None taken. Why was she laughing? She looked down helplessly at the drying mud on her light yellow silk overskirt. Mama would definitely get the vapors when she saw this. I feel as if I should lend a hand. At this point, I cannot get any muddier.
Dont be too sure. He knuckled back his hat, revealing dark brown hair that was thick, untamed and a little too long for decent fashion. I was wrong about you. At first look I mistook you for a vain, helpless miss, but you are clearly a country girl.
Surely I am at heart. There was no way he could know how wrong he was. She worried that no matter how hard she tried to be otherwise, she would always be Robert and Henrietta Worthingtons daughter, expected one day to be the perfect wife living an impeccable life of giving parties, raising well-mannered children and upholding the familys fine reputation. She feared her dreams of teaching children would never be realized.
Itll only take a moment to hitch up. He whistled to his horse.
The wind gusted, batting the troubling lock of hair back into her eyes. She swiped at it, wondering how she must look standing in the mud with her hair a tumble and her skirts spattered enough to hide the intricate shirring and stitching and expensive satin hem. Easy to see how he could mistake her for a country girl, which she truly longed to be. Her friends, Fiona, Earlee and Kate, were country girls and some of the best friends a girl could have. She wanted nothing more than to be like them.
The spotted bay gelding trotted obediently forward, nose outstretched, nickering low in his throat in answer to his master. Shane took a moment to stroke his horses nose, and Meredith remembered his gentle touch. Another shiver slid down her spine imagining being taken up in his arms. If a girl were to lay her cheek against his broad chest, she might feel safe and sheltered. Maybe even treasured.
There she went, spinning daydreams again.
Are you coming, Braden? Shane knelt to squint at the buggys rigging, his horse nibbling at his hat brim.
The other man didnt answer, only nudged his big black horse forward. This one appeared much older, his face weathered and not a hint of softness on his features. When he rode by Meredith, it was like an arctic wind blowing by, cold and impersonal. Definitely not a friendly man.
The first drops of rain pelted from the sky. They struck the ground like wet bullets, tapped on her bonnet and plinked in the enormous puddle at her feet. The prairie stretched around them to the horizon without more than a single barn in sight, one big curtain of rain. With no one else on the road, she suddenly felt vulnerable. A small hand crept into hersMinnies.
Do you reckon they are outlaws? Her littlest sisters whisper was incredulous, and her big blue eyes widened with excitement.
It was hard to tell the manner of man Shane Connelly was, and even harder to guess at the older man who was hitching the two horses alongside their gray mare. But Shane must have heard Minnies whisper, for he glanced over the wheel well and let his eyes twinkle at her. Humor danced in those dark blue depths and told her all she needed to know about the man.
No, I reckon hes a never-do-well with an appalling reputation, Meredith answered wryly.
True. Shanes gravelly tone deepened as he chuckled. I am one sorry renegade.
Are you like Robin Hood? Minnie boldly asked. Do you help those down on their luck?
I have been known to aid a lovely country miss or two, if the peril is great. When Shane rubbed a hand over his geldings muzzle, a softness came over him.
A kind man, then. Hard not to like that.
Youve got a pretty horse, Minnie spoke up. Whats his name?
This is Hobo. Hes an
Appaloosa. The single word tumbled across Merediths tongue. Hes beautiful.
You know of the breed?
My father has a fondness for Western lore, she answered, her face heating. Was she really blushing? Perhaps I do, too.
Perhaps? He questioned, his dimples deepening.
Fine. I love everything Western, but its not ladylike to admit it and my mother would have an apoplexy if she heard me say it.
Then its best not to tell her. He winked, and opened his mouth about to say something else when the other man hollered out to him.
Thats enough, Romeo. Ive got the horses hitched. Time to push.
Gotta go. Shane waded to the buggy box and positioned his hands on one side of the soiled fender. You two ladies might want to hop onto the grass.
I told you. I intend to help. She mimicked his stance on the other side of the buggy by bracing her feet and placing her hands. If this happens again, I want to know what to do.
I really dont think His argument was cut off as a Git up! from Braden rang from the front of the buggy.
