Jeremy sat across from Caroline’s brother, watching as Ned teased Joanna on one side and joked with Joshua on the other. Was his own teasing that annoying? Or did Ned’s voice have a desperate edge to it?
Why would Caroline’s brother have been hiding in the woods? Who else had been with him? Why had he left Caroline behind in Cincinnati in the first place? Hadn’t he realized she would worry? He should have been there to protect her, to provide for her. Had he come to his senses, or was there another reason for his sudden appearance now?
“I hope you concluded your business to your satisfaction, Ned,” he said when he could get a word in. “It must have been powerful urgent to force you away from your sister.”
Ma shot him a look, but she took a bite of her potatoes as if to keep from scolding Jeremy. She had to be just as eager for answers from the newcomer among them.
“The matter seems to be settled,” Ned allowed. “Which is why I felt comfortable hastening to my sister’s side. And here I find her, surrounded by friends.”
“And what are your plans now?” Jeremy pressed.
He leaned back in his chair and spread his arms, which put one of them dangerously close to draping about Joanna’s shoulders. As if she noticed too, his sister blushed. Jeremy tried not to bristle, but Jack stiffened.
“Why, I’m here for a wedding, aren’t I?” Ned asked, looking around as if for confirmation. “Although, I find it odd. My sister came all this way to be a bride, yet I don’t see a ring on her finger.” His gaze came back to Jeremy’s and held.
“Jeremy and I are becoming better acquainted,” Caroline explained. “It’s lovely to be part of a true courtship after only having his letters to go by.”
Guilt nipped. His sisters expected picnics and what not. Caroline had been given barn painting. She had every right to a proposal, but he couldn’t blame her brother’s appearance for his lack of courage today.
“We all want what’s best for Caroline and Jeremy,” his mother said. “I think there’s a little more of the preserves left. Jane, would you pass them and the biscuits to Mr. Cadhill, since he enjoyed them so much?”
Ned drew in his arms and held up one hand as if to forestall Jane. “Thank you, but I couldn’t eat another bite.”
“You’ll want some of the ginger cake for dessert, I’m sure,” Ma said. “Joanna baked it.”
Joanna cast him a glance under her lashes.
“Well then,” he said with a grin to her, “I’ll make room.”
Joanna excused herself to fetch the cake.
Ma steered the conversation for the rest of the meal, laying out her orders for the evening and morning, then herded Ned and Caroline into the parlor. He made sure to carry his valise with him as if he wondered whether she was going to let him stay the night. Ma likely thought she could question their visitor more effectively without the rest of them listening. She had had years of experience squeezing information out of Jeremy and his siblings.
Jack must have had his suspicions as well, for he intercepted Jeremy before he could follow.
“Do you think Ned could be our mystery camper?” he asked as Jason, Jenny, and Joy began clearing the table. Joanna was supposed to be helping too, but she’d positioned herself in the doorway as if to overhear what was happening in the parlor across the hall.
“I’ve wondered,” Jeremy admitted. “But if he was, why wait in the woods or Puget City? And who did he have with him? Maybe Ned really did arrive at the Jumping J this afternoon.”
Jack wiggled his jaw as if chewing on the matter. “How much do you know about him?
“Only what Caroline wrote me and what she’s mentioned since she came,” Jeremy said. “He lived like a rich man’s son, never finding a profession or looking for work, even though his father was only a bank clerk.”
Jack snorted. “Or a gentleman thief, according to Joy.”
He glanced to where his littlest sister was rolling up the tablecloth for washing, then drew Jack farther away from the table and Joanna.
“Caroline thinks he’s innocent. The bank took her home and all their savings to recoup the loss, and she moved into lodgings. Then Ned disappeared, and someone came to the rooming house, threatening to harm her if she didn’t tell them where he’d gone. As she had no idea and no one to protect her, she lit out.”
Jack’s lips thinned. “Could her brother have been involved in the theft? Perhaps he was the one who stole the money, and their father allowed himself to be blamed to protect him.”
Jeremy shook his head. “Ned couldn’t be directly involved. He’d have had no opportunity to steal the money. Caroline thinks someone else took the cash and blamed it on her father.”
“I don’t like it,” Jack said, rubbing his chin with the back of one hand. “If Ned Cadhill is the thief, we’ll need to watch him. If he isn’t, and the real thief is still looking for him, we’ll need to be ready to defend the family.”
And Caroline.
