by Linda Ford
She fought to bring her mind back to reality. “I was praying nothing would go wrong.” But she couldn’t imagine anything disagreeable at the moment. Every thought overflowed with awareness of him so close.
He trailed his thumb over her bottom lip. “Nothing will go wrong. It’s going to be a fine day. One that you and I are going to enjoy completely. Agreed?”
She was more than willing to believe him. More than willing to forget every troubling thought, every regret and every futile wish. “Agreed.” Did that breathless, expectant whisper come from her mouth? Her arms seemed to have a mind of their own and she leaned forward and cupped her hands on his shoulders.
“Kate.” Her name rang with promises and wishes that echoed in her heart. He lowered his head and caught her mouth with his. His lips lingered a moment, sweet and tender. He lifted his head a bare inch. Air filled with his scent drifted over her face. “Kate,” he murmured again.
She stood with her eyes closed, her face uplifted, still feeling the touch of his kiss on her mouth and his warm breath on her face. A vast silence filled the air. Nothing moved or breathed or existed apart from the two of them. The seconds passed while she stood encircled in his arms, her thoughts going no further than this moment.
Toward the river, a twig snapped, the noise as sharp and intrusive as a gunshot.
Conner sighed and slowly—dare she think, reluctantly—eased back. “We have a long day tomorrow. I should get you home and get back to the ranch to take care of Ellie.”
“Of course. I have left Father on his own far too long.” Ellie would always come first in his thoughts—as she should. Just as her responsibilities could not be pushed aside for long.
Father had taken the wagon home. Conner caught up his horse and led him. Side by side, Kate and Conner walked back to town. He didn’t seem to be in a hurry and she found her feet preferred a slow pace. They said little. There existed no need for words. Their kiss had spoken from their hearts. Or so Kate told herself.
They parted at the Baker house and she stepped inside, staying at the window to wave as he rode away. Only then did she admit that perhaps the heart was fickle and prone to believe what it wanted against facts and reality.
Father had left a note informing her he’d been called away to tend a baby with croup.
I should have been here. I should be helping him more. Instead, she neglected her calling to enjoy a few minutes of deliriously delicious time with Conner.
Tomorrow was the fair. After that, there would be no reason for the two of them to see each other.
Unless…
Was it possible to contemplate an alternative?
She shook her head. That fickle heart of hers seemed determined to ignore the facts.
*
Saturday she bounded from her bed and rushed to the kitchen to prepare breakfast. All warning thoughts were forgotten. Today was the fair. The entries for the various competitions were to be delivered by nine o’clock to allow time for judging. Her rhubarb pie sat on the pantry counter. The golden-brown crust looked perfect. The filling never failed, thanks to Mrs. Bramford’s instructions. Could she possibly win a ribbon for her entry?
Father joined her and they ate hurriedly.
“I’ll take my bag to the fair. I expect there will be minor injuries to deal with. Let’s hope there will be nothing major.”
She felt again a tremor of worry. It wasn’t like her to see trouble brewing and yet she did.
With a shake of her head, she dismissed the idea. Breakfast was a hurried meal. She cleaned the kitchen in record time, then climbed into the wagon with Father and together they headed for the fair.
She saw Isabelle and Mattie enter the tent and knew some of the Marshalls were there, but she didn’t see Conner. Perhaps he hadn’t yet arrived. He’d have no need unless he had something to enter for judging.
Dismissing her disappointment as unnecessary, she took her pie into the tent and filled out the entry form. No one was allowed to stay inside until after the judging. She stepped out into the sunshine. It promised to be a fine day. In every way imaginable.
Isabelle joined her. “I’m excited and nervous,” her friend said. “I entered a piece of needlework.”
Kate gave her friend a sideways hug. “You do lovely work.” She looked about. People hustled back and forth. Several ladies gathered at a booth set up to serve food. Two men waited where games of skill had been set up. “I thought you would have Ellie.”
“Conner got her early this morning. He brought her and Grandfather to town.” She looked around. “I don’t know where they’ve gone to. You know Grandfather. He likely has something he wanted Conner to do.” She patted Kate’s hand. “Don’t worry. You’ll see him soon enough.”
“I only asked about Ellie,” she informed her friend, even though, in Kate’s mind, Conner had been part of the equation.
Conner stepped from behind a booth, Ellie in his arms.
Kate’s heart stalled at the sight of the baby in the big man’s arms. Safe. Sheltered. Belonging. So long as Conner kept the baby, Ellie would always have a home.
Again a shiver of apprehension. What if Thelma wanted to take the baby away? But then why would she have sent Ellie to Conner and said he was the father?
Conner crossed toward Kate, his gaze holding hers. He smiled and Kate noticed the scent from the nearby flowers. She barely heard Isabelle murmur something about leaving them alone.
Ellie gurgled and waved her arms. Kate took her from Conner and nuzzled a kiss against the soft skin of her neck. Her heart turned to mush at her love for this sweet child.
“Have you entered your pie?” Conner asked.
She nodded toward the tent. “It’s there along with about twenty others.”
“No one has a hope of winning over yours.” He took her elbow and guided her through the crowd.
