Chapter 4
When the clock struck six, Olivia was ready. She checked the dining room one last time to make certain the candlesticks were lit and that everything was in order.
Her idea to invite Ronan was brilliant. She’d seen the indecision on his face, but he’d agreed in the end—well, sort of—and that’s all that mattered. If she was going to help heal Ronan’s heart, he needed to get used to being around her. A man like that, one who’d been on his own for so long, needed to be eased into it.
“I don’t know why we need to invite a servant to dinner,” Violet said, for the fourth time since Olivia had announced she’d invited him. The other woman had a tone of derision and haughtiness in her tone, and was lounging on one of the living room chairs in a sapphire gown. “It’s just not done.”
Olivia didn’t like confrontation, especially when it involved someone as volatile as Violet, but there were some things she simply couldn’t abide. And putting others down was one of them. “First of all, he isn’t a servant. He’s a wealthy miner in his own right that has kindly agreed to help us mine our claim so we aren’t at the mercy of others. We should be grateful to him. And second, you don’t have to eat with us if you’re so morally opposed to it.”
Rosalie snorted at the jab.
Olivia would normally be ashamed at such behavior, but she was sick and tired of Violet thumbing her nose at everyone. She wasn’t better than anyone else. She was a woman in a foreign place with no husband and little money. She was at the mercy of Ivan’s mine and Ronan’s good graces as much as the rest of them were.
But still, such words were beneath her. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said that.”
“But it’s how you feel,” Violet stated as she rose from the sofa. “Never regret how you feel. Never be ashamed of it.” She looked around at the shocked faces. “Excuse me.” She turned and exited the room, leaving behind seven very surprised women.
“Was she just”—Aria tried to come up with the proper word—“nice?”
Sadie smiled softly from the couch. “I rather think she was trying to be.”
“Well, that’s a first.”
The need to defend rose within Olivia. “Let’s not be unkind,” she said.
Willow thrummed the back of a sofa with her fingers. “Why did you invite Ronan tonight? Why now?”
“It seemed right and I thought it would be nice. He’s done so much for us, it’s the least we can do.”
Willow held up her hands. “I agree. Ronan is a saint of a man who’s willing to do hard labor. We all saw how well I wield a pick ax.” She smirked.
A few of the girls snickered at her reminder of the lesson on mining basics Sawyer had given them. None of them were brilliant at it.
When a knock sounded at the door, the girls straightened in their chairs and smoothed their skirts. They might all come from different backgrounds, but the fact was, they were all women, thrown-together sisters. And they were all looking for husbands in this wild place. Olivia felt a kinship with them deeper than she ever had with any other woman outside her family. Even, she was coming to realize, with Violet.
Ronan strode in behind Sylvia, eyeing the room full of women as if he’d rather be on the wrong end of a noose than in that house with them.
Olivia did her best to swallow her smile. “Thank you for coming tonight.”
“It’s a pleasure.”
Her lips quirked. Now that she knew he was from Georgia, she was able to pick out the southern qualities peeking out every so often.
Ronan nodded to the individual women and each of them welcomed him in return.
Olivia waited until she had his attention again before asking, “Would you like a drink before dinner?”
“Not tonight. I firmly believe I’ll need my wits about me. Who knows what you ladies could get me to agree to when you’re all together.”
Belle chuckled. “Not quite all together now that Clara is married and Violet won’t be joining us. But still, seven women against one man? The odds aren’t in your favor.” She winked at him.
He smiled roguishly at Belle’s flirting, and a small spear of jealousy sliced through Olivia. That’s ridiculous! She had no reason for jealousy because she didn’t want Ronan for herself. She just wanted to help him. She wanted to be his friend.
Her eyes lingered a little too long on the width of his shoulders and the bulging muscles beneath the fabric. He was strong. Much stronger than most men. But then again, he needed to be for mining. It was strenuous, demanding work.
He glanced over at her and she felt heat rise to her face as she quickly turned her attention back to the others. When she met his gaze again, she couldn’t help but notice his eyes appeared to be a little warmer.
Heavens! Had he realized she’d been ogling him?
Mortification flooded her cheeks.
Thankfully, Sylvia chose that moment to announce dinner was ready, and they all proceeded into the dining room.
Olivia pointed to a chair at the head of the table. “I hope you don’t mind, but I thought everyone would like to be able to see you easily.”
It was an honor to be given the place at the head of the table, and while it was unusual for anyone to sit there in their house, she wanted him to have it. He was important, and all of them were so grateful for what he did for them. It was such a small thing to do to express that.
“I’m honored,” he murmured, taking his seat.
Aria, seated on his left, handed him a serving bowl full of mashed potatoes. “I hope it’s no trouble, but we serve ourselves here.”
“No trouble at all.” He sniffed appreciatively, a genuine reaction to a well-cooked meal that Olivia delighted in. “Although this is much finer fare than I’m used to.” He looked at Sylvia. “Thank you.”
The woman blushed. “I only helped Cook with a few things. She did most of it.”
“Then please pass on my compliments.”
“I will,” she promised, giving Ronan a smile, before bobbing a curtsy and leaving them to enjoy the meal.
