Seeing you today got me to thinking. He stared down at his hat. Dark shocks of his hair tumbled over his brow, hiding his eyes. He looked troubled. Contemplative. Im sorry for the way I treated you on the road today.
I need to apologize, too. I was frightened from the coyotes.
Yeah, well He looked flustered, picking at the stitching on his hat brim. Im awful grateful to you for protecting Georgie. Thank you seems awfully small sentiment for what youve done.
Its more than enough.
As their gazes locked, Mariahs breath caught. The longing in her chest crescendoed until it was all she could feel. Why was he here? Hed already thanked her at the time. Why make a trip out of his way to do it again?
He raked one hand unsteadily through his thick locks, leaving them deliciously tousled. Confident Nick Gray looked remarkably uneasy.
And why was that? Hed apologized. Why wasnt he leaving?
He rubbed his thumb across the Stetsons brim, brushing at an invisible spot. Like I said, I kept thinking about seeing you today.
You did?
Sure. Couldnt help it. You were on my mind all afternoon. He lifted one big shoulder in a shrug.
He thought of her all afternoon? Her? Mariah Scott? The notorious town spinster? Her heart started to race. He wasnt about to ask her to the dance, was he?
He cant be. Shock left her speechless. Maybe he was. Why else would he be standing here, hat in hand? As unbelievable as it was, Nicholas Gray had come to ask her to accompany him tonight to the supper and dance.
He rubbed the back of his neck with his free hand. I got to thinking, with me widowed and you alone.
Yes?
I know theres Mrs. Gunderson, but shes at the other end of town, and after what you did today, Id like to give you the business.
W-what? She couldnt have heard him correctly. What did business have to do with the supper and dance?
My laundry. He held out one steely arm to point toward the buggy.
Then she saw the baskets of clothes on the floorboards behind the front seat. Nick hadnt come to ask her to the dance. Youve come to hire me?
Sure, if you can handle it. I know youve got a booming business going.
Of course. He wanted her to do his laundry. What did she think? That he would actually want her after all these years? Mariah leaned against the threshold, suddenly weak. She somehow managed to take one breath after another.
Nick went on, unaware of the blow hed dealt. You turned down my offer to train your ox, and so I thought you might appreciate more business.
You thought? It was amazing the thoughtsor lack of themthat went on in mens heads.
I was just trying to be nice, Mariah. I should have known you wouldnt want my business. No hard feelings. Hope you have a real good evening.
Wait, I A thousand different emotions warred for words, but she didnt give in to the anger or the hurt.
What was the point? Times were hard, and she could lower her pride. Making a living was important, and she would always be a spinster. No doubt about that. It looked as though nothing could change it.
She straightened her spine, stood on her own two feet and approached the porch rail. I charge more than Mrs. Gunderson, but I iron and she doesnt. Ill put you on Monday afternoon delivery. Will that be all right?
No complaints. He appeared relieved. That settles it, then. Good evening to you. His smile was as slow and smooth as pure maple sugar.
Desire swept over her as she watched him go. The polish on his surrey reflecting a soft purple hue in the light of the setting sun.
Shed always held a softness for Nick. She couldnt deny it. It would be hard watching him tonight as he danced with other women. Younger women. Prettier women. Harder still to do his laundry and deliver it punctually every week, while he courted and married a more suitable bride.
She tucked away her disappointment and hurried inside. The pies were cool enough to pack into her last basket. The Ladies Aid was waiting. She had important work to do and didnt have the time for wasting on thoughts of Nick Gray. Or her regrets.
Chapter Three
Y ou blew it, brother, Will commented from the back seat. I didnt think Id live to see the day when the perfect son, Nicholas Gray, would make a mistake of this magnitude.
You think I should have went with Mrs. Gunderson? Try as he might, Nick would never understand his younger brother. He gave the reins a snap when the horses slowed on the busy main street.
It isnt about the laundry, man. The woman thought you were going to ask her to the dance.
Mariah? Dont be ridiculous. Mariah was a practical woman. Sensible. She wasnt given to romantic foolishness, and he knew that from firsthand experience. Mariah wouldnt have me if I begged her.
I wouldnt be so danged sure. You didnt see the big, bright moon eyes she was giving you?
