Unconventional Series Collection (31 page)

Over the next weeks, Jenny began looking forward
to Ryder's visits with Joy, but when they became less frequent, she chastised
herself for allowing girlish desires into her heart yet again. Ryder was a
famous artist and an astute business man, and how could she, a gauche country
girl, even begin to capture his attention for long?

On a cold November morning, there was a knock on
her door and she opened it to see Ryder leaning against the doorframe. His
heart-stopping grin sent goose bumps up her spine.

"Jenny, is Joy home, or at the big
house?"

"She's at the big house."

"Good." At Jenny's questioning look,
he said, "I want you to come with me so I can show you something."

"Ryder, we've been through that before. No
more lessons."

His deep laugh tied her stomach in knots.

"Honey, I promise this is not a
lesson."

Ryder's endearment put a lump in her throat.

He said, "Aren't you even a little curious
about what I'm up to now?"

Jenny rolled her eyes and he laughed all the
more. When he gently lifted a hand to stroke a finger down her cheek, and said,
"Put your cloak on and come with me, please," she knew she would not
resist.

"How long will we be gone? I need to let
Angel know."

"At least two or three hours."

"Are we going to Two Rivers?"

"Nope. Now no more questions. I'll meet you
in front of the big house with the buggy."

Jenny sighed in resignation.

An hour later they turned off the main county
road and onto a narrow drive leading to a ranch. Jenny remembered the place
from visits as a child. It was the Peterson Ranch. Their children had been
older than she and Luke, but her family had visited occasionally and also
brought food when Mrs. Peterson took ill. "Why are we visiting the
Petersons?"

Ryder smiled, "You'll find out soon
enough."

"Ryder, sometimes you are impossible."

"But you love me anyway," he said
softly.

Jenny looked away, refusing to either validate
or invalidate his remark.

At a fork in the drive, Ryder turned toward the
main house. The house looked empty when he pulled the buggy in front of it.

"Is anyone living here?" Jenny asked.

"No. They sold the place."

"Why?"

"They wanted to move to California and my
purchase gave them that opportunity. I've been spending a lot of time here
fixing the place up."

Jenny jerked her eyes toward Ryder. "Wh-why
would you buy their home?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

When she didn't answer, he said, "I want to
marry you sweetheart and make this our home."

A cry of pain wretched itself from Jenny and she
quickly looked away. "No, Ryder. I can't marry you. I've already told you
it would never work."

"Honey, it would. I know you have feelings
for me, and God knows I have feelings for you."

"No!" Jenny said vehemently.

"Won't you at least come inside? It's cold
and we can start a fire to warm ourselves and talk things out."

"No! I won't go inside. Take me home."
Hurt threatened to swallow her alive.

"All right. But you haven't heard the last
of this. I can make you happy, Jenny. I can give Joy her rightful name. Have
you stopped to consider that she is a bastard child in the eyes of the law? In
so-called righteous society, she would be spit upon."

"Of course I know that. Joy and I were
rejected by a few
righteous
folk in our own community, but my family
stood up to them, so they keep their remarks to themselves now."

A pained expression entered Ryder's eyes and he
reached a hand toward her face. "Jenny, please–"

"Take me home, Ryder."

Not one word was spoken on the return trip; not
even when Ryder assisted her from the buggy and she ran into her cottage.

* * *

Christmas came and went and on New Year's Day,
Ryder moved to his ranch. Major repairs and remodeling had been completed and
Luke and Angel continually described them to Jenny. She knew what they were
doing—trying to get her to reconsider Ryder's proposal. Her whole family was in
cahoots with him.

When she finally exploded at a family gathering
in February, shrieking that she didn't want to hear anymore news about how well
Ryder's ranch was coming along, her father shook his head, sighed, and said,
"You need to wake up and smell the coffee, Jenny. You're in love with that
man. He's in love with you and offering you the moon, but bitterness has rooted
itself in your heart."

After that day, no one brought the subject up
again.

Ryder still visited Joy at least once or twice a
week and Jenny remained in another room during their visit.

In March the weather warmed slightly and a
foretaste of spring emerged in buds that would soon erupt into profusions of
colorful flowers. While Ryder played with Joy in the cottage, Jenny sat wrapped
in a blanket on the front porch trying to erase the memory of his kisses that
always popped into her mind at the most inopportune times.