“Thank you.” His praise was enough. Blue ribbons a pale addition. “Where are we going?”
“The morning is for enjoyment. Let’s watch some of the games.”
They had discussed this part of the fair, but seeing the games set up and people paying a penny to take part made it more exciting than she had anticipated.
A young man with sandy-colored hair poking out at all angles from under his low-brimmed hat paid his penny. He got three balls to toss at a target with holes of three sizes—the smaller the hole, the higher the score. He toed the mark, shrugged his shoulders several times, then drove a ball hard enough to make a resounding whack when it hit the board…missing the hole.
He groaned.
Kate nudged Conner to indicate a blushing young woman watching. “He’s trying to impress her.”
Conner whispered close to her ear. “Will she like him less if he misses?”
“Impressing each other is part of the courtship routine.” She tipped her head so she could meet his eyes, which sparkled with reflected sunshine.
“I’m impressed with your pie baking.” His admiring smile did strange things to her heart. “Among other things.”
She wanted him to tell her what those other things were, but a cheer from the crowd drew their attention back to the game. It seemed the young man had gotten his ball through the target. Raising his hands in a victory gesture, he grinned widely as he went to the young woman’s side, glowing with pleasure.
“I’m going to give it a try,” Conner said. He paid his penny and took his place. He smiled at Kate. Did he mean to remind her of her comment about impressing each other being part of a courtship routine?
He threw his first ball. It went through the largest hole.
Another smile for Kate. And a shrug.
The second ball missed all the holes.
The sandy-haired young man called, “Keep your eye on the target. You can do it.”
Conner squinted at the board.
“He’s going to make it,” she whispered to Ellie.
He wound up and threw the ball.
Kate held her breath. For some strang
e reason, it was important he succeeded. The ball caught the edge of the hole. A collective sigh and then the ball went through and everyone cheered, none any more pleased than Kate.
He joined her.
“No prize?”
“Just the pleasure of impressing you.” He bent to look into her face. “Did I?”
She didn’t need a mirror to know his attention had brought color to her face. She pressed her cheek to the top of Ellie’s head and avoided looking at Conner…for about two seconds. Despite the warning bell clattering inside her head, she looked at him, smiled and whispered, “I’m impressed.”
“Good.” He draped his arm across her shoulders.
She wondered how appropriate it was to let him touch her like that but told herself he only meant to guide her through the crowd to the next game. And there were many.
Ring toss for the children. Rock toss for the men. They went from one to another. And each time he took a turn, she was suitably impressed.
They came to a food booth.
“I could use a snack. How about you?” he asked.
She nodded. Not so much that she was hungry as she wanted to enjoy every minute of this day, the time spent with Conner and Ellie. One day of pretend.
He bought a stack of cookies and took the offered water and they sat on the nearby crude bench. They lingered there long after the cups had been drained and Conner had consumed half a dozen cookies as they watched the townspeople and the country folk from a large radius enjoying the fair.
“It looks like they’ve opened the tent.” He pointed. Indeed people were hurrying inside.
He helped her to her feet and they headed that direction.
“I wonder who won ribbons.” Did he hear the doubt and hope in her voice?
“I know who has won the pie contest.” He stopped and looked into her eyes. “You.”
She lifted one shoulder. “We’ll see.” She couldn’t help but increase her pace toward the tent. They had almost reached the entrance when Ellie started to fuss. “She’s hungry. You go ahead. I’ll take her to the wagon and feed her.” The baby things were in the Marshall wagon.
“I’ll wait for you.” He glanced toward the tent.
“I know you’re anxious to see the results.” He had no reason to stay back. Many of the Marshall family had entries.
Sadie and Beth left the tent. Beth grinned widely.
“She won a blue ribbon for a picture she made from dried flowers.” Sadie beamed at her adopted daughter. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Congratulations,” Kate and Conner said as one.
Ellie protested at the delay.
“You haven’t been in yet?” Sadie asked.
“I’ll have to delay and go feed this little girl.” Kate jostled the baby, trying to soothe her.
“So you don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“You need to see for yourself. Lots of our family won ribbons. Why not let Beth take Ellie?”
“I’d love that.” Beth reached for the baby.
Kate hesitated. She wanted to spend as much time as possible with Ellie, but she also wanted to know how her entry had done. Knowing Ellie would be in good hands, she let her go. “I’ll come and get her after I’ve checked things out.”
“Take your time. I don’t mind.” Beth turned her attention to the baby. “I’ll get you fed real soon and then you’ll feel so much better. I know it’s hard to wait when you’re hungry.” They made their way toward the wagon.
Sadie saw someone she wanted to talk to and left.
Conner grabbed Kate’s hand and drew her into the tent. How different it looked now. The tables were laden with colorful goods—orange carrots, red beets, jars of bright green pickles, rows of luscious-looking cakes, bouquets of flowers, paintings and handiwork. But her eyes went to the pie table. She couldn’t draw in a satisfying breath.
“Let’s go see.” Conner pulled her forward. Her eyes went to her pie. A blue ribbon hung from the edge of the plate.