All hed noticed was the way shed been standoffish, leaning against the door, more beautiful than the day theyd met. Moon eyes? Mariah? The sky had a better chance of falling to earth.
Im telling the Gods truth.
Is that so? Then why hasnt a lightning bolt struck the back seat of my buggy?
It isnt gonna. I mean it. You were bumbling around saying things like I kept thinking about you and You look pretty. What was she bound to think?
Maybe Will did have a point. But this was Mariah they were talking about. She wants to be a spinster. She tells anyone who asks.
When a man tells a woman that hes been thinking about her and shows up at her place right before the big town happenings, she expects an invitation to the dance. Heck, brother, you even had me thinking you were gonna ask her.
The reins slipped between Nicks fingers. No. How could it be? Mariah hadnt wanted him ten years ago, at least her father hadnt. In the years that passed, she hadnt so much as given him a polite greeting in public. Shed just march past him on the street as if he didnt exist. As if he were dead and buried to her.
No, Will couldnt be right.
The schoolhouse came into sight, so he reined in the horses and parked the surrey. Folks were everywhere. His neighbor called out a greeting across the busy crowd. Nick waved back, taking stock.
Looked like the ranchers were gathering in the shade, smoking and discussing wheat prices. Theyd fallen again. Not good news for the local ranchers. He set the brake before climbing to the ground. Headed toward the grounds with his brother in tow.
A pretty young woman cut in front of them, carrying a wrapped platter balanced just so, and damned if Will didnt look his fill as she sauntered up to the schoolhouse steps.
Nick knew trouble when he saw it. You behave yourself with the ladies. No kisses in the moonlight. I dont want some angry papa coming after you with a shotgun.
Aw, it aint my fault. I sometimes get carried away by a womans beauty and lose all sense. Youre a man. Youve got to know how that is.
Only too well. Its called willpower. Use it. Thats my advice.
With that outlook, youre never going to find a new wife.
Nick ignored the jesting. He was no fool. He wasnt going to get trapped into marriage a second time. Hed keep his male needs under steely control. If he chose to wed again hed choose a woman using logic and not his
Mariah Scott caught his eye. Could anyone explain to him why his gaze shot straight to her? There had to be fifty women milling around, carrying baskets and platters from their wagons to the schoolhouse. Why couldnt he notice one of them? Why didnt his gaze stray to their bosoms?
He kept on walking. The other ranchers had gathered near to a keg of homemade ale that smelled like heaven on the breeze.
Been waitin for you, Gray. Al Ludgrin thrust a foaming tankard in Nicks direction.
Just what I need. No truer words had ever been spoken. Nodding in greeting to the other ranchers, young and old, he took a sip and noticed Mariah again.
She was climbing down from her wagon, dressed all in black. The high proud curve of her bosom sure did look fine. Desire stirred in him. No doubt about itshe was surely a finely made woman, hard and tough, true, but soft where it mattered.
Alone, she tethered her ox. Alone, she lifted two heavy-looking baskets from the floor of her small wagon. Had she always looked that sad?
He didnt know, but it was on her face plain enough for anyone to see. The straight line of her mouth, down-turned in the corners. The towns formidable spinster wove her way through the crowd of children playing, a tall and slim shadow touched by the last rays of the setting sun.
Nick took a long pull from the tankard. The ale was bracing, just shy of bitter, but not strong enough to make him forget the troubled feeling churning in his guts.
Mariah squeezed between the table rows in the crowded schoolhouse when she saw Rayna Ludgrin bringing a fresh pot of coffee. Finally! They were sending in the reinforcements. She was dead on her feet and could use a few minutes break.
Dont get too hopeful, Rayna told her, speaking loud to be heard over the merry din. They need you to keep serving. Careful, the handles hot.
It sure was. Mariahs fingers felt seared in spite of the thick pad as she took possession of the coffeepot. We never expected such a good showing.
There isnt an empty seat, Rayna agreed. So, are you going to tell me?
Tell you what?
What Nick Gray had to say to you. I noticed he hasnt taken his eyes off you all evening. Does that mean he asked you to the dance?
Why would he? Were not even friends. Mariah tucked that piece of disappointment away and filled an empty cup of coffee for old Mr. Dayton.
Then what did he come for? Rayna sounded bewildered.
