Country Bride: Country Bride / Woodrose Mountain

Three

Kate had never felt more grateful for a Monday morning than she did the following day. At least when she was at school, she had the perfect excuse to avoid another confrontation with Luke. He seemed to believe he was somehow responsible for her and to take that responsibility quite seriously. She had absolutely no intention of holding him to his promise and couldn’t understand why he was being so stubborn. To suggest she was in love with him simply because she’d proposed marriage and responded ardently to his kisses revealed how truly irrational Luke Rivers had become.

Kate paused and let that thought run through her mind a second time, then laughed aloud. No wonder Luke insisted on marrying her. Kate had to admit she could see why he might have the wrong impression. Still, she wished she could think of some way to set him straight.

Luke was right about a few things, though. She did love him—but not in the way he implied. She felt for him as a sister did toward a special older brother. As a woman did toward a confidant and companion of many years’ standing. The feelings she’d experienced when he kissed her were something of a mystery, but could easily be attributed to the heightened emotions following Clay’s wedding. There’d been so many changes in Kate’s life during the past few months that she barely understood herself anymore.

She could never love Luke the way she’d loved Clay. For as long as Kate could remember, she’d pictured herself as Clay’s wife. Joining her life with any other man’s seemed not only wrong but completely foreign.

“Good morning, Miss Logan,” seven-year-old Taylor Morgenroth said as he walked casually into the classroom. “I saw you at Mr. Franklin’s wedding on Saturday.”

“You did?” It shouldn’t surprise her, since nearly every family in town had been represented at the wedding. Probably more of her students had seen her there.

“You were with Mr. Rivers, weren’t you? My mom kept asking my dad who you were dancing with. That was Mr. Rivers, wasn’t it?”

“Yes.” Kate had to bite her tongue to keep from explaining that she hadn’t actually been “with” Luke. He wasn’t her official date, although they’d attended the wedding together. But explaining something like that to a second-grader would only confuse the child.

“My dad made me dance with my older sister. It was yucky.”

Kate managed some remark about how much of a gentleman Taylor had been, but she doubted that he wanted to hear it.

Before long, the students of Nightingale Elementary were filing into the classroom and rushing toward their desks. From that point on, Kate didn’t have time to think about Luke or Saturday night or anything else except her lesson plans for the day.

At noon she took her packed lunch to the staff room. Several of the other teachers were already seated at the circular tables.

“Kate!” Sally Daley, the sixth-grade teacher, waved her hand to gain Kate’s attention. She smiled, patting the empty chair beside her.

Reluctantly Kate joined the older woman, sending an apologetic look to her friend Linda Hutton, the third-grade teacher, with whom she usually had lunch. Sally had the reputation of being a busybody, but Kate couldn’t think of a way to elude her without being rude.

“We were just talking about you,” Sally said warmly, “and we thought it would be nice if you’d sit with us today.”

“I’ll be happy to,” Kate said, feeling a twinge of guilt at the lie. She opened her brown bag, taking out a container of peach-flavored yogurt and two rye crisps.

“Clay’s wedding was really lovely, wasn’t it?” Sally asked without preamble. “And now I understand your father and Dorothea Murphy are going to be tying the knot?” Her questioning tone indicated she wasn’t certain of her facts.

“That’s right,” Kate said cheerfully.

“Kind of a surprise, wasn’t it?”

“Kind of,” was all Kate would admit, although she realized she should’ve known her father was falling in love with Mrs. Murphy. They’d been spending more and more time together since early summer. If Kate hadn’t been so blinded by what was happening between her and Clay, she would’ve noticed how serious her father had become about Dorothea long before now.

“It’s going to be difficult for you, isn’t it, dear?” Sally asked sympathetically. “Everyone knows how close you and your father have been since Nora died.”

“I’m very pleased my father’s planning to remarry.” And Kate was. The initial shock had worn off; she felt genuinely and completely happy that her father had found someone to love. He’d never complained, but Kate knew he’d been lonely during the past few years.

“Still, it must be a blow,” Sally pressed, “especially coming on the heels of Clay and Rorie getting married. It seems your whole life’s been turned upside down, doesn’t it?”

Kate nodded, keeping her eyes focused on her sparse meal.

“Speaking of Clay and Rorie, their wedding was lovely,” Susan Weaver, the kindergarten teacher, put in.

“I thought so, too,” Kate said, smiling through the pain. “Rorie will be a perfect wife for him.” The words nearly stuck in her throat, although she was fully aware of their truth. Rorie was an ideal complement to Clay. From the moment she’d stepped into their lives, she’d obviously belonged with him.