“You won! I knew you would.” He smiled, looking as pleased as if he had won the ribbon himself. “Congratulations.” He announced to the crowd, “Ladies and gentlemen, this is the best pie baker in the whole area, Miss Kate Baker.” He swept his arm in a welcoming gesture.
Those around them clapped and called their congratulations.
Kate’s cheeks burned. “Thank you.” She grabbed Conner’s hand and dragged him away. “I’m embarrassed.”
“No reason you should be. Being the best at something should make you proud.” He pulled her to a halt and bent to look into her face. “It does, doesn’t it?”
She grinned at him. Her eyes were warm. “Yes, it does.”
He tucked her hand around his elbow. “Now, let’s see how the others did.”
They knew Beth had won a ribbon and admired her picture. Isabelle had won a red ribbon for her cross-stitch sampler.
“It should have gotten first,” Kate said with some annoyance.
“I agree. We’ll have to fire those judges.”
She laughed. “How do you fire volunteers, especially when their job is done?”
“We’ll certainly keep their mistake in mind for the next fair.”
She barely managed not to stumble. Next fair? We? If there was another, she wouldn’t be here. But the thought flitted through her mind and was gone, erased by the excitement of the day.
Annie had won the cake competition.
Grandfather had won the carving category with a rearing horse.
Conner looked surprised. “I didn’t even know he was going to enter. Wily old man to keep it a secret.”
“I heard that.”
They spun about to face Conner’s grandfather.
“What do you think I do all the time I’m sitting on the porch, watching you boys do my work?”
“Yeah, but I never saw you actually make anything. Well, except for the little doll you carved for Mattie.”
“I been practicing.” The old man fairly glowed.
Kate brushed her hand over his arm. “Congratulations. You deserve it.”
“You’re a sweet girl. And the best pie maker in the area, according to Conner.”
“You heard?” She covered her face to hide her embarrassment.
Grandfather chuckled. “I expect half the people here heard. You deserve all the praise he can give you.” He hobbled away to look at the exhibits.
Kate’s heart felt ready to explode and she grinned at Conner.
As they stared into each other’s eyes, his smile faded. “Let’s get out of here.” He pulled her toward the exit.
She blinked as they stepped into the bright sunlight. And blinked again as Beth passed between a food booth and a group of people. “There’s Beth, but she doesn’t have Ellie.”
“I suppose Isabelle has her.”
Kate pulled free of his grasp. “What if she doesn’t? We need to make sure.”
“We will.” They hurried toward the Marshall wagon, but before they reached it, they saw Isabelle with a group of women. She disappeared in the crowd, but not before Kate saw Ellie was not with her.
She jerked Conner to a halt. “This doesn’t feel right. Ever since yesterday, I’ve had a bad feeling that something would go wrong. What if Thelma sent the baby to you because she expected you to protect her from someone bad? We should have watched her better.” This was her fault. She’d been selfishly pretending this was the life she wanted instead of keeping her attention on her Ellie. What if someone had stolen her?
Chapter Thirteen
“I’m sure she’s safe,” Conner said. Only, he wasn’t. Kate was right. They should have been watching the child better. Hadn’t he wondered from the beginning if Thelma had concerns about Ellie’s safety? Why else would she send the baby to him? If anyone bore blame, it was him. “Let’s find Beth and ask her where Ellie is.” They edged their way through the crowd in the direction they’d last seen Beth.
Kate held his hand in a viselike grip.
She vibrated with tension.
“We’ll find her. I promise you.” He caught a glimpse of his niece and trotted toward her, pulling Kate after her. “Beth,” he called when they were close enough for her to hear.
She looked about at the sound of her name.
“Beth.”
Seeing them, she stopped and waited. “Hi.”
Breathless, he jogged to her. “Where’s Ellie?”
“Isabelle took her.”
He shook his head. “We just saw her and she didn’t have Ellie.”
Beth looked startled and then worried. “Isabelle was holding her when I left.”
Conner turned to Kate. Her face was flushed from their run, her eyes dark with worry. “Come on, we need to find Isabelle.”
Again they pushed their way through the crowd. He spoke. “It’s nice to see such a good turnout, but I wish they would let us through more readily.” He turned sideways and shouldered his way through a knot of men, shielding Kate as he brought her in his wake.
They reached a place where the crowd thinned and he stopped to look around. “There.” The woman turned. “No. It’s not her.”
Kate raised to her tiptoes, clinging to him for balance. Given a different set of circumstances, he would have enjoyed the moment, but his worry for Ellie made any enjoyment impossible. A couple hundred yards away, he spotted a woman that looked like Isabelle and they were again edging past groups of people, giving hurried responses to their greetings. About all he could get out of his mouth at the moment was hello.
The woman disappeared from sight, but he didn’t slow his pace. And then Isabelle was only a few steps away, staring at them like they’d sprung from the ground.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, correctly reading the concern in both their faces.
“Where’s Ellie?” he said.
“Beth said she left her with you,” Kate added.
“Isn’t she at the wagon? I left her there with Beth watching her.” Isabelle broke into a run in the direction of the Marshall family.
“In the wagon? We never looked there.” But no one heard or cared what he said. The three of them had one thing in mind. Find Ellie.