The Christmas Journey (21 page)

R
y followed Josie and Viola downstairs, smiling at Josie’s unexpected quip. At least she hadn’t left her down-to-earth humor behind in Knotty Pine.

When they reached the first floor, he swept an arm to his left. “This way.”

Sadie waited for them in the parlor. The low table in front of her was covered with trays of pastries and preserves and his mother’s china teapot. His sister played hostess with much fanfare, making certain everyone’s tea was prepared just as they liked and heaping their saucers with a generous variety of treats.

“Now tell me,” Sadie said as they settled down to enjoy their refreshments, “did you have a pleasant journey? Trains can be so stuffy and uncomfortable. Did you get to see much of Tyler when you passed through?”

Ry let Sadie’s babble wash over him. Most of it was directed at Josie anyway. Instead he sat back and really studied his sister for the first time in years. She was twenty-four now, and still unmarried. Why? Surely there were plenty of good men around here who’d be happy to have a wife as personable and outgoing as Sadie, even if she did seem a bit flighty at times.

Was she too particular? Was she too tied to this place to want to leave it? Had someone already stolen her heart and failed to return her affection? Would his brother know the answer?

There was a short pause in the conversation and he set his now empty cup on the table. “Where’s Griff?”

“Out in the east pasture.” Sadie fiddled with the handle of her teacup. “He and the men are constructing a new barn out that way. But he should be home soon.”

“That’s a lovely upright you have,” Josie interjected.

“Why, thank you.” Sadie pounced on the change of subject. “It belonged to Grandma Iris. It was one of the first pieces she bought when Grandpa Jack finished the house. Do you play?”

“Afraid not. But I do admire a nice tune.”

“I can play,” Viola offered.

Ry straightened, surprised she would volunteer such information. “Can you now, Button?”

“Yes, sir. Momma taught me. She could play real nice.”

Ry saw the way her eyes studied the instrument hungrily. “I remember. She could sing well too.”

Viola’s face lit up. “Pa said she had the voice of an angel.”

Her smile surprised him. He’d assumed discussing her mother would only sadden her. Had he been wrong? Did she want someone to talk to, to remember with? “Would you like to play for us?”

The child immediately slipped from her seat and headed for the instrument, Daffy at her heels. In short order she was playing a simple melody. And doing it quite well.

Ry made a mental note to install a piano wherever they eventually landed. If Viola was like her mother, music was an important part of her life.

A heartbeat later he noticed Josie studying Viola as well, a soft smile on her lips. Was she finally coming to realize that
the people she surrounded herself with were just as important as where she was? If so, his battle was half won.

When Viola finished, she stood and offered a curtsy to the sound of their applause, then let out a yawn.

Josie gave her a caught-you grin. “Looks like somebody’s ready for a nap.” She stood and held out a hand. “Why don’t we go upstairs and lie down for a bit.”

Sadie popped up from her seat. “Oh, please, let me take her. I have a beautiful picture book we can read together. And I’m sure Ry would be happy to give you a tour of the ranch.” She drew her lips together in an uncertain line. “Unless, of course, you’d like to take a nap as well.”

Josie shrugged. “I’ve never been one for sleeping when the sun’s up.”

“That’s settled then.” Sadie held out her hand. “Come along, Viola. Time for our beauty sleep.”

Once they were gone, Josie turned to Ry. “Your sister seems to like kids. I’m surprised she hasn’t started her own family.”

He smiled at the way she’d echoed his own thoughts. “I guess she just hasn’t met a man who’s a match for her yet.” He moved to the door. “Would you rather see the rest of the house or look around outside?”

“Is there any reason we can’t do both?”

Direct as always. “None whatsoever.”

He led her to the room next to the parlor and opened the door, moving back to allow her to precede him. “This was Mother’s favorite room.”

Josie stepped inside, halting after only two steps. Two of the walls were lined floor to ceiling with books. In one corner stood a piano, much larger than the one in the parlor. A flute and harpsichord were displayed on a nearby wall shelf. Across the room a desk, proportioned for a woman, sat next to a large window.

“I can see why she liked it. I don’t think you’d find this many books in the whole of Knotty Pine.”

“I thought you might find this of particular interest.” He waved a hand to his right and Josie spied a large, colorful globe on a floor stand.

She stepped closer, studying it in awe. She’d seen such a thing in a catalog once, but it was so much more impressive in person. She reached out a hand then caught herself.

“Go ahead.” There was an amused undertone in his voice. “Touch it all you like.”

He stepped beside her, so close his shoulder brushed against hers, sending warmth radiating down to her fingertips.

“Here’s where we are.” He traced a course eastward. “And here is Philadelphia.”

She forced her focus back to the globe. “It’s a shame we can’t stop at any of the places between here and there.” Then she caught herself. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to sound ungrateful. This trip is wonderful, just the way you have it set up.”

He grinned. “That’s all right. I doubt this is the last time you’ll travel this route. Perhaps next time.” He moved toward the door. “Ready to see more?”

Still feeling slightly rattled, she nodded and followed him into the hall.

He pushed open another door. “And this was my father’s domain.”

This room was very different from the other. Not only was it more masculine with its heavy desk and leather chairs, but it had a more rugged, less polished feel. No attempt to soften anything here.

“This has actually been Griff’s domain since Father passed,” Ry said.

Josie wondered again what had happened to alienate the two
brothers. Something in his tone, in the very lack of emotion, whenever he mentioned Griff, indicated he was clamping down on some deeper feeling. Was he even aware he did it?

“How did your pa die?” she asked.

Ry rested a hand on the leather chair behind the desk. “He and Griff were climbing into a gully where a calf had gotten tangled up. Pa lost his footing and fell, hitting his head on a rock. As quick as that he was gone.”

“I’m sorry.”

