Chapter Eight

Hannah pulled the buttercup-colored quilt up under her chin, warding off the morning chill of what promised to be another glorious summer day in the Adirondack Mountains.

It had been two weeks since the McClearys’ barn dance and the magic of the evening had stayed with her, wrapping itself around her in a blanket of warmth. She touched the fingers of one hand to her lips still feeling the pressure of Chase’s warm mouth against hers. It amazed her to think she’d so brazenly allowed him to take that liberty and even more so the way her body had responded to his touch. His kiss had been like a hot firebrand on her tender lips. The moment they’d kissed—somehow it had felt right.

Sitting on the bench under the McClearys’ weeping willow tree, time had stood still. For that brief interlude, she’d forgotten the reason Chase was here in North Creek. However in the days that followed the dance the distant explosions of the dynamite blasts up at McCleary’s mine were a sharp reminder of what Chase Malone stood for.

Feelings of confusion raced through her. Was it possible that she was losing her heart to a man who condoned the destruction of these beautiful mountains? She couldn’t understand the attraction she felt toward him, she only knew that it was there, the feeling strong enough to make her want to be with him.

Hannah could only continue to hope that the more he came to know these mountains, the more he would see how much devastation Tyler Mining was causing. If only she could make him see the beauty through her eyes—make him see what Tyler was doing wasn’t right. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. Today would be the beginning of Chase Malone’s transformation.

Tossing aside the heavy quilt, she got out of bed. There was a lot to be done before Chase arrived. Everything had been planned down to the last detail. Taking the sky-blue riding habit from her wardrobe, she laid it across her bed.

She walked across the floor, the wood cool beneath her bare feet. Picking up the pearl-handled brush that had once belonged to her mother, she began to brush with long, even strokes, untangling the knots in the dark strands. Today she would wear her hair unbound, allowing it to fall freely down below her shoulders.

Hannah tugged the white nightrail up over her head then hung the thin gown on the hook behind the bedroom door. She donned the simple riding habit with its skirt that skimmed the top of her black riding boots. Deciding the matching blue jacket would be too warm to wear, she set it aside, settling on a plain white shirt instead. She was just fastening the last of the pearl buttons of the cotton blouse when her grandmother called to her.

“Hannah, dear, your breakfast is ready.”

Patting her hair in place, Hannah called from behind the closed door, “I’ll be right there, Gram!” She wondered what her grandmother’s opinion of her attire would be. Smoothing down the front of the riding skirt, she opened the bedroom door and entered the kitchen.

“So, where are you off to today?” Her grandmother smiled merrily at her, clearly pleased with Hannah’s appearance and bright mood.

Hannah cleared her throat then replied, keeping her voice even. “I’ve invited Chase to accompany me on a picnic. I thought perhaps he might enjoy seeing some more of our countryside.”

“Will there be anyone else accompanying you?”

“Yes, Julia and Stephen.”

Hannah swallowed the last of the eggs and took a quick sip of tea. She gathered her dishes and carried them to the tin sink, humming a simple tune as she scrubbed the plate. After finishing the chore she brought the hamper to the table and started packing the foodstuffs.

“Here, take some of my pie. As I recall, your young man has a taste for pies.”

Accepting the pie tin, Hannah scolded, “Chase is not my young man.”

Gram didn’t reply to her remark, but her face held that knowing look as she continued to hand Hannah food for the picnic. Any more protesting would be useless; once her grandmother made up her mind about something, there was no changing it.

In less than fifteen minutes the basket was laden with food. There was a jar each of pickled beets and green beans, a jug of lemonade, cooked chicken pieces and of course, the cherry pie. Carefully Hannah packed the plates, glasses and eating utensils in between the folds of the checked table cloth then snapped the lid of the hamper closed.

Leaving the hamper next to the rocking chair on the front porch, she went to the barn to saddle up her mare. Bonnie poked her head out of the stall as she entered the cavernous building.

“Hey, there, Bonnie girl! Are you ready for a ride in the sunshine?” The horse nuzzled her open palm, looking for a sweet treat.

“Sorry, girl. I forgot to bring your sugar treat.”

