Country Bride: Country Bride / Woodrose Mountain

“Would next Tuesday be all right?” Rorie pressed.

“But you’ve hardly had time to settle in with Clay,” Kate said, turning her attention back to her friend. “How about giving it another week or two?”

“Are you worried that I’m going to serve my special seafood fettuccine?” Rorie asked with a laugh. When she’d first been stranded in Nightingale, Rorie had cooked it for Clay and his younger brother, Skip, one night. But, unfortunately, because both men did strenuous physical jobs, they were far more interested in a hearty meat-and-potatoes meal at the end of the day. Neither of them had considered seafood in a cream sauce with fancy noodles a very satisfactory repast, though Clay had politely tried to hide his disappointment. Skip hadn’t.

Kate smiled at the memory of that night and slowly shook her head. “You serve whatever you want. I’m much easier to please than Skip.”

“Actually Mary will probably do the cooking. She’s been the Franklins’ housekeeper for so many years that I don’t dare invade her kitchen just yet. After the fettuccine disaster, she doesn’t trust me around her stove any more than Skip does.”

They both laughed, and to Kate, it felt good to forget her troubles, even for a few minutes.

“I should get back to the library,” Rorie said reluctantly.

“I need to head home myself.” Kate left some change on the table and slid out of the booth. Impulsively she hugged Rorie, grateful for the time they’d spent together and for the other woman’s support. “I’m glad you’re my friend,” she whispered, feeling a little self-conscious.

“I am, too,” Rorie said, and hugged her back.

* * *

By the time Kate pulled into the Circle L driveway, she was filled with bold resolution. She hurried inside just long enough to set a roast in the oven and change her clothes. Then she went into the yard, intent on confronting Luke. She wanted to get this over with—as soon as possible.

As luck would have it, Luke wasn’t in any of the places she normally found him. Bill Schmidt, a longtime ranch hand, was working in the barn by himself.

“Bill, have you seen Luke?” she asked.

Bill straightened and set his hat farther back on his head. “Can’t say I have. At least, not in the past couple of hours. Said he was going out to look for strays. I imagine he’ll be back pretty soon now.”

“I see.” Kate gnawed her lower lip, wondering what she should do. Without pausing to question the wisdom of her decision, she reached for a bridle.

“Bill, would you get Nonstop for me?” Nonstop was the fastest horse in their stable. Kate was in the mood for some exercise; if she didn’t find Luke, that was fine, too. She could use a good hard ride to vent some of the frustration that had been binding her all week.

“Sure, Miz Logan.” Bill left his task and headed for the corral, returning a few minutes later with Nonstop. “Luke seemed to be in the mood to do some riding himself this afternoon,” he commented as he helped her cinch the saddle. “Must be the weather.”

“Must be,” Kate agreed.

Minutes later Nonstop was cantering out of the yard. Kate hadn’t ridden in weeks and she was surprised to realize just how long it had been. When she was engaged to Clay, she’d spent many a summer afternoon in the saddle, many a Saturday or Sunday riding by his side. That had ended about the same time as their wedding plans. She felt a stinging sense of loss but managed to dispel it with the memory of her talk with Rorie.

Bill pointed out the general direction Luke had taken, and Kate followed that course at a gallop. She found it wonderfully invigorating to be in the saddle again.

The afternoon remained mild, but the breeze carried the distinctive scent of autumn. These past few days had been Indian summer, with rare clement temperatures. Within the hour, the sun would set, bathing the rolling green hills in a golden haze.

“Kate.” Her name floated on a whisper of wind.

Pulling back on the reins, Kate halted the mare and turned in the saddle to discover Luke trotting toward her. She raised her hand and waved. Much of her irritation had dissipated, replaced by a newly awakened sense of well-being. No longer did Kate feel her life was roaring out of control; she was in charge, and it exhilarated her.

Luke dismounted as soon as he reached her. “Is everything all right?”

“Of course,” she said with a slight laugh. “I hope I didn’t frighten you.”

“No. I rode into the yard not more than fifteen minutes after you left, according to Bill. I was afraid I wasn’t going to catch you. You were riding like a demon.”

“I...had some thinking to do.”

“Bill said you were looking for me.”

