Pioneer Passion (15 page)

Relieved, Rusty smiled trying to cover her
blunder and listened to Skye ramble on. “...but, his wire said so
little about you. I hope we can get better aquatinted?” Skye
squeezed her hand tenderly. This action told her that there was a
deep friendliness in Guy’s sister that Rusty liked. She hoped the
rest of the family was as warm to her. Never before did she so want
to be liked by anyone. But, this was Guy’s family and it was very
important to her.

Skye had met them with a coach more luxurious
than Rusty had ever seen. As they rode down the road, she watched
the scenery go by with wide eyes. The green carpet of Nevada’s
grasslands lay for miles ahead of them. Clear blue skies were
freckled in the distance with small birds. She felt as if she were
in another world, but a world that excited her. The ride lasted
about an hour and the two siblings rambled on. Skye did most of the
talking, which pleased her since it seemed that the young woman had
a lot to tell her brother and was thrilled he had come for her
engagement party.

She heard about Skye’s beau and how wonderful
he was. The young woman’s happiness was infectious and Rusty soon
forgot about her awkwardness. Her heart lightened at the way the
two chattered and she could see there was much love between them.
She envied them somewhat. Don’t think about all these new emotions
right now or you’ll be overwhelmed. You have plenty of time later
to mull over what’s happening to you.

Guy cleared his throat snapping Rusty out of
her self-chiding and she was glad for the distraction because she
was starting to feel disturbing things about her life. And that
wouldn’t do.

Guy was surprised his sister still recognized
him after so many years, guessing he hadn’t changed as much as she
had. He couldn’t believe she was the same freckled-faced kid he’d
left behind. She had grown into a real beauty and he was proud to
be her brother and wondered how much his younger brother had
changed. There was six years between him and Skye, but Kyle was
only two years his junior.

“Are you really happy?” Guy asked, grinning
lovingly. Skye’s blush didn’t go undetected by his eyes.

“Oh, yes! I’m so wonderfully happy,” she
chirped. “Wait until you meet Robert.” She leaned back on the plush
seat and sighed dreamily.

He could see his sister was very much in love
and took her hand. Her eyes had sparkled with love when she
mentioned her fiancé’s name. He said, knowing that he sounded like
an over-protective brother, “He better treat you right or else
he’ll answer to me.” His voice sounded foreboding but his wink
betrayed him and Skye giggled, swatting his hand playfully. He was
as happy as she to be home and they were both laughing when the
carriage headed up the long gravel driveway that curved around the
front of the mansion.

He hoped Rusty would be accepted and he shook
his head, reflecting for a moment about what she had put him
through. But damn, she was bewitching despite those boy’s clothes
with that dumb hat sliding down her face. God, he hated that thing
and vowed if it was the last he’d do, he’d throw it away. He
groaned inwardly and admitted it was not the hat that really
bothered him. Hell fire!

Guy heard Rusty gasp pulling him from his
disturbing thoughts. He saw her eyes open wide at the sight before
her. His parent’s house was so big and beautiful and he knew that
it took her breath away by her expression. He always thought that
the giant structure of stone seemed cold and intimidating, but the
array of beautiful flowers that lined the windowsills gave people
the sense that there was a lot of comfort and warmth inside. A
large weeping willow swayed in the distance, its loving arms
reaching out to embrace and welcome visitors.

The coach stopped in front of the large oak
door guarded by two white pillars. As a child he always thought the
pillars looked like giants standing watch. The carriage door opened
and Guy stepped down to observe the strange flush look on Rusty’s
face. The kid didn’t expect a large gloved hand to reach in and
help her down. He could see that the girl was in a trace, and
didn’t grasp that she was standing on the hard ground until she
looked up to see the black face and eyes making contact with hers.
Startled, Rusty gasped, then blushed, embarrassed for being caught
daydreaming. He threw his head back and roared with laughter not
able to resist teasing the old manservant, Mosses. “I see you still
have that same effect on young ladies.”

Moses stood firm, replying with a stiff upper
lip as if he hadn’t heard his remark. “Welcome home, Master
Guy!”

