Letter Perfect ( Book #1) (43 page)

He’s not interested in my feelings. All he wants to do is assess the value of
my belongings. I don’t care—as long as he leaves me alone
.

Josh looked down at her. “I hope you find comfort in surrounding yourself with familiar things.”

“They do hold many memories. Happy memories.” She slipped her hand into the crook of Josh’s elbow. He understood the real value in her inheritance lay in reminiscences.

Josh covered her hand with his—a simple act that reassured her he would rescue her from his father. Casting a quick glance about the room, he said, “It’s getting dark.”

McCain wheeled around, returned to Ruth’s side, and gave her a chilling smile. “I’ll take you back to the house. I’m sure my son has several chores that demand his attention.”

She clung tighter to Josh’s arm and looked up at him, silently pleading with him to spare her his father’s attention.

“Actually, Dad, I wanted to discuss a few things with Ruth.”

Josh started walking, and she hastened to fall into step alongside him. “You mentioned commissioning church windows.”

“Yes! Yes, I did.” Relieved that Josh gave her a topic, Ruth gushed, “It will make me so happy to have them. Do you know of an artisan who would take the commission?”

“I remember the St. Rose of Lima Church on 7th and K Street in Sacramento. The stained-glass windows were magnificent. Perhaps you could draft a letter of inquiry to the church.”

Ruth came to a stop on the porch as Josh halted and motioned to his father. “Come on, Dad.”

“You go on ahead. I’ll nose around and see what the girls have done out here.”

“No!” Ruth blurted out the word, then regretted it. She didn’t want him prying around her house, but it was far preferable than having to be in his presence.

“Why not?”

Ruth couldn’t concoct a single answer.

Josh smoothly said, “You know women, Dad. Ruth is probably planning a little housewarming party. You’ll ruin her surprise if you snoop.”

“Far be it from me to ruffle feathers.” McCain exited the cabin, and Josh shut the door. McCain offered Ruth his arm.

“Forgive me.” She swept her hand downward. “I’ll need one hand free. When I had this dress made, my shoes must have had slightly higher heels.” She tucked her hand back into Josh’s arm, then filled the other with a fistful of her skirts.

“We can’t have you trip again.” McCain fell in step beside her. “I’ve never forgiven myself for not balancing you better that first day we went to town.”

“Let’s not dwell on that.” Ruth turned to Josh. “About the windows … I suppose we need to have measurements.”

“You’re just full of plans, aren’t you?” McCain’s chuckle sounded forced. “A library and stained-glass windows.”

“Mama always said knowledge and beauty are never wasted.”

“I’m sure she wasn’t thinking about buildings when she said that, my dear; she must have been referring to you.”

Ruth could feel the tension in Josh’s arm. “Actually, she was referring to a breathtakingly illustrated book. I’ll have to share that book with you, Josh. I’m positive I packed it.”

“You still have boxes to unpack.” His voice held certainty, though he’d not actually seen the other rooms in the cabin.

“My son’s roamed about the place?” McCain’s voice sounded sharp.

“Of course not!” Ruth gave the older man an outraged look. “I resent the insinuation that I’d ever allow a man such liberties.”

“Now, now.” McCain flashed her a conciliatory smile. “I wouldn’t ever think such a thing of you, my dear.”

Ruth scowled at him. “You shouldn’t think such a thing of your son, either. Josh is too much of a gentleman to ever compromise a woman’s reputation.”

McCain pretended not to have heard her. He raised his hand and waved. “Toledo! I need to talk with you.” He stalked off without saying another word.

Josh stared at his father’s back. “Ruth, I don’t care what you have to do to avoid it. Don’t be alone with him.”

Josh stopped by the cottage the next afternoon to check in on Ruth. Laney stood by the mantel, arranging several little knickknacks. Skirts spread about her, Ruth sat on the floor, pulling books from a crate.

“Hello, fair maidens,” he said by way of greeting.

