Moonlight on Water (19 page)

The little girl's smile crumbled, warning Rachel that her voice had been too sharp. The people around them stared. Taking Kitty Cat's hand, Rachel edged past the other guests, excusing herself as she mumbled something about making sure the food was perfect for her brother and his bride.

“I'm sorry, Kitty Cat,” she said when they were walking across the grass toward the river. The food would be served closer to the water where it would be cooler and the children could swim in the cove. “I shouldn't have yelled at you.”

“Is something wrong?”

“How can anything be wrong when we're at a wedding?”

Kitty Cat frowned again, and Rachel guessed her good humor had sounded too forced.

“Come and help me arrange the tables,” Rachel said.

This time, as they walked down the steep riverbank, the little girl smiled.

Rachel was also smiling by the time they had taken linen towels off the many dishes that had been set on the tables. Shooing away flies, she listened to the musicians tuning up. The Community boasted a ten-piece orchestra and a marching band twice that size. She was not certain why there was a marching band, because the only place they performed was in the common area.

As the members of the Community swarmed over the food like another cluster of flies, she looked for her brother and Miss Page. Helga, she must remember to call her now that Miss Page had married Merrill.

“Congratulations!” she said when she found them among the crowd around the tables. “May your year together be everything you hope for.”

Merrill's eyes were still dark with anger, but he kissed her on the cheek. “I hope you've taken inspiration from this ceremony, Rachel.”

“Weddings are always inspiring.” She glanced through the crowd, not wanting to chance Mr. Foley overhearing her and getting the idea she had decided to marry him.

She saw him at the far end of the long collection of tables. He was spooning food onto a plate held by Miss Turnbull, his ex-wife. She was nearly as tall as he was, and her luxurious blond hair surrounded a face that was the match for Mr. Foley's strikingly good looks. No one had been surprised when they had announced their plans to marry. Rachel recalled that they had been sitting with Miss Turnbull's family at the wedding.

“My
weddings,” cooed Miss Page, bringing Rachel's attention back to her newest sister-in-law, “are always inspiring.” She kissed Merrill lustily.

Rachel hushed Kitty Cat, who was making a disgusted sound. When Merrill laughed and tweaked the child's nose, Rachel was astonished and pleased. She hoped her brother's good mood would last past his wedding day, and he would be more accepting of Kitty Cat.

The musicians began playing, and Rachel twirled Kitty Cat about until the little girl was laughing so hard she could barely stand. As the adults danced, many of the children frolicked at the water's edge. They shouted and splashed each other and anyone who came too close.

The joyous voices along the river bottom faded as a man appeared at the top of the riverbank. A hush spread across the guests as if the fog were returning. They turned as one when the man shouted Rachel's name.

Merrill swore under his breath and stamped to Rachel. Taking her by the arm, he growled, “I thought you knew better than to invite
him
.”

“I didn't invite anyone.” She jerked her arm away. Squinting into the sunshine, she tried to see who stood on the top of the bank.

“So he just came uninvited?”

She rubbed her arm and glared at him. “Merrill, how can I know if he came uninvited when I don't know who's up there?”

“You know it's Colton!”

She laughed as the man stepped out of the sun's glare and his silhouette solidified. “Merrill, you're looking for trouble where there isn't any. That's not Wyatt. That man isn't tall enough.”

“Then who is it?”

Instead of answering him, she walked through the crowd that seemed frozen in shock. After joining the Community most members had little interaction with anyone outside it.

Kitty Cat rushed after her, for once, silent. Rachel almost wished the youngster was tossing questions at her. It would be better than this preternatural quiet.

She reached the slope of the riverbank just as the man was sliding down the last few feet. In amazement, she said, “Reverend Faulkner, this is a pleasant surprise.”

“Good day, Miss Browning.” He smiled. “And to you, Miss Mulligan.” As Kitty Cat preened at being acknowledged by the minister, he continued, sounding as disconcerted as the residents of River's Haven at his arrival, “Is something going on? I saw the crowd and wasn't sure if you were here. Then, when I shouted your name, I saw you and your brother.”

