Be My Texas Valentine (40 page)

“It’s hard to forget when you keep reminding me, Angie.”

“An-gie. Phew! An-gie. Phew!” Gabby chimed in.

The sisters laughed together, easing the tension between them. Both had returned to their more comfortable roles—older sister bossiness and younger sister defiance. Each now with a better understanding of the other.

“Just what does she mean when she says that?” Angelina stood and tried to get closer to Gabby, but the lovebird flew into the cage and hid behind one corner of the perch where a rather large nest was being constructed.

“Phew!” Amigo echoed and joined his mate at the nest.

JoEmma laughed and told her sister that she had taught Gabby to say the word whenever she heard Angie’s name and that it meant Angelina could be exasperating at times.

“Then all’s fair,” Angelina announced, sticking her face close to the cage. “JoEmma-just-wait,” she chirped in a babylike voice, trying to get the bird to repeat the words. “Heh-heh-heh,” she laughed.

JoEmma smiled. “What is that supposed to be ... a threat?”

“Like I just said. Just wait and see.” When Gabby moved from the nest and flew toward the latch, Angelina quickly swung the door closed. “No, ma’am, you aren’t getting any more of my hair for your nest, Hat Decoration. What do you have to say about that?”

“Smch-smch-smch.”

JoEmma started giggling. “I think she just told you to kiss her blue-colored rump.”

A knock on the door told them the men had finished with their own talk.

“Come in,” JoEmma encouraged, feeling good that Angie had laughed right along with her.

“Are the birds in their cage?”

Noah’s concern pleased her and reassured JoEmma that even when he was alone with their pets, he would be cautious with Gabby. She assured him the duo was secure from escaping.

“You two sound like you’re having a wonderful time in here.” He looked pleased at the prospect. “I didn’t know taking care of birds was such a hoot.”

“That would be for owl sitters.” Angelina kept her face straight as she uttered the pun.

“Good one, Sis.” To Noah and his father, JoEmma added, “She’s cagey sometimes with her humor, but it always has a seed of truth in it.”

Noah glanced at one sister then the other. “Are we missing something here?”

JoEmma shrugged. “Not any of the birds. Just a few old misconceptions that have flown out the window. Right, Angie?”

“Right, Sis.”

Thurgood Powell tipped his bowler to the women. “I think it’s time to leave these two ladies to what they were doing, son. I believe they’re perfectly fine and don’t need us to step into something that we won’t remotely understand no matter how much sense we try to make out of it. Good day, JoEmma. Angelina.”

“An-gie. Phew!” Amigo chirped.

“JoEmma-wait,” Gabby added. “Heh-heh-heh.”

JoEmma nearly fell out of her wheelchair giggling.

“So Hannah’s not addlepated after all.” Thurgood tapped his cane on the hard wood floor. “I thought she’d been stirring up some wild concoction of a story about teaching two little lovebirds to talk to each other so that she could get two bigger lovebirds to do the same. Now I know what her intentions were. I take it one of those birds is yours, son, and the other belongs to one of the Browns.”

“To JoEmma,” Noah replied before Angelina could contradict him.

“Good, so you know the truth.” Angelina stood and dusted off her skirt. “No more poop paper for me, thank Heaven.”

JoEmma laughed. “Ahh, Funny Feathers was looking forward to adding blond hair to her nest.”

Angelina patted the top of her head and moved toward the door. “It will have to be yours, I’m afraid. I plan to keep the rest of mine.” She waved her hand, encompassing the room. “It’s been a pleasure, Drs. Powell, both of you. I didn’t realize you were such a practical man, Noah. If you ever need to refurnish your private quarters, just call on”—she eyed JoEmma—“my sister. She’s got a good eye for decorating things.”

“You don’t need to rush off, Miss Brown.”

“Oh yes, I do. It seems I may have to buy a pair of overalls.” Angelina’s gaze met JoEmma’s and held. “And as Gabby suggested to me a minute ago, Sis, smch-smch-smch. In other words, kiss ...”

“I understand, loud and clear. Don’t say another word.”

Chapter 10

The next few days went by too quickly. JoEmma wasn’t sure she was ready for the Valentine’s party tonight at Belle’s but she’d promised Noah she would go with him and Angelina. Every time she’d tried to bring up a conversation to the contrary, he’d been too busy taking care of patients to talk to her. Now that she had changed her mind and had reason to want to go, it seemed this morning would prove to be like all the others. Too busy for him to stop and talk to her.

