She pivoted toward him. “Now I understand.”
He didn’t look as if he was gloating. “Good.”
“No. I understand that you don’t understand!”
“Suppose you explain it to me.” He opened the door to the diner.
Ruth battled her crinoline as she made her way through the entrance and shuffled to the side toward the nearest table. For it being midday, the place hardly held any patrons. Josh seated her, then took the chair opposite her. Ruth fussed with her skirts, then gave him a disgruntled look. “You have no idea how much I envy men for their right to wear britches.”
He scowled. “You’re not going to run about in those disgusting bloomers.”
She sighed. “I promised Mama I wouldn’t. Truly, they seem like a wonderful concept. They cover everything quite decently and would be far less troublesome.”
“I’ve seen a woman in them once. It made for quite a scene. She looked as if she was wearing only half a dress and her unmentionables were showing.”
“Nonsense! It was the same as wearing a well-styled shirtwaist and fancy trousers.”
“None of the men present thought so. You’d shame yourself and my family if you tried such a stunt.”
“Well, it’s nothing you need fear since I made my promise to Mama.” She braced herself with a deep breath. “Speaking of Mama—” “Hello, Josh.” A young girl swished over. “What would you folks like to order today?”
“Hi, Myrtle. Who’s cooking today—your aunt or your dad?”
Myrtle dipped her head and muffled a giggle. “Aunt Ethel.”
“Sandwiches for us today, then.” Josh nodded. “Yes. And pie.”
“Ham or chicken salad?”
Josh looked to Ruth.
“Chicken salad, please.”
“Me too. And make it apple pie.”
“All right.” Myrtle scurried off.
Josh pretended to scoot his chair in as he leaned forward. “Always ask who’s cooking here. Ethel burns everything.”
“Thanks for the warning,” Ruth whispered back.
He straightened up. “So what was it you think I don’t understand?”
Plenty. Ruth tamped down that response. Taking the napkin off the table, she slid it into her lap and said, “I’ve figured out why you’re upset about my starting a library.”
“That subject is closed.”
“No, it isn’t.” She leaned forward and hissed, “You thought I was counting on money from the ranch. I’m not.”
“You’re not making any sense, Ruth.” He gave her a patient look. “I’m sure you haven’t had to do any budgeting, so eighty dollars seems like a lot of money. It won’t begin to cover the expenses involved in buying the land, let alone erecting the building or filling it with books.”
“I’m not foolish enough to formulate a plan on the unstable foundation as to whether I’ll inherit anything from my father.”
“Then, as I said, the subject is—”
“Still going to become a reality.” She glanced down at the hem of her left sleeve and wondered how she’d managed to get the lacy edging soiled. “Let me explain.”
Josh folded his arms on the tabletop. “Go ahead.”
“Thank you.” Pleased that he was being so reasonable, Ruth pitched her voice as low as she could. “I know it’s crass to discuss finances, but as that matter seems to be at the heart of your concern, I’ll address it.”
“I voiced other concerns as well.”
“Yes, well, first things first. Josh, the eighty dollars I have with me was just my traveling fund. Once Mama’s estate is closed, the attorney will send me my inheritance. Though I don’t expect it to be extravagant, it should be enough to keep me comfortable if I’m prudent. I thought it would be sweet to use a portion of Mama’s bequest to build a library in memory of her love of reading.”
Josh sat in silence and studied her.
Ruth fought the urge to wiggle in her seat. She lost the battle. After fidgeting, she sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I know it’s not ladylike to discuss financial issues.”
“If anything, I’m sorry you didn’t say anything sooner.”
Her head shot up.
“When you told me at Rick Maltby’s office that you had eighty dollars, I assumed that your mother had sacrificed and scrimped to send you to those fancy academies.”
“Oh.”
“Dad and I sank every last penny we owned into the Broken P. Sending Laney away to school was a necessity, but it meant we barely scraped by. When Hilda says dad’s a skinflint, it’s because she remembers how tight things were that first year.”