“The new Mrs. Franklin is certainly an ambitious soul. Why, the library hasn’t been the same since she took over. There are education programs going on every other week. Displays. Lectures. I tell you, nothing but good has happened since she moved to Nightingale.”

“I couldn’t agree with you more.”

Sally nodded. “You’ve taken this...disappointment over Clay rather well,” she murmured with cloying sympathy. “And now your father remarrying so soon afterward...” She gently patted Kate’s hand. “If there’s anything I can do for you, Kate, anything at all, during this difficult time, I want you to call me. I know I speak for each and every staff member when I say that. Your father must see what a wonderful daughter you’ve been, and I’m sorry all of this is being added to your burden just now. But if it’s ever more than you can bear, your friends at Nightingale Elementary will be honored to stand by your side. All you have to do is call.” The other women nodded.

If Sally was expecting a lengthy response, Kate couldn’t manage it. “Thank you. That’s...really good to know,” she said in a faltering voice. To hear Sally tell it, Kate was close to a nervous breakdown.

“We’re prepared to help as you pick up the shattered pieces of your life. And furthermore, I think Luke Rivers is a fine man.”

“Luke Rivers?” Kate repeated, nearly choking on her bite of rye crisp. A huge lump formed in her throat at Sally’s implication.

“Why, yes.” Sally smiled serenely. “Everyone in Nightingale saw how the two of you were gazing into each other’s eyes at the dance. It was the most romantic thing I’ve seen in years.”

“Dance?”

“At the wedding-reception dance,” Sally elaborated. “From what I understand, Beth Hammond’s been so depressed she hasn’t left her house since that night.”

“Whatever for?”

Sally laughed lightly. “Surely there’s no reason to be so reticent—you’re among friends. Everyone knows how she’s had her eye on Luke for years.”

Susan nodded vigorously. “Apparently they dated a few times a year ago, but Luke’s kept her dangling ever since.”

“I don’t have a clue what you mean,” Kate said faintly, her heart beating hard enough to pound its way out of her chest. She’d hoped that with her father’s engagement, the rumors about her and Luke would naturally fade away. So much for wishful thinking.

Sally exchanged a meaningful look with the other teachers. “Well, I thought that, you know...that you and Luke Rivers were involved.”

“Luke and me?” Kate gave a short, almost hysterical laugh. “Nothing could be further from the truth. Luke’s a dear friend, and we’ve known each other for years, but we’re not romantically involved. There’s nothing going on between us. Absolutely nothing.” She spoke more vehemently than necessary, feeling pleased that for once Sally couldn’t get a single word in.

After a moment, she made a show of looking at her watch. “Excuse me, ladies, but I’ve got to get back to my classroom.”

As she left the faculty lounge, she heard the whispers start. Groaning inwardly, Kate marched down the hall and into her own room. Sitting at her desk, she snapped the cracker in half and examined it closely before tossing it in the garbage.

“Don’t you know it’s wrong to waste food?” Linda Hutton said, leaning against the doorjamb, arms folded.

“I wished I’d never talked to that woman,” Kate muttered, feeling foolish for allowing herself to be manipulated into conversation with a known busybody.

“Well, then,” Linda said, with a grin, “why did you?”

“If I knew the answer to that, I’d be enjoying my lunch instead of worrying about the tales Sally’s going to spread about me...and Luke Rivers.”

Linda walked into the room.

“The least you could’ve done was rescue me,” Kate complained.

“Hey, I leave that kind of work to the fire department.” Linda planted her hands on the edge of Kate’s desk. “Besides, I was curious myself.”

“Curious about what? Luke and me? All we did was dance a couple of times. I...was feeling warm and went outside for a little bit. Luke met me there and after a few minutes, he...drove me home. What’s the big deal, anyway?”

“A couple of dances... I see,” Linda said, her words slow and thoughtful.

“I’d be interested in knowing exactly what you see. Everyone keeps making an issue of the dancing. Taylor came into class this morning and the first thing he said was that he’d seen me at the wedding. He didn’t talk about running into me at the grocery store earlier that day.”

“Did you have your arms wrapped around a man there, too?”

“Don’t be silly!”

“I wasn’t. Honestly, Kate, nearly everyone in Nightingale saw the way you and Luke were dancing. You acted as though there wasn’t anyone else at the reception. Needless to say, rumors were floating in every direction. Everyone was watching the two of you, and neither you or Luke even noticed. Or cared. I heard the pastor mumble something about maybe performing another wedding soon, and he wasn’t referring to your father and Dorothea Murphy—which is another matter entirely.” Linda paused to suck in a deep breath. “Are you sure you’re going to be able to handle this on top of—”

“Clay and Rorie? Yes,” Kate answered her own question emphatically. “Oh, I had a few bad moments when Dad first told me, but I got over it.” The comfort she’d found in Luke’s arms had helped her more than she cared to admit. He seemed to be making a habit of helping her through difficult moments.

