by Debra Cowan
“It would be nice to have a pretty little girl around,” he said.
Pleasure heated Susannah’s eyes. In the soft lantern light, her face took on a creamy glow. A vulnerable expression of naked love stole across her features and made Riley’s chest tighten. He wanted her to look at him that way, wanted to lay claim to her in the most primal, elemental way he knew. The urge to take her rocked him, and then in a dousing, cold rush, he remembered that the baby was why she’d come to Whirlwind. To him.
He stared at her hand on her stomach, questions rolling through his mind. Was that why she’d kissed him last night? Because she still hoped he might be a father to her baby and not because she’d wanted him the way he’d wanted her—with lightning heat? It didn’t matter. He wasn’t marrying again, certainly not a fluffy tenderfoot who might fall apart at the first howl of a coyote.
She resumed stroking the horse. “What should I do next?”
After a second, he grasped her question and handed her a curry brush. “Here, take this and start at her neck. Use long strokes down to her rump.”
“This won’t bother her?”
“She’ll love it.” He’d known he and Susannah would have to address what had happened between them last night. Might as well get it over with.
Susannah began, touching the horse tentatively with the brush.
“Brace one hand on her like this.” He demonstrated by placing a palm on the mare’s withers, the slope where her neck met her back. “It tells her where you are. Follow her lines with the brush. You won’t hurt her.”
“All right.” She replaced his hand with hers at the base of Prissy’s neck and tentatively drew the brush down the mare’s back.
Riley dropped his hand, wishing she were touching him, dragging her hand down his back. Or front. No. There could be nothing between them. “Use a little more pressure,” he said huskily.
She looked at him questioningly, but did as he suggested. The mare turned her head and looked at Susannah with soft, dark eyes.
“I think she likes it,” she said softly.
“Yeah.”
She glanced at him with a small frown. Riley could smell the faint scent of her beneath those of horseflesh, hay and dirt. He recalled in excruciating detail that she’d tasted exactly like fresh cream.
He shifted away from the temptation of her warmth, bound and determined not to put his hands on her.
He cleared his throat. “Susannah, I wanted to talk to you about last night.”
Moving the brush now with more firmness and confidence, she said, “Last night?”
“I was out of line. I shouldn’t have kissed you.”
She stopped brushing and glanced at him, eyes wide with horror. Or surprise. He couldn’t decide which before she turned her face away. “I don’t think we should talk about that.”
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
“I don’t want you to get the wrong idea.”
He stiffened. “What does that mean?”
“I’m not interested in you that way.”
“Well, darlin’.” He leaned in close enough for his breath to stir the wisps of hair teasing her neck. “That kiss sure felt like interest to me.”
She stepped back and planted one hand on her hip. “Is this your idea of sweet-talking me, Riley Holt? You need practice.”
She resumed grooming, her strokes growing more brisk.
“We can’t do it again,” he said flatly.
“Of course not!” Her gaze swung to his and he saw her flush in the pale light. “You surprised me is all. I didn’t expect…anything like that.”
“Was kissing me back your way of being polite?” The woman astounded him. “Because if so, you need to be real careful who you’re polite to around here. Other men might not be as understanding as I am.”
“Do tell,” she murmured dryly.
Irritated, he said, “So, we’re in agreement?” They hadn’t even finished this discussion and already he hated the outcome.
“Yes. And if helping me with the horse is going to be a problem for you,” she said regally, “I can find someone else.”
For some reason, the thought of someone else standing so close to her every night, instructing her about anything, was enough to set his teeth on edge. “It isn’t going to be a problem.”
“So, we can be friends?” she asked brightly. “If not, continuing my lessons wouldn’t be a good idea.”
Friends? “We can be great friends.” He nearly choked on the words, wanted to choke her.
Wasn’t he supposed to be telling her how things were going to be between them?
He wanted her to have no illusions about him, about them. Evidently, she didn’t. Good.
