“Merrill just got married.” She did not mention that Helga was his third wife, for that would bother the minister.
He looked past her to the people clumped next to the tables. “I didn’t mean to intrude on his wedding, Miss Browning.”
“You’re welcome to join us.”
Clearing his throat, he said, “Yes … yes, thank you, but I can’t stay. What I was coming to ask you can wait.”
“You’re here. You might as well tell me.”
Again he glanced at the wedding guests. “I just wanted to stop by and see if you’d obtained the permission for the children to participate in the Fourth of July celebrations. I can see this isn’t the time to discuss that.”
“I haven’t received an answer from the Assembly of Elders yet, although Mr. Foley has agreed to speak to them on my behalf.”
“Mr. Foley is speaking to them on your behalf? Well, well. I see.” He shook himself and said, “That’s excellent, Miss Browning.”
It took every ounce of Rachel’s will to keep her smile in place. The minister’s first reaction told her that he had heard that Mr. Foley was courting her.
“I’ll let you know, Reverend Faulkner, as soon as the Assembly of Elders has made its decision.”
He tipped his hat to her. “Thank you, Miss Browning.” He glanced once more at the wedding guests, then scampered back up the hill as if he believed the devil was nipping at his heels.
“You were very gracious with that outsider, Miss Browning,” said Mr. Carpenter from behind her.
Rachel composed herself before she turned to face the white-haired man. She repeated the conversation in her mind and knew there was nothing that could be construed as a problem for the Community … or her.
“Reverend Faulkner is a very nice man,” she replied.
“He is, although he was very distressed when we first set up the River’s Haven Community here. However, he has always treated us with respect, and it’s good to offer him the same, so I’m pleased how you spoke with him.”
“Thank you.” Should she ask Mr. Carpenter if Mr. Foley had spoken to him about the Centennial celebration? Mr. Carpenter must have heard what she and the minister were discussing, so she should wait for him to bring up the subject.
“I’m glad to see you treat outsiders with the same kindness that you do those within our Community,” Mr. Carpenter said. “It was so kind of you and Mr. Foley to invite Miss Turnbull along on your carriage ride. She told me she had a grand time when she went out with you on Thursday.”
“Thursday evening?” Rachel gasped before she could halt herself. She had not been with Mr. Foley and Miss Turnbull on Thursday evening.
With an apologetic smile, Mr. Carpenter said, “Perhaps I’m recalling the wrong night. It could have been Wednesday evening. Ah, here they come. Looking for you, no doubt.”
Rachel was not certain of that when she saw how close Miss Turnbull stood to Mr. Foley. They had ended their marriage three months ago, as the Community’s rules required. Hadn’t they? An uneasiness filled her stomach, but she did not want to accuse them of using her as an excuse to allow them to spend an evening together. Mr. Carpenter had been unsure of the evening. Maybe he had been unsure of other details as well.
“Mr. Carpenter,” gushed Mr. Foley, “I see you have very charming company.”
“As do you.” Mr. Carpenter bowed his head politely to Miss Turnbull. “I was just telling Miss Browning about how you enjoyed your carriage ride with her and Mr. Foley last Thursday evening.”
Miss Turnbull flinched, her face growing bright red. Mr. Carpenter did not seem to notice. He prattled on a bit longer, then went to speak with Miss Stokes, who was waving rather frantically to him.
As soon as Mr. Carpenter was out of earshot, Miss Turnbull said, “Oh, please forgive me, Miss Browning. I told Mr. Carpenter that I couldn’t come to a meeting because I went for a ride with you and Cal—Mr. Foley.” She colored again. “It was horrible of me to include you in a lie.”
“Lying is wrong,” Kitty Cat said sharply.
Miss Turnbull’s face grew a deeper red. “I know. Forgive me.”
“What sort of meeting was it?” Mr. Foley asked, giving her a sympathetic smile.
“Rewriting the constitution of the Community to include the changes made over the past year.”
