When Clarissa pulled out the dress she planned to wear Molly gasped. “Oh, Clarissa, that’s much too pretty to wear riding a horse.” She yanked at a hanger. “Here, wear one of my split skirts. You’ll be much more comfortable.”
Clarissa eyed the skirt a moment then shrugged. “All right, if you say so, but it is rather plain.”
Twenty minutes later, Clarissa followed her down the stairs and into the kitchen. Mama and Mrs. Elliot grinned and shook their heads. Mama rose and uncovered two plates sitting on the back of the stove. “I saved these plates for you. Everyone else has eaten and gone on about their business.”
Molly accepted her plate and after a quick blessing, plowed into the eggs and biscuits like she hadn’t eaten in a month. When she noticed Clarissa’s fork simply moving the food around on her plate, Molly stopped and patted her mouth with her napkin. As hungry as she was, she had completely forgotten her manners. Mama’s stern frown didn’t help either.
Molly leaned over and whispered, “Why aren’t you eating? Mama kept it nice and warm for us.”
“I don’t want to spoil my appetite for the picnic Mrs. Delmont makes for us.”
Molly gulped. She’d meant to ask Mama about a picnic basket for Stefan and her, but the sight of the breakfast wiped it clean from her mind. She’d better ask now or she might forget again. “Clarissa and Andrew are going on a picnic this afternoon, and Mrs. Delmont is making up the basket for them.”
Mrs. Elliot raised her eyebrows. “A picnic with Andrew? But you were with him only last night. Isn’t he busy today?”
“No, Mother. Dr. Whiteman gave him the day off when Andrew asked, so we decided to go down to the creek and have a picnic. He’s getting a horse for me, and Molly loaned me one of her riding skirts.”
“So I see. Does your father know about this?”
Molly bit her lip and scrunched her napkin in her lap. Why had she said anything? From the tone of her voice, Mrs. Elliot didn’t approve of Andrew, and Andrew was the nicest young man around. Then she remembered Stefan’s comments, and she realized they were very much like those hinted at by his mother.
“Yes, Father knows. He spoke with me the other day after Andrew asked to be my escort while we’re in town. Father wanted to know my thoughts before he said yes.”
That was a relief. At least Mr. Elliot hadn’t made the decision without speaking to Clarissa herself. Molly had seen relationships forced upon a young woman who had no desire to be pursued by a particular man, and they hadn’t turned out well at all.
Mrs. Elliot lowered her voice and leaned over to Clarissa. It gave Molly the perfect time to seek Mama’s help. “Would you help me make up a basket so Stefan and I can have a picnic too?”
Mama lifted an eyebrow much the same as Mrs. Elliot had. “Am I detecting an interest in the young soldier?”
“Um, not really.” Molly twisted the napkin in her hands out of sight of her mother. “I thought it would be a nice way to spend an afternoon. After all, they only have a week left before they all leave.”
Despite her reservations, she did enjoy Stefan’s attentions, and once he was gone, she’d have none of that from anyone here in town. And why not have some fun while he was here?
“All right, let’s see what we have.” Mama opened the cupboard doors and scanned the shelves.
Behind them, Mrs. Elliot’s voice rose. “I can’t let you go on like this. It can only lead to heartbreak.”
Clarissa jumped from her chair and threw her napkin to the table. “I’m sorry, Mother, but I don’t intend to discourage Andrew. He’s a fine man, and I admire him greatly. I don’t want to displease you or Papa, but I must make my own decisions concerning whom I shall allow to court me.” She spun on her heel and raced from the room.
Mrs. Elliot’s cheeks wore great spots of red. Mama continued with her task, but Molly couldn’t help but stare at Clarissa’s mother. Was she that afraid something would happen between Andrew and Clarissa that she would ruin their remaining time in Stoney Creek?
Mrs. Elliot did not meet her gaze. “I must go and speak with Mr. Elliot right away. Please excuse me.” With a swish of skirts and a firm step, she left the kitchen.
Molly could only offer up a brief prayer that nothing would spoil the day for her friend. Then she turned to help her mother prepare a picnic with Stefan, but now her anticipation waned and her enthusiasm for a picnic all but disappeared.
Stefan approached the Whiteman home with Andrew, who carried a basket from which enticing aromas drifted. “If the food tastes half as good as it smells, you and Clarissa are going to have a fine picnic.” If it was anything like the spread at the hotel last night, it would be delicious.
“Ah, yes. My parents know how to make foods irresistible. Pa learned his skills from his father. Men in our family have been great chefs at some of the finest hotels in Europe, but Pa chose to come to Texas after he and Ma met. They figured the ‘Wild West’ needed some taming with good eats.”