“Yes,” she agreed. “I wanted to talk to you.” There was no better time than the present. And no better place. They were at the top of a grassy hill that looked out over a lush green valley. Several head of cattle dotted the pasture spread out below them, grazing in the last of the afternoon sun.

Luke lifted his hands to her waist, helping her out of the saddle. His eyes held hers as he lowered her to the ground. Once again, she was aware that his touch had a curious effect on her, but she stringently ignored it.

Still, Kate’s knees felt a little shaky and she was more breathless than she should’ve been after her ride. She watched Luke loop the reins over the horses’ heads to dangle on the ground. Both Nonstop and Silver Shadow, Luke’s gelding, were content to graze leisurely.

“It’s nice out this afternoon, isn’t it?” she said, then sank down on the grass and drew up her legs.

Luke sat down beside her, gazing out over the valley. “It’s a rare day. I don’t expect many more like it.”

“Rorie and Clay are back from Hawaii.”

Luke had removed his leather work gloves to brush a stray curl from her temple, then stopped abruptly and withdrew his hand. “I take it you saw Rorie?”

She nodded, adding, “We had coffee at Nellie’s.”

“You’re not upset?”

“Not at all.”

“I thought you looked more at peace with yourself.” He leaned back and rested his weight on the palms of his hands. His long legs were stretched in front of him, crossed at the ankles. “Did you finally recognize that you never did love Clay? That you’re in love with me?”

“No,” she said vehemently, amazed he could anger her so quickly.

Luke turned away. “I thought... I’d hoped you were willing to discuss a wedding date,” he said stiffly.

“Oh, Luke,” she whispered and closed her eyes. He was so worried for her, so concerned, and she didn’t know how to reassure him.

“Luke,” she said softly, “we’ve been having the same discussion all week, and it’s got to come to an end.” Luke faced her and their eyes met with an impact that shocked her. “Luke, I think you’re a wonderful man—I have for years and years,” she continued. “But I don’t love you, at least not the way you deserve to be loved.”

Luke’s eyebrows soared, then his brow furrowed. He seemed about to argue, but Kate stopped him before he had the chance.

“I refuse to be coerced into a wedding simply because you feel it’s the best thing for me—because you feel I need looking after. Frankly, I don’t believe marriage is a good idea for us—at least not to each other.”

“Kate, love—”

Lowering her lashes in an effort to disguise her frustration, Kate reminded him for what seemed the thousandth time, “I am not your ‘love.’”

His eyes became sharper, more intent. “Then explain,” he said slowly, “why it feels so right when I hold you? How do you answer that?”

She avoided his gaze, her eyes focusing a fraction below his. “I can’t explain it any more than I can deny it.” She’d admit that much. “I do enjoy it when you kiss me, though I don’t know why, especially since I’m still in love with Clay. My guess is that we’ve lived all these years in close proximity and we’re such good friends that it was a natural, comforting, thing to do. But I don’t think it should continue.”

His nostrils flared briefly, and she could tell he was angered by her words.

“I’m begging you, Luke, pleading with you, if you—”

“Kate, would you listen to me for once?”

“No,” she said, holding her ground. “I’m asking for only one thing from you. I want you to drop this incessant pressure to marry you.”

“But—”

“Give me your word, Luke.”

His entire expression changed, and just looking at him told Kate how difficult he was finding this. “All right,” he said heavily. “You have my word. I won’t mention it again.”

Kate sighed shakily and all her muscles seemed to go limp. “Thank you,” she whispered. “That’s all I want.”

Luke lunged to his feet and reached for Silver Shadow’s reins. He eased himself back into the saddle, then paused to look down at her, his face dark and brooding. “What about what I want, Kate? Did you stop to consider that?”

Six

Kate felt good. The lethargy and depression she’d been feeling since Clay’s wedding had started to dissipate. She’d completely adjusted to the idea of her father’s impending marriage. And even the sale of the Circle L—to Luke of all people—no longer seemed so devastating. Clearing the air between them had helped, too.

“Evening, Nellie,” Kate called as she entered the small, homey café. She’d arrived home from school to discover a message from her father suggesting she meet him for dinner at Nellie’s at six sharp.

“Howdy, Kate,” Nellie called from behind the counter.

Kate assumed her father would be bringing Dorothea so they could discuss last-minute plans for their wedding, which was scheduled for Friday evening at the parsonage. Minnie Wilkins, Pastor Wilkins’s wife, and Dorothea were close friends. Kate would be standing up for Dorothea and Luke for her father in the small, private ceremony.