Ruth chewed on her lower lip for a moment. “Perhaps when I hear from Mama’s attorney, I should plan to invest in the Broken P. It would only be right… .”
“No.” His harsh word made others turn to look at them.
Knowing all too well how embarrassing it was to create a public scene and feeling guilty that she bore the responsibility for bringing up such a touchy subject, Ruth immediately straightened her shoulders and declared in a loud voice. “Yes, Josh. Laney ought to be allowed to attend church this Sunday. You’re being too protective.”
Myrtle appeared with their plates. “Sorry the bread’s a little … well done. Josh, Ruth’s right. You know how much Laney adores babies, and Ada Fisher is due to bring her new one to worship this week.”
“Okay, Laney can go.” His glare about bored a hole through Ruth. “But that other thing—forget about it.”
“Surly as you are, Josh, I marvel you don’t suffer from indigestion.” “Who says I don’t?”
“I can take care of that.” Ruth cut the burned edge off her bread and slipped the singed crust onto his plate. “There. Everyone knows a little charcoal is the cure.”
Myrtle slapped her hand over her mouth, but her laughter filled the Copper Kettle as she dashed back into the kitchen.
Unable to read Josh’s reaction, Ruth blurted out, “Burnt offerings are biblical, you know.”
“They’re for atonement,” Josh shot back.
“Well, if you’re going to be that way …” She reached over and took back half of the crispy crust. Josh’s face twisted with confusion, so she lifted a portion and said, “I’m not completely sorry, Josh. Only halfway. You wouldn’t want me to lie, would you?”
His lips twitched, then he gave in and chuckled. For the rest of lunch, he seemed to be in a good mood.
Lester waved at them as they passed his storefront. “Everything’s in your wagon.”
“Thanks, Lester.” Josh lifted Ruth into the buckboard and climbed up himself.
“Isn’t your father coming home with us?”
“He said he still had business to conduct. He might go on to Sacramento for a few days.”
“But he didn’t have a valise.”
“That’s never stopped him before.”
As they rode home, Josh cast a glance at Ruth. “You calling me protective of Laney is the supreme example of the pot calling the kettle black.”
“I have good reason.” Ruth gave him an exasperated look. “And staying in town to eat made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. Hilda’s sandwiches and pie are thrice as good, and I could have been keeping watch over Laney.”
“Ruth, you needed to get away. You’ve been with her night and day for two weeks.”
“Two weeks is nothing. With Mama—” She caught herself and turned away. Josh shouldn’t see her cry. No one ought to.
Josh’s warm hand skimmed back and forth between her shoulder blades. “Did you spend a long time caring for your mother?”
“Not much,” she said tightly. “Nowhere near as much as I should have. I was away at that dumb academy when I ought to—” She took a choppy breath and shook her head. “I was only there for her last six months.”
Wrapping his arm around her, Josh drew her close to his side. One quick tug, and he’d untied the bonnet and flicked it into the buckboard’s bed. A shiver ran
through her as he toyed with her wild curls.
“Mom sent Laney away the last couple of weeks. Even before then, she’d asked several of her friends to take Laney off for little trips or visits. If your mother was anything like ours, she wanted to protect you, Ruth.”
Ruth fought the urge to weep into his shoulder. What Josh said made sense, but it didn’t give her peace. Still, she’d never had a man care about her feelings or comfort her like this. How could it be that his hold made her stronger and weaker at the same time?
They rode along in silence. His rough fingers kept smoothing out a coil of her hair, then releasing it and letting it spring back. Over and over again, he repeated that simple contact. “You can’t undo the past, Ruth. I get the impression that you blame yourself for not being with your mother. You were being an obedient daughter to do her bidding. It was her right to decide who she wanted to know about her illness.”
“But I would have cared for her,” Ruth whispered thickly.
“And you did. Six months is a long while, and I don’t doubt that you were with her constantly. She did her best to equip you for a good life when she’d be gone. I’ll bet that was why she sent you to those schools. When push came to shove, though, your mama kept you close to her side.”