She had stalled around taking care of the birds as long as she could, and it was long past time to head home and start preparations for the party. She had to help Angie with her hair and find something presentable to wear herself. Hannah was becoming suspicious about why JoEmma was taking so much longer than usual and had checked on her twice already. She wouldn’t be put off a third time.

It was almost time for Hannah to head over to Thurgood’s place to clean, and she would not leave until she knew what was causing the delay. JoEmma knew her well enough to realize that her housekeeper thought she was ill. She couldn’t let her think that or Hannah wouldn’t attend the dance with Thurgood. That was not an option. Noah’s father planned on proposing to Hannah tonight and presenting her with a ring. He’d enlisted JoEmma’s advice about the possible size to fit his future bride and sworn her to secrecy. Noah didn’t even know he was about to get a new mother.

Though she had once dreaded going to the dance, JoEmma wanted to be there to share in Hannah’s great surprise. She just didn’t want to go without Noah knowing about the bet the women had placed. He deserved better than that. He deserved the truth. He was certainly aware of the matchmaking attempt, but she would be no true friend if she didn’t tell him the full extent of the bet.

“Are you about done with those birds?” Hannah Lassiter called from the other side of the door. “Are you not feeling well, Kitten?”

“Stand up. Puhleease,” JoEmma whispered to herself one more time, willing her legs to stand up from the wheelchair one last time. They trembled as she tried, shaky from the countless times she had practiced standing all morning and every one since the day of her and Angie’s talk. At home she couldn’t practice without stirring her housekeeper’s curiosity. Here at Noah’s, the privacy of his bedroom allowed her alone time to work on improving her ability to move better. At least the morning hadn’t been a complete failure. Not being able to talk with him had given her extra practice time.

“Did you say stand back?” Hannah’s croaky question made JoEmma aware that the woman must have heard at least part of what she’d said.

JoEmma plopped down in the wheelchair, needing the rest and to catch her breath. “I said it’s okay to come in,” she fibbed, making a mental promise that she would confess the fib at a later date to Hannah and apologize for it.

The door opened and the rotund housekeeper waddled in. “You are ill, aren’t you?” Worry filled the woman’s tone. “You’re all flushed and out of breath. Did you try to lift the feed sack? You know it’s too heavy for you.”

JoEmma shook her head. “I’m fine. It’s just a little warm in here with the window and door closed. I need a little air.”

The housekeeper waddled over to the window. “I’m just about ready to leave. If you like, I’ll walk with you partway.” She started to open the window, then paused and glanced at the birds. “Is it all right if I open this? Is Gabriella secure?”

JoEmma’s gaze swept to the birdcage and she was assured she had latched the door to the cage. Gabby couldn’t escape. She doubted Amigo would even try to unlatch it, if he could. Gabby’s sweetheart rarely moved inches away from her, he was so enamored of his mate. “They’re both locked in. The room needs to air out a bit anyway.”

“Good. Noah asked if you had a moment to talk before you go. There are no more patients for now and he wants to discuss something about tonight.”

The sound of Noah’s footsteps coming down the hall sped up JoEmma’s pulse to a much faster beat than before. She looked toward the door in anticipation, listening as Hannah raised the window. His handsome face brought with it a smile that flashed white against his angular features. She had dreamed of those lips since the day he’d kissed her, and the sight of him smiling at her made her heart feel as if it might leapfrog out of her chest.

“Good, you’re still here.” Noah’s gaze swept over her, softening as it blazed a trail from the top of her head to the hem of her overalls. “You’re sure looking pretty today.”

“Thank you.” If her face was flushed from the exercise, it surely burned bright from the pleasure of his compliment. He wasn’t just being polite. His attention had returned to her lips and lingered there.

JoEmma no longer cared that everyone might think she was competing with Angelina for Noah’s favor tonight or any other night, for that matter. Since she told her sister the truth about the way she cared for him, JoEmma had decided their kiss was worth whatever it took to make herself no burden to Noah.