Carrying a water glass in one hand, a coffeepot in the other and a menu tucked under her arm, Nellie followed Kate to the booth. “I’m expecting my dad and Dorothea Murphy to join me,” Kate explained.

“Sure thing,” Nellie said. “The special tonight is Yankee pot roast, and when your daddy gets here, you tell him I pulled a rhubarb pie out of the oven no more than fifteen minutes ago.”

“I’ll tell him.”

“Nellie, I could use a refill on my coffee,” Fred Garner said. Sitting at the table closest to the window, he nodded politely in Kate’s direction. “Good to see you, Kate.”

“You, too, Fred.” She smiled at the owner of Garner Feed and Supply and the two ranchers who were dining with him. Glancing at her watch, Kate realized her father was a few minutes late, which wasn’t like him.

To pass the time she began reading the menu; she was halfway through when the door opened. Smiling automatically, she looked up and saw Luke striding toward her. He slid into the booth across from her.

“Where’s your dad?”

“I don’t know. He asked me to meet him here for dinner.”

“I got the same message.”

“I think it has something to do with the wedding.”

“No,” Luke muttered, frowning. “I’ve got some bank forms he needs to sign.”

Nellie brought another glass of water, then poured coffee for both of them.

“Evening, Nellie.”

“Luke Rivers, I don’t see near enough of you,” the older woman said coyly, giving him a bold wink as she sauntered away with a swish of her hips.

Astonished that Nellie would flirt so openly with Luke, Kate took a sip of her coffee and nearly scalded her tongue. Why, Nellie had a good fifteen years on Luke!

“Does she do that often?” Kate asked, in a disapproving whisper.

“You jealous?”

“Of course not. It’s just that I’ve never known Nellie to flirt quite so blatantly.”

“She’s allowed.” Luke gazed down at his menu and to all appearances, was soon deep in concentration.

Kate managed to squelch the argument before it reached her lips. There wasn’t a single, solitary reason for her to care if a thousand women threw themselves at Luke Rivers. She had no claim on him, and wanted none.

The restaurant telephone pealed, but with four plates balanced on her arms, Nellie let it ring until someone in the kitchen answered it.

A minute later, she approached their table. “That was Devin on the phone. He says he’s going to be late and you two should go ahead and order.” She pulled a notepad from the pocket of her pink uniform. “Eat hearty since it’s on his tab,” she said, chuckling amiably.

“The roast-beef sandwich sounds good to me,” Kate said. “With a small salad.”

“I’ll have chicken-fried steak, just so I can taste those biscuits of yours,” Luke told the café owner, handing her the menu. “I’ll start with a salad, though.”

“I got rhubarb pie hot from the oven.”

“Give me a piece of that, too,” Luke said, grinning up at Nellie.

“Kate?”

“Sure,” she said, forcing a smile. “Why not?”

Once Nellie had left, an awkwardness fell between Kate and Luke. To Kate it felt as though they’d become strangers, standing on uncertain ground.

Luke ventured into conversation first. “So how’s school?”

“Fine.”

“That’s good.”

She laughed nervously. “I’ve started washing down cupboards at the house, clearing out things. I’ve got two piles. What Dad’s going to take with him and what I’ll need when I move.”

Instead of pleasing Luke, her announcement had the opposite effect. “You’re welcome to live on the ranch as long as you want,” he said, his dark eyes narrowing. “There’s no need to move.”

“I know that, but the Circle L belongs to you—or it will soon.”

“It’s your home.”

“It won’t be much longer,” she felt obliged to remind him. “I’m hoping to find a place in town. In fact, I’m looking forward to the move. You know what the roads are like in the winter. I should have done this years ago.”

“You wouldn’t have to move if you weren’t so damn stubborn,” Luke muttered from between clenched teeth. “I swear, Kate, you exasperate me. The last thing I want to do is take your home away from you.”

“I know that.” She hadn’t considered relocating to town earlier for a number of reasons, foremost being that her father had needed her. But he didn’t anymore, and it was time to exhibit some independence.