“It was how he would’ve wanted to go. One minute he was doing the work he loved, the next he was together with my mother again.”

Ry straightened and moved to the door. “Come on. I want you to meet someone.” He led her to the back of the house, past several other closed doors. “You’ve seen the heart of the house and its muscle. Now I’ll show you the pulse point.” With a flourish, he pushed open the kitchen door.

“Mr. Ry! Welcome home!” A short woman with a salt-and-pepper bun on top of her head bustled around the table, wiping her hands on her apron. “I wondered if you were going to pay me a visit.”

Ry wrapped her in a bear hug that lifted her feet clear off the floor. “Inez, Inez, how could you doubt me? Didn’t I always say you’re the love of my life?”

She laughed and swatted at him to let her down. “Ah, that’s what you say, but then you stay away for months at a time.”

“Yes, but the thought of your cooking always draws me back.”

Josie smiled at their affectionate teasing.

The older woman patted her hair. “Now, use those manners your mama taught you and introduce me to your lady friend.”

“Inez, this is Josephine Wylie, the woman who saved my
life. Josie, this is Inez Garner, the world’s best cook and the person who keeps this entire household running smoothly.”

“Mrs. Garner.” Josie extended her hand. “It’s so nice to finally meet you. Mr. Lassiter always has such wonderful things to say about both you and your cooking.” She smiled. “And after tasting those teacakes this afternoon I can see why.”

The cook took her hand. “Now, I’ll have none of this Mrs. Garner nonsense. You just call me Inez like everyone else.” She gave Josie’s hand a squeeze. “Sadie told me what you did to save our Ry from those awful men. As far as I’m concerned, you’re one of the family now.”

Josie was taken aback and could only stammer out a “thank you.”

Inez brushed aside her thanks and crossed her arms over her ample bosom. “So you’re the sister of the woman who made that wonderful fruitcake Sadie brought home.”

“Yes, ma’am. It’s Cora Beth’s specialty.”

“I can’t say as I don’t covet that recipe a bit more than the Almighty would smile upon, but I understand how a cook wants to keep her secrets. You tell her, from one cook to another, that I think her cake is one of the best desserts I’ve ever tasted.”

“Thanks. She’ll appreciate that.”

Inez turned back to Ry, placing a hand on top of his where it rested on the counter. “I was sorry to hear about Belle’s passing. It doesn’t seem all that long ago that you and her and Griff sat here in my kitchen, begging cookies off of me.”

Ry nodded, accepting her sympathy.

Inez gave him a thoughtful look. “So she left you her daughter to look out for?”

“Her name’s Viola. Spitting image of her momma.”

“I always thought Belle was a smart girl.”

Ry gave her a crooked smile. “You think putting Viola in my care was a
smart
thing?”

“Of course I do.” She waved her apron at them. “Now, you two get out of my kitchen. I have a meal to prepare and I’m sure you can find something more interesting to do than watch me cook.”

Jo followed Ry out onto the back porch. “I like her.”

“Inez is a special lady. She’s more than a cook, though she insists on keeping the line drawn between family and hired help.” He moved toward the steps. “She’s been at Hawk’s Creek since before Pa brought my mother home from Philadelphia. I couldn’t imagine this place without her.”

He waved her forward. “Come on, I’ll show you the stables.”

Most of the ranch hands they passed greeted Ry with a quick wave, some asked him how long he was staying. All of them greeted her with a polite tip of the hat and a friendly smile.

As they stepped inside the stables, Jo paused. Her livery and bridle shop could fit inside here four times over.

But Ry didn’t give her much time to look closer. He led her straight to a large stall near the middle of the building. “This is Monarch, Kestrel’s sire and the pride of my stable.”

“Oh, Ry, he’s magnificent. I can see where Kestrel gets his size and lines from.”

Ry opened the stall gate and ran a hand along the stallion’s back, whispering soothing words as man and animal got reacquainted. Amazing to watch the way the two interacted, almost as if they understood each other. How could she have ever doubted his ability to handle Scout?

He glanced up as if just remembering her presence. Giving Monarch a last pat, he stepped out of the stall. “Ought to head back. I want to be there when Viola wakes from her nap.”

As they left the stable, a group of men rode toward them across the field. Josie recognized the lead rider as Griff. She
immediately sensed a change in Ry. Some of the relaxed air evaporated, replaced by a sense of caution, withdrawal.

They waited there until the men arrived and dismounted.

“Hello, Miss Wylie.” Griff removed his hat and tugged at his work gloves. “Sorry I wasn’t here to greet you when you arrived but I’m sure Sadie made you feel welcome.”

“She’s been very hospitable. And what I’ve seen of Hawk’s Creek has been nigh on perfect.”

He smiled and the expression transformed him. “Nigh on perfect, is it? I can see you’re a woman of keen insight.”

When he turned to Ry, the smile disappeared. “Looks like you found your way back okay.”

Ry’s expression matched his brother’s. “Monarch is looking in top shape. Thanks for seeing that he’s taken care of.”

Griff nodded. “If you two will excuse me, I need to see to my horse and get cleaned up.”

Supper that evening was an interesting experience—starting with their seating arrangements. The two brothers did a masculine dance around who would sit at the head of the table, both insisting it was the other’s place.

“For goodness sake, Griff.” Ry’s exasperation made his deep voice harsh. “That’s where you sit when I’m not here. There’s no reason to change things up when I come around.”

“You’re the oldest.” Griff sounded just as determined. “It’s yours by right.”

Josie felt Viola’s hand tighten on hers as they listened to the brothers argue. After a few minutes more of the bickering, she decided enough was enough. Chin jutted out in a don’t-mess-with-me attitude, she marched forward and pulled the head chair out herself. “Being as neither of you gentlemen care to sit here, I’m certain you won’t mind if I do.”