Moonlight on Water (28 page)

Straightening his dark waistcoat, Mr. Foley strode toward Rachel. His smile did not warm as he offered his arm.

She did not put her hand on it as she said, “I believe it'd be better if we canceled
this
carriage ride, Mr. Foley. It appears to be an inopportune time for you.”

“Do you believe so?” He moved closer to her.

She pressed back against the wall. Something caught at her skirt as she tried to slide away. His hand on her arm kept her from harboring any ideas of fleeing. She squared her shoulders. She did not want to escape. She wanted him to explain why he had been kissing his ex-wife.

Mr. Foley continued to smile. She said nothing, and his lips fell. He wanted her to beg him to let her go. What an arrogant idiot! Did he think she would forget the rights she had to denounce him to the Assembly of Elders?

She clasped her hands in front of her. Mr. Foley was not the idiot. She was. As a member of the Assembly of Elders, his lies would be believed instead of her truth.

“Come with me, Miss Browning,” he said. “Our conversation is more suited for a ride along the river.”

“No. I'm going to return to my cottage to do some chores.”

“I'll walk you there.”

Rachel wanted to decline his company again, but she knew she could not tell him that he was unwelcome to walk anywhere he chose at River's Haven. He said nothing until they reached her cottage. When he opened her door, she wanted to pull it closed behind her.

She faced him as he entered. “If you're intending to explain why you and Miss Turnbull are breaking River's Haven's laws, I—”

“You
are the one breaking our laws, Rachel.” His superior tone returned.

“There's no law against being friendly with our neighbors.” She would not pretend not to understand what he meant. There had been too many lies and half-truths already. She untied her bonnet, and set it on the table.

“Neighbors, not outsiders.”

She crossed her arms in front of her. “I'll be glad to admit my questionable actions in front of the Assembly of Elders, if you're as willing to admit to yours.”

“You know you're to play a special part in my life. What part does that river rat play in yours?”

As she sat on the sofa, Rachel saw rage had come back into his eyes. Until Wyatt had arrived at River's Haven, she had never seen Mr. Foley so angry. She did not like what she was discovering about this man the Assembly of Elders wished her to marry.

“Don't be jealous of Wyatt.” She would not be a hypocrite like Mr. Foley and speak of Wyatt as
Mr. Colton
.

“Should I be? Have you been giving him what should be mine alone?”

He sat, pulling her to him. When he kissed her, she shoved him away.

“Mr. Foley, it's clear you and Miss Turnbull are lovers still.” She scowled. “Why are you trying to pretend otherwise?”

As if she had remained silent, he went on. “I don't want you giving Colton even a single kiss because you're to be my second wife.”

“While you still have a secret affair with your first wife?”

“You'll never speak of that again.” His mouth twisted before it pressed over hers.

As he reached to draw her skirt higher along her legs, she cried, “Mr. Foley, stop!” She struggled against him, but he did not release her.

“Why are you resisting?” He smiled. “I can give you everything you want in River's Haven. After all, I obtained permission for anyone, who wished to, to go to Haven for the Centennial celebration.” His smile vanished into a threatening scowl. “Prove to me that you want me instead of Colton.”

“I don't need to prove anything to you.”

“Yes, you do. Prove it to me now.” His mouth over hers silenced her protest as he shoved her back onto the cushions, holding her arms tightly.

With a grimace, Rachel exerted every bit of her strength against him. It was not enough to break his grip, but she was able to roll out from beneath him. Sitting on the floor, she pointed to the door and ordered, “Get out! Now!”

“You can't tell me what to do.”

“This is my home, and I can ask you to leave. Go, or—”

“Or you'll run to the other Elders with your lies?” He stood and adjusted his waistcoat as he had in the stable. Was that his way of pretending again that nothing out of the ordinary had happened?

“With the truth.”

“Go ahead.” He gestured toward the door as she had. “Go ahead and spread your filth as you spread your legs for Colton.”

Pushing herself to her feet, Rachel paid no attention to the heat on her face at his coarse words. She should not be the one blushing. Mr. Foley was the liar, not her.

