His friend, his buddy, his pal…or was their kiss an indication there was more than friendship between them?
Luke chided himself for the idiotic thought worming its way into his mind. He shook his head. How could there be anything romantic between them? That was about the dumbest thing he’d ever thought of. And it was her fault. If she hadn’t been so fired up to prove she was a woman—and she’d pretty well made her point—he wouldn’t be so addlepated about everything.
He stared into the dusky sky. Things would never be the same between them again. She’d expect him to court her now. And she’d be within her rights to expect it after the way he’d kissed her.
Luke slapped at his thigh. He’d made a big mess of things by not throwing her away from him and giving her a good chewing out for even trying to kiss him. If only it hadn’t seemed so right….
“What do you mean, you aren’t going to the dance tonight?”
Seated on the edge of her bed, Laney forced herself to meet Tarah Greene’s gaze head-on. “Exactly what I said. I’m staying home.”
“Now you listen to me, Laney Jenkins. You’ve been moping around this house for two weeks—always making excuses not to go to the ranch or even to church. Are you going to tell me what happened on that trail, or am I going to have to go ask Pa?”
Laney knew better than to try to skirt around the issue any longer. When Tarah tossed her head of coal black hair, she meant business.
Laney threw herself across her bed, landing on her stomach, chin planted firmly in her palm. “I kissed Luke,” she admitted flatly, wishing for all she was worth the episode had been only another of her delicious dreams instead of a wretched bit of reality.
After a moment of silence, Laney turned her head to see if Tarah was still in the room. Tarah grinned as Laney’s gaze found hers. “Are you telling me you and Luke are courting now?”
“No. He was teasing me, as usual, about not acting like a girl, and I just…up and kissed him.” Laney emitted a low groan. “He makes me so mad, Tarah. Always insinuating I’m somewhere between a male and female just because I like to wear britches and boots.” Laney gave a frustrated wave of her hand. “So what did I do? I had to go and show him I’m all woman.”
Tarah lowered herself carefully to the bed beside Laney. “Believe me,” she said, her lips twitching, “as Luke’s sister and former schoolteacher, I know how infuriating he can be. The thing that surprises me is your reaction to it after all these years. I would have expected you to ignore him or punch him…but a kiss? Where did that come from?”
“From me, unfortunately.” Laney heaved a sigh as she stared morosely at the ceiling. “Now he’ll probably think I want him to court me like some weak-kneed sissy-girl with a lacy parasol.”
“You know, Laney, there’s no shame in being a woman. And looking like one,” Tarah said with a pointed glance at Laney’s faded britches. “And there’s nothing wrong with wanting a man to court you.”
She shrugged. “It’s okay for other women—just not for me, that’s all. It’s not like I don’t wear skirts when I go to town or for church on Sunday. But I have to wear britches on the ranch. How can I herd cattle in a dress? And if Luke wants the kind of woman who faints and flutters, then I wasted a perfectly good kiss on a big, dumb…dumb…!” She hated it when she couldn’t think of just the right insult, even if he wasn’t in the room to hear it.
“Honestly, Laney. Don’t fret about it.” Tarah stood as gracefully as her protruding stomach would allow and planted her hands on her hips, rounded from bearing three babies in the past eight years. “Don’t wear a dress on the ranch and at home if you’d rather not—you know, no one in the family cares about that. And don’t waste any more kisses on Luke—although it served him right that you gave him one in the first place. But you have to come to the dance. Half the women there will be wearing gowns you made. You never know how many orders you might get for more, once word gets out that you made the prettiest dresses at the dance.”
The thought was tempting. Laney’s mind floated to her growing nest egg. If she could sell a few more dresses, she’d have enough to put a down payment on the old soddy Mr. Garner was willing to sell to her along with five acres now with an option to buy more.
As if reading her mind, Tarah sighed heavily. “I hate the thought of you moving out. You should stay with us until you marry. Then you and your husband would have a fine start with the money you’ve socked away.”
