nearly as covered in mud as he was by that point.”
Wide-eyed, Bertie sat enraptured by the story. “What happened?”
“Well, I stayed with him so long, Pa got to worrying about me not showing up after school when I should have, so he set out looking for me. He found me about the same time as the man who owned the colt came along down the road. Between the three of us, we got him out of that hole. Our neighbor told me I could keep the colt because I’d more than earned him. I named him Mud so I’d never forget that sometimes the best things in life come out of the biggest messes.”
“That’s a wonderful story, Riley, and I won’t ever again cringe when I hear you call that handsome animal Mud.”
Riley snapped the reins and leaned forward. “Did you hear that, boy? Miss Bertie thinks you’re a handsome animal.”
The horse shook his mane, as though he understood Riley’s words.
“I see he knows how to graciously accept a compliment.” Bertie’s whole face lit up as she smiled.
Thoroughly distracted by her smile, the lively spark in her eyes, and the magnetic pull of her personality, Riley almost missed the turn up his driveway. It was a good thing Mud knew the way without his direction.
He stopped the buggy in front of the house and rolled his eyes as Steve raised himself from his position on the front porch and ambled down the steps.
“Why is there a mule guarding your front door?” Bertie’s eyes were large and round as she watched the animal approach the buggy and stretch out his neck for a scratch.
Riley stepped down and grabbed Steve’s halter in his hand. “Bertie, this is my mule, Steve. He has a little trouble staying where I put him, and most days I let him do as he pleases. His favorite spot this week has been the front porch. I think it’s shady in the afternoon.” He looked into the mule’s face. “Steve, this is Bertie. You leave her alone while I run inside for a few minutes, you hear?”
The mule pulled back his lips in what might have been a smile. Bertie thought the beast looked entirely demented and wasn’t sure she wanted to stay outside with him wandering loose. “Perhaps I should accompany you inside.”
Riley was halfway to the door, but turned back around and grinned. “Miss Hawkins, I’m sure your assistance in changing my clothes would be more exciting than I can imagine and entirely welcome, but I think it best you wait out here. I promise to hurry. If you’re worried about the mule, don’t be. He’s as harmless as they come, and he generally stays away from women.”
Heat seared her cheeks at Riley’s implication she help him change his clothes. Why, the very thought of such a thing was scandalous… and utterly intriguing.
Snatching her wayward thoughts together before they veered too far off track, she sat forward on the buggy seat and looked around Riley’s place. Her gaze traveled over the barn, the new outhouse, and various outbuildings, all in good shape and freshly painted.
The corral fence looked sturdy and strong. A herd of cattle grazed in a pasture beyond the fenced enclosure where a few horses nibbled at lush grass.
The house was another matter. New boards lined the steps and part of the porch, but like the rest of the house, they required a good coat of paint. The windows needed a thorough washing. A lawn needed to be planted and a fence put up around the yard.
Bertie stared at the windows, trying to picture if the inside looked as sorely in need of attention as the outside.
Apparently, Riley cared more about his animals and farm than his own comforts. Movement at one of the upstairs windows drew her attention. She stifled a laugh as she watched Riley hopping on one foot in front of the window, tugging off his trousers.
A proper lady would avert her gaze and pretend she hadn’t seen a thing. Bertie decided it would be more fun, just this once, to ignore what was proper. She continued to spy on Riley in his efforts to change his pants until she heard a loud thump and muffled grumblings float down from the open window.
Giggles escaped her. She glanced out toward the pasture lest he glance down and catch her watching him.
What she’d seen of his muscular legs left her overheated. She removed the fan Riley had given her from her reticule and whipped it open. Vigorously stirring the air in front of her face, she hoped to chase away the flush in her cheeks before he reappeared.
Much to her surprise, the mule sidled close to the buggy and stared at her, watching her every move. Uncertain what to do, she turned the fan toward him and swished he
r hand back and forth. Steve closed his eyes and Bertie thought he emitted what sounded like a contented sigh.
“So, Steve, you like having a girl fan your face, is that it? Huh, boy?” The mule stood perfectly still as Bertie continued to flick her fan back and forth. “You’re a much bigger flirt than your owner, aren’t you?”
When her arm grew tired, she stopped. Steve opened his eyes, leaned into the buggy, and nudged her arm with his head.
“More? You want more?” Bertie asked, amused by the animal. She shifted the fan to her other hand and continued moving the air between her and the mule.
“Steve, get back from there and behave yourself,” Riley bellowed from his bedroom window.
Bertie’s gaze traveled from the mule to Riley. He had managed to pull on a pair of pants, but his bare chest drew her attention. With the evening sunlight shining on him, he looked bronzed and very masculine. More masculine than Bertie could handle at that moment.
She turned back to the mule, but he meandered toward the barn. If an animal could pout, she would have described Steve as sulky.
Entertained by his antics, she was surprised when Riley rushed out the front door, slamming it behind him. A clean hat sat on his head and a suit coat dangled over his arm as he tried to button his shirt while hurrying toward her.
At the buggy, he tossed the jacket over the seat and finished buttoning his shirt, hastily stuffing it into his trousers before buttoning his vest.
“Do you think I need to wear a tie?” The hopeful look Riley gave Bertie made her bite back a laugh.
“I believe that is a requirement to enter the Opera House for any performance, but you can wait to put it on until we get to town.”
Riley grabbed the reins and flicked them over Mud’s rump. “If that’s the case, you might have to get yourself home. It’s likely I’ll choke to death before the show ends.”
Thrilled by his playful attitude, Bertie lightly tapped his arm with her fan then observed Steve running out of the barn to follow them. “It appears your mule wants to go along.”
Bertie (Pendleton Petticoats Book 6) Page 17