The Christmas Journey (12 page)

“You go on,” Josie offered. “I’ll finish up for you.”

Ry caught Cora Beth’s look of surprise, quickly followed by a flash of understanding. “Thanks,” she said. “Danny, please check the lamps on the landing. Uncle Grover, would you please lock the front door for me before you head upstairs?”

The older man stood. “Come along, Danny, my boy, it seems we have our marching orders.”

In a surprisingly short time, Ry and Josie were alone in the kitchen. He should head back to his room, but he was strangely reluctant to leave. Instead, he stared at her back, watching her wash and rinse the dishes with the same efficiency she tackled everything she set her mind to.

He studied the carved pumpkin, noticing the delicate detail, the fine craftsmanship, so at odds with the impulsive, heavy-handed image she projected. The contradictions in this woman continued to intrigue him.

“I’ve seen pictures of the Statue of Liberty,” she said, breaking into his thoughts. “I bet it’s really something to see in real life.”

“That it is.”

“I plan to see it for myself someday, you know. That and lots of other places.”

Something in her tone caught his attention, made him remember the yearning expression of a few moments ago. “Do you now?” he replied softly.

“As soon as Danny’s old enough to take over the livery. I want to see the world, or at least as big a piece of it as I can.”

“Because of the promise you made your aunt?”

She glanced over her shoulder with an annoyed frown. “I made that promise because it’s what
I
want, not just to please her.”

“You know,” he said slowly, “I’ve done a fair share of traveling in my day, and after a while it loses a bit of its luster.
There’s plenty of folks who’d give anything to have what you have right here with your family.”

He saw her shoulders stiffen. “How old were you when you set off from that ranch your family runs?”

“Sixteen. But I only did it to appease my grandfather. And I only intended it to be for a short time.”

“You never really went back, though, did you? Not to stay.”

Ry swallowed a wince as her words brought back his frustration over his current arrangement.

“Do you regret it?” she asked, not waiting for an answer to her previous question. “Going off to spend time with your grandfather, I mean?”

Did he? If he’d stayed at Hawk’s Creek he’d never have gotten the first-rate education he’d received, never become a lawyer, never been able to appreciate all his mother gave up to marry his father. But he’d also never have found himself so alienated from his siblings.

“There’s no simple answer to that question,” he finally said.

That earned him an inelegant snort. “I think that’s an answer in itself.”

Ouch! Seemed her sympathy only extended to his physical injuries. One thing about Josie, she didn’t have any problem speaking her mind. The proverbial thorn on the rose.

But he was beginning to believe the bloom was worth risking a few scratches for.

He stood abruptly. Better not to go any further down that path. “If you’re certain you don’t need my help, I believe I’ll turn in.”

“See you in the morning.” She threw the response over her shoulder without bothering to turn around.

Jo resisted the urge to stomp her foot.

It wasn’t fair that he had everything
she
wanted and seemed
so discontented. Yet
he
judged
her
for daring to set her sights beyond Knotty Pine. He wouldn’t think her life was so rosy if he were the one living it. Too bad they couldn’t up and change places. If he had all her family responsibilities…

She stilled. What if he
did
have her responsibilities? It was obvious the family already liked him. And he seemed equally taken with them. If she could somehow make him an actual part of the family, he was the sort of man who’d do everything he could to provide for and protect those in his care.

Cora Beth admired him. She could see he liked her too. As for the rest of the family, after that ruckus in the livery Danny practically hero-worshipped him. Ry had shown he could deal with her nieces—why, he even got along with Uncle Grover. They’d all be in good hands.

As for Ry’s part, what man wouldn’t be attracted to Cora Beth? She had that sweet domestic air about her that drew men looking for a wife like bees to honey.

If Ry and Cora Beth were to get hitched, she would be free to leave Knotty Pine knowing the family was well cared for.

So what if she’d been doing a bit of daydreaming over him herself? It was just because he’d been so all-fired heroic the other day and, to be honest, handsome as all get out. But, even if the thought stung a bit, she was realistic enough to know a man like Ryland Lassiter wouldn’t fall for a girl like her.

Besides, she didn’t need a man to tie her down. Just the opposite—she wanted to cut her tightly knotted bonds to this place so she could fly free.

In that respect, Ry
was
the answer to her prayers. God’s hand had been in the timing of his trip through Knotty Pine, she was certain of it.

Jo lifted her chin. If this tug of attraction she felt for him was a way of testing her resolve, she was more than up to the chal
lenge. All she needed for her plan to work would be for someone to give Ry and Cora Beth a little push.

