Whirlwind Bride

by Debra Cowan

“Of course. I tend to admire the women I call on.”

  Riley barely kept his jaw from dropping. He glanced at Susannah, then back at his brother. “Did you bring her to church?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why?” A strange unwelcome heat moved through his chest.

  “Why?” Davis Lee laughed. “Well, I’ve been thinking about what you said, and you were right.”

  “What I said?”

  “That it’s time I thought about settling down.”

  “Not with Susannah. She’s not interested in you,” Riley said incredulously.

  His brother shrugged, his gaze moving to the subject of their conversation. “She accepted my invitation to church. I’d call that interest.”

  Susannah had come with Davis Lee to church. They had come together. As a couple.

  Riley couldn’t fathom it. And he’d seen that gotcha look in his brother’s eyes before. He didn’t like it. “Why are you interested in her? You didn’t seem too interested before.”

  “Do you have eyes in your head, little brother? She’s a beautiful woman and seems to be a good mother.”

  Riley stared. Was Davis Lee joshing? Since when had he heeded any advice Riley had given?

  His brother stared back, his eyes clear and sincere.

  “You’re lyin’, aren’t you? Just trying to get me riled up?”

  “Why would that rile you up?” Davis Lee rocked back on his heels and crossed his arms. “I thought you said y’all were just friends.”

  “We are.”

  “Well, then?”

  Susannah walked up with the baby and smiled at Riley. “Good morning.”

  “Morning.” He leaned over to look at the sleeping babe. “How’s Button today?”

  “She’s doing well.” She was wrapped tightly in the blanket Cora had made, and wore a tiny blue ribbon in her hair. The baby’s sweet, innocent face tugged a smile from Riley.

  “She looks pretty.” Riley’s gaze was on Susannah, not her daughter. He couldn’t keep his eyes from sliding over her breasts. Their fullness was covered by the light green wool of her bodice, but he knew what lay beneath.

  His pulse hammered harder in his groin. He glanced away, tried again to dismiss the image that seemed branded on his brain.

  A flush pinkened Susannah’s neck and she hugged the baby closer to her, her gaze skittering away from him and going to Davis Lee. “She’ll be waking up soon and ready to eat.”

  His brother clapped him on the back. “I’d better get these two ladies to dinner before they starve.”

  “Sure.” Riley tried to keep his voice easy. It was none of his business who called on Susannah. Or who Davis Lee called on, for that matter.

  His brother had paid one call on Susannah. That was probably the end of it.

  Church was not the end of Davis Lee’s keeping company with Susannah, Riley found out two nights later when he stopped by Cora’s.

  His brother rode up right behind him and dismounted. “Hey, little brother. What brings you out here?”

  “I’m here to see the baby.” Riley stepped onto the porch. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m here to see Susannah.” He grinned. “We had a real nice time at church the other day. I thought she might like to go to a picnic over at Eishen’s pecan grove.”

  Riley gave him a sharp look. “Picnicking is not what people do at Eishen’s pecan grove.”

  “Sure it is.” Davis Lee grinned again and squeezed Riley’s shoulder. “Sometimes, anyway.”

  Riley’s eyes narrowed. How often had Davis Lee been over here? Just how many times had he and Susannah gone out together? Were they courting? Wouldn’t he know if they were?

  He stepped to the side as his brother reached over and knocked.

  Cora opened the door. “Hi, boys. Good to see you.” As they stepped inside, she called over her shoulder, “Susannah, Davis Lee is here. And Riley, too.”

  Susannah came out of her room with the baby. Davis Lee met her, tickling the baby under the chin. “Hey, little one.”

  She blinked up at him with wide blue eyes.

  Susannah smiled, handing her to Cora. “We’re just taking a short walk. We won’t be long. Hi, Riley.”

  She smiled and walked toward him and the door. When his brother solicitously draped her shawl around her shoulders, Riley’s jaw set.

  As they left, Cora passed him the baby. “I bet you came to see our little doll.”

