Lou burst through the door of a small cottage, dragging Rachel with her. Her laughter echoed through the tiny house. “Did you see his face? That was so much fun.”
Rachel didn’t think it was much fun. Josh had been so kind to her and Grandpa. She didn’t think he deserved being the brunt of a mean joke.
“Rachel, you probably think I’m crazy, but you have to understand. Josh is always teasing us, and we rarely have a good chance to get back at him. Remind me to tell you the skunk story. He’s so meticulous in everything he does that we rarely ever catch him off balance.”
Rachel considered that for a moment. Obviously, Josh wasn’t aware that his family considered his work nearly flawless.
A tall, good-looking man entered from the other room.
“What’s all the ruckus, Lou?” He looked at Rachel and smiled.
Lou danced over and hugged him. “You won’t believe this, Trent.”
Rachel watched the transformation of Trent’s face as Lou relayed her story. When she finished, he shook his head. “You’re asking for trouble. I don’t think this is a good idea.”
“Oh, pooh.” Lou swatted his arm. “It’ll be fun. You’ll see. Could you please fetch some water so Rachel can have a bath and get changed before dinner? We have to hurry.”
“All right, but let it be known I said this was a bad idea.” He turned to face Rachel. She liked his kind face. “By the way, I’m Trent Chamberlain, Louisa’s husband. It’s a pleasure to make your acquaintance.”
Lou put a hand to her mouth. “Oops, sorry. In my excitement, I forgot the introductions. We have two boys running around here somewhere, too. I’ll introduce them later.”
She tugged Rachel’s sleeve. “Come on, Rachel. We need to see if I have anything that will fit you.” Lou looped arms with her and dragged her to a small bedroom. Rachel loved the hominess of Lou’s cottage. Someday I’ll have a nice place like this.
Lou tugged open a wardrobe and thumbed through the clothes inside. “Do you mind taking a cold-water bath? We don’t have time to heat water before dinner.”
Rachel shook her head. “Any kind of bath will feel heavenly. Thank you for what you’re doing for Grandpa and me.”
There was a loud bang against the wall and a scuffling sound then a knock on the bedroom door frame. Trent stood there with a large round tub. “Is it safe to come in?”
“Sure thing,” Lou said as she pulled the door open.
He set the tub in the corner and quickly exited.
Lou rummaged through a trunk, holding up several undergarments. “My yellow dress should fit you, but I don’t know if these will work. I’m a bit taller than you.” She tossed the pile of off-white bloomers and chemises back into the trunk and slammed the lid. “Oh, I know. While you get your bath, I’ll run over and borrow some under things from Deborah. She can’t wear her regular ones anyway since she’s in a family way.”
A short time later, Rachel stepped out of the small tub and reached for the towel on the bed. She felt so invigorated. Her damp hair dripped rivulets of cold water down her back as she dried off. Rachel stiffened at the soft knock on the door. She’d always had privacy when dressing. Papa and Grandpa had been very gracious about disappearing when it was her time to bathe in the small house.
“Yes?”
“It’s me … Lou. Can I come in?”
Rachel took a deep breath. “I—I guess so.”
Lou tumbled into the room, her arms laden with undergarments and clothing, which she dumped on the bed. “Oh, your hair. It’s so curly—and blond! Josh will love it.”
Josh will love it? Rachel had to stop and think for a moment. Do I care if Josh loves it?
Lou’s chatter intruded on her thoughts. “You should have seen Grandma’s eyes twinkling when I told her about you. She’s anxious to meet you. She said another woman would help even the odds with all the men around here. Do you like this one? It’s mine. I think it will look good with your blond hair and brown eyes.”
Rachel stared at the beautiful yellow dress. It looked like a Sunday-go-to-meeting dress and store bought, too.
“Look!” From behind her back, Lou produced a pair of balmorals.
Rachel gasped. How many times had she stood in front of Jennings Footwear and dreamed of owning a pair of the front-lacing shoes?
“They’re real nice, aren’t they? Deborah had an extra pair. She said you could keep these if they fit.” Lou folded up a brown skirt and soft-blue blouse then laid them on the bed. “You can wear these tomorrow.”
Rachel looked at Lou, blinking back the unshed tears stinging her eyes. Never since her mother died had she owned such nice things. Papa and Grandpa had been virtually ignorant in things that were important to a growing young woman. “I don’t know how to thank you. Your family has been so kind.”
Lou enveloped her in a warm hug. “Now don’t you worry about that. I’ll have my reward tonight at dinner when I see Josh’s face.”