Laney’s eyes widened. “Give my money to a man? Are you crazy, Tarah? Pa took everything we had and drank it away. I’m going to make sure I have everything I need, and I’ll never let a man boss me. No siree. That might be okay for some women, but not me—ever! When I marry, I’ll make sure my property is protected so he can’t take it and squander it all away. My young’uns will be taken care of.”
Tarah gave her a pitying smile—one that carried a secret Laney felt she would never be privy to. “Laney honey,” Tarah said, “when you find a man who really loves you, he won’t want to boss you around. You’ll be partners.”
Laney snorted.
“It’s true.” Tarah’s smile widened, and she sent Laney a wink. “And you know what else?”
“What?” Laney asked, narrowing her gaze in suspicion.
“You’ll gladly give him all the money you have, because you’ll be able to trust him to use it wisely, and if he is a smart man—which I have no doubt he will be—he’ll want all the input from you he can get about how to spend it.”
Laney stood, inclining her head in a jerky nod. “I won’t marry a dumb man. That’s for sure. Still, I reckon I’ll do it my way just in case he takes to drinking. That makes a man stupid real fast.”
Tarah chuckled and hugged Laney tightly. “Oh Laney. God has such a wonderful plan for your life. I only hope you’re not too stubborn to let Him unfold it for you.”
“God gave me a good head on my shoulders and two sturdy hands. I reckon He expects me to do the rest. And, Tarah, I fully intend to make sure I can take care of myself.”
Laney squirmed under that pity-smile again.
“Then come out to the Moodys’ farm for the dance. I could use your help with the kids.”
Laney gave a short laugh. The whole town loved Reverend Greene, Tarah, and their three children. Once she walked through the barn doors, Tarah wouldn’t see those children again until they were ready to leave.
Caught in her manipulation, Tarah gave her a sheepish grin and shrugged. “Okay, maybe I won’t need help with the children, but you still have to go. We won’t have nearly as much fun without you. Now come on. I took your blue skirt off the line today. I noticed it’s getting a bit thin. You may want to take time out to sew another one before it’s too threadbare to do any good. Anyway, the tub’s filled and waiting for you in the kitchen.”
Unable to withstand Tarah’s pleading eyes, Laney relented. “All right. But only because I might get some business out of it.”
“Wonderful!” Tarah said, her violet eyes sparkling. “I’ll leave you to get ready for your bath, then.”
Laney watched the door close behind Tarah. Her stomach jumped at the thought of seeing Luke for the first time since their kiss. Would he act any differently? Would he ask her to dance like old times? She’d be careful to let him lead this time. Following wasn’t easy for her, but she could do anything she set her mind to. Especially if it meant proving to Luke she was a woman.
Fleetingly her mind drifted to the blue silk gown in her wardrobe. The fashionable bustle was sure to make Luke take notice. As far as Laney knew, no one else would be wearing a bustle this evening. The woman who had commissioned the gown had gained at least fifteen pounds between the time she had ordered the dress and waited her turn for Laney to sew it. There wasn’t enough material to make it fit, so Laney had to take a loss on the sale.
She walked to the wardrobe, opened it, and fingered the delicate material. The loss of money might be worth the look in Luke’s eyes when he saw her we
aring this.
“Laney?” Tarah’s voice drifted through the door.
Laney jumped and snatched her hand away as though she were a thief caught stealing priceless jewels. “What?” she snapped.
“If you don’t take your bath right now, we’ll be late for the dance.”
“You all go on ahead of me. I’ll get ready and follow on Colby.”
“Are you sure, Laney? We can wait if you’ll hurry.”
“I’d rather ride.”
Laney felt Tarah’s hesitation.
“Honest, Tarah. You go on. The preacher’s family can’t be late. I’ll be along soon. I promise.”
“All right. We’ll see you there.”
Laney smiled at the relief in Tarah’s tone. Laney always kept her promises. Tarah knew that and trusted her. The knowledge warmed Laney.