Laney let out a surprised shriek and dropped a small porcelain figurine. It bounced on the plush Turkish carpet, then landed on the edge of Ruth’s skirts. “Josh! You scared me half to death!”

“You look very much alive,” he teased. Turning to Ruth, he pulled a bouquet of wildflowers from behind his back. “I thought these would look nice somewhere around here.”

Ruth’s jaw dropped and she went pale as Laney gasped.

“What’s wrong?” Josh strode over to Ruth.

“You didn’t leave those other flowers on the doorstep this morning?” Laney asked in a baffled voice.

“What flowers?” Josh scowled. He followed Ruth’s gaze and spotted a vase full of blossoms over on the table he’d brought. “I had nothing to do with those.”

“Ruth, you have two men giving you flowers!” Laney clasped her hands together at her breast. “This is so exciting!”

“No, it’s not exciting.” Ruth’s voice shook.

Josh stared at her.
Is she upset with me? Does she think I’m trying to
court her because she has an inheritance?

Ruth set aside the book she’d been holding and rose. Even through the plethora of her petticoats, Josh could tell she nearly stomped each step. She went to the table, picked up the vase, and slipped past Josh at the door. A second later, the flowers sailed through the air and Ruth returned. She forced a smile. “Thank you, Joshua. Your flowers are beautiful. They will look nice in here.”

He popped them into the vase and waited until Ruth set the arrangement on the table. “I’m glad you like them.”

“I’ve never seen a lovelier bouquet.” Ruth stepped back from the table.

Laney scooted beside her. “Neither have I.”

Stepping up to them, Josh said, “You can enjoy them more later. For now, why don’t we all spare Hilda from having to track us down for lunch?”

Laney turned sideways and clasped Ruth’s hand. “Does Josh know?”

“Know what?” he demanded.

“Daddy,” Laney said. “He’s been acting oddly. Mostly about Ruth. I think the flowers must have been from him.”

“The only flowers I see are the ones Josh brought.” Ruth’s jaw jutted forward, and the stubborn glint in her eye dared anyone to challenge her.

“I’m glad you like them.” He reached up and gently tugged on one of her loose curls. “Though they’re not half as pretty as you.”

Laney looked from Ruth to him and back again. She squared her shoulders and pasted on a smile. “If we weren’t so busy, I’d insist upon our painting the arrangement.”

“You have been busy.” Josh cleared his throat. “But perhaps after lunch you could make a little time to go visit the O’Sullivans. I’m sure they’d love to see you.”

“No.” Ruth shook her head. “I need to move everything here.

Today.”

“Of course you do.” Laney flashed Josh a smile. “I’ll bet my brother can spare someone to bring your trunks over. In fact, I’m going to invite myself to be your very first guest and spend the night with you.”

Ruth looked at him. “We could pay a visit to the O’Sullivans tomorrow.”

He nodded. “I’ll take you over.”

Josh didn’t want Ruth away from his protection, and he argued with himself as he personally moved Ruth’s trunks to her father’s old cabin.
With Hilda and Laney here, Ruth has sufficient protection from
Dad. He can’t very well make a move when they’re at her side. But Ruth is the
woman I love. I need to protect her
.

“Josh,” Laney whispered to him as Ruth went into her bedchamber to put things away, “I don’t understand Daddy’s behavior, but he’s far too old for Ruth. He doesn’t love her like you do.”

“You’re pretty smart for being so young.”

“Nothing would make me happier than to have a sister. When are you going to ask Ruth to marry you?”

“Soon. We have some problems to iron out first.”

The problems grew more complicated by supper. Dad had gone to town and came back with a friend. “Boaz Crocker is a cousin to one of the men who’s intending to lay a railroad to the east,” Dad said by way of introduction.

“Crocker.” Josh shook his hand.

Dad smiled at Crocker. “My daughter will be down shortly. She’s recently returned from finishing school.”

