The Christmas Journey (18 page)

She’d expected him to argue when she insisted on taking the reins. But to her surprise he’d merely nodded.

As they moved down the road, she was vaguely aware of
Cora Beth and Uncle Grover chatting together behind them, but Ry’s presence seemed to crowd everything else out. Not that he was doing much of anything. In fact he was leaned back all comfy-like, with his legs stretched out at an angle that brought his boots up close to hers. And he hadn’t said a word since she’d set the horse in motion.

But there was something about his nearness, about the way he watched her with that little half smile, that made her all fidgety inside. Finally, she couldn’t take it any longer. “What’s the matter?” she groused. “I got dirt on my face or something?”

His smile widened. “Not at all.” He tilted his head. “I was just trying to decide if the green in your eyes is closer to the color of spring clover or that of the hummingbirds that used to flit around my mother’s flower garden.”

His voice was pitched low enough that the others couldn’t hear him without trying. The deep rumble of it spread through her like a cup of warm cocoa on a chilly day. Jo felt as if he’d trapped her gaze with his own. For the life of her she couldn’t look away. No one had ever said such things to her, had ever looked at her the way he was now.

An endless heartbeat later she got hold of herself and abruptly faced forward. She was reading too much into his words. Besides, those were the kinds of things he should be saying to Cora Beth, not her.

The slight hitch in her breathing was merely surprise and frustration, nothing more.

Before she could figure out how to respond, he changed the subject. “Thanks for including me and Viola in your outing today. I think she really enjoyed herself.” His voice had returned to normal, his expression nothing more than friendly. It was as if the past few moments hadn’t happened. For some reason that didn’t improve her mood any.

“Glad to hear it.” Thank goodness her voice was steady.

“It was a good day for me as well.” Something about his tone made her glance up but his expression gave nothing away.

“I’ve been thinking about your invitation to stay through Thanksgiving,” he continued. “I think we ought to set a few conditions.”

Uh-oh. The man and his conditions—what was he up to now? “And those are?”

“First, you let me pay for our board, just like any of your other customers.”

She thought about that a minute. It didn’t sit right with her, being as he’d saved her life and all, but if it was the only way to get him to stay…

She nodded. “That sounds fair. But since Viola’s sharing a room with Cora Beth’s girls, you only pay half price for her.”

Had his lips twitched? What did he find so all-fired funny?

“Agreed.” His tone made her wonder if she’d imagined that grin.

Better move on. “What else?”

“You agree to let me help out around the livery and the boardinghouse. I get bored just sitting around doing nothing.”

She could understand that. “All right, but only if you promise not to do anything to set your healing back.”

It was his turn to look surprised at her agreeable response. Thing was, she figured having him do a few chores around the house would give Cora Beth something else to admire about him.

“Then it looks like Viola and I will be availing ourselves of your hospitality through Thanksgiving.”

And if her plans worked as well as she hoped, for quite some time after as well.

Fifteen minutes later, Jo stopped the buckboard in front of the boardinghouse. “Everybody out,” she ordered. “Danny, make
sure you grab the hamper and blanket.” She rested an arm on her knee while the kids scrambled out of the back and Uncle Grover helped Cora Beth step down. “I’ll take care of the wagon and horse. Just make sure you save me some supper.”

Ry made no move to step down. “I’ll lend you a hand.” He turned to Cora Beth. “That is, if Mrs. Collins would be so good as to watch Viola for a bit.”

Before Jo could protest, Cora Beth nodded. “It would be my pleasure.”

“Thanks but I can handle this just fine.” Ry was supposed to be spending time with Cora Beth, not her.

He raised a brow. “Remember our bargain. Not backing out on me already, are you?”

Feeling outmaneuvered, she grimaced and set the wagon in motion.

He thought he was so clever but he hadn’t seen clever yet. She was already making a mental list of chores that would keep him way too busy around the boardinghouse for him to even think about working at the livery.

She didn’t need him messing with her mind the way he’d been doing lately. She was so close to achieving her dream, nothing, or nobody, was going to change her mind now.

