Groom Wanted (16 page)

“Great.” Leah looked up at the pale blue sky that smothered her face with warm kisses. “It sure is a beautiful day for a ride.”

“Yes. Yes it is. Shall we get to it, then? I’m quite anxious to see how large this ranch of yours is.”

What an odd thing for him to say. Why did he care how big her family’s ranch was?

“Driver.” Fitzwilliam turned to the man still seated on the buckboard. “You may take your leave now. But be back by here by half past six. Do not be late.”

George nodded, reined the horses around, gave a quick swat on their rumps and mumbled that his name was George and something else Leah couldn’t hear plainly about people who thought they were better than other folks.

“Well, let’s get going. We have a long ride ahead of us.” Leah looped her arm through his and started toward the horses. “You two coming?” She looked over her shoulder at Jake and Elizabeth.

“Right behind you,” Jake answered as he gathered Elizabeth’s hand, tucked it through his arm and sent Elizabeth a lazy smile. The same one he gave Leah. Again jealousy snaked through her. She needed to get a grip on it, and soon.

Mere feet from their horses, Fitzwilliam stopped and glanced around.

“What’s wrong?” Leah followed his trail of vision.

“Where’s the horse I shall be riding?”

Huh? Did the man need glasses? Right in front of him stood four horses tied to the hitching post. “Uh. Your horse, Moose, is right here.” She patted the gelding’s white-spotted rump.

“Moose?” One of Fitzwilliam’s eyebrows rose and the corners of his mouth fell.

“Yes, Moose.” At his look of confusion she went on to explain. “When my sister Abby was younger, she begged my brother Haydon to let her name the animals on the ranch. He couldn’t resist her sweet, angelic face so he agreed. I’m afraid you will discover we have many animals with very strange names.”

“Ah. I see.”

Leah could tell by the low pucker of his mouth that he didn’t, but that was okay. Everyone in her family now found the bizarre names humorous. They were just part of what made her family her family.

Fitzwilliam walked up to Moose’s side and eyed the saddle. “I’ve never ridden a saddle like this before.”

Leah’s countenance fell with her shoulders. Not another
faux pas.
How long would it take her to learn his ways? And did she really want to? A question to definitely ask herself later.

“But—” he held up one finger “—I shall find it a challenge. And I am quite fond of a good challenge.” His gaze slithered from the horse to Jake.

Leah wondered what that was all about. “Oh good. I’m so glad. What kind of saddle do you normally use?”

“One without this thing.” Fitzwilliam rested his hand on the saddlehorn.

“It’s called a horn,” Jake said as he passed them and untied Elizabeth’s horse. “This is your horse, Elizabeth. May I?”

Leah watched as Jake placed his large hands around Elizabeth’s petite waist. His muscles bulged as he hoisted her effortlessly onto the saddle.

“Thank you, Jake.” Did the woman have something in her eyes? She sure blinked them often enough.

Jake smiled at Elizabeth then mounted his horse. His gaze landed on Leah as she stood on the ground among the horses. Their eyes locked. Leah smiled, and so did Jake.

“I do not see another horse with a sidesaddle. Where is your horse?” Fitzwilliam’s breath brushed against Leah’s ear. She wanted to swish it away and tell him not to talk so close to her ear.

“Oh. This one’s mine.” She untethered her horse, gathered the reins near the bit and pushed backward on them. “Back, Lambie. Back.” Her horse did as she asked it to.

Fitzwilliam followed Leah around the horse, examining as he went. “Where’s your sidesaddle?”

“I don’t use one. I tried it once and hated the thing.” She slipped one rein under Lambie’s neck and tossed it over the horse’s mane. The other she held in her hand while she placed her boot in the stirrup and swung up and into the saddle, then gathered the other rein.

She glanced down at Fitzwilliam. His expression went from a gaping mouth and bulging eyes to narrowed eyes and a wrinkled nose. Now, what had she done wrong this time? Her sigh was barely contained. “What’s wrong
now?
” She hadn’t meant for the frustration to fly out of her mouth, but it had anyway.

“Brother.” At the sound of Elizabeth’s voice, his features softened.

“Just another American custom to get used to is all.” With a shake of his head, he mounted his horse.

Leah heard him mumble about how the saddle was the most uncomfortable thing he’d ever sat on.

She wanted to laugh at the awkward picture he made up there, but instead she rode up next to him and said, “I thought you loved adventure.”