He laughed. “I can understand why you wished to avoid that meeting.”
“As can I,” Rachel said. “You’re forgiven, Miss Turnbull.”
“I assure you that I won’t use your name again to slip away from a duty.”
“But lying is wrong,” Kitty Cat insisted, her arms folded in front of her and her lower lip stuck out.
Rachel knelt in front of the little girl. “We know that, and Miss Turnbull just admitted that she made a mistake. I’m sure she has learned her lesson and won’t lie again.”
“But you said I should never lie.”
“Yes, I did. And I meant that.” Looking over her shoulder, she saw that Mr. Foley and Miss Turnbull were rejoining the other guests. No doubt Miss Turnbull had wanted to put an end to this embarrassing conversation posthaste, and Mr. Foley was leaving to allow Rachel to deal with the child. “Miss Turnbull won’t lie again. You can be sure of that.”
“If I hear her lying, I’m going to tell her that it’s very, very wrong to lie.”
Standing, Rachel smiled. “If you hear what you believe is a lie, you should come to me right away. A child shouldn’t correct her elders.”
“That’s a stupid rule. If she’s lying, she should have to tell the truth.”
“And she will. Just come to me instead of telling her in front of everyone.”
Kitty Cat nodded reluctantly, then turned as one of the children called to her from the slow water in the cove. “Can I go with them, Rachel?”
“Give me your shoes first.” She chuckled, knowing that Kitty Cat in her excitement would rush into the water with her shoes on—again.
More quickly than she ever had, Kitty Cat unbuttoned her high shoes and tossed them toward Rachel. She raced off, followed by Rachel’s warning not to go in past where the water reached her waist.
Rachel bent to pick up the shoes, brushing pieces of grass off them. As she straightened, she saw another man walking along the top of the riverbank. She could not mistake this silhouette. Wyatt! What was he doing here today of all days? She had told him not to come back to River’s Haven except to get the parts for his boat. Why didn’t he listen to her—just once?
Forcing a smile, Rachel went toward a table in the middle of the crowd. Maybe if she acted as if she had not seen him, he would take note of everyone gathered here and leave. It was a worthless hope, she realized, for, even if she had not heard the rumble of surprised voices from the Community residents, every inch of her was aware of him coming nearer and nearer. The sensation grew so strong that she did not need the puff of his breath against her hair to know that he stood right behind her.
His arms reached around her, and she gasped. Was he out of his mind? To embrace her here when the eyes of the Community must be focused on them?
She released her breath when he picked up a sandwich and took a bite. She was not surprised when she turned and found him smiling. He enjoyed keeping her off-kilter like this and putting the most untoward thoughts in her head.
And I enjoy it, too.
Was she the one losing her mind? This was not the time to wonder about that. This was the time to convince Wyatt to come to his senses and leave.
“You shouldn’t be here now. Merrill just got married,” Rachel said in a near whisper. Not that it mattered. Every ear on the riverbank was straining to hear their words.
“Well, congratulations are due to him, I suppose.” He took another bite before adding, “I could keep on walking along the riverbank, if that would be for the best.”
“It would be.” Then she would not have to notice how the sunlight burnished his hair with blue highlights, as hot as the desire in his eyes. He
r fingers longed to reach up and comb through those strands, for the very touch would set her on fire, too.
“Another guest?” asked Mr. Foley.
She fought not to flinch as Miss Turnbull had earlier. As Mr. Foley rounded the end of the table, she tried not to compare Wyatt’s easy strength and undeniable masculinity to Mr. Foley’s well-groomed elegance.
She hoped her voice did not tremble as she said, “Mr. Foley, this is Mr. Colton. I believe I’ve told you that he’s repairing his steamboat with parts from River’s Haven.” She held her breath again, knowing that her future might hang on the very first words either man spoke.