The wheel hit a bump, causing his shoulder to brush against hers, and her pulse jumped in response.

So much for her self-control.

Heavenly Father, this man sure does present a powerful temptation. Please give me the strength to see this through to its proper outcome.

R
y wiped his brow with the back of his wrist, then leaned against the handle of the pitchfork. “So, tell me about this Thanksgiving festival. I take it it’s a big to-do.”

Josie examined a piece of leather she’d just trimmed. “Just about the biggest doings in these parts,” she answered without looking up. “The whole town takes part, or them that can, and the celebrating goes on all day.”

Ry tossed a forkful of hay in the middle stall. He’d spent the morning mucking them out and now he was spreading fresh straw. Seemed Josie had taken him at his word when he said to put him to work.

“So exactly what does this celebrating entail?” It was like pulling teeth today to get her to talk to him. Had he been too forward on the ride home from the picnic yesterday?

“It pretty much follows the same pattern every year.” She leaned back in her seat and finally faced him. “Folks start arriving around eight o’clock. Reverend Ludlow preaches a short service to kick things off on the right note. Then there’s
games and competitions, like horseshoes, wheelbarrow races and pie eating contests. ’Round about eleven o’clock everyone troops inside and the kids put on their program.”

She stretched out her legs and tipped her chair back. “Afterward, everybody sits down for the best-tasting, button-popping, belt-loosening meal you ever did eat.”

“And that’s it?” Of course he knew it wasn’t, but he liked listening to her unique way of describing things.

Josie gave an unladylike snort. “That’s just the morning. The early afternoon is more games for those who have energy to burn, and visiting or table games for those who prefer something quieter. At some point the men’s quartet will serenade us. Later in the day, someone will pull out a fiddle, the center of the floor will get cleared and we’ll have us a foot-stomping dance.”

She gave him a wickedly amused smile. “I have to warn you, you’ll be in high demand once the dancing starts.”

His alarm was only partially feigned. “Surely you’re joking.”

“Not a bit. You’re new in town, you’re eligible, and you can be passably charming if you put your mind to it.” She flashed a teasing grin. “All highly desirable qualities when it comes to claiming a dance partner.”

Did
she
think they were “highly desirable qualities?” “So it has nothing to do with me personally? Just that I’m a fresh face and my ma raised me to be polite?”

“That’s about the size of it.”

“Sounds like a fun time will be had by all.”

She laughed at his dour expression, just as he’d intended her to. Actually the thought of dancing, as long as it was with her, was rather appealing. What would it feel like to hold her and twirl her around the dance floor? Could he tease one of those beautiful, light-up-her-eyes smiles from her?

The family gathered in the kitchen after supper again that evening. Funny how in such a short time he’d come to consider himself and Viola almost a part of the family.

He glanced toward his ward and smiled. She was practicing her lines for the Thanksgiving program alongside Audrey. It was the most animated he’d seen her since she’d arrived five days ago.

“Mr. Lassiter, I want to thank you for fixing that loose baseboard.” Cora Beth spoke without looking up from the pie crust she was making. “I’ve been meaning to tend to it for ages.”

“Seems the least I could do after all you folks have done for Viola and me.” Ry cast a surreptitious glance Josie’s way. Had she taken note of how much use he could be to her and her family?

So, Ry had helped Cora Beth around the place after he left the livery this afternoon, had he? Was her sister starting to notice how nice it would be to have him in her life permanently? She’d be a fool not to. Any woman would be lucky to have a man like Ry.

“What are you doing?” Ry was watching her with a puzzled frown.

She raised a brow. Wasn’t it obvious? “I’m peeling apples.”

“But why are you taking such care?”

“Just practicing.” She grinned at his puzzled look.

“Jo wins the apple peeling contest every year,” Danny added.

“Apple peeling contest? If you’re trying to be the fastest—”

“Not the fastest.” Josie picked up the peel from the last apple she’d worked on. “It’s to see who can get the longest unbroken piece.”