“Merrill just got married.” She did not mention that Helga was his third wife, for that would bother the minister.

He looked past her to the people clumped next to the tables. “I didn't mean to intrude on his wedding, Miss Browning.”

“You're welcome to join us.”

Clearing his throat, he said, “Yes … yes, thank you, but I can't stay. What I was coming to ask you can wait.”

“You're here. You might as well tell me.”

Again he glanced at the wedding guests. “I just wanted to stop by and see if you'd obtained the permission for the children to participate in the Fourth of July celebrations. I can see this isn't the time to discuss that.”

“I haven't received an answer from the Assembly of Elders yet, although Mr. Foley has agreed to speak to them on my behalf.”

“Mr. Foley is speaking to them on
your
behalf? Well, well. I see.” He shook himself and said, “That's excellent, Miss Browning.”

It took every ounce of Rachel's will to keep her smile in place. The minister's first reaction told her that he had heard that Mr. Foley was courting her.

“I'll let you know, Reverend Faulkner, as soon as the Assembly of Elders has made its decision.”

He tipped his hat to her. “Thank you, Miss Browning.” He glanced once more at the wedding guests, then scampered back up the hill as if he believed the devil was nipping at his heels.

“You were very gracious with that outsider, Miss Browning,” said Mr. Carpenter from behind her.

Rachel composed herself before she turned to face the white-haired man. She repeated the conversation in her mind and knew there was nothing that could be construed as a problem for the Community … or her.

“Reverend Faulkner is a very nice man,” she replied.

“He is, although he was very distressed when we first set up the River's Haven Community here. However, he has always treated us with respect, and it's good to offer him the same, so I'm pleased how you spoke with him.”

“Thank you.” Should she ask Mr. Carpenter if Mr. Foley had spoken to him about the Centennial celebration? Mr. Carpenter must have heard what she and the minister were discussing, so she should wait for him to bring up the subject.

“I'm glad to see you treat outsiders with the same kindness that you do those within our Community,” Mr. Carpenter said. “It was so kind of you and Mr. Foley to invite Miss Turnbull along on your carriage ride. She told me she had a grand time when she went out with you on Thursday.”

“Thursday evening?” Rachel gasped before she could halt herself. She had not been with Mr. Foley and Miss Turnbull on Thursday evening.

With an apologetic smile, Mr. Carpenter said, “Perhaps I'm recalling the wrong night. It could have been Wednesday evening. Ah, here they come. Looking for you, no doubt.”

Rachel was not certain of that when she saw how close Miss Turnbull stood to Mr. Foley. They had ended their marriage three months ago, as the Community's rules required. Hadn't they? An uneasiness filled her stomach, but she did not want to accuse them of using her as an excuse to allow them to spend an evening together. Mr. Carpenter had been unsure of the evening. Maybe he had been unsure of other details as well.

“Mr. Carpenter,” gushed Mr. Foley, “I see you have very charming company.”

“As do you.” Mr. Carpenter bowed his head politely to Miss Turnbull. “I was just telling Miss Browning about how you enjoyed your carriage ride with her and Mr. Foley last Thursday evening.”

Miss Turnbull flinched, her face growing bright red. Mr. Carpenter did not seem to notice. He prattled on a bit longer, then went to speak with Miss Stokes, who was waving rather frantically to him.

As soon as Mr. Carpenter was out of earshot, Miss Turnbull said, “Oh, please forgive me, Miss Browning. I told Mr. Carpenter that I couldn't come to a meeting because I went for a ride with you and Cal—Mr. Foley.” She colored again. “It was horrible of me to include you in a lie.”

“Lying is wrong,” Kitty Cat said sharply.

Miss Turnbull's face grew a deeper red. “I know. Forgive me.”

“What sort of meeting was it?” Mr. Foley asked, giving her a sympathetic smile.

“Rewriting the constitution of the Community to include the changes made over the past year.”

He laughed. “I can understand why you wished to avoid that meeting.”

“As can I,” Rachel said. “You're forgiven, Miss Turnbull.”