Horse hooves clamored on sodden, wet earth. The vehicle rocked forward and then back. Another Git up! and the buggy rolled forward again. The mud gripped the wheels, refusing to let go.
A little help please, Lord. She prayed and pushed with all her might, fearing there was no way the vehicle would move. She fought visions of their little driving buggy stuck here in the middle of the main road to town for the rest of the rainy season. Folks would have to somehow maneuver around it, muttering about that Worthington girl who had the poor sense to have dropped out of finishing school.
Harder! Braden shouted as he tromped through the mud and grabbed the bumper nearest to her. Even Minnie took a position and pushed. The buggy rocked again, almost out, before it sloshed back into the muck.
She hardly noticed because what was she watching? Shane. Out of the corner of her eye, his grimace fascinated her. All her friends, except for Fiona who was engaged, agreed no man ever had been as handsome as Lorenzo, the most gorgeous boy in their class at school. But now she begged to differ. Shane Connelly was stunning, but something beyond his physical good looks made him captivatingsome strength of spirit, she suspected, and a steadfast character, she hoped.
The buggy lunged forward, suddenly rolling up out of the muck. Mud flew off the fast-turning wheels and sprayed like slop across her face, cold and wet. Too late, she realized she was the only one standing directly behind one of the wheel wells. Ooze clung to her eyelids and dripped like thick cream frosting down her face. The earthy taste seeped between her lips. The cold weight pressed on her, penetrating her bodice and weighing down her skirt.
Oh, Meredith, Minnie soothed, shocked. Your dress is ruined.
Humiliation seeped into her, as cold as the mud. She swiped the yuck from her eyes with her sleeve and only managed to smear it.
Whoa! Shane and Braden shouted together from a fair distance away, stopping the horses on the uphill slope of the road. When young Mr. Connelly turned around and spotted her, a wide grin stretched his mouth and he shook his head slowly from side to side. Something tells me you are a whole peck of trouble, Miss Meredith.
She is, Minnie spoke up, sounding pleased as punch. Its her first time driving the buggy alone.
Minnie, dont tell him that. Really, she looked bad enough without adding idiotic, inexperienced driver to the list. That was what she felt like. Out of her element, when she wanted to fit in so badly. Too badlymaybe that was what the Lord was trying to tell her.
You are a right mess. Shane pulled out the handkerchief again and wiped the white surface across her eyes. This close, she could see there were green threads, too, in his deep blue irises, to match the gold ones, and something noble within.
There she went, being fanciful again.
The good news is that your horse and buggy are fine, aside from the mud. He folded the cloth to scrub at her nose and cheeks. His nearness was a funnel cloud, pulling her helplessly toward him. You, miss, Im not so sure about. Maybe Braden and I had best see you home.
No! That came out a mite defensive, but she could imagine Mamas reaction. Please, if our mother knew there was a mishap, she wouldnt let me drive again. Its imperative for me to become a better driver.
You dont sound like a country miss to me. His gaze narrowed, his presence and his sculpted features steeled. Who are you?
Just Meredith. That was who she wanted to be. She needed to be herself, not her fathers daughter, not her mothers achievement, but someone real. This man, who rode where he wanted and who did as he liked, would never understand.
All right, then, Just Meredith. His grin returned, crooked and dimpled. Lets get you in the buggy and on your way home.
Chapter Two
Just Meredith was beautiful, no doubt about it. Shane glanced over his shoulder to make sure the gray mare pulling the buggy was managing all right. The spring storms had turned the roads to every kind of muck, although judging by the downpour it was hard to call this brand of cold spring.
Stopping to help those girls made us late for our next job, Braden commented drily as he tucked the much-folded telegram for the riding directions back into his slickers pocket.
Helping them was the right thing to do. It wasnt something they hadnt done before in their travels. We couldnt leave them there.
Im not arguin that. Truth is, this new stint has me worried. Heard the wife is a whole peck of trouble.
Wife? I thought that we were working for a mister, not a missus.
Shows what you know about marriage. Braden cracked a rare smile. I say we give it a trial before we commit. I dont want to get knee-deep into a job, figure out its more trouble than its worth and then tear myself up trying to figure if I should run for my sanity or stay and finish the job the right way.