Watching the slender line of her back, the graceful movements of her arm as she brushed the horse, he clenched a fist against his thigh and tried to squelch an unexpected burn of anger. Dadgum woman.
Chapter Seven
She had kissed him back because she wanted to, but she had her wits about her now. A week had passed, after all. Of course, she still had to see him every day because of her lessons with Prissy, but she had shored up her defenses and resolved to listen to her head, not her emotions.
After Riley’s little declaration that there would be no more kissing, he’d kept his distance and so had she. They were both polite and friendly; Susannah felt they could continue that way. She was no longer a young girl with foolish ideas. She wouldn’t make the same mistake with Riley that she’d made with Paul. And if she did find a man suitable to be her baby’s father, she’d be clear from the onset that it was a convenient arrangement for both, not a one-sided love match.
The sight of Riley might cause a funny feeling in her stomach, like she got after the first sip of sarsaparilla, but she wouldn’t dwell on it. He was helping her to overcome her fear of horses, and she wanted to continue. He thought she was ready to move on to something new, so tonight he was going to teach her how to put a bridle on Prissy and check her hooves. Even though Susannah had to brace herself each day to work with the mare, she was coming to feel more at ease around the animal. Probably because Prissy hadn’t so much as looked cross-eyed at her. Riley made the horse calm, regardless of how he turned Susannah’s knees to wax.
Thank goodness she had no such trouble with any of the men in her class, she thought as she led the students out to the barn that Monday evening. As cramped as they’d been last week, the limited space in Cora’s house would prove much too confining for learning the waltz.
While the older woman lit and hung the lantern, several of the men rolled the wagon out of the barn, leaving a space in front of the stalls big enough for several couples. Violet Anderson stood close to Cora. Miguel and Andrew Donnelly, a new student sent by his sickly mother, leaned the pitchfork and shovel against one of the stalls. Andrew was twelve, the same age as both Miguel and Creed Carter.
Creed carefully picked up a wooden crate containing Ollie’s belongings and placed it in a corner. A straight-edge and shaving soap sat atop neatly folded clothes, along with Ollie’s comb, hair pomade and black boots. Susannah’s heart squeezed as she caught Cora’s sad expression. The widow didn’t want to keep her husband’s things in the house, but she couldn’t bear to put them away yet, either.
Susannah moved to the center of the barn and smoothed her navy serge skirt. “This evening we’re going to learn the waltz. It’s a slow, elegant dance.”
“We cain’t all dance with you at the same time, Miz Phelps,” Creed Carter said.
“That’s right. First, I’ll explain the steps to you, then we’ll try it.”
The men formed a half circle in front of her and watched as she drew marks on the hay-packed dirt floor.
“This is one of the more simple dances,” she said, “but you’ll be on the balls of your feet quite a lot and it can be hard on your knees. Is everyone okay to continue?”
Pete Carter raised his hand tentatively. “Miz Susannah, my knee swells up sometimes
, but I’d like to try, anyway.”
“If it starts to hurt, you should probably stop, Pete. All right?”
He nodded.
“Good. Now, I’ve marked three places here to show a waltz step. Four complete steps will make a full circle.”
“I don’t see a circle,” Miguel complained.
Creed elbowed him. “There ain’t no circle there. She said it’ll make a circle after you dance the steps.”
“This will be easier to understand once you see someone do it. Who will volunteer?”
All hands except Jake Ross’s shot up.
“I will!”
“Me.”
“I will.”
“Jake, maybe you could help me?”
The quiet man hesitated, then came forward.
“Thank you.” She faced the class. “I’ll demonstrate the steps, then Jake will repeat them before we all try.”
The men moved closer as the last thread of sunlight disappeared. Their shadows flickered and blurred in the lantern light.
Susannah pointed to the first mark on the hard floor. “From here, you and the lady will take a large first step together. Follow with the other foot, covering about three-quarters the distance of the first step.”