Jake’s chuckle nearly sent her over the edge of her own laughter, but she caught it just in time.

Fitzwilliam snapped his neck in Jake’s direction. “I do.” He narrowed his eyes at Jake and then turned a forced smile on her. “Make haste, my dear. And let us go.”

To hide her frustration at Fitzwilliam’s open display of abhorrence toward Jake, Leah nudged the heels of her brogans into her horse’s side, leaving the others to trail behind her.

It was going to be a long day.

As they headed out of the ranch yard, Jake pulled alongside her and Elizabeth next to him. Fitzwilliam rode on the other side.

They rode through the sparse fir trees past several blooming bushes.

“Those are quite lovely. What are they?”

“Syringa bushes,” Jake answered Elizabeth.

“They smell divine. And those? What are they, please?”

Leah followed Elizabeth’s pointed finger.

“Kinnikinnick shrubs,” Leah answered this time.

Leah breathed deeply the strong citrus scent of the ground-hugging kinnikinnick shrubs with their leathery leaves and pink blossoms mingled with the sweet scent of the syringa bushes.

“I must say, it’s quite handsome up here.” Fitzwilliam’s compliment warmed Leah.

Branches resting on top of the green forest floor crunched under the horses’ hooves. Over the lush green rolling hills they rode. Fields of red poppies waved in the breeze that was ever-present.

They headed toward the forest at the base of the mountain. The spiked flowers of Indian paintbrushes dotted the grassy hilltops and field edges with their bright orange and yellow.

Leah explained to Fitzwilliam what they were and about the rich volcanic ash soil and how it came to be there. Fitzwilliam appeared to be interested, but he was more intrigued with where their property line ended.

“Fitzwilliam, what’s it like in England?” Leah asked.

“It depends on what part of England one is at. Some places are quite similar to here, very lush and green. Some are not. One obvious difference is that there are no castles or brick mansions in America. Not that I’ve noticed in my travels, at least.”

“You told me about some of your travels, but where all have you traveled to?”

“As I said when we were dining, I have journeyed the world. I’ve been to France, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Greece...” Fitzwilliam went on and on about where all he’d been, telling her nothing exciting about any of the places, even though she’d asked him questions. Instead, he talked about his many accolades, and all he’d accomplished and his great wealth.

Sorry she had asked him now, Leah kept riding, waiting and hoping the man would stop talking. She knew he was trying to impress her, but for some reason his voice was starting to grate on her nerves. Strange, Jake’s voice didn’t have that effect on her. She loved listening to him and could for hours and hours without wishing he’d be quiet. Even though Jake was a man of few words, he was a great conversationalist, and not chatty like Fitzwilliam. Maybe Mr. Barrington was just nervous. Tillie, a widowed woman at church, chattered like a magpie when she got nervous. At least she hoped that was the case with Fitzwilliam.

Long, grueling minutes later, Fitzwilliam finally stopped prattling and pulled a long drink from his canteen. Leah took the opportunity to focus on Jake. Leather rasped as she shifted in her saddle to talk to him, but he and Elizabeth were laughing and talking. Leah envied Elizabeth. Jake always had something interesting to say.

Hours later, they stopped and dismounted at a clear spring that ran year-round on the top of the ancient cedar grove mountain.

Jake walked up behind her. “So, how was the ride up here?”

Leah leaned back to make sure Fitzwilliam wasn’t close enough to hear her. She blew out a long breath when she saw him and his sister at the base of one of the cedar trees that was at least ten feet in diameter. They gazed up at it, completely engrossed and talking animatedly about it.

Leah turned her attention back onto Jake. “The man never stopped talking. Some of what he had to say was interesting, but most of it was about himself. What do I do?”

“I’ll pay more attention and try to help you out, okay?”

“You’d do that for me?”

“Yep. That’s what friends are for.”

“Oh, Jake, you must make haste and come see this.” Elizabeth hooked her arm through Jake’s and led him to the base of one of the mammoth cedar trees.

Jake glanced back over his shoulder. Even though he was being led away, Leah knew he would be there for her when she needed him to be. That’s just the way it was between the two of them.

Fitzwilliam strode up to her and laced her hand through his arm. “You are quite a handsome woman, Leah. I’m blessed you have chosen to respond to my post. I think we shall get along quite famously. Oh, and as my dear sister so kindly pointed out to me, I must apologize for talking so much. A case of nerves, I fear. I will try to contain myself from here on in.”

