Letter Perfect ( Book #1) (27 page)

“Most likely so.”

Josh reached across the counter and spread out the books.

Crack!
Ruth’s closed fan hit the back of his hand. She piled the books up again and gave him a coy smile. “You weren’t really snooping, were you, Joshua McCain?”

“I’ve invited you to read whatever books we already possess on the Broken P. Don’t you plan to extend the same courtesy with yours?”

“She just offered the biggest one to you, Josh,” Lester said as he took a knife to his pencil and started to shave a new point.

“Yes, I did.”
Whew. Lester rescued me on that one!

“Indeed, but it’s always nice to anticipate what lies ahead.” Josh gave Ruth an I-dare-you smile and lifted the books, one-by-one, to identify the titles.

She’d hoped he wouldn’t see the dime novel. That hope dashed, Ruth brazened it out. “The first one is a ladies’ novel, Josh. Surely it wouldn’t suit your taste.”

“
Malaseka, The Indian Wife of the White Hunter,
by Mrs. Ann Stevens,” he read aloud. “I might be interested, Ruth. I enjoy hunting on occasion.”

The sparkle in his eyes taunted her. Josh wasn’t ever mean, though. This was more of a boyish cockiness. After worrying about Laney the past two weeks, the change felt fun. Eager for him to put down that little novel, she lifted the next book and popped it into his hand. “This might be to your liking, too. You do tie knots, don’t you?”

“I tie knots, but I haven’t tied the knot.” He chuckled as he set down the volume of
Knotted and Crocheted Laces
.

“Miss Caldwell said it’s special for Laney.”

“Laney’s handwork is beautiful. Since embroidery is hard on her eyes right now, I thought she would enjoy trying new crochet patterns.”

Lester kept shaving at the pencil tip. “Kelly O’Sullivan and her youngest boys were in yesterday. She looked at that book, herself.”

Josh thumbed through the volume, then shut the cover. His eyes no longer sparked with mischief. Sincerity filled his voice. “That was thoughtful of you, Ruth. Much as my sister loves handwork, it’ll give her plenty of projects to keep her busy.”

Feeling foolish for having made a big deal about his simple curiosity about the books, Ruth flashed him a smile. “We could take it over to Galen’s and share it with his mom. After all, books are for sharing.”

Things had shifted dramatically between them as they’d forged an alliance over Laney’s well-being, and Ruth felt a longing to make it spread to other matters. She’d discovered many facets to Josh, and most intrigued her.

I’ve never had a man for a friend. But that’s what Josh has become. He’s
always busy, but there’s a quietness in his soul that I admire. I’ve been silly
about the dime novel
. She fingered a thin sheaf of papers on the counter.

“Would you mind looking through the sheet music I selected? There’s no use in my buying something Laney already owns.”

He leafed through and set aside a few sheets. “Hilda loves Stephen Foster’s music. We have probably everything he’s composed. I’d take it as a personal favor if you wouldn’t get the ‘Ocean Telegraph March.’ When the undersea line was completed two years ago, everyone played that tune until I grew heartily sick of it.”

Ruth burst out laughing.

“What’s so funny?” Lester wondered aloud.

“I was going to buy it because I thought everyone else liked that piece. Every last girl at school played that song
ad nauseum
. I loathe it!” Ruth scooped up the sheets they’d rejected and dashed over to place them back on the display shelf. When she returned, Josh was handing Lester money.

“I beg your pardon, but those were my purchases.”

“I’m reading Dickens first, and Laney’s getting the crochet book.” Josh threaded Ruth’s arm through his. “Now we’re going to have lunch at the Copper Kettle while Lester fills the rest of my order.”

“Honestly, Josh—”

“You have to be hungry by now. Breakfast was hours ago.”

Pulling away, she insisted, “I need to get back to Laney.”

“You haven’t left her side since she got hurt. There’s nothing wrong with your taking a little break.”

Ruth shook her head in protest.
If I’d stayed home with Mama …

“Hilda’s with Laney, Ruth. You and I both know Hilda would scold anyone to death before they ever reached my sister. Laney is perfectly safe.”

“Hey—before you folks leave, mail came in.” Lester waved a few envelopes in the air. “One’s for Miss Caldwell.”

“Thanks, Lester. Why don’t you put them inside one of the books? We’ll be sure to pull them out once we get home.” Josh steered her out the door and down the boardwalk.