With quiet dignity, she said, “I'll spread the
truth
, if you don't leave.”

He smiled again, a condescending smile. “It'll be very sad.”

“What will be very sad?” She watched him closely, wondering what that smile augured.

“That your river rat is found floating in the river when his half-burned boat goes to the bottom.”

“Are you saying if I go to the other Elders with the truth about how you and Miss Turnbull have thumbed your noses at River's Haven's compound marriage doctrine, you'll attack
The Ohio Star
… again?”

He patted her arm. “My dear, you're becoming irrational. I believe I'll have to speak to the Assembly of Elders about how you've obviously been overtaxed with taking care of that urchin. It's time we remedied that.”

Rachel stepped back, wrapping her arms around herself. He was threatening to hurt both Wyatt and Kitty Cat. Lowering her eyes, she swallowed the bitter taste of defeat.

“There's no need to remedy anything,” she said quietly. “I'll concentrate on taking care of Katherine and forget about everything else.”

“Save our wedding.”

She looked up at him, astounded. “But I thought that you wanted to be with—I mean—”

The door came open as Kitty Cat entered, singing a song that Miss Hanson must have taught the youngsters. The little girl became silent when she looked at Mr. Foley. Hurrying across the room, she grasped Rachel's skirt.

Rachel put her hand on Kitty Cat's shoulder and said, “Good afternoon, Mr. Foley. It's later than I thought, and I must begin preparing supper.”

Mr. Foley picked up her bonnet and hung it on the peg by the door. Again he acted as if he had already moved into her house. She banked her shudder as her mind added,
and into my bed
.

“We'll have to have our carriage ride another day,” he replied with a cool smile.

As he walked out, Rachel sank to the sofa. Kitty Cat climbed into her lap. Putting her cheek against the child's red curls, Rachel knew she should not have suggested that she would go to the Assembly of Elders about Mr. Foley's liaison with Miss Turnbull. He had so much influence among the Assembly of Elders. She wondered how he would use it to make her comply and which of his threats he would put into action.

One thing was clear: Mr. Foley intended to stay in Miss Turnbull's bed even after he wed her. Miss Turnbull was welcome to Mr. Foley. Rachel would be glad to be rid of him. Yet her heartache did not lessen. Merrill would be horrified, and this could tear at the very soul of River's Haven. So many trusted Mr. Foley, and he had lied to all of them.

Just as Wyatt warned he would
.

Wyatt was always honest with her, even when she did not want to hear what he had to say. He would accept no compromises and expected her to be the same.

If Mr. Foley spread his poisoned tales, all the blame would shift to Rachel. She remembered the family who had been banished from River's Haven because they would not accept the Community's rules. A shudder ached across her shoulders. Mr. Foley had voiced the complaints against them. When they had left, he had been given a seat on the Assembly of Elders. Had he used them to gain himself that prestige?

With a sigh, she knew she must be careful. She no longer knew whom she could trust in River's Haven. She feared it was no one.

Nineteen

When her office door opened, Rachel whirled, her pink striped skirt swirling around her knees. Her eyes widened as Wyatt entered. Despite herself, she could not help admiring the sleek motion of his muscles beneath his cotton shirt and dark trousers. Sweat stained his collar, and she guessed he had been working hard on
The Ohio Star
, even though it was barely past sunrise.

He gave an appreciative whistle. “Very nice. You look like a sweet ready to be opened, honey.”

“What are you doing here?” She set down the book she had been looking at by the window. “Weren't all the parts you ordered already picked up?”

“The parts are fine. I came here today to get K. C. to take her into Haven to finish up the decorations for the parade. I promised her that I would when I saw her in town yesterday.”

“She didn't mention that she'd seen you.”

“No?” He shook his head with exaggerated regret as he sat on the corner of her desk. “And here I was hoping that you were all prettied up because you knew I was calling.”

“If you haven't noticed, it's very hot This is my coolest dress.”

His arm slipped around her waist as he drew her to her feet. “I hear there's a pond out near Jennings's farm where the kids go swimming.”