Guy chuckled. “It’s all right, sweetheart.
This is Mosses and, although he looks as if he could eat little
girls,” he whispered in her ear, looking sideways at the big black
man, smiling smugly, “he won’t.” He knew Mosses didn’t approve of
teasing but he tolerated it now as he always had. He had shown no
mercy growing up but he loved the old man. Mosses never displayed
any emotion towards Guy, but he felt the black man loved him too.
He stepped aide as the servant helped Skye out of the carriage.

Still in a daze, Guy saw Rusty blink when the
large oak door swung open to reveal a long vestibule. His mother
ran forward with outstretched arms. She was still as lovely as he
remembered with the same hair coloring as her children; hers was
kissed with touches of silver at the temples. Skye resembled his
mother the only difference was his mother’s eyes mirrored his in
color; dark. The woman was tall, but not as tall as his sister. She
flew into his loving arms, and over her protests, he swung her
around.

“Oh, son, I’m so happy you’re home.” She
moistened her lips and smiled. “I’ve… err, we’ve all missed
you.”

“Oh, I’m sure I was missed by all,” Guy
declared. For a moment he saw sadness cross his mother’s lovely
features and he could’ve kicked himself for being unkind. Damn,
he’s taking his frustrations out on the wrong party; his mother
always stood by his side.

His mother placed a loving hand on his arm.
“Yes, dear, your father has missed you, too, although, his pride
wouldn’t let him admit it. Don’t fret; he’ll welcome you home with
open arms.”

She winked, hoping to sooth his ruffled
feathers but he refused to be swayed. And he assumed his mother had
a lot to do with the mellowing of Hal Strong and his old man’s
willingness to send him some of his cows. He kissed his mother’s
cheek with a knowing nod and said, “Mother, this is Rusty
Crawford.” Guy reached for the silent girl. “Rusty, this is my
mother, Claire Strong, the only woman in my life who ever
understood and found no fault with me.” He winked not missing the
fact that his mother rolled her eyes heavenward and laughed.

Rusty heard the edge in Guy’s voice and
observed the tension in his body. She knitted her brows at seeing
the cowboy’s attitude. Even if his father still held resentment
towards him, he should be happy his parents are still alive.
Curiosity fused with foreboding skated through her mind that the
meeting of father and son should be very interesting. She sucked in
a deep breath for composure, hearing the woman sniffle. She shook
Clair’s hands with a mutual instant respect for her. It didn’t take
her long to discover that Guy’s family was nothing like him.
Rusty’s eyes misted, recalling the terrible loss of her parents for
a moment.

“Welcome, m’dear,” the beautiful lady took
her arm with a gentle nudge. “We’re all happy that you’ve come,”
Clair stated as Rusty looked about. Her mouth dropped open and she
was lost for words. Overhead hung the most opulent crystal
chandelier, magnifying the sun’s rays, causing a kaleidoscope of
reflecting patterns on the ceiling. If Guy hadn’t put his finger
under her chin to close her gaping mouth, she would have stood
hypnotized forever.

“Guy,” Mrs. Strong’s soft voice scolded
snapping her back to the present. “Do not tease the girl. Come
dear,” the woman coaxed and she was piloted by the elbow into the
parlor. Rusty turned and fired Guy a satisfied smirk. His eyes
twinkled with mirth, but her smugness fell by the wayside when once
again, she was caught in surroundings that overwhelmed her
senses.

Mesmerized, she moved through the room.
Gold-framed portraits of handsome men and striking woman hung on
the walls. A large purple velvet settee faced the glowing
fireplace. Plush drapes covered three large windows, while one
inviting glass door stood bare making her curious to see what was
beyond. Her boots made no sound as she walked over a soft Oriental
rug that cushioned her feet, feeling as if they were walking on
fresh mud. She was enchanted.

Claire placed her warm arm over her shoulder,
asking, “Do you like our home?”

“Oh… it’s, it’s so big. I mean… its lovely,”
she fumbled for the right words. “I’ve never seen such luxury, Mrs.
Strong.” Embarrassed, Rusty fidgeted, feeling awkward alongside the
pleasant woman. She promised herself to say as little as
possible.

“Please call me Claire,” she insisted, and
smiled. “Now sit and rest a spell while Susan, our maid, prepares
your bath. I’m sure you could use a nice hot bath after that awful
train ride. They’re dreadful, aren’t they?”

Rusty shrugged. “They are a bit tiresome,
Mrs. St… err, and I mean, Claire. I’d rather have my backside in a
saddle, Oh, I mean....” She grimaced at her outspoken words.

