The Bridal Swap (9 page)

Of course, his father didn’t condemn him, only nodded in understanding. “I realize it’s difficult for you to accept her decision, but maybe it was God’s way of saving you from a regrettable marriage.”

Was it difficult? He’d thought so at first. His pride had certainly taken a beating. Now, he realized the harder part was sorting through his unforeseen reaction to Kate.

Restless, he stood. Laying one arm across the mantel, he leaned against it, staring into the popping, hissing flames. If he didn’t get this attraction sorted out, it could very easily burn out of control and he’d wind up making another rash mistake.

Kate was off-limits. An heiress to a vast fortune. Soon she would return home and, in time, marry a man possessed of a vast fortune. Together they would live a life of untold luxury.

“Something else besides the canceled wedding is bothering you.”

He passed a tired hand over his face. “It’s Kate. I can’t think straight whenever she’s near. She’s very different than her sister, you know.”

“Funny. Your mother had the same effect on me.”

He straightened and met his father’s level gaze. “I’m confused, that’s all. I’ll get it sorted out.”

“With God’s help, right?”

“You can count on it.” Sometimes, instead of taking his problems to God right away, he tried to figure things out on his own. Not a wise course of action. “I’m going up to bed. Will you explain to Ma about the pie?”

“Sure.” He chuckled. “I’ll eat yours, too, if I have to.”

“Thanks.”

“I’m proud of you, son.”

Josh dipped his head, grateful beyond words for the wonderful man who was his father. “Thanks, Pa. Good night.”

He may as well have been invisible for all the attention she was paying him.

Seated across the breakfast table from Kate, Josh had yet to catch her gaze. Having overslept, he’d come downstairs last. She hadn’t looked up at his family’s chorus of greetings, nor had she acknowledged his presence once he sat down.

He didn’t blame her. After his cold rebuke last night, he deserved the cool reception.

He hoped she’d go along with his idea to make it up to her. First, he had to get her attention. Shifting his boot beneath the table, he nudged the toe of her shoe.

Her green eyes shot to his over the rim of her teacup. Lowering it to the saucer with a clink, she gazed at him with uncertainty. Now what? He really didn’t want to have this conversation in front of his family, did he?

In lieu of words, he smiled at her. She didn’t reciprocate. Instead, she shifted her gaze to her plate, brow furrowed.

Thwarted but not defeated, he shoveled in the last of his breakfast and drained his coffee mug. He took his dishes into the kitchen and, placing everything on the counter, went out to the front porch to wait.

He didn’t have to wait long. She emerged ten minutes later. When she didn’t immediately notice him, he called out to her.

Kate’s footsteps faltered at the sound of Josh’s low drawl from the far end of the porch. Framed by the multihued forest behind him, arms crossed and one hip propped against the railing, he watched her with an expression akin to regret.

She hadn’t wanted to face him today. It had been difficult, that meal, with him sitting so close and her trying to pretend his presence didn’t affect her. She’d failed miserably.

Somehow this man had become important to her, and that gave him the power to hurt her.

Straightening, he slowly approached her spot near the steps, his boots scuffing the planks. His woodsy scent clung to his clothes. “I’m sorry about last night.” In a familiar stance, he slipped his hands into the pockets of his brown trousers. “I know I haven’t been the best host. With everything that’s happened, I—” he hitched a shoulder “—I’ve been out of sorts lately. That’s not an excuse to take it out on you, though. Forgive me?”

“There’s nothing to forgive. You were right. I’m just passing through.”

You’re a visitor here, Kate. What does it matter what I do?

She’d been unable to push his words from her mind. His flippant remark had cut deep, flaying open her innermost fears. Not belonging. No one to love. No one to love her.

Even if she did fall in love, what man would want her?

“That doesn’t mean we can’t be friends. Right?”

“Friends?” She was fairly certain friends didn’t kiss each other. But that wouldn’t happen again. Friends is all they could ever be. “I’d like that.”

“Well, then, friend, what’ve you got planned for the rest of the day?”