***
Normally Caroline enjoyed any time she spent with the family, but tonight she was aware of too many competing concerns. First, Mrs. Willets had cornered her and Ned in the parlor while the others either cleaned up from supper or, in the case of Mr. Willets, Jacob, and Jane, headed off to tend the cows.
“What is it you did in Cincinnati, Mr. Cadhill?” Jeremy’s mother asked from her spot on the sofa as Caroline sat on a nearby chair and Ned strolled back and forth in front of his valise.
He paused to bow. “You might say I’m a gentleman of leisure, ma’am.”
As Mrs. Willets frowned, Caroline felt compelled to explain. “Ned had a tutor for a while, and he did very well in his studies, never a complaint against him. I imagine he could do whatever he wanted.”
Her brother eyed her as he continued his perambulations. “Why, thank you, sis.”
“Commendable, to be sure,” Mrs. Willets agreed. “And are you planning to return to the city or stay out West?”
“I have yet to decide.” He moved to the bookcase and tilted his head as if reading the gilded titles on the spines. “Cincinnati was always home, but I find much to admire in this new country.”
Joanna popped into the room, and he straightened to grin at her.
“Done,” she said somewhat breathlessly as Jenny followed her into the parlor. “May we do something for entertainment tonight, Ma, seeing as how we have a guest?”
If Mrs. Willets was dismayed to find her questioning interrupted, she didn’t show it as the rest of the family who weren’t on duty outside streamed into the room. Joanna sat next to her mother, and Ned came to light on the arm of the sofa beside her. Jenny, Joy, Jason, and Joshua found seats around the room. Jeremy settled on the chair closest to Caroline’s, but she caught him watching her brother as if waiting for him to do something tremendously marvelous.
Or tremendously wicked.
“What about I Spy?” Jenny suggested.
Joy clapped her hands. “Yes, please! Caroline can go first.”
Caroline and Ned had played the game, so she knew the rules, but she demurred. “Someone else can take the first turn. I enjoy the guessing more.”
Ned nudged Joanna with his elbow. “Perhaps Joanna should take the first turn. I warrant she has a clever imagination.”
“Clever enough to recognize when someone is trying to dump the butter boat over my head,” she told him, but her eyes were bright.
“Go ahead, Joanna,” their mother said. “Show Mr. Cadhill how it’s done.”
Joanna inclined her head, then glanced around the room. Sitting up tall and staring straight ahead, she announced, “I spy with my little eye something red.”
Immediately everyone began looking around.
Jeremy laughed. “There are six red-heads in this room alone. It could be any of them.”
Joanna rolled her eyes. “Something red that isn’t hair, then.
Joy pointed to the bookcase. “That book!”
Her sister shook her head, smile hovering.
“Is it square?” Joshua asked.
“No,” Joanna allowed.
“Is it round?” Jason challenged.
She grinned. “Yes.”
“Is it even in this room?” Jason demanded.
Joanna cast a quick glance at Ned. “Oh, yes.”
Caroline focused on her brother. Neither his shirt nor his trousers was red. His brow puckered as if he couldn’t figure it out either.
Joy pointed. “Mr. Cadhill’s cheeks! They’re turning red!”
They were indeed, for all he tried to look away.
Joanna laughed. “Well done, Joy! Yes, I was spying Mr. Cadhill’s cheeks, which I knew would turn red when he realized I’d bested him.”
He inclined his head, cheeks blazing. “Your point, Miss Willets.”
“You’ll get tired of the Miss Willets and Mr. Willets business,” Joshua predicted. “There are simply too many of us.”
“You’re nearly family,” Jenny agreed. “He can use our first names, can’t he, Ma?”
Mrs. Willets considered him a moment before nodding. “It would likely be easier, Mr. Cadhill.”
“Well, then, you must call me Ned,” he said. “And we can dispense with all the miss and misters, except for our patriarch and his charming wife, of course.”
He was the one being charming. Wait until she got him alone!
They played a few more rounds, and her brother was his usual self, teasing and laughing, but every once in a while, he’d peer out the front window, as if he expected someone to peer back.
Finally, Caroline guessed one of the items, which made it her turn to give them a riddle. She thought for a moment. Many of the distinguishable items in the room had already been used. But then, no one had said it had to be in the room or even in the house.
“I spy with my little eye,” she said, careful not to look out the window, “something big.”
“Bigger than the barn?” Joshua immediately asked.
Caroline shook her head. “No.”
“Bigger than herd of deer?” Jeremy asked with a wink.
“No,” she admitted, smiling.
