Chapter 16

 

On the porch, Missy nodded to Aunt Della, rocking and doing her mending while watching the evening sky. Jared was headed for the barn, and Seth busy drawing water out of the well.

“Is it getting any closer?”

Della shrugged and snipped the thread from the shirt in her hand. “Hard to tell, just yet. I heard your conversation with Mark a minute ago,” she said, laying aside the shirt and taking a sock from the basket beside her. “Why don’t you step on out to the barn and talk Jared into taking a short nap? My Abe was just about as stubborn as that boy is. Sometimes a woman’s advice can make a difference.”

“Not this woman’s,” Missy shook her head. “I’m the last person that might make an impression on your nephew.”

Della gave a soft laugh and checked her stitches. “I think you might be surprised at the sort of influence you might have with him.”

Missy sighed. Talking to Jared wasn’t always so easy as it had been at the service that morning. Once he made up his mind about something, it was hard to change. “I’ll suggest it,” she promised, stepping off the porch, taking a couple of pitchers with her for water.

Seth saw her coming and smiled. “It’s beautiful out here, isn’t it?”

Missy stared at the shimmering lights to the west, her heart jumping with each slow rumble of thunder that boomed in the distance. “It looks more dangerous than beautiful,” she said as she handed the pitchers to him.

He filled them from the bucket beside him. “A little of both. Don’t look so worried, we’ll take care of it if anything happens.”

Missy smiled at the reassurance in his voice. He had a lot of confidence to be so young. “I know you will. Mark told me that you and he were switching off with a few hours of sleep throughout the night. Aunt Della thought I ought to encourage Jared to get a little rest, too,” she said, glancing toward the barn.

He stood up straighter and scratched his head. “In case you haven’t noticed, he can be pretty stubborn.”

Missy laughed. “I’ve noticed.” She took a deep breath. There was no need putting the task off for later. Setting the pitchers securely on the rock ledge by the well, she turned toward her destination.

Good luck,” Seth called after her.

 

 

***

 

 

The barn was quiet and warm, only a soft nicker from one of the horses floated through the silence. She stood just inside, letting her eyes adjust to the faint light. “Jared?”

He was beside her almost immediately. “What is it?”

She gave a slight jump and took a step back as he spoke. “I. . I didn’t see you.”

“Is everything alright up at the house?”

Shyness overcame her and left her thoughts muddled. What had possessed Della to send her out here to talk to him? He was a grown man, capable of resting when he thought it necessary. It was only going to annoy him if she tried to interfere. She folded her arms in front of her, as if making space between them. “I just. . .well, Mark said you weren’t going to sleep tonight and Aunt Della thought. . .”

He gave a short laugh. “That I need the rest?”

She tightened her jaw. He was so hardheaded he made a bulldog look passive. “Well of course you do. Mark or Seth will wake you if something happens. She only meant for you to nap for a short time. Besides, Aunt Della and I can watch from the porch for a few hours.”

He turned his head, giving light to the side of his face nearest the door. She stared at the image before her. That was the man she knew. Half sun, half night. Half kind, half bitter.

The light was sweet, funny, caring, a true family man. The kind of man any woman would be glad to love. The dark side was cold, hard, always ready to find fault. She shivered and turned away. “I’m sorry I bothered you. I’ll just be getting–”

“No, wait.” His fingers curled around her elbow and drew her further inside the gloomy light, pulling her closer to him. “There’s something I wanted to ask you about this afternoon.”

A heavy weight seemed to press on her chest, making it hard to breathe. His fingers were like an iron clasp on her arm. Everything inside of her balked. He really had noticed her encounter with the older blonde woman. Now he wanted an explanation to her reaction. And she had none, though she had pondered it all evening.

She attempted to pull away from his grip, but he held her tighter, drawing her even nearer. Heat from his fingers seared her arm and her heart skipped a beat before racing ahead like a rabbit on the run from a hungry coyote.

There was no need to fool herself, excusing her reaction as fear. What was wrong with her? How could she be attracted to a man who could be so cold and unrelenting? “Excuse me, but I really need to get back inside–”

He interrupted, his voice gruff and demanding. “Who was that woman you spoke to just as we were leaving?”

She gave a short laugh and willed her voice not to tremble. “I spoke to a lot of women today, Jared. I can’t possibly remember–”

His voice cooled and the tone lowered. “You know which one I mean. Did you recognize her?”

She stared into the shadowy face. Her voice was hoarse, barely a whisper. “No. I don’t know who she is.” It was the truth. Maybe the woman just reminded her of someone she hadn’t liked sometime in her life. A strict teacher from her childhood. Or cranky aunt, or. . .or. . .

“I saw the surprise on your face when you looked at her. Or should I say recognition?” His eyes searched hers, as if they could find the answer if he looked deep enough into her soul.

She swallowed at his accusation and tried to pull her gaze from his, turning her head slightly. “Are you doubting my word? I told you I don’t know who she is.”

His thumb went under her chin, his finger pressing deep into her cheek, turning her gaze back to him. “She frightened you. Are you denying that?”

The closeness between them sent shivers down her spine. His fingers were like hot embers, burning into her face. She resisted closing her eyes and tilting her mouth to his. Her heart pounded in her ears, the roar matching the distant thunder, all but drowning his voice from her hearing. “No. I mean. . .”

He seemed not to notice that she wasn’t answering, his sapphire gaze searching her face. For a second, he moved closer, his face lowering to hers, his lips brushing hers with a whisper, sending her heart reeling.

“Hey, Jared, have you seen. . .”

His fingers released her arm and they sprang apart as Seth stopped in the doorway. “I’m sorry…I…”

Jared cleared his throat. His words were sharp and crisp. “Have I seen what?”

Seth turned, his line of vision looking back outside. “I just wondered if you knew where that spare rope was for the well.”

“Look under the porch, behind the steps. Mark pushed it up under there a few days ago.”

Silence occupied the air as he walked away.

Missy massaged her elbow where his fingers had held her tight, trying to rub away the tingles that flowed down her arm. Her lips were still trembling from his brief kiss.

“I guess you’d better get back inside,” he said, his eyes avoiding her face.

Glad for her dismissal she headed for the door, then paused, forcing her voice to a normal tone. “Something about her did upset me. I’m just not sure why it affected me that way. I’ve tried and tried to remember, but I have no idea who she is or where I might know her from. I can only ask that you believe me.”

He shrugged and reached for a lantern hanging on a post. “Maybe it’ll come to you later.”