  “Yes.” Cradling Lorelai, he looked down into the baby’s guileless blue eyes, and his heart melted. She smelled sweet and clean. “How are you today, Button?”

  As if in answer, she squirmed in his hands. Riley chuckled, trying to push away the thought of Susannah out with his brother.

  Cora walked over to the stove. “Care for some coffee?”

  “That would be nice.” He took a chair at the table. “What have you been up to today, Button? Read all your mama’s books yet?”

  The older woman laughed. “Your brother seems to like Lorelai, too. He brought her a little pretty the other day.”

  Riley’s head came up. “When was that?”

  “Yesterday. Or, well, maybe the day before.”

  He frowned. “Just how often is Davis Lee coming by?”

  “About as often as you, always to see Susannah.”

  “What do you think about that?”

  “I love your brother, you know that. He and Susannah would make a fine match.” She slid a look at him. “What do you think about it?”

  “I guess it’s all right, if it’s what Susannah wants.”

  “Seems to be. Davis Lee has come more than those other fellas, at least so far.”

  “What other fellas?” Riley didn’t take his gaze from the sweet baby in his arms, but he paid close attention.

  Cora lifted the lid on the coffeepot, then settled it back into place. “Well, Matt Baldwin took her to dinner at the Pearl. She’s been on a buggy ride with Russ. Tony Santos and Jake Ross have both paid calls. Susannah thought they might lose interest after the baby was born, but I don’t think they have. They all love our little doll.”

  More likely they wanted her mama, Riley thought savagely. He’d seen the way they all looked at Susannah. Hell, he looked at her that way. “Is she going to continue her school?”

  “Yes. She started back last week.”

  Why hadn’t he known that? Susannah hadn’t mentioned it to him. Of course, he hadn’t asked. Did Davis Lee know? Probably, Riley thought with a jolt of possessiveness. Was his brother still looking to settle down? With Susannah? Was she of a like mind?

  Trying to unclench his jaw, Riley stared down into little Lorelai’s eyes. “What’s the matter with your mama, Button? You’d think she was trying to get herself hitched.” The thought struck him like a blow to the chest.

  Cora said slyly, “If you wanted to do something about it, now would be the time.”

  “What would I want to do about it?” Hadn’t he decided to steer clear of Susannah’s business?

  Cora brought his coffee and a cup for herself, sitting down at the table. He lifted the baby until she was at eye level. “Your mama’s not a silly woman, Button. She won’t do anything foolish, like run off and get married.”

  The idea stopped him cold and he looked at Cora. “Will she?”

  “You’d have to ask her.” The older woman smiled.

  He frowned, tucking the baby into his shoulder and gently patting her back. His gaze slid to the door. “Will they be gone long?”

  “Oh, I expect as long as usual. About an hour or so.”

  “An hour! Where are they walking to? My ranch?”

  Cora chuckled.

  Just exactly what was Susannah doing with Davis Lee? Riley didn’t like to think about it, but he couldn’t stop.

  Susannah felt perfectly comfortable and calm with Davis Lee. That was the last thing she felt around his brother. As they walked through town and he spoke to everyone they passed, she thought what a fine man Davis Lee was.
He would make a good father and husband. But was he interested in a commitment? During the calls he’d paid, they hadn’t discussed it.

  They had talked about their families, and he told her he’d once been the sheriff in Rock River, a town about a hundred miles south. He hadn’t said why he’d left, but from the tightness in his voice, she got the impression it had been under bad circumstances. Susannah liked Davis Lee, but her pulse didn’t race when she saw him. Her heart didn’t pound out of her chest. Still, she’d made the decision to follow her head, not her heart. A man like Davis Lee was what she needed.

  He was gentle and affectionate with Lorelai. He was handsome and clean, responsible and dependable. His brother was all those things, too, and Susannah had given up trying to keep thoughts of Riley out of her head. Since the night he’d walked in on her with her bodice open, she’d been unable to think of anything but him. His hands on her, his mouth. Wild, reckless thoughts that completely drove logic out of her head. She’d been destroyed once by heeding such emotion. She couldn’t do it again, not when her child stood to be hurt by such a decision.