Laney Jenkins didn’t lie, she didn’t cheat, and she never, ever went back on her word no matter how much it cost her. She grabbed her simple muslin skirt and fresh blue gingham shirt from the wardrobe, then slammed the wardrobe shut. Most of all she never, ever resorted to frills to win a man’s attention. Luke would have to take her as she was, or he could forget it!
Dejectedly Laney studied her reflection in the vanity mirror. Luke had already told her what kind of woman he wanted, and she didn’t come close to fitting his ideal. She jerked her chin. Oh well. Let him marry some snippy, drippy, fainting ninny. Laney Jenkins would be just fine on her own. Everything was going according to plan. If her dresses kept selling, she would soon have the down payment on her own land. She’d be self-reliant, and the Jenkins name would be brought to honor instead of the shame her pa had made of it.
Who needed Luke St. John, anyway?
Chapter 2
Laney’s head pounded to the beat of “Camptown Races,” and her toes suffered under the punishment of Clyde Halston’s shiny new boots.
She cast another hopeful glance toward the double doors of Mr. Moody’s barn—which had been transformed for the harvest dance, as it was every year. The dance had been well under way for the past forty-five minutes, and still no Luke. Not that Laney cared if he missed the harvest dance. Why should she?
“Ow.” Laney turned her gaze from the door and glared up at her dancing partner as pain shot through her big toe and up to her ankle. “Clyde, where’d you learn to dance, anyway?”
“I’m sorry, Miss Laney.” The middle-aged sheep rancher’s face turned as red as the handkerchief tied around his long, skinny neck. “Don’t know what’s got into me tonight. Seems I got two left feet.”
“Oh Clyde.” Laney gave him an apologetic smile, suddenly feeling guilty for her churlish manner. “You’re not that bad.”
His face brightened. “Mighty kind of ya to say so, Miss Laney.”
“May I cut in, Clyde?”
Laney’s palms dampened at the sound of Luke’s voice.
“Be my guest.”
All the feelings of compassion she had previously felt for the bad dancer fled at the relief in Clyde’s tone and the way he practically pushed her into Luke’s arms.
“Clumsy oaf,” she muttered as the rancher hurried from the dance floor. “I won’t be able to wear my boots for a week.”
Luke laughed and pulled her into the circle of his arms. “It’s your own fault if your toes are bruised. You should have let him lead.”
Laney huffed and stepped to her left, then stopped short as Luke stepped to her right. He laughed again. “See what I mean? Now concentrate real hard and try to follow.”
“I wouldn’t follow you if you were the last man on earth with two good legs, Luke St. John!” Laney squirmed, trying to free herself from his embrace.
“I’m probably the last man on earth even willing to dance with the likes of you, Laney Jenkins,” he retorted, releasing her.
Fury washed over her. “I can get any man here to dance with me, and they’d be proud to do it!”
“Simmer down. People are staring.”
Laney glanced quickly around the room, observing the raised brows from a group of gray-haired matrons chatting in the corner and Papa Dell’s disapproving frown from the other side of the room, where he stood talking with Anthony. She drew in a long, calming breath. Luke had the uncanny ability to get her riled enough to make a complete fool of herself, but this time she would not allow him to bait her.
With a step forward, she placed her hand on his shoulder and waited for him to take the other. “Lead,” she commanded through gritted teeth.
Luke pulled her to him once more just as the music ended and the band struck up a new tune. “You up for a waltz?” he asked, brow raised in skepticism as though he didn’t quite believe it was a good idea.
“I’m up for anything you are. Just make sure you get the steps right.”
He narrowed his gaze. “Just make sure you follow, or we’ll both end up on the floor.”
“Fine.”
In spite of her determination to remain rigid, Laney’s anger sifted from her almost immediately, and she felt the tension leave her shoulders. Enjoying the feel of Luke’s strong hand cupping her waist, she closed her eyes, allowing herself to be swept away by the music. Luke spun her around the room without missing a beat.
A soft, contented sigh escaped her lips.