Finally putting away her stubbornness had made her see herself as others might, and frankly, she hadn’t liked what she saw. She had been insecure, afraid that if she did get better, then she still wouldn’t be enough for Noah. Out of fear,
she
, not the scarlet fever, had kept herself infirmed. She realized she had to chance losing so that she might win. She had to bet on herself.

Come hell or high water tonight, she would show Noah and everyone else that this was a new JoEmma Brown. A woman who would let nothing, particularly herself, stop her from getting what she wanted. No ... what she
deserved
. To love and to be loved.

“I’d like to know what you’re thinking right now.”

The huskiness of Noah’s voice made JoEmma aware that she’d drifted off into her thoughts and he was still watching her face intently. “Oh, just that I’m very happy that we got Gabby and Amigo together.”

“You mean
I
did,” Hannah reminded them from across the room.

“Ahhh, so you finally confess.” Noah chuckled.

“It all worked out for the best.” Hannah dusted her hands together. “You really need to take a cloth to those windows. It’s getting dusty in here.”

“Hannah ...”

“Oh, quit complaining. You wouldn’t know what to do if I ever let up on you anyway, Noah Powell. Besides, I’m gone now. Out the door, if you will see JoEmma home after your talk.”

“Just a minute, Hannah,” JoEmma called.

The housekeeper stopped in her tracks. “I bought you a dress for tonight.” JoEmma hoped that wasn’t irritation creasing Hannah’s brow. “I hope you don’t mind. I thought it looked just like you, and I think Dr. Powell will think you’re the prettiest girl there.”

One of Hannah’s brows arched high. “Kitten, I haven’t been a girl in a whole lot of years, but thank you just the same.” Curiosity got the better of her and she suddenly sounded more girlish than she was willing to admit. “How pretty is the dress?”

“Not as pretty as you, but it will do you justice.”

“As long as Thurgood thinks so.” With that, the woman spun around and left the room to the younger folks.

She had never been alone in a man’s bedroom with him before, and the fact that it was the man she loved made JoEmma all the more aware of how his presence filled the room. He looked handsome in his white shirt, string tie, and vest that he wore to see patients. His scent was pure Noah—a mixture of medical remedies, soap, and something infinitely masculine. Try as she should to leave his private quarters, something kept her here immovable in her chair and waiting for Heaven knew what.

“W-what did you want to talk about?” she began, hoping that her voice would quiet the rush of sensations heating her every pore.

“May I sit?” Noah asked, motioning to the bed.

He must have been tired from the morning’s activities. “It’s your bed, after all,” she whispered.

He sat across from her and reached for her hand. JoEmma didn’t pull away from him as she might have even a few days ago. She meant to show him she’d had a change of heart. No, she had a strengthening of heart and purpose.

“I want you to know that I’m taking you and Angelina to the Valentine’s dance, JoEmma, but it’s you I wish were on my arm alone tonight. I’ve wanted to tell you that when we were alone, but the time hasn’t presented itself till now.”

“Maybe we can go somewhere together, just the two of us, sometime in the future. I’d like that, Noah.”

His eyes searched hers. “You mean it? You’ll stop trying to match me with Angelina?”

“I promise.”

“You’ll quit thinking you’re too much trouble for me to have any interest in you?”

“I can be a handful at times.”

“It’s a heart-full I’m wanting, JoEmma.” His lips moved toward hers, then halted barely an inch away. “And I promise not to kiss you until you’re sure you want the same thing I want.”

She wanted him to kiss her now. Would have asked him to. But she had that moment saved for a very special time when she could show how much she wanted another of his kisses and so much more. “Give me a little more time, Noah. That’s all I need.”

“No-ah-Pow. No-ah-Pow. Smch-smch-smch,” Amigo chirped.

“Stand up. Puhleease,” Gabby chimed in.

Noah’s attention shot from JoEmma’s lips to focus on the birds in the cage behind her. Puzzlement creased his brow. “Where did she hear that from?” he asked.

JoEmma rolled her chair forward and headed for the door, not wanting him to see evasion in her face. “Angelina, probably. You know how she’s always complaining.”

It wasn’t a lie, exactly. Angie had been helping her practice standing all week. Her sister had said it was so that JoEmma might walk down the aisle someday and that had been plenty of motivation to keep practicing.

“Got to go now. Don’t forget to shut that window so they won’t get out if Amigo decides to open the latch again. Little Lockpicker.”