A short while later, after Rachel had dressed, the two women sneaked over to the big house. Lou peeked around the mudroom doorway for a moment, and then she ducked back into the small room with an ornery grin lighting her face. Her eyes twinkled, and she bounced with excitement. “Are you ready for your big entrance?”
Rachel shrugged and breathed in the enticing aroma of home-cooked food. Her stomach grumbled, urging her forward. It had been weeks since she’d eaten a real meal.
Though she wondered what Josh would think of her as a woman, she had a very bad feeling about Lou’s scheme. But after all the Staffords had done for her and Grandpa, how could she refuse? “Will Grandpa be there?” she whispered.
Lou shook her head. “No, he’s on the couch in the office. Grandma took him a plate already, and he’s sleeping.”
Rachel heaved a sigh. Somehow, she didn’t think Grandpa would approve of Lou’s little game, either. But what else could she do? Lou had been so nice to her and rescued her from the bunkhouse dilemma. Rachel thought of Josh’s cocky smile and his bossiness out on the trail. Maybe it wouldn’t hurt to take him down a notch.
“Grandma’s seated. Let’s go.”
“Where’s Lou?” Rachel heard a deep voice ask, right before they entered.
“I’m right here, and I’ve brought a friend.” Lou grabbed Rachel’s hand and pulled her through the kitchen and into a huge dining room. She felt all eyes turn toward her. Chairs squeaked against the floor when the four men rose to their feet. Two young boys slowly followed their example. Rachel tried to swallow the lump that had suddenly risen to her throat. The tantalizing odor of home-cooked food that moments before had teased her senses now made her stomach roil.
She looked at Josh, and her heart did a little dance. His whiskery face was freshly shaven. A pink, sunburned forehead stood out against his tanned face. The cost of being gallant. She smiled at him. He looked handsome in his dark-blue shirt and black pants. She read the question in his gaze, Have we met before?
Rachel felt as if her heart had lodged itself in her esophagus.
Lou cleared her throat and pulled Rachel forward. “Everybody, I’d like to introduce my newest friend, Rachel.”
Rachel looked at Lou, who grinned mischievously, winked, then turned toward Josh. “Josh, I believe you already know her.”
Every head pivoted toward Josh. His forehead crinkled, and he seemed to be thinking deeply. He shook his head and grinned charmingly, his dimple winking. “Nope. I seriously doubt I’d ever forget meeting someone as lovely as her.”
Lou snickered. “Maybe you know her better by her full name. Rachel Lee Donovan.”
Josh shook his head again, and then it jerked to a stop. Rachel felt impaled by his intense scrutiny. His expression grew still. Serious. His smile held no humor but rather a hint of sadness.
Rachel knew she’d made a terrible mistake.
Josh couldn’t believe his eyes. Lee was a woman, a very pretty woman—and she’d played him for a fool. Ray stood for Rachel. How could I have been so stupid and blind? I should have listened to my gut. He knew deep in his gut there was something unusual about that kid. Only she wasn’t a kid—not by a long shot.
Suddenly, the whole room exploded in a gale of laughter. Josh looked at Micah and Sam. Both hooted, slapping their palms on the table.
“She really pulled the wool over your eyes, didn’t she?” Micah roared.
Sam slapped his thigh and dropped to his chair. “This is the boy you planned on toughening up? Whoowee! This is the best joke to come along in years.”
Lou leaned forward in mirth, swiping at the tears running down her cheeks. Deborah turned away but not before he saw her smile. Even Grandma sat there with hand over mouth, trying to hide her chuckling. Timmy and Davy stared at each other as if wondering what was so funny. Josh looked at Trent. He was the only somber one of the group. Josh could tell he didn’t approve of Lou’s joke.
He glanced at Rachel. Her pretty face looked pale. What had he done to her that she would make him the laughingstock of his family? He’d done his best to make her grandpa comfortable. He’d cared for them and brought them into his own home. And she still didn’t trust him enough to be honest with him.
He gritted his teeth and pressed his lips together, seething with anger, humiliation, and hurt. “Well, you all have had your joke; now have your dinner,” he uttered in a contemptible voice he barely recognized as his own.
With one last steaming glare at Rachel, he could see that her expression was bleak and she looked on the verge of tears. Good. She deserves to cry.
Josh looked to his grandma. “Excuse me, Grandma. Suddenly, I’m not hungry.”
He pivoted quickly, knocking his chair back. It crashed loudly behind him as it landed on the hardwood floor. With both hands, Josh shoved open the screen door. Its loud bang reverberating against the wall followed him outside.
It wasn’t bad enough that Lee—no, Rachel—had humiliated him in front of his whole family, but even his own heart defied him. In spite of everything, he couldn’t deny his instant attraction to the real Lee—Rachel Lee.