At Luke’s sharp intake of breath, Laney opened her eyes. He stared down at her, his green eyes serious and searching. Laney’s pulse quickened as his gaze moved across her face, then settled on her lips.
He leaned forward. “Let’s get out of here,” he said, his voice low against her ear.
Laney shivered from the tickle of his breath, and wordlessly she nodded. She barely noticed the other dancers or the people huddled around the refreshment table as Luke ushered her outside and behind a nearby tree. He leaned back against the oak and took her hands in his as they faced each other.
“What’s happening between us, Laney?”
At a loss for words, Laney stared into his dear face, joy invading the very depths of her soul.
He pulled her closer. “I can’t sleep for thinking about you and that kiss. What did you do to me?”
A lump lodged deep in Laney’s throat, cutting off any reply.
“If you don’t stop looking at me like that and say something…” Luke growled. He released her hands and pulled her into the circle of his arms. Even before his head descended, Laney knew she was about to be kissed.
His lips brushed against hers once…twice—soft and achingly sweet. Laney moved closer as his arms tightened. He pressed his forehead against hers. “My Laney, why didn’t I know I’ve been in love with you all these years?”
Giving her no chance to answer, Luke captured her lips once more.
“Yuck!”
Laney tore herself away from Luke and turned to Tarah’s oldest boy, Little D, named for Papa Dell. He sneered in disgust as he observed them.
“I found ‘em, Pa!” He turned toward the barn.
“Little D, wait!”
Laney cringed as he hollered, “Uncle Luke’s kissing Laney!”
“Get back over here, then, and give them some privacy.” Anthony’s amused voice brought heat to Laney’s cheeks.
“Yuck!” Little D repeated, then took off lickety-split.
Still imprisoned in Luke’s iron grip, Laney turned her gaze back to his teasing eyes. He grinned down at her. “Guess I’ll have to marry you now that the whole town knows I’ve been stealing kisses behind the kissing tree.”
As usual, the appropriate quip eluded her. “You will?” she whispered.
All traces of teasing fled his expression. “I was just getting around to asking.”
“You were?”
“What do you say?”
Yes, yes, yes. The words remained stuck in her throat.
“What? Don’t you want to marry me?”
At the hurt expression in his eyes, Laney found her tongue. “I can’t imagine marrying anyone else. I just can’t believe you’re really asking.”
A grin spread across Luke’s face. With a loud whoop, he snatched her up, spinning her around until she laughed and beat lightly on his broad shoulders.
He set her on her feet. “Do you mean it?”
“Do you?”
“You bet I do.”
“Then so do I.”
He dipped his head and kissed her again, leaving her senses reeling by the time he pulled away.
“What do you say to a late winter wedding?” Luke asked. “We’ll head west as soon as we can hook up with a wagon train in the spring. We’ll be in Oregon by the fall of the year and stake our claim. By the following spring, we’ll be ready to start a herd of our own.”
Laney’s stomach sank to her toes as she watched Luke grow more excited with each word he spoke. “What do you mean, you want to go west, Luke? I haven’t heard you mention it since we were still in school. I—I thought you gave up such notions after you started working with your pa.”
Luke kissed her hard, then pulled back with a grin. “I’ve never stopped wanting to go. With you at my side, we’ll raise a herd even larger than my pa’s.”
Laney jerked away from his arms. “So this moving west is all about proving you can outdo your pa? That’s just dumb, Luke. And you’re dumb for thinking of it.”
The line of Luke’s jaw tightened. “That’s not it. I don’t want to build on another man’s foundation. I want to make my own way and leave a real legacy to my own son or daughter.” Gently he took her hand. “Our sons or daughters.”
Forcing her gaze from his, Laney turned her back, knowing she’d never be able to say what must be said if she faced him. “I’ll bet that’s what Papa Dell thought, too. He’d build a herd and leave a real legacy for his sons. Only Sam decided to be a doctor, you’re leaving, and Jack and Will are too young to be any real help. If you go, what’s your pa going to do? You should wait until Jack is old enough to take over, at least. That’ll only be two more years.”
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