Hannah reached for the bridle and reins. Unlatching the pine door, she slipped the bridle over Bonnie’s head. She was just finishing saddling the docile mare when the rattle of Stephen’s buckboard floated into the barn. Giving one last tug on the cinch strap, she led the horse back to the porch and looped the reins loosely over the rail.

“Good morning!” Julia waved a white linen handkerchief in the air above her head as the wagon pulled to a stop at the end of the drive. “Isn’t it simply a glorious day?”

“Yes,” Hannah agreed with a smile as she raised her hand, shading her eyes from the bright morning sun.

Retrieving the hamper, she absently handed it to Stephen, who was stepping down from the yellow seat of the buckboard. Looking past Stephen, beyond the buckboard, her gaze locked with Chase’s.

He sat astride his horse wearing the familiar felt brimmed hat. She noted his clean-shaven face, crisp blue chambray shirt and denim pants in one swift downward glance. Her gaze traveled back up to his face to settle on his full mouth, which at this very moment was smiling broadly at her.

“Good morning, ladies.” A rakish grin spread across his clean-shaven face. He tipped his hat to Hannah and then nodded politely to her grandmother.

“Mornin’, Mr. Malone,” her grandmother returned his greeting from the top step of the porch. “So where are you off to?”

“We’ll be going out to Crane Pond,” Hannah answered her grandmother from atop her mare. “You can expect us back by late afternoon.”

“Have fun!” she called to them as they headed out.

The bright-colored buckboard swayed jauntily back and forth as they traversed yet another set of tree roots embedded in the road. The trail eventually gave way to a single path that wound its way deep into the interior of the Adirondacks.

While Stephen and Julia chattered and laughed—sharing the secrets of lovers, Hannah and Chase rode along in an amiable silence.

He welcomed the silence.

It gave him time to study the woman who rode next to him. She seemed to know every turn of the trail as well as any guide. He could tell by the expression of complete and utter contentment on her face that this place was like a home to her. Instinct told him she would never give any of this up. Not for love, and certainly not for money.

Abruptly the roadway came to an end. Chase reined in his mount next to Hannah’s.

“This is the inlet where the pond begins.” She dismounted.

“Shall we set up lunch here, or find a spot farther around the pond?” Julia asked from atop her perch on the buckboard’s bench.

Walking down to the water’s edge, Hannah parted the tall stalks of cattails that grew in the soft moist soil. Chase stood off to the far side of the buckboard, near the woods. Making a great pretense of securing the horse, he watched her.

“Grandfather’s guide boat is here. We could go around to the flat rocks if you like.” She casually tossed her onyx hair over one shoulder.

The sunlight danced off her hair. He could see the strain of the white linen blouse across her breasts, the narrowing of her waist and the flare of her hips. He cleared his throat when he realized Hannah was smiling coquettishly back at him. Leaving the horses secured, he joined them.

It seemed the decision to go to the rocks had been made. Stephen was just handing Julia the last of the two picnic baskets as Chase came to stand at the water’s edge. The oak guide boat, long and sleek in design, gleamed in the bright sunlight. Four caned seats with matching backs lined the bottom of the low boat.

“Matthew mentioned to me that he used to be a guide on a full-time basis. I didn’t realize he’d taken up the occupation again,” Chase commented as he waited for the women to be seated. He took a spot on the third seat. Stephen pushed off and hopped in the boat to join the others.

“He only does it as a special favor for some old customers,” Hannah answered from the back.

In a few short moments the inlet opened to a large body of water that appeared to be more a lake than a pond. Tall maple and birch trees surrounded the water, making it appear like an oasis in a large unending forest. The guide boat cut a clean path into the middle of the pond, slicing noiselessly through the clear water.

He looked down at the rippling water in awe. Brown trout and yellow perch swam alongside the boat. He could see them clearly, as if he were holding them in his hand. A mother duck, with her ducklings swimming in a row behind her, made her way to the safety of the tall grass that lined one side of the pond.

Within fifteen minutes they landed at a small piece of land that jutted out into the water. The rock that Hannah had referred to was long and flat on top, rising clear out of the sparkling water—a perfect place to dine.

