Wishing on Buttercups (6 page)

Away? From what? She paused, struggling to put her finger on what niggled at her mind. She saw smoke rise from an abandoned cooking pit and her pencil flew, filling in the details. No sign of life appeared, no scattered litter from the campfire or utensils showing people had recently camped there.

Wait. There was something … a child. Huddled on the far side of the clearing. Crying and clutching herself, rocking back and forth. She sketched in the scene until she noticed the red welts on the girl’s skin and smoke rising from her burned clothing.
What in the world?

Beth dropped the pad and stared at it as though it might poison her if she touched it. Her body shook so hard she didn’t dare try to stand, as much as she’d love to flee from this place.

She remembered now. They’d left her alone.

Her parents must not have cared.

The smoke rising from her clothing. The pain. The horrible, searing pain. She rubbed the length of her arm. That was all she could recall. The rest was blackness. Awful, scary blackness. Until
they
came and carried her away.

What in the dickens was Beth doing on that hill? Jeffery stood at the bottom and stared toward the tree towering above its neighbors. Why didn’t she come down? He’d seen her wander up the slope two hours ago with a bag looped over her wrist and a book tucked under her arm. He’d wanted to follow but hesitated. The last time they’d spoken he’d offended her somehow, and he still wasn’t sure why.

Had Beth experienced the same loneliness he had since arriving in this mining town? Jeffery had hoped she’d want to be friends as much as he did. He hadn’t realized how much he’d looked forward to getting to know Beth until she’d turned her back and walked away. Something about her drew him that he couldn’t quite explain. Beth had shown a surprising spunk when she’d refused to answer his questions. He wasn’t concerned that she didn’t care to share her past—neither did he. But he grieved the loss of the relationship that might have been, if she’d only given them a chance.

What was she doing up there, anyway? He wasn’t certain it was safe for a young woman to ramble on a hillside alone, although he could sympathize with the desire for privacy. Maybe he should hike up, approach her, and offer an apology for whatever he’d done to upset her.

Those curls the color of dark chocolate and deep blue eyes held a definite appeal, and when she smiled—well, now. He moved forward, joy sprouting.

Then a thought gave him pause. He’d assumed Beth would want companionship based partly on the amount of time she spent alone—unattended by a man. But she might not have any callers because she was promised to someone. His heart sank. That should have occurred to him earlier. It was more than possible her trek up the hill was a tryst with a suitor.

Jeffery headed back toward the boardinghouse, discouragement dogging his steps. It might be best to wait and see if he could speak to Beth another time and not impose on her now. Another thought struck Jeffery, and his pace quickened. Maybe he’d linger on the trail near the house in case Beth came home soon and accompany her back home.

Beth scrambled down the hill, anxious to get away from the memories and back to her room. She hurried along the trail, unmindful of where her feet led. All that mattered was putting her sketch pad away and burying her head under the covers.

She faltered. No. That was foolish. She’d responded the same way when Brent stepped out of her life. She hadn’t so much as protested when Aunt Wilma dragged her away from her home and out here to the wilderness. She gulped in a shaky but resolute breath. This nonsense was going to stop. She was a grown woman with a mind of her own, and it was high time she used it.

Why had her aunt insisted on coming so far west? Aunt Wilma had never wanted to discuss her reasons and avoided the subject whenever approached. Not that Beth had tried too hard at first. Brent’s abandonment had struck a hard blow and, coupled with the other dark things that had happened in her past, she hadn’t had the energy to care.

This new contract had sparked something to life. Things looked brighter, and hope had bloomed again … until today. She had to talk to Aunt Wilma.

Beth increased her pace. She rounded a bend in the trail and tripped on a tree root. Her pad went flying into the dense brush, and she sprawled onto the ground, striking her foot on a rock. “Ouch!” The word came out louder than she’d intended, but sharp, paralyzing pain shot up her leg. She rolled over, hugging herself and rocking.

Footsteps thudded on the path ahead, and Beth stiffened. She didn’t care to be found flat on her backside with dirt staining her dress. She hitched over onto her side and tried to stand, but her knee wouldn’t allow it.

“Beth?” Jeffery Tucker slid to a stop, apprehension widening his eyes. “Are you all right?”

“I think so.” Consternation bit deep. Of all the people who had to appear, why Jeffery—Mr. Tucker? She would not call him Jeffery, even in her mind. “If you would be kind enough to help me up, I’ll walk home.”

He bent over and extended a hand. “If you are sure you can stand? I’ll find a buggy if you’re seriously injured.”

She shook her head. “Truly, I’m fine. I caught my toe on a root. My knee was numb for a moment, but it’s better now.” Reaching out, she allowed him to take her hand, but he didn’t stop there. He slipped his other arm around her waist and gently lifted her to her feet. Warmth rushed through her body. She found herself trembling, although she wasn’t certain it was solely from her knee.

“Are you sure? Do you think you can walk?” He steadied her for a moment, then dropped his arm from her waist but kept her hand firmly in his grasp. “Try it while I steady you. I do not want to take a chance of you falling.”