Nellie brought their tossed green dinner salads, lingering at the table to flirt with Luke again. He waited until she’d left before he leaned forward, speaking to Kate in a low, urgent voice. His eyes were filled with regret. “Kate, please stay on at the ranch. Let me at least do this much for you.”

She thanked him for his concern with a warm smile, but couldn’t resist adding, “People will talk.” After all, Luke had pointed that very fact out to her when she’d made her foolish proposal. The night of Clay’s wedding...

“Let them talk.”

“I’m a schoolteacher, remember?” she whispered. She felt genuinely grateful for his friendship and wanted to assure him that all this worry on her behalf was unnecessary, that she was fully capable of living on her own.

Their dinner arrived before they’d even finished the salads. Another silence fell over them as they ate. Several possible subjects of conversation fluttered in and out of Kate’s mind as the meal progressed. Her fear was that Luke would divert the discussion back to the ranch no matter what she said, so she remained silent.

A sudden commotion came from the pavement outside the café.

“It’s Harry Ackerman again,” Fred Garner shouted to Nellie, who was busy in the kitchen. “You want me to call the sheriff?”

“No, let him sing,” Nellie shouted back. “He isn’t hurting anyone.”

Harry Ackerman was the town drunk. Back in his and Nellie’s high-school days, they’d dated seriously, but then Harry went into the military and returned to Nightingale more interested in the bottle than a wife and family. Within six months, Nellie had married a mechanic who’d drifted into town. Problem was, when he drifted out again, he didn’t take Nellie or their two children with him. But Nellie hadn’t seemed to miss him much, and had supported her family by opening the café, which did a healthy business from the first.

Fifteen years had passed, and Harry was still courting Nellie. Every time he came into town, he took it upon himself to sing love songs from the pavement outside the café. He seemed to believe that would be enough of an inducement for her to forget the past and finally marry him.

“Actually his singing voice isn’t that bad,” Kate murmured to Luke.

Luke chuckled. “I’ve heard better.”

Fred Garner stood up and strolled toward the cash register. He nodded in Luke’s direction and touched the rim of his hat in greeting. “I’ve been hearing things about the two of you,” Fred said, grinning broadly.

Kate concentrated on her sandwich, refusing to look up from her plate.

Luke made some vague reply that had to do with the ranch and not Kate, and she was grateful.

“Be seeing you,” Fred said as he headed toward the door. As he opened it, Harry’s latest love ballad, sung off-key, could be heard with ear-piercing clarity.

Fred left and soon Harry Ackerman came inside. He stared longingly at Nellie, placed his hand over his heart and started singing again at the top of his lungs.

“You get out of my restaurant,” Nellie cried, reaching for the broom. “I don’t want you in here bothering my customers.” She wielded the broom like a shotgun, and before she could say another word Harry stumbled outside. He pressed his forlorn face to the glass, content to wait until his one true love returned to his waiting arms.

“Sorry, folks,” Nellie muttered, replacing the broom.

“No problem,” Luke answered, and she threw him a grateful smile, then hurried over to refill their coffee cups.

The disturbance died down when Harry wandered down the street to find a more appreciative audience. Luke sighed as he stirred his coffee. “I don’t think your father has any intention of showing up tonight,” he began. “In fact—”

“That’s ridiculous,” Kate said, cutting him off. “Dad wouldn’t do that.”

“He’s trying to tell you something,” Luke insisted.

“I can’t imagine what.” She could, but decided to pretend otherwise.

For a long moment, Luke said nothing. “You’re smart enough to figure it out, Kate.” He finished off the last bite of his pie and pushed the plate aside. “I’ve got some things to attend to, so I’d best be leaving.” The corners of his eyes crinkled with amusement as he glanced out the café window. “Who knows, you might be singing me love songs in a couple of years if you don’t come to your senses soon.”

Kate ignored the comment. “My father will be here any minute.”

“No, Princess,” Luke said, and the smile left his eyes. He leaned across the table to brush his hand gently against her cheek. “But his message is coming across loud and clear.”

Kate stayed at the café another half-hour after Luke had gone and it took her that long to admit he was right. Her father had been giving her a message, this one no more subtle than the rest. Expelling her breath in disgust, Kate dredged up a smile and said goodbye to Nellie.