“Nothing. Why?”

“There’s a place I’d like to show you, but it’s a little ways from here. We’d have to take the horses. Do you ride?”

“Yes. Sidesaddle.”

“I happen to have one of those in my barn.” He grinned.

“Oh?”

“You’ll need your camera.”

Curious, she cocked her head to one side. “Where is this place?”

“Uh-uh. You have to come with me if you wanna find out.”

Chapter Nine

H
er horse followed close behind Josh’s through the brightly hued forest, which to Kate seemed like a golden sanctuary. The moist, still air, scented with moss and decaying leaves, filled her lungs. It was not unpleasant. Merely different.

They didn’t speak. The only sounds stirring the silence were the plodding of the horses’ hooves on the soft ground and the snap of branches that their hulking bodies brushed aside. When she wasn’t studying their surroundings, she was admiring the ripple of muscle evident beneath Josh’s brushed cotton shirt. His was controlled strength, ready to be unleashed at a moment’s notice.

She felt utterly safe with him. Physically, at least. Her emotions were another matter.

They’d been riding about an hour and a half, the terrain growing ever steeper. She was glad for the frequent rides back home, else she might’ve had trouble maintaining her seat. It must be nearing noon. She couldn’t see the sun for the treetops, but the hollow feeling in her stomach was a good clue.

When the sound of water reached her ears, Josh slowed Chestnut to a stop. “We’ll dismount here.”

Tugging gently on the reins of her mare, Kate waited for him to come and assist her. Striding toward her, his eyes sparkled with anticipation beneath the brim of his brown hat. He’d lost the brooding expression, and in its place was one of contentment. Seeing him this way pleased her. Was it possible he was slowly coming to terms with Fran’s decision?

Reaching up, he spanned her waist and lifted her down with ease. He grabbed her hand to lead her in the direction of the water. “Wait! What about my camera?”

“I’ll come back for it.”

Hearing the eagerness in his voice, she hurried to keep up with him. She was out of breath by the time they reached the clearing. Fifty feet above their heads, water rushed over the side of the mountain to cascade in a brilliant white stream to the dusky green pool below. Framed by sleek, slate-gray boulders and thick green overgrowth, it was a glorious waterfall.

Still holding her hand, Josh assessed her reaction. “Well?”

“It’s amazing,” she breathed, her gaze on the massive, moss-covered tree trunks lying sideways across the mouth of the fall. “Does it have a name?”

“Hidden Oak Falls.” He gave her hand a tug. “Come, there’s more.”

His pace more sedate this time, they circled around the pool, stepping carefully over sharp-edged rocks. From this angle, Kate could see a rock overhang and a dark, open space behind the falls. And Josh was headed straight for it.

Delighted, she grinned with pleasure. What a discovery!

He paused at the opening. A knee-high log blocked the entrance. “I’ll go over first, okay?” His long legs made it easy for him. Turning back, he held on to her hand. “Just step up on it, and I’ll help you down.”

Glancing down at her outfit, a petal-pink shirtwaist and brown-and-pink paisley skirt, Kate regretted her choice. While her wardrobe may be fitting for city life, it was highly unsuitable for the great outdoors.

“Don’t look,” she warned, knowing her pantaloons would show.

“I wouldn’t think of it,” he shot back with a grin, then dipped his head so that she was staring at his hat’s brim.

Scooping up the voluminous material with one hand, she tightened her grip on his with the other and levered herself up. Immediately he curled his free hand around her waist and swung her to the ground. The sound of thundering water masked all other sounds, and water droplets splashed against the hem of her skirts. The air was much cooler here. Goose bumps raced across her skin.

When he started to lead her farther into the dark space, Kate resisted. It wasn’t enclosed like a closet, but the rock ceiling hung low and light didn’t reach very far into the opening. The last thing she wanted was to become distraught in front of him again.

“What’s wrong?”

“I don’t like the dark, remember?” she said lightly.

“All right. We can stand right here and still have a spectacular view.”