Linda eyed her sceptically. “There’s been so much upheaval in your life these past few weeks. You know, sometimes people go into shock for weeks after a major change in their lives.”

“Linda,” Kate cried, “everyone keeps looking at me as though they expect me to have a nervous breakdown. What is it with you people?”

“It isn’t us, Katie girl, it’s you.”

Kate pushed her hair off her forehead and kept her hand there. “What do I have to do to convince you that I’m fine? I’m happy for Clay and Rorie. I consider myself resilient and emotionally strong, but this makes me wonder why you and Sally and the others don’t.”

“I don’t think anyone’s waiting for you to fall apart,” Linda countered. “We all have your best interests at heart. In fact, with one obvious exception, everyone’s really pleased you have Luke.”

“But I don’t have him. Luke isn’t a possession, he’s a man. We’re friends. You know that.” Kate expected Linda, of all her friends and colleagues, to recognize the truth when she heard it. Instead she’d made it sound as though Kate’s dancing with Luke and then letting him take her home meant instant wedding bells.

Linda shook her head. “To be honest, Kate, you’re doing a whole lot of denying and I don’t understand why. It seems to me that the person you’re really trying to convince is yourself.”

By the time Kate arrived home that evening, she was in a fine temper. Her father had already left for a meeting at the Eagles Lodge. He’d taped a note to the refrigerator door telling her not to worry about fixing him any dinner because he planned to stop at Dorothea’s later for a bite to eat.

Kate read his scrawled note, pulled it off the fridge and crumpled it with both hands. She was angry and impatient for no reason she could identify.

Heating a bowl of soup, Kate stood by the stove stirring it briskly when Luke let himself in the back door. After her encounter with Sally and Linda, Luke was the last person she wanted to see. Nevertheless, her eyes flew anxiously to his.

“Evening, Kate.”

“Hi.”

He hung his hat on the peg next to the door, then walked to the kitchen counter and examined the empty soup can. “I hope you’re going to eat more than this.”

“Luke,” she said, slowly expelling her breath, “I had a terrible day and I’m rotten company.”

“What happened?”

Kate didn’t want to talk about it. Dredging up her lunch-hour conversation with Sally Daley would only refuel her unhappiness.

“Kate?” Luke coaxed.

She shrugged. “The other teachers heard about Dad and Dorothea and seemed to think the shock would do me in, if you know what I mean.”

“I think I do.” As he was speaking, he took two bowls out of the cupboard and set them on the table.

Kate stirred the soup energetically, not looking at him, almost afraid of his reaction. “In addition, people are talking about us.”

When she glanced in his direction, Luke nodded, his eyes twinkling. “I thought they might be.”

“I don’t like it!” she burst out. The least Luke could do was show the proper amount of concern. “Sally Daley told me how pleased she was with the way I’d rebounded from a broken heart.” She paused, waiting for his response. When he didn’t give one, she added, “Sally seems to think you and I are perfect together.”

Luke grinned. “And that upset you?”

“Yes!” she cried.

“Sally didn’t mean anything. She’s got a big heart.”

“And an even bigger mouth,” Kate retorted. “We’re in trouble here, Luke Rivers, and I need to know how we’re going to get out of it.”

“The answer to that is simple. We should get married and put an end to all the speculation.”

Kate’s shoulders sagged in defeat. “Luke, please, I’m not in the mood for your teasing tonight. We have to get serious about...”

Her voice dwindled away as Luke, standing behind her, placed his hands on her shoulders and nuzzled her neck. “I’m willing.”

His touch had a curious effect on Kate’s senses, which sprang to sudden life. It took every ounce of fortitude she possessed to resist melting into his arms and accepting his comfort. But that was how they’d got into this mess in the first place.

“The gossips are having a field day and I hate it.”

Luke drew her away from the stove and turned her toward him. He searched her face, but his own revealed not a hint of annoyance or distress. “I don’t mind if folks talk. It’s only natural, don’t you think?”

“How can you say that?”

“Kate, you’re making this out to be some kind of disaster.”

“But don’t you see? It is! There are people out there who actually believe we’re falling in love.”

“You do love me. I told you that earlier. Remember?”

“Oh, Luke,” she cried, so disheartened she wanted to weep. “I know what you’re trying to do and I appreciate it with all my heart, but it isn’t necessary. It really isn’t.”

Luke looked baffled. “I don’t understand.”