She glanced around to see if they were listening. After several nods, she continued, “As you step, raise up gently on the balls of your feet. Your third step is small, in the same direction. Lower yourself as the step is completed. That constitutes one step.”
“Gol-ly, Miz Phelps,” Miguel said. “That sounds like a bunch of hopping around.”
Others murmured their agreement.
She laughed, exchanging a smile with Cora. “No, it’s not hopping, just a smooth, upward motion. And small, very small. Watch.”
She demonstrated, then asked Jake, “Ready to try?”
It took the big man a couple of attempts to get the motion of raising up on the balls of his feet while he moved, but he soon had it, although he moved a bit awkwardly.
“Very good.” Susannah applauded lightly, pleased things were going so well.
“Miz Cora, did you make some of that bread this week?” Russ Baldwin asked.
“No, but I have cake, which I’ll be happy to cut after your lessons.”
Susannah gestured at the men and Violet. “Spread out so you’ll have room. Once the four steps are completed, you should have made a full circle.”
“Do you just go around in this little circle all night?” Matt Baldwin asked.
“We will at first, but after you have the idea, you’ll learn that the small circles will form a much larger circle that takes you and your partner around the outside of a room.”
“What the devil? How can we make two circles at the same time?”
“Once we start, you’ll see what I mean.”
“I hope so. Right now, I’m thinking I cain’t do this,” Tony Santos said.
“Me, either,” Pete Carter admitted.
“Just do it one step at a time,” Cora said. “Follow Miz Susannah and she’ll soon have you all looking like you came from some fancy dancing school.”
Susannah didn’t know if she had that much talent. Or patience. “Jake, demonstrate the steps again. Let’s all try it this time.”
The others watched intently as Jake carefully repeated the steps he’d made before, then, one by one, the others joined in. There was a lot of jostling as they all scooted and shuffled across the dirt, but after a few moments, they seemed to grasp the steps.
“You’re all doing wonderfully.” Susannah walked among them, smiling. “Now, let’s put the whole thing together. When you dance with a lady, you’ll lead with your left foot. Your right hand goes on her waist, your left hand in her right, with your arms extended.”
Since Jake was standing closest to her, Susannah curtsied to him. “Jake and I will try it first.”
A movement at the door caught her eye and she looked over to see Riley standing there. Her stomach dipped and for a moment, her mind went blank.
He looked hard and rugged, with a shadow of whiskers stubbling his jaw. His blue gaze found hers across the barn and locked on. Jake dropped his arm, which he’d been holding out to her. She snapped her thoughts back to the dance she was supposed to be teaching.
“Hello, Riley,” Cora said. “Why don’t you join in?”
“I think I’ll just watch from over here.” He leaned one shoulder against the door and hooked a thumb into the waist of his trousers.
Susannah didn’t relish the thought of that steady blue gaze fixed on her, but she would make do. Irritated that Riley’s presence affected her as strongly as if he was the one whose hand rested at her waist, she fiddled with the top button of her high-necked white blouse. “Ready, Jake?”
The man nodded, his gray eyes earnest. “I just want to say I’m sorry beforehand, Miz Susannah. For whatever I do.”
“Nonsense, you’ll do fine. Since you’ll lead with your left foot, let’s trade places.” With her back to Riley, she’d be able to concentrate better. She put her right hand in Jake’s left, her other hand on his shoulder. “Keep your elbows slightly bent. There. Ready?”
She gently tugged him into the first step. His brows snapped together as he stared at his feet, concentrating intently.
“Once you find your rhythm, try to look into your partner’s eyes.”
“Dang, Miz Susannah, you mean we cain’t even watch what we’re doing?” Miguel exclaimed.
She bit back a smile. “You’ll soon come to know the dance so well that you won’t need to look.”
“In a pig’s eye,” Tony snorted.
Jake’s next steps were a little more certain, and Susannah encouraged him, fighting the urge to look at Riley. After she and Jake made a complete circle, she said, “Let’s do it again, and this time we’ll connect the steps as one movement.”