She heard the screen door open. "Hi,
Mama," Joy said happily from the shelter of Ryder's arm. "Yder take
me to see Eva."

Jenny looked sharply at him.

He said, "I need to discuss something
important with you, Jenny."

Before she could respond, he was walking the
distance between the cottage and the main house. A few minutes later he
returned and sat in the other rocker. Jenny's heart pounded.

He said quietly, "Before you say anything,
hear me out."

She watched him warily.

"I want you to come to Dallas with
me."

Her eyes widened and she opened her mouth to
refuse, but he lifted his hand to stop her.

"Hear me out, Jenny."

She shut her mouth.

"There's something important in Dallas that
you must see, and if, after seeing it, you still refuse to marry me, I'll leave
and only visit Joy periodically. I'll never bother you again; I promise. You
see, Jenny, this is just as hard on me as it is on you. I can't go on like
this. I wanted to shower you with words of love on our wedding night, but I
will say this now, even though you do not believe me. I love you and I've done
everything in my power to prove it to you. I'm sorry for my cruelty in sending
you away, but like I've already explained, I thought I was doing it for your
own good. If what I show you in Dallas doesn't change your mind, I'll
leave."

Wanting to end the constant war within her
heart, Jenny accepted. "All right, Ryder. I'll go with you." In
Dallas, she would reject him for the final time.

The travel time to Dallas took a full
day—stagecoach to Bingham and then railway to Dallas. By the time they arrived
at the Jefferson Hotel, where Ryder had booked two rooms and two nights, Jenny
was exhausted. They had only shared small talk during their journey and she was
glad of that. At the hotel, Ryder took charge and within a short time she'd had
water delivered to her room for bathing and dinner after that. She was grateful
that Ryder had not insisted they dine together in the hotel restaurant. She
wanted to be alone with her thoughts. The daily newspaper came with her dinner
and she thumbed through it while she ate, gasping when she saw an advertisement.

The dazzling PRINCESS PRISCA will be performing
for three nights only at Sally's Theater located next to Sally's Saloon. Don't
miss the magnificent singing voice of PRINCESS PRISCA—March 25, 26, 27!

Prisca and Joe were in Dallas and tomorrow was
their last performance! She longed to see them again. It had been almost four
years since their stagecoach journey together.
Should I tell Ryder? Maybe
not. I'll make an excuse to retire early and then steal away.

Knowing she might see her friends again brightened
what had otherwise been a trying day.

* * *

The next morning, there was a knock on Jenny's
door bright and early. The excitement of being in the big city, possibly
meeting up with her friends, but mostly wondering what was so important that
Ryder had insisted it would change her mind about marrying him, had kept her
awake until almost midnight. After that, she'd fallen into an exhausted and
dreamless sleep, but morning light drifting through her curtains had awakened
her at dawn. When she opened her door to Ryder, she was already dressed and
famished.

Ryder looked surprised. "I thought I'd have
to pound on your door to wake you. Do you want to eat now or wait?"

"I'd like to eat now."

"Good choice. Are you ready?"

"Yes. I just need to grab my reticule and
bonnet."

Their meal was pleasant enough as they discussed
the weather and general topics always covered when people were being polite. At
the end of the meal, Ryder asked, "Is there any place you'd like to
go?"

Jenny wondered how shocked he would be if she
said, Sally's Saloon, and the thought made her grin. Ryder reached and smoothed
a finger across her lips and his touch caused her to inhale sharply.

"What's that grin, Jenny?"

She glanced away.

He said, "Something private, I can see.
Maybe someday you'll trust me enough to share it with me."

Jenny lifted her water glass and sipped just to
have something to distract her from Ryder's touch and attention.

Ryder beckoned the waiter over and asked for
their check and then turned his attention back to Jenny. "There's a park
just down the street. Would you like to go for a stroll? We have a few hours
free. I have a carriage meeting us at the hotel at two."

"A stroll would be nice."

For the remainder of the morning, Jenny enjoyed
the lovely park with musicians, candy and food venders, and a magician, all
vying for the attention of visitors.

Shortly before noon, Ryder escorted her back to
the hotel dining room for a light lunch. After lunch he walked her to her room
and said he would return at ten minutes to two.