And no matter how much her silly heart protested, she was just the person to do it.

R
y watched the world outside his window shift from black, to gray, to the rosy shades of dawn. He probably hadn’t slept more than three hours last night, and that only in fits and starts.

Today he’d get some answers about Belle—or whatever answers were available. Then what?

Last night with the Wylies—experiencing firsthand their closeness and shared sense of purpose—had strengthened the feeling that had gradually grown in him the past few months, that he was merely drifting through life.

He had family, of course. Sadie and Griff and Grandfather Wallace—his Texas family and his Philadelphia family.

The problem was, he didn’t have strong roots in either place. He mattered to his siblings, but if he passed away tomorrow it wouldn’t leave any big gap in their lives. And he mattered to his grandfather, but only as someone to carry on the Wallace family legacy. Griff would have done just as well if he’d been the one to go to Philadelphia that fateful summer.

But the fault lay with him as much as with his family—maybe more so. He’d never truly committed to either world.

It was time that changed. He was twenty-nine years old. Time he made some decisions, set down some deeper roots. Perhaps time he started a family of his own.

Family. Home. A sense of belonging and mattering to folks in a real way. Those were things that gave a man a sense of purpose.

For some reason, Josie’s face popped into his mind on the heels of that thought.

The sound of someone stirring around brought a welcome interruption to his musings. Ready for something to occupy him besides his own thoughts, Ry quickly got dressed.

He found Josie in the kitchen, frying up some eggs.

“Good morning,” she called over her shoulder. “I’ll be out of your way in a minute.”

“Take your time,” he drawled.

She jerked her head around. “Oh, sorry. I thought you were Cora Beth.” Her surprised expression changed to one of curiosity. “What are you doing up so early?”

He shrugged. “No point staying in bed once you’re awake.”

Without asking if he was hungry, she cracked a couple more eggs and mixed them up with hers in the skillet. “Worried about meeting with Reverend Fields?”

Ry smiled as he watched her quick, efficient movements. He was surprised but pleased that she assumed he would share a meal with her, and that she would go through the trouble of cooking it. “Not worried,” he replied. “Just ready to get some answers.”

She nodded. “Plates are in the cupboard above the sink.”

No false platitudes from this one. He took down two of the plates and set them on the counter next to the stove. “Anything else I can do to help?”

“Coffee cups are in the next cabinet over. I take mine with just a dab of cream.”

As he poured up the two cups of coffee he thought how com
fortable this was, sharing the start of day in this relaxed, unhurried way with someone who didn’t chatter on just to fill the silences and who seemed so attuned to his thoughts and mood.

Jo finished scrambling the eggs, never looking up but very conscious of his movements. Not that she could help it. He was such an imposing man—tall and broad shouldered, moving with a wholly masculine, wolf-like grace despite his injuries, and just out-and-out filling a room with his presence.

Her matchmaking job should be easy. How could Cora Beth
not
fall for him?

And of course, given time to get to know her better, he would fall for Cora Beth too. After all, her sister wasn’t still single for lack of offers.

Jo dished up the eggs just as he set the cups of coffee on the table. She set the plates next to the cups, noting from its color that her coffee was prepared just the way she liked it.

They sat across from each other and ate in comfortable silence for a while. Finally, he wrapped his hands around his cup and looked up. “When does the next northbound train pass through?”

She paused with the fork halfway to her mouth. “Friday.” Uh-oh, she hadn’t thought about this part. Once he talked with Reverend Fields there’d be nothing to keep him here. And two days wasn’t nearly enough time for her plan to take hold.

He nodded. “Well, I won’t make you wait to get your room back. I’ll move into one of the guest chambers this morning. Just let me know which one.”

“Talk to Cora Beth about that. She’s the one in charge here. I’m good at the livery business but not running a household. No sir, not like Cora Beth. That sister of mine sure knows how to keep this big ole place running as smooth as kitten’s fur.”

Seeing his puzzled frown, Jo realized she’d been babbling.
Good heavens, best get out of here while she could, and think this thing through when she was alone. There had to be a way to keep him in Knotty Pine a bit longer.

Pushing quickly back from the table, she carried her dishes to the sink.

“Josie, are you all—”

“Gotta head over to the livery,” she said, cutting him off. “Don’t you worry, though, I still plan to meet Reverend Fields at the train station this morning. Uncle Grover’s already agreed to watch the livery while I’m gone.”