“I don't own a swimming dress.”

“You wouldn't need one if it's just you and me.”

She closed her eyes to exult in the caress of his mouth against her neck and the image of his sleek body stroking hers in the cool water. His lips were a flame on her. Her arms curved up along his back as his mouth claimed hers. His eager fingers roamed along her when he tilted her back over his arm.

He lifted his mouth away from hers to whisper, “I've missed not seeing you for the past two days, honey, and I missed
this
.”

“Me, too.” Putting her hands on his cheeks, she brought his mouth down to hers.

He pulled her even closer. His hard body fit along her perfectly. All of her craving to love him again surged through her.

“If you keep doing that, we're going to be late.” Kitty Cat's voice was filled with irritation.

Rachel gasped. She had not heard the door opening again. If someone else had seen her in Wyatt's arms … She began to laugh at the sight of the little girl standing with her arms crossed in front of her, her toe tapping impatiently. Squatting down, Rachel straightened the white bow at the waist of Kitty Cat's dress. Its green plaid was the perfect complement for her bright red hair.

“Why didn't you tell me you'd asked Wyatt to come and take you into Haven?” Rachel asked. “He's very busy with
The Ohio Star
, you know.”

“I told you. I told you during …” Kitty Cat giggled. “I
meant
to tell you during dinner last night.” She glanced quickly at Wyatt and then away before scurrying out of the office.

“What was that look?” Wyatt asked. “She acted as if she'd let the cat out of the bag.”

Rachel sighed as she came to her feet. “Merrill and his new wife ate with us last night.”

“And pestered you to explain why you haven't gotten hitched to Foley yet.”

“Among other things.” She forced a smile. “How's the work coming on
The Ohio Star
?”

“Why don't you come into Haven with us and see for yourself? Don't give me the excuse that you've got too much work to steal a few hours away before the rest of River's Haven is awake.”

“It wouldn't be an excuse.” Her smile became more genuine. “I do have a lot of work.”

“And how are you going to concentrate on it when you're so curious about the boat?”

She glanced out the window. His offer was so tempting. Too tempting. She should walk away. Far away. So far away that this compelling man would no longer be a part of her life or Kitty Cat's. How much farther would she have to go until she could forget the thrill of being in his arms?

Wyatt watched Rachel's face, which revealed every thought. She was going to turn down his invitation. He could tell that by how her smile wavered. What had her brother said to her last night that had pulled her right back into line with River's Haven's laws? Or had it been Browning? Maybe Foley had said something to her.

“If you aren't coming out to
The Ohio Star
today, Rachel,” he asked, “will you visit during the Centennial celebration tomorrow?”

She shook her head. “I don't know if we'll be there.”

“On the boat or at the Centennial celebration?”

“Either.”

As she turned away, he caught her hand. “Rachel …”

“I have all this work to do. It's going to take all day, and I want to be done so I can make Kitty Cat a good supper. She always is so hungry. Maybe because she's growing so quickly.”

“And what of me?”

“You?”

He closed the door and stepped in front of her. As his fingers swept up along her face to tangle in her hair, he drew her so tightly to him that not even a sunbeam could slip between them. He bent so his eyes were even with hers. Her warm breath brushed his lips.

“I hunger, too,” he murmured. “I see you holding K. C. to your breast, and I envy her.”

“Wyatt, don't say this. Please don't say anything like that again.”

“I thought we were going to be honest with each other.”

“I thought we could, but some things need to remain unsaid.”

He brushed a strand of hair back from her cheek. The soft silk stirred the craving in his gut. A craving that was as impossible to forget as this lovely woman who had infected his life with a fever for her.

His fingers slipped through her hair and tilted her mouth beneath his. He teased her lips with the tip of his tongue. As they softened, he tasted a hint of her morning coffee within her mouth. That was sweetened by her own dulcet flavors. As her breath pulsed, swift and eager in his mouth, he tightened his arms around her. He ached to sweep aside her pretty dress and hold her silken skin against him.