Every time Stefan passed by the bakery in town, he had to resist the temptation to stop and indulge in one of Mrs. Delmont’s cinnamon rolls. Even their cook back home didn’t make them that good. A picnic today would be nice. He’d have to ask Molly about having one.
“I say, do you think your mother would fix up a basket for Molly and me? I’d offer a nice sum for whatever she wanted to fix.”
“I’m sure she would, but I imagine Mrs. Whiteman would do the same. She’s a wonderful cook herself.”
That might be good idea. From what he’d seen already, most of the women in Stoney Creek were excellent cooks. He hadn’t dined on a bad meal yet. “I’ll ask when I see her in a few minutes.”
Clarissa called out from the porch and waved then hurried down the steps toward them. She glared at Stefan before grabbing Andrew’s arm. “Are the horses saddled and ready? I want to go right now.”
Andrew raised his brow. “Why, yes, they are at the livery waiting for us. Is there a problem?”
She glanced at Stefan again but didn’t speak to him. “I’ll tell you about it later. Let’s just go get those horses now.”
“Whatever you say.” Andrew grasped her arm and they headed back toward the livery at the edge of town.
Stefan stood for a few minutes staring after them. Clarissa’s demeanor disturbed him. Something had happened, but why was she angry with him? He shook his head and proceeded up the steps to the porch and knocked on the door.
His mother flung open the door and moved her head to see behind him. She grabbed his arm and pulled him inside. “Stefan, I’m so glad you’re here. Did you see Clarissa run out of the house?”
“Yes, she and Andrew are headed for the livery to get their horses for their picnic. Why? Did something happen?”
Anger and concern flashed in her eyes. Whatever had caused it must have come from Clarissa. He led her back to the parlor.
His mother sank down onto the sofa. “Clarissa and I had an argument. I warned her not to get too close to Andrew as she was only going to be here for another week. I didn’t like what I saw between them last night. A relationship with him would never work for her.”
Stefan sat down beside
her and grasped her hand. “Is that what you told her?” If so, then Clarissa’s anger didn’t surprise him. His independent sister had a mind of her own.
“Yes, and I see that was a mistake. She let me know in no uncertain terms that she would decide about any relationship she’d have with any man. I . . . I pushed her toward him rather than away. Now what am I to do? Your father has already left to visit the ranch again today, so I haven’t been able to discuss it with him.”
“Mother, Clarissa is a smart woman. She’s not going to do anything rash. She’s angry now, but she’ll cool down and see the futility of a relationship with someone who lives so far away.”
As the words left his mouth, Molly invaded his thoughts. The words must apply to his relationship with her as well. Enjoy the next week, but don’t expect more to come. The distance between them was too great, and he didn’t mean in miles only.
Molly appeared in the doorway. “I thought I heard a man’s voice in here.”
Stefan jumped to his feet. Even in her riding dress, she looked beautiful. Her hair was caught up at the crown with a large bow and the rest hung down past her shoulders in a cascade of waves and curls. He swallowed hard before greeting her.
“Mother and I were talking, but Clarissa and Andrew have already left.”
“I thought they might. I asked Mama to fix us a picnic basket so we can have a picnic at the creek as well. I do hope you’re pleased.”
Pleased didn’t begin to describe what went on in his heart at the moment. They thought alike in so many good ways, but their differences would soon drive them apart. Why must he keep reminding himself of that?
“That sounds like a very good idea. I envied Andrew his picnic basket and entertained the thought of asking your mother to do the same, and here you already have it done.”
“I’ll be back in a moment with the basket.” The suede fabric of her skirt whispered its softness as she pushed through the door to the kitchen.
“Ahem, Stefan?”
He turned to find his mother staring at him with her eyes open wide and her brow furrowed. “I detect the same desire in your eyes as I did Andrew’s. As much as I like Molly and would love to have her in the family, you know it won’t work, don’t you?”
His heart groaned. “Yes, I do, and I’ll remember that.” But his feelings didn’t want to be buried and forgotten.
“Do you prom—” She stopped and smiled beyond his shoulder.
He spun around to find Molly with her basket in one hand and her mother right behind. He prayed he’d remember what he must do, but he’d make no promises to that effect.
He held out his hand and Molly grasped it. “Our horses await us at the livery.” He turned to Mrs. Whiteman. “I’ll be sure to have her back in time for this evening’s supper.”
A smile graced her lips. “Oh, take your time and have fun. There’s enough food in there to satisfy your hunger now and later.”
Despite his mother’s frown and warning, he planned to do just that. Molly grabbed her hat and they made haste to the livery to pick up their horses. They waved at Andrew and Clarissa as they passed. His sister looked much happier now with a smile aimed at Andrew. She didn’t even glance his way, riding astride the saddle as if she’d done it all her life.
Let Mother and Father worry about her. He had enough worries of his own to be concerned with what his sister did or didn’t do.