I see your point. Shane was new at this. Not green, but not experienced either. Hed only had a year of apprenticeship under his belt since hed hooked up with the best horseman this side of the Mississippi. Hed left everything behind in Virginiafamily, reputation, dutyto learn horsemanship the real way. It had been the roughest year of his life and the best one. Finishing his apprenticeship was all that mattered. So why was he thinking about the woman and not the upcoming job?
Another glance over his shoulder told him why. There was something special about her, something extralike a dash of both sweetness and spirit not often seen. Just Meredith, shed called herself in a dulcet voice that made him think of Sunday-school hymns and Christmas carols. And pretty? She put the word to shame with those blond ringlets tumbling down from beneath her plain brown hood and eyes the color of the sea in the rain. She was a rare beauty with creamy skin, delicately cut features and a mouth made for smiling.
He liked country girls the best, hed learned long ago, not missing the perfectly mannered and prepared debutantes who were part of his world back home. It heartened him to see honesty and goodness in a female. It was far preferable in his opinion to the veils of pretense that filled his growing-up years.
Out west, things were more likely to be what they seemed and the people, too. He liked the image of Just Meredith in her simple but elegant brown coat, pretty yellow dress and sincerity. She made quite a picture holding the reins as the chilly weather battered and blew. With the smears of green in the nearby fields and the world of colors blurred and muted by the rain, she could have been the focus of an impressionist watercolor. A prized painting meant to be cherished.
Youre watching me, she called out above the twists and gusts of the wind. You think Im a bad driver and Im going to get stuck in the mud again.
No, but I am keeping track of the mud holes. I dont see a thing you can get mired down in, at least not yet. He let Hobo fall back alongside the buggy. Youre doing pretty good for it being your first day driving.
You may be fibbing. The look she threw him from beneath her brown hood was a challenge.
He laughed. He liked the dazzle in those interesting gray-blue eyes. Im trying to be encouraging. Keep to the positive. Avoid the fact we nearly had to go in search of a pair of oxen to free your buggy.
Thanks for not mentioning it. When she grinned, she was like a sunbeam on this dismal day.
You still dont figure on letting your mama know about this? He couldnt resist asking, not that it was his business.
What she doesnt ask about, I wont have to tell her.
And what if she notices the mud?
Thats the flaw in my plan. Im hoping Mama doesnt notice. She could be busy and not even hear us driving up.
She will be watching, Meredith. The little girl wrinkled her nose. Nothing gets past Mama. You ought to know that by now.
That wont stop me from trying. She laughed. At heart she was not a deceitful daughter but one apparently amused by her mother. If Mama revokes my driving privileges, then I wont learn enough about driving to make it on my own come June.
Why June? Call him curious. He couldnt help it. Something tickled in his chest like a cough, but maybe it was interest.
Thats when the summer school term begins. A ringlet bounced down from beneath her hood to spring against her cheek. Im studying for the teachers exams. If I pass, I hope to get one of the smaller county schools just north of here.
A schoolteacher. A fine ambition. He couldnt say why that pleased him either. He wasnt looking to settle down, not with his long apprenticeship hardly more than half over.
But Mama doesnt know, the little girl added impishly. She was a bit of trouble, that one. And no, Meredith, I wont tell on you, but its likely to kill me.
I wish you had never overheard me talking with my friends. You cant keep a secret to save your life. Meredith wrapped an arm around her sisters neck and hugged her close, an affectionate gesture. Ill never forgive you if you blurt it out and ruin my plans.
It wont be easy. The girl rolled her eyes and huffed out a sigh, as if her life were truly trying indeed.
It seems you keep a lot of secrets. The mud incident, the teachers exams. He swiped rain from his eyes. It wont be as easy to hide an entire job when summer comes.
Oh, I know. I dont want to deceive Mama. Thats not what I mean to do. I want my own life is all.
Ive known that feeling.
How can you? Youre a man.
True enough, but why do you say it like that? Like being a man is a bad thing.
Not bad, exactly. Im just exasperated. She blew the curl out of her face, but it just sprang back. Did she dare take both hands off the reins? No. Sweetie was as gentle as a horse could be, but doom had a tendency to follow her around. She had no intention of letting anything else go wrong.