  She and Davis Lee walked into Cora’s yard. Riley’s horse was still tethered there. She stepped onto the porch, stopping when Davis Lee caught her gloved hand.

  “Do you enjoy our walks, Susannah?”

  “Yes, very much.” She tilted her head, nearly eye level with him, since he had remained a step below her. “Do you?”

  “Yes.” Moonlight dappled his handsome features, which were somewhat sharper than Riley’s, and gilded his brown hair. “I enjoy any time I spend with you.”

  “You’re very kind.”

  “I admire you a great deal, Susannah. Surely you know that.”

  Her breath caught. She hadn’t expected him to turn serious, certainly not with his brother inside. He wasn’t about to declare himself, was he?

  Earnest eyes searched her face. She smiled, uncertain and curious about what he would say next.

  He leaned toward her and she realized he meant to kiss her. She thought she might like to kiss Davis Lee, and turned her face up, closed her eyes.

  His breath brushed her lips and she stiffened involuntarily. She hoped he hadn’t felt that. He was such a nice man. He moved closer, his breath feathering across her cheek. Then he kissed her forehead.

  Her eyes flew open and she stared at him. Her forehead?

  He laughed shortly, sounding sheepish. “Hell, Susannah, I just don’t think I can kiss you. At least not the way you should be kissed.”

  Relief rolled through her, so strong it nearly buckled her knees. “Really?”

  “I think we’re going to have to be just friends. I must be crazy, but I don’t feel romantic about you.”

  “You don’t?” She curled one hand around the porch column. “I thought it was just me.”

  “You feel the same?”

  She nodded.

  “Good.” He chuckled. “Here we are, glad we don’t fancy each other. Aren’t we a pair?”

  “I guess so.”

  “Maybe you ought to think about that,” he said lightly. “Surely you feel romantic about someone?”

  She didn’t want to explain why she couldn’t take such a chance again. “I do enjoy spending time with you, though. You’re a good friend to me.”

  “And you to me.” Davis Lee smiled, his teeth flashing white in the dim light. “Listen to us. We’re saying goodbye as if we’re taking off on a long journey. I’ll still see you and the baby.”

  “Yes, I’d like that.”

  “And I’d still like to take you to the Founder’s Day dance.”

  She’d agreed over a week ago. “I’d like that, too.”

  He kissed her hand. “I’ll say good-night then. Thank you for a lovely evening.”

  “Thank you.” She squeezed his hand.

  “You’re a fine lady, Susannah Phelps. I’m glad to know you.”

  She stood on the porch until he’d disappeared into the darkness, then she turned to go in. If she was relieved that a wonderful man like Davis Lee hadn’t kissed her on the mouth, how was she going to settle for any other man she didn’t love when that man would have the right to do much more than kiss her?

  Closing the door behind her, she took off her wrap and hung it on the peg behind the door. Riley stepped out of her bedroom.

  “Button’s asleep,” he whispered, coming over to her.

  She smiled and went in to check on her daughter. Lorelai slept peacefully in her cradle, the moonlight skimming across one chubby cheek and tiny ear. Susannah’s heart swelled with love and she brushed a light kiss on her daughter’s soft head.

  She walked back out to the front room, where Riley stood in front of the stove facing her, his hands behind his back.

  His shoulders seemed broader than usual. His shadow stretched across the back wall, hiding the sink and part of the pantry. His blue eyes seemed black in the lantern light and his gaze moved over her slowly, deliberately.

  Awareness skipped across her nerves and she felt the need to keep something between them. Staying on the opposite side of the table, she asked, “Where’s Cora?”

  “She went on to bed. I told her I’d put Button down.”

  “Thank you.” She glanced around, suddenly very aware that they were alone. “I don’t mean to keep you. It’s late.”

  “Did you have a nice walk with Davis Lee?”

  There was an edge to his voice, enough that she narrowed her eyes. “Yes, I did,” she said almost defiantly. She had no intention of telling him that she and Davis Lee had probably shared their last walk.