Ruth reached up her right sleeve.

He dipped his head and asked quietly, “Why are you fishing for your knife?”

“My knife is up my left sleeve,” she whispered. “I didn’t want to carry a reticule, so I put my money up my right sleeve. Since you bought the books, I’ll slip you funds for lunch.”

Ire darkened his features. “You’ll do no such thing!”

“I meant you no offense. Oh, this is so awkward. If we’re partners, Josh, it’s only right that—”

“Stop right there. First off, I refuse to have a woman pay for my meals. Second, you said a mouthful when you said, ‘
If
we’re partners.’ We might not be.” He tugged her out of the way as someone else walked by, then kept hold and started for the diner again.

“Waiting doesn’t come easily, you know. I’m very impatient. Until matters are cleared up, I can’t very well just sponge off of you!”

In a low tone, he said, “Ruth, save your money. If things don’t turn out the way you’re hoping regarding the ranch, you’ll still be welcome to stay with us, but you’ll want to have a little nest egg.”

She pivoted toward him. “Now I understand.”

He didn’t look as if he was gloating. “Good.”

“No. I understand that you don’t understand!”

“Suppose you explain it to me.” He opened the door to the diner.

Ruth battled her crinoline as she made her way through the entrance and shuffled to the side toward the nearest table. For it being midday, the place hardly held any patrons. Josh seated her, then took the chair opposite her. Ruth fussed with her skirts, then gave him a disgruntled look. “You have no idea how much I envy men for their right to wear britches.”

He scowled. “You’re not going to run about in those disgusting bloomers.”

She sighed. “I promised Mama I wouldn’t. Truly, they seem like a wonderful concept. They cover everything quite decently and would be far less troublesome.”

“I’ve seen a woman in them once. It made for quite a scene. She looked as if she was wearing only half a dress and her unmentionables were showing.”

“Nonsense! It was the same as wearing a well-styled shirtwaist and fancy trousers.”

“None of the men present thought so. You’d shame yourself and my family if you tried such a stunt.”

“Well, it’s nothing you need fear since I made my promise to Mama.” She braced herself with a deep breath. “Speaking of Mama—” “Hello, Josh.” A young girl swished over. “What would you folks like to order today?”

“Hi, Myrtle. Who’s cooking today—your aunt or your dad?”

Myrtle dipped her head and muffled a giggle. “Aunt Ethel.”

“Sandwiches for us today, then.” Josh nodded. “Yes. And pie.”

“Ham or chicken salad?”

Josh looked to Ruth.

“Chicken salad, please.”

“Me too. And make it apple pie.”

“All right.” Myrtle scurried off.

Josh pretended to scoot his chair in as he leaned forward. “Always ask who’s cooking here. Ethel burns everything.”

“Thanks for the warning,” Ruth whispered back.

He straightened up. “So what was it you think I don’t understand?”

Plenty
. Ruth tamped down that response. Taking the napkin off the table, she slid it into her lap and said, “I’ve figured out why you’re upset about my starting a library.”

“That subject is closed.”

“No, it isn’t.” She leaned forward and hissed, “You thought I was counting on money from the ranch. I’m not.”

“You’re not making any sense, Ruth.” He gave her a patient look. “I’m sure you haven’t had to do any budgeting, so eighty dollars seems like a lot of money. It won’t begin to cover the expenses involved in buying the land, let alone erecting the building or filling it with books.”

“I’m not foolish enough to formulate a plan on the unstable foundation as to whether I’ll inherit anything from my father.”

“Then, as I said, the subject is—”

“Still going to become a reality.” She glanced down at the hem of her left sleeve and wondered how she’d managed to get the lacy edging soiled. “Let me explain.”

Josh folded his arms on the tabletop. “Go ahead.”

“Thank you.” Pleased that he was being so reasonable, Ruth pitched her voice as low as she could. “I know it’s crass to discuss finances, but as that matter seems to be at the heart of your concern, I’ll address it.”

“I voiced other concerns as well.”

“Yes, well, first things first. Josh, the eighty dollars I have with me was just my traveling fund. Once Mama’s estate is closed, the attorney will send me my inheritance. Though I don’t expect it to be extravagant, it should be enough to keep me comfortable if I’m prudent. I thought it would be sweet to use a portion of Mama’s bequest to build a library in memory of her love of reading.”

Josh sat in silence and studied her.