They were far from being alone and Mariah wasnt about to let anyone overhear her conversation and make the mistaken assumption that she was mooning after Nick Gray. Ive taken on his laundry, thats what. I didnt want to do it, considering the man and how I feel about him, but business is business.
Mariah, I didnt know you still disliked him so strongly. Rayna winced. I never would have teased you about him. Im sorry.
No apology necessary. Hiding her feelings, Mariah hesitated, not sure what to do, until someone called her from a nearby table, holding out his empty cup.
She didnt blame Rayna. She blamed herself. Across the crowded room, a group of men were leaving. Probably heading over to the stable yard, where the dance was to be held, to help themselves to their stashes of beer and tobacco. Nick was one of those men, but to her, he always stood out in a crowd.
The last thing she ought to be doing was noticing that man. What shed said to Rayna was true. They were not friends. She couldnt stand Nicholas Gray. He was arrogant and domineering and stubborn She didnt want anything to do with him. Really.
And that was the story she intended to stick with. From this moment on shed have no other feelings for Nick than those she had for her other customers. She would wash and rinse, starch and iron his shirts and collect her fees. That was it. That was all.
Shed never let one vulnerable feeling in. She refused to waste one more regret. Father was right, she did have a cold heart. She might as well use it to her advantage.
There Nick was, looking at her again. Jerking his gaze away to listen to his brother. Nick wasnt sweet on her. He was probably wondering how much she planned to charge him for his laundry.
Thanks for the refill, Miss Mariah. Kol Ludgrin nodded coolly at the brim-full cup, and she stopped pouring.
Goodness, shed almost forgotten what shed been doing. And look how her gaze crossed the room right to Nick. Didnt she have any more willpower than that? No, because he did look handsome tonight. She couldnt deny that Nick was easy on the eyes. A woman wouldnt get tired of looking at his face across her kitchen table. Not in a lifetime.
Not your kitchen table, she reminded herself. She wasnt the only female looking in Nicks direction.
Folks were finishing their desserts and leaving the tables. Children clamored through the aisles, mothers scolding, with babes on their hips. Those women had their duties. And she had hers. She was vice president of the Ladies Aid.
Her duties kept her occupied long after the second story of the schoolhouse emptied, and shed spent two busy hours on the first floor, wiping down the last of the dishes. There was a dozen women who stayed to clean up, to take apart the board tables and wash the floor. Now, this was accomplishing something. Mariah treasured the rare sense of satisfaction as she packed the last dessert plate into the last basket.
Ill help you to the wagon with these, she offered when Rayna bustled up to take the heavy baskets. Let me take the bigger one.
What do you plan to do after loading up my wagon?
Load my own and go home. What else? She had no obligations at the dance. The president of the club was in charge of that end of the fund-raiser.
Thats simply not acceptable. Rayna tsked, tossing the wadded towel into Mariahs nearby basket. Trouble glinted in her narrowed gaze. Youre coming with us. Betsy, are you ready?
Sure am. Ive got rope to hog-tie her with, if thats what it takes for Mariah to have some fun. Longtime friend Betsy Hunter snared Mariah by one hand while Rayna took the other. Were all going to the dance, whether you like it or not.
What was wrong with everyone? I dont dance, and you both know it.
You dont have to dance, Rayna pointed out, tugging on Mariahs arm as they approached the stairs. We can listen to the music.
Thats right, Betsy concurred far too quickly. Theyd planned this. Old man Dayton brought his fiddle. It ought to be a real treat.
This wouldnt be about Nick, would it? Please tell me you two havent been scheming. I dont like the man.
This is about your duty as the vice president. Betsy released her death grip and held open the wood door to the cool evening breeze. Faint strains of a fiddle rose and fell in merry delight.
No, Im not going. She had no desire to see Nick swirling other women around the dance floor.
I know how you feel about dances, but if you want a chance to be president in the next elections
O-oh, Betsy knew exactly what bait to use. Mariah knew she ought to get angry about this blatant use of manipulation. The truth was she did like old man Daytons music and she did want to be president one day.
The setting suns lights streaked bold purple and magenta against the sky and made the schoolhouse windows glow like a dream. Dozens of lamps and lanterns marched on stakes through the clipped-grass field, guiding their way, and the music sounded sweet and merry.