“Well, if you get to talking too much, I’ll let you know, okay?”

He took a step back with shock, then chuckled. “Yes. Fair enough, madam.”

“I’m hungry. How about you?”

“Yes. I am quite famished.”

“Jake. Elizabeth,” Leah hollered and tugged herself away from Fitzwilliam’s grasp. “Time to eat.” She headed to her saddle and untied the food sack. Jake grabbed the blanket he’d brought and spread it out in a clearing near the spring.

Making sure Leah and Elizabeth were seated, the men sat down. Fitzwilliam sat so close their legs touched. Uncomfortable with the intimacy of that, Leah grabbed the food out of the sack and, as indiscreetly as possible, positioned her body closer to Jake, without touching him.

Leah placed roasted pork sandwiches, cheese slices and
the
Swedish rye crackers she’d made onto four napkins. She pulled a butter knife from the bag and set it on the blanket, then reached inside the sack and pulled out the small jar of lingonberry jam. Grasping the preserve jar lid, Leah twisted the lid hard but it wouldn’t budge.

“Allow me.” Fitzwilliam took the jar from her. He strained to open it but again it wouldn’t open, so he discreetly set it down on the blanket.

Jake picked it up, and opened it with one try.

Leah smiled at him. Pride oozed from her.

“Aren’t you glad we loosened it for you, my man?” Fitzwilliam said.

Leah curved her face toward Jake. Making sure no one could see her, she rolled her eyes.

Jake’s eyes twinkled in acknowledgment. “Couldn’t of done it without you, Fitzwilliam,” he said, and Leah hid her grin.

With all the food out and settled, Leah gazed at them. “Shall we pray?” Fitzwilliam frowned, then nodded. “Jake, would you do us the honors?”

“I can.” Fitzwilliam chimed in.

“Oh. Uh. How about next time since I’ve already asked Jake? After all, it would be rude, would it not, to tell him I’ve changed my mind?” she asked as if Jake wasn’t right there to hear. Which he was, and she knew he’d get exactly what she was doing.

“Oh. Yes. How rude of me. Go ahead, Jake,” Fitzwilliam said it as if it were his idea.

“Thank you, Fitzwilliam.” A knowing look passed between Leah and Jake.

One thing was for sure—Jake could pray. His prayers were short, sweet and filled with gratitude. The man loved Jesus. Did Fitzwilliam? She had never thought to ask him about his faith. That should have been her first question. She’d been so desperate to leave she hadn’t even thought about that. Shame swept over her heart. Everyone started to eat, so Leah made a mental note to ask him later.

Four gray-and-white camp robber birds swooped down from the trees, begging for food. Leah, Jake and Elizabeth tossed morsels of
the crackers to the birds,
but Fitzwilliam sat watching, his face scrunched. Where was the man who said he loved adventure?

All through their meal, Fitzwilliam talked nonstop. Jake tried to interrupt him several times and had even managed to get a few words in. No longer able to bear his prattling, Leah blurted, “Are you nervous again?”

Fitzwilliam stopped and looked at her, eyes blinking.

Jake chuckled.

Fitzwilliam shot a glaring look Jake’s way.

“I’m sorry,” Leah said. “I must be getting tired. Forgive my bluntness.” Truth was, she was neither sorry nor tired. She was just ready to get this day behind her.

* * *

Jake had enjoyed every minute of their outing, mostly because Leah was getting a glimpse of the pompous Mr. Magpie. At the rate the man was going, with any luck at all Leah would send him packing before sundown. Even then, it wouldn’t be soon enough for Jake.

“Hate to break up the party, but if we’re going to get you home in time for George to pick you up, we’d best head on back now.”

“Oh, yes,” Leah chimed in. “I forgot about that. Thank you, Jake.” Her gratitude sparkled through her eyes. Eyes he’d come to read very well.

Jake stood and offered her a hand.

Fitzwilliam was on his feet faster than it took to pull the trigger on a gun and snatched Leah’s hand before it ever reached Jake’s. Jake wanted to yank his hand off of Leah’s, but he had to remember that he wasn’t the one courting her. He was there to be a chaperone. A chaperone with a motive.

They rode into the yard and tethered their horses to the hitching post.

George was already there.

“I’ll take care of the horses, Leah.”

“Thank you.” For Jake’s ears only, she said, “When you get done, come up to the house, okay?”