  “Are you still interested in those riding lessons?”

  “Yes.” She curled her hands over the back of a chair, inexplicably feeling as if she needed to be careful of this conversation. “When do we start?”

  “You don’t think your social engagements will interfere with your lessons?” His words held a definite bite.

  “I’m sure I can manage,” she said coolly.

  “Really?” He stepped away from the stove and moved to the edge of the table, leaving a few feet between them. “You’ve been accepting a lot of invitations from a lot of different men lately.”

  “Yes.” Why did he care how many invitations she accepted? How did he even know about them?

  “Are you serious about any of them?”

  What gall! She lifted her chin. “I’m serious about finding a good father for my baby. I have to think of Lorelai’s security and our future.”

  “You don’t have to be in a hurry. You’ve got a friend in Cora, a place to live, and the baby’s happy.”

  “Well, I did come here to find a good father for Lorelai.” Susannah felt uncomfortable talking about this with Riley. “There’s no need to put it off.”

  His eyes turned stormy. “And this is how you’re going about it?”

  “What would you suggest?” Excitement or anger—she couldn’t tell which—rushed through her veins. “I think it’s prudent to get to know someone, see if we have interests in common. I have no intention of being a mail-order bride.”

  “How many times have you been out with Jake Ross?”

  She gave a short laugh. “That’s none of your business.”

  He closed the distance between them, his voice soft. Dangerous. “How many?”

  “Three or four.” She grew still, her gaze moving over his stern jaw, the lips she knew could be generous.

  “He’s not for you. He never says more than three words at a time.”

  “Right now, I think that’s a good thing,” she retorted.

  “He’s so shy he’d never ask you to marry him.”

  She could feel Riley’s heat and the restless energy that poured off him. “We haven’t seemed to run out of things to talk about.”

  His jaw tightened. “What about Matt Baldwin?”

  “Are you going to ask me about all the invitations I’ve had?”

  “Yes.”

  Irritation shot through her, but Riley look
ed irritated in turn. “I’ve accepted two invitations from Matthew.”

  “And Russ?”

  “Two as well.”

  “If you pick one of them, you’ll make the other mad. You sure wouldn’t want to live in their house if that happened.”

  She frowned. “I hardly think things will come to that.”

  “And haven’t you been around with Tony? He’s already raising his nephew. What if he doesn’t treat Lorelai the same?”

  “You seem very sure of your opinions about these men.”

  “I’ve known them all a long time. Longer than you have.”

  Her lips tightened. “You’ve pointed out faults for every man I’ve seen lately, except your brother.”

  He hesitated. “I don’t think Davis Lee is serious about settling down.”

  “Hmm, maybe you should talk to him, too,” she said dryly. “Your encouraging words certainly have me ready to say ‘I do.’”

  Riley’s nostrils flared and his gaze locked on her lips, instantly reviving the memory of their one kiss. “I’m just trying to help you make a good decision.”

  She felt that treacherous stirring for him in her body. “None of these men are perfect, but at least they all think I belong here. You don’t.”

  “We’re not talking about me.”

  “Why not?” She shouldn’t push, but his prodding and criticism vexed her. “You certainly have an opinion about me.”

  His gaze lifted to search her face. He picked up his hat and settled it on his head. “I’m concerned for you, is all.”

  Then why don’t you call on me? “I think you don’t want me here, so you’re trying to convince me to leave.”

  “That’s not true. I care what happens to you.”

  “Is that why you wired Adam and asked him if my parents were ready to forgive me?” She hadn’t planned to mention what her brother had told her in the telegram he’d sent last week, but she was tired of Riley hiding behind his concern.

  His eyes narrowed. “Those weren’t my exact words. I knew you missed your parents. I wired him to see if he’d made any headway in patching relations between you all.”

  “Then I’m sure you learned he hasn’t.” Her voice nearly cracked, but not due to the emotion she felt over her estranged family. It was all due to the lean cowboy standing in front of her. “I appreciate your concern, but as you can see, I’m doing just fine without your help. Lorelai and I both are.”