“But I failed her. Every school sent me back in disgrace. I didn’t fit in.”
“God doesn’t make any two people alike, Ruthie. Just because you didn’t fit into their idea of a ‘perfect lady’ doesn’t mean you aren’t a daughter of the King.”
“I bet He’s tired of me being a wild, rebellious child, too.” She pushed away from Josh and sat up.
Josh slid his hand under her chin and turned her to face him. His hazel eyes radiated warmth, not the judgment she expected. “God made you special in your own right. It occurs to me that you were true to Him when you didn’t let them squish you into a mold that didn’t fit.”
When he withdrew his touch, she missed the contact. Ruth tried to gather her wits. “Laney—”
“You know I love my sister, Ruth. But my sister has a docile temperament. She’s a lamb and you’re a lioness. God created both.”
“He made a lot more lambs than lions.”
Josh chuckled, and Ruth knotted her hands in her lap. I’m making an utter fool of myself. I’m not going to say another word. No, maybe I should. I could change the subject to something safe. She moistened her lips. “It’s taking forever to get back home.” Just as soon as she’d spoken, she tacked on, “It’s no reflection on your companionship, Josh. I’m just nervous about Laney.”
“No offense taken. I feel much the same way.”
She sighed. “I can’t for the life of me imagine anyone trying to harm her. I’ve been praying for the Lord to keep a score of angels about her.”
“Me too.”
“Those poor angels. They’re having to contend with Hilda today.” Ruth clapped her hand over her mouth. “Oh, I don’t believe I said that. It’s dreadful, the way I blurt things out like that.”
Josh started laughing. “Hilda’s been difficult, hasn’t she?”
“Difficult?” Ruth compressed her lips and started to fan herself.
“Oh, I get it. This is one of those times where you’re falling back on manners. It’s the old if-you-can’t-say-something-nice situation, eh?”
“Are all summers in California this warm?”
“Ruth?”
“Yes, Josh?”
“Do me a favor and stop carrying a fan. You’re going to put out your eye with it one of these days.”
Thoroughly disgruntled, Ruth closed the ivory-and-silk frippery with a snap. “I wish your father was going back home with us.”
He shot her an impish grin. “He would have told you to put away the fan, too. You’re dangerous with the silly thing.”
“Well, if I don’t carry it, I’ll just start toting around my muff pistol.”
“I told you that fan was dangerous. It just wafted your brains clear out of your head.”
“That trip to town took forever,” Laney complained as Ruth entered her room.
“Tell me about it,” Ruth muttered.
“Well, I’ll go on down and get busy.” Hilda pried herself out of the rocking chair and trundled to the door. “Elaine Louise, if you dare try to get out of that bed, I’m going to come back up here and sit on you!”
“I’ll make sure she behaves,” Ruth said.
“I’ve heard some tall promises in my day, but that one …” Hilda snorted and left.
“I don’t think she’s forgiven me for bumping into the clothesline yet.” Ruth shed her crinoline and plopped down next to Laney.
“I’m sure she has.” Laney grinned. “But it’s going to take a while before she forgives you for sneezing over the sauerkraut at supper night before last.”
“I didn’t do that on purpose, Laney. Truly I didn’t.”
“Don’t tell Daddy or Josh. They both considered that to be a brilliant tactical move.”
Ruth couldn’t contain her laughter. Then spying the books Josh had purchased, she held one aloft before Laney. “Look here! I never imagined it possible, but Lester had that dime novel we were going to order!”
“For true?”
“The proof’s right here.” She pressed the book into Laney’s hands. “I peeked at it already—and it’s going to be a wonderful adventure.”
“I never thought of a book as an adventure.”
“Well, they are. We’re going to share it. I’ll read one page, and you’ll read the next.”
“I don’t know if I can. I won’t be able to read very fast.”
“This isn’t a race, Laney. It’s a book. What’s wrong with relishing the story instead of rushing through it?” Ruth scooted back against the headboard.
Laney wiggled next to her. “I’m in trouble already. I can’t even pronounce the first word in the title.”