She could still feel the heat from where his arm had encircled her waist. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to allow herself to at least
think
of him as Jeffery. Beth took a step forward and then another, and a spasm of pain shot up her leg.

His brows rose in alarm. “You’re limping. I insist on procuring a buggy.”

“No. My knee is getting better, and it’s not far to the house. It would be foolish to sit here and wait for a buggy when I can make it back home.”

His jaw set with a stubborn firmness, and his grip tightened. “Beth, I really—”

“Please, Mr. Tucker. I do not want you to go to any trouble. If you care to walk with me, I’d appreciate that, but I truly don’t need a ride.”

His eyes were soft but determined. “Beth, please call me Jeffery.”

Her heart jolted. “I, uh … all right, Jeffery. But right now I want to get home and sit.”

Jeffery nodded. “Forgive me for being insensitive.” He extended his arm. “Would you take my arm and lean on me?”

“Thank you.” She slipped her fingers through the crook of his arm. “Whatever brought you this way, I am in your debt. I must admit I might have sat there for a while before attempting to hobble home.”

He shot her a smile, revealing a dimple. Why had she never noticed that attractive feature before? “I suppose I could say I was only out for a walk, but that wouldn’t be honest.”

“Oh?” Her heartbeat raced, and she couldn’t bring herself to look at him again.

“I saw you leave the house and followed, hoping to talk.”

Beth stumbled, and he steadied her. Why would he follow? The stark truth washed over her. Was he hoping to interview her for more information for his book? “But it’s midmorning. I left the house quite early.”

“Two-and-a-half hours ago, to be exact.” He grinned. “I saw you go up the hill but didn’t want to impose on your time alone.”

Her tablet! She pulled to a halt and planted her weight on her injured leg. “Oh my.” It had flown out of her hands when she’d fallen and must have landed in the brush, but she’d been in too much pain to remember. If he retrieved it, he might ask questions. No. He certainly would ask questions. That could be dangerous. He might even ask to see her drawings. All of her finished ones were initialed E.C. She started to shake, unsure what to do.

Alarm crossed his face. “You’re worse. I knew I shouldn’t have allowed you to walk. We’re almost to the house, but you’re not going to take another step.” He wrapped a gentle arm around her and, with a quick motion, scooped her off her feet, cradling her against his firm chest.

Beth gasped and planted her hand against his chest. “This isn’t necessary.”

Jeffery held her tighter. “I’m not taking no for an answer.”

Jeffery watched the path, careful not to jar the injured young woman. He’d expected the balance of the walk home would be tiresome but was pleasantly surprised. It was almost like carrying a child wearing voluminous skirts. “Are you quite all right, Miss Roberts?” She hadn’t said a word since he’d plucked her off the ground, and he feared she might have gone into shock.

She lay rigidly still in his arms but didn’t appear to be in pain. At least she hadn’t fainted.

“I assure you I am perfectly capable of walking.” Her voice was a bit muffled against his shirt. “Please put me down, Mr. Tucker. What if someone sees us?”

“What if they do?” He gazed at her. How close those liquid blue eyes appeared. And those lips. His mouth went dry. “You were injured, and I am assisting you. There is nothing inappropriate about that.” He nodded. “See? We’re almost there.”

Her small hand gripped his upper arm, and the pressure increased. “Please, Mr. Tucker. If you care for my feelings at all, set me down and allow me to walk the rest of the way.”

The front door banged open. “What in heaven’s name has happened?”

Beth groaned. “Mrs. Cooper.”

Jeffery came to a halt. What to do now? They’d been noticed, so he didn’t see any difference in carrying her the rest of the way. “It’s too late, Beth. And you shouldn’t attempt the steps.” He strode forward up the path, ignoring her efforts to remove herself from his embrace.

“I can walk, Mr. Tucker.” She spat the words. “I’m fine, Mrs. Cooper.” Her voice rose on the last two words. “I wrenched my knee, and Mr. Tucker found me around the bend. He insisted on carrying me home.”

Mrs. Cooper hurried down the steps and along the path, tsking all the way. “My goodness. What is poor Wilma to think? It is certainly a good thing we have no close neighbors, or gossip would be flying about town in no time.”

“Pardon me, ma’am.” Jeffery brushed past the woman and stalked the rest of the way to the house. “There is nothing to gossip about, unless it’s somehow noteworthy when a gentleman assists a lady in distress.”

Mrs. Cooper trotted along behind them. “How badly are you injured, my dear?”

Beth squirmed in his arms, and he shifted her weight before attempting the steps. “I will put you down when we reach the top. Please hold still, or we’ll both take a tumble.”

She quieted immediately and turned her head. “I’m fine, Mrs. Cooper. Or at least, I think I will be once I’ve had a chance to lie down and rest my knee. I’m grateful Mr. Tucker found me when he did, or it could have been much worse.”

Mrs. Cooper puffed up the steps and moved ahead of Jeffery. She poked her head in the front door. “Wilma, you need to come out here right now. Something frightful has happened to your niece.”