Releasing her hand, he tugged off his hat and set it on the log. He thrust his fingers through his hair, giving him that mussed look Kate found irresistible. With effort, she focused on the scene before her.

She’d forgotten her hat at the cabin, a fact her mother would lament if she knew.
Ladies must always present themselves with poise and decorum,
Georgia’s voice paraded through her head.
Stand up straight, Katerina. Look at how your sister comports herself, tall and graceful like a ballerina.

“You can walk behind the waterfall and come out on the other side.” Josh moved in close in order to be heard above the noise. “There’s a trail leading south.”

“How did you find this place?”

“As kids, my brothers and I spent much of our free time exploring these mountains. We just happened upon it one day.”

“What was it like? Growing up here?”

Leaning back against the gnarled rock, he folded his arms. “These mountains are all I’ve ever known. Growing up, we were expected to work hard and pitch in where help was needed. When the work was finished, though, we were free to explore. Hunt. Fish. Torment our cousins.” He flashed a roguish grin.

“You didn’t.”

“I most certainly did.” Still grinning, he shook his head. “Juliana didn’t take it lying down, either. She fought back.”

“What about Megan and Nicole?”

He rolled his eyes. “They went home crying to momma. Most of the time, Aunt Alice and my parents let us sort things out among ourselves. They were harmless pranks.”

Josh was such a gentleman Kate had a hard time imagining him as a young, infuriating prankster. “I can’t see it.”

“Oh, ask Megan. She’ll tell you enough stories to make you question your friendship with me.” He paused. “What about you? What was it like growing up in the big city?”

Kate sorted through the memories. “I remember wishing for brothers and more sisters. Our cousins lived far away, and their visits were limited to two weeks during the summer and one at Christmas. I played with the staff’s children until the year I turned ten. That’s when my mother decided it was not in my best interest to fraternize with the hired help.” Tucking a stray curl behind her ear, she avoided his gaze. “But I was fortunate in that there were many diversions at the estate. I split my time between the library, the gardens and the stables.”

“Did you go to school?”

“We had private tutors.”

“Sounds lonely.”

“It was.” She squared her shoulders. “But I had a roof over my head, clothes to wear and plenty of food to eat. And many luxuries not available to most people.”

“Tell me, what’s a typical day for an heiress?”

“Easy. Lie in bed until noon, spend much of the day ordering the servants about, fritter away money on useless frippery and consort with other heiresses who have equally meaningless lives.”

His laughter echoed off the rough surfaces. “Let me rephrase that. What’s a typical day for Kate Morgan?”

“If the weather’s nice, I have breakfast on the terrace overlooking the gardens. Then I go in search of my mother to see if she has anything in particular for me to do that day. If not, I sometimes assist our head gardener, Mr. Latham, in the planning and upkeep of the gardens and solarium. I prefer to be outside, my hands in the soil.” Her gaze followed the fairy flight of a yellow butterfly above the water. “We have many fountains and koi ponds, but they can’t compare to this.”

“When you’re not helping Mr. Latham, you’re…”

“Taking photographs. Or in my darkroom developing prints.”

“What do you do with them all?”

“Frame some of them. Lucky for me, we have ample wall space.” She smiled. “I have special albums for the rest.”

“I’d like to see a sample of your work sometime.”

“I didn’t bring the chemicals or equipment with me to develop the prints. I decided to wait until I’d settled in to have everything shipped out here.” She watched a pair of cardinals swirl and sashay through the air, a streak of red in the azure sky, their song swallowed up by the waterfall. “I’ve been considering opening my own studio.”

His brows lifted. “Oh? That’s interesting. Would you do mainly portraits, then?”

Pleased he hadn’t outright condemned her idea, she answered, “I would split my time between the studio and the field. Clients wouldn’t have to always come in for sittings. I could go to them. Some prefer the formal atmosphere of the studio, while others prefer a more natural setting. And I’d still do landscapes and perhaps have some of the finer images for sale.”