Ruth drummed her fingers on the paper cover. “I’ve been trying to decide how to say it, too. It’s an Indian name, so it probably doesn’t follow normal rules. Why don’t we just decide on something, and since we agree, it’ll work.”
“Okay.”
“Malaseka, The Indian Wife of the White Hunter.” Ruth shivered. “Doesn’t the title just give you a thrill?”
“Wait a minute,” Laney whispered.
“What’s wrong?”
“My door’s open. Daddy might hear me bumbling to read.”
“That’s not a problem. He’s on his way to Sacramento. Here. The first page is on your side.”
Laney started out very slowly and tentatively. Her finger trailed across the page beneath each word as she sounded it out. When she finished the first page, Ruth congratulated her, then read her page aloud at a slow pace so Laney could follow along. They continued to take turns.
“Hey.”
Ruth and Laney both jumped.
Josh stood in the doorway. “It’s suppertime, and you didn’t answer when Hilda called. That must be a good book.”
“It’s wonderful, Josh!” Laney started to stuff her arms into the sleeves of her robe. “We lost all track of time.”
“I heard you reading, Laney Lou. I’m so proud of you.”
“Thank you, but it’s all because of Ruth.”
“No, it’s not.” Ruth smiled. “We dedicated your reading to the Lord. He’s blessing your efforts.”
“From what I heard, He’s showering His blessing on your efforts.” Josh jerked his head toward the stairs. “Come on, Ruth.”
“I’ll be there in a minute.” Ruth remained on the bed. She couldn’t very well stand and call Josh’s attention to the fact that her skirts all draped around her ankles while the crinoline formed a collapsed beehive on the far side of the bed. They’d just discussed what an abysmal misfit she was when it came to ladylike comportment; the last thing she wanted to do was provide another example for him.
“I’m such a dolt!” Laney pushed her brother. “Josh, you go on downstairs.”
> “The only way I’m letting you go downstairs is if I’m with you.”
“Now you’re the one who’s being a dolt.” Laney poked at his arm.
“Supper’s getting stone cold!” Hilda hollered.
“Talk about being trapped between a rock and a hard place …” Josh muttered. He crooked his forefinger at Ruth and called down, “We’ll be there in just a minute.”
“Josh—”
“Laney, tell Ruth not to make a liar out of me. Even with your help, it’ll take five minutes for her to”—he waved his hand toward her skirts—“tend to things.”
Ruth muffled a moan. Of course he noticed.
Laney made a shooing motion with her hands. “Go on. She’ll break her neck if she tries to go downstairs in her current state.”
“I get no appreciation around here!” Hilda yelled.
“Far be it from me to get her any more upset with me than she already is.” Ruth flung herself out of the bed, grabbed handfuls of her skirts and traipsed to the door. “So help me, Josh, if you dare say one thing, I’ll take it as cause to abandon all of the expensive education I received. Then you’ll wish you’d tangled with Hilda.”
Suave as could be, he braced her elbow and led her and Laney to the top of the stairs. “Shall we, ladies?”
Yards of material dragged behind her. Head held high, Ruth whispered to Laney, “No matter what, Hilda’s going to be upset. Your brother is making me get my new dress all dirty.”
“Did Hilda say a word to you at all the time you came down in your—I mean to say, without your shoes?”
“When did you do that?” Laney demanded.
“Never you mind. Laney, your brother talks too much.”
“In this case,” Laney asserted, “he hasn’t talked enough.”
“I’m going to take supper off the table—”
“Hilda, we’re right here,” Laney said. “And supper smells marvelous.”
“No thanks to you youngsters. No appreciation. I tell you— Well, lo and behold! Ruth finally got some common sense and gave up on those ridiculous hoops.”
“She made the sacrifice only because we all knew you’d make such a fine meal.” Josh seated Ruth and had to seesaw the chair in and out three times before it didn’t catch on her voluminous gown. In a wry tone, he added, “Ruth didn’t want to hold us up.”
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