“I’m sure she’s a very accomplished young lady.”

Josh smiled. “Actually, Laney and Ruth have been over at the cabin all afternoon.”

“Yes, I can believe it.” Dad nodded. “Elaine is helping Ruth decide on how to decorate her place. She’s excellent with all of those domestic details.”

Laney and Ruth came through the front door and stopped cold at the sight of a guest. Still in the frocks they’d been wearing all day, they looked rumpled. Ruth’s hair had long since escaped their pins and tumbled around her in a wild profusion of curls. Hectic color filled her cheeks, making her look all the more fetching.

“Elaine Louise.” Dad’s voice held uncommon censure. “We’ve a guest. Go make yourself presentable.”

“She’s washed up. That’s good enough.” Hilda trundled over, wiping her hands on her apron. “Supper’s on the table. Waiting on a girl to go fancy up’s gonna make everything go cold.”

Crocker stepped forward. “I’d be happy to escort you to supper, Miss Elaine.”

“No, no. That’s Ruth Caldwell.” Dad jerked him to the side. “This is my daughter, Laney.”

“Miss Elaine.” Mr. Crocker gave her a polite nod and offered her his arm.

Josh cut Dad off and walked Ruth to the table. After seating her, he took the chair immediately beside her. “Dad tells me Mr. Crocker’s cousin is one of the gentlemen who’s considering a railroad to the east.”

“It’s more than a consideration. The decision was made.” Crocker took a sip of coffee, then added, “There are those who will yet need to be convinced of the need, but the railroad is an unstoppable force.”

“No one needs to convince me,” Dad said. “It’s a brilliant concept. Elaine, pass Mr. Crocker the bread.”

“Yes, Daddy.”

Josh’s eyes narrowed. As supper progressed, Dad manipulated the conversation shamelessly. He alternated between promoting the railroad and boasting about Laney’s accomplishments.

Mr. Crocker seemed like an affable fellow, but Laney rarely looked up from her plate. When he tried to engage her in conversation, she’d barely devote more than a sentence to an answer. Dad urged Laney to refill Mr. Crocker’s cup and to pass him various dishes. Clearly, Dad was trying to play matchmaker, and Laney wanted no part of it.

As Laney’s disinterest became apparent, Mr. Crocker turned his attention toward Ruth. “Your name is far more common than mine, yet I’ve never dined with a Ruth before now.” He flashed her a charming smile. “Boaz and Ruth. Imagine that.”

Ruth set down her fork. “Yes, my name is quite common. Please excuse me. It must be the excitement of moving, but I’m suddenly fatigued.”

“Me too.” Laney hopped out of her seat.

“Ruth, please feel free to go ahead and retire.” Dad gave her a smile that made Josh grit his teeth. “Laney, you’ve been working on a charming tune on the piano. Stay downstairs for a while and play for us men.”

“Daddy, I promised Ruth I’d spend the night with her.”

“Go ahead, Laney,” Josh said. “It’s important to keep promises.”

“Thank you.” Relief filled Laney’s voice. “We’ll just get a few necessities and be off.”

Hilda brought out big wedges of cherry pie. Josh wolfed down his slice, but he barely tasted it. When he’d discovered Dad’s embezzlement, he’d lost all respect for him. Now Dad was crossing a line Josh never imagined he’d traverse: He was trying to bully Ruth and Laney into marriages they didn’t want.

“Well, then,” Dad drummed the tabletop, “with the women retiring, we men can enjoy an after-dinner cigar.”

“Don’t mind if I do.” Crocker stood.

When Crocker preceded Dad onto the veranda, Dad growled under his breath at Josh, “You’re ruining everything!”

“We’re partners.” Josh stared him in the eyes. “If you have a plan, you need to run it by me first.” He heard the girls coming down the stairs and raised his voice. “Crocker, you’ll have to excuse me. I’m going to walk the ladies over to the cabin.”