“Ah, I see.” Then his expression took on a challenging glint. “And can anybody enter this contest?”

Thought he could take her, did he? “Yep. But I’m warning you, it’s not as easy as it looks.”

Ry reached for an apple and a knife. “We’ll see about that.”

Josie stood at the back of the buckboard Thursday morning, carefully loading her carved pumpkins and gourds as Audrey and Viola carried them from the house. It was a beautiful day for the Thanksgiving festival, clear and crisp without being too cold. The trees all around, the ones that still had leaves at any rate, were sporting bursts of yellow, orange and red. And the air fairly crackled with excitement. Groups of townsfolk were moving toward the town hall, children skipping ahead of the adults.

Ry interrupted her thoughts as he lifted his fifth hamper into the buggy. She frowned, worried he might be putting too much strain on his arm.

“You’d think your sister was feeding an army,” he groused.

“She is.” Josie studied him carefully but saw no sign of discomfort.

“Didn’t you say
everyone
brings food?”

“They do.” She smiled at his raised brow. “All the food is set up together on long tables across one side of the room, and folks try to sample a little of everything. It’s a matter of pride amongst the women to bring the most popular dish.” She took the pair of gourds Audrey and Viola handed her, the last of the lot. “Besides, most folks will eat both lunch and supper there.”

Ry lifted first Pippa and then Lottie into the back of the buckboard, easing them gently in amongst her pumpkins. “You girls are in charge of guarding your Aunt Josie’s masterpieces,” he said with a solemn expression. “Do you think you can handle the job?”

Two heads bobbed in unison, while their hands made cross-my-heart motions.

His lips turned up in that heart-stopping smile. “I knew I could count on you.”

Honestly, she didn’t know why the man worried so much
about how he would get on with Viola. He was obviously fine father material. Cora Beth would be lucky to have him.

For some reason her mind skittered away from that thought as she dusted her hands on her skirt.

Cora Beth, Audrey and Viola stepped out of the house, shaking Josie out of her jumbled thoughts.

“I do hope I haven’t forgotten anything,” Cora Beth said, snuggling one more jar of relish into the largest hamper.

“Doesn’t matter.” Josie rolled her eyes. “We couldn’t fit another thing in the buggy.”

Danny scrambled into the front seat beside Uncle Grover and gathered the reins. The rest of them would walk.

Ry turned his collar up. “Shall we, ladies,” he said, with a bow and a flourish of the hand.

Always so gentlemanly. Made a woman feel special.

Pushing that thought away, Josie quickly took hold of Audrey and Viola’s hands, leaving Cora Beth to walk with Ry before she forgot she was trying to push the two of them together.

As they strolled down the sidewalk, Ry did his best to pay attention to Cora Beth’s chatter while surreptitiously watching Josie walk ahead with the girls. He hadn’t missed the deliberate way she distanced herself from him. Again. What was she up to?

A moment later, Cora Beth halted in her tracks. “Audrey Elizabeth, come here a minute please.”

The little girl obediently trotted back to her mother’s side. Cora Beth spun her around and fiddled with the tie at the back of her pinafore.

When they resumed walking, Ry made certain he was by Josie’s side this time while Cora Beth and the girls took the lead.

They walked in silence for a few minutes, then Josie finally
gave him a sideways look. “This’ll probably be a letdown from the fancy parties you’re used to.”

“Actually, I’m looking forward to this shindig. Most of those so-called fancy parties are rather stuffy.” He was certain there’d be nothing stuffy about this gathering.

She didn’t appear convinced. “I’ve seen pictures of fine ballrooms filled with orchestras and crowds of people gussied up all fancy-like. Must be something to see.”

“It’s a sight to see, all right.”

“I knew it.” Apparently she’d missed the sarcasm in his tone. He could see her imagining some exotic, fairytale-like scene.

Once they arrived at the town hall, the morning passed much the way Josie had described it, and Ry enthusiastically joined in. He and Viola took third place in the wheelbarrow race and the child proudly wore her yellow ribbon the rest of the day.