* * *

Kate didn’t see Luke again until Friday evening, when they met at the Wilkins home for her father’s wedding. Kate arrived with Devin, and Luke followed a few minutes later. Kate was busy arranging freshly baked cookies on a tray for the small reception to be held after the ceremony, when Luke walked into the dining room. Dorothea was with Minnie Wilkins in the back bedroom, and her father and Pastor Wilkins were talking in the office.

“Hello, Kate,” Luke said from behind her.

“Hi,” she responded, turning to give him a polite smile. Her breath caught in her throat at the elegant yet virile sight he made. He was dressed in a dark, three-piece suit that did nothing to disguise his strong, well-formed body, and his light blue silk tie enhanced the richness of his tan. Kate suspected that Luke was basking in the wonder she was unable to conceal, and yet she couldn’t stop staring at him.

Her heart skipped a beat, then leaped wildly as his penetrating brown eyes looked straight into hers. She felt the tears well up, knowing that only Luke truly understood how difficult this evening was for her.

Many of her emotions tonight were identical to the ones she’d experienced at Clay and Rorie’s wedding. All day, she’d worried her stomach into a knot of apprehension. The acceptance and strength of purpose she’d so recently been feeling had fled. Tonight, she was reminded again that everything she loved, everything familiar, had been taken from her life. First the man she’d planned to marry, now her father, and soon, so very soon, her childhood home. It was too much change, too quickly.

Just as she had at Clay’s wedding, Kate forced herself to show pleasure, to behave appropriately. She was happy for her father and Dorothea—just as she’d been for Clay and Rorie. But why did everyone else’s happiness need to cost Kate so much?

Luke must have read the distress in her eyes, because he hurried to her side. “Everything’s going to be all right,” he told her quietly. He’d said the same thing at Clay’s wedding.

“Of course it is,” she agreed, braving a smile. She turned back to the flowers, although her fingers were trembling. “I couldn’t have chosen a better wife for Dad myself. Dorothea’s wonderful.”

Luke’s hands rested on her shoulders and began to caress them gently. “So are you, Princess.”

It demanded every ounce of fortitude Kate possessed not to whirl around and bury her face in Luke’s chest, to absorb his strength. But this was exactly how she’d lost control before; she had to remember that.

A sound came from behind them, and Luke released her with a reluctance that echoed her own. She needed Luke now, just as she’d needed him a few weeks before. But this time, she was determined to be stronger.

The ceremony itself was brief. Kate felt almost wooden as she stood next to the woman her father had chosen to replace her mother. Memories of the lovely, soft-spoken Nora, and of their happy, close-knit family, almost overwhelmed Kate. Twice she felt tears threaten, but managed to hold them back. Both times she found Luke’s eyes on her, his gaze warm with empathy.

When Pastor Wilkins closed his Bible and announced that Devin and Dorothea were now husband and wife, Devin took his bride in his arms and kissed her. Minnie Wilkins dabbed at her eyes with a lace hankie.

“You look so lovely,” the woman murmured, hugging her friend.

Soon they were all hugging each other. When Kate’s arms slipped around Luke it felt...comfortable. In fact, it felt too comfortable, too familiar, and that frightened her. She stiffened and let her arms drop. Luke would have none of that, however. Locking his hands on her upper arms, he drew her back to him.

“What I wouldn’t give for a full moon and some champagne,” he whispered in her ear.

Kate could have done without his teasing, but she refused to satisfy him with a response.

The small reception began immediately afterward, and Kate was busy for the next hour, dishing up pieces of wedding cake, passing trays of sugar cookies and pouring coffee.

Her father came to see her in the kitchen, his eyes bright with happiness. “You’re going to be fine, aren’t you, Princess?”

“You know I am,” she said, flashing him a brilliant smile.

“Dorothea and I will be leaving soon.” He placed his arm around her shoulders and hugged her. “Don’t forget I love you. You’ll always be my little girl.”

“You’ll always be my hero.”

Devin chuckled. “I think Luke would like to fill that position and I’d be pleased if he did. He’s a good man, sweetheart. You could do a lot worse.”

“Dad,” she groaned, closing her eyes. “Luke is wonderful, and I understand your concern. You’d like all the loose ends neatly tied up before you leave for your honeymoon, but I’m just not ready for a commitment.”

“You’d make a lovely country bride, Princess. I want you to be happy, that’s all.”

“I will be,” she said, standing on the tips of her toes to kiss his cheek.