“You’ve been so sweet.” She laid her hand against his clean-shaven cheek. “Any other man would’ve laughed in my face when I made him promise to marry me, but you agreed and now, out of consideration for my pride, my feelings, you claim you’re going through with it.”

“Kate,” he said, guiding her to the table and gently pressing her into a chair. “Sit down. I have something important to tell you—something I’ve been trying to tell you since the night of the wedding.”

“What is it?” she asked, once she was seated.

Luke paced the floor directly in front of her chair. “I should’ve told you much sooner, but with everything else that’s going on in your life, finding the right time has been difficult.” He paused and frowned at her as though he was having trouble choosing his words.

“Yes?” she coaxed.

“I’m buying the Circle L.”

The kitchen started to sway. Kate reached out and gripped the edge of the table. She’d hoped it would be months, at least, before a buyer was found. And it had never occurred to her that Luke might be that buyer. “I see,” she said, smiling through her shock. “I... I’d have thought Dad would’ve said something himself.”

“I asked him not to.”

Her troubled gaze clashed with Luke’s. Despite her shock she felt curious. How could Luke afford to buy a ranch, especially one as large as this? She knew he’d been raised by an uncle, who had died years before. Had there been an inheritance? “Luke,” she ventured shyly, “I know it’s none of my business, but...”

“How did I come by the money?” he finished for her. “You have every right to ask. I inherited it from my uncle Dan—I’ve told you about him. He owned a couple of businesses in Wyoming, where I grew up. There was also a small sum left to me by my grandfather. I invested everything, together with most of what Devin’s paid me over the years, and I’ve got enough now to buy the ranch outright—which’ll leave your dad and Dorothea in good financial shape for their retirement. I’ll be able to expand the operation, too.”

Kate nodded absently. She hadn’t known much about Luke’s background, apart from the fact that he had very little family, that he’d lost his parents at an early age. She supposed those losses were the reason he’d been so sympathetic, such a comfort to her and Devin, at the time of Nora’s death.

It still seemed too much to take in. Her home—it was going to belong to Luke. He’d move his things from the small foreman’s house, though she knew he hadn’t accumulated many possessions. But it meant that soon she’d be sorting through and packing up the memories of a lifetime.... She bit her lip.

He knelt in front of her, grasping her fingers with his warm, hard hands. “I realize you’ve been through a lot of emotional upheaval lately, but this should help.”

“Help!” she wailed. “How could it possibly—?”

“There’s no reason for you to be uprooted now.”

For a stunned second she didn’t react. “I don’t have the slightest idea what you’re talking about.”

“Once we’re married, we’ll live right here.”

“Married!” she almost shouted. “I’m beginning to hate the sound of that word.”

“You’d better get used to it, because the way I figure, we’re going to be husband and wife before Christmas. We’ll let Devin and Dorothea take their vows first—I don’t want to steal their thunder—and then we’ll wait a couple of weeks and have the Reverend Wilkins marry us.”

“Luke, this is all very sweet of you, but it isn’t necessary.” Kate was convinced that this sudden desire to make her his wife was founded in sympathy. He felt sorry for her because of all the unexpected jolts that had hit her recently. Including this latest one.

“I can’t understand why you’re arguing with me.”

Her hand caressed his jaw. How square and strong it was, and the eyes that gazed at her had never seemed darker or more magnetic. She smiled sadly. “Don’t you think it’s a little...odd to be discussing marriage when you’ve never once said you love me?”

“I love you.”

It should have been a solemn moment, but Kate couldn’t help laughing. “Oh, Luke, that was terrible.”

“I’m serious. I love you and you love me.”

“Of course we love each other, but what we feel is what friends feel. The kind of love brothers and sisters share.”

Fire leaped into his eyes, unlike anything she’d seen in him before. With any other man, she would have been frightened—but this was Luke....

“Instead of looking at me as if you’re tempted to turn me over your knee, you should be grateful I’m not holding you to your word.”

“Kate,” he said loudly, “we’re getting married.” He spoke as though he was daring her to disagree with him.

She lowered her head and brushed his lips with her own. “No, we’re not. I’ll always be grateful to have a friend as good as you, Luke Rivers. Every woman deserves someone just as kind and thoughtful, but we’d be making the biggest mistake of our lives if we went through with this marriage.”

“I don’t think that’s true.”

“I’m sane and rational, and I’m not going to disintegrate under the emotional stress of Clay’s wedding or my father’s remarriage, or the sale of the ranch. Life goes on—I learned that after my mother died. It sounds so clichéd, but it’s the truth. I learned to deal with losing her and I’ll do the same with everything else.”