Thirteen
Shaking Foley’s hand, Wyatt took care not to glance at Rachel. He had not planned on meeting this man when he saw the River’s Haven folks clustered on the riverbank and decided to see if Rachel was among them. Of course, if the situation had been reversed, he, like Foley, would be keeping a close eye on the woman he wanted to marry. When Rachel stood beside Foley, they were undeniably a handsome couple.
“Have the parts worked well for you?” Foley asked.
“I can’t say. They haven’t been finished yet.”
“I’m sure Rachel will see that they’re delivered as soon as possible so you can continue your business along the river.”
Did Rachel recoil at Foley’s use of her name or was that just wishful thinking on Wyatt’s part? Hadn’t Rachel said something about folks using proper names unless they were family? His jaw tightened as he wondered if she had married Foley already.
“I’ve seen,” Wyatt drawled, wiping the back of his neck with a handkerchief, “that she can be very efficient about such matters. A rare talent in a woman.”
“We have many women with many skills here at River’s Haven.” Foley was puffing up like a boiler taking on steam too fast.
Thin arms were thrown around his waist, and Wyatt swung K. C. up in his arms. Cool water spewed over him. K. C. giggled as he tossed her atop his shoulder. The refreshing water flowed from her feet and from her hair down both sides of him.
“What have you been up to?” he asked as she wiggled on his shoulder.
“Put me down! Put me down!”
He set her on her feet, wiping his hands on her soaked hair. When she beamed a smile up at him, he asked, “Where have you been swimming?”
“In the river, silly!”
“Kit—Katherine,” Rachel said in a chiding tone, “remember what we just talked about with speaking to one’s elders.”
K. C. rolled her eyes. “I remember.”
Wyatt chuckled under his breath, then said, “I know this is your brother’s wedding, but I’d like an update on those last parts, Rachel.”
“Certainly, Mr. Colton,” she replied with a glance toward Foley who was frowning. “Follow me.”
“Of course, Miss Browning,” he said with the same emphasis she had used. Apparently Foley could use her given name without being dressed down, but no one else could. Again, that piercing sting of jealousy seared through him. If she had married Foley, then Wyatt’s plans would be ruined.
“Mr. Colton,” Foley snapped as Wyatt stepped aside to allow Rachel to lead the way, “you shouldn’t be asking her to do business on her brother’s wedding day.”
“Why not? It isn’t as if this is his one and only wedding day.”
“Are you belittling our ways, Mr. Colton?”
Wyatt held up his hands and smiled. He did not want to end up punching Foley in the nose. Well, he would have enjoyed that, but it would upset both Rachel and K. C. “Just stating a fact. Nothing more, nothing less.”
“If you’ll come with me,” Rachel said. “Excuse us, Mr. Foley. This shouldn’t take long.”
“I’ll be glad to go with you.” Foley flashed a superior smile at Wyatt.
“That isn’t necessary and—”
Another woman interrupted Rachel to say, “You promised this reel to me, Mr. Foley.”
Wyatt eyed the voluptuous blonde. She was a beauty, but there was a coldness in her eyes as she glanced at him—appraising him candidly—that did not appeal to him. He had met her along the river. A beautiful woman who knew what she wanted and would do whatever she had to in order to get it. That was a dangerous sort of woman for anyone who got in her way.
Foley must have realized that, too, because he excused himself and went with the blonde.
Wyatt whistled through his teeth. “Put a ring in his nose, and she could lead him around.”
“Can’t you say something pleasant just once?” Rachel asked.
He smiled. The blonde was stunning, but Rachel was the woman he wanted. Maybe the blonde would waylay Foley from his plans to marry Rachel. He rubbed his hands together. His plan might still be able to work … if she would agree to it.
“You sure look pretty today.” He winked at K. C. “Is that pleasant enough?”
“Kitty Cat, go and play with your friends,” Rachel said, “while I get some information for Wyatt.” She glanced at him, frowning. “You know, I told you that I’d get those parts to you as soon as they were ready.”
“I’m not a patient man. Haven’t you noticed that?” He let his gaze slip along her slender throat to the firm fullness of her breasts, which were accented so perfectly by the velvet strips on her lapels.