“Bigger than a cow?” Joy asked.
“No,” she said.
“What about a horse?” Jenny put in.
That was harder. She couldn’t really answer the question yes or no as the game required. She bit her lip a moment, then noticed Jeremy had fixed on her face and she had to look away. “The same size as a horse.”
“Is it a horse?” Joy suggested.
“Not a horse,” Caroline hazarded. “A specific horse.”
“Quicksilver,” Joshua guessed. “He’s the fastest.”
Caroline shook her head.
“Calico,” Jeremy said. “You like her.”
She beamed at him. “Well, you introduced us.”
“Because I knew you’d like her. You make a mighty fine rider, even when you have to hike up your skirts.”
“Ahem,” Ma said as the others tittered, and Caroline laughed. “I believe you won that round, Jeremy. What do you spy? And it better not be anyone’s skirts.”
“I spy with my little eye,” he said, gazing at Caroline, “the prettiest gal in the whole territory.”
“Joanna!” Ned crowed, and Joanna stared at him.
“No,” Jeremy said, keeping his gaze on Caroline. “And if you can’t guess right, you haven’t been watching me closely enough.” He took her hand and pressed a kiss against her knuckles.
She couldn’t breathe, couldn’t speak. Didn’t want to move.
“Caroline Cadhill,” his mother said, and Caroline sucked in a breath until she saw the smile on Mrs. Willets’s face. Her name had just been a guess, not a scold. In fact, Mrs. Willets looked pleased beyond all measure as she rose.
“Now, it’s past time for bed. Jenny, Joshua, and Joy remember that you’re helping in the kitchen tomorrow morning, so I expect you down before the rooster crows.”
Joshua heaved a sigh but nodded and went to peck her on the cheek. The others took turns bidding their mother goodnight.
Jeremy stayed with Caroline, leaning closer until she caught the scent of spice that must be from his shaving soap. “Will you be all right?” He glanced to where Ned was waiting by the parlor door, watching Joanna.
“Fine,” she promised him. “And I hope to have something more to tell you in the morning.”
He reached out and gave her hand a squeeze before going to kiss his mother. Much as she enjoyed his touch, she could not help noticing that her brother and Joanna had their heads entirely too close together.
“Ned,” Mrs. Willets called as if she’d noticed it too, and Ned’s head snapped up.
“Ma’am?” His voice had a squeak to it.
“I’ve put you in with your sister,” she explained. “Please let me know if you need anything.”
“You’ve already given me far more than I deserve,” Ned assured her with an expansive bow. “Good food, good companionship.” His gaze lingered on Joanna as she left the room with Joy. He forced his gaze back to their hostess. “I am forever in your debt.”
“Nonsense,” she said. “If you owe me a debt, it is only the same one I owe you—the responsibility of Christians to help one another.”
Something crossed his face, but he offered her a smile. He picked up his valise, and Caroline was finally able to get him out of the parlor and all to herself.
She led him up the stairs and into the room at the top. Then she shut the door and leaned against it. If he wanted to escape her questioning this time, he’d either have to move her or climb out the window.
“All right, Ned,” she said, crossing her arms over her chest. “Explain yourself. You didn’t have any business that forced you out of town. Why did you leave then, and why are you here now?”
He sighed as he sank onto the nearest bed and set the valise carefully beside it. “You know me too well, sis. I ran for the same reason you did. I was out with friends, and three men approached me. They demanded that I hand over Father’s money, and they promised they’d make you pay if I didn’t.”
Her arms dropped. “Oh, Ned. No!”
He started tugging at a boot, steadfastly avoiding her gaze. “Well, I couldn’t give them the money, could I?” The first boot fell with a thud, and he went to work on the other. “I thought that if I left, they’d either follow me or give up, and you’d be safe.”
She pushed off the door. “But I wasn’t safe. They came to the house too, as I said in my note, only they claimed to be looking for you.”
He set the other boot down with its twin, then rose and padded toward her in his stockinged feet. “I got to worrying that that might happen, so I came back to Cincinnati to check on you. I’m so sorry, Caroline.” He wrapped his arms around her and held her.
Poor fellow! He’d probably been as frightened as she had been. And he’d obviously ridden far. Why, she’d spotted that big toe sticking out of one stocking.
He pulled back and smiled at her. “At least you landed somewhere safe. Your intended’s family seems very nice.”
“The nicest,” she assured him as he padded back to the bed. “Why did you think you had to sneak in and hide in the barn?”