“I’ll try, ma’am.”
Her neck prickled with the weight of Riley’s gaze, and she struggled to ignore it. She wasn’t going to give in to the tingly warmth he sparked in her. This time, when her partner took his first step, Susannah began to count out loud in three-quarter time.
He faltered, his foot crashing down on hers.
“Oomph.” She managed to swallow her surprised yelp.
“Oh, hell! I mean, heck. I’m sorry.”
“Land sakes, Ross!” Russ Baldwin bellowed.
“It’s all right,” Susannah said. “Let’s go on.”
“But I stepped on you.”
“I won’t break, Jake. As you can see, I’m fine.” She smiled encouragingly, so he gave her an apologetic smile and began again.
Just when she thought they would make a full circle without a fault, he stepped on her foot again. Susannah urged him to keep going, but by the time they’d waltzed around the space a second time, her toes were curled inside her kid boots in an attempt to escape Jake’s feet.
“I’m stomping all over you, Miz Susannah.” The man looked miserable. “I think someone else better try before you can’t walk at all.”
“All right.”
“Here, I’ll do it.” Matt Baldwin strode up and took Jake’s place. “I think I understand the whole thing.”
“Wonderful.” Susannah felt Riley’s intense interest, but refused to acknowledge him. She smiled up at Matt as his big hand closed around hers.
They started off smoothly and he grinned. “Is this pretty good?”
“Yes, it is.” She glanced at the class. “Matthew and I will dance around the barn so you can see the larger circle I told you about.”
“Here we go.” He enthusiastically swung her into the dance, and she hurried to keep up.
His steps were large and so widely spaced that she had to nearly hop a couple of times. He swung her round, faster and faster. The faces became a blur, Riley’s blue eyes the only point she recognized in the crowd.
“You don’t have to go at it full chisel, Matt Baldwin!” Cora admonished loudly.
His giant steps
were fairly smooth, but Susannah felt as if she were flying.
Then his foot hit something. An object whizzed past in a blur and a collective gasp went up. A crash sounded as the dancers stumbled to a stop. Susannah saw the pitchfork bounce off the wall.
“I de-clare!” Cora exclaimed.
“Are you all right, ma’am?” Russ Baldwin rushed up, elbowing his brother out of the way.
“Yes, I’m fine.” Susannah’s heart pounded wildly and she put a hand to her chest. The baby kicked in protest.
“I’m sorry, Miz Susannah.” Matt gave her a sheepish smile. “I guess I got too full of myself.”
“It’s all right, Matthew.”
“If you’re willing to give it another go,” Russ offered, “I think I can do it. And I promise not to let fly any pitchforks.”
She laughed softly. “Certainly.”
Maybe teaching these men to dance wasn’t a good idea. After all, they were much more likely to spend time with cattle than be required to know the social graces. But she’d offered the classes; she wouldn’t back out now. Still, she took Russ Baldwin’s hand with a slight trepidation.
They started off smoothly, made a complete circle, and Susannah smiled up at him. Perhaps she’d found a star pupil. “Very fine, Russ.”
He beamed. And began to move faster.
“Remember this is a slower dance, Russ. Elegant and measured.”
“Maybe we need something to speed things up.” He whirled her around in so many circles that Susannah became dizzy.
Before she could react, he caught her around the waist and lifted her off the ground!
Reflex had her digging her nails into his shoulder. “Wh-what are you doing?”
“I think this is easier. You don’t weigh any more than a feather pillow, and this way you don’t get your feet stepped on.”
“Russ, you must put me down.”
He continued to twirl her round and round.
“If I’m not dancing with you,” she said, “how do I know if you’re doing it right?”
“Why, you can just take my word for it, ma’am.” His eyes twinkled.
She laughed and patted his massive arm. “Put me down now. We’ve got to learn to do this properly.”