Ry was also stood shoulder to shoulder with Josie as they cheered Danny on in the pie-eating contest. The boy didn’t take a ribbon but he seemed pleased with his showing, anyway.

And Ry gave Josie a run for her money in the apple peeling contest. She ultimately won, but her winning apple peel was less than an inch longer than his.

After the ribbons were awarded, Viola touched his arm and studied him with concerned eyes. “Don’t worry, Uncle Ry, you did your best and I’m proud of you.”

Ry was touched by her words, even though he knew she was likely parroting something overheard from the adults. He stooped down so their faces were level. “Thank you, Viola. It means a lot to me that you were in my corner.”

She gave him a sheepish grin. “Actually, I was rooting for both you and Miss Josie. That’s okay, isn’t it?”

He laughed and gave her a squeeze. “Absolutely.” So she
was
forming an attachment to Josie. Things were definitely looking up.

After Viola ran off with Audrey and some of the other girls, Ry discovered Josie had disappeared. After several minutes of searching he finally found her inside the building, selecting tidbits from the vast array of food set on tables around the room.

“Trying to sneak in a few bites early,” he accused.

She started, twisting around with an affronted frown. “Nope.” Then she grinned. “Though it’s mighty tempting.”

Ry agreed. The tables were laden with dishes sumptuous enough to please even the most finicky hostess. The meats included platters of the traditional turkey, chicken, ham and roast, along with game such as venison, rabbit and fowl. Large pans of dressing sat alongside bowls containing sauces and gravies. Next came a dizzying array of vegetables—beans, potatoes, corn, carrots, onions and mixtures of the same. They were cooked in every imaginable way—baked, stewed, roasted, creamed. Farther along were colorful relishes, pickles, fresh baked breads, cheeses and fruit spreads.

But the real eye-catcher was the row upon row of elaborate desserts. Pies, cakes, cobblers, cookies, tarts—the women had truly outdone themselves.

Her laughter brought his gaze back around. “I declare, you look like a hungry dog who’s spied a soup bone.”

He grinned back, unabashed. “Said the woman pilfering from the food table.”

“I’ll have you know,” she said, her tone haughty, “that I’m actually performing my good deed for the day.”

“Is that a fact?”

“Yes sir, it is. I’m in charge of packing the shut-in baskets this year.” She lifted the hamper looped over her left arm.

“Shut-in baskets?”

“If someone’s not able to join us, we fix up a basket of goodies and bring it to ’em so they don’t feel left out. This year Cora Beth and I get to handle the delivery.”

“I see.” That caretaker streak ran deep in her. “Here, let me help.” He reached for the basket.

“No need. I—”

But he’d already snagged it. “Now you have both hands free.” He tried for a guileless smile.

She frowned suspiciously, then nodded. “We have two families this year. Mr. Clawson owns a small farm just outside of town. His mare’s about ready to foal and he didn’t want to leave her.”

She added another thick slice of ham to the basket before moving on to the vegetables. “Then there’s Mrs. Willows and her daughter, Myra. Mrs. Willows has been doing poorly the past few years. I hear tell she barely gets out of bed these days. And Myra, bless her heart, looks out for her ma and younger sister now that her older sisters have moved on.” She nodded toward a group of younger folk. “The girl over yonder in the blue and yellow dress, the one flirting with Cecil Jones, is her sister, Dolly.”

The girl looked all of fifteen and seemed not to have a care in the world. “So, why isn’t she taking care of her mother and sister’s basket?”

Josie shrugged, but Ry didn’t miss the disapproving purse of her lips. Family was important to Josie, and she obviously didn’t approve of those who shirked their duty in that area.

At the dessert tables, Josie slipped two pies and a dish of cookies in the hamper, then gave a satisfied nod. “That ought to do it.”

She didn’t move to take the basket from him as he’d expected. Instead she cupped her chin. “You know,” she said
slowly, “being as you want to be so helpful, why don’t
you
deliver these with Cora Beth? That way I can help get the stage ready for the children’s program.”