Ruth fought the urge to wiggle in her seat. She lost the battle. After fidgeting, she sighed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything. I know it’s not ladylike to discuss financial issues.”

“If anything, I’m sorry you didn’t say anything sooner.”

Her head shot up.

“When you told me at Rick Maltby’s office that you had eighty dollars, I assumed that your mother had sacrificed and scrimped to send you to those fancy academies.”

“Oh.”

“Dad and I sank every last penny we owned into the Broken P. Sending Laney away to school was a necessity, but it meant we barely scraped by. When Hilda says dad’s a skinflint, it’s because she remembers how tight things were that first year.”

Ruth chewed on her lower lip for a moment. “Perhaps when I hear from Mama’s attorney, I should plan to invest in the Broken P. It would only be right… .”

“No.” His harsh word made others turn to look at them.

Knowing all too well how embarrassing it was to create a public scene and feeling guilty that she bore the responsibility for bringing up such a touchy subject, Ruth immediately straightened her shoulders and declared in a loud voice. “Yes, Josh. Laney ought to be allowed to attend church this Sunday. You’re being too protective.”

Myrtle appeared with their plates. “Sorry the bread’s a little … well done. Josh, Ruth’s right. You know how much Laney adores babies, and Ada Fisher is due to bring her new one to worship this week.”

“Okay, Laney can go.” His glare about bored a hole through Ruth. “But that other thing—forget about it.”

“Surly as you are, Josh, I marvel you don’t suffer from indigestion.” “Who says I don’t?”

“I can take care of that.” Ruth cut the burned edge off her bread and slipped the singed crust onto his plate. “There. Everyone knows a little charcoal is the cure.”

Myrtle slapped her hand over her mouth, but her laughter filled the Copper Kettle as she dashed back into the kitchen.

Unable to read Josh’s reaction, Ruth blurted out, “Burnt offerings are biblical, you know.”

“They’re for atonement,” Josh shot back.

“Well, if you’re going to be that way …” She reached over and took back half of the crispy crust. Josh’s face twisted with confusion, so she lifted a portion and said, “I’m not completely sorry, Josh. Only halfway. You wouldn’t want me to lie, would you?”

His lips twitched, then he gave in and chuckled. For the rest of lunch, he seemed to be in a good mood.

Lester waved at them as they passed his storefront. “Everything’s in your wagon.”

“Thanks, Lester.” Josh lifted Ruth into the buckboard and climbed up himself.

“Isn’t your father coming home with us?”

“He said he still had business to conduct. He might go on to Sacramento for a few days.”

“But he didn’t have a valise.”

“That’s never stopped him before.”

As they rode home, Josh cast a glance at Ruth. “You calling me protective of Laney is the supreme example of the pot calling the kettle black.”

“I have good reason.” Ruth gave him an exasperated look. “And staying in town to eat made absolutely no sense to me whatsoever. Hilda’s sandwiches and pie are thrice as good, and I could have been keeping watch over Laney.”

“Ruth, you needed to get away. You’ve been with her night and day for two weeks.”

“Two weeks is nothing. With Mama—” She caught herself and turned away. Josh shouldn’t see her cry. No one ought to.

Josh’s warm hand skimmed back and forth between her shoulder blades. “Did you spend a long time caring for your mother?”

“Not much,” she said tightly. “Nowhere near as much as I should have. I was away at that dumb academy when I ought to—” She took a choppy breath and shook her head. “I was only there for her last six months.”

Wrapping his arm around her, Josh drew her close to his side. One quick tug, and he’d untied the bonnet and flicked it into the buckboard’s bed. A shiver ran through her as he toyed with her wild curls.

“Mom sent Laney away the last couple of weeks. Even before then, she’d asked several of her friends to take Laney off for little trips or visits. If your mother was anything like ours, she wanted to protect you, Ruth.”

Ruth fought the urge to weep into his shoulder. What Josh said made sense, but it didn’t give her peace. Still, she’d never had a man care about her feelings or comfort her like this. How could it be that his hold made her stronger and weaker at the same time?

They rode along in silence. His rough fingers kept smoothing out a coil of her hair, then releasing it and letting it spring back. Over and over again, he repeated that simple contact. “You can’t undo the past, Ruth. I get the impression that you blame yourself for not being with your mother. You were being an obedient daughter to do her bidding. It was her right to decide who she wanted to know about her illness.”