He grimaced. “Well, I wasn’t sure about them then. That Jeremy could have been leading you on. I wanted to see you first, find out if you liked it here.”
“I like it just fine,” she said. “And I’m hoping for a proposal soon.” At least she could say that to her brother!
Ned pulled back the covers. “Do you think they’d let me stay? I’d be glad for the work, but I know I have a lot to learn.”
“I’m sure they’d be happy to help you get back on your feet,” Caroline said. “And so would I.”
“Thanks. I could always count on you.” He waited, and she turned her back so he could remove his clothing. When the bedclothes rustled again, she waited until he’d rolled away from her before undoing the buttons on her bodice.
Her father in prison, her brother in hiding, all because someone had been greedy. If Ned hadn’t come back to read her note, she might never have seen him again.
She blinked, fingers frozen on the last button. Ned had said the men had come to him looking for their father’s supposed stolen funds. But they hadn’t asked her for the money. They’d asked her about Ned. She reviewed their conversation again, but she didn’t think she’d misheard.
“Ned?” she asked, moving closer to his bed. “Why would those men think you had the bank’s money?”
A snore rumbled up from her brother’s prone form.
How convenient.
***
Jeremy hung around the top of the stairs the next morning. He wanted to hear what Caroline had learned from her brother, but more, he wanted to see her, to touch her, to assure himself she hadn’t fared ill by Ned’s coming. He’d thought about their kiss and his next steps most of the night. After Deborah, he’d been ready to marry for companionship, but so much had changed since he’d placed that ad and read Caroline’s answer. He’d come to care, likely more than was wise. Was it fair to bring her into the family when he wasn’t sure about the danger or his father’s health?
Was he cheating her by keeping her from finding a true love?
“You’re not helping in the kitchen this morning,” Jenny said, pausing beside him. “And you aren’t supposed to be milking or watching the cows. Why are you up so early?”
“Same reason Joanna is,” Jane grumbled, stifling a yawn as she passed for the stairs. “They want to see their sweethearts.”
“I don’t have a sweetheart,” Joanna informed her tartly. She held up a brush. “Caroline and I are going to help each other with our hair, just like we did for church.”
He would have believed her, if his sister’s hair hadn’t already been brushed and pulled away from her face with her best tortoiseshell combs to spill down behind her in a cascade of crimson curls.
“I’ll just see if they’re up,” Jeremy said. He tapped at the door and heard a muffled, “Come in.”
Easing open the door, he found that Caroline was awake and dressed in the blue gingham gown she’d worn when she arrived, with her own dark hair bound in a braid around her head. Joanna must have been standing on tiptoe, for he felt her attempting to peer over his shoulder.
Caroline prodded the bundle of blankets in Jacob’s old bed with one finger. “Breakfast, Ned. Downstairs. A quarter hour. No more.”
The bundle squirmed, and a few harsh words shot out.
Joanna fell onto her soles with a gasp.
Ned threw back the covers and sat up to stare, first at Jeremy, and likely the skirts behind his legs, and then at Caroline. “Why didn’t you tell me we had company?”
“It’s not our house,” Caroline informed him, marching past him. “We are the company here. Mind your manners, and get up.”
She swept out the door and shut it behind her.
“Apologies,” she said to Jeremy and Joanna, whose cheeks were nearly the same shade as her hair. “He’s never coherent until he’s had breakfast. Mother used to say he needed a little sugar to sweeten his disposition.”
Ma would have said Ned needed a good talking to instead. But Caroline’s brother was a man grown, if barely. It was time he sorted things out for himself and stopped making his sister carry his weight.
As Joanna hurried to return the brush to her room, Jeremy led Caroline down the stairs. He peered in the dining room, but no one was at the table yet, the others likely busy with one task or another.
“Did he explain himself to you?” he asked, studying her face. He couldn’t help thinking that the dark smudges under her warm eyes were her brother’s fault.
“Not really,” Caroline admitted. She ran a hand up her arm. “He says men threatened my safety unless he turned over the money my father supposedly stole. He thought if he left town, the threats would stop.”
Jeremy snorted. “He should have realized they’d just transfer the threats to you.”
“I know,” she said with a sigh that cracked his heart.
She shouldn’t have to bear this burden alone. “I could talk to him,” Jeremy offered.
He hadn’t realized one of his hands had fisted until she took it in her own. “You will never know how much it means that you want to help. Thank you. But I can handle Ned.”
Much as he longed to fight her battles, he had to take her at her word.
And hope.