After Stephen helped Julia out of the boat, Chase extended his hand to Hannah. She place her gloved hand in his, stepping out of the boat onto the solid ground.

“Thank you.” Her voice was as soft as the breeze that rippled the water.

“You’re very welcome.” Chase smiled back at her. He released her hand.

While Chase and Stephen spread the linen tablecloth on the flat portion of the rock, Hannah and Julia unpacked the wicker hampers.

“Your grandmother packed enough food to feed half the town of North Creek!” Julia exclaimed as she added a second jar of the deep red beets to the array of food laid out on the cloth.

“I guess she knows what big appetites we men have.” Stephen winked at Julia.

The men waited for Hannah and Julia to find a comfortable spot on the ledge and then joined them. Hannah loaded Chase’s plate with the pickled beets, dilly beans and a large portion of the crispy chicken. While he enjoyed the delicately spiced meat, he grimaced at the dill taste the green beans left in his mouth.

A devilish grin played around the corners of Hannah’s mouth, and her dark eyebrows rose slightly. “You don’t like my grandmother’s cooking?”

“The beans are a little too spiced for me,” he admitted.

“Perhaps the sweet cherry pie will set better in your mouth. I know you like sweet things.” Her face turned as red as the pickled beets when she realized her blunder.

Hannah busied herself by cutting Chase a generous piece of the sweet confection. “I meant to say, I know you like the taste of peppermint sticks and pie.”

He also liked the way her mouth had tasted the first time he’d kissed her—sweet, just like his favorite peppermint stick. The way she extended the piece of pie to him on her outstretched hand was like being offered nectar from the gods.

He took the dessert from her and smiled. “I’m sure this will set better in my mouth than the beans. Thank you.” Hannah finished serving the pie.

The foursome sat enjoying the warmth of the sun along with the last of the cherry pie.

“Stephen and I are going for a walk,” Julia announced as she stood and brushed the dirt from her tan-colored skirt. “I trust it’s safe to leave you two alone?”

“We’ll be just fine!” Hannah laughed at her friend, playfully tossing a pebble at her retreating backside.

“Those two sure are in love,” Chase observed as he watched them walk off hand in hand, Julia’s blond head resting lightly on Stephen’s upper arm.

“Yes, they are. I, for one, am quite happy for them.” Sitting with her legs stretched out in front of her, Hannah toyed with a small blade of grass. “They’ve known each other their entire lives.” Wistfully, she added, “It seems right somehow, that they’re going to become husband and wife.”

He was curious about how she really felt about marriage and about love—trusting one person for the rest of your life. Could she ever imagine herself married to a man such as him? “Is it right because they have shared the same things—the same wants and dreams—or because they have their childhood memories in common?”

“I hadn’t really thought about it in those terms before.” Hannah frowned up at him.

“Opposites attract, you know.” He studied her face. Her eyes were filled with uncertainty. Her pink lips were pursed together thoughtfully. She continued to twirl the blade of grass between her finger and thumb, seeming intent on shredding it to bits. He wondered how she felt about the sanctity of marriage. If she truly believed in the commitment, or if, like so many other young women her age, it was just another whimsical childhood fantasy.

“It is possible for complete strangers to fall in love. It’s happened plenty of times before.” He stood next to her, his shadow covering her body.

“I don’t know of any strangers who’ve fallen in love.” She tossed the grass into the pond where it floated lazily to the shore.

He decided it was best not to press the issue with Hannah. Chase had a surprise for her, one that he’d been keeping for her for several weeks now. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out a small pouch.

She looked up when he dropped the small white sack in her lap. “What’s this?”

“Open it and find out.”

The square bag had “Tyler Mining, East Street, New York, NY” neatly stenciled in the center of one side. Hannah pulled open the drawstring with both hands and peered inside. Her face lit up with delight as she dumped the almond-shaped treasure into the palm of her hand.

“Have you ever seen a gemstone this lovely before?” Chase squatted behind Hannah, peering over her shoulder.

The heat from his body flooded over her. “No,” she managed in a whisper.