He gasped as Molly swung her leg up over the horse and settled astride in the saddle. Her skirt was one that allowed her to ride full in the saddle, but he hadn’t expected her to be so competent and confident. She must have noted the surprise in his face because she laughed and pulled back on the reins and turned her horse toward the street leading from town.
“I’ve been riding since I was a young girl, and this is the easiest way to get around. I would never be comfortable riding any other way, so don’t look so shocked. Come on, we’re wasting a beautiful day.”
Yes, they were, and he didn’t intend to let it slip by. He swung up into his saddle and followed her up the street. At her side, he slowed to keep pace with her. “I will say you are a good horsewoman. You handle him like a born rider.”
He admired so much about this lovely woman riding next to him with a wide-brimmed hat shielding her face from the sun. Now if he could keep his emotions in check and simply enjoy her company this afternoon, all would be well.
CHAPTER 13
SOMETHING OR SOMEONE had angered Clarissa, but Andrew had no idea what or who, and he didn’t know what to say, so he said nothing. If she wanted to share, she would. Otherwise he’d stay quiet and let her sort things out on her own.
When they reached the edge of town, he turned their horses away from the main road and started off across the meadow. Clarissa sighed and headed toward a clump of trees. Andrew shrugged and followed her. This was her day, so they’d go wherever she wanted and do whatever she desired.
Clarissa stopped her mare and dismounted. She waited for Andrew to do the same. Once on the ground, he noted the troubled look in her eyes and grasped her hand. “I know something is bothering you, and if you want to share, I’ll listen.”
Moisture dotted her lashes and she blinked. “I’m upset with my mother. She seems to think I’m still a child and can’t make decisions for myself.”
Andrew nodded, still holding her hands. He fought the desire to bring her to his chest and wrap his arms around her. She peered up at him from under the brim of a straw bonnet trimmed in purple to match her shirtwaist and deepen the blue in her eyes. He could drown in those pools of color.
“Andrew, my mother seems to think our seeing each other is not a good idea. We only have another week, and then it’s back to Louisiana and our life there. She believes we are growing to care too much about each other.”
Her mother was right about that much. In one week he’d grown to care more about Clarissa than he had any girl in his life. To say he loved her might not be right so soon after meeting her, but that’s exactly where his heart was headed.
“I do care about you, Clarissa, but I also understand your mother’s concern. She doesn’t want you to be hurt or disappointed.”
“Oh, how could I be hurt or disappointed by your caring about me? You’ve been wonderful this past week, and I care about you, too.” She moistened her lips and squeezed his hands. “None of us knows what the future may hold. All we can do is enjoy the time we have and let God take care of the rest. Even if we never see each other again, we’ll have these two weeks as a wonderful memory.”
Two weeks became as nothing when he considered a future without Clarissa. When had he come to that conclusion? He swallowed hard in an effort to speak without ruining all that had been built. “And they will be the best two weeks ever, and who’s to say that we’ll never see each other again? Louisiana isn’t that far away.”
She leaned toward him. “You always know just what to say. I’d like nothing better than to have you come to Oakwood for a visit.”
“Then that will certainly be a part of my plans for the future.” He lowered his head toward hers, but snapped back. No, a kiss was the last thing that should happen today. He reached for the reins of the horse behind her. “Here, let’s get you mounted,
so we can continue on our journey toward a pleasant afternoon.”
Disappointment filled her eyes, but she shifted so he could help her into her saddle. Once she sat securely, he mounted his own and led the way across the grassy field to open country. Keeping his emotions in check for seven more days would take all the strength he could muster, but he’d do it. If he didn’t, Mrs. Elliot may well forbid him from ever seeing Clarissa again and that’s the last thing he wanted to happen.
Although Molly smiled and chattered about the picnic and the creek where they were headed, Stefan still sensed an underlying worry. When they reached the creek, he helped her dismount then untied the picnic basket from his saddle. “Where do you want to set this?”
She reached for the blanket folded up behind her saddle. “Right over there under those trees near the creek.”
Stefan nodded and headed that way. After she spread the dark green blanket across the grass, she sat and removed her hat and shook her head to loosen the curls. He used every ounce of will power in his body to keep from reaching over and running his hands through the silky mass on her shoulders.
“Stefan, I’m worried about Clarissa and Andrew.”
His name from her lips broke the spell. Her words voiced his concerns, especially since his conversation with his mother. “I am too. Their relationship appears to be headed for much more than friendship.”
“I think it would be wonderful, but after what your mother said this morning, I’m not sure she or your father would ever accept Andrew as a suitor for Clarissa.”
He didn’t either, but for reasons he wasn’t sure Molly would understand much less accept. “That may well be true simply because he lives here and we must return to Louisiana. Such a distance wouldn’t bode well for a relationship.”
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