Juliette cut her food delicately at the other end of the table, then took a small bite before giving her attention to Ronan. “How is the mining going?”
Ronan dabbed his lips with a napkin before answering. “It’s going well. I’ve uncovered a few good pockets, though we haven’t found anything major yet. But…”
Olivia’s fork paused halfway to her mouth. “But?”
“For some reason, I think there’s a lot more in there.”
“Really?” Rosalie asked. “Ivan had mined it for quite some time. Wouldn’t he have found a large deposit if it were there?”
Ronan shrugged. “I couldn’t say. There isn’t anything in the way of proof. It’s just a feeling.”
Some of the others might not put stock in feelings, but for Olivia, they were everything. If Ronan sensed that there was a mother lode in there, she believed him. “I hope your feelings are right then.”
As Olivia’s eyes met Ronan’s, something unspoken passed between them. There was something there, something edgy. He both soothed and stirred her. While she’d never felt that for another, she was certain she knew what it was.
Desire.
She desired Ronan.
There had always been something there, she realized. Although it had never fully sharpened to this degree until recently.
Until the buckle.
Why would knowing he was from Georgia mean so much? But even as she thought it, she realized it wasn’t where he was from that mattered to her. It was that he needed her.
She finally broke his gaze and turned her attention to the food, hoping the movement would distract him.
Sadie caught Ronan’s attention. “I do so hope—” Her hand flew to her stomach and her eyes widened. “That—” Immediately, Sadie ran from the room and up the stairs, the sound of retching echoing in her wake.
Ronan shot to his feet.
“No.” Olivia placed her hand on his arm as she looked at the
doorway. “Let me. It would embarrass her if you followed.”
Ronan nodded once, understanding completely.
She left without another word, knowing the other women would take care of Ronan, and followed the sounds of retching. “Sadie?” she called, knocking on Sadie’s closed bedroom door. “May I come in?” For a moment, she wasn’t sure if Sadie would let her in, but then the door slowly opened, though not enough to allow Olivia to pass through. “May I come in?” she asked again.
Sadie’s only response was to open the door wider and turn back into the room for a drink of water.
Olivia closed the door and studied her friend’s rather greenish complexion. “I just came to check on you.”
Sadie wiped her mouth with a clean handkerchief. “There’s no need. I’m all right.”
“You don’t look all right.”
“I’m in good health.”
Olivia stood quietly, waiting for Sadie to admit she was ill.
“I’m pregnant.”
Olivia inhaled sharply. “You’re…”
“Pregnant.”
“But how?”
Sadie sighed at the question.
“I’m sorry. That was foolish.” Olivia knelt in front of her friend. “How long have you known?”
Sadie balled the handkerchief in her hand. “Not long. I suspected, but I finally admitted it almost a week ago.”
Olivia’s heart ached. She wished she could ease her friend’s difficulties, but she would never wish a child away. “Your husband’s?” she asked softly. She hoped Sadie knew her well enough that, even if the child wasn’t her late husband’s, she wouldn’t judge.
Sadie nodded lamely. “I can’t believe this happened. Who will want me now that I’m pregnant with another man’s baby?”
“A great many men.” At Sadie’s look of disbelief, Olivia continued, “It’s true. Have you even bothered looking around? There are so many men here in need of a wife, they’d be grateful if they were able to marry a hideous creature with one foot in the grave! A beautiful woman with a baby on the way is nothing.”
Sadie wasn’t amused by the jest.
“It’s true. There might be a few that will balk at a pregnant wife, but I bet they’ll be few and far between, and those men aren’t worth your time anyway.”
“Really?”
“Yes. Really.” Olivia stood and held out her hand. “Now, if you’re feeling up to it, why don’t we head back down to dinner?”
“All right,” Sadie agree, but paused halfway to the door. “You won’t tell anyone, will you?”
“Not if you don’t want me to. But you’re going to have to tell them eventually.” And when that time came, Olivia made a promise to herself she would be right by Sadie’s side. “We’ll figure this out together.”
Chapter 5
Ronan had absolutely no idea why he was at Ivan’s old house eating dinner with the dead man’s mail-order brides. What had he been thinking? He needed to get out of there and screw his head back on straight.
He stood to make his excuses just as Olivia and Sadie returned.
The expression in her eyes, when Olivia saw him standing, conveyed a feeling of great sadness. “You’re not leaving already, are you?”
She didn’t beg or demand, but she didn’t have to. Her soft tone gutted him more than anything else she could’ve done. And he realized at that moment, he couldn’t disappoint her. She’d always been so kind to others, including him, and he couldn’t bear to repay her with rudeness. Olivia showed him something he’d thought the world had lost.
Compassion. Tenderness. Devotion.
Olivia represented all three. It was a dangerous combination for a man like him, especially when he needed to remain focused on his task. On his revenge. There was no place in his life for someone like Olivia.
At least, not while Lawrence still lived.
Perhaps after…
He shook his head, denying even the thought. “No. Just readjusting.” It was a lame excuse, but the women accepted it.