Relaxed against the rock, Josh drank in the beauty of her complexion, the bloom in her cheeks and the sparkle in her jeweled eyes. Pink suited her. She’d gone hatless, and her dark tresses had been caught in a neat twist.

Because of his own love of woodworking, he was able to appreciate her passion for photography, even though he knew nothing about it. And he admired that she had set a goal for herself. Being an heiress, she didn’t have to work. He somehow doubted that Francesca would put effort into anything worthwhile.

“You’ve obviously given this a lot of thought. What do your parents think about your plans?”

She broke eye contact. “I haven’t told them.”

That was odd. Again he sensed that something was off in that relationship. He opened his mouth to question her, but she headed him off.

“I’m getting chilled,” she said, rubbing her arms. “Would you mind if I set up my camera now?”

“Of course.” He pushed away from the wall and, grabbing his hat, took hold of her arm. “The sunshine should warm you right up.”

He helped her back over the log, and they returned to where the horses stood grazing. Gathering their supplies, they selected a spot near the waterfall in full view of the sun. Kate set about readying her equipment while Josh spread a blanket on the grass and unpacked their lunch. His ma had included thick slices of ham on sourdough bread, a jar of sweet pickles, coleslaw, baked beans, lemonade and, for dessert, peach turnovers.

Hungry now, his mouth watered at the enticing smells assaulting his nose. “Would you like to go ahead and eat now or take photos first?” He waved away a pesky fly.

She looked up from attaching her camera to its stand. “Let’s eat first. Once I get started with the photos, I sometimes get carried away. I wouldn’t want to keep a hungry man waiting.” Her mouth kicked up in a playful grin.

Her skirts sweeping the green grass, she approached and lowered herself onto the blanket with graceful ease.

“Does it take long?”

She paused in the arranging of the billowing material about her person to give him a quizzical look. “Does it take long for what?”

Sitting cross-legged, he gestured to her skirts. “To learn to maneuver in those fancy getups.”

“Every young lady is given instructions in deportment and manners. Besides, I’ve dressed like this since I was a little girl, so I’m accustomed to it.”

“Don’t get me wrong—your clothes are beautiful. I mean, you look beautiful in everything you wear.”

He clamped his lips together. He shouldn’t be saying this. And yet, it was true.

“Thank you.” A blush tinting her cheeks, she lowered her gaze to her lap.

Unlike Francesca, who’d preened whenever he’d complimented her, Kate was modest and shy in the face of praise.

There was so much about her that he found appealing. Her beauty wasn’t only skin-deep. She had a beautiful soul, as well.

She’d make some lucky man a fine wife one day. If circumstances were different—
if
she wasn’t his former fiancée’s little sister and a wealthy, privileged city girl—then just maybe he’d let himself feel something for her. But they weren’t. And he wasn’t about to make the same mistake twice.

When he did decide to seek out a wife, he’d choose a young lady with an upbringing similar to his. Someone who loved the Lord and who strived to live each day with honesty and integrity. Never again would he allow himself to be involved with a woman who harbored secrets. Secrets destroyed people. Relationships suffered.

If Francesca had been honest with him, he’d have avoided much grief and embarrassment.

Placing bread and ham on a plate, he handed it to Kate, along with utensils. Aware of her small appetite, he allowed her to serve herself from the other containers. As suspected, she took only minimal amounts and didn’t touch the turnovers. But she ate everything on her plate, and her smile was one of satisfaction.

“I like picnics. There’s something refreshing about eating outdoors, especially with a view like this.”

Taking a swig of his lemonade, he nodded. “I agree.”

Soon she rose and went to her camera. Feeling lazy from the heat, his stomach full, he was content to recline on the blanket and watch her work. In between shots, she told him about the recent advancements in photography. She was well-informed on the topic, and her enthusiasm was evident.

Not only was Kate a joy to watch, she was easy to be with. He wouldn’t mind spending the entire day out here. But projects awaited him back in his workshop. And after an hour, she was ready to pack up and go home, so they did.