“Of course I’ve noticed that.” Her chin was raised in the pose she always assumed when she did not want him to guess how his words or actions delighted her with his unspoken invitation. “And I don’t like to waste time. Maybe you’ve noticed that.”
“Sure have, so why are you wasting time jabbering? Are you hoping I’m going to ask you to dance?”
Her eyes widened, and for a moment he thought she would say yes. The very idea of holding her in his arms as they moved to the music was inebriating. His arms were rising toward her before he realized he was letting his thoughts lead him—and her—into trouble. The dance he wanted with her—a most intimate, sensual dance—must wait until they were not being watched by half the residents of River’s Haven.
When she walked up the sloping bluff, Wyatt chuckled under his breath. He followed, watching her furious steps. Was she angry at him or at herself for considering his offer? His amusement vanished. If she was upset by a joking invitation to dance, she might be even more distressed by the arrangement he intended to suggest. Maybe today would not be the best time. He would ask her away from River’s Haven. All he needed to do was get her away from here. His smile returned as he knew there was one easy way.
He glanced back at the river and the children who were playing in it. His smile broadened.
“Are you coming?” Rachel called, impatience in her voice. “I thought you were in a hurry for the information.”
Wyatt walked to where she was regarding him with a vexed expression. Hooking his arm through hers, he said, “You’re a bothersome woman.”
“Only to you.”
“Not to Foley?”
Her steps faltered as she looked away.
Wyatt cursed silently. Pretty Rachel believed she belonged to Foley, even though he knew she did not want to marry the man. If he had thought she truly loved Foley, he would have stepped aside.
Or could he? His senses were filled with the scent, touch, and sight of her. Not only when he was close to her, as he was now, but every breath he took was flavored with the memory of her in his arms.
“Don’t say things like that.” Rachel stepped away from Wyatt and continued toward the metal shop. Why hadn’t she told him to come back tomorrow? By then she would have been able to deal with him professionally. She almost laughed aloud at that thought. Tomorrow or the next day or a thousand days after that would not make any difference in how he thrilled her.
“Why not? It’s a legitimate question. Don’t you bother Foley?”
“He’s bothered that I haven’t agreed to marry him yet.”
“Not that I noticed. He just went off with another woman to dance.”
“Miss Turnbull and he e
njoyed dancing when they were married.”
“She is his former wife?” He frowned. “They look very cozy still.”
“They’re friends. It’s our way.”
He snorted. “A stupid way.”
“So you’ve said before.” She opened the door to the unusually quiet metal shop. Heat puffed out, and she had to gird herself to enter the shop that was even hotter than outside. Sweat trickled down her back as she wiped more from her forehead.
“It’s hotter than Hades’s kitchen in here,” Wyatt said.
“Let me see if I can find Mr. Dow’s work schedule.” She lifted a small board off the wall and sat in the foreman’s chair. She tilted the board so she could see the writing in the scanty light coming through the window.
As she ran her finger down the page attached to it, her hand was taken. She looked up to discover Wyatt leaning one hand on the back of the chair. All teasing had vanished from his face.
“Honey, you’ve got to start seeing things clearly,” he said.
“I wish you wouldn’t call me that.”
“You’re lying. You like when I call you honey.”
She could not argue with that, because it was the truth. Rather she said, “I know you disagree with the tenets we live by here. You’ve made your opinion very well known on that. Now, if you want to know when the parts you ordered will be ready, I can—”
“I want to know what you’re going to do about Foley. He’s already calling you Rachel. He must consider your marriage a done deal.”
She put the board on Mr. Dow’s desk. “Is that why you asked me to come here with you?”
“No.” He gave her a swift grin. “I do want to know when the parts will be finished.” He became serious again. “But I also want to know what you’re going to do about Foley.”
She stood and hung the board back on the wall. “The last few parts should be ready in about a week.”
Moonlight on Water Page 15