“I assure you that I won't use your name again to slip away from a duty.”

“But lying is wrong,” Kitty Cat insisted, her arms folded in front of her and her lower lip stuck out.

Rachel knelt in front of the little girl. “We know that, and Miss Turnbull just admitted that she made a mistake. I'm sure she has learned her lesson and won't lie again.”

“But you said I should
never
lie.”

“Yes, I did. And I meant that.” Looking over her shoulder, she saw that Mr. Foley and Miss Turnbull were rejoining the other guests. No doubt Miss Turnbull had wanted to put an end to this embarrassing conversation posthaste, and Mr. Foley was leaving to allow Rachel to deal with the child. “Miss Turnbull won't lie again. You can be sure of that.”

“If I hear her lying, I'm going to tell her that it's very, very wrong to lie.”

Standing, Rachel smiled. “If you hear what you believe is a lie, you should come to me right away. A child shouldn't correct her elders.”

“That's a stupid rule. If she's lying, she should have to tell the truth.”

“And she will. Just come to me instead of telling her in front of everyone.”

Kitty Cat nodded reluctantly, then turned as one of the children called to her from the slow water in the cove. “Can I go with them, Rachel?”

“Give me your shoes first.” She chuckled, knowing that Kitty Cat in her excitement would rush into the water with her shoes on—again.

More quickly than she ever had, Kitty Cat unbuttoned her high shoes and tossed them toward Rachel. She raced off, followed by Rachel's warning not to go in past where the water reached her waist.

Rachel bent to pick up the shoes, brushing pieces of grass off them. As she straightened, she saw another man walking along the top of the riverbank. She could not mistake
this
silhouette. Wyatt! What was he doing here today of all days? She had told him not to come back to River's Haven except to get the parts for his boat. Why didn't he listen to her—just once?

Forcing a smile, Rachel went toward a table in the middle of the crowd. Maybe if she acted as if she had not seen him, he would take note of everyone gathered here and leave. It was a worthless hope, she realized, for, even if she had not heard the rumble of surprised voices from the Community residents, every inch of her was aware of him coming nearer and nearer. The sensation grew so strong that she did not need the puff of his breath against her hair to know that he stood right behind her.

His arms reached around her, and she gasped. Was he out of his mind? To embrace her here when the eyes of the Community must be focused on them?

She released her breath when he picked up a sandwich and took a bite. She was not surprised when she turned and found him smiling. He enjoyed keeping her off-kilter like this and putting the most untoward thoughts in her head.

And I enjoy it, too
.

Was she the one losing her mind? This was not the time to wonder about that. This was the time to convince Wyatt to come to his senses and leave.

“You shouldn't be here now. Merrill just got married,” Rachel said in a near whisper. Not that it mattered. Every ear on the riverbank was straining to hear their words.

“Well, congratulations are due to him, I suppose.” He took another bite before adding, “I could keep on walking along the riverbank, if that would be for the best.”

“It would be.” Then she would not have to notice how the sunlight burnished his hair with blue highlights, as hot as the desire in his eyes. Her fingers longed to reach up and comb through those strands, for the very touch would set her on fire, too.

“Another guest?” asked Mr. Foley.

She fought not to flinch as Miss Turnbull had earlier. As Mr. Foley rounded the end of the table, she tried not to compare Wyatt's easy strength and undeniable masculinity to Mr. Foley's well-groomed elegance.

She hoped her voice did not tremble as she said, “Mr. Foley, this is Mr. Colton. I believe I've told you that he's repairing his steamboat with parts from River's Haven.” She held her breath again, knowing that her future might hang on the very first words either man spoke.

Thirteen

Shaking Foley's hand, Wyatt took care not to glance at Rachel. He had not planned on meeting
this
man when he saw the River's Haven folks clustered on the riverbank and decided to see if Rachel was among them. Of course, if the situation had been reversed, he, like Foley, would be keeping a close eye on the woman he wanted to marry. When Rachel stood beside Foley, they were undeniably a handsome couple.

“Have the parts worked well for you?” Foley asked.

“I can't say. They haven't been finished yet.”