Olivia’s smile blinded him. “Excellent.” She looked at the others in the room. “Sadie ate a little too quickly, but she’s fine now. Aren’t you, dear?”
“Quite,” Sadie confirmed softly and took her seat without another word.
Ronan’s eyes lingered on the slip of a woman. Her red curls cascaded around her face, shielding her expression from him. Sadie might claim she’s fine, but he’d seen her walk in, and there was definitely something wrong.
The one virtue to playing poker was it sharpened his skills for reading people. The young woman was hiding something. Did Olivia know Sadie’s secret? But even as he thought it, he dismissed it. It wasn’t any of his business, and he had zero desire to involve himself in any other person’s life.
Ronan mentally cursed himself as his eyes were once again drawn to Olivia. The woman was his weakness and he didn’t know how to protect himself from her. Every time he told himself he didn’t care about her, couldn’t be bothered, he found himself thinking of her, and wondering, and watching, and caring just too much.
“So, Ronan?”
Olivia startled him from his thoughts and snagged his attention. He slowly, and grudgingly, looked her way.
“I was hoping you might do me a favor...”
He refused to take the bait and remained silent.
“I have an errand in town to see to tomorrow, and I would appreciate having another set of hands, preferably strong ones. Would you have time to help me?”
He wanted to say no. So desperately he wanted to say no. But the fact was, he had nothing to do tomorrow, and while he didn’t mind lying to get what he wanted, he just couldn’t seem to lie to her. “I do.”
She gave him that radiant smile which made his pulse race a little faster. If she kept smiling like that, he’d end up doing something truly ridiculous and would never forgive himself.
Heaven help him.
Straightening her bonnet ribbons under her chin, Olivia stepped out onto the town’s muddy streets. A storm, which had ended almost as quickly as it’d begun, had turned the ground to mush, but Olivia didn’t mind.
She’d spent too many hours out in her family’s fields to ever truly care about muddying her hems. Although...she was looking for a husband now.
Spying Ronan on the boardwalk outside the general store, she waved to get his attention and he strode over to her immediately.
“You shouldn’t wave to me like that in public.”
His words took her aback. “Why ever not?”
“People might get the wrong impression. They might think that you and I, that you and I…”
Her lips quirked, but she took pity on him. “That you’re my employee, and I’m not rude? Of course they might think that. How thoughtless of me.”
He narrowed his eyes. “I’m serious, Olivia. You don’t want to get mixed up with me. Especially if you’re looking for a respectable arrangement.”
She knew what he was saying, being around him might damage her reputation, but the way he’d said it was as though he was warning her he wasn’t capable of a respectable arrangement. And she just refused to believe that. He was wealthy, kind, civilized, a gentleman. Maybe not what was normally considered a gentleman, and maybe not to everyone, but he’d never been anything but honorable around her.
Except when he looked at her a certain way. Like some naughty, hungry wolf ready to devour his prey. It always made her warm and tingly when he did that.
Heavens, what was wrong with her? She fanned her cheeks, hoping Ronan wouldn’t see her reaction. “I think others can mind their own business, and I can go about mine, waving to whomever I wish.”
He slid her a look from the corner of his eye.
“What?” she asked innocently.
“I just didn’t think you had it in you.”
“To stand up for myself?” If he truly thought that, then he was a fool.
“To get annoyed.”
He laughed as her jaw dropped.
The sound of his easy amusement warmed her heart, and her shock turned into pleasure. “You better watch yourself, Ronan, else you’ll see just how annoyed I can get.”
“I dread the day.”
She rolled her eyes as they made their way to the boardwalk opposite the General store.
Now that they were off the street, he stopped her. “You never actually told me what you needed help with.”
She broke eye contact, looking everywhere but at him. She had just wanted to spend time with him. She hadn’t had an exact idea of what she’d use his help for. “I, ah, I...”—her eyes landed on a metal shop—“I needed your help picking out a gift for someone.”
“A gift?”
She really couldn’t blame him for the skepticism in his voice. “Yes. A gift. I only said I needed help from someone strong because I didn’t want the other women to come along. It’s a surprise, you see?”
“Gifts generally are. But I’m not the type of person to help you with this. I haven’t given or received a gift since before the war, so I won’t be much help.”
Her heart broke for him. He hadn’t received a gift in over fifteen years? Had there truly been no one in his life since then? “What of your family?”
His jaw clenched. “I can’t speak of them.”
“Are they alive?” She never knew when to stop once she’d set her mind on helping another.
“No.”
The finality in his response was, for once, enough to make her cease her questioning. It was obviously a hard topic for him. “I need your help in finding someone that won’t swindle me. I’m worried that I don’t have enough knowledge and that someone could easily cheat me. I doubt anyone ever cheats you.”
“Not often. And they usually come to regret it.”
The phrase was one someone would say in jest, but for some reason, Olivia didn’t think Ronan was kidding.
He sighed, and she knew that was the moment he’d given in.
“What kind of present are you looking for?” he asked her, his tone dripping with resignation.
“I’m open to suggestions, but I was thinking of some type of necklace.”
“Gold?”
A Mail-Order Wish (Miners to Millionaires Book 2) Page 3