“That’s not necessary. I can—”

“No problem at all. Glad to do it.” She edged toward the door, ignoring his puzzled expression.

Cora Beth walked in, tying an apron around her waist. She paused when she realized she wasn’t alone. “Oh, hello. Looks like I’m the slugabed this morning.”

Jo felt a tiny pang as Ry smiled at her sister. Which was plumb foolish, being as that was exactly what she wanted. She was just rattled by being caught off guard by his question was all.

“Morning, Cora Beth,” she said quickly. “Mr. Lassiter wants to move into one of the guest rooms. You don’t mind helping him with that, do you?”

“Of course not.”

“Good. Well, I better get going. Freddie’ll be wondering what’s keeping me.” And with that she was out the door. She sucked in a deep breath, clearing her head.

With luck, Mr. Lassiter would keep Cora Beth company while getting breakfast ready for everyone else. That would give him a taste for how well her sister handled things and how comfortable she was to be around. And Cora Beth would certainly help him move upstairs. Another chance for them to be thrown together.

If only she had a few more days she was sure she could get them to see how right they were for each other.

And then, with such an honorable, hard-working man around, she would finally be free to keep her promise to Aunt Pearl.

She wasn’t sure why that thought didn’t put more of a bounce in her step.

Ry paced across the bare wooden floor in the Wylies’ family parlor as he waited for Reverend Fields to arrive.

The guest room Cora Beth had assigned him was larger and better furnished than Josie’s, and the extra window made it brighter as well. And Cora Beth had done everything possible to make him comfortable, fluttering about, adding a pillow here, a vase of flowers there, an extra lamp near the bed.

Still, he missed the other room. There had been something homey and warm about it that his new one, for all its cheeriness, lacked.

Ry shoved that irrelevant thought aside as he plopped down in one of the wingback chairs. He wasn’t ready to run a race yet, but he’d be fit for travel by the time the train came through on Friday.

His fingers drummed against the arm of the chair. How well had Reverend Fields known Belle? Would the man be able to answer his questions? What had happened to her husband? How long had she been on her own?

Josie and the reverend should be here any moment now. How had the minister reacted to being met by a female livery owner? He hoped her unorthodox dress and manner hadn’t caused any awkwardness. Surely a man of the cloth would be slow to judge, would take the time to see beyond the overalls and work-shirt to the strong, selfless woman inside.

Not that Josie couldn’t fend for herself. Still, he sensed a
hidden vulnerability in her. And he felt a tug to defend her from any snubs or slights that might be directed her way.

Which was only natural, he told himself, considering all he owed her.

The house seemed quiet, as if it too was holding its breath, waiting. The only discernable sound was the rhythmic beat of the parlor clock’s pendulum.

After what seemed an interminable delay, the front door opened, letting in a gust of air strong enough to chill him where he sat. The tension inside him coiled a notch tighter and a muscle in his jaw pulsed.

The muted sounds of conversation slid down the hall as he stood. Was that another woman’s voice?

A moment later, Josie ushered in not only the man he assumed to be Reverend Fields but a woman and a child holding tight to a cat. He hadn’t counted on the reverend bringing his family with him. This might make it difficult to have a frank conversation.

Josie motioned his direction. “This is Mr. Lassiter.” She seemed to be trying to convey a message with her eyes. A warning perhaps? But of what?

“Mr. Lassiter, you didn’t need to stand on our account.” Reverend Fields, a tall, spare man with a horse-like face, approached Ry with an outstretched hand. “Miss Wylie told us of your unfortunate accident.” Ry managed not to wince as the reverend vigorously pumped his hand.

“Thank you, sir, but I’m better now.” Ry remained standing. “And thank you for making this trip on my behalf.”

“Under the circumstances, we thought it best not to waste any time in carrying out Mrs. Hadley’s wishes.”

What did he mean, “under the circumstances?”

“Mrs. Hadley insisted right until the very end that you would
have come sooner if you could have,” the reverend continued. “I’m pleased to see her faith in your friendship was not misplaced.”

“Thank you, sir. I just wish—”

The reverend cut him off, drawing the woman and child forward. “Please, before we continue, allow me to introduce my wife, Mrs. Fields.”

Ry made a slight bow, wondering how to signal Josie to take Mrs. Fields and her daughter into another part of the house. “Ma’am.”

“And this, of course,” the gentleman put a hand on the child’s shoulder, drawing her forward, “is Viola.”