Fingering the lovely hair ribbons Ryder had
purchased for her and Joy from one of the park venders, she held them to her
heart and lay down to rest. Unable to stay still for long, she rose to change
her clothing, selecting the nicest of the three dresses she had brought. Even
so, it seemed old-fashioned and homely after glimpsing the latest fashions
during their outing.

Studying her reflection in the tall mirror, she
envisioned herself in a lovely dress and fashionable hat like Prisca had worn.
I
may not have a fancy hat, but I have these beautiful ribbons.
She wove the
lavender ribbon into her hair and tied a bow. A knock distracted her.

When she opened the door and saw Ryder, she
couldn't breathe. His manner of dress had always been tailored, and his black
coat with matching vest and slacks made her realize just how opposite they
were. He was the handsomest man she had ever seen and she was a backwards
country girl. Quickly, she averted her gaze so he couldn't read how much she
admired his looks.

He reached his hand and fingered the ribbon, and
then said solemnly, "Let's go, sweetheart. It's time to determine our
future."

Jenny still couldn't bring herself to look into
his smoky eyes.

When she pulled on her bonnet and began tying it
beneath her chin, Ryder said, "Wait," and slipped a wayward strand of
hair behind her ear. Unable to resist his magnetism any longer, she lifted her
eyes to his and then lowered them to his mouth. If she stood on tiptoe, her
lips would reach his and she could taste him again. She started to lift onto
her toes and then caught herself on a gasp. Swiftly turning away, she reached
for her small purse and said, "I'm ready."

The carriage Ryder had ordered was comfortable
and fashionable and Jenny wondered at the money he must be spending on their
Dallas excursion. He appeared to be even wealthier than her brother, Luke

Throughout the ride, Ryder's fidgeting unnerved
Jenny. Her intuition screamed,
He's nervous. The great Jake Ryder is
nervous.

The coach meandered through tourist areas with
more hotels and then into a lovely residential section with towering townhomes.
After that, they entered the heart of a district teeming with a variety of
lovely shops, varying from seamstresses to tailors, pastry shops to fine dining
restaurants, glassware to pottery studios, and art galleries. The coach halted
in front of a sophisticated looking gallery with a beautifully engraved sign
that read, "Margot's House of Art."

Ryder exited the carriage and lifted his hand to
help Jenny down. When she encircled his wrist to lower herself and felt his
racing pulse, she remembered his words.
It's time to determine our future.
Her
own heart pounded.

As soon as they stepped inside the lovely
gallery, they were greeted by a beautiful middle-aged woman with slightly
graying hair and dressed in a gown exquisitely overlaid entirely with
cream-colored lace. The low-cut bodice would have been indiscreet had it not
been for the lace allowing only peeks of her ample bosom. Ryder cupped Jenny's
elbow and drew her alongside him.

"Madame Dubois, I'd like you to meet Jenny
Samson."

The elegant lady turned her gaze from Ryder and
extended her hand to Jenny. Their eyes met and the woman inhaled sharply, her
face registering surprise. She shot a glance back to Ryder, said something in
French, and then returned her gaze to Jenny. In a lilting, accented voice, she
said, "I am honored to meet you, Jenny Samson. Welcome to my gallery. You
must call me by my first name, Margot. It is a great tribute that Ryder has brought
you here and chosen to display his latest portraits in my humble gallery."

Jenny murmured a polite greeting, but her mind
was spinning.
Ryder is displaying artwork?

A glance passed between Ryder and Margot that
Jenny did not understand and then Ryder bent to Jenny's ear. "Come with
me, Jenny. I want to show you something." Reaching for her hand, he
entwined his fingers with hers and the action sent her already racing heart
into a sprint. Something significant was about to happen, of that she was sure.

Ryder walked to the entrance of a room located
at the back of the gallery and stepped through, gently pulling her behind him.
Inside the dimly lit room, she blinked, waiting for her eyes to adjust. Ryder
was blocking her view of the far wall. He released her hand and stepped aside.

Jenny lifted her eyes to two paintings lit
perfectly by oil lamps softly flickering on the adjacent walls. Both paintings
were magnificent. Both paintings were of her.

Slowly, she stepped forward, blinking back
tears.