So much for her promise to herself, she
chided her stupidity and felt like a jackass in a barn full of
Arabian horses. The woman’s laugh was cordial and she assumed that
Guy’s mother was not laughing at her, but trying to make her feel
at home. She appreciated Claire’s

Intelligence; if only her son could develop
some of his mother’s smarts!

“My, but you’re a refreshing child. I think
we’re going to be good friends,” declared Clair and Rusty was
hugged warmly. She had to keep from blubbering. After a few more
minutes of conversation, Skye joined them and took her to the
bathing closet. As she ascended the highly polished, dark wooden
stairs plushy carpeted on each step, she remembered Guy teasing
her. Why did he enjoy gloating at her? Even now, she could feel his
eyes on her back, and when she turned, she found she was right. He
nodded with a wolfish smile and winked. She sighed, asking herself
if she would ever understand him.

Skye told her to take her time bathing and
this pleased Rusty. A bath in the house was something she had
recently gotten accustomed to; it was better than bathing in the
lake in the

Winter. Upon opening the bathroom, she found
a beautiful white porcelain tub with gold carved legs had been
filled with water. The room was scented with roses. Opposite the
tub was a counter lined with perfumes, powders, and soaps, also
smelling like roses. She inhaled the soap deeply thinking that she
was inhaling the breath of an angel. How could people live in such
luxury? She might as well enjoy it as long as she could. Once she
returned home, this would all seem like a dream. Albeit, the house
Guy built was far from the shack she had lived in all her life, it
wasn’t anything like his parent’s home. A girl could certainly get
used to this, she mused.

Slowly, she stripped and eased her aching
body into the hot water. It was ecstasy. She washed her hair and
body with the rose-scented soap, and stayed until the water cooled.
Someone had left a terrycloth robe and she slipped into it,
enjoying the sumptuousness. Toweling dry her hair, she recalled
being told her room was to the left of the bathing closet. Picking
up her discarded clothes, she opened the door, unsure of what was
to greet her on the other side. She felt shy when she saw a pretty
girl standing in the center of the room.

“Hello! I’m Susan. Did you enjoy your bath,
Miss?” She smiled and curtsied. “I’m here to tend to your needs,”
she offered.

Rusty’s confusion must have shown on her face
because Susan giggled, explaining she was there to help in
dressing. She felt uncomfortable having someone fuss over her and
had every intention to tell the girl she could tend to her own
needs, when she realized she couldn’t be rude. She was a guest
here.

“Thank you, I’m Rusty. I’m pleased to meet
you.” The dark haired girl nodded shyly, not taking the hand she
offered but curtsying instead. The young servant left, promising to
return to help her dress. “But I don’t have anything to….” The girl
was gone before Rusty finished her thought. She shrugged, looking
over the room. It was done in shades of lavender by someone who
loved the color purple and definitely a girl’s room. Then she
remembered the purple couch and smiled figuring God had to go
through a lot of trouble to make that color. Running her hand
across the floral brocade bedspread, she was tempted to jump on the
big, soft bed. She looked forward to a good night’s sleep in the
arms of tranquility.

Curiosity made her peek into the wardrobe and
to her awe, she discovered it filled with beautiful silk gowns. She
closed her eyes, wishing they were hers; when she opened them,
Susan was standing in the room. She flinched, not expecting the
girl’s quick return.

“I brought you some of Miss Skye’s under
things, Miss.”

Rusty judged the servant to be not much
younger or older than she and she didn’t feel right being called
Miss and said, “Please call me Rusty.”

“Oh, no Miss, I can’t possibly be so
disrespectful, a girl in my position.” She stood in silence,
contemplating the floor

Rusty went over and took Susan’s hand,
smiling. “You and I are about the same age and I’m very
uncomfortable being called Miss. I understand that you must show
respect in front of the others, but when we’re alone, I’d like you
call me Rusty.”

Susan lifted her face. “Well, I guess it will
be all right, just between you and me. In truth, I would like a
friend my own age. I like you, you don’t put on airs. Oh, I mean,”
the servant’s face redden at her slip, but she quickly added, “not
that the Strong’s are snooty.” She giggled. “My mama wouldn’t
approve, but it will be our secret.”