“This garnet came from McCleary’s mine, right from the very ground that you and I are sitting on.”

“It’s beautiful.” For a moment she forgot what the harvesting of this gem had cost the land. Then the promise that she’d made to Sallie McCleary came back to haunt her. It wasn’t possible to condone the mining, even if it produced something so stunning.

“Here, hold the garnet up to the sunlight.”

She allowed him to touch her hand, guiding it to the sunlight.

“See how those yellow lines look like a star?”

She nodded her head. Her hand tingled from his touch.

“This particular stone is called a star garnet, and those tiny lines are rutile. What you’re holding is a very rare specimen.”

“What is this worth?” She wanted to know the value of the destruction. Hannah studied the gemstone. She couldn’t seem to put her finger on it, but it reminded her of her days at the boarding school.

“A great deal. Hundreds of dollars.” Letting go of her hand, he bent to nibble at her earlobe.

“Chase…” She breathed his name into the warm mountain air. “Oh, Chase, please don’t do this to me.” Shivers of delight ran up and down her spine.

“Why not?”

Hannah turned to around to face him. “Because you’re making it impossible for me to think straight.”

Suddenly, she remembered what bothered her about the garnet. “A friend of mine, at boarding school, she had a lovely brooch with a similar stone. Hers was a ruby.”

“The stones are quite similar.” He lifted her hair. Exposing the nape of her neck, he planted a feather-light kiss there.

“How can you tell the difference?” Hannah asked, her voice a mere whisper.

“Sometimes it’s almost impossible.” He turned her face to his and slowly kissed her parted lips.

She leaned toward him and, wrapping her arms about his sinewy neck, she kissed him back. He ran his tongue along her mouth, outlining her lips. He tasted like the cherry pie they’d just eaten, sweet and syrupy. The passion hidden deep within her bubbled to the surface. She wanted him to be the one who would unleash that passion.

A low moan escaped her as he ventured to run his hand along her rib cage. Her breathing came in rapid bursts as he continued to move his hand up her torso, stopping when he reached her breast.

Hannah broke away from the kiss first. Chase looked into the sapphire pools that were her eyes. The depth of her arousal was clear, even to him. A rosy flush had crept up the smooth skin of her neck, reaching her face.

“Hannah, I—”

She covered his hand, still lingering on her breast, with her own. “Please, don’t say a word. We have to stop this before Julia and Stephen return. It’s different for them. They’re going to be husband and wife.”

The yearning he saw in her eyes made him wish he could tell her the truth, but he was bound by duty not to. He felt the walls of his deceit close about him.

“I don’t know what we are to each other.” Hannah bowed her head to kiss the top of his hand, her warm lips barely skimming the tops of his knuckles.

Silently Chase pulled her to stand next to him on the rock. Wrapping his arms around Hannah’s waist, he pulled her close. How he longed to be able to tell her that they could be together one day! It just wasn’t time yet. There was still so much to unravel with Tyler Mining.

Hugging her against his chest, he looked over the top of her head. He saw only clear blue water and rocks and trees. So many trees. Their green leaves waved at him in the breeze, as if they were trying to tell him of some great secret. He wondered then when he would learn the secret—the one that kept Hannah bound to these mountains.

He felt Hannah pull away from him and looked down at her. “What is it?”

“Stephen and Julia are coming back from their walk.”

“Um. So they are.” Taking her hand in his, Chase led her to the top of the rock to meet them.

Julia looked smugly from Hannah to Chase and back to Hannah again. “It looks to me as if the two of you had a lovely time.”

Still clutching the garnet and sack in her hand, Hannah replied, “Yes, we did.” She turned to Chase and held out the gemstone. “I can’t accept this, it belongs to you.”

He knew there would be no use in trying to get her to accept the star garnet as a gift. He took the white bag from her and placed it back in his shirt pocket.

Hannah studied Chase’s face. She wondered if he saw any of the beauty that surrounded them. Did being here in the middle of this wilderness have any effect on him? She hoped that maybe one day soon, he would begin to see how precious the Adirondack Mountains were. It would be nice to think that today had been a start.