Ryder said softly behind her, "I finished
the one we began and then I painted you from memory." He was silent while
she absorbed the information. Finally, he said, "After I saw your
paintings at my friend's house, I rushed home and entered the studio, something
I hadn't done since I sent you away. When I uncovered the unfinished portrait,
I saw what you had tried to make me see, and I knew I had to finish it. After
its completion, love compelled me to paint you in the glory of your
passion." Ryder made a choking noise and said, "I'm so sorry, Jenny.
Again, I ask you to forgive me and give us a chance."

For a long time, Jenny said nothing, and then
she hung her head. In a voice equally emotional, she responded, "Ryder,
I'm not the same person I was. I've lost my capacity to balance joy and sorrow.
I only feel sadness. I would destroy you."

"Jenny, it's my fault, but I can change
that if you'll let me."

Slowly, she turned to face Ryder.

He looked from her eyes to the paintings, and
then captured her gaze again. "Marry me, Jenny. You were my salvation, let
me become yours."

Lowering her lashes, she said, "I'll give
you my answer after we return to Two Rivers."

Ryder looked disappointed, but responded with,
"Fair enough."

* * *

At dusk, Jenny pulled her cloak around her
shoulders and slipped from her room. She had told Ryder she wanted to retire
early. Now, slinking out of the hotel, she felt like a criminal. Ryder would be
upset if he knew she was going to a saloon, but after his revelation and
renewed appeal that she marry him, she needed to speak with Prisca.

Jenny walked a safe distance from the hotel and
then asked an older gentleman strolling in front of her if he would hail a
coach for her. Although he gave her a censorious perusal, he stepped to the
curb and called to an approaching carriage, even opening the door and assisting
her inside. When he asked her destination so he could advise the driver, and
she told him Sally's Theater at Sally's Saloon, he choked and cautioned,
"It's not proper for a lady to wander the streets alone or seek out a
saloon. Please let me direct the driver to your family."

Jenny gulped, but said firmly. "No, sir.
There's someone I need to see at the saloon."

The man shook his head and called her
destination to the driver. The horses lurched and Jenny lifted her eyes to the
darkening sky, feeling both excitement and fear.

After what seemed an eternity, the coach pulled
to the front of a brightly lit saloon with cowboys in Stetsons and women in
cleavage revealing colorful silks and satins either entering the saloon or
lazing on the portico. Next door, a vendor shouted, "Don't miss the show!
Last night to enjoy the fabulous voice of Princess Prisca! Buy your tickets
here!"

Jenny was painfully aware that the saloon
patrons watched her and whispered as she stepped to the ticket booth. "One
ticket, please," she politely requested.

The man inside the booth said, "Ma'am, you
sure? This don't look like a place for a proper lady like you."

"Yes, I'm sure."

The man shrugged, told her the amount, and
counted back her change after accepting her coins. With her ticket in hand, she
stepped past the hawker and into the theater. Her breath hitched. Never had she
seen such grandeur. Bound by golden tassels, red velvet drapes hid the stage
and also covered the walls. The flicker of gas lamps reflecting off the tassels
cast sprinkles of golden light throughout the room.

"Lady, I need your ticket. Hey, lady."
The man inside the door sounded bored.

"Oh, sorry." Jenny placed her ticket
in his white-gloved hand. She started to walk toward the seats closest to the
stage, but paused. "How can I get a message to Princess Prisca?"

The man snorted, "You and everyone else.
Not possible. Just enjoy the show."

The man's attitude was off-putting, but she
refused to be deterred in her purpose. Locating a spot in the front row center
next to a gentleman so overweight as to require two seats, she smiled shyly and
asked, "Is this seat taken?"

He returned her smile, patted the velvet
cushion, which made the rolls of fat on his cheeks jiggle, and said, "It
is now…by you."

"Thank you," Jenny responded politely.

The big man returned to the newspaper he was
reading and after several minutes the theater began to fill. Jenny kept her
eyes trained on the stairs at the side of the stage. Maybe she could glimpse Prisca
or Joe and shout their names if she did.

The heavyset man closed his paper and said
pleasantly, "My name's Paddy Pensing and you sure look out of your
element. We don't get many country girls in here. In fact, you're the first
I've seen."

Jenny smiled warmly, "My name is Jenny
Samson. I'm pleased to meet you, Mr. Pensing. And yes, I suppose I do look out
of place. But I met Prisca and her piano player, Joe, on a stagecoach a few
years ago. I'm only in town for a short time and when I saw the advertisement
for Princess Prisca's show, I just had to come see them. They're such lovely
people."